I feel really convicted to be in the Word more. Everyone has their share of drama but on the mission field it is intensified. Things that shouldn’t matter seem like giant obstacles here. Laws that protect us in the states don’t exist here. The oppression, the poverty, the voodoo, the sickness, the open abuse, the day-to-day Haiti chains- it can overwhelm you so quickly! If you’re not careful you can drown in the drama!
This January our missionary women started an Ephesians Bible Study. Every day we read a few scriptures. I love that no matter how far apart we are – we can read and share God’s Word at the same time!
Beth and I are also meeting weekly & participating in the Faithful, Abundant, True Bible Study by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, & Beth Moore.
Today was our first session and I already feel so blessed by it. Kay was speaking out of the book of Hebrews. Here are a few of the passages she was speaking from:
Hebrews 2:1 – 1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 10:32-39 –
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,“In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”[a] 38 And, “But my righteous[b] one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”[c]39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
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Kay reminded us that we are living in difficult times. The drama is in fact EVERYWHERE! All of us at one time or another has experienced a great conflict. There’s no doubt about it – all of us are being tested no matter where we are.
The passages we read in Hebrews were talking about when Rome was burned and they blamed the Christians for it. They would bind the Christians in the garden and set them on fire. Neighbors were turning in their Christian neighbors. Imagine the knock on your door knowing that you were going to be burned for being a follower of Christ! AND the Bible says they went with JOY!
Talk about your drama!!! Wow!
Verse 38 & 39 hit me really hard! God was telling me He takes no pleasure when I shrink back!! WOW! He is telling me that if I pull back – if I draw back – if I hide – I will MISS the blessing God has for me!
There are days where I’d rather hide in my room than face the drama outside my door! God takes no pleasure in that. He sits on the Throne & is making intercession tonight! We need to cling to Jesus and move forward so that we aren’t destroyed! The reason I’m feeling convicted to be in the Word more – is because when I’m not – I’m walking in a destructive way! He is calling for a Rest of Faith – taking everything we are and resting all of it on Him.
I feel so encouraged to plow through whatever satan may throw my way! He needs to get under my feet because…… I. WILL. NOT. SHRINK. BACK.
One response to “Don’t Let The Drama Shrink You Back…”
Luvit. Luvit. Luvit. Encouragement that I needed. Thanks, Jodi.