Okay, so the title doesn’t really have anything to do with the actual subject of this blog, but I like Psalm 118:6 (ESV) and Hi! I am in Kathmandu. 😀 And, this is a blog about some Bible verses that have stuck out to me over the past couple months. So here you go!
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“Many times He delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low in their iniquity. Nevertheless, He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry. For their sake, He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love.” Psalm 106:43-45
At the Awakening, I felt about as bitter as I have ever felt towards God. Why does my life keep repeating itself? Why am I forced to go through the same heartaches over and over? Why doesn’t He provide a lasting way out?
During this struggle, I found myself reading Psalm 106, and verses 43-45 stood out to me. God did not fail me many times. No, He delivered me many times. God was merciful to me when I didn’t deserve it, with grace for me over and over again.
“And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself.” 1 Samuel 12:20-22
I came across these verses here in Kathmandu and found them hugely comforting and encouraging. In spite of my past, He tells me not to give up, that every day I am given a new chance to choose Him instead of empty things. I often hear people say things like, “I am too far gone,” or “It’s too late, I’m already going to Hell.” No. Don’t give up, or don’t be afraid to start. God will accept you right where you are and today is the day you can start following Him.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
Here’s a question. What has living by the flesh ever done for me? Has it brought anything other than temporary joy and lasting pain? And which would you rather have: death, or life and peace? I’m pretty sure life sounds like the better option. So why do I continually set my mind on the flesh instead of the Spirit?
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We have been here in Kathmandu for about a week and a half, waiting on our visas for China. And we all got accepted, praise God!! Some highlights of our time in Kathmandu: attending a local church; serving food and talking to people in need; going out and doing what we thought would be red light ministry, but that fell through and we ended up playing freeze tag with kids we met on the street; meeting a woman from a Christian business that does ethical tourism; getting to know my new team; trying out different Korean restaurants; eating momos (dumplings) every day; visiting Boudhanath, a giant stupa (Google it); catching up with other squadmates I haven’t seen in a long time (Finally watching an episode of Heirs, a Korean drama we started two months ago before we changed teams, with Melissa <3); and drinking a LOT of good coffee.
Please pray for our new team, SheBrews, that God will direct us towards what He wants us to do in Pokhara. There are several opportunities we have found but everything has been too expensive. Please pray for the right ministry opportunity within the budget that we have to spend. Also please pray for an opportunity to do a women’s ministry event (Beauty for Ashes), that we would meet a contact that could open a door for that.
I would like my next blog to be “FAQ” (or simply “AQ” :P) so if you have any questions, please post them in the comments! Thanks!!
