The past 2 weeks in Nepal have been a whirlwind! Our squad had “Debrief” the first 5 days in Kathmandu. During this time our Squad Mentor and Squad Coaches flew in from the U.S. and poured their hearts out teaching us about:
Freedom in Christ
- “Free people, free people.”
- In order to get to freedom in Christ we have to be aware of things trying to hold us back.
- Guilt says, “I did something bad.” Shame says, “I am bad.” WE ARE NOT CALLED TO LIVE A LIFE OF SHAME!!!!
- Guilt desires intimacy. Guilt says, “There is more of Jesus here.”
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 ESV)
Weight of Sin
- We carry within us God-given desires that can oftentimes turn into weight.
- God wants to give you your heart’s desire, but he doesn’t want them to feel like weight.
- You are already free in Christ…operate in what you own!
- Find out where Jesus is in the midst of your hurts.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
That’s just a snapshot of many things the Lord taught me & our squad through our coaches at Debrief. God is so good. Freedom in Christ is so, so good. And I hope you, whoever you are reading this blog, have fully experienced the freedom Christ has given you. (If you haven’t and want to talk more about it—shoot me an email ([email protected] ) or text me (615-426-4499) because I would LOVE to talk more about it!)
The past week our squad has been living together in a 4 story apartment and we have been working with our amazing ministry hosts. They have taught us so much about listening to the Holy Spirit and about walking in obedience to Christ. My brain is spinning just trying to process everything God has been teaching me!
So far, our outreach ministry has been walking anywhere from 7-10 miles around the city, visiting temples, and talking to strangers throughout the city about the love of Jesus and how Jesus is not served in temples made by human hands (see Acts 17:24-28 and 1 Corinthians 2). The people here are so receptive to hearing about Jesus…however many of them believe in Jesus + 300 million other gods. It’s very sad to see people walking up to the temples to pray to the lifeless gods day after day. I just want to shake every person I see and scream, “WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS POINTLESS!!!! JESUS IS THE ONLY GOD THAT GIVES LIFE AND YOU CAN TALK TO HIM FROM YOUR HOUSE OR YOUR CAR OR ANYWHERE YOU WANT!!!!!!” (I don’t do that…..but it is just so frustrating seeing people pray to these idols made my man!)
Our squad has had some crazy encounters with people all across the city of Kathmandu of people who are eager to know the Jesus that gives life. God is on the move here, and we still have 2 weeks left!!!
The best is yet to come.
Loving from across the globe,
Alexandra Banks
