Greetings friends,
If you read my last blog then you will be aware that I arrived in Tbilisi Georgia after two days of hitch hiking from Baku Azerbaijan. It was a nice adventure and I was grateful to leave the city and enjoy some fresh air in the beautiful countryside after 20 days in Baku.
As I left the city I was determined to go by faith. I used no money and no maps. I wanted to give the Lord the opportunity to provide. I arrived at a hostel in a place called “Sheki”. I could’ve slept in the countryside but I desired a roof over my head for the night.
My meals were provided for because of Gods faithfulness through the kindness of the local people. I have come to know and believe that God will provide our every need if we trust Him and allow Him to as we see in scripture when Jesus sends out the 12 or the seventy two. This should empower us to trust Him and allow Him to provide in all aspects of our lives whether that would be with our families, our jobs, our money, etc.
I spent a lot of time meditating on scripture and the things of God as I travelled the countryside. The biggest revelation I have had recently is the actual cost of following Jesus.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:22 that “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” I’ve come to realise the truth behind these words. The reality is that the only way that I am able to do the things that I do is by Gods grace and through faith in the truth and the promises that are found in the bible. Without God and His favour upon my life, I can do nothing.
We read many verses in the bible that encourage us to trust God and His unfailing love and faithfulness. We also read verses that tell us to persevere through trials and hardships and to rejoice in suffering… interesting. Where do the trials and hardships and suffering come from?
I’ve come to realise and experience that the real trials and hardships come when we proclaim Christ, His gospel, and His faithfulness in our lives. People will reject you because of it.
It was easy for me to hitchhike across a foreign land, without money or minimal guidance because I have Jesus inside of me. I have the peace of knowing God and all the wonderful blessings that come with it. I proclaimed Jesus as my Lord and Saviour when I was asked, but I know for a fact that if I preached His gospel and what we really believe, then I wouldn’t have received the same kindness and willingness along the way. In John 15 Jesus says, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
This is not only applicable to faith based travel journies, but in all aspects of life. The gospel is offensive and we will be rejected if we proclaim it. But hallelujah great is the reward. Yes & amen! To know God and His son whom He sent, that is eternal life! John 17:3
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord , choose this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 24:14-15
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:35 ESV
Everyday we have a choice to make. “Choose this day whom you will serve” my friends. Check out the videos of my travels below. May the peace of knowing Christ be with you.
