Haven't posted in a very long time and I must really say that it has been long overdue. Through it all though the Lord has just been showing Himself time and time again, my mind is continually stunned at how good He is to me. Very humbling, and very many experiences.
Reason I haven't been posting, I've been very pressed with quite a bit of work. School work, and (more pleasantly) the privilege of the Lords work. A thought I must express though: being overly busy is not a virtue. A statement I recently got to memorize: "Satan invents unnumbered schemes to occupy our minds that they may not dwell upon the very work with which we are to be best acquainted. The arch-deceiver hates the great truths that bring to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful mediator. He knows that with him, everything depends on his diverting minds from Jesus and His truth." (GC p.488) Something I read once, that being busy (to the point where the mind is deviated "from Jesus and His truth") is to "B-e U-nder S-atans Y-oke".. Anyhow, most of my time has since been spent in devotion and work.
I actually realized that I haven't posted since March (before the last post), so this will be more like an update on some of the experiences, thoughts, devotions I've had since then (warning: this may be quite a long post...).
1. Went on mission in March to Arlington: Free State.
A mission which I can without a doubt, describe as one of the most impacting missions I have ever been on thus. I got to see the mighty saving power of God in a powerful way. The mission was a week long but it was one where all trust had to be on God. I learnt some very practical lessons on faith and the fact that we are in the middle of a very real great controversy with very real opposing forces and a very real Saviour. (If you will check out the latest issue of the Mission Cohort newsletter, you will find some very lovely testimonies from some the missionaries who were there. I'll try post a link to it)
2. Got the privilege to speak at a few SDASMs. I'll just comment on the 1 that I really wanted to blog on the most but didnt get the chance to.
Sermon at a small SDASM. I had the experience of being visiting a sdasm which I had never been to before. With that being said, I didnt quite know what to expect while going there. Upon arrival, I notice that (though I didnt know what to expect) the number of the congregants was quite small. It was the first sabbath of the term so not many of the students knew about the structure. I must say, from first site, one felt slightly discouraged at the number. But I remembered a testimony I read before about a man who preached at a church which had only one attendee on that cold winter day. Nevertheless the preacher preached with the same faithfulness as though he stood before a multitude. The man who heard the sermon received the words with gladness and then went on to become a missionary, leading close to a thousand people to Jesus. With the faithfulness of that preacher in mind, the handfull of people actually was encouraging. The intimacy of a small church is very lovely though, theres a seemingly richer and more real reall level of spirituality. I think with that experience, God is really in aim to form a deeper love for souls in me. Its easy to want to be seen by
men and praised, but experiences like that call one to question whether there is a genuine love for souls or whether the service is all for show. Had some interesting discussions afterward with the brethren
3. Journey through the book of Daniel.
I've been making a personal effort of late to be more acquainted with the prophecies of Daniel. I remember a challenge/appeal a friend of mine a couple of years back of taking God at His word when He promises that the Holy Spirit will "teach you all things" and "guide you into all truth" (John 14:26, 16:13). With that in mind, I've been going through the book with minimal commentaries/ notes from prominent authors etc. It has truly been a journey highly fulfilling. Allowing oneself to be taught by God is always very exciting. One thing that studying the prophecies does is to revive a real consiousness of how soon Jesus is coming. Seeing the fulfillnent of prophecies (to the very letter) in times past gives such confidence in the word of truth. Moreover it makes one doubtlessly look to tbe fulfilment of prophecies yet to be fulfilled, it gives full confidence in Gods word when it says "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1John 1:7. Look forward to sharing some of tbe fragments and jewels I've picked up.
Just a bit more on this point: Realise more and more how much one needs to be more diligent in Gods word. The mine if truth can never be exhausted, but some of the most precious trausures lie far beneath the surface.
4. Got a new leather covered journal. I know this isn't anything spectacular but it has been a very precious tool. I think its possibly also the reason behind the delayed post and seldom blogging. Its nice to have nearby to jot down questions, or thoughts I have. (Its helped cut down on the "I had an interesting thought earlier but I forgot what it was" experiences.)
5. Mid year exam/presentation.
I recently presented my mid-year exam presentation. Unlike "writing" exams, with like a set question paper, in architecture we give an oral and visual presentation to an external moderator of the projects we've been working on during the semester. Looking back to my exam, I cannot but say that God is good!
I had quite a bit of work and catching up to do and I wasnt too happy with where I was sitting mark wise. Together with this, I had a bit of other work to type (mission related, outdside of school) so time wasnt on my side. One thing that I am continually reminded and tested on though is the fact that God is faithful to those who put Him first. He takes care of those who have yielded themself to obey Him. Now remembering that, I took God at His challenge and worked on the mission things before the school work. (To be very honest, this was entirely an act of faith. It seemed illogical, but the beauty of trusting God is that it sometimes goes beyond our own reasoning). So for about 4 days, (3 really, the 1 was a sabbath) I didnt work on my exam presentation.
I eventually got to finish what I had to do, then I carried on with preparing for the presentation.
When I got to my schoolwork, man theiracles just continued pouring in. God provided that I would be able to finish my posters (which arent small) in the short time I had; God provided means and ways for me to be able to print my posters (which isn't cheap:) but Jesus knows no boundaries.
In summary, the presentation itself went very well and the marks came back well.
Im currently on another mission in Free State which us also filled with some very powerful experiences. Learning quite a bit, getting a brighter revelation of God, and my own character and the work which Christ is doing in me.
I look forward to posting on these experiences...
Ps. 133:1 :)
