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| "Many are the plans in a man's heart but is is the Lord's purpose that prevails" - Proverbs 19:21 |
This past Monday we began a Bible study with several mothers
who prayed to receive Christ at House Church on Sunday. We were so excited to
have a time with just the mothers away from all the distractions and children
studying the Word of God! After spending time with the mothers in class,
morning exercise, afternoon hangouts and lunch dates we realized that we knew a
lot of superficial information and less about the condition of their hearts. We
knew that as Catholics they believe in God and that He sent Jesus to take away our
sin but what else specifically? The only thing we could think of was the
importance of works. So in our excitement to share the Word of God with them
we planned, planned, planned! Bible study was to start at 9am, we would pray
and then ask the question: How do you think you get to heaven?
We assumed they would answer through good works so we of course planned our scripture around this answer. We are sure that God was laughing at our attempt to plan how the Holy Spirit would lead. When we arrived, the Bible study didn't start until 9:30 (Filipino time) and their answers were nothing like we thought. Right from the beginning they began talking about purgatory where we reference Luke 16 then somehow we ended up talking about how to pray (Matthew 6) and then idols (Exodus 20).
The Holy Spirit was there and working in Nanay’s house as we read and discussed Truth. At the next Bible study on Wednesday, our conversation went from the Fruits of the Spirit to a mother asking if it is necessary to worship Mary. Friday, we had the opportunity to share the cost of following Jesus. After much planning and worry over how to gently bring up different topics of Catholicism that needed correction, God showed His sovereignty.
Each day we can see the Holy Spirit working in their hearts and it is both humbling and a blessing. It is a reminder that not only has God paved the way for us that His Will prevails but that His Word is sharper than any double edged sword. His Word is living and active and as long as we are willing and obedient to open the Bible and read the Scripture then the Holy Spirit is faithful in penetrating hearts however He pleases. Pray that God will continue to give these ladies a heart of curiosity and us the wisdom needed through Scripture to guide them to the Lord.
We assumed they would answer through good works so we of course planned our scripture around this answer. We are sure that God was laughing at our attempt to plan how the Holy Spirit would lead. When we arrived, the Bible study didn't start until 9:30 (Filipino time) and their answers were nothing like we thought. Right from the beginning they began talking about purgatory where we reference Luke 16 then somehow we ended up talking about how to pray (Matthew 6) and then idols (Exodus 20).
The Holy Spirit was there and working in Nanay’s house as we read and discussed Truth. At the next Bible study on Wednesday, our conversation went from the Fruits of the Spirit to a mother asking if it is necessary to worship Mary. Friday, we had the opportunity to share the cost of following Jesus. After much planning and worry over how to gently bring up different topics of Catholicism that needed correction, God showed His sovereignty.
Each day we can see the Holy Spirit working in their hearts and it is both humbling and a blessing. It is a reminder that not only has God paved the way for us that His Will prevails but that His Word is sharper than any double edged sword. His Word is living and active and as long as we are willing and obedient to open the Bible and read the Scripture then the Holy Spirit is faithful in penetrating hearts however He pleases. Pray that God will continue to give these ladies a heart of curiosity and us the wisdom needed through Scripture to guide them to the Lord.