Emma: Where is the fruit?

I've been reading through Matthew recently... the incredible stories of the life & ministry of Jesus. Matthew 5-6... I've read that passage before but it just hit me so hard as I read through it this time. 

We are supposed to live as the salt & light of the world. I want to live as a light so that others may see Christ and give all the glory to God, not me. Jesus teaches in this passage about sin, loving your enemies, living sacrifically, how to pray, serving God above all things, not being anxious, and building my life on the rock of Christ. 

The morning I read this, the Holy Spirit really convicted me! I was convicted about bearing fruit in my life. Jesus said, "You will recognize them by their fruit." (Matt 7:20)

What is the fruit of my life? I can be doing ministry, but still living selfishly or distracted. I realized this is why my relationship with God must to be number one! If i want to bear genuine, lasting fruit in my life, I need to daily spend time with God. 

We learned a lot about this in AOT (Advance Operations Training), but I think that when a slot of time isn't prepared for you to have a quiet time & it's up to your discipline to spend that time with God, it can be easy not to make it a priority or lose focus. However, I've been learning that my daily time with the Lord is crucial. I want to bear fruit in my life that comes out of the abundance of the love & joy i experience daily in my love relationship with God. I am grateful for my relationship with God and how He sustains me every single day.

-Emma

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim

Healthy Teaming: Julia

Ministering with longterm workers in my country has been such a blessing. I've been able to observe the aspects of everyday living while working as a team. Each family & individual is unique & essential. This team seems to be a healthy team & is a framework of what healthy teaming look like. They have become like family to me and for one another, pointing each other to Christ & loving the Kingdom work they are involved in.

-Julia

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim

Never a waste: Julia (NEEDS PICTURE)

For the past couple weeks, I have been attending English corners almost everyday. I am constantly sharing my story & who Jesus is. I have connected with many students about struggles I have experienced. The students can relate to my story, often feeling caught up right in the middle of their struggles. Through this, God has been showing me that the years of pain, loneliness and depression I experience were not a waste. The days where I felt like I couldn't live anymore, now are being used as a purpose in my life. For His glory!! I am able to point students to Christ and speak into their lives in a unique way. Sharing that God has a purpose for their lives and that He loves them so, so much! God doesn't waste anything. I am living in His grace in this present moment. 

-Julia

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim

Blessing to serve: Emma

I am so thankful for our longterm team we have the blessing to serve with. They truly live out Ephesians 4:2-3: "with all humility & gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."

These families really do bear all things together in love: when someone is sick, they are taken care of. When someone is struggling in parenting, family issues, personal situations, everyone else on the team immediately jumps at the opportunity to pray for them & help them.

It's also taught me the importance of a healthy team & team unity. Each family has their unique gifting & ministry. That's what makes the work they're doing as the body fo Christ so fruitful. I am grateful to know them & learn from each of them!

-Emma

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim

His Mercy & His Word: Jessica

Over the last couple weeks God has been teaching me more about His mercy & His word. I am in awe of how gracious God is. He has completely redeemed me though I do not deserve it. His mercy abounds deeper than I know & it is not dependent on me, but rather on His unchanging character. 

I have also been reminded that His word is not only trustworthy but also everlasting. In my quiet times I have been thinking a lot about how the things of this world are temporary. It is a blessing from God to have the relationships & possessions, but they do fade away. It is a comfort to me that the greatest thing I have will never fade away, because my God is everlasting & His word endures forever. (Isaiah 40:6-8)

-Jessica

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim

Part of the work: Adrielle

A passage that has stood out to me recently was Isaiah 42:5-8. It's incredible that the God who created everything and has dominion over all of it, allows me to be a a part of His work in spreading the Good News to the ends of the earth. He could definitely do it all on His own if He wanted, but He chooses to let us be a part of it so that He gets all the glory. 

I love the image of Him holding my hand. I know that He is always with me and will never leave or forsake me. He doesn't just send us out and say, "Good luck!" He sticks with us & guides us though every step. that is so encouraging!

-Adrielle

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim

Utilizing the gifts

During my current semester deployment, I have been able to see & experience many aspects of the organization we are serving with. One really cool thing I've noticed is how they find a way to use everyone's gifts & talents. Anyone who has a heart to serve & obey our Father can be used in a way that utilizes the gifts they have been given.

Please pray for my field supervisors to continue to abide deeply in their relationship with the Lord.

Pray for spiritual fruit in their lives as they walk in obedience with the Father.

-Grace

NT365 participant, Asia Pacific Rim