Rahab

This past weekend I gave a testimony at my church and some of you (Abby and my Mom!) have asked me to post what I said here. So here it is, exactly as I spoke it!

"When Monique asked the group if anyone was interested in sharing anything they learned through our study I automatically knew I had to. I would usually be happy to let someone else speak up, but I couldn't let this pass without saying anything. I grew up in a strong Christian environment where my parents were open about their relationship with the Lord. I actually accepted the Lord when I was four with my mom. She was a little weary of how young I was, but she saw that what was in my heart was true. But as I look back through my life I realise that I have limited my God and not learned His Word the way he asks us to. This Bible Study has shown me that God's Word can be alive and active in me if I am active and faithful enough to learn it and believe it for myself.

The most memorable moment for me was when we studied Rahab - the prostitute who allowed the Israelite spies to hide in her house before the walls of Jericho fell down. She risked her life to hide these men because she chose at that instance to have faith in the one true God. She was actively making a living as a prostitute when she decided that she might just believe God. Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." She is listed in Hebrews 11 among names we are all familiar with like Moses, Abraham, Noah, Joseph, and many more to include what is called the "Hall of Faith."

Beth writes, "were you expecting someone a little less rough around the edges? Now glance up and down the Hall of Faith portraits. Does she seem to be a misfit? Ah, but she's supposed to...for the sake of all the rest of us who are."

The spies promised Rahab that she would be spared after the walls of Jericho fell down if she were to hang a scarlet thread from her window. And she was. And so was her family. And they lived among the Israelites. She even married an Israelite. If you then look at Matthew 1:1-16 - the geneology of Christ - you find Rahab's name right there in the middle of it! Not only that though, her son is Boaz, who married Ruth. Beth says, "She didn't just have the faith to be delivered. She had the faith to be redeemed. Then accepted. Then made a bride. Then she exercised the faith to rear one of the finest men captured in Bible history."

For me, I have been struggling with missing my family in the States and questioning God on why I have to be in New Zealand. But through this particular story, I know that I can have faith and rest easy, because where I am is where God wants me to be. Jeremiah 29:11. He has intricately and purposefully stitched our lives together as much as he did for Rahab. Looking back on my life I can see that God has always had a master plan so that I can trust in His sovereignty and know that he is in control. God was able to take a prostitute and accept her into the line of Christ - so obviously he can use me in my life wherever he puts me. He is interested in my life and every detail of my growth and he is able to make something beautiful out of it through His grace. To sum up, the Holy Spirit has used this bible study for me personally to deal with the daily struggles Im facing. It has made scripture come alive for me. For one of the first times in my life, I get excited about opening the Bible and learning what God says - I have come to understand that through daily scripture reading, it is the Holy Spirit that brings God's word to life. We have to make ourselves available to be used. I have felt God's presence. God took this scripture and applied it to my life that very day and he is continuing to apply it."

That's a Miracle!

I definitely believe in miracles. They may not be the same as the miracles in the days of Jesus, but miracles are still happening today. We often just say, "oh, that's a coincidence." But, the past month or so I have started a Beth Moore bible study "Believing God" and I have found myself waiting for miracles! I love it. This afternoon, I got one! I'm serious. There is no other explanation. I had just been out for coffee with my mother in law and sister in law, and I was putting Mya in the car. She does the arched back thing, where there is NO way she will get in that car seat! I have the keys to the car in my mouth, and she is reaching for them..so I think "sure, Ill give them to her if she will stop this screaming!" She's happy! yay. I just think to myself...I better open a door while Im getting this stroller in the car, etc. So I open the drivers door and put everything away..shut the trunk..LOCK. and I think to myself.."good on you, Rachel, for opening that front door! You are so smart!" I walk to the door..it's a little open..I pull on the handle..NOT BUDGING..it was closed! Well, it was more that halfway closed..so I pull a little harder. NOTHING. it is locked. there is no way Im getting in the car. I am starting to get a little bit panicky. OH my goodness..oh my goodness..I look through the window at Mya..she is showing me the KEYS...and the button she pushed and laughing and smiling at me..thinking I am so funny! and I think, Oh, maybe she'll press the button again! I look through the window again..she threw the keys and decided they weren't that fun anymore and started playing with something else~ ahhhhhh. I run after a car and ask a very nice lady if I can use her cell phone. Luckily, she said no problem. But, Eddy's number is the only number I know off by heart, and he is NOT answering! I tried a couple of times..no luck. I asked her if she could text him for me..I jiggle the door some more. nothing. Meanwhile..she is slow at texting..so I just just leaned up against the driver's door..and I thought "Oh, I don't want to shut even more" so I kind of got off of it..and I heard a click..and the door just SWUNG open..the lock waas still down! Me and the lady that was helping me just looked at eachother..like...what in the world!!!!! THAT IS MY MIRACLE..the things you can't really explain..they just happen...those are the miracles that God gives us in our lives. I love Him for it~!