“Is it a secret?” Part 1

In a country where many things once were kept in secret, the truth can now be shared freely. As I traveled about an hour and half from my home the other day to share the Gospel with a new friend, I was amazed once again how some people have never heard how to receive the free gift of eternal life.

Irina and I started our day viewing the palace of Paul I, son of Peter the Great, walking through a park, and having tea at a café. For the entire day, I quietly thanked God for even being given the opportunity to witness. Many people were praying for this day, and the Holy Spirit was working in the life of Irina. The Holy Spirit was also speaking to my heart the whole time. Days and opportunities like these are not only for those who need to hear about Christ but are also given to us for maturing in our relationship with Him. Opportunities to witness are given so that we can share the “secret” that we have been privileged to have heard. We do not need to be ashamed of the Gospel. This secret does not need to be kept silent but needs to be shared with all.

We spoke of times when the pages of the Bible were just torn and passed out in Russia. Today the Bible can be read. I asked her what she thought about this change. She mentioned that this was now a good change, but to many it is strange for someone to just pick up the Bible and start reading it. My response was that we need not be ashamed, just read.

I know that this time to share Jesus with my friend so freely was possible because of prayer. The day was bathed in prayer. There was such an open door to speak that day. This freedom was evident even as I asked her two critical questions concerning her salvation. “If you were to die a sudden death, Irina, where would you spend eternity? If you were standing before God and He were to ask you, why should I let you come and live in Heaven with me, what would you say?” Her responses were, “I don’t know.”

I immediately responded that I am so glad that I can know and that I know the answer to these questions. “You can know where you will be after death. You can know where you will live for eternity”. Irina leaned toward me and whispered, “Leslie, is it a secret?” I almost cried, and I looked at her and said, “NO, it is no secret, and yes, I will tell you the answer!”
A great secret had been told to us. Now we must boldly tell this secret, the Gospel, to others. However, no matter where we are, or what we are doing, we must be in a state of prayer to look for these opportunities along the way.
-L.Burch, A Woman’s Path to God, path 45

Continued “Is it a secret?” Part 2

Traveling home on the bus after that wonderful day in the park, I reflected upon what God had taught me and was thankful as I counted the many blessings in my life. I looked out the window of a small crowded bus and saw the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen in Russia. I began to cry; I knew that God was showing me a sign of one of His promises. I almost punched the man sitting next to me to tell him to look out the window at one of God’s blessings, but in some countries a person doesn’t punch someone on a bus to speak to them. We just punch people to get out of the way.

I felt I needed to talk to this man, but I did not know what to say. I sat frustrated at this point in silence. Today had gone so well I was ready to tell my “secret” some more. There was only silence. Then I heard an inner voice from the Lord say, “Pull out your Bible now!” I struggled a second with that idea on public transportation because I would then be labeled a fanatic or member of a cult. However, I silently sighed and pulled out my Russian Bible. I turned to John 1 where the Word could be revealed.

I was about at the end of the chapter, and I knew that he was reading along with me. He soon leaned over and asked if I was a believer. My response was affirmative. Now I started getting excited again. Unfortunately his next questions threw me. I was ready to give the Gospel at once. However, he asked in a stern manly voice, “Tell me, does the Bible say the husband is Lord over the wife?” I thought I was having trouble with the language and understanding his question. I made him repeat it to me. I was thinking surely He is not asking me this deep question, and now I have to answer it in Russian. Well, I made him repeat it again the third time. Being the submissive wife that I am, I answered how I should have, “Yes, the Bible does say that, and it also says that a man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church.
Here I will show you these passages.” I smiled to myself as God did allow me to witness to this man, Nikolai. I was able to share with him the Gospel as well. Thank you, God that You gave a child of Yours another opportunity to tell a secret. As His children may we first pray, be ready to listen and obey, and just tell our secret unashamedly.
-L.Burch, A Woman’s Path to God, path 46

Questions to ponder:

1. How often do you share the good news of Jesus Christ with people?
2. Who do you know that is someone who really needs to hear this good news?
3. Would you be willing to pray for this person on a consistent basis until he/she receives Christ?

Devotion for the Month

the messenger

Read John 13:1-16
Key Passage: Truly, Truly, I tell you, the one who serves is not greater than the one he serves; neither is the missionary greater than the sender - John 13:16

Sometimes we really have to deal with feelings of inadequacy. We must realize that although Jesus commissioned us to be His witnesses, we sometimes struggle with our own calling. I recalled this entry in my spiritual journal: Yesterday as I was out in my neighborhood, I was given the opportunity to witness three times to various people. Each time I walked away upset because I knew that I should have done better. I began asking the normal questions: "Why did I not say...? Oh, why am I not better with the Russian language? My grammar was terrible." Read again what Jesus says in John 13.

Application:
See yourself this week as the messenger Christ has sent. As you are at work, shopping, or just taking a walk in your neighborhood, be that messenger to your people as Christ works through you.

Walk Farther:
1. Who do you really serve?
2. How do you handle feelings of inadequacy?
3. What do you do to make sure you don’t miss opportunities to witness?

-L. Burch, A Winter's Path, path 1

Our Friend Oleg

We ask that you pray for our friend:
Pictured with Buck is our friend Oleg. Oleg lives in an invalid home in St. Pete. Buck visits him regularly. He always ask for some of my homemade cookies. The kids made him some gifts for Christmas this holiday season. He also sent some home for us. However, the best gift that he gave us was that he prays for us all the time. He is such a spiritual guy. We thank God for Oleg.

Turn of the Year

As we watched the new year arrive (in the future for ya‘ll in the States), the Burch family met the new days with expectations. What is God planning for us this year? I pray that we are going to be faithful to Him, listen intently to His will and strive for excellence this year.
Everyone has their own agenda. Ashlyn is involved in 8th grade and working on a major Science project about Heat Energy. Amielle is in 6th and working on a nation notebook about facts on Russia. Luke is in 2nd and developing a great schedule of his own.
We praise the Lord that we have finally gotten hooked up on fairly high-speed internet. The kids have enjoyed writing their pen-pals and Mema, Papa, Grandmama, Granddaddy and close prayer warriors back home. This speed had also helped with their ability to research on the net. We do not have a school library and this has been a challenge over the years for homeschooling, but now we do have an online library. Praise the Lord!
Buck begins his travels soon again. He will be visiting other teams in Russia this month. On the side, I have been involved in a personal writing project as a means of encouragement. Thanks for remembering the family as we know that you are holding us up in prayer. You are dear to us and thoughts of home help us push forward.