"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me." Mark 8:34
We are a part of a small group Bible study which is held in the home of the beautiful elderly lady, Baba Nina, and her husband, Dyed Genady. Her husband is a shut in and because of his health (and sometimes hers), they are unable to get out very often, which is the main reason we meet in their home. Neither of them can hear very so we all have to speak loudly each week. Last week, after our lesson, we were talking about the importance of sharing our faith with our friends/neighbors. The sweet Baba Nina said that she isnt able to go and share much as they have been sick. We all prayed for opportunities and talked about ways to share our faith.
Well here in our country doctors still do house visits, so guess who the Lord brought to Baba Nina's apartment this week? You guessed it a doctor. This is sort of a funny. joyful, convicting story, so I hope you find the joy, humor and even convention intended. She shared tonight that a rather young well educated physician appeared at her door and she invited him in. She said he looked terrible. He made his way to their living/bedroom, the same room, just like ours. He proceeded toward the couch and plopped down, exhausted, and obviously in need of being ministered to instead of ministering. (that was the humorous part)
She began talking to him and her faith in Christ became the center of conversation. She said that he pulled his cross out of the inside of his shirt to show her that he was a "believer". He then asked to see her cross, to which she gave the absolute best answer to this question that I have personally heard or shared in our 10 years in a predominately Orthodox country: "I don't have or need a cross, I am a living sacrifice, dying to myself and taking up my cross in my life every day." She then took a long time to share the love of Jesus Christ and the fear of the Lord, things he had never heard in his life, and sure didnt learn in his years (probably 12) of medical school. She then tried to give him a Bible, where all she had shared was written, but that he was literally shaking from fear by the time she was through, as he realized for the first time in his life that that cross hanging on his neck didn't do or mean anything when he dies and stands before a righteous judge. She saw him shaking and told him there was no need to be afraid, that he just needed Jesus to believe in Him and repent and He would forgive him and take the fear away. He calmed down, took a copy of His Word, and left promising to read it. (that was the convicting part)
Michael was overjoyed and told her that she did a wonderful thing and reminded her that last week she was concerned about who to share with, and that the Lord heard our prayers and that He brought someone to her. (that was the joyfull part)
