Latest / Eurasia Region Podcast / S1-E66 | Everyday Eurasia | Shahade Twal

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S1-E66 | Everyday Eurasia | Shahade Twal · Eurasia Region Podcast

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  Hello and welcome to the Everyday Eurasia podcast,
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  Inspiring Faith for Every Day. Each day we are on a journey
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  with Jesus in our churches, our homes, our workplaces, and in so
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  many different places around the world.
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  Is it beautiful that no matter where we are, we can walk with
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  him every single day? Jesus is the one who connects us
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  all and stands at the very center of our lives day after
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  day. Through this podcast, you'll
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  hear voices from across the region sharing devotionals that
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  reminds us of God's presence in our everyday moments.
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  Shahada, 12, is an ordained elder in the Church of the
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  Nazarene and serves at the Eurasia Region coordinating
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  Nazarene Missions teams, Alabaster, and partnership
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  relations. Shahada and his family has
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  served in the Middle East and General to the Hartford Cross
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  Cultural Ministry, church planting, discipleship, and
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  helping local churches develop sustainable spaces for worship
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  and ministry. In this mini series, he shares
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  short devotional messages that connect biblical stories with
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  the purpose and impact of Alabaster.
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  Today's short devotional is about why Alabaster matters and
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  we are going to go to Exodus Chapter 25.
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  In this chapter, God speaks to Moses and says something
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  powerful. He tells Moses to receive an
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  offering from the people, not to pressure anyone, not to force
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  anyone, an offering from those who are willing.
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  That is what God is asking for. And God gives Moses the reason.
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  He says, let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among
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  them. Now we all know God is
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  everywhere, that is for sure. So why does God ask for a
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  sanctuary? It is simple.
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  It is because the people need a place to gather.
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  People need reminders, people need rhythm and formation.
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  People need a shared space where the story of God is told, where
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  worship is practiced, where faith is strengthened.
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  The sanctuary was not meant to trap God.
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  It was meant to help God's people Remember God is with us.
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  And that is a beautiful connection to Alabaster.
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  Alabaster is the church across the world saying let's make a
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  space for God and for his work among us.
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  Not because God is limited, but because God's people are
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  hurting. Because children need
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  discipleship, Because new believers need communities.
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  Because pastors and leaders need training.
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  Because mercy needs a base. Because worship needs a home,
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  Alabaster helps provide those spaces for these ministries.
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  And I want to say something directly to you this day.
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  Alabaster helps provide these spaces, and I want to say this
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  note to you today. Sometimes we think that
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  spiritual things are only in the invisible spiritual realm, but
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  Scripture shows us that God often uses visible spaces to
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  serve invisible formation. Let me say that again.
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  Scripture shows us that God often uses visible spaces to
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  serve invisible transformation. So a room can become a place of
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  prayer. A building becomes a doorway to
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  belonging. A training center can multiply
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  leaders. A small church property can
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  become a lighthouse in a certain neighborhood.
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  So what do we do with this information?
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  What do we do with this news? We do what God invited Israel to
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  do. We participate willingly, not
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  out of guilt but out of gratitude, not out of pressure,
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  but out of love. So today my encouragement is
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  simple. When you think of alabaster,
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  don't think first about concrete or paint or property.
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  Think about the presence of God. Think about people gathering.
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  Think about disciples being formed.
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  Think about the gospel being preached.
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  Think about compassion becoming practical.
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  Think about people being saved. And then give willingly,
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  joyfully, as God enables you. Let us pray.
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  Lord, thank you that you choose to dwell among your people.
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  Thank you that you meet us in worship and prayer, in community
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  and in ministry. I pray that you would give us
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  willing hearts, and as we give, use these offerings to create
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  spaces where your presence is known, spaces for salvation, for
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  healing, and for hope. In Christ's name we pray.
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  Amen. Thank you for listening to the
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  Everyday Eurasia podcast Inspiring Faith for Everyday.
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  For more Everyday stories, subscribe on this podcast
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  channel, follow our socials, Facebook and Instagram, or our
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  newsletter Snapshots. For our newsletter and further
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  information about the Eurasia region, visit our website,
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  eurasiaregion.org.