UCO Beirut Newsletter

May - June 2022

Reflection

-Elissa Fawaz

Spending time in the presence of God is one of the most sincere ways of molding ourselves to becoming a vessel. God is pouring love on us all the time and when we soak in His presence we soak in His love.

God fills our cups with His love, pouring out to many around us. And that love can't but transform their lives just as we are gently and wonderfully transformed when we are in His presence.

It is not always easy to remind ourselves that all we have as gifts and talents are purely from God our loving father. The Holy Spirit helps us remember this truth. That being said, we have the freedom to use what we have, whether it be our time, our resources, our relationships, responsibilities, talents or gifts, to glorify our Lord or to glorify ourselves. The decision is ours!

Over the years, I’ve experienced how wonderful it is to be living amidst God’s personal Love. It is like this river that keeps flowing with the sweetest water.

He loves me unconditionally, how can I not choose to love Him in the best way I can?

He blesses me with the fullness of life, how can I not choose to live a life worthy of His calling?

He gives me His Holy Spirit to guide me all the days of my life, how can I not share His goodness with everyone I meet?

So I said YES to being a vessel of God's love, chose to use His gifts for His glory, and I started witnessing miracles.

Many are the lives that I've seen transformed! Many are the hearts that I've seen healed! Many are the people that I've seen freed! And now with every person I meet, I accept God's invitation to the eternal joy of being a vessel to which He gives me daily opportunities.

Many other lives remain unknown, but I trust in God's timing, always keeping in mind that it is not me who is doing this but it is His spirit working through me... I simply have the privilege to be one of His vessels.

So I stand in awe today as I continue to choose to put all my talents, time, relationships, resources and gifts to build God’s kingdom by loving everyone He places on my path, only to realize over and over again that His generosity and personal love surpasses all!!

Star of the Month

St John the Baptist

By Serge Chahrouri

John the Baptist knew his mission in life and fully understood that he had been set apart by God for a purpose. He delivered his message with authority: He challenged the people to prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah and exhorted them to turn away from sin and be baptized as a symbol of repentance. People could not resist the overpowering truth of his words.

Personal Sharings

Nour Nohra

I’ve always wondered how I could touch people’s hearts and tell them about God’s marvelous deeds - how can I tell them the good news?

This year I’ve been playing the violin with the worship team. I will describe the process: I just hold my violin and move my bow up and down, “n’importe quoi” and improvise on the spot. I cannot hear the result of all instruments playing together. I just hear the notes I play on the violin.

Sarah Ibrahim

As an 18 year old student living in Lebanon, I personally think that spreading God’s word is getting tougher and tougher by the day.

To be a good disciple is to be humble, to have faith, to serve the Lord by serving others, to be grateful, to embrace the gospel, to be steadfast and dedicated, and to imitate Christ.
And despite the difficulties in the world, God has armed us with the right weapons to fight our daily battles as disciples.

Talents

Ghada Batour

Digital Drawing

“My Imaginary World”

We Recommend

Hello Reader!

During every edition, we’re going to recommend a book, article, movie, or anything that might help you get to know Christ better and to grow in faith!!

This time, we recommend…