WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 30 June 2009

The secret things belong to the LORD our God; but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

All Powerful and Merciful God, our Holy Father in Heaven ~ Our mere words are inadequate this morning to express how much we adore, magnify and love You on this new day that dawns with abundant blessings and opportunities. Help us to have wisdom as we study and obey the Bible that is our faithful guide. Help us not to be distracted by always desiring to know unknowable things that we may only be conscious of until we get to Heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Magadan, Russia in December 2008. Vasily, Olga, Pavel and Tamara dig in to the Word with others in a Bible study one Sunday morning.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 29 June 2009

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Almighty God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the precious gift of life on this new day that offers us fresh opportunities to perform with excellence in this life. Give us wisdom and courage so that we will confidently face the Goliaths that are hindering us from being more productive in the great task of evangelizing the world. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Magadan Church of Christ June 2009. Someone brought some cake and the group who stayed after worship had some time to drink tea and have a little fellowship. Maybe there is also some peanut butter on bread. Wonder where that came from. Thanks to our brother Ivan for the photo.
Katya, Vasily, Lydia, Elena, Valentina, Vladimir S

WORD OF THE DAY - 27 June 2009

Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. (Psalm 16:8)

Almighty God, our Eternal Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for all the marvelous works done by your incomparable genius in creating our world that we now call home. Give us greater moral fortitude as we read and study your word and follow Christ as Master. Help us in our efforts to honor our Savior and persuade more people to accept the gift of eternal life by having obedient faith in Him. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: A view of the beautiful rolling hills of middle Tennessee when we drove to Smyrna and visited with the Old Jefferson Church of Christ and told about our work in Russia and Ukraine. That church is one of the congregations that help pay the monthly rent for the Magadan Church of Christ. They have also helped with other expenses connected with our mission work.

WORD OF THE DAY - 26 June 2009

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9 NIV)

O LORD God Almighty, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for granting us the privilege of observing the dawning of a new day with more occasions to sing and talk about your great love and kindness. Give us more of your wisdom and strong resolve so that we will emphasize the things that are good in others rather than tearing people down with our criticism. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Grace and Amanda have been good friends since their earliest days. They are both blessed to be growing up in homes where Christ is exalted.

WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 25 June 2009

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 6 NIV)

O Lord God, our Father who has made your Son to reign above all and over all ~ Thank you for granting us life with hope and joy on this new day. Give us wisdom and courage to obey the teaching of Christ as we follow his example of loving service. In Jesus name, Amen.

People in the photo: George Delaino, Joe Ann Caruso, Bill Binkley, Laura Delaino, Galina, Shirley Beckham. March 24, 2004. The day when Galina received her US Citizenship in Jacksonville, Florida. Several friends made the trip up from Cedar Key to witness her oath that reflects love and respect for America and its ancient values found in God's word - the Bible.

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 23 June 2009

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision benefits anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6)

Most Holy God, our Kind and Merciful Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the splendor and majesty of this world that you have created for us to live in and even be caretakers over it. Help us who have surrendered our will to Christ as Lord to be strong in the faith, and not think that we will benefit by going back under the bonds of slavery to the Old Law. Increase our faith as we study and obey Christ's teachings, and become more active in showing our love to others through deeds of kindness. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: This couple came to Christ during our extended stay in Magadan during 1999. At that time they were going through many personal struggles, but now they are a good family. They rejoiced to meet me on my visit in 2007 and show off their daughter.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 22 June 2009

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:30 NIV)

Almighty God, Eternal and Kind Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the awareness of life on this new day that arrives with many wonderful blessings from your great providential care. Help us to be sincerely humble and considerate of others who are following Christ our Lord. Give us courage to act with love without expecting any rewards. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Leaving Atlanta early one morning on our way back to Alabama. Man makes some great achievements in this life, but we are reminded that there will be surprises on the Day of Judgment. Those who made the bricks and took care of the helpless may be more important than those who designed the world's skyscrapers.

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 21 June 2009

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with love and tender mercies, who satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)

Most Holy and Kind Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for sparing our lives until this new Lord's Day that arrives with fresh possibilities to bring honor and glory that is due our Savior and Lord - Jesus Christ. Fill us with your joy as we remember the great benefits of being your dear children. Help those believers who are not allowed to worship Christ in public venues. Help them not to be discouraged and protect them from harm as they obey Christ as Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: New Year's day 2009 - Inta, Russia in the Komi Republic. Ruslan, our brother in Christ met us at the train station where we arrived from Moscow. He chauffeured us to the apartment where the church meets and where we stayed and conducted our work of teaching the Good News. On these recent days where temperatures hover around 100 degrees, the 30 degrees below zero and snow looks a little comfortable.

WORD OF THE DAY - Saturday 20 June 2009

A gossiper reveals secrets, but a faithful man conceals a matter. (Proverbs 11:13)

Most Holy and Righteous God, our Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the precious gift of life on this new day that brings fresh opportunities to observe your creation and to serve our Savior. Help us to be trustworthy people in all matters. Give us self-control when someone takes us into their confidence so that we will not feel free to broadcast this secret to the rest of the world and possibly cause them harm. In Jesus name, Amen.
Photo: Magadan, Russia. Counseling a young Christian and long-time friend Dima, who is now completing much of his college work. For several years, he has helped lead singing and taught Bible classes while a teenager. His mother Olga began to patiently teach him the scriptures when he was a young boy.

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 17 June 2009

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Mark 13:31)

Dear God Almighty, our Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for this new day that opens with such great beauty that we stand in awe of everything that has been prepared for us to use to your Glory. Give us lucid minds as we read and study the doctrine of Christ that has great power to direct our footsteps in this life and the truth about eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Pakala Church of Christ in eastern India near the area of the great tsunami. The word of God reaches into the hearts of souls living in the most populated areas of the world. Men and women of all ages are turning to Jesus Christ for salvation. People must be able to hear the Word of God in their native language in order to believe and obey Christ as Lord.

WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 16 June 2009

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David." (Luke 1:68-69)

Almighty God, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ We enter into your glorious presence with hearts full of wonder and thanksgiving for this new day that arrives with so many splendid blessings from your careful foresight. Help the leaders and people of all nations to be open to the message of the wonderful salvation that is available to those who believe and obey Christ our Lord. Forgive our selfish ways as we mourn for all the innocent children who have been carelessly slain even before they entered this world. Restore our joy of salvation as we follow the Savior's example of inviting children. Help us to experience a sense of unbridled happiness as we consider the remarkable potential for good in every human life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Uganda children joyfully receiving the Bible in the Luganda language. Local churches in this part of Africa have opportunities to teach many children. However, they seldom have the benefit of Bibles in their native tongue. One important aspect of mission work is the distribution of God's Word that contains the same message of salvation for all mankind.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 15 June 2009

Then Job arose, and tore his robe and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped and said, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:20-21)

O LORD, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ We lift up our souls to You on this new day that arrives with proof of Your Majesty, Power and Love. Help us to realize even more fully that we did not create ourselves and that we are not the result of some cosmic chaos. Give us strength to live each day with complete trust in Jesus, the One appointed to rule with all authority. In Christ name, Amen.

Photo: Both my grandparents on the wedding day of Kenneth Frazier and Alice Binkley. (my aunt and uncle) Grandparents are L – R, Calvin and Biddie Frazier, Samuel and Martha Binkley. Kenneth made it home after WW 2 and studied at David Lipscomb College on the GI Bill. He preached the gospel for many years in North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Uncle Ken baptized me into Christ in the YMCA swimming pool during the early days of what is now called the Eastchester Drive Church of Christ. This was during a protracted series of Gospel Meetings in 1953. I was almost 12 years old, and my brother Tim was baptized on the same day. My Dad, James G. Binkley was the first preacher at this congregaton. Jim Binkley, Alice’s brother, married my mother – Dorothy Frazier, Ken’s sister. Confused?

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 14 June 2009

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39 NIV)

Great, Holy and Mighty God, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the breath of life on this new Lord's Day. We try to contemplate the magnitude of your love for all mankind and the glorious condition that your One and Only Son now enjoys in Heaven. Help us to share the message of the cross with more people who will react the same way as this Roman soldier. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Spending time with a teenage orphan in Inta, Russia. This young man works to help provide for several siblings who reside in this same home for orphans. They are all open to learn about the love of God. Please pray that this church will have a worker to live with them and teach the Gospel in this community of the far north.

WORD OF THE DAY - Saturday 13 June 2009

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9 NIV)

Almighty God, our Merciful and Just Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for this new day and the huge favors that we receive from your sustaining providential care. Give us wisdom and courage to be quick to forgive as we struggle to promote good will without finding satisfaction in discussing how someone offended us. In Jesus name, Amen.

DB promoting the joys of missionary service to a young family in Montgomery that is considering helping us in our work at Nikolaev, Ukraine. Brian is the youth minister at Dalraida church.

WORD OF THE DAY - Friday 12 June 2009

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

All Wise and Merciful God, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for this splendid new day and the manifold blessings that surround us because of your rich providence. Give us wisdom as we endeavor to keep our feet on the road that Christ laid out for us. Help leaders in all positions to keep your Word foremost in their hearts as they make choices that impact future generations. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Arina, learning more about God's wisdom as she reads her Russian Bible during a Saturday class for children at the Magadan Church of Christ. Children from the nearby community regularly learn more about God at these classes. Some are now already young adults, but they continue to participate as students and teachers in these important sessions.

WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 11 June 2009

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Most Holy and Perfect God, our Merciful Father in Heaven ~ We praise you for all that has been done and is being accomplished for the benefit of all humanity. Help us to wholeheartedly work toward unity among Christ's disciples as we serve as examples of love and peace in this troubled world. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Karl Marx street in Magadan, Russia. Many buildings along this street where the church meets, are receiving a modernization to give the older structures a much needed face lift. One of our young men in the congregation is involved with this type work. Even in a slow economy that is affecting most of the world, there is usually work for those with willing and skillful hands.

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 10 June 2009

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)

Almighty God, Preponderant and Everlasting Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the powerful and cherished gift of life on this new day that reminds us of your abiding love and the very real presence of your Holy Spirit. Strengthen our resolve to live each day in step with the Spirit as we honor Christ in our holy living. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: September 2007. A view from the plane as the flight approached Irkutsk, Siberia around 5.00 A.M. for a layover on the way to Magadan in Russia's northern Far East. Christians met me at the airport and took me home to have a period of fellowship.

WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 04 June 2009

For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. Who hopes for what he already has? (Romans 8:24)

Dear LORD, our Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the rejuvenating and uplifting power of hope in eternal life. Help us not to be discouraged with the difficulties of this life, but give us patience as we do our best to be your obedient children. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Flowers flourishing on the side of a residential dirt street in Ukraine. Some residents beautify this common property beginning with the first burst of spring and lasting until winter. Fruit bearing trees such as apples, apricots and cherries are also planted for all neighbors to help themselves when the fruit begins to appear.

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 03 June 2009

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7 NIV)

Almighty God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for every glorious manifestation of your loving presence in our lives on this new day. Help us to see Christ in one another so that the unbelieving majority will see that Christians are united under Christ as Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Joyful fellowship at the Inta Church of Christ in January 2009. There is a possibility that a graduate of the preacher training school in Syktyvkar may move to Inta to help this struggling church that has not had a preacher for several years. Charley Boddy visited this church as well as this servant. But, in order to grow in faithful service to Christ the Lord, the church needs a man who lives in the community to preach and teach the Gospel. This could be one of the two male members, but the one man who might be interested, has a job that requires him to be gone for several months at a time. Please pray fervently that this church will remain united and strong under Christ as they pray and hope for a preacher from their own midst, or a graduate of the school in their own Komi Republic.

WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 02 June 2009

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)

Great and Mighty God, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the mysterious and dynamic soul that resides in our flesh on this new day. Grant us wisdom and courage so that we will humbly follow in the footsteps of Christ in our attitudes and behavior toward one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Time with family at a Boy Scout camp near Atlanta, Georgia where grandson Daniel completed the week long National Leadership Training. One of the sections of the training dealt with improving communication. His father asked him if he would now be a better communicator with his younger brother and little sister.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 01 June 2009

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)

Most Awesome God, our Forgiving and Restoring Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the sun of your love that burns brightly on this new day as we consider how we fit into your grand plans. Help us to discern what is truly good from what the world calls good as we study and obey the doctrine of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Freedom seems to ring everywhere in the country of Ukraine. We were in Kiev on the great May Day celebration that was not so much about the glory of the old Soviet Union as it was about the new hopes and plans for greater achievements for the people of independent Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine are tied closely together because of the Soviet era, but moreover, because of the history of the first Rus people who sprang from Kiev. Both languages and cultures are similar in origin, and yet distinct. The Russian language seems to be spoken by nearly everyone in Ukraine - due to the powerful influence of both the USSR and Imperial Russia. However, school children still learn Ukrainian as the mother tongue of Ukraine. Russian school children have it a little easier - unless they are in one of the many schools that teach English along with Russian. Russia and Ukraine along with other former Soviet republics continue to offer magnanimous challenges and opportunities to mission minded congregations and mission workers. We continue to prepare ourselves for our next journey that is scheduled to begin in July and last until January 2010 - God willing. Our plans include work in Nikolaev to continue the task of church planting in that great city. Then, we will spend time helping the church in Magadan become more established in the faith. Thank you for your fervent and faithful prayers.