WORD OF THE DAY - Friday 13 November 2009

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those that fear him, and his righteousness toward the children’s children of those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his commandments. (Psalm 103:17-18)

LORD God Almighty, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the mysterious and renewable gift of life that temporarily resides in our mortal bodies. Give us more of your infinite wisdom so that we will more completely comprehend the reign and rule of Christ in our hearts. Strengthen our faith as we keep the covenant with the true Light for all nations. Help us to share your plan with people who are lost and struggling to find their way in this dark world of sin. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.

God made the world and all things in it; he is Lord of heaven and earth and dwells not in temples made with hands. (Ac 17:24)

Бог, сотворивший мир и всё, что в нем, Он, будучи Господом неба и земли, не в рукотворенных храмах живет. (Деяния 17:24 Russian Synodal Version)

Almighty God, our Creator and Giver of everything that exists and has life ~ Thank you for pulling us unto yourself by the powerful force of love that is made known to us in your precious Word. Help us not to be deceived by the grandeur of the great temples around the world so that we might think those who worship there are somehow more worthy than those worshipping in a small hut or apartment home. Give us wisdom so that we will truly see your presence among those people who are wholeheartedly following Christ as Lord and have your Holy Spirit dwelling within the temple of their bodies. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

As we exited the back door of the Post Office where we receive our mail, we noticed how great the grape vine was as it reached up to the third floor apartments and even crawled over wires to the apartment building next door. There are still grapes for anyone to take and eat. Of course it makes us consider the greatness of the Lord's Vineyard. We left in the morning with short sleeves as we have been doing, but quickly went back in for long sleeves due to the wind and a little cooler temperature. (49 F) This is a mild reminder that our stunning summer weather will be turning to autumn soon. We picked up many chestnuts on the sidewalks as we walked around the city putting up our invitations to our meetings. I was also able to meet seven people and give them my Russian language business cards that have some words about salvation on the back. At the bottom of the announcement, we also included in English language a link to World English Institute where those who already know English may sign up and study English using the Bible. We are expecting some visitors today for our worship. At least that is what they told us. Thank you for your prayers.

WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 17 September 2009

The LORD shall establish you as a holy people unto himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in his ways. (Deuteronomy 28:9)

Поставит тебя Господь народом святым Своим, как Он клялся тебе, если ты будешь соблюдать заповеди Господа Бога твоего и будешь ходить путями Его. (Второзаконие 28:9 Russian Synodal Version)

All Wise and Merciful LORD God, our Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the electrifying gift of life on this new day that arrives with even more challenges to share your love with those searching for the truth that sets men free from slavery to sin. Help leaders of nations that have a history of faith, to realize the solemn responsibility they have to allow and encourage the wide spread use of the Scriptures so that the people will turn to Christ for guidance and salvation. Make it possible for the people in other nations to learn about Christ even when their leaders stand opposed to the everlasting Church which is the glorious spiritual Kingdom of Christ and is not of this world. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Yesterday in the morning, we walked down the street for only ten minutes to the Nikolaev State Pedagogical University where we were greeted warmly by our friend Tatyana who is the head of the English Department. She took us to the room where I spent an hour and a half talking about American culture, education, and ethics and answering their questions about religion. This was our get acquainted session, and each week I am scheduled to be with this group at 09.40 each Wednesday morning. On Monday at 1.00, I am invited to address students who are studying in their third and fourth year at this university. Some are preparing to teach while others plan to be interpreters. I am allotted an hour and twenty minutes with each group, and there is no restriction to prevent me from teaching the Bible. At the outset of my talk yesterday, I showed the teachers a copy of the US Constitution that I carry around with me. I also showed them a nice medallion from the Montgomery Police Academy. I asked if anyone knew the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and that whoever got the right answer would receive this medallion. During my talk, I made some references to some of the points in the first amendment to spark their memories. It seemed like no one knew. But, at the end, one young teacher in the back, said "is it Freedom of Religion"? That was a good enough answer to win the prize. They all had fun with that. Bryan Jurkofsky is a member of the Dalraida Church of Christ who also happens to be a captain in the Montgomery Police force. Part of Bryan's responsibilities is recruiting new officers and overseeing their training. He gave me a few of those medallions to present to some people here in Ukraine. We are so very grateful to all of you who regularly offer prayers to God for this work. Last night we had another visitor at our Wednesday night meeting. We are hoping he will return tonight. His name is Peter. He came as a guest of Luda and stated that he wanted to hear the gospel preached. He heard it. On one of our walks up to the place where the church meets, we noticed an old tree that looked like it was trying to say something. Any clues?

WORD OF THE DAY - Friday 11 September 2009

But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the faithful love of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:8)

А я, как зеленеющая маслина, в доме Божием, и уповаю на милость Божию во веки веков. Псалтирь 52:8 (51:10 Russian Synodal Version)

Glorious and Merciful God our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for awakening us to the sights and sounds of a fresh to enjoy the impressive gift of life that moves within us. Grant us wisdom and stronger faith as we connect with your Word, and discipline ourselves to trust and obey Christ as Lord. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Thursday evening Bible study at the Church of Christ in Nikolaev, Ukraine.