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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Monday 20 April 2009

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NIV)

All Wise and Merciful God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for granting us another day of this life that comes with an abundance of blessings and opportunities. Forgive us when we do not live up to the Christian name that we wear. Give courage and wisdom to all world leaders so that they will no longer be ashamed to recognize Christ as the only true and reigning Monarch of all people. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: The Kremlin - Moscow, Russia the Red Square, Lenin's tomb under repair.

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 15 April 2009

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:8)

Our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for this new day that sparkles with joy and hope as we walk in step with our Savior. Help us to sincerely strive to live in peace and harmony with other Christians without pressing our opinions. Give us courage to live and die as faithful disciples of Christ so that we will not lose our reward. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Galina (the librarian) giving some pointers to Vasily on the finer points of cataloging all our books and literature at the Magadan Church of Christ.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 13 April 2009

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8 NIV)

Most Holy, Kind and Merciful God, our Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the precious gift of life on this day that is certain to be filled with numerous blessings and opportunities from your constant care. Help us not to be overawed by the greatness of any mortal powers. Give us wisdom to recognize the power contained in your word that is applicable to all people in all generations. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Vasily, Ivan, Vladimir brothers in Christ serving the Lord at the Magadan
Church of Christ. Magadan, Russia in 2008

WORD OF THE DAY - Wednesday 08 April 2009

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 NIV)

Almighty and Righteous Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the unusual gifts that we receive from your kindness as we face this new day. Help us to use wisdom and caution when we speak so that we will not say anything untruthful or injurious to another. Rather, help us to consider how to speak kind and truthful words that will build up those who are downhearted or searching for answers to challenges of this life. In Christ name, Amen.

Photo: After attending worship, some familiar food in Moscow with Vladimir, Galina and Sofia. January 2009. Vladimir came to Christ in Magadan and now resides in Moscow. He carried us around town in his new car and treated us with much kindness.

WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 07 April 2009

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. (Philemon 6 NIV)

Most Holy and Kind Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the amazing gift of life that sojourns in our temporary bodies and the hope of a new body that will never decay. Embolden us so that we will grow stronger in our faith by teaching others about the wonderful salvation through obedient faith in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

A view from the train as we departed from Inta, Russia on our most recent visit in January, 2009.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 06 April 2009

And I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. (Acts 24:16 NIV)

Merciful God, our Heavenly Father ~ We offer the praise of our lips and hearts on this new day that shines with more proof that our faith is correct. Give us courage and wisdom so that we like Paul, will constantly struggle to remain faithful to the Way of Christ. Help those whose faith is weak, to have courage to turn from sin and come home to our bright hopes. In Jesus name, Amen.

January 2009. Elena, Olga and Raisa preparing to leave after worship with the church in Inta, Russia. The room behind DB contains a baptistery that was added to the apartment in the 1990's. This apartment serves as a meeting place for the church and a place for the missionary or resident preacher to live.

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 05 April 2009

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalm 143:10)

Almighty God, Most Holy, Merciful, and Kind Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for leading and guiding us to this place in life on this Lord’s Day. Bless all followers of Christ around the world as we come together to commemorate His death, burial and resurrection. Fill us with your Spirit as we follow your perfect will. In Jesus name, Amen.
Photo: Galina with Olga and Raisa - two of the faithful sisters who meet for worship in this apartment each Lord's Day. Inta, Komi Republic, Russia January 2009

WORD OF THE DAY - Saturday 04 April 2009

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

Our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the precious gift of life on this new day that arrives with sights and sounds of joy because Christ came to this sinful world and conquered it as one of us. Help us to overcome various infatuations with worldly things and keep our minds upon the peace that comes when we are following our Master. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Time for a little hot tea and snack on the 37 hour train ride north from Moscow to Inta - January 2009.

WORD OF THE DAY - Saturday 28 March 2009

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

Dear God, our Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the splendor and grandeur of all your creation. Even as magnificent as everything we now see is, we long to see the eternal home being prepared for the faithful. Help those who are leaders of churches, families, organizations, and nations to humble themselves and become wise by applying the eternal principles found in the Bible to their lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Another railroad station on trip from Inta to Moscow - January 2009.

WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 24 March 2009

Then He said unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets, and followed Him. (Matthew 4:19-20)

Most Holy and Merciful God, our Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the sun that shines on this new day, and the awareness of the precious gift of life that exists in our bodies. Give us courage to answer the calling and leading of our Lord as we consider the great harvest field of this world. Bless those workers who are pulling nets in dangerous places. Give them patience and wisdom to overcome evil. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Long walk from subway station on icy sidewalks in Moscow Dinamo neighborhood. There is no church of Christ anywhere near this area of a great city teeming with millions of souls in search of hope. Moscow, Russia January 2009.