WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 10 November 2009

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10 NIV)

Кто верен в малом, тот верен и в большом, и кто не верен в малом, тот не верен и в большом. (От Луки 16:10 Slovo Zhizny)

Almighty God, our Great and Kind Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for every material and spiritual blessing that is given us by your graciousness. Give us wisdom as we learn more about the teachings of Jesus so that we will be trustworthy and honest in earthly matters whether great or small. Help us to think clearly and take action swiftly in order to be prepared for that Great Day. In Christ name we pray, Amen.

We had cold and rainy weather last night, and we only had our faithful attendee Luda to show up for Bible study. We made the most of that time with her and answered many of her questions that she hadn't had the opportunity to ask. We gave her a 2010 calendar that a thoughtful person in America had recently mailed to us. We had to repair our sign that is placed at the front of the building. The man who made the sign came by and fixed it, but our new friend Igor would not accept any payment. Galina started to work on her library specialty by making library cards. Today she plans to be in our storage room sorting things out and cataloging what we have in our 'library'. We already have many valuable resources for people who are seeking to know the truth. Thank you for your attention to the Harvest Field of Ukraine!

WORD OF THE DAY - Friday 28 August 2009

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Most Kind and Loving God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for another day that pulses with sights, sounds and other sensations that cause us to be aware of life and the wonderful physical world that has been given to us by your spectacular creativity and providence. Give us wisdom, courage, joy and peace as we study and obey the perfect will of Christ our Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday night was our last meeting in the nice rooms that have been provided for us by our good friend and brother - Dr. Nikolai. Today we begin to move our belongings to our newly rented room on the second floor of "Dom Culturi Stroiteley". (House of Culture Constructors)
We purchased some chairs yesterday since there are not enough in the room we are renting. They will be delivered today as we are moving some of our boxes of books and literature that we have stored in our old location. This is a very exciting move for us in this early stage. We had two more visitors last night as a result of the invitations sent out from Alexander Prokopchuk, the preacher of the Church of Christ broadcast that airs each Sunday morning all over Ukraine. There are 77 viewers that are on their regular mailing list from the Nikolaev Oblast (state). This new couple, Vasily and Olga Kopous, live in the city of Voznesensk. This city is about 80 miles to the north of the city of Nikolaev, but in the Nikolaev Oblast. They are a wonderful couple that drove down to meet with us, belong to a 'Christians of the Evangelical Faith - Baptists' church in their city. This group is well known to missionaries as a Biblically conservative group that descends from a restoration movement in Russia and Ukraine that began in the late 19th century. Many of their views and practices mirror our own since they have been striving to use the scripture as their only source of faith and practice. The word Baptists was added to distinguish between a branch of this movement that is known the same way except the word Pentecostal is added to the name reflecting their affinity with the modern Pentecostal and/or Charismatic movement. We had a good meeting with them before our services began and received an invitation to visit with them in the future. This we plan to do - God willing. Yesterday morning, we took our new 83 year old regular visitor to the optician so that he could have some glasses to help him read. As always, it was a joy to be with Stepan and Luda for a while. The children were so wonderful yesterday afternoon. They started calling us around 12.00 on our cell phone as we were going around town shopping for chairs and some other necessities. None of them have a watch, so they just couldn't wait until the appointed time for our Bible class. Thank you for the prayers for this vital work with the children as well as our Bible studies with others who visit our nightly meetings. Thank you for the prayers!

WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 27 August 2009

Now when Jesus rose early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. (Mark 16:9-10)

Dear God, our Powerful and Merciful Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the indescribable gifts that we receive from your bounty and grace on this new day. As we ponder over the huge grace that Mary from Magdala received by being freed from the power of demons, and then turned into an effective messenger of Good News, help us to realize that all Christians have an important function in your blessed and eternal Kingdom. We receive fresh motivation for eternal life as we consider the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Guard us and protect us as we await his coming. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Yesterday we completed an agreement to rent one room on the second floor of the Constructors House of Culture. These type buildings were built in nearly every Soviet city as gathering places for drama, opera as well as many other activities. Most are falling apart as they do not serve much purpose under the new form of government. However, this one is still available to us to use for our meetings. The room we rent is an office that will serve for our small Bible studies, Children's Bible Class, and meetings with individuals. There is one more office next to this one that we can rent when we grow to that point. We can use the large auditorium at 1.00 on Sundays for our worship services. Also, we can use the large room at other times when we want to have special evangelistic meetings. Perhaps, we will someday have some other workers come over and help us. We had to sign an agreement for one year to get this place, and we have done this in faith that God will provide the funds. The building is conveniently located in an area of the city where many thousands of people live. It is accessible by tram, route taxis, and other public transportation. Last night before our regular meeting at 6.30 some of our children from our 'Bible Camp' came and wanted a Bible Study. They committed to coming to our new location if their parents allow. They are very precious indeed and have a great interest in God's Word. Sergei is in the fourth grade and delighted in reading Bible stories to the others. He received one of these Children's Bibles from us earlier, and told us that he had read to page 488 and wanted to finish reading the book to us. Tonight he wants to recite a verse he has memorized. Last night, two of the maritime students from Nigeria who had not been with us for a while, returned to our meetings. We hope they will continue their attendance and Bible studies. Just as the last people were leaving the meeting, our dear friend and brother Nikolai called us from Kiev where he is working. We hope to see him here in Nikolaev in a few days. Thank you for the many prayers and words of encouragement!

WORD OF THE DAY - Tuesday 25 August 2009

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23 NIV)

Almighty God, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for the numerous benefits that are ours to enjoy because of our faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. Help us to be more confident as we make plans and execute them, knowing that we are not alone. Lead us into situations today where we may have the opportunity to tell another soul the wonderful story of love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Our new friends Lyudmila and Stepan showed up early for their appointed Bible study, and also returned in the evening for our regular Gospel preaching services. She has many good questions, which make it convenient to use God's word to provide the truth. Both of these good people have deep respect for the Bible as the Word of God. Today we meet with them again at 2.00. We introduced them to some Bible study material that has been translated to the Russian language. These lessons were partially developed by Charles Chandler, a preacher of the Gospel. Charles now resides in Farmersville, TX and is caring for his dear wife Sue. We are very thankful to everyone who has left home and gone to the former Soviet Union for the purpose of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This morning, we have an appointment to look at a possible place for the church to conduct meetings. Thank you for taking us and this important work to the Father in Heaven.

WORD OF THE DAY - Monday 17 August 2009

And those who do wickedly against the covenant he will corrupt by flatteries: but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. (Daniel 11:32)

Most Excellent and Holy God, our Heavenly Father ~ Thank you for the joy of life on this new day that arrives with sensational benefits for those who are in Christ. Help us to gain more knowledge of Christ as we study and obey His perfect doctrine that we find in the blessed Word. Give us courage and wisdom so that we will respond to deceivers with convincing words and useful action. In Jesus name, Amen.

We had two new visitors in our services on Sunday. One Nigerian female student from the Maritime University, and a student who hails from the African nation of Guinea. Galina and I commented later in the day how remarkable it is that we have come to Ukraine and are able to teach people from Africa. Only God knows the future of this effort. We trust in His perfect seed -the Word, to bring results. This morning we will visit the Nikolaev Children's Hospital and present a gift for the children. The effort to get a container of goods from America is a slow process, and I'm not sure how it will proceed since it is based upon others motivation to fill out all the proper documents. In any event, we continue to do good as we see opportunity and Christ receives the glory. Thank you for the prayers.

WORD OF THE DAY - Friday 14 August 2009

In him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things in agreement to the counsel of his will. (Ephesians 1:11)

All Glorious and Supremely Kind and Loving God, our Father in Heaven ~ We enter your presence on this new day with hearts overflowing with a sense of awe and wonder at the minute detail involved in every part of creation. Nothing you created was unintended. Everything was done for a grand and noble purpose, even more so, your plan of eternal salvation for all humanity who will obey Christ as Lord. Help us to be more effective in sharing this good news with others. In Jesus name, Amen.

Photo: Viktor and Oxana, along with our beloved Ilya and Nazar, stopped by on their way back home to Slavyansk. They relaxed in our home for a few hours before catching that long overnight train ride north. God willing, they will be able to return and assist us in this great work for the Lord and his glorious church. Yesterday, another man in the community dropped by to check us out. We remain hopeful that some of these contacts will result in Bible studies. Thank you for the prayers.
Nikolaev address:

David Binkley
P.O. Box 196
Nikolaev 17, Ukraine 54017

WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 13 August 2009

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. (Psalm 65:11 NIV)

Most Kind and Generous God, our Dear Father in Heaven ~ Thank you for another day that overflows with even more bountiful blessings from your constant kindness toward all creation. Give us greater wisdom so that we will make proper choices regarding the good use of the constantly sprouting abundance. Forgive us for the times when we have not been good caretakers over your blessings. In Jesus name, Amen.

Children constantly ask when we will have the Bible classes again! Yesterday evening at our 6.30 Bible study, Sasha came by around 5.00 and stayed with us as we made preparations for various activities. We hope to have a good group of kids for our Saturday Bible class, and hopefully some of these will also come on Sunday morning and stay for worship. We must be careful not to do anything with these kids that will upset the parents, and so far, they have a favorable opinion of our activities. We plan to continue to invite the parents and others to our services. Yesterday, we printed many new hand-outs that we use each day to invite people to our services. Two men came by to meet us, and they both promised to come back again. Thank you very much for your prayers and constant encouragement. PS Please take note of our mailing address here in Nikolaev. We visited the Post Office yesterday and rented a P.O. Box so that we can receive mail from abroad as well as from sources that will send us Bibles and other literature.

WORD OF THE DAY - Saturday 08 August 2009

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has
chosen? It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:33 NIV)

Most Holy and Merciful God, our Dear Heavenly Father ~ we come into your glorious presence on this new day because of our faith that we can come as your children. Yes, was it not for the acquittal that Christ made possible for us at the cross; the Accuser's charges against us would be true. Thank you for our perfect hope of someday standing in your presence and expressing our praise for this great salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.

One of the many lessons about Jesus Christ that our kids learned this past week was about Jesus walking on the water and encouraging Peter and the others to have greater faith. In each lesson, Oxana and Viktor were able to communicate God's message to these children. We pray that they will keep this desire to participate in our regular Bible classes that we plan to have on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. They all said they want to come. Most were disappointed that we will not continue to have classes every day! The presence of the church is known in this community through this outreach to children. Nearly all of these kids are from poor families and we will stay in touch with them and continue to encourage them with God's love. Overall, 24 children were touched by God's love during the 8 days of an intense Bible "camp" atmosphere. One six year old boy from a Muslim family who was brought by his older brother said with a grumble on his first visit, "I am not coming back because you want me to pay for these lessons." When we said no way, he came back every day, and when they all received the Children's Bible and some necessities for back to school (along with a Snickers and an orange), he exclaimed, "Is this the end of our lessons? Can we have more?!" And, when we told them we will have it on Saturday and Sunday, they all exclaimed "khorosho"! (great!) We know that Jesus loves all these precious kids and we are blessed to have a small part in introducing them to more of God's amazing grace.