WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 03 April 2011 Mykolaiv, Ukraine

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Итак прежде всего прошу совершать молитвы, прошения, моления, благодарения за всех человеков, за царей и за всех начальствующих, дабы проводить нам жизнь тихую и безмятежную во всяком благочестии и чистоте, (1-е Тимофею 2:1-2 Russian)

Отже, перш над усе я благаю чинити молитви, благання, прохання, подяки за всіх людей, за царів та за всіх, хто при владі, щоб могли ми провадити тихе й мирне життя в усякій побожності та чистості. (1 Тимотей 2:1-2 Ukrainian)

AMONESTO pues, ante todas cosas, que se hagan rogativas, oraciones, peticiones, hacimientos de gracias, por todos los hombres; Por los reyes y por todos los que están en eminencia, para que vivamos quieta y reposadamente en toda piedad y honestidad. (1 Timoteo 2:1-2 Spanish)

Dear God our Savior ~ Thank you for this new Lord’s Day and the special privilege to assemble with others who have the same faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day. We know you love every soul and we thank you Father for allowing us to know many different people. Give us wisdom as we learn better how to handle the truth, so that others will come to have knowledge of the truth and obey the gospel of salvation. Help all people in the world to make the choice to follow Jesus when they have the opportunity to know him as Lord. Give world leaders the wisdom needed to lead in peace and prosperity for all citizens of their respective countries. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

We made it home safely around 07.00 this morning. We are so thrilled to be back in Nikolaev with the stamp in our passports that legitimizes our continued stay in Ukraine. Now we are rushing to prepare for our worship and other Lord’s Day activities. The nice young lady at the passport office (not really the name of the place – our designation) told us earlier in the week that the office was open from 08.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Well, we got there around 08.30 and the doors were locked. A person appeared and said they open at 09.00. So we went for a little walk around the center of Slavyansk and stopped and had a cup of coffee at at little cafeteria on Shevchenko street. That’s the street that Galina walked so many times with Sonya when she was helping her Mama in the hospital. We came back to the passport office about three minutes past nine, and were told that the staff was on a possible illegal immigrant inspection and would return at 10.00. So, we decided to go for another walk. This time we walked down to the bus station and bought our tickets from Slavyansk to Donetsk. At least we were able to accomplish something useful. We returned and got our place in line and finally around 11.45 we received our passports with the stamp authorizing us to remain in Ukraine with the 5 year multi-entry visas that we already have. It’s a complicated process and I will not even start to try and describe all the hassles people go through in order to have their legal residence in the former Soviet Union. The first picture above is the old typography building where the Slavyansk Church of Christ previously met for several years before they bought the property where they now meet. It is always interesting to take note of people doing their jobs in the morning. As I’ve pointed out before, the street sweeping jobs are reserved for women in the old USSR. We took a little break in the area of the city square for one more shot of Lenin’s statue. As we left Donetsk last night Galina noticed a beautiful memorial on the road heading to Mariupol. We passed through Berdyansk, Melitopol and Kherson before arriving in Nikolaev. Those are the towns where we had a rest-room break. We are a bit travel weary, but really looking forward to meeting with our group here today and the rest of this week. Thanks for the prayers for our safe travels.

WORD OF THE DAY - 08 January 2010

I sought the LORD, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Я взыскал Господа, и Он услышал меня, и от всех опасностей моих избавил меня. (Псалтирь 34:4 Russian 33-5)

O LORD our God, Holy is Your Name ~ Thank you dear Father, for the brightness of our hopes on this new day because of the assurance of your abiding presence and care. Give us wisdom as we study and reflect upon your word so that we will not think that we have all the answers for life’s problems. Increase our faith while we submit to Christ Jesus our Lord. In His blessed name we pray, Amen.

Yesterday was Christmas day here in Ukraine and for many other people around the world, so we celebrated by meeting our two brothers from Nigeria who have been studying in the Maritime University here in Nikolaev. We had lunch together at a cafe situated in a large supermarket/mall. Nikolaev is a great historic seaport with a rich reputation for sending men to sea. In the late 1700's it became a military outpost and remained strictly a naval base and shipbuilding city for over a hundred years. Then in the late 1800's it began to be changed to include civilian maritime preparation and shipbuilding along with the military. Even though it has been very difficult for our brothers Afolabi and Akinrinde, they have finished the course and are prepared to be officers aboard merchant ships that sail the high seas. While we ate and visited with them yesterday, it gave me the opportunity to "commission" them for their task of carrying the Gospel to the world. They know that they will have to look hard for a job once back in Nigeria and they have high hopes. But, most importantly - these men gave their hearts in obedience to Christ and His church while here in Nikolaev. They are prepared to share what they have learned with others. I talked to them about 2 Timothy 2:2 a verse that a certain preacher drilled into me long ago. One of them spoke about preaching the Gospel, and the other spoke about teaching seamen aboard ships the glorious gospel of Christ. Galina and I have grown to love these young men as our own. And as we make preparations for our business trip to the USA, they are preparing to return to Africa at about the same time. We hope and pray that our paths will cross again here on this earth, but if not, we have that positive hope of a happy reunion in that Better Land after all of this is over. Today we have a Bible study with the church at 2.00 this afternoon, and then two English students are scheduled to meet with us at 4.00 and 5.00. Your prayers for these young men of faith and all in the church here and those with whom we search the scriptures are vital and sincerely appreciated.

WORD OF THE DAY - Sunday 15 November 2009

This is good and acceptable to God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

Это хорошо и приятно Богу, нашему Спасителю, ведь Он хочет, чтобы все люди были спасены и познали истину. (1-е Тимофею 2:3-4 Slovo Zhizny)

Most Holy and Worshipful God our Creator and Sustainer of life ~ Please accept our praise on this new Lord’s Day as the hearts and voices of believers around the world blend into one great chorus in honor of our blessed Savior. Forgive our sins as we obey Christ for salvation and forgive others who offend us. Give us wisdom so that the truth will penetrate our minds and draw us into closer communion with the Chief Shepherd of our souls. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.