Big encouragements and how best to use a washing machine

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  

Romans 8:28

One of the recognisable hallmarks of an authentic Christian, is that we live in the certainty, joy, and assurance of who our God is. Becuase we know him relationally and experiencially through Jesus Christ we know not only that He is unimaginably GOOD, but that his purposes are persistently only good. We know that our lives are safely entrusted and guarded in Him by his love. 

And so... by his grace, can say "WE KNOW" not in an arrogant or self confident way but full of breathtaking gratitude that he has spoken to us and assured us of this life changeing reality. By his love HE has met with us and dealt so compassionately with us -with our sin - given us the undeserved certainty of salvation in Jesus Christ. 

There are times however... when we say "we know", more in faith and prayerful relliance than in a tone of fearless confidence. When everything is falling down around us, circumstances suggest to us that everything feels out of control and our cry of dependence on God is one driven by the help of God's Spirit. He assures us that we know the truth, that what is unseen is ultimately driving what we can see in front of our noses. (2 Cor 4:18).

GOD IS STILL GOD - He has it covered.

For many of us the season of lockdown was a time to cry out to God this way, depending on him in faith, without a knowledge of how practically things would work "together". We were more aware of what was dysfunctional than operational. Perhaps this is still your experience. In these times it is tempting to be vaguely assured that God has a macro plan (out there somewhere), but that the micro plan has been somewhat lost in the detail. Just because we can't see what God is doing does not mean that both his macro and micro plan are not both faultlessly meticulous and synchronised, perfectly executed and at all times 100% successful. His plan is to globally, eternally, cosmically, provide and accomplish salvation in the lives of indiviudals and so display his glory. (Rom 8:29-30), To this end he has covered every eventuality, atom, person and circumstance (whether unexpected by us or not).

It is only now as we start to come back to some normality, that we as a family and team are realising how God has been astoundingly answering our prayers. Here are 3 short examples of how God's good purposes have been outworked.

1) A time when 8 young people find a certain home of grace and healing.

Due to your wonderful response, compassion and help, we can share that we are on track for 8 additional young people to join grace houses 1 (girls) and 2 (boys) in Kremenets. The date we have been planning for as "moving in day" is September 1st. There has been a huge amount to do both practically (inital rennovation work at grace house no 2) and administratively (planning further education and follow up assistastance/ pastoral care for each individual). How good is God !! When covid appeared many of us could not see in the micro detail, how on earth this could be accomplished... our team. materials, etc etc were all on hold. We thank God so much that he has answered our prayers...

• THANK HIM FOR THE GENEROSITY of THOSE IN THE UK Through 6 indivuduals / families/ church groups in the Uk the young people will be sponsored, and know the faithfulness of a loving God in a practical way. There is still more to accomplish in this regard (we would like to provide clothes, gifts etc, and some shortfall is still apparent later in the process) but praise God we are with certainty able to say in many ways "we KNOW" God is with us. If you would like to help please don't hesitate to get in touch - it helps in the micro details so much, and would be perfect timing.
  

• THANK HIM FOR THE DILIGENT HARD WORK of THOSE in KREMENETS. Praise God for VLODIC and his family, Pastors VIKTOR and POLIKARP
  
  and the amazing church team, which includes the many years and hard yards Elijah and the schools teams have "put in" to get to this point. 
• Pray for each of the young person, especially the 8 newbies. 
• Thank God for them and how he has guided them to this point.
• That they will grow in the certainty that God provides, and that their lives will jofully grow on the sure foundation of his provision in Jesus Christ.
  

2) A time when many are coming to Christ. We are hearing a similar tale from many pastors and gospel workers in many situations...

• Massive increase in people "tuning in" online to hear the Good news of Christ preach in their indiginous language. Paul reminds us that the gospel is not bound or chained (2 Cor 2:9). Circumstances have not stopped the spread of the gospel accross Eastern Europe and Central Asia, in fact many (from other religions and no religion) have sought out Christians asking them for reason for the certain hope that is in them. This pandemic has revealed the truth about the reality of what we build our lives on and whether it gives ultimate security. assurance, freedom and joy.  There is only one true hope for all people.
  
• Praise God for the 11 preparing for baptism in Kremenets
• Praise God for the huge opportunities our friends in Central Asia are experiencing where the church is relatively small but growing so fast. Please also pray for their well-being and recovery. Many of these precious, faithful people have been sufferring with Covid symtoms for protracted periods (28 weeks and counting). They do not enjoy the infrastructure or basic medicines (paracetemol) we do. (Note to self: please don't complain about our NHS or Government too loud... it is all relative). However, at this time of severe trial they are enjoying so many opportunities. Pray for recovery, stamina, ongoing compassion and clarity as they plan the future in an environment of confusion.
• Praise God for the increasingly strategic nature of the church as it works together in unity. 
• Thank God for the way he has wonderfully answered our prayers to increase the union of Gospel churches in the unreached Ternopil region, and the recent addition of a further churches to the union. We welcome these churches, and their unity with us to church plant, train the next generation of gospel workers and church leaders. This is a game changer for us. The scales have tipped on the critical mass and mometum has forwarded the process from ininital passion and prayer to realistic planning.
• Thank God for the extraordinary provision of individuals coming forward to offer themselves in church planting and gospel work. At such a time of practical pressure we thank God that he is moving hearts and minds to see the spiritual need. Pray he would do this all the more. The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.
  

3) A time for compassion, when the church is shining brightly.

 For many in some parts of the world; death, grief, suffering and isolation have been the acute norm for a lot longer than we've experienced in the UK. This is particularly true of the Donbass "war" region and the area that has been so ravaged and forgotten about. This is true human isolation (when no-one wants to come and help). In the darkest of times however the church shines brightest (Phil 2:15, Matt 5:16). It has been amazing to hear how the gift of bread and humanitariam aid in this area has reached so many, and been such a source of encouragement in their journey of finding hope in Christ. When the delivery van comes, the masked men walk out, their language is love not hostility, and with the gift of bread comes a word of encouragement, that there is certain hope and a reminder that in Christ "we know" God is for us. Sometimes when there is desperate need for human compassion, protocol is abandoned and an embrace communicates the love and steadfast, faithful grip of God. Is it any wonder that this is changeing lives, that churches are emerging and growing. It is our great privelege to help and be apart of this work in a small way. 

HOW BEST TO USE 2 WASHING MACHINES

 

One beautiful story emerges from this dark situation of a group of young people in a fledgling church. They prayed about what they could do to help in such a gigantic situation of overbearing sadness, devastation and grief. As a church they became part of the humanitarian aid prgram and God provided them with 2 washing machines. The Young people promptly engaged and  invited many locals   (paraphrase).. "If during this time of struggle you are in need of clothes, or unable to wash your clothes we would love to do that at church for you... just place your request / clothes / blongings in the box and we will do the rest". Needless to say the response was overwhelmingly positive. A box mountain was washed, and with other encouragement, messages and gifts redeilvered to the sender. This makes a huge impact on a village, town or location, when they know that the church is for making the locality a better place, for people's good and not against them. These young people are shining brghtly in God's purposes and not unexpectedly the church is growing quickly. It is such a privilege to partner with these church families, and we look to do more. If you would like to help please do so.

So there we have it.., further evidential examples, reminding us of what we already KNOW... that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, and therefore we trust him and look to him for what is to come.

 Be encouraged,

BLOGSKI