DAY 2 THOUGHT BEFORE PRAYER:
One of my heroes of the faith, (Eugene Peterson) once said about the bible...
"God does not speak and then walk
off. Listening goes on.”
“The work of the
Christian life is participating with people and the Spirit of God. You can’t
live it without the Spirit or without people"
I think Eugene understood something very profound (though simply put here).
He understood that when we interact with God's word, we do not do so in a vacuum.
Firstly we do it in the presence of His Spirit who knows our hearts (1 Sam 16:7, Jer 17:19, Acts 5:3), and secondly we do it in the context of a world which hurts, cries, and groans for God (Romans 8:22,23,27).
Hebrews 3:15
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness..."
There are those parts of the church who say that Biblical Truth is about order. (I agree it is). True proof that you have understood God... is that your mind is clear. He is a God of clarity, and absolute perfection in all things. But there is more... Those who rest on this alone stress head understanding. Typically they would be the first in the queue to bash people like Peterson or Schaeffer for their "woolly theology". Both of these men, knew what it was to love God and love people, and were profoundly used in their generations, seeking out many lost sheep and prodigals to safety. The sad thing is that some of our churches are largely filled with older brother types (Luke 15:18), who think (presume) they know the Father's mind. But sadly they don't listen to His heart. A strong mind is no good with a stone cold heart for the lost and the hurting (who incidently live either side of you and me in our street, and greet us every day).
Don't ever love truth at the expense of loving people.
We live in a world of tension - a broken (not yet fixed) world, and therefore when we listen with one ear to God's
If you feel the heartbeat of this world before God's heart...there is arrythmia... things are not in step - we live in mess, dysfunction and people's lives are anything but tidy.
Is it possible to really listen to the Spirit of God (as he communicates grace and love in his word), and then not hurt for a world so desperate for his voice and healing ?
As you listen to God's word today, hear his heart, and might he dialogue with each our hearts in such a way that our heart becomes in tune with his for lost and hurting people.
DAY 2: Pray for
The Krokhinov Family.
Listening to God ... Loving People.
Odessa Region
The Background: Many years ago, two uk friends of mine arrived at Odessa Airport for the first time. It was not as developed as it is now - it was a strange experience. Everything got a lot more scary when a large and imposing gentleman (who had obviously worked out)
in black suit and shades turned up and bundled them into an MPV. For a short while they wondered if they had been captured by the authorities, they had no idea where they were going... but... It turned out to be Victor Krokhinov ...(the good looking one on the right), they couldn't have been in safer hands. They realised this most when Victor walked into church, in his formidable shadow was a lovely (miriad) group of well dressed, smiling children all of whom wanted to sit on his knee.
The Children knew safety and Joy.
VICTOR and ALESYA are characterised by their huge hearts to serve God and love people. For many years they have cared for children who are in need of love, and maybe through difficult circumtances need a new start of consistancy and safe haven of an unconditional faithfully loving home. Indeed it is often said that Victor's heart is bigger than his home. Over the years they have made many children their own, adopted in every sense - into security, belonging, into a home of grace under the Lord Jesus Christ. Now the fruits of the many years of faithfull labour are evident.
THE LEGACY: Their oldest children are now wonderful men and women, influencing the world in good ways. We are all so proud of the young men and women they have become. They are a credit not only to themselves but also God's help and keeping of them and the parents they have. So with such a herritage are the V&A team taking things easy now? No, the need is too great. There are always (sadly increasing) numbers of children in need of a loving home. The city of Odessa is a great city, but there are many needs, and stories which impact children and their early years.
Lets pray for these precious friends, and our continued partnership with them.
1) Pray for the growth of the work to care for children in Odessa. Thank God for all the new children who have recently joined families. Praise Him for this growing work.
2) Pray for each of the Krokhinov children by name...
"Lord we thank you for Arthur, Evangeline, Daniel, Angelina, Maxim, Julia, Timur, Leonty, Mark, Elizabeth, Lada, Samuel, Alexandra, Sofia, and Oleg. We thank you that your hand is undoubtedly on them. We thank you that they are in a safe place, of love, warmth, care and provision, especially in this Covid season. LORD, continue to protect them in every way (physical, spiritual, emotional). We thank you that you have their future mapped out, and your plans are only good. We pray that they will come to trust you and your way for their lives. We pray that their lives will be hidden safe in Christ and that as they grow to trust Him, and listen to Him, He might shape their hearts to be like His. Give them courage, a heart of forgiveness, a heart of generosity and a desire to serve others. Bless, keep and continue anew to provide for this wonderful family that you have brought together in your good purposes. Make them in the future great men and women for your glory, through which you will minister to a hurting world.
For this we will continue to give YOU all the glory, AMEN"
3) Pray for approriate help and care for each of the children in their growth and personal development. Thank God for Alesya's second degree of study in Neuropsychology, and pray this will be of help to the children.
"Lord where there is healing needed, we pray that you will heal"
"May Wisdom be given to help the development of the whole person."
"May you even use what was meant for harm... to be turned around for good in your name " (Gen 50:20)
4) Pray for each of the children in their studies and skill development. It is not easy to find or apply yourself to schooling at any time, but particularly after any kind of trauma or disruption to life. How much more difficult it is then in this context to do it in a school system that may not understand this story, it's impact or the particular form of learning each child may benifit from. Pray that God would help Victor and Alesya, along with all the other parents to find appropriate and unique help for each special young person in church families.
5) Pray for the development of the team, for suitable new parents to see the vision and by grace step forward to share in the work. Pray that the work will continue to grow and impact many more yet to be known.
Praise God for this wonderful ministry, which works out the love of Christ in the Chaos of a broken world. Thank God for the immeasurable fruit of this ministry, the testimony of which will only be understood in heaven.
If you would like to help in some way, you know that we would be only too pleased to pass on anything.
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