So thankful, so safe.

 Rejoice always,  

pray without ceasing,

 give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

1 These 5:16-18

We are home, safe, grateful, nourished and reinforced. After months of being unable to see some gospel partners, there was concern (even worry), but there should not have been. At every turn we tried to take this to the one who knows all things, has ultimate power to further his good purposes and micro provision for the smallest of needs. However, we have an enemy. We are not unwise to his tactics. They appear especially when communication is difficult. He loves to breed suspicion, to sow the seed of doubt, and drive a wedge between gospel partners doing such critical eternal work at the most pivotal of times. 

He that is in us  however, is greater than he that is in the world. The most profound reflection of our travels, is that God is living at work in the lives of those who serve him. Christ is risen, working in, and through his family. He holds all things in his hands including the keys of hell. He equips his servants in the most demanding and unimaginably dark times. Suffering is a core part of his plans. Suffering produces perseverance, character and ultimately hope. Suffering comes to those who follow his path, but suffering is always followed by glory for those who invest their suffering and respond to it in faith and dependance.

This short blog is to give God all the glory for his protection over his people during the  last few months, especially where the gospel is dynamically at work and there are good explosions... of new believers. To the outsider such friends who have recently come to Christ may look fragile, both spiritually, and emotionally, but their hope is in the one who never fails. We have a commander who knows exactly what he is doing. 

Children's playground in Borodianka

The war in Ukraine is real brutal and grotesque, but there is an even more violent battle going on for the hearts of men and women, boys and girls, your heart and my heart are not excluded. 

Make no mistake you  live in a spiritual battle zone wherever you are, however comfortable you have made yourself. Wake up, and put on your full body armour (Eph 6:11-12) today with urgency ! Don't be asleep to the danger or reality of the times (1 These 5:1-5). Cling close to the commander (2 Tim 2) and follow his instructions in firm trust. 

Those who do so, know they are winning. We are in the safe hands of the one who leads us to victory, and have much to thank him for.  

Close-by in a residential back garden are a collection of military hides. 

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT SET IN A PLAYGROUND (WITH THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ENJOYMENT) IT IS SET ON THE FRONTLINE OF THE ETERNAL BATTLE WHICH CHRIST HAS WON.