Profoundly fruitful day.

 One of the glorious things about God is the diversity of life he has created. In many senses we have explored that in his goodness today. This morning our studies explored the diversity of people Jesus reached out to, climaxing in the character of Levi. A man with a foot in many camps he was loved by no group, but in Christ he found his belonging and welcome into the eternal, multicultural people of God. 

There are no manmade barriers too strong to withstand the love of Christ. 

The team fuelled by yet another awesome breakfast set about various tasks at number 31, including the complete digging out of the basement. The guys looked like an industrious version of the 7 dwarfs, with shovels over shoulder and a smile on their faces. That was until it was announced that the big hardstanding in the middle also had to be removed. Sledgehammers swung, the building rocked (literally as I stood on a wobbly ladder trying to fix a ceiling). The biggest hitting came from the smallest people, and I won't share who they were (or which church members they were thinking of) as they belted the living day lights out of the ground.... but I learned that even the most timid and spider like frames can have a fire in the belly when motivated by God to serve. Praise God the work today was a great success.

This afternoon and evening the diversity continued, with an English Ukrainian football match between the teams, (which we sadly lost - all congratulations to our budding Shevchenkos) and a small team of us went to the fabulous and glorious city of Ternopil. In Ternopil every stream of life exists, art, culture, all nationalities, all needs. Thank God at the heart of the city is a gospel church reaching out to all from a basement which oozes love. There are ministries which shine brightly,: especially their outreach to the disabled community and those shut in their rooms in the city. They run various children and youth outreach ministries and their fruitfulness is unmistakable as they are seeing many disciples make progress and a number going to further training with various passions (especially church planting). We shared many stories of God's goodness going around the globe, and discovered his generosity is wider than us, our situations/ everything we are aware of. Even our mutual testimonies of how God reached us, and how he is reaching the unreachable blew our minds. We went on to tentatively plan lots of of possibilities between the nations and we felt the smile of God on our time. Our prayer is to mutually co labour to reach the unreached, and we see that he is opening doors to do so. We feel our weakness, but we also see his immaculate and time perfect provision. Pray for our brother Igor and his leadership team, that they will not grow weary in the glorious work of the gospel that they are sold out to.

I will try to post photos but technical issues are abounding. Hope the test gives some sense of colour. 

A time for giving thanks

 The bible reminds us that there is a season for everything. As the leaves turn goldebn brown in Kremenets the vista over these majestic Hills reminds us that God is gloriously active, sovereign and faithful. The seasonal rhythm and God's day by day provision has not been stopped by covid. In this morning's church time together we gave God thanks for our reunion 18 months later than originally planned. There is a great sense that whilst we are realistic about all the challenges of recent months, growth in churches, new pastors into ministry, strategic partnerships for church planting have all grown abnormally. God's ways are not our ways, his plans have been bigger and better. 

 Kremenets is a place full of rich history, gorgeous architecture. Having had an awesome historical quick tour of Lviv yesterday, this afternoon we had the privilege of the same in Kremenets. Brilliant banter from the younger end of the crew, illustrates what a beautiful team God has brought together. His orchestration is so wide and varied, he brings all kinds of folks together and makes us one without barriers, he orchestrates a symphony of autumn colour to take your breath away, he dovetails different preachers to preach a unified single message from two different passages, he organises church planters in 5 countries to have the same frontier passion and mutual plan all at the same time. Look with eyes of faith and you will not find an end of things to thank God for in the ordinary and extraordinary things of each day. 

We had the privilege also of singing for our friends in church today - expressing what we are all feeling...

O PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD 

here , thankful and joyful

Hi friends just a short message to say - all here safe and well . Our plans have changed considerably but we have had a wonderful time worshipping this morning in the grace and welcome of Christ . 

Will update later today 

p

PRIDE - The greatest enemy and foolishness of humanity.

PRIDE CAUSES 3 MAJOR CATASTROPHES IN US...

1) IT MAKES US BLAME OTHERS: "Why does God allow all the suffering in the world ?"is a common complaint I hear around the world... we are quick to complain about suffering incoming, but slow to ever consider suffering outgoing... that we might be a cause or even part of the issue.

2) IT MAKES US LIVE SHORTSIGHTEDLY: When we are healthy and life is good, we convince ourselves we are indestructible.  We are happy to take God's gifts but we miss out on a full relationship and communing with the giver of all good things. Some may pause to pray on a hospital bed before a major op, but any big sentiment to God is quickly forgotten when "life" under our terms resumes as "normal"

3) WE MISS OUT …ON HOW BIG GOD'S MISSION OF MERCY AND GOODNESS IN CHRIST IS TO THE PLANET. 

The life of God offered to the soul of mankind is greater than a quick fix for today, it is an eternal friendship, joy and purpose in his uncontainable glory and love, as it spreads wider than we can comprehend. Sadly we miss this in the selfishness and narrow-mindedness of our condition. 

 

A STORY OF PRIDE, MECRY AND DIGNITY

Luke 17:11-19 happens in borderlands territory., as Jesus journeys to the cross. To Jesus there are no boundaries to his mercy (either racial, geographical or religious ability).

• Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Since the fall of man, pride - our own assessment of our abilities and worth has been blasphemously overestimated. We think we are unqualifiedly deserving, that glory and gifts are our divine right. Gen 11:4. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” What resulted was a scattering disunity and chaos, a manmade mess so big that non could comprehend other than the one who overturned it (ACTS 2:1-13) by his grace.

A grateful Christian is someone who knows they have been impossibly rescued and given dignity at great incalculable price (2 COR 9:15), delivered at great cost (Romans 7:25) to serve in great appreciation (1 TIM 1:12). Victory for Christ cost everything (1 Cor 15:57, 2 Cor 2:14), which means that our kindness (2 Cor 6:16, Phil 1:3 , 2 Cor 8:16), obedience (Romans 6:17), and fellowship with others (2 Tim 1:3) is our appropriate response of worship (Romans 12:1-2) . Gratitude for Jesus results in a no boundaries response... for missional mercy wherever he wants us to go... to be 100% unselfish with his grace and mercy.

Lord help me to trust and not just take, to think so that I might thank, and consider that I might confess. In you I find all my hope, dignity, treasure and delight.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy that 
is wider than the greatest sea; 
and so I know it covers even me. 
There’s a depth to His compassion that is 
deeper than I’ll understand; 
and so my life is safe within His hands. 
His love is deep enough for me, 
to cause these blinded eyes to see, 
to set this lowly captive free from sin. 
His grace is flowing from above, 
revealed in the Saviour’s love 
O precious Father, help me take it in

O give thanks to THE LORD for his mercy endures forever 

(Ps 106:1)

GOD's REPAIRS are total, global and for eternity.

In 10 days time, God permitting ...15 of us will travel to Kremenets. One of our primary tasks is to fix a leaky roof. Does that seem excessive to you? Maybe it would help if you understood something of the background. Last time we were there as a team, we had a small part in completing a building which we call "transition house for girls". Friends 16-19 who had experienced a bumpy journey in life, through state care, circumstances of family sadness or bereavement needed a helping hand to set a good trajectory for future adult life. By God's grace they came to know his love, through the best of church families. Now their family is bigger than they can understand across the globe. This is where we fit in.

Our family unity is not about bricks and mortar, but relationship. There is a huge difference between a house and a home. Home is where we are accepted 100%, where people know the worst about us but love us anyway. This is what we have discovered in Jesus Christ, and this is our deep unity in his family.  We are all so different, but we have found that he is the unique and total answer to our greatest need. In short we need repair, our lives are dysfunctional and not as originally intended by the architect. This world has damaged us, and at our core we are broken, in need of restoration.

Last time we visited Kremenets we wanted to see this work of God's restoration in people's lives expand, and so in thankfulness for what he has done for us, and trusting in him we prayed for provision of another house to home boys/ young men in need of a helping hand. God miraculously provided - we felt the smile of his heart on these things. This building was purchased...

 

During covid months, we have from a distance watched boys move in and make (a small part of this house) a home under the loving care of church leaders who have the heart of God for restoration in people. We have played a small part over the last 18 months, but many are praying, and we have a family Father who loves to listen and help. Distance has not impacted our unity of heart and purpose, other than deepening it.

God has blessed this ministry, knowing the macro situation and the micro needs. This work of restoration in people has had a huge knock on effect, as many have heard and seen this in reality , more and more have also joined the family. Now there is need for "full use" and a full restoration of this building to host good purposes. The building is large, and has recently revealed an issue with the roof. Was it in our budget and plans? ... er... no !... but it was in God's. This is his place, which he kindly allows us to use for his purposes. He knows and has foreseen the need - the impact this place makes. He sees all need long before we do, and we trust him for the outcome.

 We have some money for materials, and 15 of us who are willing to "have a go"... Will it be enough ?  As we repair timbers, put in new ones and reconstruct, we will keep you informed. Please pray for the team as we look to do a good job, and encourage the family. Is this time and money well spent? Well to answer that you need to talk to some of our friends and the impact that it has had on their lives. Some are now on a happy trajectory they could've never foreseen, relationally, spiritually, career, ambitions all on a good path. Many are feeling that they have found their forever home amongst God's people. 

OUR FOREVER HOME AND GLOBAL FAMILY

On property restoration programs in the UK, couples are often heard saying that they dream of building their "forever home". In reality no human building or body is forever, however well or much we invest in it.  1 in 1 dies, the statistic of mortality is 100%, life is short and even if an earthly home lasts it will do so without us. Eternity is coming soon and we are not stupid... wanting any building to be our legacy would be a legacy of foolishness, a folly property of no earthly or heavenly use to us. Any fixes we make on a functional building will last a while and help people, but they will not last forever. 

THE REAL WORK OF RESTORATION

God fixes people for eternal life in his company. His home is eternal, and that ultimately is where we want people to be, safe in his provision care and outrageously generous love in Jesus Christ. Being accepted by him changes our identity and makes life worth the living, wherever you lay to sleep.  One thing we will say though is that this story is wider than the odd individual and house on a hill, it is rippling throughout the world. As lives in Kremenets are transformed, so the region shows restoration, and as the region lifts its eyes to the GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS, so they start travelling to other parts of the world, with good news of love and restoration. 

In short, this small insignificant restoration is part of a much bigger, global story, and we're overwhelmed to have a small part in it. We are included by love not because we deserve it.  After all we were just ruins and relics before God got hold of us, and cornered us by his love, forgiveness and truth was wrapped up in endless compassion, he helped us hear when we weren't listening. Now we are part of something bigger and greater than ourselves, more beautiful and glorious than this broken world. Please join us on the journey of the next few days... and thank you for all who have continued on the journey during the last 18 months. Praise the architect of all things for his plans of eternal restoration. His plan is bigger and better, outlasting all seasons (covid) and outshining all human projects. In Christ the best is yet to be, In his home is eternal security and satisfaction. 

 

  Hebrews 11:10

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

 

THE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE OF GOD CHANGES ORDINARY PEOPLE

 

I was reminded this morning how very ordinary, humble and humbled people feature prominantly at the heart of God's plans and focus in the bible. In fact sometimes they are so ordinary, no one has noticed them but God. 

I'm thinking of the book of Ruth, a book dedicated to the domestic life of a marginalised women who had lost everything and had no future, but was included (Matthew 1:5, Ruth 4:13-17) in the eternal  and global family and purposes of a rescuing God. I'm thinking of the "lady of the streets" (Luke 7:37), marginalised (like Rahab Matt 1) who everyone thought of as "a nobody", which is why they failed to spot her at the elite public dinner of Simon (Luke 7:38) until overcome in worship of Jesus, she put everything unconditionally at his feet (herself, her shame, tears and guilt included).  She went away fully accepted and honoured by Christ, whilst Simon (the man to know) went to bed empty, unforgiving and unforgiven, rejected by the guest of honour. Her cry of worship and need was relationally accepted by Christ the living God  who became her friend and Saviour. Simon, however the man who thought he had everything to offer on his table, the articulate conversationalist, wasn't interested in a relationship with Jesus - (just some technical advice to accomplish and work out his own salvation). He thought he was somebody, but was exposed as a very ordinary, proud, hard hearted man, he just didn't want to admit it. He's not the one we want to remember, he wasn't transformed by extraordinary grace at the end of the episode. 

 ORDINARY PEOPLE IN THE EXTRAORDINARY PLAN OF GOD:

Foundational to God accepting us (and realigning us for usefulness in his purposes), is our acceptance that we are unimpressive, that our only true identity is found in who HE is. In a nutshell, one of the themes of the bible from GEN 1- REV 21 is "YOU are not GOD". A Christian is someone who knows that God knows ...

He knows the worst about us but loves us anyway.

The mission of God is about this extraordinary grace finding a home in the ordinary hearts and mess of people's lives, as we accept him for who he is, and accept ourselves as people who need him on every level ... all the time.

One great thing about ordinary people is that you can find them anywhere in the world. The other great thing is that it only takes an ordinary person to share the good news of our awesome and extraordinary rescuer. I thank God for 15 in the team preparing for short term mission from the UK. All unique, but all united by God's story of undeserved grace in our lives. Lord help us know and show our ordinariness and your extraordinariness. I thank God for extraordinary church family across the world today - seeing times of extraordinary change in people's lives after an extraordinary season of humbling. Praise God he works through the ordinary. Wherever you are today, may God fill your ordinary life, and may others see and hear of his extraordinary transformation of you in Jesus. 

C.S LEWIS was right... hardship and suffering (an extraordinary humbling time of global pandemic) can prepare the way for extraordinary blessing... I'm sure this is something happening globally in mission right now. However this adage is only true when we humbly submit before a loving God with open unconditional hands to receive his extraordinary grace and provision. This is what Ruth, and "the woman" with no name did. Don't be a Simon. Stop pretending, stop elevating yourself. Admit it, we're all in the same boat of ordinariness together... even people who design electric cars and space ships need God's grace, otherwise they have no ultimate answers for humanity, nothing eternal or of true and lasting worth to offer this world in its mess and sorrow.  If you know, show, and share Christ in your ordinary daily life - you have so much more to offer this world than Elon or anyone touted as "extraordinary".

 

John 1:16 

"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."

Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

2 Corinthians 12:9

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Corinthians 15:10 

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

Team set for travel - Ready, Steady, Pray!

Two years ago today, we had a team in Ukraine, we were working on a northern transition house for girls, seeking God about a second property for boys, trying to encourage gospel churches being planted, gospel men and women giving all they had for Christ. This included a trip to share good news with those in earshot of gunfire, and seeing the birth of new churches amidst destruction and chaos. None of us knew or foresaw what happened next. Covid was not a word we used then. The next 12 months threw us even more on 100% unconditional dependence on God, but you will know that is the best, most fruitful and joyful place to be.

Everything that has happened since has been ALL of GOD. He has macro control and micro care over our lives. Many have come to Christ. Through this humbling and trying season, more and more people have bowed not in despair but acknowledgment that Christ is the only answer, and the only name under heaven given to us by which we are saved. There have been (many, many) more baptisms, more church planting conversations, more initiatives to prepare for missional advance, more global connections made for fruitful partnership. This has been a good season, we have an incomprehensibly GOOD GOD.

On 23rd October - 8th November a new UK team fly out. There are some old wise bears who have been before and know the ropes well (like Zach who is extremely close to being 18), but with the exception of 3 of us all are first time short termers to these locations. 7 of the team are around 18 or under. This is exciting as a new generation catches the vision and picks up the mantle of mission. In fact I cannot think of a more strategic mission trip we've made. 

We want to keep you up to date and we would love you to pray with us, dependence on God is our no 1 priority and reason why this is all happening. A number of small groups are setting up to strategically cover us in prayer during this time. If you would like to join in we can tell you of small groups in Dorset, North Wales, Midlands and Worcester. If you would like the information for personal prayer and want to share it with friends all you need to do is send us an instant message on facebook / give the ACTION UK office a rind to tell us how you want the info (electronically or by post etc).

To get you started - here are 3 things to pray for...

1) Pray for each of the team as they prepare... for Trev, Brendan, Martin, Reuben, Abi, Lois, Paige, Zach, Jimmy, Thomas, Jon, Susie, Paul. That they will be blessed to be a blessing to others as they fit in with God's plans for their lives

2) Pray that we will  be a post covid encouragement to all we meet, a reminder of our ongoing partnership and solidarity in Christ. Pray that we will make great progress on renovating the 2nd property for gospel work and residential mission, encourage those  in urban and rural church planting.  Pray also that our partnership with church family will continue to grow.  May this be a new season of continued growth, where gospel ripples are seen not just in Ukraine, but even internationally as we all fit in with God's Global Mission. 

3) Pray for Wisdom as we seek to establish gospel initiatives in which the UK can play its full part. This is very much the beginning of a new season under God, a foundation stone being set for future gospel extension. Lord give us your heart, your timing and your open doors. 

 

    ECCLESIASTES 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven... 

Psalm 31:15 

    MY Times are in YOUR hands.

Job 12:10

In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.

Matthew 6:31-33

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Isaiah 43:19, Revelation 21:5

  And he who was seated on the throne said, 

“Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, 

“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”