‘However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him–‘ 1 Cor 2:9

Do you ever have scripture versus pop in your head?  This morning this verse caused some reflection.  I had a couple bad days last week, feeling discouraged and defeated.  I let the enemy’s lies lead me on a bread crumb trail that left me mentally despondent.

These were some of the lies – maybe they are familiar to you as well:

• You are wasting your time with this, give up.
• You are never going to change, give up.
• You are a failure with this, and that, give up.
• You are alone, give up.

Give up.  I’ve been commended lately for the endurance displayed with the +2yrs of struggle against a broken and corrupt system.  Something seemingly so simple has been nothing of the sort.  It has pushed me to the edge many-a-day.  Yet, I know behind the brave face, my faith has and is being tested more than most might think.

We have an enemy, and he is a liar at heart.  His lies come with seeds of truth, as to make them palatable.  He appeals to our failures and short comings, knowing we cannot deny our weaknesses.  The truth is we are weak and we cannot change ourselves.  We are not deserving of the Love of God, but that’s what makes grace amazing!

The verse above, ‘No eye has seen… the things God has prepared for those who love Him’ is not a reference to the hope of heaven.   Nor is it a promise of temporary earthly blessing, prosperity or health.  Paul is offering more than a little pep talk to hang in there for brighter days.  He’s talking about the ‘hidden mystery’ of the coming of Christ if you read the previous verses.  This is the root cause of our faith, the bedrock of eternal hope we can build our lives on –

The coming of Jesus Christ WAS up until Christ, and IS for all who have believed AFTER His coming, the most amazing, shocking and life altering news the world has known.

Israel didn’t see Christ coming.  Nor did anyone fully comprehend the lengths God was going to go to both display and execute His love to us.   It was a mystery, revealed during the time of Christ to His first disciples, and by the Holy Spirit unveiled in the gospel message to each generation.

When I’m defeated, I notice a common thread.  I want to give up.  This lack of hope refuses to think upon truth.  I refuse to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ the reality that God has loved me perfectly in Christ.  He has overlooked my transgressions (1 John 1:9), exchanged them for righteousness (Rom 3:22) and positioned me as an accepted, adopted member of His family (Eph 1:5).  He is my Father, and I am now His son.

It’s the bedrock truths that the enemy wants to shake with the many earthly trials.  He wants to distract our eyes from heaven, the source of our hope (Psalm 121:1), and dare us to find our value here on earth.  He wants us to measure ourselves the the worth in our earthly victories.  This is the antithesis of God’s Gospel to man:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”   – Isa 55:2-3

God loves us, not on the basis of our human efforts (Eph 2:8).  This is for many of us a continual struggle.  We will all lose hope if we don’t remain convinced of this truth:

We are loved because God is a loving, amazing Father.  He has proven this love in the coming, crucified death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.   Our response?  Believe it, embrace it, enjoy it, think upon in, share it, and let this grace transform us.

This is the hope that I want to rest in this week, and not the many trials, victories or failures in my journey through this life – Lord help me in my weakness!  May the Lord encourage you as well to press on, and to look up.

(PS – this is for you boys)

Bruce

We’re going to Far, Far, Far East Russia.

When we were in Rostov, Russia a few months ago, we met a young couple planning to start a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in far east Russia.   We appreciated their heart for the Lord, and their passion to reach people with the gospel in Russia.

They have asked me to come and share for the week of Sept 15-23rd.  I’ve asked fellow missionary Simeon Ewing to join me as Deb is much too pregnant for the 12hrs of flying.

We started the year praying and believing for new doors, and directionally towards Russia.  This will be the 2nd trip to Russia so far this year as we continue to take faith steps.

Who would have thought that a year ago Ukraine would have overthrown it’s President and be warring in the East?  The Ukrainian / Russian relations are being strained to say the least – Whether you are talking on the street, or listening to a sermon in Church, the current struggles are on everyone’s minds and hearts in this part of the world.

I believe God knows the heart of man.  He knows that in spite of our intentions, without a spiritual work and transformation, we are bent towards evil, selfishness, and destruction.  The humanistic worldview that permeates our global culture preaches that man is good.  This is not what the gospel teaches – Jesus didn’t come for good people, he suffered for wicked, lost, and undeserving rebels, and everyone in between!

The coming of Jesus Christ, if you believe Him to be the Messiah, was an indictment upon all flesh.  He came to seek and save the lost.  We cannot rectify or sanctify our state without His help.  We are all truly lost, truly gone astray, and desperately deceived if we believe otherwise.

Lately, this world seems to be increasing in terrible events and news. Perhaps it’s the globally connected world we live in, bringing to our finger tips the evil with lightning speed and convenience.  In any case, there is no righteous country, or people group that is exempt from the judgment of God, nor His amazing mercies.  The Kingdom of God is the primary residence of His redeemed – this world, thankfully, is not our home!

I move forward through open doors because I believe God leads.  I feel His heart for the hungry in spirit, the seeking but not yet found.  He is looking for volunteers to go into this world and make disciples.  This mission is not for a select few, I believe it’s for all of us.  It’s a mission that takes us into our own communities, families, and workplace.   It’s a mission to young and old alike, singles, marrieds, Americans and even Canadians.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to follow you to new places.  May your Kingdom continue to grow in spite of the evil days.

Bruce

I sat down with Vlad this past week and asked him to share a few things.   This first video is a simple thank you to the many churches and supporters that prayed and financially supported their family through their ordeal.

We visited a Ukrainian ‘spa’ on Sunday – not how pretty the lake looks from afar.

Today we found out that our Gas documents have returned back (for 3rd time) to Kiev.  We have limited information but the regional office that was handling our documents I guess has been closed down by the new government – I’m not sure yet if that is good or bad news – but something tells me our year long wait is not over.

We were told last Monday that ‘any day’ we would have health inspection, which upon completion would allow us to finally open the cafe legally.  We are cleaned, ready and waiting, but every day they say ‘not today’.  The most recent excuse is that their workers are on vacation for August – it could be weeks before we can get someone to visit (even if we go and pick them up) and get this remaining stamp.  Then, once they come, who knows what they will require or problems they might want to cause.

Was a lot of fun swimming with the four boys and Abbey – in the chlorine filled pool!

Maybe when all this is finished, and our Cafe is finally open, we’ll be approached to do a case study on the road blocks to private business in Ukraine.  Surely our experience is common, and highlights some major problems towards this country growing on it’s own.

Enough about the Cafe.  We entrust it to the Lord, He is good and we have plenty of other things to remain productive.  We delivered 12 school uniforms to the kids at Kuzmenci.  They have 2 new little kids from Donetsk area, both didn’t take long to warm up with some play.

But when you get up close, it looks radio-active. Ready to dive into that!?

I am preparing class for Sept 15 in Vladivostock Russia.  Simeon Ewing, fellow missionary expressed interest in joining a few months ago, and it’s turned out to be a great blessing – it’s a lot of material and we’re going to tag team teach.

I have Russian Visa interview this coming Thursday.  Please pray for that would you?  I’m uncertain the realities of US citizens at present getting visas, but so far things look like it should work.   After this, if visa received, I will need to purchase a plane ticket – and I have no idea at the moment where the funds will come from for this.  It’s been a faith step from the start, and looks like it will be a faith step right on the plane!  It feels good to trust Him however in this capacity again.  The Lord knows our needs before we ask.. but sure doesn’t stop me from asking Him to provide.

Heart goes out to those suffering in Iraq and wherever ISIS radicals are spreading evil.  I met some really nice Muslim guys in egypt last month. What blows my mind is the general apathy of millions of Muslims who privately condemn jihad-ist groups like ISIS, but thru their silence force the west to stand up and make more enemies. Shame on Islam for enabling, through passivity, the growth of evil. You are either for or against Islamic terror, no matter your religious tribe.

It feels that everywhere we turn there is war, political tension, evil.  We’re reminded that the spiritual battle is waging, in times of peace or difficulty.  Just a matter of whether we are willing to recognize it, and embrace our enlisting in it as soldiers.  May our lamps be readied, hearts filled with Him in these final hours.

Bruce