My 3rd Trip to Transniestria Thoughts

http://read.ly/Phil2.20.NIV 

Paul wrote these words because he trusted Timothy to minister in his place. I am TOTALLY humbled by the fact that Pastor Yuri Semenyuk of Christ Our Savior's Church in Tiraspol, Transniestria allowed me and three others to minister in services and speak to all of his Pastors, Leaders, & Deacons. IT WAS AMAZING!!

WITH THAT AS A BACK DROP I MAKE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS:

1. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The key leader is totally secure and delegates well.

2. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The Alpha Course evangelism project is going great and winning souls.

3. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The key leader trusts young men and women to function in key roles.

4. NO WONDER THEY ARE GROWING: The key leader understands and knows that it is all about leadership at every level.

The entire ministry understands this concept: PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID. PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

I left feeling encouraged and enriched even though I had preached eleven times in four days which is so humbling and amazing when you consider all that they are doing. What a joy to be a small part in helping them.

THANK YOU PASTOR YURI AND TEAM!!!

Ed

A REAL DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT

http://read.ly/2Tim2.2.NKJV

I have been so inspired at Christ Our Saviors Church here in Tiraspol, Transniestria. THEY ARE A REAL DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCH.

THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. I pray and believe that I can take what I have learned and do it at home.I was asked to impart to them but they in turn imparted more and better to me.

THANK YOU!!! Pastor Yuri and the team for a great week.

Christians in Transniestria

These people here remind of the passage of scripture in Hebrews 10:32-39. 


WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON THE FIGHT GOES ON: vs. 32
They are truly evangelizing their city and nation.
They are truly discipling new believers


THE LIGHT IS ON AND THEY ARE SLUGGING IT OUT.


v.33,34 They have been and are suffering with some demonic attack that is coming from other humans.


IT TAKES COURAGE TO KEEP ON GOING.


v. 35,36 They are staying faithful and walking in great endurance because their confidence is in God.


ENDURANCE IS A MUST.


V.37-39 They have a since of destiny like Jesus could come back tomorrow.


URGENCY IS A MUST.


The picture is Pastor Yuri their fearless (literally) leader.

Note from the FOREIGN FIELDS

VISION IS VISION NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD.

As a church in America we are being passed up by Pastors and ministries on in foreign lands. Yes, you heard me right!!

They have such big faith for big projects that are genuinely reaching the lost. Did you heart that? They are not talking about the lost they are talking to the lost and winning them to Christ.

 
http://read.ly/Prov29.18.NIV 

We serve the same BIG GOD!!! I am inspired. The picture here is of the new BETHEL FAMILY CENTER in the middle of Tiraspol, Transniestria.  

When Things Do Not Go As Planned Pt 7

http://read.ly/Gen43.23.NKJV

Joseph has found that his faithfulness has produced extreme favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). Now his family has not been so fortunate. They are stuck in famine, but it is not because of their unfaithfulness. We will now see how God has set them up to see his hand of provision when they thought all was lost.

Gen.43:1,2  We usually turn to the last place that we got help. Good or bad. JACOB = DAD = CEO = LEADER = PASTOR said "Go back and buy us a little more food."

Jacob complained - so do we.
Jacob planned a bribe - so do we.
Finally v.14 Jacob decides to trust in God for himself, his boys (Simeon & Benjamin), and his whole starving family.

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG LOOK TO THE SOURCE NOT ANOTHER RESOURCE.
We start thinking the worst when we can be sure God has our best interests at heart and He is planning all along to reveal them to us. (see vs. 15-23)

NOTICE HOW THAT EVEN JOSEPH HAD TO EAT ALONE BECAUSE HE DID NOT FIT IN. THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE JUST HAVE TO KNOW THAT GOD IS ON OUR SIDE A GO FOR IT.

Joseph as an instrument in the hands of God is setting his family up for the big REVEAL.
Our heavenly Father is doing the same for us!! We just get anxious WHEN THINGS DO NOT GO AS PLANNED.

Thoughts from a VACATION well spent.

Grand Case Beach Club on the French side of St. Marteen in the Caribbean is so peaceful and restful.
Some observations:
1. DOING NOTHING IS OK SOMETIMES.
2. VACATION WITH YOUR SPOUSE IS AN INVESTMENT NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT COSTS.
3. SOLITUDE IS GOOD FOR THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL.
4. TOO MANY VOICES EQUALS TOO MANY CHOICES.
Psalms 46:10
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

5. I AM TOTALLY SERIOUS  . . . I SHOULD DO THIS TWICE A YEAR RATHER THAN EVERY OTHER YEAR. I WOULD BE HEALTHIER BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY. 


If you want to see all the pictures we took then go to my Facebook and they will be posted there.


Ed

When Things Do Not Go As Planned pt 6

I am so sorry that there has been a delay in the continuation of these thoughts. Here are my excuses: 1) A big event that I had to participate in that lasted ten days. 2) A vacation that lasted 11 days including the travel days. I know those are not good enough - like you have been waiting with baited breath HA HA!! Oh well, we continue on . . .

Genesis 41:1-5 Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to get grain so that they will not starve. EVEN WHEN BAD THINGS ARE HAPPENING ALL AROUND God can turn them around for your good.  I can promise you that God is at work in your situation and you do not even see it and many times He has been at work for many years preparing you for such a time as this.

Joseph could only hold on to the dream which was taking years to come to pass.
Jacob, his dad was just dealing with a broken heart and he could not really see God at work in this crisis.
The brothers were just existing and they really could not see God at work in this crisis.

GOD IS AT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES IN YOUR LIFE. YOU CAN COUNT ON IT.

Genesis 41:6-9 Dreams really do come true and Joseph found that out. (Genesis 37)
To me the great thing about this chapter is how Joseph handled himself in front of his brothers. NOTE: When your dreams come true be classy and not arrogant so God can continue to use you. He could have really let the hammer down in revenge and hurt them for hurting him. Instead he had a plan to redeem his entire family plus he blessed his brothers. Check out Genesis 41:35.

Harboring bitterness and unforgiveness is like taking poison and expecting it to kill the other guy who hurt you.
Let's all commit to taking the high road like Joseph and God can trust us to make a difference and save many form destruction.