Category Archives: seeking understanding

Yesterday this van took 640 meals to Kharkiv…

… our partners also sent 2 tons of flour and 300kg of yeast to the Chernigiv area for the baking of bread

… and 200 loaves of already baked bread to distribute.

Thanks be to God for this provision.

Thank you for continuing to pray.

Thank you for giving so people are fed in the midst of war.

$3 cooks, packs and sends a substantial meal.

GIVE: http://www.ceokids.org/give

I received some helpful counsel the other day. Each of us has struggles. We all have times when we feel shaken and then are weak.

Recent events may cause us to feel this more than usual.

This wise friend told me about a practice of prayer that I have found helpful in the days since. It is in four steps. I’m including Scripture to show the way.

Stop and turn to God.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Complain to God.

“Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.” (Psalm‬ ‭64:1-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Ask God.

“Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!” May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!” (Psalm‬ ‭70:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Trust God.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

This last one can be hard. I suggest trust building scriptures like the list here in a post from a while back.

Above all, turn to Christ.

God is working!!! He is using folks with resources to fund the work of our partners who are providing 1000+ meals a day to displaced persons inside Ukraine. Even in the midst of a brutal war, God is using his people to help one another. This is love.

When we are attacked, we need a place to turn. If we just turn inwardly, we may crumble.

Even though people mean well, they sometimes say the wrong thing. Our hearts receive these messages in our hurt or grief through our own lens not that of the speaker. The result may be that we turn further inward.

Turning inward is often not helpful. As communal beings, we need to turn to God and those whom we have found trustworthy to give God’s counsel.

The way to tell if counsel is of ultimate trustworthiness is if it points us to God.

David understood this: and turned to God:

“O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm‬ ‭86:14-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Remember that God is always ready, turn to him, receive his peace.

God is with us and will comfort us as though we were sitting here…

As I post this update on the 25th day of the war, I thank God for the faithful friends who have decided to join this great endeavor.

Faithful friends who decide to pray, stay informed and give.

Thank you.

http://www.ceokids.org/give

This is scene from Kharkiv.

This city is among the places where our partners are delivering meals to persons who shelter in the rubble. Our partners are serving their fellow Ukrainians in the midst of war.

Please pray.

Please give.

$30 prepares and delivers 10 meals to those hunkered down and hungry.

GIVE: http://www.ceokids.org/give