Things in Ukraine are very difficult but they fight on in the exhaustion. Since the invasion on Feb. 24th it is reported about 100 Russian choppers/planes were downed and roughly 2-4,000 Russian troops were killed depending on sources. About 3,400 civilians died according to the UN and about 2,000,000 refugees have fled to foreign countries. In spite of the dangers of war many stay and face great griefs and even death..
Bombing of the maternity hospital today in Mariupol in the SE of Ukraine. We were near there on the Sea of Azov some years ago.
Thankfully our daughter Rachel and family are now in Hungary and waiting. Our son Caleb and family are out and continue in Moldova waiting also. They have ample supplies but are concerned with helping refugees around them. Many are traumatized by what they have experienced. Ministry goes on around Caleb and Mike’s families wherever they are. God is using them.
In spite of the the grief and difficulty of war we can at times see God’s hand at work. When Russia attacked Ukraine many had communications disrupted, They were cut off from the rest of the world. Elon Musk was asked to help. He is an entrepreneur and the CEO of Tesla Motors. Musk soon replied. “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine.” “More terminals in route.” It is one of those things God pulls together at the right time. We call that “providence.” The power was on!
One Ukraine soldier said: "I want to inspire those who pray for us with the words of our soldiers and ordinary people from different parts of Ukraine, where the battle takes place. Soldiers of Ukraine testify "We feel your prayerful support. Sometimes something really incomprehensible happens, as if someone's invisible hand is actually making bullets fly past us. We win in very difficult situations, as if someone is helping us. We are invisible to the enemy, while we ourselves become able to see in the dark, and we know what to do and how to do it. It inspires us and gives us strength. We believe that the Jesus Christ Himself is for Ukraine. We ask you not to stop, support us and continue to pray. We really need you "" That is our call to prayer for this blog. Pray for Ukraine.
Together we are strongest…even if we are a minority. Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Watching online is helpful but not a replacement for the strengthening of fellowship with other soldiers of the faith face to face. War will test us but if we walk together the Lord will strengthen us.
Pastor Mark
-Ukraine Crisis Fund You can help through the Ukraine Crisis Fund 0717401. Checks can be mailed to Discovery Baptist Church, 4902 Gustafson Dr. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Or make use of the DBC electronic giving page (https://www.discoverybaptist.org/give-online). Our sincere gratitude to those who donated! It will be used to help the refuges of the war in and out of the country.
-Spring clocks forward an hour this Sunday for DST.
-Sunday I’ll speak in the 8:30 and 11:00 services on Wars and Rumors of Wars and give update on our refuge status of our missionaries.
-New marriage class during SS in the Gym at 9:50am led by Mike & Heather Stevens.
Week One — Reviewed the truth that the Bible is God’s Word and it must be believed, leading to Salvation. 2 Tim 3:15 “sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”. Stressed the truth that a godly marriage is a supernatural creation of God. Created before the entry of sin into the world. This requires each individual to have submitted their lives to Christ as their Savior. The character traits necessary for a fulfilled marriage (1 Cor 13/Gal 5:22-23) are supernaturally obtained through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit at Salvation.
Week Two — We’re going back to the beginning to see the creation of marriage by God in the Garden of Eden. (Gen 1:27, 2:18-25) A suitable helper.
Week Three — Looking at Ephesians 5 and how the marriage is the highest form of human relationship as it is used as a picture of Christ and His Church.
Week Four — Open forum. Questions and Topics submitted by class attendees.
