Featured Photo: A container arrives in Panama and is quickly unloaded at the clinic in Darien Province. Larry & Betsy Brady coordinated a packing crew that sent two 40 foot-high-cube containers into Panama during November!
DESPAIRED OF LIFE 2 Corinthians 1:8
A quick thought…living earthly life is not easy. Many feel overwhelmed by life’s unfairness. Many feel they are “inferior” if they struggle with the burdens of earthly anxieties. Many want to cower and remain silent.
Do not fall into this trap and allow your spiritual energy to be neutralized! Understand the struggles battering you, are battering every Christian. The Apostle Paul’s struggles encourage you to persevere.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8 Paul confesses the perplexities of earthly living and their impact upon him. He admits to being “despaired.” The Greek term describes Paul as looking at daily life with little hope of escaping the unfairness and injustices. The term refers to life’s unfairness being so heavy they crushed even the slightest hope. Literally it means that he was “out of measure.” Paul was saying, “I fell into such agony of mind that I hardly hoped to survive.” His reservoir of inner-strength was empty.
The Apostle’s perplexity should be admitted by each reader. BUT! WAIT! This term is used again by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8. There he confidently says he will not be beaten into “despair.” Please connect the dots in this interesting confession. What happened between chapter 1 and chapter 4? The answer is simple. In chapter 1 he is speaking from one trusting human powers and in chapter 4 he is speaking of one trusting in the Almighty’s power! But Paul’s confession is not concluded. Look at 2 Corinthians 12 and consider how it continues to connect the dots regarding life’s unfairness and the Christian’s attitude toward “unfair” situations.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 discusses a perplexing unfairness. Paul mentions his “thorn.” “I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
As you struggle with life’s unfairness (people being evil, and circumstances being inexplicable, or political shenanigans that are evil) remember where your power to overcome is found. It is not in mankind’s wisdom or cunning. It is found in an absolute trust in the God Almighty. It is because of God that when you are weak, THEN you become strong!
Understand that earthly life is unfair!
When you feel “despaired even of life,” look back at King Asa as he faced ONE-MILLION enemy troops (2 Chronicles 14:9-12). Etch in your memory and put on your lips the prayer of Asa. It is ok to be “perplexed but NOT despairing!
Beginning December 3 I will teach the auditorium class at Dalraida. The topic is the Book of Revelation. This study of Inspiration’s counsel will encourage us to delight in weakness and find security in God’s strength! If you are in the Montgomery area you can join us in person. The class will also be online at Dalraida’s YouTube Channel.
UKRAINE
Since the last update a number of developments have transpired impacting our efforts in Ukraine. Regardless of the bleak scenario painted by some, the opportunities in Ukraine continue to present themselves. We continue to have pleas for assistance and incredible offers of container loads of critical commodities.
WORLD BIBLE INSTITUTE (WBI) in Ivano-Frankivsk
The opportunity for training those who will be vocational missionaries to the western regions of Ukraine and the surrounding nations was envisioned many years ago. Seizing this opportunity was WBI. We started the school in Ivano-Frankivsk and graduated the first class. However, obstacles and resistance developed and WBI decided it was best to cease at that time. Thankfully the situation has changed for the better and WBI has recently visited and reviewed the need.
The church building will provide an amazing facility for the school and lodging of students. The students will be an exceptional resource to the Church and its evangelistic endeavors. A recent trip to survey and assess the opportunities was recently made. The encouraging developments of this will be in Gif’s upcoming report. This presents a vision of permanency for the Lord’s Church. Training in vocational skills removes the dependence upon the American support and results in a self-sufficient congregation!
More to follow!
PANAMA
Larry & Betsy Brady coordinate the wonderful efforts in Panama. They are regulars at the Montgomery, AL warehouse as they collect, sort, pack and load commodities going into Panama where they have worked for decades. Larry’s involvement in Panama began when he was serving in the USAF and delivering cargo into Central America.
Larry & Betsy, and an army of helpers, worked hard in preparation. Charita arranged the logistics and the carriers arrived on time!!
In November the Brady’s coordinated loading of TWO 40-foot-high-cube containers. These are going to the locations where they work in Panama. The containers are unloaded at the clinic in Darien Province and then distributed throughout the nation. Photos of this action are in the below slideshow showing the loading in Montgomery and the unloading in Panama.
Thank you for your financial support, prayers and partnership that enables us to accomplish these good deeds for the Lord!
John L. Kachelman, Jr. UKRAINE MISSIONS, P. O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
