FYI: This morning I awoke to temps in the mid-50s!!
NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
Featured Photo: The Family Buckets were delivered to isolated locations near the frontlines. These two photos show the network and the successes of our efforts!
NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
Uncomfortable Insight from Luke 16:9
Christ urges you to use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. The consequences of this service will reward you in the future. The right use of wealth (material goods) is by helping the poor, making men happier and better, leading them to repentance and to God.
As noted in Ellicott’s Commentary, this service “will gain for us friends, perhaps the very persons whom we have helped, perhaps the angels of God who rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, perhaps even Christ and the Father, who will receive us into ‘everlasting habitations’.”
This exhortation comes immediately after the parable of the unjust steward. That parable is not the approval of cheating or a justification of dishonesty. The Lord highlights the careful ways of worldly men that secure their future. Christ urges the children of light to learn wisdom from the men of the world, and use that wisdom to achieve their objective. Eternal riches are found only by sacrificial service that imitates the Lord.
The practical lesson: if a man or a congregation spends on Self, or hoards up what God has entrusted to him, what evidence is there that he is an heir of God through Christ? The only evidence is that Self controls and suffocates godly altruism.
In the parable’s context, Christ urges us to make a proper use of riches. The unjust steward secured future comfort for himself.
Listening to the Scripture
THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Employ opportunities, contacts, and choices that secure future results that bring treasures into heaven!
THE BIBLICAL METAPHORS: Scripture urges Christians to be involved in their community. This urging contrasts with the desires of a congregation to be involved only in itself. Such a contrast is presented in the terms “inward” and “outward.” Too many become consumed with the “inward” and fail with the “outward.” The “inward” focus always results in decline. Decline results in desperate reactions fueling greater negatives.
The Church must be “light,” “salt,” and “leaven” to the world! How can these metaphors apply ONLY to the local congregation? These apply “outward”!
THE BIBLICAL EXHORTATIONS: Many texts emphasize how the Church is to avoid Satan’s temptation to focus only on the “inward.” Among these are Colossians 4:5, Revelation 3:8, and Ephesians 5:16.
THE BIBLICAL QUERY: An uncomfortable question asks, “Is the congregation focused more on providing for itself than upon using worldly resources and wealth to secure its future?” Too often, a misguided Self answers, “Well, we have to make sure the congregation is strong!” And consequently, the mission of the congregation becomes “inward,” forsakes the “outward,” and begins to decline. This is true in the mission field or at home. It is tempting to serve only ourselves. It is inconvenient for members to expect to deny themselves and serve others.
Our OPLAN!
We structure our operational plan by the biblical principle—seize opportunities, urge denial of Self to serve others, and measure success by the metrics of God’s Book! This balances the inward and outward. This obligates self-denial and reliance upon the Lord God Almighty!
On every trip, I meet with various administrative levels (from villages to the national level). There is a constant expression of gratitude for many actions by those associated with our group. On this recent trip, I have been congratulated for compliance with the censors who are trying to guard safety in the time of war’s evils. Photos have to be approved or manipulated. Social media formats are carefully scrutinized, and web crawlers pick up comments and phrases that are deemed either compromising or self-serving to raise money from the sufferings of others, and several other categories. Security takes social media very seriously.
In one conversation, I was told, “During war there are many violations that are known but cannot be arrested. This is unfortunate, but we have priorities. The war will end, and those violators will be held accountable. It is amazing what can be “mined” from people’s social media posts—names, positions, interests, networks, etc. I was cautioned early on (2014) to distance myself from those whose internet and social posts are violating the martial laws.
I appreciate the compliments given to those working with me. These compliments are sincere, and when framed in the war’s environment, these are really special. I have a boatload of cherished commendations and medals, and all are reflective of those who joined with me in this effort. The hundreds of containers with humanitarian aid distributed to those in greatest need; the Galaxy Center focusing on children who have been traumatized; the tons of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics; the refurbishing of schools; and the list goes on and on!
One recent conversation, among many, was really encouraging to me.
I met with the Head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Religious Department to discuss troubling developments impacting the Ivano-Frankivsk congregation. I received a warm welcome and was given strong assurance that the congregation is “safe” and will be secure from threats.
During this visit, I mentioned that Gif was in the US, and in an instant, an unsolicited response exclaimed: “Gif is known all over this Region! I hear from people about him and what he is doing. He is full of energy and eagerness! He is very nice; very friendly. He is a pleasant person. He is doing a super job here. I was talking with a group of people, and they mentioned the American Gif, and I said, ‘I also know Gif!’ I am sincere in this compliment. Gif makes the Church of Christ very complimentary all over this Region.”
Our OPLAN is to train Christians in the local congregation to be salt, light, and leaven! We are to be the servants and NOT the served!
Below are some photos of our efforts. Read the above point about photos. When photos are reposted, I receive a note asking if I gave my permission for the photos to be used. If not, the person and all connected to that person are put on a list. This is a serious fact, and there will be an “after the war” reckoning.
Again, I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle’s request in Ephesians 6:19, “(O)n my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, P.O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
