{"id":11964,"date":"2026-07-02T13:45:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T18:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kachelman.com\/ukraine\/blog\/?p=11964"},"modified":"2026-07-03T14:46:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T19:46:19","slug":"trip-report-8-how-sweet-are-your-words-to-my-taste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kachelman.com\/ukraine\/blog\/2026\/07\/02\/trip-report-8-how-sweet-are-your-words-to-my-taste\/","title":{"rendered":"Trip Report #8\u2014\u201cHow sweet are Your words to my taste!\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Featured Photo: The Church of Christ at Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, gathers for Bible study!<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Bible Classes in Ivano-Frankivsk remind me of the portion of Psalm 119 under the Hebrew alphabet \u201cMEM.\u201d Here is the section that applies: \u201cHow I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day\u2026How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequent to the devoted Bible study of God\u2019s commands are these actions: Thy Word \u201cmake me wiser than my enemies; more insight; understand more than those who are old, I have complied\u2026I have restrained\u2026I keep Your word; I have not turned aside; I get understanding; I hate every false way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a wonderful treasure we have in the bible. What wonderful blessings result in our lives when we read and cherish the Holy Scriptures!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was an eagerness to meet and study the series that I had developed for this trip. Conflicts prevented the usual Wednesday night so it was decided to meet on Tuesday. The class went very well. The lesson continued discussing how the congregation was being attacked by Satan\u2019s strategy.  Of course, the biblical alarms apply to any congregation (or individual. It was remarked that lessons on Satan are seldom heard even though he is a vicious spiritual adversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class went very well. Attention was fixed, and examination and discussion of specific texts were wonderful. We built the activities of the Evil One from our lesson on Sunday, where we discussed how Satan uses different preachers\/men\/church leaders\/friends to draw away Christians from the Lord and to themselves. This arrogant divisiveness is sadly a \u201chistorical constant\u201d that is present in congregations. Too often God\u2019s People allow feelings for friends and family to lessen or misapply God\u2019s commanded action. Consequently, the faithful are discouraged, the divisive elements are never placated, and the congregation begins to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord\u2019s expectation for His congregation\u2019s behavior regarding those seeking to divide by criticism and hypocrisy is well illustrated by the Apostle Paul\u2019s behavior to the Apostle Peter in Galatians 2:5-12, \u201c(W)e did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain\u2026But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.\u201d This was the challenge closing the lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After class, we had a good discussion that covered several topics. During this time Allah asked where she could find historical documentation on the Lord\u2019s Church. She is talking with a friend and has invited her to worship, but the friend wants to know that the Church is historically validated and not some \u201cpop-up\u201d heresy. Allah asked if I could teach some on the history of the Church. That is a welcome topic, and I\u2019m eager to do so, but the time is too restricted. She said that maybe on the next trip I can do it. I will do so, but thankfully Gif is here, and he can cover the topic very well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approved photos are below\u2014reread the note at the beginning of this report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle\u2019s request in Ephesians 6:19, \u201c(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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL <\/p>\n\n\n\n