Again and again and again ...

This morning I received an urgent email from Paul …

Pray for Russia and for Olga’s safety.
Olga has served us as a fantastic Interpreter for more than 12 years, she is to arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Jan 24 for a two month stay to polish up her English.

A deadly blast at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport has disturbed us and we ask you to pray for Russia. At least 35 people have been killed and nearly 200 wounded in an explosion at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport according to the Russian Health Ministry. An Investigative Committee believes it to be a terror attack.

I just talked to Sasha our faithful coworker in Moscow, and he too asks you to pray for their country. Pray for the Caucasus … the region that we have been working in for the past 12 years. Caucasus is the region the security forces suspect the Suicide Bomber to from.

Pray for the Churches and their leadership in this vast region that includes Sochi, Vladikavkaz and Chechnya.

Paul Weresch

How ironic that the Pastor of our church preached a sermon just yesterday concerning the story of Noah and God’s destruction of his creation.

Sin had reached a point where the Creator could not tolerate the actions of His creation. He provided the provision of an ark to save any who would repent. When it floated away, it contained one family.

Twice again, the Bible reports the power of God’s wrath falling on a sinning people. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with, again, very few taking advantage of the provision provided. Ninevah also fell under the wrath of God. However, the story was vastly different because the entire city took advantage of the provision provided and repented of their sin.

It’s been said that "He who forgets history is condemned to repeat it." Have we forgotten … or do we completely ignore God’s history of hating sin as read in the Bible?

Are we doomed to repeat it? The answer is a resounding, YES! However, as before, God has provided a provision for all who will accept it. Our Jonah … our ark … the provision provided for us … is Jesus Christ.

Will you be like the people of Noah’s day? Will you be one of those lost in Sodom? Or will you repent like the people of Ninevah?

Everyday the news contains proof that the human race has become the people of Romans 1:25 .... exchanging the truth of God for a lie, and worshiping and serving created things rather than the Creator.

My friends … it is time! It is time to repent, believe and accept Jesus Christ, who has been given to you as the ARK … the provision for your salvation.

I beg you … get on board!

Larry Abele, editorial team

Be glad ... and have joy in the Lord your God

I received a note from Paul as he reacted to the destruction that is happening in our world. Read what he said:

“In my musing over the Christmas season and the Joy it brought to countless people around the world, I was reminded of the stark reality of life as it unfold before our eyes. My thought went out to the people of Haiti, Sudan, Australia, Brazil and the great tragedy of Arizona.

In times like this it is easy to spread blame, and demonize the other. My prayer is that we would turn to the source of Comfort, Hope and Peace.

Let me give you a portion of God’s Word as spoken to the people of Israel by the prophet Joel. Please read Joel 2:21-32 as he assures us we should have no fear because the Lord will give back the years that have been destroyed. ‘… Have no fear, O land; be glad with great joy; for the Lord has done great things.’

Read it, think about it and pray.”

Paul Weresch

Yes, Joel gives hope to the people of Israel where there seems to be no hope. And, just like the people of Joel’s time, we are given hope in words of the Bible.

Isaiah 34:4, Matthew 24:29-31 and Luke 21:25-28 tell us of the signs in the heavens … to “lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 to “keep watch” and “be ready” but also to “… see to it that you are not alarmed.”

The Apostle Paul warns and comforts in 2 Thessalonians not to be deceived or to become easily unsettled as the events unfold, because Jesus will keep you “steadfast in the faith to the end.”

Peter reminds us in his second book to be error free by “recalling the words spoken of old by holy prophets” which takes us back to Joel 2:21-32.

Yes, dear friends … there is much happening in the world today to bring sorrow to our hearts. However, let us listen to Joel as he says, “Be glad and have joy in the Lord your God!”

Larry Abele, Editorial Team