Spring Mission Trip Itinerary
March 29 Fly out from Boise 7:00 a.m.
March 30 Arrive in Odessa, Ukraine at 2:00 p.m. / At 5:00 p.m. Worship and share with Messianic congregation.
March 31 Worship and share with Jews for Jesus – evening
April 1 Worship and share with Kind Road Christian Church (Café Outreach)
April 2-4 Teach at Open Christian University
April 4-5 Overnight train to Kiev
April 5-7 Worldview/Creation Conference
April 8 Worship and share with Christian Hope Church in Kiev
April 8-9 Overnight train to Kharkov
April 9-14 Outreach in Kharkov with Zhenya Molodchy
April 15 Worship and share with Christian Life Church in Kharkov
April 15-16 Overnight train to Nikolaev
April 16-18 Fellowship and outreach in Nikolaev
April 18-19 Overnight train to Simferopol
April 19-21 Fellowship in Simferopol
April 22 Worship and share with Simferopol Christian Church – then travel to TCI near Kherson
April 23-27 Teach Christian Evidences Modular Course at Tavrisky Christian Institute
April 28 Worship and share with Messianic Church in Nikolaev
April 29 Worship and share with Church of Reconciliation in Nikolaev
April 30-May 1 Travel home
Majesty – Not Man – Is the Measure!
Last month I started the prayer letter this way: “I plan to share with you some thoughts from other writers about the degeneration of America, but first I want to focus your attention on the truth that Almighty God is the one and only Sovereign!” This month I want to continue with that same theme.
What Is Your Perspective?
The giants of humanism, evolutionism, and materialism are intent on ousting God from government, schools, and society. Their proponents are temporarily willing to allow those crazy “Bible thumpin’ Christians” to go huddle in their churches – “but don’t you dare try to speak your convictions openly or impose your morals on our culture!” Have you noticed the hypocrisy of the humanist, abortionist, homosexual activist crowd? They are blatantly and aggressively imposing their jaded immorality on society while telling us that Christians are intolerant if we dare speak out against their agenda. They don’t believe in a level playing field, and they are willing to lie to distort the historical facts about the beliefs of the founding fathers of America. The fact is that it is impossible for an atheist to be a loyal American – so why are schools and government agencies bowing to the whims of the atheists? Our Declaration of Independence is even more basic than our Constitution, and it clearly states, “We hold these truths to be self evident – that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Since the atheist denies that we have a Creator, he denies the fountain from which our unalienable rights come. From his perspective, rights do not come from God – they come from government. That spells tyranny!!! Therefore, an atheist cannot be a loyal American! Why are we paying attention to atheists who want to take down the crosses, remove “In God We Trust” from our money, and throw out “under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance?
Is man the measure of all things? Are you the master of your own soul and the captain of your own fate? No! A thousand times NO!! This is a lie from Satan. Majesty is the measure of all things! “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1 (NKJV). Let’s get things in proper perspective! The Bible teaches that the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge [science] (Proverbs 1:7), and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10). Therefore, one who does not fear God is willfully ignorant – (Romans 1:18-22) – why should we pay attention to him? “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1 and 53:1). It is repeated twice – that is God’s emphasis! So why should we pay attention to the rantings and writings of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hichins, Sam Harris, Isaac Asmov, Michael Newdow, and their colleagues? “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28) KJV.
Let’s get even closer to home. Are your eyes on the Rock of Ages or your own resources? Are you a professing Christian, yet a practicing atheist? Where is your trust in troubled times like these? Is your perspective mesmerized, measured and monitored by money? You cannot – cannot – worship money and Majesty! Worship His Majesty! He will measure and monitor your money. Don’t love money and use people! Love people and use money – to His glory! Be mesmerized by Majesty – not money! Our Lord says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) KJV. Money is not God. It can be gone with the wind – but the Eternal One remains. Men are not God – even those who like to pretend that they are. Where is your focus – on God or on Goliath?
Our Path to Victory
As we face the giants of our corrupt culture – atheism, humanism, evolutionism, Marxism, socialism, terrorism, etc. what should we do? Here are three strategies. The plan can be summarized by the words courage, concentration, and confidence.
1. Gain courage through studying the Word of God, meditating on its promises, and obeying its precepts. Let’s listen to and obey God’s Word to Joshua as he (and Israel) faced the giants of Canaan. “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-9) NKJV.
2. Focus your concentration on His presence with you and His power within you.
Let’s remember the power of the Holy Spirit within us. “’Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6). “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and of power, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) KJV. Our Lord wants disciples who are courageous – not cowardly, compromising, cautious, careful, timid tiptoers! Be strong! Be bold! The Lord your God is with you! His Spirit dwells within you. Rely on His strength! Courage comes from concentration on His power!
3. Pray with confidence in the Name of Jesus, in the center of His will, and to the glory of God. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7 (NKJV). “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24 (NKJV). “He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:12-15 (NKJV).
If you are invited by an ecumenical group or civic club to lead in prayer – but told to not mention the name of Jesus – will you do it? Why bother praying such a pitiful, pusillanimous, powerless prayer? Franklin Graham refused to pray like that – and I admire him for it. He even wrote a book about it called, “The Name”. It is the name of Jesus that may offend some people. Why? Because Jesus says, “Repent!”
General Dwight Eisenhower said just before D-Day of World War II, “We will accept nothing less than full victory.” There is no full victory in spiritual warfare without the name of Jesus! Pray in His name to the glory of God.
Prayer Warriors – Thank You!
To the many of you who have written that you are praying for Stas and the others – and to the many more of you who are praying but have not written – THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Oh, Lord Jesus, teach us to pray! To continue praying! Effectively praying in Your name! Fervently praying!
Pray for America – spiritual awakening in the land and revival – deep, true repentance revival – in the churches.
Virtual Museum
“I have launched a project at FaithFunder.com. This is for the Northwest Science Museum and is a phase of the total project. This Phase is developing a Virtual Museum. Everything that we will have in the physical museum will be in the Virtual Museum. In reality I will have more in the Virtual Museum than in the real museum.
You can find the info in the following location: https://www.faithfunder.com/findproject.php
Under “Recent Projects” or under the category called “Animation”.
Please consider helping out, either by donating or forwarding this notification on to everyone you know!!
Thanks,
God Bless,
Doug Bennett, Executive Director, Northwest Science Museum”
From Our Mailbox
“Yes, I am getting your Overseas Outreach prayer letters, and I do pray over everyone. I have two books you wrote: “Ready to Give an Answer” and “Is the Bible Without Any Errors?” Both great books!…I pray God will continue to bless and prosper you and the work you do for Him, for Overseas Outreach and Northwest Science Museum.
Your friend in His service,
Jay Robb”
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“Thanks to your introduction, I have received some interesting materials from Bruce Malone’s ministry. I continue to enjoy your newsletters and your timely and precise articles. I’ve been sharing them what I can, when I can, from the many godly resources I accrue, including your newsletter which usually ends up in my pastor’s hands. He appreciates your messages and has shared some of the information with the congregation….You are a very bright light for our Lord. May God provide you both with continued energy, strength, and health to continue for many more years.
I love you in our Lord.
Dave” (Black)
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“We are very glad to receive your letter and waiting for your coming to Odessa. We are thankful to you for your help to our University and Christian Education during all these years. God blesses you. (Numbers 6:24).
Rostislav Kryzhanovskiy”, Director of Open Christian University
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“Thanks to all of you! Your attempts to help my family in our situation make me believe in ‘The Real Christianity’….May God of Science and Wonders bless you richly at your work and recreation!
Sincerely,
Stas”
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“We appreciate your newsletters. The January 2012 issue with the Fearlessly Facing the Future with Faith message was especially meaningful right now. Thank you for reaching out to lost people…..
God bless you.
David & Phyllis Mulkey”
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“Here is a small love offering. Please use it wherever you need to. I try to pray everyday for your outreach missions.
Love & prayers,
Vi Radabah”
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“My beloved brother Rick,
Thank you so much for your regular newsletters! I may not every time write you back, but I would like to let you know: receiving it is always a great joy for us. It makes us see our own ministry as a part of much greater picture of what God is doing through His faithful and committed servants on the both sides of the ocean! May His name be praised! May He bless you abundantly in all your ways like you are blessing for many!
Looking forward to serve and worship together on your upcoming trip to our part of the world!
Yours by the grace of Jesus
Sergei” (Golovin)
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“We are with you 100%. We admire you, love you, and read all you write. And we are praying about the things you are concerned about…Stas and for souls to repent and obey Jesus.
Love,
Reggie & Esther Thomas”
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“Thank you, Rick! Your desire to help is always a great inspiration for us! May God continue to richly bless you and your family!
Blessings!
Anya” (TCI Secretary)
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“Thank you for your prayers and constant desire to serve and to help. We do appreciate it!
Valik” (Valentin Siniy, TCI President)
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“Thanks so much for keeping these prayer letters coming my way. They are read with interest and concern. I’ll certainly be praying for the poor folks in Kherson, and I’ll continue to pray that the word of God will prosper through your ministry and those of your fellow workers.
In Christ, Steve Woodworth”
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“Thanks for the update. Amazing what goes on around the world and how Americans take worshiping for granted. We are blessed beyond reason. I often get too caught up in my job to pay attention to what is really important.
Scott” (Wilson)
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Tribute to Valentin Siniy, President of Tavrisky Christian Institute
Valentin is a man of compassion for the hurting, passion for lost souls, and vision for fulfilling the Great Commission through the Great Commandment. When you put these factors together with leadership ability and a great sense of humor, you have a winning combination. I think it was about 5½ years ago when I first met Valentin and enjoyed rich fellowship in his office at TCI. It was especially a joy for me to learn that he shares my vision of Ukraine as a strategic bridge between the east and the west, especially to the outreach of the gospel to the middle Asian nations that were formerly part of the Soviet Union and have a strange mixture of Marxism and Islam, with some committed Christians (mostly in house churches). The purpose for all these training centers is to prepare soldiers of the cross as bold witnesses for Jesus to infiltrate every culture and people group, establishing the rule of the King of kings by turning rebels unto repentance and enlisting them in the service of the King.
I have had the honor of teaching a one week modular course on Christian Evidences at their home campus near the center of Ukraine (Kherson) twice (third time coming up), plus once in Lugansk (for prison ministers) and once in Georgia. Because of that my book, “Ready to Give an Answer” is now translated and available in Georgian, as well as Russian and English. It is a joy to help prepare bold witnesses for Jesus!
It was because of Valentin’s compassion and heart for outreach that he agreed to take in and care for the released slaves.
In Closing….
Finally, both Della and I want to express our deep appreciation for you and our gratitude to you, our prayer warriors and financial partners in spreading the gospel and strengthening believers, both at home and overseas. We couldn’t do this alone! THANK YOU!!!
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-6 (NKJV).
Yours & His,
Rick