Russian Report...

By Mark Stumbo
St. Petersburg, Russia

It is a very sensitive situation right now for Americans living in St. Petersburg, Russia.  A gap has widened in U.S. and Russian relations more than I have ever seen. The recent conflict in the Ukraine has the potential to directly or indirectly affect us and the work of the Lord in Russia and our contacts in the Ukraine. Not only are the Russians starting to feel the impact of sanctions, but since we live among the people we feel them as well. Prices for food and travel have already started to rise. In the future, I am sure items and services will be limited. We hear rumors from time to time that it will be harder for Americans who wish to life in the country to get visa documents, and that Master Card and American Express will stop doing business in Russia. Already, some 70 billion dollars' worth of investment has left the nation as the world has lost confidence in Mr. Putin, confidence which took him around fifteen years to build.

Right now, there is a tense calm. We are praying for God to give us direction and divine protection as we are unsure what will unfold in the future. Some of our Russian neighbors do not look at us in the same way they did before. We see a storm across the bow of the ship.

Nevertheless, we are still determined to step across the railing and out into the sea of humanity; not to sink in the storm around us, but to keep our eyes on Jesus. We know that if we look at the ominous clouds of uncertainty, we will sink in doubt and self-pity. If we look at the crashing waves around us, we will be drowned by the opinions and feelings of others. But if we look at Jesus -- He shows us the way.

As I write this report, this upcoming Sunday will see three young children from the Sunday School Department being baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the 25th of May, we are planning a city-wide outreach,expecting people to come and break through in the Spirit. This summer we are planning to host a special event reaching out to children through English Evangelism. So, let kingdoms rise up against kingdoms, nations against nations, but as long as the Lord gives us the ability we want to labor in His Kingdom. We are not blind to the struggles around us, but are praying for revival, praying for the expansion of the church, praying and planning for God to do great things!

Editorial Note: Bro. Mark Stumbo and his family are ALJC missionaries home-based in St. Petersburg, Russia, with outreach in numerous places around the nation. They solicit your prayers that revival and a Holy Ghost outpouring will saturate the Russian people, filling them and empowering them to be witnesses any and every where all over this enormous nation. Hearts are hungry, God is willing, laborers are needed, prayer is vital! 

Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Rufus M. Parker

Text: John 14:1-4 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

Reading in the paper a few weeks ago, I learned there is a new disease called "SAD" - an acronym that stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. I thought to myself - "What?" They said because it had been so cold this winter, many people have not been able to get out of their houses and do things. They become negatively affected by having to remain inside and are depressed. The article went on to say it can affect people in the spring and fall too.

Now, I know this is a trick of the devil if people are depressed in the spring and summer! Man, I'm smelling the roses and drowning some worms during those two seasons. There isn't going to be any depression here. I don't know about you, but as for me and my house, we are going outside in all seasons. People go to the beach and pool to swim and get wet, and then stay inside when it rains. Get your umbrella out, get outside, and get wet, and enjoy what God has provided. Don't stay inside and mope because of the snow. Make a snow man. I like shoveling and even eating some of it, as long as it isn't yellow.

I like standing outside in the cold for a while. It helps you get rid of the impurities in your body. For me, I'm affected by every season. Winter, I rejoice. Summer, I rejoice. Spring, I rejoice. And yes, Fall, I rejoice. Do you know why? Because the Bible says, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Seasons come and seasons go, but the Word of the LORD is for ever. And He tells me to rejoice for evermore.

Editor's Note: Bro. Parker, former missionary to Okinawa and Mongolia, pastors Calvary Apostolic Church UPC in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He has authored a number of books and publishes a daily blog called, "Morning Manna." Link: http://morningmanna-parker.blogspot.com 

Who and What Are You Feeding?

By Rufus M. Parker

Text: Romans 8:5-10 -  "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

After reading and listening to the news a few weeks ago, I learned that merchants had become concerned that people were not going to spend much as money as in past years' Christmases. But as time passed, the reports began coming in that most stores were in the black. 

I sat and wondered about all the spending taking place. How much of it went towards something to edify the Spirit? I wonder how many Bibles were purchased and given as gifts? I wonder how much was spent on spreading the gospel to a lost and dying world? 

It seems as though the longer the Lord tarries the more people are trying to satisfy the flesh more than the Spirit. What I have found is this; if you feed and take care of the spiritual man, the fleshly man will be under subjection. As you continue doing this he will remain dead - and you will live - because your life will be full of righteousness.

Editor's Note: Bro. Parker pastors Calvary Apostolic Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Retired from a U.S. military career, he has authored numerous books and publishes a daily blog; here is a lnk...  http://morningmanna-parker.blogspot.com

Landmarks

By Berris Flemmings

"Remove not the ancient landmarks which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:11)

The word, "landmark" is defined as, 1.) a prominent feature on land, especially one which acts as a guide in following a route or marking a boundary; 2.) an even which is of special significance in a process or period of change. From these two definitions we can say that a landmark is a reference point. Landmarks play an important role in our daily lives. Can you imagine what it would be like to travel throughout the city of Detroit without any landmarks?

Some time ago, I drove from Detroit to Dallas,Texas. I reached my destination without much trouble, but only because I kept following the directions on the map and looking for various landmarks. There were signs telling me the names of the different freeways, the speed limits, when a curve was coming up, and so on. I would not have been able to make it without those landmarks. My journey was successful only because I followed established guidelines. Can you imagine where I might have ended up if I had not followed them?
Having the experience and seeing how important landmarks are in reaching an unfamiliar destination, I can clearly see why the Bible tells us not to remove the landmarks which the fathers have set.

It's sad to see the amount of violence in the world today; children killing children, rape, stealing, and murder, just to name a few. As a child growing up, I remember the older folks talking about how terrible the sixties were and saying better must come. I can say without any reservation that worse has come and worst is in hot pursuit. Behaviors which were once condemned are now becoming the norm. People are searching for answers in all the wrong places and are coming up with all the wrong answers. The Bible tells us, "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)

The world is in chaos because the ancient landmarks have been removed. It is more important than ever before to teach our children these guidelines; not only by telling them, but also by walking with them, pointing out the landmarks and explaining the significance of each. Proverbs 22:6 put this together beautifully, "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." It is said that happy families make happy communities, happy communities make happy nations, happy nations make a happy world.

Let us therefore journey through this life keeping our eyes and minds focused on the Word of God, and using it as our road map as we walk the pathway of righteousness. The pathway is old, very old, but it is God's way. It was good for our forefathers and it is as good for us today as it was back then. Furthermore, it will be just as good tomorrow

You see, God has not changed His plan for salvation, it's still the same. Men have made changes and deceived many, but the Bible tells us in no uncertain terms, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)

Let us draw the same conclusion as did David;
"As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him." (Psalm 18:30)
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." (Psalm 19:7-8)

Let us therefore go through this life using the Word of God as our guideline,looking always unto holiness, not only in the spiritual aspects of our lives, but in all aspects. "In all thy ways acknowledge HIm, and He shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

Editor's Note: Bro. Flemmings teaches the Adult Sunday School class each month in rotation. He is on our church's ministerial staff, and is willing and able - consistently serves the Body of Christ in many capacities.

A Costco Jesus

By Rachel Coltharp

Through the years I have had several inexpensive nativity sets, (oft destroyed by my kids,) and for the past few years we have used a "Fisher Price" kid-friendly set. But in my heart, I’ve longed for a "Big Girl" nativity set. 

Imagine my delight when I ventured upon an heirloom set at Costco; hand painted, with intricate details. It was really, truly lovely. But it wasn’t really truly real. The middle-eastern Jewish family had been replaced by a pale skinned, fair eyed, silky haired European family. I'm guessing that the pale skinned Jesus is an easier sell to pale skinned buyers. And at Costco, it's all about the sell. So though it was beautiful, I just couldn’t buy it. I don’t want to buy a Jesus who's been altered to look like me.

How many times do we find this has happened? Biblical has been altered, for a better "sell."

Songs that sound beautiful, with notes that strike an emotional chord in our hearts, but words are not at all like those of Jesus... Songs easy on the ear, and just as easy on our sin.

Or doctrines that come along that are easier on the ear than the sounds of bleating lambs slaughtered for sin, or of nails being hammered into flesh. Doctrines that do not call us to give up our sins, or take up our cross.

How many times, in the market place of ideas, have we chosen and purchased an altered idea of Jesus, one who thinks, acts and reacts, remarkably like us? The modern version of Jesus is often one who isn’t too concerned about heaven or hell. It's one who is more concerned with social issues than sin issues. The modern idea of Jesus is less controversial than the real one. And he looks a lot like our American culture, but he doesn’t look a lot like the Biblical one.

A Jesus who looks and acts like like me won't call me to change to be like him. And the “me” version of Jesus, won’t save me... from sin, or from myself.

So, as much as I love the LOOK of the Costco set, I put it back on the shelf. I’ll wait for something that represents Him - the real Him. The little brown skinned baby, with His brown skinned mother, and His brown skinned step-father.

And I'll pass on the modern Jesus. The one calls me to no sacrifice. I want the authentic Savior. One that will save me in, and from, my sins. I don’t want a Jesus who looks like me... 

I'm not going to buy into a Costco Jesus.

Editor's Note: Rachel is the wife of Brent Coltharp, District Superintendent for the state of Illinois, and pastor of First Apostolic Church in Aurora.

The Forgotten Virtue

By Scott A. Phillips

I woke up early one recent morning at 5 a.m. with this thought running through my mind. I'd been toying with the idea of doing a supplement in our paper with a few articles that might spark some thought and conversations. I wrote this with my community in mind.

It's easy to see that many in my generation have been influenced by insidious temptations to ignore and delete passages of Scripture in the name of being more relevant and acceptable to our culture. But what does one do when the culture is hostile to Scripture?

Can Israel negotiate with Iran, when Iran's only solution is the eradication of it's "peace" partner?

How can the church sit and make peace with culture, when culture will only be still when the Scripture no longer speaks to its failings?

We can not sit at the table of compromise and drink coffee in the pursuit of acceptance, because while we become more relevant to our culture, we become less true to the very character of what it means to be a Bible-based Christian. On Facebook our real convictions are broadcast, not by what we say, but by what we do.

Dolly Parton was loved by our culture because she sang gospel songs so prettily while blatantly being the poster girl of a Biblical harlot. No, she's not relevant to our current culture, but she is relevant in that she is the epitome of what our world would like our Christian women to become. Sadly, in the growing cancer of compromise, some have become, and are becoming the Dolly Parton's of Christianity. Take a look at the daughters of compromise; singing pretty songs, all the while becoming another casualty in the war agaiust holiness and modesty.

God help me. God Help us.

 

Editorial Note: Bro. Scott Phillips pastors New Birth Pentecostal Church in Clinton, Mississippi. He is a prolific writer and a strong supporter of faithfulness to Bible truth. We salute you for taking a stand for righteousness. Righteousness exalts, but sin is a reproach.