Day 4: Thursday

Isaiah 6:8-10 

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send,  And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” ⁹ And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ ¹⁰ “Make the heart of this people dull,

And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears,   And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”

Ukrainians are a very religious people, much like those in Southern USA. Here most are Catholic or Orthodox, at home they're affiliated with one of the Denominations. Both place a great emphasis on what one needs to do to please God, but very little on what He's already done for us on the cross of Calvary. By the same token, there's no emphasis on having a relationship with God, it's more of a Pharisaical cleansing of the outside of the cup and dish while neglecting the heart.

Ukraine is currently suffering the consequences of not being a Nation that seeks to please God. America is moving in that direction. "God, help us to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that respond to Your Word. Empower us to help Ukrainian eyes see, ears hear, and hearts respond to Your Son Jesus. Lord, please heal our lands..."

Today the team is out on the streets and on the campus' of 2 Universities handing out invitations to the English classes at New Horizons. We're looking forward to spending the evening speaking English with the guests that come, and sharing the Gospel message as part of the curriculum.

Tomorrow begins the Calvary Chapel Western Ukraine conference. The theme is "Complete In Christ". Pastor Joe Bruch from Calvary Chapel Portsmouth, Ohio and I will be teaching through the book of Colossians and doing question & answer workshops. Please keep the conference in your prayers.

As you consider the passage from Isaiah 6, I'd like to challenge you to do what Isaiah did. Set your eyes on the Lord and answer His call to proclaim the good news of Jesus regardless of how people respond. 

"Here am I Lord, send me"

P.S. There may not be internet at the conference center, so I'll post first chance I get.