A Happy Birthday

Today is my 31st Birthday and it was a very happy one. First thing in the morning, FedEx delivered a package with pictures and DVD of friends from back home. I was happy to see their(your) happy faces again. In the middle of the day, the kids and I enjoyed the Zoo in Riga while Lena prepared the food for our evening party. Tonight we had 17 people over, all believers from five different churches in Ogre whom I am acquainted with. After dinner, I shared my testimony of repentance and how the Lord has changed my life so that He is the center and reason I live rather than myself. Then I sang "Create in me a clean heart O God" and encouraged everyone to be faithful to the Lord. I tried to share this quote (below) but I forgot exactly how it want, so I googled it and here it is for you my blog readers:

"Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God." - Amy Carmichael

So after an active day, I am tired but in a good way, not burnt out but consumed with zeal for the Lord and blessed to pour out to my family and friends the love He pours out in my heart by the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for the abundant and eternal life Jesus has given me. I love my friends and family back in California - it is a sacrifice to be so far away, but Jesus if faithful to grant new friends and spiritual family members in this life and for eternity, so it's worth it.

Mark 10:28-30 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." 29 Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

I do want to point out, though, that our sacrifice is not worthy of comparing with the glory that shall be revealed, especially since "we have left everything" does NOT mean we can NOT keep in touch with far-away friends via the Internet (Skype, Google talk, facebook, blogger, calvary.com etc. HINT HINT, KEEP IN TOUCH) Only in our generation could missionaries get instant messages from the other side of the world for free.

Apustuļu darbi 2:1-22

Acts 2:1-21 is the story of when the Holy Spirit was poured out and led to the birth of the church. After this teaching we talked for another hour about spiritual experiences that some in the group believe are from God but have no Biblical support for. I tried to warn people about this but unfortunately much of the "word of faith" movement has already crept into Latvia through TV evangelists Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and the New Generation church's apostle Alexej Lidjaiv and the Toronto blessing. What a shame that such "signs" like falling down and laughing and other manipulative schemes have been imported while sound Bible teaching is slow to take root. God help us to discern the true work of the Spirit in our lives for the health of the church, for the sake of the lost and for Christ's name sake. Please pray for the Word of God to spread in Latvia. P.S. You can download the MP3 here: http://www.archive.org/download/Acts2a/Acts2v1-21_64kb.mp3

Last week's teaching opportunities

Last week I had the privilege to teach seven times with different groups and in different languages.

1. Saturday January 12 was the last time teaching at our Saturday Bible School. God was revealing it was time for me to back out of that weekly commitment (as the kids themselves lost interest gradually since it's inception after VBS) But there were a few kids that came to this last time so I shared my heart for them to continue abiding in Christ (John 15) and be plugged into to a church (Acts 2:42) along with their parents.
   
2. Sunday morning, I taught Romans 8:16-30 about our future glory. It is clear from this passage that the gospel promises us total deliverance from sin, suffering and sorrow but not all in this life like the false health/wealth preachers here say. God gave me much grace to proclaim these truths in Russian and it was well received.
3. Sunday night, I taught our small group that meets in our home about some of the ministries of the Holy Spirit.
   
4. Tuesday I started incorporating a Bible study into our English Club outreach (many people were already Christians) so we looked at Genesis 1:1 and following about the days of creation.
5. Wednesday I taught our Latvian group in Ikskile from Acts 1:9-26 as you can see from my other posts and hear above.
6. Thursday at our Russian Bible study in Ogre, I lead a discussion about Acts 1:9-26.
7. Friday, I was invited to Trinity Baptist church by the youth pastor there (Dainis). I taught about seeking God and asking Him to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24)
   

It is a good thing to teach God's word but I understand it is a great responsibility and one I don't take lightly. Pray for me as I teach that I would be faithful to God and stay humble and gracious.

Apustuļu darbi 1:9-26

The second Bible study (Acts 1:9-26) in Ikskile went well last night. It is exciting to teach people that are hungry to learn the Word of God. Here is a link to find the audio recording in different formats: http://www.archive.org/details/Acts1v9-26

Apustuļu darbi 1:1-8

January 9th, we started our new weekly Bible study in Ikskile with Acts 1:1-8. My desire is to build up the body of Christ through the teaching of the Word. As I prepared to teach, I was concerned with how they would receive it, but the Lord encouraged me just to be faithful teach it "rightly dividing the word of truth" and let His Spirit work in the hearts of His people. God was faithful and blessed His word and afterward about 10 of the 15 people came forward wanting the baptism of the Spirit. We recorded the teaching for those who were not able to be there, so you can download the MP3 here or you can listen now in streaming audio.

Praise and Prayer for January

1. Answer to prayer: God has opened doors to start a Bible study in the city of Ikskile, there is a group that has been praying for a church and it seems like God is confirming the vision to plant a Calvary Chapel with them.
2. Pray for a smooth transition in 2008 from assisting Ogre's Evangelical Russian church to the new church plant in Ikskile (if this is indeed God's will and timing).
3. Pray for safe driving from city to city in the winter time (Latvia has the 2nd most deadly roads in Europe)
4. Pray that our van would continue to operate well in freezing conditions (we couldn't open the doors today).
5. Continue to pray for the formation of a team from CCMB to help us in evangelism and church planting in the summer or fall.

Word for the New Year

As the clock struck midnight and the fireworks blasted in the new year, I was in the city of Ikskile with Dainis (a youth pastor) and his youth group seeking first the kingdom of God. After the fireworks faded, we prayed and waited to hear God's still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). The Holy Spirit spoke to us through the scriptures he gave us, then we encouraged one another with these words. Here are some of the verses God gave us:

• Psalm 91
• Jeremiah 29:11
• John 1:8
  
• John 14:16-17
  
• Acts 1:8
  
• Romans 8:1-4
• 2 Peter 1:3
  

These scriptures seemed to have common themes and gave each of us vision for 2008. For me, Acts 1:8 was a confirmation that I am called to be testify of Jesus Christ in this region, and that He will give me the power to fulfill this calling. So may the Spirit of God continue to work through the Word of God in the hearts of the people of God this year!