God's Glory!

          I know I haven't updated the blog in a while. I have been busy of course like usual. However, I decided to make some changes. Instead of just writing about what activities I'm doing, I want to share also more about what I am learning here. What God is teaching me and the things I'm learning about Him, the ways in which I am growing here. I thought this would benefit you and me more, and I am excited to share these things with you. Recently I started studying in the seminary here in L'viv. I just wanted and needed some knowledge myself to be a more effective missionary, and a better disciple. I didn't want to go back for 2 years to America to get this. I can stay here and continue to serve, and learn, and grow spiritually at the same time.

            One of the things we recently talked about was God's glory. I want to share some of these things with you all. We talked about different names of God in the Bible. His actual names, such as God Almighty or Lord of Hosts, some names that describe Him, like the Lord is my Shepherd for example, and then the actual phrase that includes the word "name" such as "your name" or "God's name". For example in 2 Chronicles 6:32-33 Solomon is dedicating the temple and says, "so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you." Or even in Exodus 9 God says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for this very purpose...that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." And again in John 12:28 Jesus himself says, "Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” I won't put all the verses that mention God by His "name" because it would take much too long, but we see our purpose here. The purpose of everything really is that God be glorified. That His name be lifted up! Many of these verses say that God's name might be glorified among the nations or among all peoples. This is the reason for missions. This, one might say, is the reason we are left here on this earth and aren't just taken up to heaven when we repent and believe in Jesus. 

            How then can all the nations or people glorify God if they don't know Him? It is not possible. This is why we need missions. This is why I am called to Ukraine. However, you all were also still left on this earth for this purpose, and you also have callings. I want to encourage all of you to be missionaries. In the places you work, visit, the restaurant you eat at once a week. You have unique opportunities every day to be missionaries and to make God known that He might be glorified. So let us do this! I will end with what Paul writes in Romans 10 where the actual path to salvation contains the need for missions! He writes, "13 Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent?" 

          Thank you for your support and the encouragement that you have been to me and in this way I hope also to be an encouragement to you all. Thanks also for the prayers for my health. I had a long three weeks but I am finally back to 100%. So thanks again and praise God for His healing hands. I know you fervently pray for me and it is a huge blessing. God Bless, and may His name be glorified forever and ever!