Disappointment came in and killed It killed hope, it killed dreams and vision It killed life that’s abundant too It killed joy, it killed peace and destiny
Is that you? Is that you today? Are your dreams in the cemetery now? Is your destiny, hope, and future Now just buried by this cruel foe?
Jesus is Resurrection and Life! Let your life resurrected be! Out of sadness, depression, misery, Let your hope resurrected be!
Let the joy resurrected be Let your dreams resurrected be And let peace resurrected be In your life- resurrection BE!
Let the vision that God has given you And your destiny that was buried Resurrected be by Lord Jesus By His power- let there be LIFE!
Jesus is Resurrection and Life He’s the Truth, He’s the Way- trust Him He is peace, He is hope and future Resurrection in your life BE!
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” John 14:6
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” John 11:25 NKJV
As someone who is from Ukraine- I was trying to process all that happened between the President Trump and President Zelenskyy’s meeting. Instead- I remembered HATE. Hate that I had seen in Ukraine during the first year of war- when the Lord sent me there for two months.
Borodyanka, Ukraine
I saw hate that was in the eyes. Hate that rejoiced at discrimination. Hate that said “I want even the Russian children dead”.
In Ukraine- I saw bombed buildings and houses destroyed. I heard heart-wrenching stories and how they prayed to survive. I saw children with glazed eyes from the war trauma. I fought fear as I heard gunfire around me get closer and closer. I cringed when I heard war planes going over my head.
But nothing that I experienced or saw or heard had as deep impact on me as hate. Never before had I come face to face with such intense hatred and racism; and I was not prepared to face it.
So profound was the impact of seeing the hate coming from the Ukrainian people, that this is something I didn’t really talk about. It was difficult to face how many Ukrainians hated not only the Russian soldiers, but any Russian- including the innocent Russian children.
Even more difficult to face was when that hatred and racism was not only coming from Christians- but also encouraged by them.
I remembered being told “When the war started”, in the place he was in, “they divided those who were evacuating into two groups: those who had a Ukrainian passport, and those who had a Russian passport”.
And he was very happy to tell me that those with Russian passport were told they will get some food only if any was left after Ukrainians received some. He was glad to tell me that mothers and children who were fleeing the war were discriminated against- simply because they had a Russian passport.
I truly hope that this was on isolated incident of racism in Ukraine.
Children’s Camp in Borodyanka, Ukraine
While in Ukraine- I had the privilege of ministering to the children of war in Borodynka- a city that was heavily bombed by Russians.
Borodynka, Ukraine children’s camp.
With a group of children all around me, I told them the Good Samaritan story from the Bible.
“If you saw a boy your age- laying on the ground because he was beat up by a gang, would you help him?” I asked the innocent children. Those were the answers:
“Of course!”
“Yes!”
“Yes, I will help him!”
My curiosity got a hold of me and I made the “mistake” in asking the children the next loaded question: “What if this little boy was a Russian- and he did nothing wrong but was laying on the ground all beat up and hurt?” I was startled with their answers:
“Oh I’d kill him!”
“He deserves this!”
“All Russians need to die!”
Children were telling me that Russian children should die and deserved to be hurt- simply because they were Russian. Ukrainians were suffering. But somehow for some that suffering translated to hate of everyone Russian.
Racism and Discrimination is Wrong
If a child is abused by his parents- we all know that this does not mean that every parent is an abuser.
If a black person does evil or is a racist and discriminates – we all know that it is wrong to say “All black people are bad” and it’s wrong to assume “All blacks are racist and discriminate”.
If a white person does likewise, we all know that it is wrong to say “all white people are bad”. Likewise, it is wrong to say “All white people are racist and discriminate”.
If the government of a country does evil- we know it is wrong to say all people of that country are evil and do evil.
And yet to many Ukrainians and other Ukrainian supporters- somehow it has become OK and acceptable to hate every Russian. To hate every Russian child. To hate the Russians who had nothing to do with the war. The Russians who are simple, common human beings who are trying to live a common life. Somehow it has become OK for many to think “Racism and Discrimination is always wrong- except when that racism and discrimination is against all Russians”.
Of course, not everyone in Ukraine that I met hated all Russians. There were many who did not and even told me that.
God is Not a Respecter of Persons
God is not partial (Acts 10:34). When a person sins, He does not make a special exemption for that person and say “Well this is a unique situation- and in this county- it is totally OK for this person to break My commandments”.
God also does not say “This is wrong for everybody- except Ukrainians. It is OK for Ukrainians to be full of hate and to be racist”. God does not show favoritism. If something is wrong- it is wrong for EVERYBODY- regardless of the circumstances- and regardless of how much these people are suffering.
The sad truth is that Christians from Ukrainian background like me- have often been partial. We have remained silent when we saw, witnessed, and heard “our own Ukrainian people” be racist and be full of hate. Somehow the idea that “Suffering means it is OK to be racist and full of hate” became acceptable.
And so much of the body of Christ- the Christian church- has been silent when many are racist against all Russians and hate absolutely every person from Russian background. Being wronged by a particular people group does not give one a free license to be a racist against that entire people group.
Silence Equals Consent
When I was in Ukraine- I regret to say- that I was silent many times when I heard how others hated all Russians- including the Russian children. I didn’t always know how to answer. And the fear of being misunderstood- or called a “Russian-supporter” often kept me silent in this matter.
But I am learning that silence equals consent, and as Christian it was wrong of me to be silent when I witnessed racism and hatred against all Russians. Racism and Discrimination is always wrong- even if its during war time. And when we witness it and see it and remain silent- we are silently consenting to it.
The War in Ukraine and Hate
I kept thinking and asking, “Why am I now remembering this now? Why am I now remembering all that hate I saw in Ukraine?”
And what came to my heart is this: Hate is a hindrance. In the Spiritual World- hate is a hindrance. Hindrance that is preventing the war from ending?
It was very wrong for Russia to invade Ukraine and kill so many innocent Ukrainians. But it is also wrong for many Ukrainians to hate absolutely all Russians– including those who are absolutely innocent and had nothing to do with the war. Thankfully, not every Ukrainian hates every Russian.
I could understand if the non-Christians hate. But to those who are born-again believers and professing Christians and who still feel like they are justified in their hate:
You can hate the war. You can hate the evil that is being done and what you see and hear… You can hate what this war has done to the country, the land, and the people… You can hate the destruction it caused, the blood loss, the lost lives and dreams…
But you are not justified in your hatred towards absolutely every Russian person. Every person who was born in Russia or who has a Russian background is not the enemy.
Hate is Like an Umbrella
The image of an open umbrella came to my mind when I meditated about how hate can be a hindrance in the spiritual world.
Imagine praying and asking God for blessings, and then blaming Him for not giving them to you. Imagine God answering you: “I have answered your prayer and already showered you with blessings, but your hatred is preventing you from receiving My blessings”
When Hatred is Towards People
Hatred is an open umbrella One holds over one’s head Even if God showers blessings They cannot to you get
Hatred is an evil umbrella You think it is helping you You think you will not be harmed By keeping it over your head
Hatred is a hindrance It harms more you then them The more you to it hold on The more you will lose in life
Unite to Pray that Christians in Ukraine and Russia to Give Up Their Hate
If the war ends today and Ukraine gets 100% of their land back, and the land is free from the shooting, the bombs, the gunfire, the bloodshed, – many will still not be free in their heart if they have hatred. The Ukrainian land might be free- but individuals holding on to hate will not be free. They will continue to be imprisoned by hatred.
This graphic was painful to do. This is by no means an accurate representation of everyone in Ukraine. This is simply an illustration of how much of the land can be covered when people hold on to hatred.
If you are a non-Slavic Christian reading this, you might be surprised to hear that this intense hatred of all Russian people is coming not only from non-believers. This hatred is also coming from many Christians, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Maybe we only prayed that the war will quickly end. But I believe the Lord is calling us believers to support our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine- (and in America and throughout the world where Ukrainians are) in a different kind of prayer. A prayer maybe none of us thought of praying before. For many it impossible for them to stop hating- the wounds are too deep and the pain too severe. They need God’s help in this. It will take supernatural help. Most of us have not tasted their anguish and intense suffering and the kind of hatred many of them are holding on to.
And while we should not stop praying for the war to end and for peace, if it is in your heart to join in this prayer, please do:
Father, we come to You in the Name of Jesus. We thank You for the many people in Ukraine who chose to not hold on to hate. Who are walking in victory over hate, bitterness, and unforgiveness. We pray You strengthen them. Thank You for the many whose light is shining brightly in such dark, dangerous, and difficult circumstances.
We pray now for the many who are holding on to hate. We especially pray for every believer in Christ. We ask You for Your mercy now. We ask for mercy for those who feel very justified in their hatred- and encourage hatred- and who are not yet ready to let it go. Lord, have mercy on them. We pray You help them to not only fold that umbrella of hatred that they have been holding on to but give it to You. To completely let go of hatred.
We pray the stronghold of hatred be broken off the Ukrainian people in the Name of Jesus
We pray for the strength and miraculous power to forgive those who have wronged them so deeply and intensely
We especially ask You to help them to let go of hatred of every Russian person who had nothing to do with the war, who actually hates this war, but is hated simply because they are Russian.
Hatred BE GONE in the Name of Jesus
Be GONE from every Ukrainian believer, from the land, from every person- in the Name of Jesus. We pray that the hearts soften, and they will understand that holding on to hatred is not the answer.
We speak freedom and peace over Ukraine in the Name of Jesus. We speak Your Comfort and Consolation and Your supernatural and complete Healing of hearts and minds and bodies. We pray trauma be broken off of them completely in the Name of Jesus.
We say Your Kingdom, and Your will be done in Ukraine in the Name of Jesus. In Your Kingdom there is righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Ghost. So we speak Righteousness, joy, and peace over Ukraine in the Name of Jesus.
Amen.
Please share with anyone you know who will be interested in agreeing in prayer regarding this.
When the storms of life Me hit so fiercely When I was rejected Wounded deep
When of top of that There was this season Of so many tears And hardships, loss
When my faith was shaken Shaken fiercely And the Enemy Tried to kill, steal
Later on, I this Confessed to God “God I’m sorry That I doubted, fell”
But instead of a rebuke Surprised was He me answered “You fell not- but stood”
****
I had felt That I was like a tree That was beaten Harshly by the storms
And I barely stood I was so beaten But I stood Because the roots were deep
And those roots I did not feel them, saw I saw leaves that fell And branches broken
I saw tree that Beaten was so much God saw roots And by His grace- tree stood
I had prayed Lord help me to see You To see You For who You truly are
For right now I see You through my pain And it hurts so much I can’t see clear
Help me Lord I pray You help me always To get deeper grounded In You Lord
In Your Word I want to grounded be And to stand When storms of life hit me
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 NKJV
Unfailing love I craved Unfailing love Someone who would Not fail in loving me
I could not find that love I could not find it No person could Just love me as I am
Unfailing love I found Unfailing love Unfailing love You have Lord- You are love
Help me to understand To understand more fully What Your love means I want to deeper know
Unfailing love I wanted And God has it And in that well of love I drink His love
Unfailing love God has Unfailing love I drink His love And it me satisfies
“Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation” Isaiah 12:3 NKJV
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39
Don’t let the world also They don’t believe in truth Don’t let them tell you also About true “Christmas spirit”
“This is the Christmas spirit” So often they this say “The true Christmas spirit” They do not even know
They say that Christmas spirit Is buying this and that And giving gifts expensive And meaning is in that
But Christmas, Christmas spirit The real one and of truth That Gospel of the Kingdom Of Jesus will be preached!
The Angel came to Mary: You will conceive a Son He will be great, called also Son of the Highest called
The Angel did tell Mary That of His Kingdom too No end will ever come And He will reign forever
Each earthly kingdom, nation Will one day end you see But only God’s great kingdom Forever it will stand
The true spirit of Christmas Is one proclaimed that day I bring you now good tidings Of such great news for all
That Jesus Christ the Savior That God came to this earth Good tidings and great joy To all the people bring
The true spirit of Christmas By the Spirit of God to be led To be led in all actions and doings To be led by the spirit of God
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33 NKJV
Christmas and God’s Kingdom
Christmas is about God’s Kingdom Coming to this earth to reign Christmas is when God the Savior Came as human to this earth
Christmas is about God’s Kingdom Righteousness and joy and peace Jesus brought on earth His Kingdom It’s within us now can be
Christmas is about God’s Kingdom Kingdom that began on earth Government is on His shoulder He does reign, forever reigns
Kingdom, Kingdom, God’s own Kingdom Jesus came to preach the Kingdom And He called all to repentance For God’s Kingdom was at hand
Christmas is about God’s Kingdom Jesus to this earth did come Now each person, every person Who believes can be redeemed
Christmas is about God’s Kingdom We can now be part of it Because Jesus came to save us Bring God’s Kingdom to this earth
Kingdom Christmas
People who know not Jesus Never the Scriptures read They are so often vocal About "what Jesus said"
They said that "Jesus said this" "Do this or that, say this” "Do not be so judgmental Tolerant you should be"
Jesus, so often, often Said He for purpose was sent "I must preach the Kingdom Kingdom of God I must preach"
Yes Jesus came to save us Yes He forgives our sin Yes He gives life abundant But He came also for this:
He said for this very purpose Sent He was to this earth To preach to other cities Kingdom of God must preach
Christmas is Jesus coming Son of God Jesus is Jesus He preached God's Kingdom Kingdom with Christmas came
Christmas is the Beginning
We're celebrating the beginning The beginning of God’s Kingdom Kingdom of Heaven that came Jesus it brought to earth
Behold I bring you good tidings The angel did say to them Good tidings it is the Gospel Great joy it will bring, produce
The good news it is the Gospel Is peace between God and men The war between God and people With Jesus it came to an end
The good news will bring joy to people But only if you believe The shepherds believed this message And others they told of His birth
And everyone who did hear this They marveled at what they heard The shepherds returned- God praising And glorified God of this
And this Word, the Good News, the Gospel But Word must with faith be mixed To bring to us joy- the profit It must be still mixed with faith
To many this Word brings no profit Because they just don't believe Mix faith with the Word to have profit The Gospel is still good news
* The poems above were inspired to be written after listing to these two messages at my church- The Legacy Church:
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"We know Jesus you are a teacher From God You did come, from God" This was what Nicodemus To Jesus He said this at night
"Unless you are born again" Jesus told Nicodemus "You Kingdom of God can't see" "You must be of Spirit born too"
Jesus was born of the Spirit But also of water, the flesh And this is the Christmas message God came to earth in the flesh
If you are of flesh born only You Kingdom of God can't see You must of the Spirit also Be born, born again, be saved
And you who believe in Jesus You perish will not, but have You will have eternal life If truly you have believed
For God has so loved this world He gave us His Only Son Whoever believes in Jesus Should life everlasting have
For God did not send His Son To this world condemn, but save The World through Jesus only Can saved be only by Him
And this is the condemnation That Light into world did come But people they loved the darkness Because evil were their deeds
For everyone practicing evil Hates light, does not come to it Because they don't want their evil Their works to be seen, exposed
But he who does truth, to light comes His deeds they are clearly seen Because they have been done In God those works were God
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8 NKJV
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21 NKJV
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
Forgiveness
It’s a very touchy subject
We want the people
That have done us wrong
To suffer
Feel the pain that we have suffered
Forgive them?
And release them from their debt?
Lord don’t You know
How much from them we suffered!
“They first remorseful must be,
Beg forgiveness
Then they must know
Each detail of our hurt”
Or so we think
And secretly wish often
Forgetting how much God
Forgave us too
Lord, when we came to You
You us forgave
You did not sit us first and give us lectures
Of how our sin so deeply You did hurt
You us forgave, forgave
Released our debt
You want us also
To release offenses
Forgive us Lord
That we forgive so slowly
Give us the grace Lord
To forgive like Christ
10/19/2023
Forgive, forgive
I asked God to forgive me
And just like that
He me forgave, washed clean
But then somebody
Hurt me very deeply
I wanted to
Say lectures of my hurt
“I might forgive
But only if that person
First knows how very deeply
I am hurt
They must experience
My sorrow, anguish
In great remorse then
Ask me to forgive
They must do this
Or that and only maybe
I might forgive
But still a great wall build”
But this is not
How God my debts forgave
He did not give me
Lectures of my sin
He did not say
You must do this or that
And only then I will
You then forgive
He did not say
I will forgive, but still
You must be punished
For your great big sin
All of my debt
All of my sin, and shame
Was placed of Jesus
He paid all of it
When I remembered this
And thought of this
My sin was great
Yet God it just forgave
How can I not
Forgive what others did
Forgive like Christ
Forgave all of my sin
Forgive our debts
As we forgive our debts
You taught us this
Lord, help us to forgive
12/3/2023
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV