Gospel Today Caleb Suko

We answer your questions about life in Ukraine and what's going on now here on the ground exactly 2 years after Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022.







Below are some of the questions we answer in the video/podcast.



1. What is your plan if Russia wins the war and perhaps Odessa is threatened with being under Soviet control?

2. What is the perception of the Ukrainian people about America's support or lack of support?

3. At the beginning of the war, when you were relatively safer in Moldova, what made you go back to the war in Odessa?

4. Two years in, is complacency towards the "war" starting to show in the people there?

5. Is it appropriate to pray imprecatory psalms over Russia? How do you not hate them?

6. How have you seen God continue to work and the church continue to minister or grow during the war? Admittedly, you have been answering this question regularly in the telegram group, but just in case people aren’t following along day-to-day…

7. Are our bombings and drones becoming like car accidents to us here on the other side of the world or are you fearful that each one could hit your apartment, church, or car?

8. Is Ukrainian going to take over as the main language in Odesa, and are you learning it or already fluent in it?

9. Can you tell us more about the churches that have been planted since the war began? How did God bring that about? How are they worshiping and discipling?

10. How is the ministry coping with the challenges so far?

11. How are the children adapting to living in a country at war? What is the new reality for them when their world has been turned upside down?

12. Can you recap what that day was like for you, your family, and your closest friends?

13. How is your marriage doing?

14. How are your kids doing?

15. What spiritual challenges are you and the churches facing here in the second year that you were not facing in the first year?

16. What are some of the faith-building lessons God has taught you that you would want us to grasp as well, even though most of us are not in a country at war?

17. How have these past two years changed the way you view life on earth, and how do you stay joyful and not give way to anxiety?

18. How do we best encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine?

19. How do you spend your romantic time with each other in such difficult times?

20. What is the sentiment on the ground? Is it divided? Are Ukrainians talking about wanting the war to end or being willing to keep going?

21. What are some of the challenges of facing the church in Ukraine?

22. What are some of the better ways to be helping from afar?

The situation in Ukraine continues to draw concern. Winter brings heightened worries about power infrastructure and heating, especially in the face of potential advancements by Russia. The big question on everyone's mind remains: Will the United States continue to stand by Ukraine? As we navigate this uncertain period, your prayers and support are invaluable.



Despite these challenges, we're grateful for the provision of power and heating so far. We recognize the freedom we have in Ukraine—a freedom allowing us to share the gospel and support churches. It's a reminder of the larger impact this conflict has on spiritual freedoms.



Our efforts to aid soldiers include providing essentials like hand warmers. A recent testimony from Pastor Lê in Hồn illustrates the power of prayer in protecting Ukrainian soldiers from intense bombardment.



The unwavering faith of the church in Hồn is remarkable. Even amid danger, they emphasize the importance of corporate worship, highlighting the essentiality of spiritual nourishment.



We're actively involved in two projects. The first, "Teach Us to Pray," focuses on elucidating the depth of the Lord's Prayer and its gospel truths. The second is a Christmas outreach endeavor aimed at distributing gift packets with gospel material to children in need.



Your prayers and support mean the world to us and to Ukraine. If you'd like to be a part of these projects or contribute in any way, check the link in this newsletter for more information.



Thank you for standing with us and for Ukraine. Your prayers and support provide hope and strength during these challenging times.



If you have any questions or want further updates, feel free to reach out. Your engagement and care make a significant difference.



Let's continue to pray, support, and believe for Ukraine's protection, provision, and eventual peace.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where it seems that terrors are multiplying. None of us want to be in a place of terror and yet we have all been there one way or another. Certainly, our family has been at the center of some terror in the past few months in Ukraine.







At first it was rumors of war. Tanks, artillery, soldiers, weapons of every kind moving in on three sides of the country. For at least a month we received almost daily communications from the US government to leave the country. 















Then on the morning of February 24th we were woken by a phone call at 5:00 AM to inform us that the war had begun. Christina saw one of the first missiles directed at our city fly past our living room window and 30 seconds later we felt the boom. Now we knew war had started!  







When it comes down to it, terror is something that happens in the heart of man. On one hand you can’t control it very well and on the other hand there are things we can and should do at Christians to keep terror from ruling our lives. In fact, as Christians we have a unique advantage when it comes to terror, we have the greatest, most powerful, and most effective anti-terror weapon, which is the Word of God and presence of His Spirit in our lives. 







Today we will look at Psalm 31. We will take a deep dive into the terror of David’s heart. In doing so we must examine our own hearts. We must recognize our terrors and learn to deal with them the way David did. This is not an exercise for the faint of heart, so I encourage you to take up your shield of faith and breastplate of righteousness. We need sober minds and hearts to look into these things. We need honesty with ourselves and courage to recognize that which terrorizes our hearts. May God humble us as we look to his Word and see our own hearts in the heart of David.







Introduction to Psalm 31







We must remember that a psalm is never meant to be a theological treatise or a “how to...” nevertheless we find within each psalm deep theological truths and guidance that can help us how to get through many different situations in life. 







First, however, a psalm represents the heart and the emotions of its author. Here, like in so many other psalms we see tension within the heart of David. We see his fear and we see his faith, we see his anguish and we see his answer. We must recognize this Psalm for its beauty, for its spiritual and emotional power, and for its depth of truth and wisdom. As we look to this psalm we must allow ourselves to see ourselves through the eyes of David. As we step where David stepped I believe we will not only see the relevant theological truths but that God will also deliver to us the real help and healing that we need in these terrifying times. 









David heard terror on every side









Psalm 31:13 NIV - 13 For I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!" They conspire against me and plot to take my life.







You might be wondering why I am starting with verse 13 in the psalm. The reason is because like many psalms, the middle is often the climax or the hinge of the psalm upon which the rest of the psalm hangs. This is true for psalm 31. Here we see David building to a point and he completes this with verse 13 which is the middle of the psalm. 







Let’s look at how David built up to this verse. This middle section starts in verse 9 where David tells us “I am in distress!” As we read from verse 9 through verse 13 we get a very graphic picture of what terror looks like. 







Here are some of the words David uses to describe his terror:

The Orthodox Church teaches that praying for your dead loved ones helps their soul make the 40 day journey from earth to heaven where along the way they will encounter many devils and 20 testings that will purify their souls and prepare them for heaven.



*Quick links



2:35 Visit to Kyiv Pechersk' Lavra  



5:35 Going into the caves



12:00 Praying for the dead



14:25 Orthodox teaching of what happens after death



15:13 The 20 "Mytarstva the soul must pass through



20:36 Bible verses used by Orthodox to explain "Mytarstva"



28:30 Discipleship book

Today Christina joins me on the podcast to talk about her ministry of counseling both unbelieving and believing. Also we talk about the difference between parenting for the now and parenting for the long-term.



*Quick links



1:33 Background on Christina's counseling ministry



4:15 Why is it important to meet in person?



6:08 How do you counsel someone whose homelife is far from ideal?



7:50 What is the biggest problem unbelievers have with the gospel?



12:22 Marriage is hard work



16:25 Have fun while you're young



20:24 What is the difference between parenting for now and parenting for long-term?



25:05 What are the small things that change the course of a family for the worse?



30:22 The difficulty of given spiritual direction in the family



33:45 Being open to talk with your children about uncomfortable questions

As we think about sharing the gospel with LGBT people let us remember that they are people too. Every one of us is a sinner and every sinner needs Christ. The biggest need of every homosexual, is Christ. No matter how you share the gospel, do your best to keep the focus on Christ. There will be many distractions and many questions but we must always bring it back to Christ, the truth of who he is, and what he has done for us. 





1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

We can also say that the most important thing Christ has called us to do is to share the gospel of Christ and the cross. Let’s not make it too complicated, let’s be loving, let’s be clear, and let’s share the gospel.

Remember homosexuals didn’t start the LGBT movement.

In the US the foundation for the LGBT movement was not laid by homosexuals but rather mainly by heterosexual Christians.

“Today’s movement toward the total acceptance of homosexual behavior and relationships was only made possible because some heterosexuals first did their best to undermine marriage.”



Dr. Albert Mohler “We Can’t Be Silent”

Dr. Albert Mohler explains in his book that the sexual revolution began by the destruction of marriage and the biblical meaning of family. 

“Heterosexuals did a very good job of undermining marriage before the culture forces began advocating for the normalization of same-sex relationships and the legalization of same-sex marriage. The marriage crisis is a moral crisis that did not start with same-sex marriage, nor will it end there. The logic of same-sex marriage cannot end with same-sex marriage. Once marriage can mean anything other than a heterosexual union, it can and must eventually mean everything”



Dr. Albert Mohler “We Can’t Be Silent”

We must admit the guilt of many heterosexuals who destroyed families through divorce, adultery, and sexual sin. This is what laid the foundation for the LGBT movement today. They are simply continuing what we started. As we admit our guilt it changes our attitude and approach towards the LGBT community. Rather than making this an “Us vs them” battle, we realize that we as heterosexuals are not without guilt. Thus any conversation we have with the LGBT community must began not began with a finger pointed at them but rather with the pronoun “we”

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Humility is vital when we approach anyone with the gospel but when we share the gospel with the LGBT community it is even more vital. Why? Because often there is already the assumption by the LGBT community that we are pointing our finger down upon them. We must have the humility to show them that we are all sinners before God. 

1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

I must recognize my sin as “worse” than their sin. This is the attitude we must have when we share the gospel. We recognize our own sin as worse because we are intimately connected with our own sin. Because we see and feel the effects of our own sin. Because we know the secret sins of our heart that only God and I can see! This attitude must permeate our hearts when we share the gospel. It will often be through simple humility, openness, and service that we will win the opportunity to speak with someone about Christ. Without this humility our efforts to share the gospel will look more like someone trying to expose another’s sin and shame them before the public.



Let them know that you also struggle with sin, even sexual sin. Speak to them as a sinner who found grace in Jesus not as a finger-pointing preacher whose only remaining sin is being too long-winded on Sunday mornings!