HARVEST FEAST, LATVIA
October 16th, 2022
Dear friends!
I had the opportunity to visit the Latvian Bible Center in Riga. It is a great blessing when brothers and sisters come together to give thanks and glorify God. Two churches from Riga and one from the city of Valga, Estonia, took part in this service.
The main question today for us is: “What fruit do I produce? Am I going with the flow of the world or against the flow? Am I showing the character of Christ through my thoughts, words, and actions?
In this respect, the Lord also teaches us through His creation. For example, cranes. Cranes have several features. First, they make huge intercontinental flights, which testifies to us that God gives strength to a seemingly impossible ministry. Secondly, what I would like to pay special attention to, they are able to resist airflow. They understand that if they fly passively, then danger awaits them which possibly may lead to death.
Are you and I flying against the flow of politics, media influence, and earthly ideals, or are we “flying” passively, giving in to carnal desires and worldly views?
What does it mean to fly against the “airflow”? It is to respond to evil with good; wherever there’s the destructive force, we build up; to be not frivolous in all actions, but use self-control; be not selfish, but sacrificial, even when sharing fellowship (this is not a waste of time); where sin oppresses and enslaves a person, speak to them about freedom in Christ; where there is enmity, bring peace; where there is stress, depression, and despondency – encourage, inspire and give hope through the Word of God; where there is sin – do not be afraid to talk about holiness, first of all, being an example yourself; where death comes – comfort and share the life-giving words of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And, finally, the third feature of the cranes is that if someone dares to fly against the flow, they look at him as the leader of the flock. At the same time, they support him with cries of approval.
Let’s “fly” in the direction that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us, not man. And if there’s a sound church that goes against the flow, may we be part of the True Church of Christ.
God bless you!
Max Volkov in Christ