Russia & the Ukraine have been going through a lot of conflict in recent times as most people already are aware of.
Vladimir Putin has affected a land grab of the Crimea, & pro-Russian groups have been trying to take over the eastern part of the Ukraine for Russia. This is something that should make every country in that region keep on the alert & be ready. This may not be the end.
When I was young, I had some Christian Russian acquaintances who immigrated to the U.S. during the time of “Glasnost” & my parents help support a family of a guy who is doing seminary training of people in the Ukraine. I believe there are many wonderful Christians both in Russia & the Ukraine. There are Ukrainians in Russia & Russians in the Ukraine.
It seems like Putin is wanting an old Soviet style control & many people have forgotten what happens when they give up their freedom for imaginary comforts. This is true of the Russians in Russia itself & not just the Ukraine. It reminds me of a song Sara Groves did about “Painting Pictures of Egypt.” It is so like Israel remembering the comforts of Egypt & forgetting the slavery & lack of freedom & hardships. The KGB may have a new name, but it has resurfaced. Is this what Russians & Ukrainians really want?
Also, just because some people speak the same language or have a shared history does not mean they have to join the two nations together. Canada & the U.S. have relatives & much in common, but that doesn’t mean one has to “annex” part of the other. There are many sections of the U.S. that have people who came from other countries, but that doesn’t mean those countries should then take over those parts of the U.S. (although some might like to). Not all of the Ukrainians in Crimea or Eastern Ukraine were Russian born. The “vote” that “annexed” Crimea was not even considered legal or fair by many.
Already in the Crimea, Christians are having to fear for their safety. One News Now is reporting a pastor who has said bank accounts, property & church lists have been seized. (The article is no longer here..) Baptists were requested to “annex” their churches in Crimea. This is surely a sign that Russia was trying to control the outcome from day one & the world stood by and watched. This is how tyranny begins no matter how pleased some may be.
In the eastern part of the Ukraine there has been effects on Christians' safety, although Christians will continue to persevere. (See this article.)
What is most important for Christians no matter if we lose our freedoms in Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., the U.S. -- or places like China, Central Asia, etc. which have already lost much freedom … is still obeying God’s Word over man’s law & proclaiming the true Gospel everywhere. We cannot trust in man. Governments come & go, & I believe we can do what we can to effect change in them so long as we don’t disobey God to do it. However, it is not the highest priority we Christians have during our time here on earth.
“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4
The Gospel in Russian
Ukrainian: Бо коли ти устами своїми визнаватимеш Ісуса за Господа, і будеш вірувати в своїм серці, що Бог воскресив Його з мертвих, то спасешся, бо серцем віруємо для праведности, а устами ісповідуємо для спасіння. Romans 10:9-10
The Gospel in English
(If you want the Gospel in a different language, please let me know & I will try to find something online for you.)
Vladimir Putin has affected a land grab of the Crimea, & pro-Russian groups have been trying to take over the eastern part of the Ukraine for Russia. This is something that should make every country in that region keep on the alert & be ready. This may not be the end.
When I was young, I had some Christian Russian acquaintances who immigrated to the U.S. during the time of “Glasnost” & my parents help support a family of a guy who is doing seminary training of people in the Ukraine. I believe there are many wonderful Christians both in Russia & the Ukraine. There are Ukrainians in Russia & Russians in the Ukraine.
It seems like Putin is wanting an old Soviet style control & many people have forgotten what happens when they give up their freedom for imaginary comforts. This is true of the Russians in Russia itself & not just the Ukraine. It reminds me of a song Sara Groves did about “Painting Pictures of Egypt.” It is so like Israel remembering the comforts of Egypt & forgetting the slavery & lack of freedom & hardships. The KGB may have a new name, but it has resurfaced. Is this what Russians & Ukrainians really want?
Also, just because some people speak the same language or have a shared history does not mean they have to join the two nations together. Canada & the U.S. have relatives & much in common, but that doesn’t mean one has to “annex” part of the other. There are many sections of the U.S. that have people who came from other countries, but that doesn’t mean those countries should then take over those parts of the U.S. (although some might like to). Not all of the Ukrainians in Crimea or Eastern Ukraine were Russian born. The “vote” that “annexed” Crimea was not even considered legal or fair by many.
Already in the Crimea, Christians are having to fear for their safety. One News Now is reporting a pastor who has said bank accounts, property & church lists have been seized. (The article is no longer here..) Baptists were requested to “annex” their churches in Crimea. This is surely a sign that Russia was trying to control the outcome from day one & the world stood by and watched. This is how tyranny begins no matter how pleased some may be.
In the eastern part of the Ukraine there has been effects on Christians' safety, although Christians will continue to persevere. (See this article.)
What is most important for Christians no matter if we lose our freedoms in Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., the U.S. -- or places like China, Central Asia, etc. which have already lost much freedom … is still obeying God’s Word over man’s law & proclaiming the true Gospel everywhere. We cannot trust in man. Governments come & go, & I believe we can do what we can to effect change in them so long as we don’t disobey God to do it. However, it is not the highest priority we Christians have during our time here on earth.
“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4
The Gospel in Russian
Ukrainian: Бо коли ти устами своїми визнаватимеш Ісуса за Господа, і будеш вірувати в своїм серці, що Бог воскресив Його з мертвих, то спасешся, бо серцем віруємо для праведности, а устами ісповідуємо для спасіння. Romans 10:9-10
The Gospel in English
(If you want the Gospel in a different language, please let me know & I will try to find something online for you.)