Primus and Felician: Patience and Silence

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

“A soul which truly loves God regards all the things of this world as nothing. The loss of goods, the disgrace of the world, torments, sickness, and other afflictions are bitter to the senses, but appear light to him [or her] that loves. If we cannot bear our trials with patience and silence, it is because we love God only in words.”

Primus and Felician (died c. 297) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 9 June reading.

Primus and Felician were both early church martyrs. The kind of people remembered on the archways of St. Sophie Cathedral in Kyiv (pictured above).

We remember them for their deep and true love for God which empowered them to endure trials with patience and silence and give their lives in service to Christ.

Today I want to honor my wife. We’ve been married for 31 years (And yes, I plan to take her to Baskin Robbins to taste one of their 31 flavors tonight).

But life has not always been sweet. I’ve failed her more times than I can count. Yet because of her love for God, she’s exhibited patience and silence.

While Jenni not a martyr, I am sure she would past the test. Why? She exhibits deep love through detachment to things and attachment to God.

Re-read today’s post. Do you know anyone who exhibits deep love through detachment to things and attachment to God? If so, thank them for modeling love for God.

If not, perhaps your greatest act of generosity might be to deepen your love for God, and resolve to give your life in service to Christ to inspire others.

Happy Anniversary Jenni.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

“A cloud of witnesses, a noble army of martyrs, teach us by their constancy to suffer wrong with patience, and strenuously to resist evil. The daily trials we meet with from others or from ourselves are always sent us by God, Who sometimes throws difficulties in our way on purpose to reward our conquest; and sometimes, like a wise physician, restores us to our health by bitter potions.”

Pamphilus of Caesarea in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 1 June reading.

As I continue through this classic work, The Lives of the Saints, quotes like this one from an early church martyr provide rich insight and inspiration for my Christian journey and my generosity.

And the header photo comes from inside the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, where the names and faces of martyrs like Pamphilus line the arches of the 1,000 year old church.

Firstly, Pamphilus calls us to “resist” evil. It’s a draw for all of us to move toward the flesh. We must not succumb. Instead, we must suffer wrong with patience and strenuously resist evil.

Secondly, he says us that often God allows difficulties to “reward our” conquest. Another way to say this would be that trials cause our true colors to shine in victory. This was the case with martyrs.

Thirdly, God throws challenges our way to “restore” us to health by bitter potions. To take us from nominal Christians to committed disciples. In that sense, they come into view as good medicine for us.

Where do you find yourself today? Strenuously resisting evil? Facing difficulties put in your path to reward your conquest? Or facing challenges to restore you to health?

Regardless of your answer, remember that a cloud of witnesses is both watching and cheering you on. Don’t grow weary in resisting evil, embracing suffering, and living generously knowing a crown awaits you.

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

“With the saints the great end for which they lived was always present to their minds, and they thought every moment lost in which they did not make some advances toward eternal bliss. How will their example condemn at the last day the trifling fooleries and the greatest part of the conversation and employments of the world, which aim at nothing but present amusements, and forget the only important affair—the business of eternity.”

Aurelia Petronilla in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 31 May reading.

Some ancient sources say she was the daughter of Peter, the disciple of Jesus. Others label her his spiritual daughter. Regardless, she had close ties with the rock on which Christ built the church.

She beckons us to give ourselves to the business of eternity. This follows the example of Jesus.

I want to pause to honor my friends, Michael and Nina Cherenkov, who for one month have served the needy in some of the most dangerous places in Ukraine, to show the love of Christ.

Wrapping up ministry in Kyiv today, then to Ternopil, and into Poland to return to USA.

They have taught that the business of eternity is moving toward evil with good, toward danger with faith, toward need with provision, toward the lost with love, and toward atrocity with generosity.

They focus not on trifling fooleries or present amusements and have boundless joy. Thanks Michael and Nina for the privilege of giving ourselves to the business of eternity in Ukraine.

Do you know anyone who gives themselves to the business of eternity? If so, follow their example. If not, follow God’s leading in making this your aim today.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

“Ask our Lord to make all earthly joy insipid, and to fill you with the constant desire of heaven. This desire will make labor easy and suffering light. It will make you fervent and detached, and bring you even here a foretaste of that eternal joy and peace to which you are hastening.”

Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 29 May reading.

I am facilitating another cohort of students through a one-month course called Biblical Understanding of Management with Christian Institute for Management (CIM) India (pictured above). This is my fourth or fifth cohort for this course since 2020. Yesterday I zoomed with the 15 students.

They serve as pastors, ministry administrators, school directors, and hospital supervisors. And they share one thing in common. They deeply desire to grow as effective Christian managers. I charged them from Mark 1:35 to get up early each day to spend time with Jesus.

This discipline will create margin to watch 16 videos over the next four weeks from Monday through Thursday each week. And it will teach them to rise early to fill their cups with biblical truths to enjoy and share. My prayer with this course is to cause the world to become insipid (or lacking flavor) to them.

How do we bring this about and unleash generous disciples in the process? We form patterns of tasting what satisfies so that things which cannot satisfy become insipid to us. And I love that I can zoom with them from anywhere in the world.

As our GTP onsite work concludes in Ukraine in the next few days, please pray for things to wrap up well and safe travel. Thanks so much. And ask yourself this question: Do I regularly taste that which satisfies so that the things of this world become insipid (lack flavor) to me?

Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth. Job 29:11-17

“Yvo protected the orphans and widows, defended the poor, and administered justice to all with an impartiality, application, and tenderness which gained him the good-will even of those who lost their causes. He was surnamed the advocate and lawyer of the poor. He built a house near his own for a hospital of the poor and sick; he washed their feet, cleansed their ulcers, served them at table, and ate himself only the scraps which they had left.

He distributed his corn, or the price for which he sold it, among the poor immediately after the harvest. When a certain person endeavored to persuade him to keep it some months, that he might sell it at a better price, he answered, “I know not whether I shall be then alive to give it.” Another time the same person said to him, “I have gained a fifth by keeping my corn.” “But I,” replied the Saint, “a hundredfold by giving it immediately away.”

Ivo of Kermartin (1253-1303) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 22 May reading.

Meet Ivo of Kermartin. He’s not widely known but was like Job in his day. This description of him struck me, especially the part about selling or sharing the corn. He exhibited great wit in his response.

If we steward finances based on worldly thinking we will get worldly returns. Sure, we might gain 20% by holding our assets until a more favorable moment, but we lose the hundredfold gain by failing to give it promptly.

What does Ivo mean by this? We must not miss this. It’s brilliant. God watches our giving. The measure we give, He uses to return to us. Not for our prosperity, but for our generosity. Ivo knew this.

He knew if he gave everything he had, that God would supply his needs and resource his ongoing generosity. The Apostle Paul speaks at length about this. Want to share your proverbial corn with those in need? Click here to give.

Most of those GTP has served in Ukraine at wartime are elderly with limited mobility or physical capacity (pictured above): the people the Bible teaches us to care for. Generosity and love are drawing them to new-found faith.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

“Love of suffering marks the most perfect degree in the love of God. Our Lord Himself was consumed with the desire to suffer, because He burnt with the love of God. We must begin with patience and detachment. At last we shall learn to love the sufferings which conform us to the passion of our redeemer.”

Venantius of Camerino in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 18 May reading.

Remember the words of Jesus: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.”

Jesus exhibited patience and detachment. He communicated a sincere willingness to endure whatever the Father asked of Him.

I am thankful for Michael Cherenkov and his wife, Nina. He’s a GTP board member and friend. They both exhibit patience and detachment.

God has allowed horrible suffering among their people. Rather than complain, they joyfully suffer with them, and have won many to Christ.

After distributing bread in the Donetsk oblast, they have moved to Kherson oblast, a region destroyed by Russian occupation and flooding.

But in case you missed my message yesterday. You can share bread, deliver water, and provide funds for Christian workers, make a gift to GTP.

Click <a href=”https://globaltrustpartners.square.site/”>here</a> and designate your gift to “Deliver help and hope to Eastern Europe and Ukraine.” Thank you.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

“Alms-deeds comprise every kind of service rendered to our neighbor who needs such assistance. He who supports a lame man bestows an alms on him with his feet; he who guides a blind man does him a charity with his eyes; he who carries an invalid or an old man upon his shoulders imparts to him an alms of his strength. Hence none are so poor but they may bestow an alms on the wealthiest man in the world.”

Augustine of Hippo in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 10 May reading.

Doing what we could to help and watching people join in to help each other and to come to Christ in Ukraine touched us deeply.

For example, GTP raised funds and distributed 3,000 loaves of bread. Many of these loaves blessed people so much, it drew them to Christ.

It wemt like this. Imagine if half your village fled. And while the remaining people struggled to survive, someone provided bread and water.

With our hands and feet we show great love. With our shoulders we carry those who suffer. And the result, they want what we have.

They want the hope, the love, the kindness. That is how people are coming to Jesus. As they grow and learn they realize, they too can help others.

To bestow is to confer or present something to someone else. What do you have the power to bestow on others that will draw them to Jesus?

Soon I will make a last call to give. Michael (GTP board member pictured above) and Nina Cherenkov depart Ukraine in a few days.

If you want to bestow aid like sharing bread, delivering water, and providing funding for Christian workers, make a special gift to GTP today.

Click here and designate your gift to “Deliver help and hope to Eastern Europe and Ukraine.” Thank you.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1

“The Christian faith is far more precious than all the riches and treasures of earth; more glorious and greater than all its honors, all its possessions. This it is which saves sinners, gives light to the blind, restores penitents, perfects the just, and is the crown of martyrs.”

Augustine of Hippo in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 2 May reading.

One of the things Jenni and I experienced in Ukraine has been the “far more precious” value of the Christian faith. It’s the greatest gift we can give.

Each day it gives people new life, like these pictured above at Hope Family Center in Saltivka, just east of Kharkiv, Ukraine.

When Russian started bombing the city, most everyone under about age 55 left. That’s when our friend Andrey Kratsev moved toward to broken and hurting.

All he took was the Christian faith and a helping hand. Soon, he planted this church. Jenni and I will never forget hearing the stories of how these people lost everything and found Jesus.

One after another went from from blind to seeing, from poor to rich, and they kept saying one thing to us over and over. “Thank you for coming. Few people come to visit us.”

We gave them a generous gift by coming to visit and sharing God’s love. Our hope and help lifted their spirits and strengthened their fledgling faith.

Who might you visit to share God’s love? Don’t try to convince them. Invite them to come to drink for free and find the satisfaction for which their soul longs.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

“We are not all called to the sacrifice of martyrdom; but we are all bound to make our lives a continued sacrifice of ourselves to God, and to perform every action in this perfect spirit of sacrifice. Thus we shall both live and die to God, perfectly resigned to His holy will in all His appointments.”

Vitalis of Milan in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 28 April reading.

Yesterday, Michael Cherenkov and a pastor friend baptized 9 new believers in Donetsk, Ukraine. They are pictured in white in the header photo. This illustrates how people are coming to faith in Jesus as Christians serving needy amidst the war.

Should the Russians fully occupy their oblast, some people in this photo could suffer martyrdom. And while this may not happen to you where you live, we need to live with the same spirit and willingness to sacrifice our lives for Jesus Christ.

God called Jenni and I to serve in Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. And he led Michael and Nina to Donetsk. Where is God leading you? What might it look like to abandon the pattern of this world “to test and approve what God’s will is” for you?

Once we determine God’s will, the key to fulfilling our calling is to be “perfectly resigned” to it regardless of the circumstances, even to the point of loss of life. Our generosity comes into view as living out His calling for each of us.

You can do this in view of God’s mercy. Imagine your destiny was death, and He gave you new life and invited you to live it for Him. Many would agree that it’s the only way to live. Ironically, it’s also the only way to die.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

“We delight in decorating the altars of God with flowers, lights, and jewels, and it is right to do so; but if we wish to offer to God gifts of higher value, let us save the souls who but for us would be lost; for so we shall offer Him, as it were, the jewels of paradise.”

Fidelis of Sigmaringen in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 24 April reading.

Ukraine has some of the most beautifully decorated churches in the world. And while those sacred spaces in Kyiv and elsewhere preserve precious history and have stunning artifacts, their halls welcome few people for worship gatherings.

Where ministry is flourishing most in Ukraine right now is in locations experiencing difficulty and crisis.

Last Sunday I preached in two churches in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Redemption Church met in the theatre of a cultural center downtown and welcomed about 400 people. Then I preached at the Hope Family Center in Saltivka to about 40 people (pictured above).

The people with their hands raised testify to losing everything and finding Jesus on account of the war.

They came to faith through the ministry of Andrey Kratsev and others serving with him. GTP traveled there to strengthen workers like Andrey and to seek and save the lost. You can still provide assistance to this work.

Click here to give as GTP will continue to channel aid to trustworthy workers on the frontlines.

Right now, Michael and Nina Cherenkov continue to deliver water to people in desperate need in the Donetsk oblast. Their efforts are winning the lost as thirsty people are getting water and coming to Jesus.