The time had come for our friends from Arlington Baptist Church to experience their first Honduran worship service. They observed how the bulletin of the church was put together right there in front of us. Meida met Jose at the pulpit and they went over the events of the day ahead. Amy was asked to read out of Psalm 23. They called Zach up there to help lead the praise music for church. We sang "Because He Lives" and "Victory in Jesus" along with some Honduran praise music.
After about fifteen minutes of singing praise unto our Lord, the North American team was asked to come up and sing their special. They picked one of my favorite of all hymns, "I'll Fly Away". It was done beautiful with the accompanist of Zach on the guitar. Edwin, Martinir and Pastor Jose joined in with them as they picked up the tune. After the special the offering was collected as Marie prayed over the offering. She then directed the children off to Sunday School.
After the offering before the children left a little girl who we soon found out on Monday got baptized came forward and sang several specials. Pastor Jose encouraged her with his gentle spirit to come up and sing a few songs for us. Oh my what beautiful music came from this nine year old new sister in Christ. After the cantata Pastor Matty came forward to share in God's Word. First of all Pastor Matty thanked Pastor Jose for allowing his team to work beside them this week in San Jose de las Conchas. This was a beautiful gift from God. We appreciate all you did to make us feel welcome here and at home with each of you.
Pastor Matty shared how most of his life he thought the Bible was a fairy tale. At the age of twenty nine I found out by receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior the Bible was not a fairy tale. One of the first things God changed in my life was the Bible was the Living Word of God.
In 2 Peter 1:19-21 told me the Bible was not a fairy tale but the Truth. What do you all think about this? Do you think the Bible is a fairy tale? Do you think it is important or even valuable for your daily lives? Every single Word in the Bible, in God's Word is the truth!!! In 2 Peter 1:19-21 it says the church was having problems and the people outside of the church did not believe the Word of God. Peter was warning them about the importance of knowing and living out God's Word in their lives. If we as believers cannot stand on the Truth of God then we cannot go out and share the Word with the world. This was a constant challenge in the church, verse 12. The people of the church were twisting the truth to make it say what they want it to say to best suit them. The Bible is our authority because of Jesus Christ our Lord. It is not a fairy tale, it is the Truth of God spoken. The Word of God is our director through the power of the Holy Spirit. We all have traditions in our lives. Is our traditions in line with the Word of God. If our traditions are not in line with God's Word we need to remove those traditions from our lives. What is my attitude about the Word of God? Is it my helpful hints or is it good stories to read with lessons to learn? Or is it the True Word of God in my life? Peter told the church they would do well if they take heed of God's Word. These letters in the Bible are love letters to us to set us free from our sins. 1 John 5:3 it says "In fact, this is love for God to keep his commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." So we need to continue in the Word and being discipled. John 17:17 says "Sanctify them by the Truth your Word is Truth." We need to continue being in God's Word because we as Christians will have problems and we do not have to do it alone. Psalm 119:107 says "I have suffered much, preserve my life, Lord, according to your Word." Praise God we are the sheep of the Shephard. Back to 2 Peter 1:19 the light shines in the dar place is the Word of God shining in the world. God is at the center of the light. When you focus on a light in a very dark room and then cut the light on you will remove your eyes from the light. When we remove our eyes from the light we are able to see things about ourselves which are crucial and necessary and without the light shining from God we cannot see what we need to see correctly. We will see as the world sees not as God sees.
Pastor Matty asked Pastor Jose to come over so he can thank him through scripture for our time together. "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine on you ad be gracious to you, the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26.
Pastor Jose thanked Pastor Matty and team members for coming along beside them this week and look forward to what the Lord will provide for us the rest of our time together. He apologized for not being able to be there Monday and Tuesday because he had to work. We all said praise God you have a job Pastor Jose, praise God you have a job. At this time Pastor Jose read 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 to the team, "But thanks be to God. He gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers ad sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is in the Lord is not in vain."
At this time the children were asked to go out to get their lunch and bring in back inside the sanctuary of the church to enjoy as we continue the service. Amy was asked to read another scripture and as the children finished their lunch we were dismissed to go about the Lord's work wherever we were going.
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