We gathered together on Sunday morning with greetings and singing of many praise hymns. We were blessed, Mike and I to be reunited with Pastor Hector, his lovely wife, Narya and their three lovely girls Vivian, Raquel and Verenice. Vivian was only nine the last time we saw them and now she is a young lady helping lead the worship hour. Raquel was the age of Verenice the last time Mike and I saw her. Now they have one more little angel, Verenice. Pastor Hector is so proud of all his ladies in his family. After photos with family Pastor Hector made his way to the pulpit to welcome everyone in the house of the Lord. He especially welcomed and thanked the North American team for helping Isaac and Vilma get their new home along with other homes built in this community.
We started out the service by reading Psalm 34:1-4 which was read in English by Ginger and in Spanish by Pastor Hector's wife Nayra. Sister Lorianne came forward and let the congregation in "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder". Well then we got truly blessed when Sister Martha came forward and sang numerous praise hymns from the Holy Spirit which dwells inside of her. Jarod, team member shared during the devotional that evening how he was inspired by Martha's singing which he said came from her heart. She was bold in her love for Christ which he could be that fearless with his witness for the Lord. She shared with Jarod she did not do this at all it was all done by her strength which only comes from God. She claims Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Amen y amen!!!!
Pastor Hector at this time introduced Pastor Dexter to bring the message for the day. Pastor Dexter opened up with prayer. Meida then read in Spanish 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Ephesians 3:20-21 and Philippians 4:19. There are many promises in the Word, says Pastor Dexter. As Christians we have a claim on us. In John 10:10 it says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." God wants us all to have joy and peace. There are three promises from God's Word I want to share with you today through the Apostle Paul that is for you and for me.
1 Thessalonians 5 says we need to pray without ceasing. It is what Christianity is all about, no matter how big or small we are to present everything to God in prayer. We need to tell Him but we also need to listen to Him first and foremost. God will speak to us through our prayer time with Him. God will reveal what He wants from us each day when we take the time to be still and be in His Presence. Often we tell God what we want to do and He can join us if He likes. If it does not going according to our plans then we get discouraged. God speaks to us in four different ways, the Bible, Prayer, through church events and other Christians. Prayer is a conversation with God and it is God's will for our lives to be obedient. God wants to hear from us, He wants this personal relationship with Him. God teaches us how to pray through the Lord's Prayer. God knows our future. Peter and Andrew followed Jesus. Jesus made them fishers of men. God equipped Peter and Andrew to be fishers of men instead of just fishermen. God can equip you and I the same to serve Him where he places us to be in His Will. Out of Philippians 4:19 God says, "I will meet all your needs." How rich is our Jesus? He is the richest and most blessed gift we will ever receive. There are promises from god. Out of 1 John 4:8, 16 "God is Love". He does not show love He is love. God wants what is best for all of us. My life in Christ has been blessed. I want the same for each of you Joshua 1:25 says "I will never leave you or forsake you". Will we have hard times yes we will. But God is always with us every step of the way. God never said it would be easy but to us what is impossible is possible with God. God works through His people. Jesus fed the 4000 with two loaves of bread and five fish. There was leftovers. God equips and provides for us to do what He has called us to do. We simply just need to be available and willing to serve HIM. Ephesians 3:20-21 says "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever amen." We do not think in God's terms. Our thinking is way too small. Yet we have the same power as Jesus did while he walked on this earth. But it is only for those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior who have received by the blood He shed on the Cross for our sins. These can be called the children of God and have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them.
Serving our Lord is our greatest responsibility. Matthew gathered in Gailee with the Disciples and asked them who do they same I am? Some say you are Elijah, some say John the Baptist, some say a prophet. But who do you all say that I am, Peter spoke up and said "You are the Son of God". As Christians we have the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. We plant the seeds only and we watered it only but God is the only Harvester of the fruit.. God can also help us through our problems. We can stand under HIM in our times of troubles. As Pastor Dextor closed he shared his favorite bible verse of all which is the very bible verse team leader Mark shared the first night. Psalm 37:1-4.
Pastor Hector reflected back on the sermon and challenged his church family to pray pray pray for their church families, their community and most of all their country. Pastor Hector paused and did just this, prayed for the country of Honduras and all the turmoil this country is going through right now. He prayed God is the only one who can give us all total peace in such unsettling times. During the Sunday School hour the children learned bible verses and recited them for us after Pastor Hector's prayer. The best part of the service was when five children and young people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Amen y amen.
Pastor Hector shared afterwards the church was providing a snack for everyone, tamales. Oh my goodness what a special treat along with a hot cup of coffee, Honduran coffee, that is. Vilma, future home owner and Pastor Hector's wife Nayra prepared them on Saturday and Vilma cooked them up on Sunday morning to serve after the worship service. This church family served at least 75 people today a very tasty snack. Everyone was humbled by this taste of hospitality from this church family. Grateful for a lot of the children today who might have gotten their only meal. This church family reaches out to their community by meeting physical and spiritual needs each time the doors open. Well done good and faithful servants.
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