Date and Time Posted: Tuesday July 18, 2023 - 9:44:24 pm
Day 2 Isaiah 1:19 KJV [19] If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: The Belize mission team rested, and looked forward to a faithful day of obedient service to the Lord. This glorious Belizean day began with the herald of the local rooster, who repeatedly and loudly let us know that the day was starting (albeit he did not seem to know the time that sunrise occurred). The night was one of almost constant rain, with a major storm occurring in the middle of the night, but no damage was done. The hotel owner said that the storm was unusual for this part of the country, having ferocious lighting and heavy heavy rains. Many of the team members had their morning coffee prepared by the hotel’s proprietor and we engaged in lively conversation about the state of politics in the world. The hotel’s owner started with only 4 rooms when he was 18 and now owns 3 businesses. It is still possible to succeed in life with diligence and hard work, and the blessings of our Creator. (Isaiah 32:17 KJV And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.) At 700 the bus picked us up to deliver us to TFOCC, also called the Dream Center, the church where we will be based this week. The Pastor, Victor Hernandez, had a dream from the Lord years ago after reading “The Purpose Driven Life.” This occurred when the church had 7 regular member, including the pastor and his wife. The dream was for a church large enough to seat 650 people, have a kitchen, conference rooms, and Sunday School classrooms. The pastor was hesitant to tell his congregation of his dream, but he did; one little lady in the room gave her last and only piece of money - a Belizean $5 bill (worth $2.50 US); that was the start of funding for the building of TFOCC, with $20 being the start of the funding for the church). The Team then ate breakfast; the breakfast was excellent, consisting of pancakes, jams, watermelon, fresh pineapple, bananas, and coffee. The Team members fellowshipped. At 0830 the team gathered in one room to pray for Pastors Terry Browder and Matt Browder as they are going to be bringing the messages today to two different churches. This was followed by prayer for the teachers who would be teaching the youth classes today. Our Team had CHURCH before the TFOCC service even started as the Holy Spirit was present with our group. Our greatest desire is to see the lost come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! We were treated to the youth of TFOCC singing for us prior to the start of service. At 1030, the service began with the youth choir leading congregational singing. The Team members participated in singing and the service by singing “I will sing of the Goodness of God” and others. Then Layton Bentley told the story of how Tommy Dorsey wrote the song “Take My Hand Precious Lord” after the disaster of losing his wife and child during childbirth. The words of that song show that God wants to help us even in our times of distress if we look to Him, He can take our hand and lead us. Layton quoted from Isaiah and the promise of the Lord to lead us even in our times of weakness and tribulation. The message is brought by Brother Terry Browder, who thanks the church for hospitality and for turning the heat up here in Belize. This mission trip has been a long time in the making. Terry took the reference verses from Acts 16, but began his message by discussing the question - how do you teach of child to talk, and the child’s use of “Why?” Between the ages of 2 and 5 children will ask 40,000 questions. On average they will ask 73 questions per day, 20000 per year. Adults typically ask as many as 25 per day, 10K questions per year; you and I ask a lot questions. Sometimes they are silly; sometimes serious. The most important question to be asked by anyone, in life, is contained in this passage (Acts 16:16-34). The lady referenced in the text had lost her ability to predict the future because of the demon being cast from her; her “owners” were then losing revenue, and they insisted that Paul and Silas be cast into prison. When the earthquake happened, after they had been beaten with stripes and were cast into the inner prison - probably filled with rats and bugs, they were also locked by their feet in stocks - the worst treatments that the jailer could give them. Sometimes Christians complain about their situation in life, and do not think that God is with them, on their side, and will hear their prayers. Paul and Silas prayed and sang; they did not issue a prayer of concern for their situation. He reconciled that their suffering was not worthy of consideration - were Christians today of the mind of Paul, and not let every little situation get them down. Paul took pleasure in the persecution for Christ’ sake; in such situations, he counted all things loss for the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord for whom he suffered the loss of all things. Whatever the kinds of songs they sung; whatever words he prayed, he got Heaven’s attention. The earthquake came, and the chains of binding fell off. Whatever the type of chains that you have in your life, if you call on Jesus, the chains can be broken. Remember three words (Terry emphasized we talk “fast” in East Tennessee); these 3 words: 1) Request, 2) Reply, and 3)Result. The Philippian jailer had witnessed the prisoner doors open; he drew his sword, and supposing the prisoners had already left the prison as prisoners typically did, he was prepared to kill himself. He had awaken from his slumber, and thought: who in their right mind would stay there? All the other prisoners stayed around too, for God had shook the earth, and they had seen something they had never seen before in their lives. They have witnessed the power of God, and though they were all desperate; the guard, in his desperation, was ready to end his life, but Paul replied they were ALL there. That was when the jailer fell down, and asked the question -How can I be saved? THAT is the most important question in life. We all have to answer that question, and as a believer, you can be a witness to the world to help others answer the key question = what must I do to be saved? Is the jailer to do what he has already been doing? No, for it did not result in his salvation. Notice the second word - reply. The answer from Paul was simply a reply with the name of a person- Jesus Christ. There is no other name in Heaven by which any man can be saved. There is no other answer than Christ, and Him crucified. There is a plan - of salvation - it is only through Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can get to the Father but by Him. Paul did not tell the jailer to give up things, do good deeds; why - because Jesus has already paid the price and done it all. When you talk of believing, it is more than just a head knowledge. Every demon in Hell knows who Jesus is. A whole lot of people will miss Heaven by 18” , meaning the distance from the brain to the heart. You must believe with the heart; many witnessed the miracles and heard Christ’s messages, but did not believe. We must believe that we are lost before we are saved; there must be conviction and that we are lost before we can be saved. We understand the sin-cause relationship and that the only one that can bridge the gap between God and us is Jesus Christ. The reason that Paul gave the jailer what he must do is just because of Christ. That was not the end of the story when He was nailed on the cross; 3 days later He arose, and sits now at the right Hand of God. If we are good enough, Jesus would not have needed to die on the cross. Adam had only one rule. Finally, the request and reply gave the the third word - result; we see salvation came to the jailer for he believed in Jesus Christ, both he and his family came to know the Lord! God is a Savior. A Way Maker. Many in this life want salvation, but do not act on it, meaning they will not take the step to Christ, or believe they are good enough - placing untrue conditions on salvation, and His saving power. The Jailer takes Paul and Silas back to his home, and the members of his family are led to the Lord. There is something else we see - it is satisfaction. When you read the text we see the jailer rejoiced. We deal with addiction in life; alcohol, drugs, sexual temptation, pride, etc. The only thing that will satisfy us is Jesus Christ. Whatever you are looking for you will not find but only in Jesus. Paul and Silas were beaten and because the jailer was under conviction, the jailer cleaned their stripes after they were introduced to the man called Jesus. Isaiah told us that He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. The invitation. Do you know that you know that you are saved? He is the only way to peace It is not HOPE - it is KNOWING. We ignore the most important question - WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THIS MAN CALLED JESUS? After a pleasing traditional Belizean lunch of chicken, beans and rice, and banana bread cake we loaded onto the bus for the drive to San Marcos. The pastor of the church introduced the Team, and welcomed us to the San Marcos church, proclaiming our arrival as proof of the gifts good work of the Lord, for he is expecting God to do great things through the Team this week. The service started with a reading from Psalm 66, verses 1 and 2 (in Kechi), followed by singing of a member (a young lady) in Kechi. A donation was taken up for the church, and the service was turned over to Larry Browder. Larry Browder introduced the Team of 26 from the US that were here to show the love of the Lord. Matt and Elijah were introduced to sing a song for the congregation. Matt Lawson then brought the messsage to the congregation (with a tranlator). He said it was an honor to be able to open the Word of God today, and a blessing to worship with the members of that congregation as well. He read from 2 Corinithians, starting at verse 1. Matt said he had a simple message today. he recognized that there is sometimes a barrier with language. Paul, who wrote Corinthians, spoke a different language than English, but his message is being conveyed to us today, and we are able to worship together. We serve the same God, but it does not matter what language we speak today, whether you are from Belize or America, God’ words are for us all, and are true. Amen! The cross of Jesus Christ is still the best thing that has ever happened to man. Matt said his opinion does not mean much to anyone, but Matt was here with the church to tell you about the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Matt said he had a simple message today; he recognized that the Gospel is good news to all those who hear it. The Apostle Paul was a smart, educated man. He was a very religious man. He said that all of that he counts as loss just so he could know Jesus. No matter where you ave been in your life, what you have gone through, we still need Jesus. The Gospel is good News, but there is also bad news. The Bad News is that we all cannot do anything to earn heaven, and this is true for the entire world no matter where we come from. The Bible says we all sinned, and the wages of sin is death; the free gift of God is salvation through Jesus. The key is that Jesus did not come so we could have a better life; but that we could have life everlasting Just as Paul is speaking here, the Team has come to visit you al, and we don’t have money or possessions to give to you. When we leave here, you may never remember our names, and you may not remember our faces, but that is not why the Team is here byway. We are here because the same Jesus that died for us died for you. We want your faith to be in Jesus and not in man. We could go many places and do many things, but all that is good and well, but apart from the name of Jesus IT IS NOTHING. What should man gain and lose his own soul? Jesus was perfect, and lived a life that we could not live - a sinless life. A perfect life. What we could not do for keeping the law Jesus fulfilled by living that life. He went to the cross in our place. He took the beating, the humiliation all of our shame and regret, etc. - all laid onHis shoulders. The Bible says that He took all ordinances, the laws written against us, and nailed it to the cross. Because of this we now have the opportunity for forgiveness. Anyone that puts their faith in Jesus can be saved - will be saved. but He did not stop there - he rose 3 days later from the grave they put Him in. Because of that we have life everlasting. Because He came that we might have life and have it abundantly; we live in hope of Heaven. Matt came to tell you Heaven is real; in verse 9 it says “as it is written, I’ve hath not scene, nor ear heard, nether has it entered in the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” By the power of the Holy Spirit He gives us glimpses every day. Even as Matt and the Team are here worshipping Him, one day in Heaven there will be thousands upon thousands worshipping the same God. In the Book of Revelation many things have been written about what Heaven is life - we are told that there is a river of pure water of life; the tree of life is on the banks of that river; we’ re told the streets are are of pure gold, clear as crystal; the gates are of a pearl; the Bible says He will wipe away all tears. There will be no crying, no sorrow, no more pain, because the former things are passed away. All things are wonderful, but they are not the best part of Heaven; those things mean nothing if Jesus is not there. In our life, there is no hope bless Jesus is there. Whosever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved: John 3:16; do not put your faith in us that have come for just a little while. If you put our faith in our family one day it may be gone; if we put our faith in riches of this world, they may be gone in a moment. But…Jesus has always been and will be with you always. When your hope is gone, he will be there always. When your hope is in Jesus, that will never go away. Our message to you today is Jesus and what he offers, salvation, regardless of language or nationality or status. Long after the Team from America is gone, Jesus will still be here. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I thank God for the opportunity to share the good News of Jesus. The service was turned over to the pastor to close the service, and the Team was warmly thanked for bing there. We then boarded the bus back to TFOCC for dinner, after which Pastor Victor talked about TFOCC. It has been 17 years in the “making” since the Pastor’s dream. Toledo is called the “forgotten district” in Belize as it has the poorest indigenous population. There was a young man from California who was only 17 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer; he sold his possessions, bought a camper, and traveled Central America distributing copies of the book called “The Purpose Drive Life.” After reading the book, God gave the Pastor a vision, and he shared it with Brother Neal, who drew up the plans for the church building known as the Dream Center. The Team will be using it for bible school, and as a base as will obtaining our meals there. The vision took a long time, with the first day’s donations totaling only $20 Belize ($10 US). There were long breaks between funding, but today the center is nearing completion. Pastor Victor was a businessman earlier in his career before the ministry and now is a servant of Christ, having established churches in several communities. The Team was driven to our hotel, and we settled in our rooms for a good night’s rest. Pray for this team as we continue to serve God by telling the people of Belize the Good News - that Jesus saves!
Posted By:Jerry McMurray
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