Sunday, August 12, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“There is hope – in Him!” – Bro. Daniel Layne

A serious message on Do Not Lose Your Soul was preached by Bro. Abe Redecop in the morning service. We must walk carefully to guard our soul. If you lose your soul, you have lost everything. Do not focus on your business, riches, or friends. Focus on your eternal soul. Ensure that you will not lose it. Do you see the dangers around you? We must have a continual gain in our soul or we will end up losing it. The devil has a lasso, waiting for the moment that we will step off the way. Remember, when you go home, the devil will be after you more than before you came.

With a number of vistors present, Bro. Daniel Layne preached on There Is Hope in the evening service. He spoke of his many life experiences as a former addict on the streets of San Francisco. His condition was irreparable – he thought, no hope and without strength. His parents and friends begged him to forsake his street life, but to no avail. Then one day, the Lord let him know that there was a way out, if he would let the Lord take over his life. The life-transforming power in the blood of Jesus is still as strong as ever. With the blood there is hope that things can get better. It is not just for one person – it is for everyone! He mentioned that, although he may have many needs, he is far from what he was, through the power in the blood. You can have Someone that really loves you! There is really hope – for you!

It was a great blessing to see souls getting saved this evening. One, Bro. Estevan Rios, had been heavily addicted to drugs for years. His brother Carlos was saved last year, as was his mother earlier this year. He is originally from Culiacan. Another new brother, 15 years old, is from Durango. What an amazing sight to see the Lord save souls, regardless of background or culture.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“Will you go with us to heaven?” – Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga

Sis. Elizabeth O’Shea preached, in the morning service, on Bearing the Burden. If we do not bear the burden for others that Jesus bore for us, it will devastating. It will be terrible for someone to be lost because your burden decayed. We need people willing to risk their lives to pull souls out of the fire. Rescue workers are urgently needed. Souls are going into eternity at an alarming rate – what will you do about it? Will you volunteer to rescue? Or, have you grown callous at the thought of eternity? God needs young people that will get past themselves and bear a real burden for the lost. Let the burden for souls consume your life.

Following the morning service, the saints traveled approx. 8 kms to a site near La Quemada for baptism. It was a great blessing to see 6 sisters and 3 brother being baptized. Due to rain the previous afternoon, the road to the baptism turned into a quagmire.

Many visitors attended the evening service. Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga preached on The Sign of His Coming. We are obligated to let you know that the end is near. That day will likely be just like any ordinary day. Then, the Son of God will split the skies and begin the judgement. At that moment your eternal fate will be irrevocably sealed. The Lord promised that He would send a sign before He returns. He is gathering His people one more time from across the world. This is the sign that His return is imminent. Nowhere else can you find a gathering of people from such diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures – but yet exhibit such unity. The Lord is not returning for no reason at all. He is certainly returning for one purpose – to take His Bride – the Church – home. People are asking for a sign and miss it right before their very eyes. Some see the sign and strain at the little “gnats” that do not quite suit their fancy. Meanwhile, they are shoving chunks of “camel” meat down their throats while they complain and criticize the work that God is doing. Do you see the sign? Our one question to you is: Will you go with us to heaven?

Friday, August 10, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“Praise God the doubts are settled!” – Bro. Daniel Layne

The morning service was devoted to the observance of the ordinances of Feetwashing and the Lord’s Supper. It was a blessed time of fellowship as the saints washed each other’s feet, with the brothers and sister at respective locations. Afterwards, everyone met together once again and the saints partook of the unleavened bread (representing the body of Jesus) and the grape juice (representing the blood of Jesus).

Bro. Daniel Layne preached on the Witness of the Spirit, in the evening service. You need the witness of the spirit whether you are saved or not. If he says “No” – you’re not. If He says “Yes” – you are. At some point in time you need to come to a place where you are transformed by the blood. People are trying to be better morally – but without that divine spark it is not enough. He has it for every colour, race, and culture. Praise God the doubts are settled – it’s real. You can convince others around you that you are saved, but unless you have the witness of the Spirit of God you are not saved. We can be eternally secure if we stay in this salvation. We must have the positive witness or we will go to eternal damnation.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“Someone may need to see a walking tract.” – Bro. Daniel Layne

Housekeeping was the theme of Bro. Daniel Layne’s message in the morning service. There is a lot wrong with you, what are you going to do about it? The best you can do is to make the best of what you are, which is not much. We need to pray that we may be an example that someone can follow. Whatever you do, do not be hypocritical. Be what God wants you to be. The world needs to see a distinct people. We are not looking for union, but rather unity. Unity is of utmost importance to us. Wickedness is not just smoking or drinking, it also includes having a double mind. Unity is not manmade – it is a product of fervency in Spirit.

An encouraging message on God Cares for You was preached by Sis. Trudy Wiebe in the evening service. If you have children, you have asked things of them that they did not understand. Nonetheless, it was exactly the right thing for them at that particular time. God works the same way with His children. He always has our best interests in mind. God knows each moment how many hair you have! If He loves the raven, surely He loves you. God is watching to see if have needs or cares – He never sleeps. Put your cares where they belong – with Him. If you call on him for help, He is perpetually prepared to provide His assistance in every situation you face. If you are not saved, God is more concerned about you then with those that are saved. Your sins grieve Him, but still, He loves you and wants you back in His fold. It is His greatest joy when you ask Him to come in your heart. Never forget – God will always be there for you.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“If you are not saved, you are tempting God.” – Bro. Isaac Thiessen

Sis. Elizabeth Strizu preached on the Urgency to Get Your Needs Met in the morning service. What is lacking in your spiritual life? Do you want to be made whole? Jesus is ready to meet your need. We have one another to help us out. Whatever you need, you can have it. Your needs can be met without delay. The devil would like you to sit back and study your need. However the time comes when you need to rise and take care of it. Get the victory you need – now!

In the evening service Bro. Isaac Thiessen preached a serious message on Preparing for the Judgement. The world is like a cup of dirty water in the hand of God that is filling up. Are you a part of this filth? If you are, you will be cast away by God in the judgement. These last days were prophecied to be as the days of Noah, where the world would follow after their own hearts. If you are not saved, you are tempting God. And, if you tempt God, you are in a very dangerous and precarious situation. We must run from sin to be saved. Where the blood has not been applied, there is sin. Sinners need to wake up now and act before the judgement is here. If you ignore the Spirit speaking to you, you are in great danger of eternal damnation. The blood of Christ is available to you now – do not delay another day. Now you have the opportunity to prepare – seize it!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“Only a shared live is worth living.” – Bro. Henry Hildebrandt

In the morning service, Bro. Peter Hildebrandt preached on Where Is the Wisdom? Problems are all around us. This begs the question – where are the wise? What is the solution? Have you found the solution for your sadness and hurt? If your problems have been solved, you have found the One that has the wisdom to solve your problems. Through the foolishness of preaching, God has provided a solution to your problems. Whatever problem you may have, we have found the solution. It is Christ, the giver of wisdom. Wisdom is nearing yourself to God – he is waiting to solve your problems.

The Selfish Life was the subject of Bro. Henry Hildebrandt’s message in the evening service. We are in great danger of living a selfish life. Generally speaking, we are wealthy, but we cannot afford to hold these things for ourselves. We are under pressure to be “normal”. Get married, have children, build a house close to the chapel, and come to the services. This is not what God wants from us. It is easy to be normal. We need to go beyond our comfort zone and do more. How did the Gospel reach you – by selfish people that were afraid to sacrifice some comforts? No, it was because someone went beyond their comfort zone. We will not waste our lives by living for God.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“We are one breath from death.” – Bro. Daniel Layne

Sis. Sarah Tiller preached on Can These Bones Live in the morning service. Your dead bones, dry as they are, can live! You may have been in sin for many years, but you can live. The Lord has done many miracles and he is ready to perform one on you. It does not matter how deep you may have gone – Jesus is ready for you. He is weeping at your tomb (John 11:35). If you have not met up with the Christ of Calvary, you are dead and He is, indeed, weeping at your tomb. If you are not resurrected in this life, you will be dead for all eternity. Jesus deserves your talents and all of your time – what are you waiting for?

From Monday through Friday, children’s services are held at 5:00 PM. Many children are brought in from the surrounding area. For many, this is their first exposure to the Gospel of Jesus.

In the evening service, Bro. Daniel Layne’s theme was Running For Your Life. We need to run to make it to heaven. Whatever you have to do, do it. God never created anyone to be lost, but many are dead and dying. Spiritually dead and physically dying. People are afraid of cancer or a heart attack, but who is afraid of God? The prayer to get saved is a prayer to change the mind of God. Has the mind of God changed concerning your eternal destiny? We should want to do anything just to avoid eternal hell. There is a great day coming and if you are not ready, you will be in for a big surprise. All of us will meet one day at a great, white throne in the sky, where we will be one on one with God. Everyone will know that day in their heart what they deserve. That judgement is coming soon, will you be ready?

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Col. Viana, Chihuahua, Mexico

“Salvation is not on sale!” – Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga

Approximately 310 saints have gathered for another meeting in northern Mexico. It is a special blessing to have over 60 saints from Chapultepec, Baja California here. A bus was chartered to carry all the children and helpers from the Children’s Home. They arrived with great excitement and anticipation on Saturday afternoon. Many of them had never traveled beyond their immediate locale and were thrilled to travel for 25 hours across northern Mexico. A large number of those attending the meeting speak primarily Spanish, so all the messages will be translated or preached in Spanish.

In the first service on Sunday morning, Bro. Daniel Layne preached on the Value of Holy Fellowship. There is a real, tangible value in holy fellowship with the body of Christ. We need this fellowship to make it to heaven. The body needs to be compacted until all the air is on the outside and no gaps are apparent. This is a place for serious people to get serious help. There is a binding power through the God’s ministry for the protecting of the saints, the strengthening of the household of faith, and the elimination of spiritual independence (see Matthew 18:15-18). This is a very positive message that will make your life meaningful and purposeful.

Paying the Price was the theme of Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga’s message on Sunday evening. Cheap religion has no value, but true Christianity demands a high price. When the martyrs were burned on the stake, people were convicted and convinced that these martyrs had the true religion. Salvation is never going on sale. The price the martyrs had to pay – everything – is the price we have to pay. If we do not pay the full price, how could we stand in heaven with those martyrs? Are you holding back? Most people are walking around with their pockets sealed – not willing to pay the price. The man in Matthew 13 that found the pearl of great price, sold all to get it. Jesus paid it all – all to him I owe. People are willing to empty their spiritual pockets of all their pennies, nickels, and dimes, but they hold on to that one $100 bill. What do you need to pay? Just what you are holding on to. If not, heaven will not be your eternal home.