Friday, October 30, 2015

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

Orando por Mexico,  Pray for Mexico!
Hurricane Patricia swept across Mexico last week directly toward Nuevo Progreso in Tamaulipis.  For the benefit of their congregation in that city, Pastor of Bethesda Church of God Gerardo Estrada and his wife Miriam published these words of encouragement and hope.  They reminded us that we can take shelter in God no matter what storm has us in it's sights.  And there is a place of safety when we praise and glorify Him.  Here are the words that surrounded and comforted this group of people:

"We have much information about the hurricane, it's category, it's dimensions and it's location.  But we have more information about who God is!

Psalm 48 says: The Lord God is wonderful, He deserves all praise in the city where He lives.  His holy mountain, beautiful and majestic, brings joy to all on earth.  Mount Zion, truly sacred, is home for the great King.  God is there to defend it and has proved to be it's protector.  Kings joined forces to attack the city, but when they saw it, they were terrified and ran away.  They trembled all over like women giving birth or like seagoing ships wrecked by eastern winds.  We had heard about it, and now we have seen it in the city of our God, the Lord All-Powerful.  This is the city that God will let stand forever.  Our God, here in your temple we think about your love.  You are famous and praised everywhere on earth, as you win victories with your powerful arm.  Mount Zion will celebrate and all Judah will be glad because you bring justice.  Let's walk around Zion and count it's towers.  We will see it's strong walls and visit each fortress.  Then you can say to future generations, Our God is like this forever and will always guide us!"   Psalm 48

Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.
We thank God for His mercy to Mexico! " I promise that when any two of you on earth shall agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you." Matthew 18:19

"I am the gate, All who come in through me will be saved.  Through me they will come and go and find pasture."  John 10:9  "Your faithful people Lord will praise you with songs and honor your holy name."  Psalm 30:4

And after the storm:  

Bless His name!  We cannot attribute this powerful manifestation to anyone but our God!  "And I told you these things so that when they happened you would not say, The idols we worship did this!"  Isaiah 48:5


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

GOOD WORDS

Miriam del Carmen Razo Hernandez
Pastor's Wife in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico
"Good thoughts - They are so important for us to always have.  If we open our mouth to speak, what we say or publish can be a balm to those suffering in different areas of their lives, both psychologically and emotionally.  Our intention should always be to edify people and not to destroy through humiliation and ridicule.  We live in a world full of violence and evil and the world needs the best of us.  Consider what you say or what you intend to publish!!!"  Words of wisdom from Miriam del Carmen Razo Hernandez

"Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  Philippians 4:8 KJV