Worshipping warriors

 

God’s Splendor

 Psalm 8 TPT

8 For the Pure and Shining One
Set to the melody of “For the Feast of Harvest,”[a] by King David
1 Lord, your name is so great and powerful!
People everywhere see your splendor.
Your glorious majesty streams from the heavens,
filling the earth with the fame of your name!
2 You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies.
Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children.
This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth.
Childlike worship will silence[b]
the madness of those who oppose you.
3 Look at the splendor of your skies,
your creative genius glowing in the heavens.
When I gaze at your moon and your stars,
mounted like jewels in their settings,
I know you are the fascinating artist who fashioned it all!
But when I look up and see
such wonder and workmanship above,
I have to ask you this question:
4 Compared to all this cosmic glory,[c]
why would you bother with puny, mortal man
or be infatuated with Adam’s sons?
5 Yet what honor you have given to men,
created only a little lower than Elohim,[d]
crowned like kings and queens[e] with glory and magnificence.
6 You have delegated to them
mastery over all you have made,
making everything subservient to their authority,
placing earth itself under the feet of your image-bearers.[f]
7–8 All the created order and every living thing
of the earth, sky, and sea—
the wildest beasts and all the sea creatures—
everything is in submission to Adam’s sons.
9 Lord, your name is so great and powerful.
People everywhere see your majesty!
What glory streams from the heavens,
filling the earth with the fame of your name!

Greetings children of God! I am so happy to be giving you this update on what the Lord has been doing in our lives down here in Cerro Azul. I had an idea to begin teaching English classes to the kids in our area for quite a while and had tried on a couple of different occasions to start the classes but it never seemed to work out. God's timing is always perfect! Since the covid hit and I had more free time on my hands. I would usually be visiting churches in the states and be back and forth from Mexico to the USA. Most of the churches in the states were closed so in the summer I had more  time to focus on here right in my own neighborhood. I asked the Lord what we should be doing at this moment in time. He said to teach the English classes. So Frank and I  began having the classes right here at our house. That lasted all summer for 8 weeks. We began having a core group of kids coming each week. We were teaching English and with the help of  Sonia she was also helping translate and give a bible lesson with the primary focus on prayer and intimacy with God. The kids loved it and all was well! When the weather changed we began to use a room at one of the local churches to have the class, we have been there since. 

The transformation that has taken place with these children has been amazing. Most of you know that my heart is for the lost and addicted. Since that is where I was when the Lord rescued me, and then later called me to Mexico as a missionary.  What the Lord has done amazed us. He combined the two worlds, the innocent world of the children with the lost and forgotten world of the Tijuana landfill. Each month we go into the landfill with a team from Mexico or visitors from the states depending on who is here. The Lord gave us the idea to take the children into the landfill to help minister to the people that live there and also hand out food and water. 

The outcome was more than I could of ever expected. All the people that we asked if we could pray for them said "Yes" which usually doesn't happen and all of the grown men began weeping. God has chosen the innocent children to minister to those who feel that they have fallen too far to ever get back up, God's ways are not our ways. 

We began with the sandwiches, each time we go we take food and bottled water with us, usually peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So we had the kids help us to prepare the sandwiches for the landfill visit, 100 sandwiches. It was a competition between boys and girls, boys won both times. The girls try and spread the peanut butter and jelly very neatly and the boys just slap it on the bread so therefore the boys were faster but the girls were neater, lol :). The kids range from 6 to 14 years old. So they see the process from start to finish. Preparing the food to handing out the food. 

There are also kids who live at the landfill so it is very impactful for the kids we bring to see the kids that live there and continue to pray for them when they get home. They often include the kids at the landfill in their prayers. We plant the seed and the Holy Spirit does the watering. We are blessed and honored to be able to steward this ministry of hope.

Matthew 18:2-4

The Passion Translation

2 Jesus called a little one[a] to his side and said to them, 3 “Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in. 4 Whoever continually humbles himself[b] to become like this gentle child is the greatest one in heaven’s kingdom realm.

With innocence and purity the children minister to those in need.

The same Holy Spirit lives in the children that lives in us. Their world view is that of a less complicated view and I believe the Holy Spirit flows through them with such power and purity. Some of us have dismissed the children and the power that they carry. Some of us still hold onto the old idea that children should be seen and not heard. I believe that the children need to have their voice heard loud and clear. They are our future and if guided through the paths of the Lord we will have a force so strong no enemy will be able to withstand the light of the Lord that shines so brightly from these young people.

 Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Amen

We are still having the English classes each week with a bible lesson or a lesson on prayer. Last week we had a short prayer walk with the kids and Sister Sonia. Worshipping the Lord with flags and praying for the community while we were walking here in Cerro Azul.

English class

Teaching the kids English gives us an opportunity to also teach them about their identity in Jesus. We are able to bless them with new language skills along with lessons on Jesus. Frank taught them a lesson on the finished work of the cross and new creation identity through a message that we call the "dirty sock" message. We ask the kids to bring an old dirty pair of socks with them to class, the oldest dirtiest pair that they have even if they don't match.

He talks to them about sin and what it is and our old sinful nature, who we were before we invited Jesus to live in us. The old socks represent that identity. We then burn the socks outside to represent the finished work of the cross. The sacrifice of Jesus and we watch the socks burn and then think about all that Jesus has done for us. We then take the kids back inside and give each of them a brand new clean pair of socks. Which represent who we are in Christ Jesus. Our new identity, new creation in Christ Jesus. The kids love it. We have given the lesson at two different class locations already. Our class and a friend of ours who is also teaching English/prayer classes for kids out of her home. 

I  have a friend who would always say bring Deborah the children Lord. But at the time I had no idea why she would pray that, now we know why. 

As far as the rest of the ministry goes we are still doing food bags each month for the elderly. Between 35-40 each month in Tecate, Cerro Azul and Valle de las Palmas. Brother Jose helps us deliver the food each month to the elderly that the Lord has placed in our path.

This is Brother Jose, he is in a wheel chair but he is able to drive and with the help of additional volunteers he helps us deliver the food bags each month. The food is donated and I go and get the food donations and bring them across into Mexico also we purchase some of the items down here. This ministry is completely funded by donations, all of it. The more we give away the greater the increase. We are blessed to bless others. 

Last but not least the Lord has placed a vision on our hearts to help the people at the landfill by starting a rehab center/sober living community for them. It is still in the planning/praying phase. I have a draft written out of the vision if anyone is interested in seeing it I will be happy to send it to you. The border is open and if any of you would like to visit just send me an email and we can facilitate that for you. 

We are blessed to be here at just this time in the world. With all of this chaos and confusion going on it is the light of the Lord that shines the brightest in darkness. The world needs us more then ever to shine. We must sit at the feet of Jesus and receive all that He has for us so that we can reflect His love to a lost and dying world. Look to Him for ALL things. For in Him we live and move and have our being. Amen :) He is everything and He lives in side of us and we are called to shine with the light of His love. Thank you for all of the prayers and support. 

Love and Blessings:

Frank and Deborah Verdin

To Mexico with Love
  

Love walk

Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.

Psalms 27:4 TPT

Greetings children of God!! I am blessed to be able to send out an update. I have been back in Mexico for approximately six weeks, glad to be home :). I also loved the time with my daughter and her family. We started back with outreach as soon as I returned home. Frank and Jose never stopped the food for the elderly but we went out and gave out masks and food when I returned. We started with 15 elderly and are now up to 25 each month. We buy food in Mexico and also receive donations of non perishable food items from the states. God has continued to provide for us and those He has placed in our paths to serve in Jesus's name.

God placed it in my heart to begin teaching English to kids in our area. With the help of my husband Frank, our brother and sisters in Christ, Sonia, Lluvia and Fernando we have started weekly classes in English at our home outside under a canopy and tarp for shade. The method is called TPR - total physical response. It is learning through actions and repetition. Fernando is also singing songs in English to the kids and we are having an amazing time building relationships with these children. We pray with them and are amazed at how quickly they are learning with this teaching method. 

We were blessed to also have a kids prayer outreach here in Cerro Azul at Lluvia and Lupe and Miguel's home.

 We had a message on prayer from Sonia and she also brought a map of the world and we prayed for different areas in the world. We pulled names out of a hat and broke off into six different groups and prayed for six different countries in the world. We were blessed to have Fernando there with the puppet show. We served spaghetti and rolls and small bags of candy. Our hope is to have a children's outreach in a different person's home each month in a different area of the community to expose new children to the Love of Jesus. :)

Last but not least we had an amazing outreach at the landfill in Tijuana. We were blessed to be able to go and serve a hot meal to those living in the landfill. This time we joined forces with a church from Tiuana along with Brother Jonathon who is an Evangelist. Frank also reunited with an old friend who also had been rescued from the landfill who now has a praise and worship ministry in Tijuana along with a group from a rehab center in Tijuana. Also people from our ministry Para Mexico con Amor. It was a large celebration and we will be going back with the same people on July 25th. This time bringing tortas along with praise and worship. We come bringing hope. Frank was rescued out of the landfill along with sister Susana and along with brother Moises. God is putting together a group of people who actually lived in the landfill and who Jesus has rescued out. Jesus is the answer. I always say Jesus is the answer to any and all problems in the world. 

Trust in Jesus, He will not let you down. He will never disappoint. Believe in Him, He is the truth, the Way and the Life. Thank you to all who pray for us and support us financially.  We are blessed beyond measure to be able to serve Jesus in this area of Mexico where the need is so great. Thank you Lord Jesus and thank you to all who are placed in our path and give us the opportunity to reveal more of You to them. Blessings :)

Greetings :)

Greetings children of God!! I wanted to send out an update for all of you in this very special time. This pause button of our lives and plans. We all have so many plans and things that motivate us and things that we feel are so important. Earlier this year I received a word from the Lord about new beginnings for everyone. But I had no idea that it would be like this. A time of pause a break in our lives to reflect upon what is important.  All of these things stripped away from us. Things that we took for granted such as our freedoms.

Currently I'm in Oregon with my very pregnant daughter and my son in law and grandkids. My daughter is a nurse and her daycare provider has closed so my help was needed here.

Frank is in Mexico doing what he can with the help of Jose delivering food to the elderly and handing out rice and beans to those in need. 

Currently we are buying our food in Mexico. Instead of crossing it over from the United States. So the food bags are a bit smaller but very well appreciated from all who receive them. We will continue to bless those in need. Hoping to have things return to normal in June. 

The Lord has been speaking to me about how we are tricked by the enemy into believing so many lies. The things that we have been focusing on are so unimportant in the big picture of things. All of the material possessions that we believe we must have and can so easily be taken from us in such a short time and this pandemic has proven just how quickly that can happen. Also the way we dwell on each other's faults and find it so easy to point out each other's flaws. The time that we spend trying to acquire these material possessions or the time that we spend pointing out each other's faults is time we could be spending with the Lord. Of course we want nice things but when it becomes our sole focus it is not healthy. When we stand in His Presence before His glory we begin to realize how only seeking His face and His will are important. That going into the secret place is our purpose . To love and be loved. To soak up His love and then return it to others. Believers and non believers alike. Whether we agree with them or their lifestyles to show them love. What does that look like you might ask? First of all not judging,  we are called to tell the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross. What He does for us on a daily basis. Then allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work. Amen :) We are here as His representatives, the more time we spend in His presence the more we have to give away. The world is looking at us as followers of Jesus. How are we responding in this crisis. What are we doing in this time of global fear. Jesus is our Peace our Prince of Peace. He is our insurance plan our retirement plan. All my eggs are in one basket and its Jesus!! It's all for Him and all because of Him. Without Jesus I would not be here I would be lost in sin in the bottomless pit of despair. Because the devil is a liar and the only thing that can satisfy is Jesus. So give it a try reflect the one you love. Reflect the one who lives inside of you. You are one with the Creator of the Universe. Spend time in His Presence and give it all away and repeat again and again. I love you guys!! Thankyou so much for all of the prayers and support. 

Things the Lord has placed on my heart for the future. 

A children's prayer room, training up the children to be part of our front line in prayer. 

Continued support and visits to the Tijuana landfill with Pastor Martin Blanco

The Church on the Mountain property in Cerro Azul, a community center for all to meet in a neutral location. 

Working with team Mexico to spread the love of Jesus to those in Cerro Azul and surrounding areas.

Continue feeding the elderly 

Continue the school program helping with backpacks and uniforms and school tuition 

Please join us in prayer for the future. Blessings now and always. 

Believe

 I woke up last night at about 1:30 am and started thinking about the word salvation in the bible. Thinking that for some reason I thought that I needed to get up at that hour and do a word search in the Greek for the word salvation. (it seemed like a good idea at the time) I knew that it had more than one meaning. I knew that it did not just mean forgiveness of sins.

 We are in the middle of this corona virus stuff and people are sending me specific ways to pray to ward off the corona virus but I started thinking. Why do I need to pray to ward off something that Jesus already accomplished on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross His last words were “it is finished”. What exactly is finished? I thought for a long time that He died to save me from my sinful self and ensure my ticket to eternity. Which is true. He did die for that reason but it is so much more than saved from our sins.

We are reconciled to the Father. We have complete access to Him freely. We don't need to go through anyone else to see the Father. We can do it ourselves Jesus did that for us. Easy access!! Back to the word search. 

The Greek word for salvation is Sozo which is used over 100 times in the King James Bible. But not just for the forgiveness of sins that is only one of the meanings. 

“Sozo” is the Greek word for salvation, yet it's root meaning goes beyond just the forgiveness of sins. According to Strong's Concordance, Sozo also carries the idea of being physically healed of diseases and to be delivered from your enemy. In the spiritual sense, that enemy is the devil and his demons.

Other meanings are: save or saved, whole, healed, preserve and well. All the words in all capital letters mean Sozo in the Greek. But in the King James Version they use different words, but in the Greek they all have the same meaning. 

Romans 10:13 King James Version (KJV)

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED.

Matthew 1:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall SAVE his people from their sins.

 Matthew 9:22 King James Version (KJV)

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee WHOLE. And the woman was made WHOLE from that hour.

Mark 5:23 King James Version (KJV)

23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be HEALED; and she shall live.

 Ephesians 2 King James Version (KJV) 5 and 6

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are SAVED;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

We are already made whole by the blood!! By the sacrifice of the lamb.

This is from Smith Wigglesworth who was an amazing man of God!! Powerful healing ministry. In the early 1900’s.

“The only thing that is wrong is your wrong conception of the mightiness of His redemption.”

It is finished means just exactly what it says. All of it is finished. 

Luke 10:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

He gives us authority over all the power of the enemy!! 

Psalm 91 New King James Version (NKJV)

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

91 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

4 

He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

8 

Only with your eyes shall you look,

And see the reward of the wicked.

9 

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 

No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

12 

In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,

The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.

16 

With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation.”

Believe!!

 Mark 9:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Believe that He already healed us and believe that He  already delivered us and believe that He has given us power over all the ways of the enemy. So let's join together in prayer as one body of Christ and thank the Lord for all that He did on the cross. All that He accomplished on that final day when He said “It is finished”. 

Believe in the Lord and His promises and believe that He will protect you from all the plots of the enemy. Cling to Him, trust Him that He has already defeated the enemy. Thank Him for your healing even if you don’t feel better continue to thank Him. Because the fact is that you may not feel good, but the truth is that Jesus already healed you!! By His stripes we are healed. We received salvation which means:  save or saved, whole, healed, preserve and well. IT IS FINISHED!! ALL HIS PROMISES ARE YES AND AMEN :) PRAY PSALM 91 OVER YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.!! Blessings :)