3/19- Declaring God’s Glory in Iquitos Peru- Psalm 96:3

Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Psalm 96:3) 

 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

Thoughts: Even in the Old Testament, God shows concern that His glory is spread to the ends of the earth.  He says, "Declare God's glory among the nations."  The word "nations" could be translated "Gentiles" that translation would emphasize getting beyond the nation of Israel and looking beyond the church walls.  The word "nations" could also be translated "tribes" (ethne in Greek- the word used in Mt. 24:14) and that translation would emphasize that we are to speak of God to every language and cultural group beyond physical countries.  About 1985 Christianity became the first religion to be truly international and worldwide.  For in 1985 the last country that did not have Christians in it, had converts in it (Nepal).  However there are about 12,000 tribal groups who have their own language and culture who do not have a Christian witness in them.  Our church (Lake Murray Presbyterian) plays a role in working with a church in one of the jumping off stations to one of the world's remote place- the amazon jungle.  We have a partner church in Iquitos Peru that we pray for and that we visit at least once a year.  The church meets in the mission compound in Iquitos.  The mission compound is becoming a hub for pastors to visit, learn, get strengthened, read books in the library (rare in that area), and then go back to their churches.  We pray for pastor Guillermo and the church (Dios des de la Casa - "God of the House") that meets in the El Jardin campus.  We also pray for the Bodmans, new missionaries with Amazon Mission Fellowship who will be living in Iquitos.  

Prayer: May your love, hope, and mercy be spread not just to my neighborhood, Lord.  May it be spread to the ends of the earth.  Use me, Lord, to play a small part in helping the world know about you.  May your light shine in darkness to the ends of the earth. 

http://www.amazonmissionfellowship.org/