Live Streaming from HKBP Makassar

God never turns a blind eye to the sufferings and struggles of His people. Our God is the eternal God who is always ready to help His people. In the midst of the pressures and struggles of life, people are invited not to despair. God will move through the power of His word that works in the midst of the people. This is an excerpt from the sermon delivered by Pastor Rich Janzoom Simamora, M.Th., M.M., in the 2023 Bible Month of Prayer service held live from HKBP Makassar. The theme of the sermon, which also became the theme of the 2023 Biblical Month of Prayer, was "The Divine Word Has the Power to Renew" (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Pastor Janzoom Simamora further stated, when the Israelites were undermined by the surrounding nations, oppressed and lost their self-respect, Prophet Isaiah reminded them that the power of God's word will be present like rainwater that soaks the earth, refreshes, gives growth, restores. His word will never return void.

Pdt. Janzoom reminded that God's people who live today also face various struggles and challenges just like the Israelites in the past, one of which is due to the rapid development of technology. In addition to bringing convenience to life, extraordinary technology often disrupts and shackles the lives of modern humans. It turns out that technology is not able to answer all human problems in this world. Humans are starting to move away from God and turn to themselves and technology. 

 

Pdt. Janzoom said, people who have read and believed God's word will have new hope to get out of suffering.

By reading the word we are encouraged to experience life transformation from self-centred people to people who are pleasing to God.

The General Chairperson of LAI, Rev. Dr Henriette T. Hubabarat Lebang, in her speech stated that every September LAI invites its partners, namely churches in Indonesia, to celebrate the Month of Biblical Prayer (BDA), in order to be grateful for the presence of the Bible in the archipelago. Along with this expression of gratitude, people are invited to pray for and support efforts to translate and publish the Bible in various regional languages, so that more and more people will hear the greeting of God's word in a language close to their hearts, and be inspired by God's word to carry out God's will in their lives every day.

 

Pastor Henriette Lebang further urged churches to support LAI's efforts to spread the Good News, especially this year for the procurement of New Translation Bible Edition 2 (TB-2) for pastors serving in various parts of the archipelago. 

Typically, the Bible Month of Prayer services and celebrations are organised centrally from Jakarta. However, this year, the LAI Representative Office in Makassar is in charge of the event. In organising the 2023 Biblical Month of Prayer service, LAI Makassar Representative Office was assisted by HKBP Makassar and LAI Mitra Makassar Support Working Group.