Suggestion by Mafalda

Thanks sister!
God bless you!

Images of bowling on Sunday!
Thanks friends for these moments of fun! 

As I had stated, the laughs were many ...

 
Next time, join us!

In the house of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)

Message by Pr. Eduardo

March, 24th

How was Jesus received in the house of Martha and Mary? 

• Martha was given to the services of the House 
• Mary was more intuitive

Let´s see the text on another perspective

The story is an allegory

• There are two types of the bride of Christ - the Church
• There are two types of ministry – the ministers.
• There are two types of discipleship – the disciples

Martha – (means madam)  verse 38

 

• She was named Martha (an assignment) (Named= appointed)
• Martha = one who has these characteristcs:

1. Lady of the house
2. The owner
3. One that has the power of decision
4. The leader 
5. The authority
6. The hostess

• Let´s think that in the house of Martha Jesus is the guest. (There are things that a guest is not supposed to do.)
• The anxiety was her food – “She was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.
• Accusations against her sister – “Don´t you care? Order her to come and help me.” 
• Martha didn´t hear what  Jesus was talking about - she didn´t understand what Jesus spoke.
• She scrambled from side to side
• But Jesus said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious (worried) and upset about many things…only one thing is needed.”

Mary - from Hebrew = Miriam is a common name = only in the new testament it appears 54 times

•  A great difference we can see in the English version. She is not named but called.

• CALLED means = invited. This is a different position.
• This is a common place among all the disciples who are called (invited ) by the Lord Jesus.
• We all are called - Jesus is not supposed to be a guest, but to be the  Lord.
• What Mary heard? I have for you a place at my side.
• Her testimony was authentic.
• She corresponded to the voice of her master.
• Mary has chosen the good part and this will not be taken away from her. 

 

- It´s a great privilege to be by His side. Psalm 94:19 - "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

- Many times in our journey we use to be like Martha and not as Mary

- In John 11, during Lazarus’ resurrection, we see deeply different attitudes from them. 
 

Martha – “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” v.21

Jesus – “Your brother will rise again.”  v.23

Martha – “I know, he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day”. v. 24

Jesus – “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live; even though they die…Do you believe this?"  v. 25,26

 Martha - “By this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." v.39

 Jesus - "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" v.40

 Jesus – “Where have you laid him?”  v. 34

 Mary – “Come and see”  v. 34

 

Who do you want to act like, Martha or Mary? 

It´s up to you to choose. Mary has chosen the good part.

 

 

 

 

 

Bowling

Don´t miss it!

Next Sunday, March 25th, 4pm.

In Boliche Del Rey - Del Rey Shopping Mall!

Anointment

Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
Ecclesiastes 9:8 

• What is an oil? What is the use of oils?
• The anoitment used to be for the priests. Today it is for anyone who wants it, who looks for it, who cries out for it.
• Anointment is very important: when you anoint a person, with authority, the enemy flees.
• We are nothing without anointment.
• A singer can sing very well, but the anointment makes all the difference in the praise.
• We must cry out: "-Holy Spirit dwell in me!" And, as we pray, God gives us. 

Holy Spirit, dwell in me!

• Why we use oil instead of water, as many other religions? Because the anointing with oil is how God teaches us to do.

• As oil doesn´t mix with most substances, the Holy Spirit is separated, pure!

So either you´re with God or you´re not!

• The oil readily penetrates. That´s why it is widely used in cosmetics.
• Oil heals.
• Oil softens.
• The oil brings happiness because it used to be responsible for maintaining the lighting in festive celebrations.
• The oil keeps the lamp lit. Keeps the light on. And people nowadays lack light...
• Jesus said we must be light of the world. How can you be light if you don´t have oil? 

How will you keep your lamp on?

• To be an ambassador of the Gospel you must be anointed.
• You need to be full in order to overflow.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

• Take position! 

Don´t say, don´t do, don´t go, don´t behave like the world!

Because you´re christian and you want to please God! 

• Don´t be shy! God chose you to go outside to speak about Him and bring salvation for those who are dying.
• About John the Baptist, the Bible says:

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:7-9

• Be a light!

 As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1Peter 2:4-5

• God chose you and tied you in ropes of love.
• You need to seek God´s presence.
• You can´t succeed without God.
• The 10 virgins had the same opportunities... But just 5 were wise, vigilant, faithful... The other virgins, the foolish ones did not take any oil with them. The wise, however,took oil in jars along with their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-13)
• Who endures till the end will receive the crown and will be saved.

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

 Proverbs 4:18

Let the light of God shine FROM you!

Pastor Áurea Marciano

March 17, 2012.



The Samaritan Woman

John 4:1-30, 39-42

The Samaritan Woman…

-          has no mane ???

-          is lonely, unhappy (5 husbands? And a lover?)

-          has low social status, bad reputation

-          draws water at noon (midday/12 pm – the hottest time of the day)

-          avoids talking about her sinful life and changes the subject

-          is open to receiving the message that Jesus is bringing to her

-          gets interested in the conversation

-          believes in Jesus

-        -          tells others about Jesus

Jesus…

-          is tired, thirsty, but even so takes the opportunity to talk with the woman

-          asks her for a drink

-          talks to a Samaritan woman, a sinner  (despised by the Jews)

-          is not “stuck” in the Jewish traditions, goes beyond any prejudice

-          spends time with her, goes straight to the point to meet her needs

-          develops a public conversation

-          treats the woman with respect, love (listens to her, does not condemn her, offers a solution for her life)

 Whatever our condition (social, economic, spiritual, physical,

 emotional, etc)… Jesus always wants to talk with us.

Whatever the circumstances… Jesus always has a solution for our life,

 our problems…

Be open to Him, accept His love!

 Listen to His voice!

Believe in Him!

Share what He has done for you, so that others can be blessed too!!!

Pastor Silvana, March 10th.

God bless us women!

"Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD."

Proverbs 19:14

Living x Existing

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (have it in abundance)." John 10:10

Jesus has come to give us abundant life. Are we living this abundant life or just existing? Check the characteristics of those who are really living versus those who just exist:

LIVING	X	EXISTING
·         They choose to live		·         Have to live
·         Are full of enthusiasm, excitement		·        Are indifferent about tomorrow
·         Have plans, dreams		·        Live the same routine everyday
·        Have positive reaction when   facing problems		·         Have negative reaction when facing problems
·         Never give up		·         Give up easily

"Living on purpose is the olnly way to REALLY LIVE. Everything else is just EXISTING." (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life)

• Purpose =  cause, aim, objective, reason, intention, goal, vision.
• It´s what motivates your life, makes you feel happy, brings you a lot of pleasure, satisfaction, takes most of your time, your conversation, effort, energy, you live for it, your life turns around it.

Those who don’t live on purpose have no reason to live and just exist. They are like “dead” people.

• "When we surrender to our circumstances, we have good days and bad days. We are at the mercy of what happens to us. (just living)
•  When we surrender to a cause or purpose, we have good days, wherever we go; the purpose never dies."(John Maxwell) (really living)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

• If you want to LIVE and not only to exist:

ü  Never give up,

ü  Learn, study new things (language, culture, etc.),

ü  Read new books,

ü  Make friends,

ü  Visit new places,

ü  Avoid routine: do different things in different ways,

ü  Get rid of negative thoughts,

ü  Be open to changes

ü  LIVE FOR JESUS: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

God has dreams for you. He has a perfect plan for you. Find out His purpose for your life and live it to the full!

A strong hug!

Pr Silvana.

Suggestion by Mísia

We can take 2 actions to help save the lives of Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani and 30 North Korean refugees:

1) Pray for them (please, see the prayer sheets attached)

2) Use the models of letter bellow and send your message to the Iranian and North Korean Authorities

To take your step in bringing freedom to Pastor Nadarkhani, take part in our CRY FREEDOM campaign  sending a message to Iran Embassy in Brazil (Embaixda Iraniana no Brasil) asking  the embassor(embaixador)  to urge  the iranian authorities 

The e-mails are :secretaria@irembassybr.com  and  shaterzadeh@mfa.gov.ir
Model of letter:

Subject (the "head" of the e-mail): Nadarkhani's Case - Request to help him

March _, 2012

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Federative Republic of Brazil

SES- Av.das Nações, Quadra 809, lote 31

Brasilia- Brazil

 

Your Excellency

Dear Dr.Mohsen Shaterzadeh,

 

 

I am a brazilian citizen. I am writing to request your attention concerning Pastor Nadarkhani’s case. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani of the evangelical Church of Iran denomination was arrested in his home city of Rasht in 2009 while attempting to register his church. In September 2010 he was tried and found guilty of apostasy (abandoning Islam), and was sentenced to death.  His case has been referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hoseyni Khamenei.

 

In 2011, during a session on 25 September, the court in Rasht ruled that  the pastor had not practiced Islam as an adult, but still upheld the charge of apostasy because of the his Muslim ancestry.  From 26- 28 September he appeared in court three times, and was asked each day to renounce his faith in order to secure an annulment of the apostasy charge and a lifting of the death sentence. 

The conviction and sentence are illegal under Iranian law, since the penal code does not specify death for apostasy.  They also violate article 23 of the Iranian Constitution, which states that no-one should be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief. Moreover, the conviction and sentence are in violation of international covenants to which Iran is signatory, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees freedom of religion and the right to change one’s religion.

The source of this information is the Christian Solidarity Worldwide -CSW- a Christian organization working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights.

I appeal for your clemency and mercy for the life of this Iranian citizen, urging the Iranian Authorities to recognize this case of urgency.

I would like to thank your excellence for your time and I am looking forward to your reply.

 

    

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

                                                                Brazilian Citizen



To take your step in bringing freedom to North Korea, send a message to the Chinese Embassy in Brazil using the link:

 http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=88&ea.campaign.id=13802

It is very easy! Fill in the form with your first and surname, city, address, Brazil, etc and click Submit. The page will show a new space were you can write or use the model of letter bellow:

Model of letter:
Add your subject line here:
Freedom for the lives of 30 North Korean refugees
Add your message here:

I am contacting your Excellence to request that you kindly use your good offices to intervene urgently on behalf of 30 North Korean refugees. They have been threatening with repatriation from China to North Korea where they face certain torture and even execution.

I understand China’s concerns about refugees illegally entering China as they flee North Korea. However, state that as a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees, China is obligated not to force these refugees back to North Korea.

I appeal for your clemency and mercy for the lives of this group, urging the Chinese President to accept the appeal by the South Korean Government to allow them to travel to South Korea for resettlement.

                                                            Sincerely,
                                                        Brazilian citizen

God bless you! 

Mísia.