May 26th

Do you know the statistics of poverty in Brazil?

We are more than 195 million of Brazilians.

For every 10 Brazilians, 1 have a monthly income 

of up to 70 reais. 

So, in each 10 people, 1 person lives with

 around 2 reais per day.

Here in Belo Horizonte, we have lots of needy people.

Belo Horizonte has 2,375.000 million inhabitants. And living in precarious conditions are 9.3%, so more than 220 thousand are needy. Is too many!

How do you feel?

We must ask God to give us merciful hearts… And mercy comes with the wisdom given to us by the Holy Spirit.

We must ask God for that.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”Matthew 5:7

“ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”.”Matthew 9:13

“ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3

Jesus gave a show of mercy!

He died for all sorts of people. It was not just beautiful people. Jesus was the greatest missionary. 

Let´s learn from Him.

Missionary means:

Someone who has the task of preaching in places where their religion has not been widespread, performs work of social promotion or in a place that needs revival of their religion or belief. It is a common figure in many beliefs.  Many confuse mission with activities in international regions, but the missions can be local, regional, state, national, international, world.

Jesus walked on foot and in groups.

“Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.””

Matthew 15:32

How we walk, in Belo Horizonte? 

We have more than a million vehicles in our city. And most of us drive alone. 

Jesus  ate with the scum of society.

"While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Matthew 9:10-11

He not only provided food for crowds, but sat down and ate with them. And what do we do? We take a thermos full of chocolate, a bag of sandwiches and takes pro group of homeless people near the service. Okay, we're giving food to the hungry ... But God does not expect a little more of us? Is that the best would not sit and eat there too?

Jesus came to give meaning and direction.

"Jesus answered,

“I am the way the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me"." John 14:6

Lately people are sad, depressed, unfocused, with no prospect of life. The word of God says that "we are healed." If we are, where are the ill people that need to be healed? We need to identify these people and be instruments of God in their lives, the carriers of healing.

Being a missionary goes beyond the idea of ​​going to Africa or Haiti ... You have to be a missionary everywhere, at home, at work, in society ... Being a missionary is something to do everyday…Simple attitudes, simple things… 

There is much to be done yet.

There are many people to be reached!

This means that very close to us there are still many people who need to hear about Jesus! People who need you God´s missionary!

Next weekend, on June 2, around the world each Christian is invited to share the Gospel at least to one person. It will be a huge wave of evangelism! 

THE GOSPEL OUTREACH DAY!

But, more then 1 day! 

Why don´t we choose someone to intercede for, for next 30 days? . I challenge you to intercede for a single person in the next 30 days. Think of a person who you would like to see in the presence of the Lord!  Lets pray!

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." 

Colossians 1:9-14

(Briefing of Ana´s message)

May 19th

“FORGIVEN AND RESTORED”

Pr. Silvana

•     The calling of the apostle Peter – Peter was called to follow Jesus and he immediately did it.   

Matthew 4.18-20: “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.”

•     Peter was one of the closest disciples of Jesus –

Matthew 17.1: “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.” “The transfiguration”: Peter had this amazing experience with Jesus.

Mark 14.32-33: “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.” During Jesus’ ministry, Peter was always close to Him, especially in the most important events such as the prayer time at the Gethsemane garden.

-       Peter walked on the water – Matthew 14.28-33

-       Peter confessed Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”, as a revelation from the Father – Matthew 16.13-20

—  Jesus prayed for Peter – Luke 22.31-34: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

—  Peter denies Jesus, but repents and cries bitterly

Matthew 26.69-75: “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

      

-       Jesus reinstates (reintegrates, restores) Peter

John 21.15-17: “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”  The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

-       There is power in forgiveness. Power to restore, to reintegrate, to reinstate.

-       God is a God of a second chance. He offers us forgiveness and a new start, instead of accusation and condemnation.

-       Peter was forgiven and restored. He took profit of his second chance and continued serving God.

-       Nobody could accuse and condemn Peter for having denied Jesus, because Jesus Himself chose Peter and counted on him to take care of His sheep.

Peter continued serving God with courage and boldness, free from any accusation or condemnation, because Jesus had forgiven him and restored him.

-       Acts 1.15: “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)”.

-          Acts 2.14: “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.”

-          I John 1.9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

-          Romans 8.1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

RUGS

Pr. Silvana

- What is a Rug?

It´s a piece of thick cloth or wool that is smaller than a carpet and is put on the floor as decoration. (tapete)

 

- What is a rug for?

Decoration; comfort; protection; security...

"PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER

SOMEBODY´S FEET"

= to suddenly take away something that someone was depending on to achieve what they wanted.



•  Psalm 41:9 - "Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me."
• Pslam 55:2 - "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."
• Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding".
• Proberbs 11:28 - "Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."
• Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
• Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

 "... He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:2b





May 5th

“Suffering” 



Pr. Silvana

- To suffer = to experience physical or mental pain or distress; to be in a very bad situation that makes things very difficult  for you. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English) –

-It’s to endure agony, anguish, hurt, misery, torment, sorrow, heartache, tribulation, anxiety…

Why do people suffer?

-Causes of suffering:

-1. We can suffer because of others (what other people do to us; external situations that don’t depend on us; when people around us or family members hurt us or do wrong things against us) – John 16.33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

2. We can suffer because of ourselves (what we do/make: our sins, mistakes, wrong choices, or when we don’t do what we should do) –   I Tim. 6.9: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and  harmful  desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”; James 1.14-15: “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

3. We can suffer because of the Gospel (For Christ’s sake, for the Kingdom of God) -          II Cor. 1.6, 2.4: “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”; II Tm. 2.3: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”; I Peter 4.13, 5.9: “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”

Romans 8:35-39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

When facing suffering…

1. Find out the source (the reason) of suffering. If it’s because of others, be patient and pray; never complain, murmur, grumble. - Rm. 12.12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

2. If it’s because of yourself, your own mistakes, repent and confess to be forgiven and be humble to accept the consequences. - I John 1.9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

3. If it’s because of the Gospel, for God’s sake, endure suffering knowing that’s temporary and be thankful – I Thes. 5.18: “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Rm. 5.3-5; 8.18: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us; I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ”

Good example

Suggestion sent by brother Charles!

A youg boy, just 9 years old, is an special example of love and generosity. Though the videos are in Portuguese, Alveiro´s history is worthy to follow no matter the language.

April 28th

Signs

God gives us signs every day, all the time. But we must learn to be sensitive and recognize these signs. If we don´t remain connect with the Holy Spirit, praying and adoring God, we will not understand the messages God will send us.

What is a sing?

Sings are movements, gestures, sounds, siren, labels, anything that can warns us ou allows us to recognize or predict something.





Can you recognize all the signs?

Can you understand the clothe´s labels? When we don´t, we ignore them... We just pick a scissor and cut the label so it doens´t botter anymore. We throw the label in the trash.

Likewise, if you don´t know the Holy Spirit, you will also not understand His signals. As the lovers, friends, show their love for each other through concrete signs, God also expresses His eternal love for us. A love like we never felt before. We must open our hearts and let the Holy Spirit act in us. It is only through Him that we will be able to recognize His signs. The Holy Spirit makes us sensitives!

If you didn´t have an experience with the Holy Spirit ask His visitation!

In the Bible, signs and wonders were used to confirm the revealed word of God to the apostles and prophets. There are lots of examples: signs of deliverance (Cain´s sign, Genesis 4:15), signs of promise (the rainbow, Genesis 9:12-17), warning signs (the fig tree, Matthew 21:18-22), the ressurection of Jesus (Luke 24:6), and others.

And these days?

Many people value signs above all else. Even above the Bible. They interpret events in life as an evidence of divine approval of their decisions...

Are signs always reliable?

Of course not! There are several differences between the true signs of the times of the Bible and the supposed miraculous gifts people are seeking today. The Bible alerts us: Deuteronomy 13:1-3, 2Thessalonians 2:9-10, Matthew 24:24-25).

Our Lord´s power is available today!

It´s the intimacy with God that open ourselves to the experience of recognition. The more we enter into His love and His request for knowledge, the more we become sensitive and, like children, we let us to be led.

God is always around us!

In things we can not dream, small and simples, as in large as well...

Do not miss the blessings simply because they are not "wrapped" the way you expected!

Look around: everything has the sign of God!

Get a life before the Lord!

God bless you,

Ana.



"A man walking through the woods, whispered: - God talk to me!

And a meadowlark sang, but the man did not hear...

So the man yelled: - God, talk to me!

And a thunder rolled across the sky, but the man did not notice...

The man looked around and said: - God let me see you!

And bright stars appeared but the man did not realize...

The man yelled: - God show me a miracle!

And a baby was born... But the man could not see...

Then, the man cried out in despair: - God, touch me!

Ah a butterfly landed on his shoulder, but the man did not see...

The man stretched his hands towars heaven and shouted: - God I need your help! Speak to me!

And an email arrived, with good new and words of encouragement, but the man deleted it, and continue crying..."