July 1

Psalm 1

John 1- 6



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June 14

" From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force."

Matthew 11:12

 

The Kingdom of Heavens is not for the weak...

The Kingdom of Heavens is not for the shy...

It is for the one´s who make an effort.

When we think about a soldier, we think about strong men, bold people.

Sometimes, we face situations we think that we are not able to face. And we say: "-Let it go!", "-It´s to much for me."

The Kingdom of God is for the strong.

The Kingdom of God is for those who search for It!

God has strengthened you by His Spirit to take It!

You will not conquer It by yourself.

You are going to conquer It, in Jesus Christ.

That´s why we must seek for more.

That´s why we must seek for God.

These days, here in Brazil, the World Cup is happening. A soccer player has to train a lot, has to rest, has to prepare for the championship. Imagine to conquer the Kingdom of God, how much will you need to prepare yourself?

 



"Timothy, my child, Christ Jesus is kind, and you must let him make you strong. You have often heard me teach. Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others. As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering. Soldiers on duty don’t work at outside jobs. They try only to please their commanding officer. No one wins an athletic contest without obeying the rules." II Timothy 2:1-5

We are in a competition.

We see many athletes. In order to win, they must endure hard training, suffering... Sometimes they have to give up things they like to do.

Are you following the rules?

Do you want to be victorious? Follow the rules!

Sometimes you feel like a loser...

Maybe, you´re not following the rules!

You must be focused in the Kingdom:

• as a soldier - do not involve in civilian affairs
• as an athlete - compete following the rules

Be aware! Everything in your life is for the Kingdom of God.

Ask the Holy Spirit: "-Holy Spirit, am I following the rules? Am I timid? Strengthen me!"

 

"Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.  So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet.  Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people." Ephesians 6:10-18

God has given you the weapon!

God has prepared you.

Are you wearing the armor of God?

The armor of God is for you to wear.

And pray in the Spirit all the time.

Then you will may have Peace, even in war times.

So, fight!

 

 "Do your best to win God’s approval as a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message."

 II Timothy 2:15

 

Handle the Word!

"God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control." II Timothy 1:7

Don´t be afraid!
That´s why we are strong men and women!
We are victorious!
We are not losers!
Remain in God and He will remain in you!

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." II Corinthians 10:3-5



Worldly weapons are tricks, lies, cheats...
Oue weapons are divines!
God gives us His power!
You and God know your difficulties... Pray and declare that the Lord has given you a spirit of conqueror!

Pr Poliana de Carvalho

June 7

Paul´s Prayer in Colossians 1:9-14
Part III

Pastor Poliana de Carvalho

 

 ^"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 1:914)

 

• When we are atrengthened we are able to go trough suffering with joy!

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13)

• If you feel that you complain a lot, ask the Holy Spirit to help you.
• Paul was enabled to face any circumstance because he was strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
• The key is to give praise to God!

 

• Doesn´t matter the situation! Praise the Lord!

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3)

 

• We are not qualified... But, we were qualified by the blood of Jesus!

"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:5-7)

• Because we trust God we go through problems with joy, because He knows averything in advance.
• Jesus already has in mind what He´s going to do!
• Believers are not crazy!
• Believers trust!
• Even though you can´t see a solution, a good result or the light in the end of the tunnel...

Jesus already has in mind what He is going to do!

May 31

The Wise and Foolish Builders

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:24-29

Jesus was talking to believers.

There are two kinds of believers.

Everybody has the chance to listen to the Word.

Everybody enjoys going to church.

Everybody wants their children to be raised in church environment.

The two kinds of Christians they have struggles, losses, they both face difficulties, as they are living in this world.

“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.”John 16:33

We may face: frustration, loss, jealousy, failures, weakness, death, suffer, fear, competition, deceases, depression, cheating, bitterness, anger, mistakes, prejudice, stress, violence, lack of patience, lack of faith, lack of peace…

We all listen to the same Word…

We sing the same songs…

We are in the same environment…

The chance is the same!

The difference is in the heart!

We must practice what we listen and sing, to become wise!

That´s the difference!

Jesus wants us to practice and be wise.

Jesus is always saying:  “-Please, become wise!”

Don’t let the circumstances take your faith away!

 

A fool cannot stand a tough circumstance.

To build a house on the rock is to be wise and stand firm in Jesus, who is the Rock!

His eyes are opened…

His ears are opened…

Feel hopeful!

“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.”John 16:33

“So do not fear, for I am with you;     do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“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

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9

We must make an effort to choose to be wise!

We must make an effort to choose not to look to the circumstances!

We must stay on the Rock!

We must realize that every difficult is just to make us stronger!