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!

 

May 24th

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

Pastor Poliana de Carvalho

 

• You need to understand God´s will.
• You may obtain spiritual wisdom to live a holy life, pleasant to God.

"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" Colossians 1:10

• You must bear fruit!

 

• Jesus wants you to bear fruit for the glory of the Father.

The Vine and the Branches

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-8

• To know if you are glorifying God, pay attention if you are bearing fruit.
• And to fruit, be planted by water - remain in Christ.
• When you are planted by you will naturally bear fruit.



Are you a disciple of Jesus?

So bear fruit!



• Don´t live for your own personal purposes.
• You were created for the glory of God.
• If you are not pleasing the Lord, it´s time for you to repent.

"Let us acknowledge the Lord; 

let us press on to acknowledge him." Hosea 6:3a

 

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—

continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" Philippians 2:12

• Do not stand! Move on!
• Are you growing? Have you grown?
• Are you moving ahead?
• Why are you coming to church every Saturday?
• Are you developing your spiritual life?
• Thank God, He gives you the opportunity to think of your lifes. Rethink your behavior!
• You must press on acknowledging the Lord to be strengthened enough to face difficulties, against evil.
• You need to experience God´s power in you!
• No other thing will enable you to win!
• No people, no intelligence, no possessions...

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being," Ephesians 3:16

Then you will be able to bear fruit!
Then you will be a true disciple!
Then you will no longer care for earthly things!
Then you will live for the Lord deeply!

 

May 17th

Paul´s Prayer in Colossians 1:9-14

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 1:9-14

 

Paul was praying for those who believed in Jesus.

That prayer fits for us today.

That prayer was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

God Himself is interceding for our lives.

What does God want from me and from you?

Let´s see some aspects of Pau´s prayer!

1.  “To fill you with the knowledge of His will.” (verse 9)

God wants from us to understand His will.

When we understand the will of God for us, we have focus! We have an objective of life! A purpose!

Everything we do, we do for a purpose! Things we do are not in vain!

That´s why you need to know the will of God!

God´s will is not on earthly things! He looks further!

He´s worried about eternity.

Everything must work for the glory of God.

Even your fun time must please Jesus!    

2.  “Through all spiritual wisdom and understanding”

Many people have knowledge but don´t have spiritual wisdom.

Spiritual wisdom helps you to put into practice what you hear.

James 3:13-18:

“ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Spiritual wisdom comes when you humble before the Lord.

Spiritual wisdom is not about yourself and selfish desires, your ambitions.

3.”That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way.”

Are you living a life worthy of Jesus?

When you mention His name, are you worthy of Jesus?

Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This is a life that pleases God.

Romans 8:8-9:

“Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

If you are controlled by the Spirit of God, you please God!

To be continued...

 

 

 

 

May 10

Learning to Love with Mothers

 

•  Genesis 3:20 - The first woman who gave birth
• Judges 4:4-5, 5:7 - The spiritual motherhood. A woman that cares for people inside the churches. Woman that gives love, warmth, love and protection for others.
• 1 Samuel 1:27-28 - A mother that prays, intercedes.
• 1 Samuel 2:19 - A mother that cares for her child in every detail
• 1 Kings 3:16-27 - A mother that gives up her  feelings, desires, anything, in detrimento of the good of her child. She does not think twice before taking a decision in favor of her child
• Luke 2:21-22 - A mother taking her baby to the temple early
• Luke 2:41-42 - A mother teaching the way to her son
• Luke 2:51 - A careful mother. A mother that pays attention.
• Luke 2:34-35 - A mother that suffers a lot because of her son. Remember the mothers that suffer these days with the wrong choices of their children.
• John 2:1-5 - A helpful mother, trying to foresee the needs of her son



Thinking about all these characteristics we find in a mother´s heart, don´t you think you can recognize them in a father´s heart?

These qualities may be recognized in a single person´s heart!

One way or another, you are a little mother!

• Matthew 12:46-50 - Jesus teaches us about this calling to take care of each other. In Him, we are all children, brothers, parents... All together in this great Family!
• The mother figure, with all those qualities, fits well the second commandment Jesus left to us: "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:39
• Mothers love more! They love their children more than themselves.
• Learn from them about love and ask the Holy Spirit to help you on this challenge of loving others!

 

Happy and blessed mothers day!

To all kinds of moms!

 

By Ana.







May 3rd

Judges 8: 18-21

"Then he asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?” "Men like you,” they answered, “each one with the bearing of a prince.” Gideon replied, “Those were my brothers, the sons of my own mother. As surely as the Lord lives, if you had spared their lives, I would not kill you.” Turning to Jether, his oldest son, he said, “Kill them!” But Jether did not draw his sword, because he was only a boy and was afraid. Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’” So Gideon stepped forward and killed them, and took the ornaments off their camels’ necks."

 

Gideon had captured the kings responsible for much misery in Israel and for the killing of his Brothers. He wanted to teach Jéther , taking advantage of the situation to train his son. But Jéther was coward. He shamed his father.

 

• Who are the children of God? John 1:12-13
• God´s children must grow. Ephesians 1:3-5

 

• Our natural development can be compared to our spiritual development... A child tends to think on her own needs and looks to her parentes as her providers. And we do the same, turning to God and asking, and asking, and asking...

 

• And it´s ok... But we must grow. If a child does not grow there must be something wrong. Every father and mother expect their children to grow. So does the Lord! He gives us so many blessings that will help us to evolve.

• Another point where natural and spiritual lives are similar is about knowledge. Sometimes a child receives lots of information but has no chance to practice. And what we don´t experience we tend to forget. If we don´t practice, we don´t evolve. 

 

• There are lots of things concerning God we still need to experience!

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3

• To inherit the Kingdom of God we need to empty ourselves. The smaller we become before the Lord,  bigger we will become.
• Children tend to be selfish. But the Lord teaches us that the blessings we receive are not only just for us... They´re to be shared!

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:7-16

• We must grow up!
• Look back to Jether: he spared the enemies´lives. But if the situation were different, if the kings had Jether tied and kneeling before them, they would not spare his life.
• Exalt the Lord because He cares for you and the enemy cannot touch you, although his desire is to have your life in his hands to destroy you.

So, grow up!

 

Let the Holy Spirit train you! 

Pray also for a church that grows so much that no wall will be able to hold it! 

By Ana