Poupe a vida dele! / Save his life!

Vem do Senhor a autorização dada a Satanás para afligir os escolhidos do Senhor: "O Senhor disse a Satanás: Pois bem, ele (Jó) está em suas mãos; apenas poupe a vida dele"(Jó 2.6)

A Bíblia não poderia ser mais clara sobre quem é que manda na criação. Ao narrar a vida épica de Jó, desde o princípio o autor do livro explicita a realidade da soberania do Senhor sobre tudo e sobre todos. Pois bem, uma das mentiras prediletas de Satanás é sugerir aos cristãos que, de vez em quando, o Guarda de Israel cai no sono. E que, nestas horas, não há quem possa ajudar contra as maldades do mundo.

As provações de Jó sempre foram sob medida. E estritamente determinadas pelo Senhor. Nem mais, nem menos. O ensino, neste contexto, é que nossas provações também ocorrem sob medida. Estritamente permitidas pelo Senhor. Nem mais, nem menos. Por isso, a Bíblia diz que devemos dar graças a Deus, quando parecer que passamos por "muitas provações": elas são provas da soberania do Senhor e da providência amorosa do Senhor. "Poupe a vida dele!"

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Comes from the Lord the authorization given to Satan to afflict the chosen of the Lord: "The Lord said to Satan: Well, he (Job) is in your hands, only save his life" (Job 2.6)

The Bible could not be clearer about who is the master in the creation. To narrate the epic life of Job, since the principle author of the book explains the reality of the sovereignty of the Lord of all and for all. Well, one of the favorites lies of Satan is to suggest to Christians who, from time to time, the Guard in Israel falls asleep. And that, in these hours, there are those who can help against the evil deeds of the world.

The trials of Job have been tailored. Is strictly determined by the Lord. No more, no less. The teaching in this context is that our trials are also under measure. Strictly allowed by the Lord. No more, no less. Therefore, the Bible says we should give thanks to God, when we view that as "many trials": they are evidence of the sovereignty of the Lord and the Lord's loving providence. "Save his life!"

Créditos pela tradução do texto: Marcos André Samuel.

Be Used X Be Approved / Ser Usado X Ser Aprovado

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I will not only be used by God. I want to be approved! You may be alarmed with this statement. Continue reading and let me explain it better.

There is a difference between being used by God and be approved by God. It is a difference so big that must be scary. Matthew 7:21-23 shows us a scene where Jesus is a dialogue with people who were used to perform miracles and wonders in the name of Jesus. Carefully read every word, even if you already know the text. Remember that the information it contains is the treasure hidden in this passage so is little preached.

"Not everyone who tells me: Lord, Lord! Enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say me that day: Lord, Lord, we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name are expelled demons? And in thy name we have not done many wonders? And then they shall openly: you never know me; get away from me, you engaged in wrongdoing. "

Maybe your first reaction is: "Oh, I know this text" (this is the mistake of many Christians these days). But Jesus, speaking to the disciples, said that this scene happens. And the scarier: Jesus did not speak that some will tell you this. He said that many, that day, about your question you made, using as argument the fact of having been used by God.

And what this has to do with musicians, singers, visual artists, dancers, among others, that use forms of art to worship God? Sometimes you are ministering to the heart of God, whether playing, singing or any other way, already cited. And you can see the act of God. You can feel the move of the Holy Spirit.

Maybe you are doing something and seeing people being blessed, healed, and restored. And then you go away thinking: "What a blessing! God has used me". But the fact that God has used you (in case a vessel, channel for the Holy Spirit), does not mean that all is well within your heart! Unfortunately this is the truth and not knows a clearer way of saying it. Be used not be approved. You might think: "But God does not use a pot that is not holy!" God used Pharaoh! He said the use to raise his name and show His Glory!

God used Nebuchadnezzar! God used Balaam of the famous mule! So yes God USES! You also must have heard stories where people unbelievers, unfair, are 'used' by God to even talk to 'Christians' who unfortunately have not given ear to God. USA unbelievers God! God who He wants to USA!

The text of Matthew is the unquestionable fact that those people have been used by God. They worked many miracles. They cured. And it was not the same name. It was in the Mighty Name of Jesus. And those who were healed, receiving miracles, release of evil spirits by the power of God was richly blessed. And perhaps left thinking: 'Wow! Guy is a blessing! God used in my life that I was released, cured, etc '. Again, be used by God does not mean that your heart is right before the Holy Spirit, who sees everything and everything probe.

When God USES and people are blessed, it is never because of you, because you 'prayed enough,' 'fasted enough', etc ... Where is for two reasons: first because He is faithful to His Word, and second, by mercy of the people to whom you minister, he honor those who are there to get thirsty for God! We pastors, ministers, etc, which are tremendously used by God and finding out the most anointed! God has hammered this word in my mind: I mean BE USED NOT BE APPROVED.

I believe that when we adopted, we are consequently used by God, we are leading a straight life before the eyes of the Lord. But the opposite is not always true. Be used not to say that we approved. Paulo in his letter to Timothy, let a board extremely wise and useful to our lives today. He did not say that Timothy was present to God as someone used.

He said: "Look you submit to God APPROVED as laborer who does not have to be ashamed ..." (II Tm. 2:15).

Therefore conclude by saying that I would not only be used for blessing the lives of others, using the precious Name of Jesus to perform miracles, and the last day to hear: "Get away from me". This is not the phrase you want to hear from God. And I know that my attitudes outside 'spotlights and lights', when nobody sees me, that will determine the response we received from God. I want to hear: "Well you are good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a little, you put on too, enter the joy of thy lord "(Mt 25:23).

And to be adopted, we must follow in the footsteps of Jesus, go to our cross every day and load it, living in a manner worthy of the name you carry. "If someone wants to come after me, deny it to yourself and take up his cross daily and follow me "(Lc. 9:23).

May the Lord bless and print these words in your heart thirsty!

Créditos pela tradução do texto: Marcos André Samuel.

Building Bridges / Construindo Pontes

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It is said that, once, two brothers who lived in nearby farms, separated only by a creek, came into conflict.

It was the first major disagreement on a whole life working side by side, sharing the tools and taking care of each other.

For years they traveled a narrow road that followed along the river to the end of each day, can pass through and enjoy the company of one another. Despite the fatigue, were walking with pleasure, as they loved each other.

But now everything has changed. What started with a small misunderstanding finally exploded in an exchange of harsh words, followed by weeks of total silence.
In morning, the older brother heard somebody beat your door. When he opened it noticed a man with a box of carpenter tools in hand.

I'm looking for work, he said. You may have a small service that I can run.

Yes! - Said the farmer - of course I have a job for you. See that farm beyond creek. It is my neighbor. In fact, my young brother. We fight more and I can not bear it.

- See that pile of wood near the barn? I want you to build a high fence along the river so I do not need see anymore.

I think I understand the situation - said the carpenter. Show me where the nails and the tools are and I will leave you satisfied.

How the older brother needs to go to the city, he helped the carpenter to find the material and left.

The man worked hard during all that day measuring, cutting and preaching. Already was nightfall when finished his work.

The farmer came from his trip and his eyes could not believe what they saw. There was no fence!

Instead of the fence there was a bridge which linked the two shores of the creek.

It was a beautiful work, but the farmer was hungry and said: you were very bold building this bridge after all I told you.

However, the surprises were not finished.

When looking back to the bridge, he saw his brother approaching from the other side, running with open arms.

Remained immobile for a moment of your side of the river. But suddenly, a single impulse, he ran toward the other and hugged his brother crying in the middle of the bridge.

The carpenter who was building with his box of tools started to leave when the brother asked him excited: "Wait! Stay with us a few more days."

And the carpenter replied: "I love being, but unfortunately, I have many more bridges to build."

And you, you need a carpenter, or is able to build your own bridge to get closer with those who broke contact with you?

Think about it and get the peace of God (John 14:27)

Créditos pela tradução do texto: Marcos André Samuel.

To miss is human, judging is sin

To miss is human, judging is sin / Errar é humano, julgar é pecado.

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First of all let me make clear that this comment with my aim is not to judge anyone, much less condemn nor defend "things wrong". But I would like to express my feelings on a very human thing: the error.

As is said an old saying, "To err is human." If we look at the passage of John 8.1-11, text that mentions the story of the adulterous woman, we see that even the Lord in his sovereignty condemned the error committed by her. For those who do not know the story, the woman mentioned was handling in adultery. Consequently, she was taken up to the presence of Jesus by scribes and Pharisees, who demanded a verdict of the Lord so that they could punish her. The men waited for Jesus to condemn, but the Lord in his wisdom made the following words to the subject: "[...] He who is without sin among you be the first to throw her the rock. "(Jo 8.7).

Is it interesting to see that the same God who can judge and condemn, forgive and preferred to give the possibility that woman could have her life transformed? So God always gives us the opportunity to fix our mistakes and repent of what we did.

During our life we see the mistakes of others, but maybe we are forgetting to look at ours? When we are surprised by the scandals and failures committed by others, as our leaders, friends, family, we condemn them or give then a second chance? Obviously I am not here defending the error, it should be tried and given it the proper punishment, according to the law of men or of God. What we should see is our attitude in front of these events.

I speak this for myself, how many times I found judging the mistakes of others? I have learned to look at the mistakes of others as a warning. Instead of being criticized, speaking evil, I looked at my life and asked God what I can do to not make the same mistakes of those people. Thinking that we are subject to fall in a mistake. God speaks of himself in his Word Corinthians 10:12: "He, therefore, thinks that is standing, sees to doesn’t fall." The trial is subtle, so we must be vigilant.

Another point to be taken into account is the facts that when we believe we are certainly judging we are going to be judged the same way. It fact, if we planted we spoon. So the criticism should be constructive, not destructive. Whoever planted trial for his life? Who is free from mistakes? You? I? Nobody is. We need to return to God and stop looking for men. We need to have a humble heart, we need to forgive and learn from our brothers, whether in error or in advice. Of course we should not listen to everything, but if the teaching comes from God we must seize it. I know it is not easy to deal with our mistakes, especially when we are confronted, but it is worth reflection.

Dear brother (a) if you have acted this way, judging others, yet they are wrong, maybe God is giving you a chance to repent and change their attitude.

We managed to overcome any obstacle misuse of character. We humans, we have several difficulties, but God is happy to teach us, because people more than he wants to see clean, walking as Christ walked?

The Lord Jesus taught and continues to shape our character.

Créditos pela tradução do texto: Marcos André Samuel.