Nicodemus’ heart revealed

When we start reading the third chapter of the Gospel of John, we see a quite interesting dialogue between Jesus and one of the Jewish religious leaders called Nicodemus.

He went to meet with Jesus at night, because he admired Jesus, but he didn’t want the others to see him talking to Jesus.

We can clearly see that Nicodemus admired Jesus’ lifestyle, Because He preached with authority and power and it also reflected on the way He lived his life.

When can suppose that Nicodemus was tired with his spiritual life and religion, and he wanted something new, a practical faith and relationship with God, instead of a dead religion, based on rules, traditional rountine liturgy that couldn’t lead him to God.

He certainly had questioned why he couldn’t see such great miracles that God had done through normal men like Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha.
(Joshua 24:17, Judges 6:13, Psalms 44:1)

He certainly saw that Jesus was growing up before them like a tender shoot and like a root out of dry ground. (Isaiah 53:2)

For Nicodemus, There was no reason anymore to keep believing in a god tied up on the practice and faith of a dying religion after he saw a Living God being showed through the life of Jesus, That’s why he went to Jesus.

Although we went at night, his fear of being seen with Jesus wasn’t bigger than his thirsty for knowing this living God Whose that humble nazarene rabi so preached, honored and manifested his power, love and mercy.

“Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
(John 3:2)

Jesus knew that Nicodemus felt in his his heart the desire of living faith that way, and he said that in order to see the kingdom of God a person have to be born again.

Nicodemus didn’t understand that, because he associated that with his natural concepts and not with the spiritual ones.

Jesus then explain that we first Born as human beings, but we have to be Born again, as sons of God, through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 9:16-18)

To explain this Born again process, Jesus present two elements: water and the Spirit, which are directly connected to repentance, grace, forgiveness, redemption, adoption as sons of God, a good conscience toward God, santification, a new life in Christ, a desire to serve him and bare fruits and salvation.

The water that symbolizes the baptism, remember a ritual of purification only used for gentiles, but that was done by John the baptist (that prepared the way from Jesus).

It is associated to the desire of a life changing, abandoning sin and getting back to God.
(John 1:19-37, Mattew 3, Mark 16:15-16, acts 2:14-47, Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 6:3-11, colossians 2:8-15, 1Peter 3:11-22).

The Spirit is related to the regeneration produced by the Holy Spirit, a transformation from the flesh nature (sinful and adamic) to the spiritual nature (Holy, according to Jesus Christ) (Romans 5:12-17)

The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13), He takes us from the deceit of the flesh and its fruits and leads us to the truth of the spiritual fruits (Galatians 5:16-25)

And finally, I would like to talk about the main purpose of this conversation: God’s love for the humanity (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-21)

I don’t know if Nicodemus was saved by the mercy of God (before death), or if he became a disciple of Christ after or even if he wasn’t saved, But Jesus wanted him to be saved.

The man who looked for Jesus because of the miracles had to learn that salvation is more important than miracles…

This great love is real, and the Same God still love his creation, and this is the reason for his care for our lives and for Jesus have given his life in the cross, because He loves as more than anything (John 15:12-13, John 10:14-18)

If you have the same desire that Nicodemus had (to know God, to walk with him), I invite you to believe in Christ, and Give your life to Him.

I’m not talking about that religion Jesus that each year born in Christmas and die in the Easter, but in the only way to God, the living Savior, who invites you to look for Him in the scriptures (John 5:39-40).

If you’re already a christian, I wanna remind you how important is to live a real and alive Christianity, beyond having a religion, a set of beliefs, beyond the walls of a temple...

Those things aren’t wrong, but faith isn’t all about these things, faith has be connected to your personal daily life...

We have to look for a constant and honest relationship with God, Loving Him above all things and our neighbor as ourselves , obeying to the Lord and His Word.

May we desire above all things being the way our heavenly father wants us to be: His beloved sons, holy, fruitful, disciples of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Salvation... the most precious gift !

Last week I was reading the bible when I saw a very interesting passage in the book of psalms and it made me think really seriously about the way we've been guiding our life.

The text was Psalms 49, and the part that got my attention was this:

" 16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;

17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him.

18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—
and men praise you when you prosper-

19 he will join the generation of his fathers,
who will never see the light of life .

20 A man who has riches without understanding
is like the beasts that perish."


This text made me think about the great amount of people that are living under the "Gospel of the Prosperity" nowadays...

And I also thought about the modern 'pursuit of fame' fever, which can be seen in the great amount of people willing to participate on reality shows, wanting to be actors, singers, or simply 'famous for at least 15 minutes'...

I was thinking about this and I got to the conclusion that in 100 years it won't matter how rich you were, how famous or acknowledged by your accomplishments you were, it won't help you at all...


" No man can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for him-

the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough -
that he should live on forever
and not see decay."
(Psalms 49:7-9)

Do you want an example of it ?
Solomon !

He was a very rich, wise and famous man, but he saw it was not enough...

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
(Ecclesiastes 1:14)

So, Do You think your happy ?

Good, but remember that your happiness doesn't mean your saved !

You're rich ?

Don't rely on your money to save you !

Salvation is something that only can be achieved by faith...


And faith alone in Jesus Christ !

And this faith have to be strong enough to persevere even when things are difficult, when you're not being very happy, when you're financial situation isn't going well...

" Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God MY SAVIOR."
Habakkuk 3:17-18

I pray that we can say like Paul (the apostle said):

"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 everything through him who gives me strength."
(Philippians 4:12-13)

May God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ !

The trust in the Father's Love

Yesterday I was thinking about the way God shows his glory, love and mercy in the moments we got frustrated for we were expecting Him to act in a different way with his providence and power to change our lives.

I saw that He always is right and has a defined purpose when we doesn't bless us the way we wanted Him to do.

Just like a father, that wants nothing but the best for his son, God knows when we really need something or we just desire that and we certainly could wait some more time.

He knows the right time to bless us, and even if we aren't so ready to receive this blessing as we think we are.

Do You remember that Jesus said that a good father won't give a scorpion to his kid (who was thinking it was an egg) ?

So, God doesn't give us things He knows that won't be good to us (even when we really ask that, thinking it will be the best thing we could ever get) !

For example, what father would be insane to give a car to his 10 years old son ?

Or What father would allow his son to use drugs (just because all his friends say it's cool) ?

So, the Lord showed me that He always proves that "In all things He Works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28)

Knowing these, wouldn't we be wise if we always rely blindly on His grace, endless mercy, eternal love for us, his care for our lives, his always good plans for us ?

People, God loves us ! He is Faithfull !

That must be the reason that Paul the Apostle said: "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 everything through him who gives me strength."

(Philippians 4:11-13)

Trusting this way in God, he could say:

"We live by faith, not by sight."

(2 Corínthians 5:7)

This is the big faith, the one that allows you to keep believing even when things are not good or at least not they way we expected it to be.

When will we ever learn that our faith isn't an instrument that we can use to manipulate God in order to receive what we want ?

Are we believing in God or in an invisible Genius of the Lamp ?

Is Faith just a Lamp for us ?

People say "I have faith I'll get anything I need".

Oh, really ?!? Does the Lord HAVE to Bless you ? Just because you believe ?

Who is the Lord: God or you ?

Faith is a way of salvation and providence in time you need, not a way to receive money, power, good jobs, status...

If You say you have faith when things are good, just wait for the troubles and tribulations to see if you really have it...

This is the way our faith should be:

" Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to go on the heights. ."

(Habakkuk 3:17-19)

May God Bless us and help us to keep believing no matter what happens !

There's something New in the Valley of dry bones

On this Autumn, when I was looking to the effects of this season in the trees, I suddenly realized that the same happens to us when the problems and tribulation come to our lives.

All that green appearance vanish away slowly: the leaves fall and everything start to get gray and sad, so different from the life we used to see before, with the colorful Spring look or the happiness found in the Summer.

From this moment, we know that the Winter is coming soon, right after this Autumn and the things may get a little bit worse.

We always knew that problems and tribulations make people lose their hearts and became apathetic, drawn, weak, but now we start to feel it !

In spite of everything getting so cold and dead, there is still some powerful hope: As the Winters always have an end, these problems also will have one soon.

If you are in the valley, don’t let the dryness that comes from the incredulity and conformism kill you slowly, be strong in the hope that soon the wind who gave live to those dry bones in the valley will blow upon your life (Ezekiel 37), and the winter will finally end.

If you continue looking to your life with carnal eyes, the problems will continue being dry and dead bones, nothing else !

The secret is to look by the eyes of the One who is the most interested in blessing and changing lives !

WE HAVE TO LIVE BY FAITH IN THE POWER, LOVE AND MERCY OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER !

ENOUGH OF SUFFERING ALONE AND STRUGGLING BY OURSELVES, ENOUGH OF USING THE PROBLEMS AS KNIVES AGAINST OURSELVES !

WHY SHOULD YOU REAFFIRM ON AND ON THAT YOU ARE UNEMPLOYED, LONELY, WITH PROBLEMS IN YOUR MARRIAGE ?

THAT DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING, START WALKING AND LIVING BY FAITH !

GOD WANTS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, TO TAKE YOU OUT OF THE VALLEY OF THE DRY BONES, WIPE AWAY THE TEARS FROM YOUR FACE, CALL YOU HIS SON AND SAY: “ DIDN’T I SAY TO YOU THAT IT WOULD WORTH TO BELIEVE THAT I WOULD NEVER LET YOU DOWN, BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE YOU ?"

GOD IS READY TO BLESS YOU, ARE YOU READY TO BELIEVE AND TAKE SOME STEPS BY FAITH ?

FAITH IS TO BELIEVE IN THE UNBELIEVABLE, TO SEE THE INVISIBLE AND RECEIVE THE IMPOSSIBLE !

May God bless you !

Our Life seen through the lens of eternity !

I've once listened to a song that said something like this: "If I find in myself desires nothing in this world could satisfy, I can only conclude that I was not made for here".

While I was reflecting about this deep paradoxal verse (that sometimes seems to be easy to be reached or understood, but sometimes seems to be so distant and
utopical), I remembered that the Bible says God has put the desire for the eternity into the man's heart. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

This eternity that was so close to Adan and Eve, but it was taken away from them, when their desire to be like God appeared.

Sometimes I think in the ancient phrase "there is an empty space in our souls that only can be fulfiled by God", many people think it's only an impact phrase, something really metaphorical, an evangelical jargon.

But I'm sure this phrase true, and as we had seen a few minutes ago, it's biblical correct ! (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

If we think a little about the constant and endless human souls' desires (happiness, money, love, pleasure, self accomplishment, acknowledgement, friendship, success...), WE WILL DEFINITELY SEE THAT THEY COULD NEVER BE COMPLETELY FULFILED, Doesn't matter how rich you are, you may want something more, and if you are already happy, you may want money and success.

Who could ever say that has achieve all his dreams and projects?

and if there is such person, ask him how he would like living an extra 500 years life bonus...

So this person would keep desiring more and more, never achiving full inner peace.

Maybe that is why the Bible says:

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it.
You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight.
You do not have, because you do not ask God.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. "
(James 4:1-3)

Are we so dumb and stubborn to not understand that we could never fulfil the desire for the eternity with cars, houses, and other material stuff, earthly dreams and empty projects ?

This empty space in our souls is way to big to be fulfiled with temporary thrash !

Avoiding it will only cause discouragement, fatigue, hopelessness and frustration...

The sooner whe realize that " my soul thirsts for the Lord", the sooner we will give up fight like a man beating the air, trying to quench an eternal thirsty with the temporary water of human hope, dreams and desires.

Jesus once said: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him"
(John 7:37-38)

Biologically speaking, the human body perish and dies without water, Spiritually speaking, the problem is the same...

Our souls need the streams of living water !

Let the rivers of the Holy Spirit flow in your life.

If we guide our lives by the lens of the eternity, how realized, full of purpose and joy it will be !

But if we let the earthly vision guide us, and the pride, the greed, the carnal pleasures say what our priorities are, it will turn us into human flesh sinful-minded puppets, fulfiled with all the rot things of this world, really miserables !

Do you wanna start putting your life in the eternal domain ?

So, let's start:

Imagine this: "On 1000 years, Will it matter how much money you got, how rich you were, and how famous you were ?"

Ok, you think 1000 years is way too much time ?

So just think that from the day you die, you will begin to see what was worthy and how temporary things have no value after death...

That's because after dead you enter in the eternity domain, and you may be way too poor there, even if you were the richest man on earth.

Do You want to know what the essence of seeing life through eternal lens is ?

Death is the most undeniable truth in the world,and it can't be avoided for anyone (rich or poor), and it will automatically lead you to eternity.

You better be prepared for that !

Jesus said:
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?"
(John 11:25-26)

May God bless you in Jesus' name !

Faith for our Lives !

Well, Since the purpose of this blog is to talk about the christian Life, I think it's a good idea to make a little reflection about faith.

First of all, What exactly is faith ?

Many people claim to know exactly what faith is, and we also can see many different definitions
of faith around the world, but the truth is that many people think that faith is all about beliefs and opinions or even rituals, superstitions, devotions, habits, and many other things.

But the best definition I've ever seen can be found in the Bible, which tell us in Hebrews 11 that: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".

Based on that perfect definition, let's analise the nature of this faith, that not only know that God exists, but that really is a strong faith, that which cannot be shaken (Psalms 125:1), one that has the power to defeat the world (1John 5:4).

The nature of faith

As we have just seen in Hebrews 11.1, faith isn't based on the 5 humans senses, and not exclusively on the human reason, because faith is independent of the natural world, it is a spiritual force, God himselfs gives it to His Sons.
(Ephesians 2:8-9,Romans 10:17, Romans 4:17-21, Romans 8:24-25, 1Corinthians 2.9-10, 1Corinthians 2.14-15, 2 corinthians 5:7);

Faith does not depends on reason, neither emotion or even situations.

In 2Corinthians 5:7, The Bible says: “for we walk by faith, not by sight”, and in this same
Epistle (Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians' Church), we can see the confirmation of that:

"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" (IICorinthians 3:4-5).

That shows us 2 things, the first is that Through Christ in get the confidence, at the same way,
for ourselves we could only get what we see and walk by sight, but by faith (in Christ) we walk
before God, and we can trust in God whatever be the situation like or what mind (or even people) tell us.

In the Gospel of Mark, in the Chapter 9, verse 23, Jesus confirms that, and He shows us why we must Trust in God:
" 'If you can'? said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.”

But where does all this sure comes from? How does the fact of only believing can guarantee all
this powerful possibility? The Answer for these questions can be found at the Gospel of Luke, that says: "For nothing is impossible with God". (Luke 1.37)

- Where does Faith comes from?

The Bible tell us in Romans 10:17 “So then faith come by hearing, and hearing by the Word of
God”.

The word of God is the Truth (John 17.17), and when we believe that God's promisses are true, we acquire confidence in the mid of tribulations, and then Hope.

For God does not lie, and If he says something, He surely will make it, and He won't regret of
his Promisses, because "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should
change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
(Numbers 23:19).

And The bible is the Word of God (Matthew 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 , 2Timothy 3.16,
2Peter 1:19-21).

Faith changing power in men's life

Through Faith, we begin our spiritual journey in the direction of our Creator,Who "has set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecclesiastes 3:11), so He left in our soul a path to be curious of finding the way back to Him.

The the Bible also talks about the journey that God took in our direction, showing His Love, mercy and Grace, and preparing a way of adoption and redemption Through His Only Son:" For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."(John 3:16).

The ticket for this Way comes from Faith, for the Word of God says "for Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13)

In the Gospel of John, we also see that "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent,nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."(John 1:11-13).

When a Person starts on this way, He begins to be transformed from creature to God's Son,
Receiving forgiveness for all his sins (1John 1:7-9), a Counselor for the Journey (John 14:16) , the best friend he could ever find (John 15:13), the best advocate (1John 2:1-2), and a new home in heaven (John 14:1-2)...

So, for all these reasons, I invite you today to throw away your skepticism, incredulity, and faithlessness, and Believe in the Word of God, Calling on His name, and Inviting Him to make part of your life and change your History, because:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
(2Corinthians 5:17)

May God bless you all, In the Name of Jesus !

HOPE: We definitely need a bigger one !

In the last months We have seen how fragile the economy structure of this world is, and how it really has frightened a lot of people.

Although we enjoy all the benefities of living in a globalized world, we can't deny that globalization gave the economic crisis the status of an international disaster, almost like a plague to the whole world.

While the richest men on earth just got a little less rich, the average men lost (or are really afraid to loose) their jobs, and the poor's situation is even worst.

I don't know what caused all these problems, neither I intend to talk about economy.

I just want to reflect (and guide people to do the same) about faith, trust and hope.

First of all, I can see this crisis as an opportunity to people to think about where they have put their trust: In God in the money (and financial stability) ?

That reminds of the words of Jesus Christ about this (Matthew 6:24), do you remember that ?

Who are you serving: God or mammon (money) ?

If you answered mammon, you are really honest, and you may want to change this situation or you really don't care about it.

If you serve mammon and don't care about God at all, you'll have to accept this whole situation (like a puppet), as a slave of something you thought you were the master.

And I'd like to tell you one more thing: No matter how rich you are, eventually you are going to die and no money on earth could save you from it.

You chose to live a life without hope and faith, so do you know what can happen to you ?

A- You could turn into nothing (as you believe so) and someone else will spend all your money, and in a few years no one will remember of you.

B- You are going to hell unless you repent from your life of independence and rebellion against God.

As Blaise Pascal once said:

" Either Christianity is true or it's false...

...If you bet that it's true, and you believe in God and submit to Him, then if it IS TRUE, you've gained God, heaven, and everything else.

If it's false, you've lost nothing, but you've had a good life marked by peace and the illusion that ultimately, everything makes sense.

If you bet that Christianity is not true, and it's false, you've lost nothing.
But if you bet that it's false, and it turns out to be true, you've lost everything and you get to spend eternity in hell."

For those who said that serve God, Why are you so afraid of this crisis ?

Isn't the Lord your Shepherd ? (Psalm 23:1)

So He takes care of you ! (Matthew 25:32)

I could only talk about the necessary hope for waiting for the better days to come, but I don't think it would be enough to describe hope, for it's way beyond this.

The true hope exceed the limits of this life !

The Word of God says: " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:18-21)

And about Hope, The Lord says in His Word that " For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
(Romans 8:24-25)

So I'll finish this reflection exhorting you to keep believing in the Lord, not only for the provisions and needs of this life, but waiting for the eternal life.

Trust in the Word of God and not on the rumours that only have been causing fear and which the main purpose is to shake people's trust, Because The Lord says: " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."
(Luke 21:33-34 )

Don't Forget that Jesus said: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

Make sure you built your life on the rock and not on the sand ! (Matthew 7:24-27)

May the Lord bless you in the name of Jesus !

The beginning

Well, First of all, I'd like to explain the purpose of this Blog, that is to publish texts and reflections about the daily Christian Life.

At first, I'll be translating some of my texts from another blog, because they have been written in portuguese for a long time.

So, the main objetive will be to help people think about their lives, actions, and the paths they have been walking, and through this get their life improved by knowing the Word of God.

I want to dedicate this Blog to Jesus Christ, The Author e finisher of our faith, The One who died for me for I may live the life He conquered to me.

I hope this blog may be a God's Instrument in the lives of those who read this reflections, that don't have the pretension to be absolute truths, but just the words of a person who is walking by faith, seeking Christ, and trying to be his disciple.

This will be my desire and my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ.

May God Bless you all.