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 !
terça-feira, 24 de março de 2009
sexta-feira, 13 de março de 2009
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".
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:
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 !
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 !
quarta-feira, 11 de março de 2009
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 !
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 !
terça-feira, 10 de março de 2009
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.
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.
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