Prayer and work

N Chapters 1 and 2 of the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah learned of the situation they found the people of Israel, so he wept and lamented much. Raised his prayer to God and cried out for mercy to those who loved him and keeping his commandments.

The people had been separated - some were in exile, others in the province. Nehemiah also made ​​it clear that the error stemmed from the very people who had transgressed the word of God. In his prayer he says to God that in spite of sins, they were still his servants and the people who had been rescued with great power by his mighty hand.

Nehemiah used his influence with the king Ataxerxes to get rebuilt, along with the people, the walls of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed. By achieving the authorization cards and that he be allowed to come into Judah, because the good hand of God was with him, Nehemiah encourages the people to rebuild the walls and the work begins.

With these passages we see the importance of unity and cooperation so that a proposal is carried out. The people of Israel suffered the consequences of their sins and that God is not delighted. Nehemiah, suffering by the people who lost the companionship of God, prayed and asked for mercy. When people join to rebuilding the city walls, we see their willingness to serve God.

Today, we have the same duty that Nehemiah, to maintain our strength in the foot, which is the word of God.

If the work of spreading the word and spiritual growth of Christians are weakening, we, like Nehemiah, pray to God, acknowledging sin that part of ourselves and we know the eternal promise. We must join forces with the congregation to not overshadow the work and remain abandoned, as was the case during the decades before the return of Nehemiah, the city walls of Jerusalem.

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About struggles, praise

Today let's talk about fighting for I know that the fight is great but I have faith that God is already preparing your victory, just trust and follow.

In the Lord's time everything will be alright, even if the fight was great but your God is greater trust and your victory will be larger, have faith and believe.

When it's something to think about fighting in your life remember that God loves you and was on the cross so you could be here so praise Him, thank every single day that you get out of your bed and see the sun, another day, as many did not rise to see this beautiful day that God is allowing you to see, has been a miracle in your life!

Do not complain because our words have power and everything planted, harvested. Plant good things, so you can reap wonderful things.

About struggles, praise!

If the fight is great praise, know that God is with you at all times.

God allows struggles to come over your life and allowed Job's struggles in life but in the end will be a great victory.

You may be humbled now but God will exalt you then do not give up amidst the struggle, do not stop fighting.

God will never forsake his child and let that be ashamed and helpless.

Keep strong and God will give you victory, even harder to continue with the struggle for thy blessing will be great. What do you think about fighting ? Review, God bless you!

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You are not alone!

S and you sometimes think about why he is still trying to live as a Christian, you're not alone. If you occasionally feel you are not making much progress in their spiritual growth, you're not alone.

If you often think that no one else seems to be struggling with the problems the way you are, you're not alone. If you feel the temptation to give up, you're not alone. Many Christians sometimes feel the same way.

There are many things that discourage Christians. Sometimes we become restless with these trials (using the language of Paul - 1 Thessalonians 3:3, where he comments on the chase).

Our own failures may serve to discourage us. The size of some of the spiritual and moral challenges we face can be overwhelming for us. Sometimes Christians are simply "overcome" the difficulties of life that even people in the world face.

Some get discouraged when they are reprimanded by others, even when the rebuke is deserved. The sins of other Christians, especially the hypocrisy, can make us discouraged.
We need to remember several things to not give up. The apostle Peter said to his readers "not strange concerning the fiery trial which is among you" (1 Peter 4:12). Indeed, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).

The afflictions are still true and often difficult, but should not be unexpected. And do not forget: we have the example of Jesus to encourage us (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Those who suffer from personal problems or weakness of character often think that nobody else has similar difficulties. They look at the other brothers and see the calm exterior, but not the internal difficulties.

We can not justify our own weakness, the weakness of others, but we must also recognize that others are in the same battle against the flesh that we are.Regardless of what kind of temptation we face, there is something uniquely ours (1 Corinthians 10:12).

We understand the wisdom of the admonition of James: "Confess your sins to one another" (5:16). We can not just pray for each other, but we also learn of our common challenges against evil.

We must remember that God has promised to empower us through His Word, to give us everything we need for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He gave us brothers, although imperfect, to encourage us (Acts 28:15, Hebrews 10:24-25).

Finally, we must take courage from the fact that God does not abandon his children. The same love which moved the Father to send His Son to die on a Roman cross is even more certain to continue to justify and sanctify those who responded to his offer of grace (Romans 5:5-10).

David faced Goliath with courage, even as a young shepherd carrying only a sling and five smooth stones. He knew that God was with him. You are not alone!

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Zacchaeus

Anyone who has climbed a tree? How long have you do not climb a tree?Usually, children climb trees. Few adults usually do that. Do when they are desperate, or when in leisure time or reliving their childhood.  Luke 19:1-10

Today salvation has come to (V, 9).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ comes down to proclaim that Jesus Christ came to seek and save what was lost.The day that salvation came into our homes, or day that salvation will come in your house will be a day that marks the history of their lives.

Jesus makes reference to that: "This man (Zacchaeus) is also the son of Abraham. This is fantastic! A man hitherto sinner has a new life.

In this context, salvation refers to inner health, salvation of the soul. He is the son of Abraham. The blessings of the covenant God made with Abraham and those who called themselves "children of Abraham" (Gal. 3:7). Salvation came in the house of Zacchaeus not by the blood he had inherited, but because of his faith.

Change of Life (V.8).  Zacchaeus had something popularly called "change of life." Look at some of his words:

"I'm giving half of my possessions to the poor." "If the cheated anybody out of anything, I restore fourfold."

He decided to give half his possessions to the poor, and did not try to keep the other part, but it uses the rest to do good (or repair what he had done.

Zacchaeus knew who he "should". We can clearly see that even though he has a second life that was not what God had taught, he was willing to try, and with that comes a challenge:
Winning people (V.7):  The people saw this and began to complain. Often this is so, we hear that someone is in the church and soon after heard anything bad about her: "He was a thief and is now in the church." The bad thing is that when they speak directly to the person: "You're in the church to steal it?" As in the story of Zacchaeus, many people have been converted and restored many of them have their way of living to please God.

The people are a barrier to be overcome.  In other stories we see that the people (crowd) was on the way and often hindered the search for what people were doing.

Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus, and nothing stopped him (vs. 3 and 4). For him, mingling with the crowd was something that required courage. What we were and in some cases still are, hinders us to be like Zacchaeus. If we think: "If I change, my friends and relatives think of me?" We run the risk of never truly we change.

In Jesus, Zacchaeus met a new friend. And we also found a friend in Christ, and that can change our lives.

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Do you feel esteemed by God?

Isaiah 66.2 NOT MY HANDS did all these things, and so came into being?

QUESTION THE LORD.

THIS Esteem: the humble and contrite of spirit, who trembles at My Word.

God grants His mercy to the humble, but curses the proud and self-sufficient (see Luke 51-53).

Our society encourages us to assertiveness and self-assertion. Do not allow your freedom of choice and their right to take his life away from the path of God, which leads to eternal life. (Bible study personal application) One of the good things in this life, is able to feel the appreciation of family and friends about us.

He who does not feel loved by family and friends, becomes a lonely, sad, abandoned and rejected. If it's great to be esteemed by men, imagine being the target of the esteem of God, one who is the creator of all things and supreme king of the universe. It is the glory! We turn to the biblical text and see whom God values, "the humble and contrite of spirit, who trembles at My Word."

HUMBLE: Humility is precious in the eyes of God (1 Peter 3.4) - reveals that more grace is given to those who have (Psalm 25.9 - Tg 4.6) - keeps the soul in peace and contentment (Ps. 69.32,33), and generates patience and endurance in times of great misfortune (Job 1:21).

Jesus gave us the great example of humility (Phil. 2:6 to 8). The greatest promise of happiness are made to the humble (Ps. 147.6 - is 57.15 - 05.05 Mt - 1 Peter 5:5). (Bíblianet) The glorious Word of God, leaves no doubt. God values the meek. His grace is poured in a heart that judges are not self-sufficient, rather than put all their trust in Almighty God. The humble, you know that depends entirely on God.

contrite spirit: For the humble and repentant, the Lord God had a gracious promise: He who dwells in the "high and holy place," personal habits "with the contrite and humble spirit ". "Contrite" refers to anyone who feels oppressed by sin and seeking liberation from this bondage. (See Isaiah 57:15) (Pentecostal study Bible) When we recognize our miserable condition of the sinner, repenting of our sins , and leaving aside the sinful pleasures of this world, we become of by God.

FOR REFLECTION: Do you feel esteemed by God?

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Stealing God's word

Roubar sin is a plaintive, mournful quoted with other sins. Those who commit such sins will not inherit the kingdom of God.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God " (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) .

A person can rob God of holding what is God's by right - neglecting to give as prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Malachi 3:8-10).

A person can even steal the word of God. God made this accusation against the prophets of Judah, "Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one to his fellow" (Jeremiah 23:30). They took the word of God taught by his own word to the people instead of teaching the word of God.

This continues today. Christ, with all authority in heaven and on earth, clearly said, "Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). When someone teaches salvation by faith alone, it robs people of what Jesus actually spoke. Jesus said, "He that believeth ..." [but he did not stop here] "... and is baptized shall be saved. " teach that baptism is not essential to salvation is to make the same mistake for which God condemned the prophets of Judah
The letter of James in the New Testament, presented enormous difficulties for Luther because of his concept of salvation by faith alone. He called it an epistle of straw. She still gives enormous problems for advocates of the doctrine of Luther, as James said, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone " (James 2:24).

Paul said, "Let him that stole steal no more: but labor, working with his hands what is good, so you have to respond to that need" (Ephesians 4:28). If this is good advice in relation to material matters, let alone in spiritual matters when millions and millions of people in every generation need of salvation!

Do not steal the lost world in the word of the Son of God who tells them what to do to be saved from sin and its dire consequences.
Do not forget what God said to the false prophets of Judah: "Behold, I am again

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Ministração Brasil

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The necessity of water baptism

The role of water baptism in the salvation of people is very easy to understand. The apostle Peter told his listeners on the Day of Pentecost were "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). As baptism is "for the remission of sins" , it is absolutely necessary for salvation.

Some argue, however, that the baptism of Acts 2:38 is actually the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not water baptism. There are several difficulties associated with this view.

Jesus promised his apostles that he would send the Holy Spirit, also described as "the Comforter" and "the Spirit of truth" , after ascending to heaven. After his resurrection, Jesus commanded the apostles to stay in Jerusalem to await the promise (Acts 1:4-5). They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit baptism that occurred on the Day of Pentecost, which could be seen when they spoke in tongues (2:1-4). The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not given to men, or any other man baptized with the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised, not commanded. Came "straight from heaven."

In Acts 2:38, however, Peter did not tell his listeners "waiting" by baptism, the baptism of Acts 2:38 was ordained. Why Peter commanded baptism to be baptized in Acts 2:38 was the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Certainly his listeners did not control the Holy Spirit. What good would ordain the apostles to be baptized? The baptism of Acts 2:38 is one that they could seek and receive in obedience, rather than one given to them in accordance with the will of the Holy Spirit.

The nature of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was again illustrated in Acts 10 when the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his house (verses 44 and 47). They were not seeking this baptism was administered in the sky. Then Peter commanded Cornelius and his household were baptized in the name of the Lord - the baptism of the Great Commission.

On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were fulfilling the great commission as was given to them by Jesus. He said: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). He was ordained the apostles to baptize these listeners, so the baptism was ordained, not promised. It makes sense that the baptism of Acts 2:38 would be the same as the baptism of the Great Commission.

Does anyone believe that the baptism of the Great Commission is the baptism with the Holy Spirit? In Mark's account, Jesus connects the Great Commission baptism and salvation through faith -"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ..." (16:16). The baptism of the Great Commission is placed before salvation, and is a condition for salvation. The baptism of Acts 2:38 is on the way to salvation, it is "for the remission of sins"

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Serpents and Doves

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

Serpentes and doves - two creatures with little in common. And yet, in the development of our character, we should be "how" they are in some respects. It's a good paradox, is not it? Much of the character of Christian is a paradox.

For example:

We should control our tongues (James 3:1-12) but also be bold in speech (Ephesians 6:20). There is no virtue in a language that is uncontrolled or daring in a language that is so controlled that it is never daring. Our languages need a "daring controlled" for both publicly rebuke sin (Galatians 2:11-21) and particularly (Matthew 18:15). Although the consequences may be unpleasant (Mark 6:16-18), we must speak boldly, and when the situation requires, our languages should be straightforward bold (Matthew 23:15). The fear of saying the wrong thing should not prevent us from saying the right thing (Matthew 10:26-27). Silence does not always reflect wisdom, sometimes it just shows cowardice.

The humility of Paul (1 Corinthians 15:9) and at the same time, their confidence (2 Timothy 4:7-8) exemplify another paradox. Humility should not create timidity but confidence should not lead to arrogance. The humility will keep us aware of our own weaknesses but should never cause hesitation in pointing out sin in the lives of others (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). We are humbled that we run the risk of making mistakes in opinions and understandings of truth, but we are confident that there are certain things of which we are sure that can not be compromised (Galatians 2:5).

The virtue of patience (Galatians 5:22) has to be balanced by intolerance (Colossians 2:4,8,16,18). The need is patience as we try to progress to maturity, but intolerance is accurate when progress does not happen and goals are not met (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14). It's one thing to suffer with sinners as they try to overcome sin, but tolerate sin is completely different (Revelation 2:15-16, 20-21).

Surely we should care what others think of us (Matthew 5:13-16), but at the same time, we care little about the way we evaluate (Galatians 1:10). The virtue of living to influence others (Philippians 2:12-16) can so easily become addicted to living to please others (Galatians 2:11-21).

Some are likely "by nature" to be "like snakes" or "doves" and the devil uses our "natural inclinations" to cause an unbalanced character. He would emphasize what is easy and does not emphasize what is not. As a result we often go to extremes: a person falsely believes that sophisticated people "educated" avoid talking about bold, confident pronouncements, intolerance of sin and conduct that may "offend" others, or a realist who is abusive in speech , arrogant, intolerant and unconcerned with what others may think.

The development of a balanced character but paradoxically does not come quickly (Hebrews 5:12 - "elapsed time" ) or easy (1 Corinthians 9:25 - "to dominate" ), but there are no shortcuts to reach maturity

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The man lacked one thing

H avia a remarkable man who came to Jesus one day to see how he could go to heaven. It looked like a man who longed for life right with God. Although he had led a life of good quality, within the moral standards and decency and was a kind man, he realized he still had something. He recognized that Jesus could meet this need and wished much better.

Jesus told the man that he lacked only one thing. He needed to sell all he had to give income to the poor and follow him. "But he countered with this word, he went away sad, because he owned much property" (Mark 10:22).

It is clear that the man really wanted to go to heaven, but was not willing to pay such a high price. The reaction of this man to Jesus' answer shows that Jesus was right in diagnosing your problem. No doubt he loved his possessions more than God, and no one can go to heaven without loving God above all things.

Consider some important points:

The good men, honest, good moral and humble will be lost if you love anything more than God.

Love pulls no punches. Jesus loved the man, but told him frankly what I needed to hear.

Only one thing can lead us to destruction, if we love it more than God.

Jesus told us to open up what?

Do we love our stuff more than God? (It's easy to saywe love God more than our possessions). Or is there a person, a pleasure, a target, an addiction ... I love more than God?

Many go away sad. The gospel is demanding. Jesus urged men to estimate the cost. Few truly love God more than anything, and therefore, few actually follow Christ.

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