Baptism in water is a starting point for those who truly want to start a new life with the Lord Jesus.

After the resurrection, the Lord Jesus taught His disciples about its importance by giving them a clear command: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16.15,16

The meaning of baptism in water - In the same way that the burial of a body after death is a ceremony that pronounces the breaking of the last tie between man and his earthly life, baptism in water is the public declaration of a believer's breaking with with his own natural life. Our inner self is mortified, and sin no longer has dominion over us.

Marital intimacy
25 February 2010

Many disappointed husbands have been emailing us complaining about their wives. According to them, when their wives were nonbelievers, they were far more of a “woman”. It seems that after becoming a born again Christians they “deleted” their sexual desires.

There are even those who complain that their conjugal act now happens less than before. I’m sure the devil is loving this situation because there’s nothing more damaging to a marriage than when both spouses don’t see eye to eye in regards to the sacred union of marriage.

I can say from personal experience that the future of a happy marriage begins in the bedroom. The couple can be filled with the Holy Spirit but if they’re not sexually active they’re unlikely going to be faithful to each other.

The conjugal act in a marriage is like the daily nourishment of our physical body. No one can disagree that our sexual appetite is like our appetite for food, because both are part of human nature, created by God. Of course there are some exceptions, like in the case of a eunuch, but in general, there is no dismissing or pretending not to have this desire.

I know that among evangelicals there is tremendous hypocrisy regarding this issue. Many of my colleagues from other denominations have considered the conjugal act as something carnal and demonic; as if sex had been created in hell. This ignorance has also spread among the converted to the point that many are ignoring their spousal obligations.

If the conjugal act is carnal or demonic, my wife and I are of the flesh and in need of deliverance. Furthermore, I must confess that the more we relate sexually, the closer and more attached we grow to each other.

The truth is that the lack of faith with intelligence has led many Christians to failure, beginning with their marriage.

Just the other day someone wrote to me saying, “I’ve been married for 23 years. I like my wife and it’s great to have her at my side at all times. I’m very sexually attracted to her and I’m not disgusted by her or lack desire for her in any way. But I must confess that my sex life leaves much to be desired. While I have sexual urges 2 to 3 times a week, my wife is happy with just once a month. If I seek her more than that, after giving me a ton of the same old excuses, she finally gives in but does things with total disinterest. My wife is a blessed assistant, full of the virtues that only someone of God could possess… but she thinks that sex is a bad and dirty thing before God. This has made our relationship a disaster because I’m always unsatisfied and unable to hide it … This bothers me very much, because like we’ve learned, we shouldn’t miss the things we used to do in the world, but I miss (I really miss) how our sex life was before our conversion. And on top of always being unsatisfied, I’m often tempted to desire other women even though I know it’s wrong.”

I wonder how this assistant would counsel a wife in a reverse situation—where the wife would be the one wanting more intimacy, and not the husband.

The apostle Paul clearly instructs us regarding this subject when he says:

“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)

The Lord, through Solomon, teaches the following in respect to the conjugal act between husband and wife:

After urging His son to obey God’s Word and warning him about the adulterous woman, He says:

“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer, may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?” (Proverbs 5:15-20)

The water symbolises the conjugal act; the cistern and the well, his wife. “Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers” means that if he doesn’t fulfil her needs, somebody else will!

“May your fountain be blessed [...] May her breasts satisfy you [...] May you ever be captivated by her love.” These are strong sexual expressions between a married couple.

My attention is drawn to the act of being “drunk” with love. And what do you, my dear Christian, have to say about that? And you, heartless assistant, what do you have to say in regards to these Biblical words?

How long will you keep up this division in your bed; giving the devil the opportunity to tempt your husband?

Know that if he falls into temptation, you will be held accountable.

May God open everyone’s eyes in the name of the Lord Jesus, amen!

God bless you abundantly

Bishop Macedo

THE ARMOR OF GOD

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate consisted in an armoured breast protector for warriors made of scales (to facilitate the movements), chains and also some solid metal. A soldier would wear it not only to protect his chest but also his back. The Breastplate was an important part of the Armor once it protected vital organs of the human body like lungs, kidney and liver to name some. Yet the most desirable area of the Breastplate for protection is the heart! Understandably the Holy Spirit is urging us to protect our hearts from being attacked and affected by wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness.

Righteousness in the biblical sense, is an estimated condition, which according to the divine pattern, shows itself in behaviour, daily form of relating to things or people, way of walk and discernment for a fair judgement before facts in a conformable way to God and His Word. The Breastplate of Righteousness is exactly that! That means you will have to wear it in order to prevail against the attacks of the devil, who will try to destroy you by bringing you confusions or even using other people to devalue you and your faith. Satan wants peoples’ hearts – he knows that a poisoned heart will never lodge God’s presence. He will try to form an opinion against God’s principles. How many people in our days try to point out to the Church and the Bible as old teachings or no longer useful for a modern world? They do so in order to find an escape for their own sins and unrighteousness.

But a true Christian is told to wear The Breastplate of Righteousness in order to protect his heart and faith from being affected. You must not worry about getting peoples’ acceptance to move on. Don’t let those without God’s vision destroy your path of security for your life! Listen to God! Walk with God and do what He tells you! Someone once came to Martin Luther King and said to him: “Because you are walking in this way of living, the whole world is against you.” Do you know what he replied to that comment? He said: “Then I am against the whole world.” No wonder he made a difference in his time. What about you? Are you wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness or is your heart and life vulnerable to the devil’s work?

Bible References: Jeremiah 17:10, Romans 13:12-14. I Kings 11:1-13,

Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 4:23.

WEEK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3.16, 17

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity, in the passage above we see three of them all together, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Though they are three but at the same time they are just one, then we understand that the Holy Spirit is God. And what’s the meaning of having the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us? It means to have God Himself inside of you!

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are always strong, positive, excited, courageous and always motivated to do something new, we always want more we never get satisfied with what we have because the Holy Spirit convinces us that because He is in our life we are able to conquer more and more; a person when he/she is filled with His power she doesn’t doubt herself even if others don’t believe in what she is able to do but she believes in herself and goes ahead on what she wants in life.

The Holy Spirit symbolizes life, joy, peace, love and above all things He gives the assurance of salvation, He is the only one who can lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven. Being God Himself, the Holy Spirit turns the impossible things into possible ones, He works with what is supernatural. All the miracles registered in the Old and New Testaments were performed by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Now take a moment to just think a little bit about having His anointing upon your life! Would you continue living the same type of life? Definitely not! How can a person filled with the Holy Spirit always be depressed, sad, weak, sick and full of doubts?

You can’t afford to miss out the best opportunity ever given to you to change your life in every aspect. By seeking for the Holy Spirit with all your heart you will find life, it’ll be impossible for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and remain as you are.

The day you make the Holy Spirit the most important thing in your life He will make you the most important person in this world but if you despise Him by putting your family, job or your own desire before Him then, He will never honor you. “For with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6.38. Therefore, make sure you find time for God and God will find time to hear and answer your prayers.

“Then you call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29.12,13

To seek God with all your heart means to put Him above all things in your life.

Bishop Carlos E Da Costa

The Armor of God

THE ARMOR OF GOD

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6.10-13

The Belt of Truth

The Belt of Truth is the first part, which composes the Armor of God. But why the bible mentions the belt as a comparison? That’s because a good belt was an important feature to every person engaged in a war, since it was used to hold money, water and even the sword for the battles. It was every soldier’s shame to have his belt taken by the enemy. We can conclude that every Christian who is seriously aiming to win any battle in this world, must carry this honoured component with him: The Belt of Truth.

We are living in a society where there is corruption, falsehood and lies. In order to overcome such troubled time, a person cannot fight a problem with another problem; So you cannot overcome the way of the devil, which is a way of lies, with more lies! You cannot defeat satan by using his weapons. But you can defeat darkness when using the weapons God provides from His Armor. The only way to find success is by fastening The Belt of Truth - it will always prevail in any circumstance. A person who lives with the Truth as part of his character, has God within himself. “ O Lord, The God of Truth.” Psalm 31:5.

Clearly, God is urging his people to wear The Belt of Truth and not be compared with others who are about to be ashamed. You must apply the Truth in your life even if you see that some encourage you not to do so - even if you are a minority against the majority who chooses another way. If one million people live away from the Truth and do wrong things, that still doesn’t make them right! Truth is never dependent upon the opinions of others. You must remember, the Truth always prevails no matter what the consequences it can bring.

“Buy the Truth and do not sell it.” Proverbs 23:23.

No doubt that many demoniac traditions, false religions and sufferings come from the lack of Truth. When a person chooses to hold on to the Truth, then he will never be enslaved and deceived again! The result of having The Belt of Truth will be evident – no more fear, no more lies, and no more darkness! Dear friend, reject everything that turns you away from the Truth and have the Word of God as the manual book for your success. As long as you keep 100% the Truth, the devil will not find space to accuse you or damage your life. Finally, read one of the most powerful Words from Our Lord Jesus; a Word that endorses everything else we have already spoken in here. God bless you all!

“Then you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Wednesday – Bible Study

Bishop Carlos E Da Costa

He will return!
14 February 2010

Not everyone believes. Even among those who believe, only few await Him. But He will return. The latest events that have taken place around the world are evident signs of this. Tsunamis, earthquakes, heavy rains, epidemics and famine have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention drugs, violence and accidents. Everything seems to be pointing to the end.

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:10,11)

“Nation against nation” refers to wars among countries. “Kingdom against kingdom” refers to religious conflicts. And a religious conflict is worse than a war between countries. For this reason, Jesus said, “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death” (Matthew 10:21).

This atmosphere of terror and death already exists. And it tends to get worse. He is coming back soon. But it’s not the end yet.

In the past, the end of times was a subject only talked about in the church. Today, scientists are so sure of the end of times that they talk about it openly. One of the most important TV channels in the world is always showing reports about the subject. The worldwide catastrophes seem to be announcing the end. But, before it happens, there will be the Great Tribulation—when the Antichrist will rule for a period of 7 years.

At the moment, we are living in the period of light affliction. And when it finishes, the Lord Jesus will take His faithful followers. They will not experience the Great Tribulation. The false, “pirate” Christians, on the other hand, will be harmed by the fury of the Great Tribulation.

Those who live will see it…

Bishop Macedo

The seal of guarantee
7 February 2010

Nothing in this world is more important than guaranteeing your soul’s eternal salvation. Jesus said: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul? It’s impossible to gain it and keep it without help from the Holy Spirit. Only He is able toteach, guide, strengthen, sustain and keep those who follow His Son on the right path.

Every branch that doesn’t produce fruit will be cut down and only the branches that bear fruit will remain. The Holy Spirit is the nourishing sap that gives life to the branch. Without it, it wilts.

I have witnessed many people who were cured from numerous illnesses and diseases, and freed from all sorts of evil spirits, who became financially stable, accomplishing wonders by faith, only to later abandon it. Unfortunately, many forget that if they conquer by faith, then they lose by doubting. Faith needs to be kept alive, otherwise it evaporates.

Only those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit remain firm. They are the true “called and chosen”.

God has called many but few have been chosen. Divine injustice? No. Absolutely not. Just like salvation is offered to everyone, the same goes for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The problem is that not everyone is willing to sacrifice their life. What can we do?

Everything needs care and maintenance. The same is true for the greatest spiritual blessing: salvation. The Holy Spirit is the Flame that keeps faith from burning out. He is the Seal of Guarantee to eternal life.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.” (Acts 1.8

Bishop Macedo

Why Should We Keep Our Faith?

As God is Spirit, He is also invisible and humanly speaking there's no way we can see Him, and the question is: How then can we as human being get in touch with someone whom we cannot see or touch? How can we approach Him and be sure that when we talk to Him He hears our voice? The answer is: Only by faith! Faith is the only channel that can link any human kind straight to the Living God and that's when we start a process of salvation. Without faith no one can be saved. Salvation is not a matter of merit or title or time we've been to church but exclusively by faith, and if salvation comes by faith we have to protect our faith until the end of our lives. No matter the price we have to pay for that. "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, maybe found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom have not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your FAITH - the salvation of your souls." 1Peter 1. 6-8

Whatever you can do to keep your faith, just go ahead and do it! There are important meetings in the Universal Church such as: Sundays morning and Wednesdays, in these meetings you can learn how to protect your faith.

Be blessed in Jesus Name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXzdj7_OSYQ