ON JANUARY 30, 2015
HE DOESN’T COME BY CHANCE
He doesn’t come by chance
“Why haven’t I received the Holy Spirit yet?”
Well, if you’re asking this question, at least you’ve taken the first step toward the baptism: you’ve heard about Him and you want to receive Him.
But one thing you can be sure of: He will not come by chance.
The Word of God says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, and what are they looking for? What does He need to find in you to seal you with His presence?
Make believe you are a successful businessperson who wants to expand their business; but to achieve this, you need to employ or promote staff—directors, managers, etc.
Since their salary is not a problem for you, what main things would you look for in these people?
Besides, of course, their professional experience, you’d certainly look for someone who was obstinate to make your business grow; and for this, the person would need to be confident so that others would follow him or her, and at the same time be HUMBLE to learn.
You would also want him or her to share their opinions and come up with new ideas, and at the same time be OBEDIENT to follow your guidance.
It would be a great investment, so you wouldn’t want someone who would work for you for just a few months and then look for a new job. You’d look for someone who was LOYAL and who was willing to be by your side not only in good times but also in bad times.
But that’s not all. You want to continue growing your business, and this means that you’ll need more directors and managers in the future, so you’d look for people who weren’t selfish, but ready to TEACH OTHERS, sharing with them what they themselves had learnt from you.
In other words, you’d look for people who were HUMBLE, OBEDIENT, LOYAL, and ready to TRAIN OTHERS.
Isn’t it also what God is trying to find in people to fill them with the Holy Spirit?
He is looking for people who are humble to learn; obedient to put His Word into practice; loyal to Him, especially in difficult moments and times of temptation, to finish the race and keep the faith; and of course, people who are ready to share with others what He has given them, so that His Kingdom may be increased.
So if you aren’t humble, then start being humble. If you’re disobedient, decide to obey. If you haven’t been loyal, choose to be loyal. If you’re selfish, start sharing—it’s up to you, and if you decide to make the right choices, the Holy Spirit will help you.
During these 21 days of the Fast of Daniel, don’t expect the Holy Spirit to come upon you as if by magic.
CAUSE your baptism with the Holy Spirit by making the eyes of the Lord see these traits in you.
And don’t forget: He desires to come upon you more than you do.
God bless.
Bp. Celso Junior
Jerusalem - Holy Land
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Children of the flesh
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8.8-9
Paul knew that among the new Roman Christians, many had accepted Jesus as their Savior but not as their Lord.
In other words, they accepted the Christian faith, but had not surrendered to this faith.
Though they were able to identify with the new true Christians, they were still of the flesh.
The same has happened to most believers: they accept Jesus, but do not surrender themselves entirely to Him.
This is why they are barred from receiving the Holy Spirit.
They have been in Church for years, receive extensive knowledge of the Word, know the prophecies of God, but do not practice them.
They are children of the flesh.
In his letter to the Roman Christians, the apostle makes it clear that those who do not have the Spirit of God do not belong to Him.
They may even be faithful in Church and walk according to religious customs, but if they do not have the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, they do not belong to Him.
And there is no way you can pretend to have the Holy Spirit. Your worldly tendencies will eventually be identified.
When you are sealed with the Spirit of Jesus, your thoughts, feelings and heart are one with the Lord Jesus. There is no way to fool everyone all the time.
Paul had doubts about the sincere conversion of many Romans, considering this, he said, in other words: You should not be in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.
And if someone does not have the Spirit of God, this person does not belong to the Lord Jesus.
I have seen many supposed converts serving as servants, speaking as if they were full of the Spirit and behaving (in Church) as if they were our brothers…
However, at home, work, school, or on the street, they speak like idolaters, dress like nonbelievers, react like someone that is possessed and aren’t very different from the children of darkness.
Bishop Macedo
Paul knew that among the new Roman Christians, many had accepted Jesus as their Savior but not as their Lord.
In other words, they accepted the Christian faith, but had not surrendered to this faith.
Though they were able to identify with the new true Christians, they were still of the flesh.
The same has happened to most believers: they accept Jesus, but do not surrender themselves entirely to Him.
This is why they are barred from receiving the Holy Spirit.
They have been in Church for years, receive extensive knowledge of the Word, know the prophecies of God, but do not practice them.
They are children of the flesh.
In his letter to the Roman Christians, the apostle makes it clear that those who do not have the Spirit of God do not belong to Him.
They may even be faithful in Church and walk according to religious customs, but if they do not have the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, they do not belong to Him.
And there is no way you can pretend to have the Holy Spirit. Your worldly tendencies will eventually be identified.
When you are sealed with the Spirit of Jesus, your thoughts, feelings and heart are one with the Lord Jesus. There is no way to fool everyone all the time.
Paul had doubts about the sincere conversion of many Romans, considering this, he said, in other words: You should not be in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.
And if someone does not have the Spirit of God, this person does not belong to the Lord Jesus.
I have seen many supposed converts serving as servants, speaking as if they were full of the Spirit and behaving (in Church) as if they were our brothers…
However, at home, work, school, or on the street, they speak like idolaters, dress like nonbelievers, react like someone that is possessed and aren’t very different from the children of darkness.
Bishop Macedo
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Transformed life
Good morning, Bishop!
My name is Maria da Gracas Laporais.
Two years ago, when there was a purpose to bring former assistants to Universal TV program, my daughter wrote you an email, asking you to help to me.
The e-mail was a cry for help because I was in a very difficult situation at the time; it was life or death. Why? When I first came to the UCKG, my finances and love life were completely destroyed, but what actually caused the most pain was my love life.
I sought help in witchcraft, tarots etc. At the UCKG, I went through the deliverance process and everything changed within. I was blessed and was even raised as an assistant. I stayed for two years, but because I didn’t have patience and was influenced by a couple of assistants, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and married the wrong person. This is where my suffering began, which was due to disobeying my pastor at that time.
Bishop, because of this disobedience, my first altar was destroyed and remained that way for 20 years. I smoked, drank, was promiscuous, and all this happened while I was still in Church, participating in the Lord’s Supper, paying tithes and giving offerings, yet my life was in ruins.
This brought on several health problems. There was a tingly sensation all over and sharp pains pierced throughout my body. So much so, that to sleep or rest a little, I would slump over the washing machine. I could not sleep at night, so I took a very high dose of sleeping pills on a daily basis, but it still did not help. I was starting to go crazy.
I also wanted to commit suicide. I reached a point where I had to ask my husband to hide the kitchen knives because I heard the devil’s voice telling me to go get them and kill myself.
In addition, a doctor diagnosed me with Alzheimer’s. As a nurse, I said, “How can I have Alzheimer’s if I know what the symptoms are and I don’t have any of them?” I figured this was just one more thing that had to happen in my life and it was a spiritual problem.
My daughter prayed for me over the phone, because she was doing the Work of God in another country. She always fought with the devil over my soul. She knew I wanted to be free, but I didn’t have the strength. So when the Israel Challenge came around, she became revolted against my situation. She saw a picture of me and it was clear that the devil was in my life.
She went to the Altar and sacrificed in my favor; it was all or nothing. I remember she said to me, “Mom, either God is going to transform you, or you won’t live through this night, because I no longer accept this situation. I don’t accept to see the devil stamped all over your face, and see you suffer so much!”
She sacrificed three months for me and sought help by calling Universal TV without anyone knowing she was a pastor’s wife. She said to God, “If You love her, you are going to help her just like any other soul, because I am not going to use the title of ‘pastor’s wife’ to find her help. Now it’s in Your hands. I am doing my part; I’m going to the Altar. You see what we cannot see. If deep down she is going to be saved, then save her!”
I remember standing at my daughter’s kitchen door and, in a flash, I saw myself going down into a dark hole. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t see a glimpse of light, so I yelled out to Jesus, “Jesus, don’t let the devil take my soul! Have mercy on me! Give me one more chance to know You, my Father!”
I called out to my daughter, and she took me into the bedroom. All I could see was a dark place, and I asked God: “My God, send someone to help me. My daughter has already asked Bishop Macedo to have someone come help me, so please don’t let the devil take my soul!
Within minutes Bishop Luis Carlos, along with his wife, appeared at the door. He said bishop Sergio Correa asked him to come, as per request of bishop Macedo. I didn’t even have the strength to get to the living room, where they were. He prayed for me, saying: “Just as the fig tree withered, the evil in your life is also going to wither away.” In disbelief, I said, “There is no solution bishop, I’m going to die.” But his wife said, “Yes, there is a solution. One day, you’re going to find me, and say with a huge smile: ‘I‘m that woman you prayed for at my daughter’s house…”
Bishop, this is exactly what happened. I found the UCKG in Sete Lagoas (MG-Brazil).
He left, but left a pastor in charge of taking care of me. Every other day he prayed for me, and I gradually started to get up. I stopped smoking, started eating properly and began a new process of deliverance. It was not easy, but I overcame. One Sunday, I said: “Today I am going to surrender all of my life to the Lord Jesus.” So, I renewed my baptism in water and soon after began seeking the baptism with the Holy Spirit. I had my real encounter with God!
Bishop, the day of my encounter with Jesus was the happiest day in my life. I found true joy, and true peace. It’s inexplicable! I never want this joy to leave me!
Today I am a calm, quiet and happy person, inside and out. I am sure of my Salvation and won’t exchange it for anything in this world. I don’t care about anything except my Salvation.
I joined the evangelization group, then became a candidate to be an assistant and, by God’s mercy, I was raised as an assistant again.
Bishop, the Work of the Holy Spirit is glorious! My son-in-law, prayed for my deliverance when he was an assistant. And in November, I was fortunate to travel to Chile and work as an assistant in one of his meetings.
The Altar always gives back.
Maria das Gracas Laporais, assistant of the Sete Lagoas UCKG – Minas Gerais, Brazil
- See more at: http://blogs.universal.org/bispomacedo/en/2015/01/06/another-restored-altar/#more-10487
My name is Maria da Gracas Laporais.
Two years ago, when there was a purpose to bring former assistants to Universal TV program, my daughter wrote you an email, asking you to help to me.
The e-mail was a cry for help because I was in a very difficult situation at the time; it was life or death. Why? When I first came to the UCKG, my finances and love life were completely destroyed, but what actually caused the most pain was my love life.
I sought help in witchcraft, tarots etc. At the UCKG, I went through the deliverance process and everything changed within. I was blessed and was even raised as an assistant. I stayed for two years, but because I didn’t have patience and was influenced by a couple of assistants, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and married the wrong person. This is where my suffering began, which was due to disobeying my pastor at that time.
Bishop, because of this disobedience, my first altar was destroyed and remained that way for 20 years. I smoked, drank, was promiscuous, and all this happened while I was still in Church, participating in the Lord’s Supper, paying tithes and giving offerings, yet my life was in ruins.
This brought on several health problems. There was a tingly sensation all over and sharp pains pierced throughout my body. So much so, that to sleep or rest a little, I would slump over the washing machine. I could not sleep at night, so I took a very high dose of sleeping pills on a daily basis, but it still did not help. I was starting to go crazy.
I also wanted to commit suicide. I reached a point where I had to ask my husband to hide the kitchen knives because I heard the devil’s voice telling me to go get them and kill myself.
In addition, a doctor diagnosed me with Alzheimer’s. As a nurse, I said, “How can I have Alzheimer’s if I know what the symptoms are and I don’t have any of them?” I figured this was just one more thing that had to happen in my life and it was a spiritual problem.
My daughter prayed for me over the phone, because she was doing the Work of God in another country. She always fought with the devil over my soul. She knew I wanted to be free, but I didn’t have the strength. So when the Israel Challenge came around, she became revolted against my situation. She saw a picture of me and it was clear that the devil was in my life.
She went to the Altar and sacrificed in my favor; it was all or nothing. I remember she said to me, “Mom, either God is going to transform you, or you won’t live through this night, because I no longer accept this situation. I don’t accept to see the devil stamped all over your face, and see you suffer so much!”
She sacrificed three months for me and sought help by calling Universal TV without anyone knowing she was a pastor’s wife. She said to God, “If You love her, you are going to help her just like any other soul, because I am not going to use the title of ‘pastor’s wife’ to find her help. Now it’s in Your hands. I am doing my part; I’m going to the Altar. You see what we cannot see. If deep down she is going to be saved, then save her!”
I remember standing at my daughter’s kitchen door and, in a flash, I saw myself going down into a dark hole. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t see a glimpse of light, so I yelled out to Jesus, “Jesus, don’t let the devil take my soul! Have mercy on me! Give me one more chance to know You, my Father!”
I called out to my daughter, and she took me into the bedroom. All I could see was a dark place, and I asked God: “My God, send someone to help me. My daughter has already asked Bishop Macedo to have someone come help me, so please don’t let the devil take my soul!
Within minutes Bishop Luis Carlos, along with his wife, appeared at the door. He said bishop Sergio Correa asked him to come, as per request of bishop Macedo. I didn’t even have the strength to get to the living room, where they were. He prayed for me, saying: “Just as the fig tree withered, the evil in your life is also going to wither away.” In disbelief, I said, “There is no solution bishop, I’m going to die.” But his wife said, “Yes, there is a solution. One day, you’re going to find me, and say with a huge smile: ‘I‘m that woman you prayed for at my daughter’s house…”
Bishop, this is exactly what happened. I found the UCKG in Sete Lagoas (MG-Brazil).
He left, but left a pastor in charge of taking care of me. Every other day he prayed for me, and I gradually started to get up. I stopped smoking, started eating properly and began a new process of deliverance. It was not easy, but I overcame. One Sunday, I said: “Today I am going to surrender all of my life to the Lord Jesus.” So, I renewed my baptism in water and soon after began seeking the baptism with the Holy Spirit. I had my real encounter with God!
Bishop, the day of my encounter with Jesus was the happiest day in my life. I found true joy, and true peace. It’s inexplicable! I never want this joy to leave me!
Today I am a calm, quiet and happy person, inside and out. I am sure of my Salvation and won’t exchange it for anything in this world. I don’t care about anything except my Salvation.
I joined the evangelization group, then became a candidate to be an assistant and, by God’s mercy, I was raised as an assistant again.
Bishop, the Work of the Holy Spirit is glorious! My son-in-law, prayed for my deliverance when he was an assistant. And in November, I was fortunate to travel to Chile and work as an assistant in one of his meetings.
The Altar always gives back.
Maria das Gracas Laporais, assistant of the Sete Lagoas UCKG – Minas Gerais, Brazil
- See more at: http://blogs.universal.org/bispomacedo/en/2015/01/06/another-restored-altar/#more-10487
Monday, January 12, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
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