The sword of Peter

Peter was one of the main disciples of Jesus. He had the faith and courage to abandon his fishing nets and join the school of fishing for souls. I don’t know who or what led him to later acquire a sword to continue onto the school of faith.

I don’t think that, at first, he exchanged the nets for a sword. I do believe that, as the days passed, realizing that the LORD and the other disciples were “unprotected” from evildoers, Peter acceded to the idea of adding to the protection of the LORD a physical weapon of defense.

This is the same situation many find themselves today. They believe in the provision of the Word, but in some way, want to have their trust crutched on something palpable…

It is important to note the fact that the Lord did not disapprove. He did this to teach the other disciples. That weapon split Peter’s faith in two parts: one part of his faith was in Jesus and the other part was on the sword.

Many who put their hand to the plow, have also done the same: they believe their subsistence will come from the Altar, but they also want to guarantee their future with material goods.

Peter’s sword was not a sin, but it became a trap for his faith. He showed the devil that his faith was divided and, consequently, his spiritual weakness. Proof of this is when he advised Jesus not to go up to Jerusalem; when he refused to accept that he would deny the Lord; and finally, when he denied knowing Him three times before the rooster’s crow.

Faith is yes, yes; no, no. Either you trust or you do not trust. Peter trusted, yet he still had his doubts… Fortunately, that Peter died and rose again with the resurrection of the Lord, becoming a great apostle. But he didn’t need to carry the memory of that rooster’s crow for the rest of his life.
The story goes that whenever Peter heard a rooster crow, he would run to a corner and cry.

Bishop Macedo

Filhos da mentira

https://youtu.be/3p6Rs1B0mvM

Watch and pray

   When the Lord Jesus warned  his disciples that they should watch, it was because, better than anyone, he clearly knew that if they did not watch and if the Lord Jesus didn't  keep a surveillance on the disciples, they would inevitably fall into temptations, it means, they would enter a field that is dominated by the forces of hell, that this would only lead to the  destruction of their lives. How does a person enter into temptation? 

This happens through what the person sees, hears, thinks or feels.         

The devil knows very well how to use these senses to deceive the human being, the more intelligent, mature and spiritual the person is, if there is not a constant surveillance on one’ self, ( watching one's self) sooner or later this person will fall. 

First the devil awakes the desire for something that draws the attention of the person and at the same time it can be something the person is curious to see, hear or touch it, because the human being is very curious by nature and want to know everything.                       
Many misleadingly find themselves reliant and self-confident and therefore, believe that nothing bad will happen to them it does not matter if It's a video on the Internet, if it's a picture that at first does not seem too outrageous, hence comes the desire to see more and often times. When this happens, the person has already entered the field of temptation. The tendency now is the desire to go deeper and it only increases and when the person wants to return because they are too far away they rarely get out of this temptation field, as is already under the dominion of evil forces.   

The only way to avoid entering these temptations is to do exactly as the Lord Jesus guides us. Watch and pray. 

When we watch we are using intelligent faith, the reasoning, the own domain and when we pray we are putting our faith into action, When we obey this determination of the Lord Jesus, there is no way to enter into temptation, although the flesh is weak, but the spirit is strong and being strong, you have authority over any kind of temptation.     

Many servants including pastors, assistants and even bishops have fallen because they despised the good conscience that is fueled by the fear of God. 

When we despise fear, we despise salvation. If the person has a problem, he or she should ask for help, instead of trying to solve the problem by themselves.                                                    All those who have fallen considered themselves self-sufficient and thought they   could solve their difficulties alone.     

Remember to "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26.41

Faith without grace

“I live by the grace of God and not by the works of the Law; Jesus has already sacrificed for me, so I don’t have to sacrifice.”

These and many other arguments have been widely used by most believers.

But I ask: if faith does not need to be accompanied by sacrifice, does this give man the right to live in the flesh since the grace of God does not require sacrifice? Is it right to keep sins hidden for years?

The truth is that those who preach “Grace” have no idea what it actually means. They deceivingly teach that grace is like an unlimited prepaid card that Jesus has already paid for us. So we can accept Him and then spend the credits on this card forever. When a person sins, he should just ask for forgiveness, because he has an infinite amount of credits with God. If he commits the same sin tomorrow, he just uses the credits again. There is no need for repentance, or change of direction. You should just rely on good intentions, remorse and a ton of apologies: “the flesh is weak”, “I can’t resist”, “it’s stronger than me”…

Because of this deceit, many people have gone to hell believing they had a guaranteed place in Heaven. Just like true faith has nothing to do with religion, true grace has nothing to do with the lack of sacrifice. On the contrary, grace gives man a responsibility he did not have before. If he was bound to sin before, now he no longer has that excuse. He has received freedom and the right to Salvation.

Now, man is responsible for remaining on the Path of Salvation and, therefore, the rules of grace are very clear: those who want to come to Jesus, must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. Three levels of sacrifice. The Lord Jesus gives us His grace, this is, His favor, which is a present we do not deserve, as something so precious that a man would sell everything he has to buy it. It is worth the sacrifice of remaining obedient, it is worth the sacrifice of denying our will, it is worth the sacrifice of forgiving those who trespass against us, it is worth the sacrifice of leaving our old life behind us, it is worth the sacrifice of separating ourselves from certain people, things and convictions. It is worth all the sacrifice that true grace demands.

Win souls or edify yourself

Win souls or edify yourself.
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”   (I Corinthians   14:1-4)  

Dear all,
We have seen in most of those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit a great concern to speak in tongue, which is of course, is very important because you are edifying your spiritual life and glorifying God. But, how many people are you helping when you speak in tongue? None, but yourself only.
Paul stated clearly that he who prophecies exhorts the church. Prophecy is to talk, preach, teach, evangelize, correct and above all is to lead people to salvation. This proves that he who is baptized in the Holy Spirit  first priority to save souls and help others, instead of thinking about edifying his own life. This is the main characteristic of a person baptized in the Holy Spirit. To win souls!

Faith vs Doubt

Faith vs Doubt   Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. (Joshua 6. 1-2)

   Knowing the fame and faith of Joshua and the Children of Israel, seeing their victories God had already given to them, satan sent someone to spread doubts among the people of God that the City of Jericho was securely shut up. In other words, it is impossible to enter that place.

  God prepared Joshua to resist and to overcome any obstacle, when He spoke to him saying, ‘Be strong and of good courage’…  Satan knows that the only weapon that can neutralize our faith is doubt, but it’s up to us to accept it or to rebuke it right away.

  God has already given to us whatever we need to live an abundant, comfortable and quality life. For you to take possession of this blessing, first you have to break the walls of doubts and fears that were built in your mind.  

 What are you going to do? Break the walls or allow the walls to break you?

https://youtu.be/CItcoSZjrCo