Sempre Temos Tempestades


Naquele dia, sendo já tarde, disse-lhes Jesus: Passemos para a outra margem. E eles, despedindo a multidão, o levaram assim como estava, no barco; e outros barcos o seguiam. Ora, levantou-se grande temporal de vento, e as ondas se arremessavam contra o barco, de modo que o mesmo já estava a encher-se de água. E Jesus estava na popa, dormindo sobre o travesseiro; eles O despertaram e lhe disseram: Mestre, não te importa que pereçamos? E Ele, despertando, repreendeu o vento e disse ao mar: Acalma-te, emudece! O vento se aquietou, e fez-se grande bonança. Então, lhes disse: Por que sois assim tímidos?! Como é que não tendes fé? E eles, possuídos de grande temor, diziam uns aos outros: Quem é Este que até o vento e o mar lhe obedecem? Marcos 4.35-41

O Senhor Jesus disse: “Vamos para o outro lado”. Nada poderia acontecer no caminho daquele barco que o impedisse de chegar ao seu destino, pois ali havia a Palavra do Senhor. Assim também acontece com aquele que tem a Palavra de Deus, não nos lábios, mas na alma.

A Palavra de Deus é o próprio Deus. Como afundar se estamos sob esta Palavra? Os discípulos não atentaram para isso, também pudera, eles estavam com o Senhor Jesus, viram milagres e maravilhas, porém, não O conheciam ainda. Tanto é que, quando a tempestade se transformou em bonança, eles disseram: Quem é Este que até o vento e o mar lhe obedecem?
Eles estavam no mesmo barco, mas com Alguém que pessoalmente, no interior, não sabiam Quem era.

Muitas pessoas estão dentro da igreja e até já presenciaram e receberam milagres, contudo, na hora que os problemas vêm, elas mostram que apenas houve uma melhora em suas vidas, algumas bênçãos alcançadas pela fé, mas elas não têm nada a ver com alguém que é realmente de Deus, nascido de Deus, formado pelo próprio Espírito do Senhor Jesus. Por isso, na hora da tempestade, se explica a timidez e a fraqueza com que enfrentam as adversidades.

Depois que os discípulos se converteram e foram batizados com Espírito Santo, a manifestação do poder de Deus já não era mais motivo de tanta admiração para eles. Essa maravilha agora estava dentro deles. A fonte da Água da Vida a jorrar eternamente.
Bispo Gonçalves

Are You thinking to give Up?

  One of the biggest sin that many people commit is giving up on what they want or what they have dreamt of before the first obstacle appeared in their way. We all know that every time we want to conquer something that will cause a tremendous impact in our life, obstacles will come along, which are part of the victory. Unfortunately, there are many who are ready to conquer but are not ready to fight in order to conquer. Any simple person knows clearly that every victory requires a battle from the one who wants such blessings and the size of what you want will determine that type of battle you are going to fight.
     Those who have conquered great things in life, they are those who fought big battles as well. It depends on faith and determination. Maybe you are regretful because right now your life should be in much higher level, with better qualities. Right now you should be counting many more victories in your life if you had overcome the obstacles and battles that had turned against you in the time you were fighting for the accomplishment of what you wanted. I know that it's not good to bring back memories of the past, but this can be an eye opener for you not to make the same mistake all over again, principally if you are fighting for an important thing at this moment.
     See the story of a woman who came desperately to The Lord Jesus seeking for help, she had enough reason to give up but she didn't, instead, she grew up strongly in faith and conquered what she wanted. "Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.' But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, 'Send her away, for she cries out after us.' But He answered and said, 'I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!' But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.' And she said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.' Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28
     The difference between the winner and loser is. The winner always finishes what he starts and the loser starts something but never finish it. Let's take it as a lesson and never give up on anything that you do. Believe in God but believe in yourself too.
How many times have you given up on something important?
Say your comments.
Bishop Carlos
Share this message with a friend and be blessed

Thoughts

Thoughts are like the helm of a ship. The slightest tilt is enough to deflect the ship off its course.

When we subject our reasoning to someone else’s thoughts, we are handing over the helm of the ship of our life to be steered according to this person’s life. If this person is blindly walking in the world, we will be heading in the same direction as them.

When we subject our reasoning to the thoughts of the Creator – biblical faith – we established a safe route to a happy future. When a person does not deviate to the right or to the left, His Word guarantees that he will reach the Promised Land.

Those who want can put this to the test.

This has nothing to do with following a religion, philosophy or something similar, it has to do with using our intelligence. The Bible covers part of the wisdom of the Creator, and those who use this wisdom, even if it’s a small amount, will extract from it the fullness of life.

When I meditate and put into practice the thoughts of the Eternal, I turn away the ideas, advice, and useless and empty thoughts of this world. I eliminate doubts and fears of failure.

There is assurance and conviction in my stride (ship), with or without trials (storms) because I do not depend on what I feel, but on what is written. The promises of the Almighty guarantee that I will reach a safe harbor.

Intelligent faith always drives us forward.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Philippians 4.8

In other words:

Finally, friends, everything that is false, everything that is disrespectful, everything that is unfair, everything that is unclean, everything that is hateful, everything that is of ill report, if there is any dishonor and if any depreciation exists, remove these things from your thoughts.

- See more at: http://www.bispomacedo.com.br/en/2014/04/15/thoughts/#more-9304

Assistants in focus 4 13 14

How to become a traitor

"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor." Luke 6:12-16 

     There are some very important aspects in these verses above, the first one is that The Lord Jesus besides being the Son of God, needed to separate Himself to pray constantly, and this is something that many Christians don't do anymore even though they should. Another important detail is that there were many disciples but He chose only twelve. Why didn't He choose  more than twelve? And the last aspect is about Judas Iscariot who BECAME a traitor. Well, if he became a traitor it means that when he was called by The Lord Jesus he was not a traitor, he had a good character, otherwise he wouldn't have been called to be one of the twelve disciples.
     What we have seen among those who one day was called to do the Work of God, is not different. In the beginning they were humble, sincere, ready to listen and obey, there were no obstacles enough to prevent them from coming to church to help save souls. Actually, it was a pleasure to do that and when they could not come they used to feel bad as if it was the last day of their lives. They had no time to get involved in gossip, confusions, dissensions and lies, they used to fill up their time only by doing what really pleased God, which is to save souls. Though they had many responsibilities with their family, house, children, school and work, the time to serve The Lord Jesus in the church was sacred, untouchable and irreplaceable to them. Unfortunately as time went by many have changed their character, their mentality and the way they used to see the Work of God. If in the beginning it was the most important thing for them, now the Work of God is something else, they don't push themselves to come anymore. If there is other things to do or other places to go, then the church is always left behind. I have seen many assistants putting all their strength to please their friends, family members, co-workers, boss, children and many more, but they haven't applied the same effort to serve God. As a matter of fact, God is not as important as He used to be in the time that they were suffering and in need of help.
     If you were called and chosen to serve The Lord Jesus, then you should give valor to it because in the time in which He chose us there were many people in the church as well, but He decided to choose you and I, for what? For us to exchange Him by simple 30 (thirty) dirty coins like Judas did?
     The Lord Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." Matthew 5:13
     We all should be careful for us not to lose the flavor that the Holy Spirit has put on us one day, because if it happens, then He will not count you anymore.
Watch out, for you not to become a traitor as well.
May God have mercy on all of us.
     After meditating on it, please share this message with a friend and be blessed.
The Universal Women's Day, April 19th.
Bishop Carlos

Assistant in Focus 040614

       Faith and humbleness
     "And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' Immediately the leprosy left him." Luke 5:12, 13
      Throughout these years serving God I have seen and have heard many people complaining saying,  "Why doesn't God answer my prayer? Why is He taking too long to change my life...? Has God changed?" Well, questions like these are in the mind of many who have claimed themselves as Christians or God's servants.
      Perhaps you too have been battling with the same type of questions in your mind and have wondered why you haven't received a clear answer for them yet.
There are two very important things that every person who wants to be attended by The Lord Jesus needs to bring when they come to Him. First one is faith, not the natural one but the supernatural, because He is Spirit, therefore you cannot see Him nor touch Him. How can you talk with someone that you cannot see nor touch? If you manifest a natural faith it'll never work. The second fundamental thing is humbleness by recognizing that He is The Lord, not our servant. Unfortunately, this is not what most people bring with them when they come to God. Many have approached Him with total arrogance, imposing whatever they want as if God is their maid servant ready to attend them in the day and time that pleases them, then what happen? NOTHING! And nothing will happen unless they change the way in which they have considered God. To understand that the one who needs help, is not God, but themselves. But, the way many people treat Him seems as if God is the one who is in need of something.
      The leper got healed right away without delay. And with you? Has God answered you in the same way? Or you are still struggling for an answer from Him?
     Consider the way in which you've been coming to Him.
     Share this message with a friend and be blessed. 

Bishop Carlos