I do not know you

I do not know to what extent many who call themselves Christians are truly disciples of the Lord. But I know one thing: the quality of the seed is proven by its fruit, just like the quality of the offering results in the quality of the life of the Christian. Good seed, good fruit. Bad seed, bad fruit. Those who give offerings are evaluated by the quality of their offerings. There is no doubt of this.

What’s interesting is that the offering eliminates the merit factor. No one needs to deserve it to be blessed. Each person is blessed by the kind of dedication they render to the Altar. The same way you give, you will receive. There is freedom to give the way you want to. However, you will receive as much as you give (Luke 6.38). No one can escape from this.

In the parable of the ten virgins, apparently, they were all prepared waiting for their bridegroom. They were all virgins (without sin) and had the same spiritual conditions. But when they heard the bridegroom was coming, their offering spoke louder. Half of them entered, while the other half was left behind. Afterward, when the foolish cried out to come in, the LORD said, ‘I do not know you.’

The Lord Jesus said: by their fruits you will know the tree. From above, trees look the same. However, when you pull off their fruit, you see the difference. The same is true when it Christians. Apparently, they are all “converted” and “saved”. But when you evaluate their actions, offerings or social behavior, you will see the reality of their faith, because the offering is a witness of the offering-giver. Whether it is in your defense or your accusation, there’s no escaping from it.

Each offering reveals the character of each offering-giver. It reveals whether he is dishonest or sincere. It proves his faith, his love, his consideration and, above all, his fear of God Almighty. Therefore, by their fruits you will know the tree. The actions of a Christian will reveal what kind of Christian he has been.

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7.17-20

The hated

Who takes pleasure in being hated? No one, I think. However, the Lord guarantees this feeling will accompany His followers throughout the world. And, if by chance, the disciple does not endure the contempt and hatred of this world, he certainly has nothing to do with Him. Those who wish to avoid being a target of this, only need to deny the faith.

Many have embraced the Christian faith, but, sooner or later, the time comes when they need to define themselves. At this time, unfortunately, most are cowed and prefer to save themselves. For such, here is a warning:

…whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10.33

God allows this situation with all those who were called. However, the chosen are only those who are hated who stand firm to the end.

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10.22
And you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. Matthew 24.9

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Mark 13.13

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. Luke 21.17

Apostasy

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons… 1 Timothy 4.1

We have seen many people fall away from the faith. Everywhere we look, we find people who have been inside a Christian church at least once and have listened to the Word of God, but have somehow fallen away. We are truly living the last days, but, why is this happening?

These people began well, but in time, instead of perfecting themselves in the Spirit, they perfected themselves in the flesh.

…having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 

Galatians 3.3

The number of lost sheep and lost coins inside the house (church) is very troubling, because it is more difficult to remain until the end than to give your life to the Lord Jesus. To keep our name written in the Book of Life is a challenge that few can accomplish.

For these people, Jesus says:

…and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life. Revelation 3.5

How can you keep from falling away from the faith? First you need to know:

… Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. Galatians 5.7-8

The answer lies in becoming enslaved to your feelings. The first sign of life when a child is born is when he cries. This makes mankind a “hostage” of his feelings, which lead him to sin. The only way to be free from this slavery is by being born again.

…Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. John 8.34-35

Now we understand why there are so many who have fallen away, so many lost coins, who came to church, did chain of prayers, received miracles, and even held positions (assistants, pastors, etc.), but never became His children, because they remained enslaved to their feelings, which led them to sin.

The only solution for those who are in the church, but find themselves in this situation, is to be born again.

What about those who fell away? Return as soon as possible and start over again, sacrificing the will of your flesh and becoming sons and not slaves.

Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 1 Corinthians 7.21

God bless you!

Our offering

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What have you placed on the Altar?
“Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.”
  Genesis   4:4-5  
The offering we place on the Altar of God has the power to define the future of our life. It was not God who decided what offering Cain and Abel would give, the choice was personal and later each reaped the fruit of what they put on the Altar. Therefore, we must be careful about what we offer to God.

This offering is not money, but everything we do in the Work of God. Evangelization, service to people, prayers for the people and the Church, the care for the things of God, our uniform, the cleaning of the Church, the assistants' room, the restrooms of the Church, the treatment of one another, respecting the authorities constituted by God.

In all this we are giving our offering, and this offering defines who we will be tomorrow. In the case of Cain, he became the # 1 enemy of his brother Abel to the point of killing him and even formed a people who came to be enemies of the people of God.

Look closely at the offering you have placed on the Altar of God.
Bishop Carlos da Costa

The importance of saving souls

BE A SOUL WINNER
Who was Peter before he became a soul-winner? The story says that he was a fisherman, and it seems that he was not a successful fisherman, because the morning the Lord Jesus told him to lay the nets to fish, he said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”Luke‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭This proves that he worked hard but did not Prospered, although it is not written in the Bible but we believe that what happened that morning must have happened several times.‬‬‬‬‬‬
When the Lord Jesus called them to be fishers of souls, Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; From now on you will be a fisher of men "Luke 5: ..10

Everything has changed in Peter's life. He was baptized with the Holy Spirit, his name changed from Simon to Peter, many miracles were done by his hands and in the end he still wrote two excellent books, I and II Peter.
This is the importance of winning souls. Many assistants do not understand why even though they are serving God, they cannot succeed in many areas of life. They make chains of prayers, participate in campaigns, but in the end they continue to live the same kind of life. No results, just like Peter's nets, empty.

Winning souls is not just inviting or bringing a person to the Church, it is much more than that. There is a follow up to be done from the first day the person arrives at church. Beginning with the process of deliverance, conversion, encounter with God and the baptism in the waters, only after the person goes through all these processes is that he will be able to walk alone. Then we can say that a soul has been won.

The reward of winning a soul is priceless. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:30‬ ‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
Be a soul winner

God or Man?

Chosen by God or by man? 
“Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”” 
 I Samuel   16:10-12    

Many have behaved themselves like the seven sons that Jesse introduced to prophet Samuel, worried about themselves, seeking for a title and a position, concerned about their outlook and own well-being giving a clear proof that were chosen not by God, but by man. 
He who is chosen by God knows that his blessing comes in the right time. He does not depend on what others say about him, he does not care about position nor what is given for him to do. 

He knows that God is with him and wherever he goes he grows up because he has the full assurance that the God who chose him will honor him, like David who was taken from the sheepfold to be in a palace, just because he was chosen by God. 

“Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 2 Samuel 7.8.”

The chosen

God Almighty is the Only Lord; Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. In His eternal condition as LORD, only He has authority to choose His servants.

Of course, the criteria He uses to choose only applies to those who are righteousor, at least, want to live in righteousness.

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” Genesis 7.1

Among a generation that was morally and spiritually corrupt, the LORD found a righteous man: Noah.

Those chosen are the righteous or, at least, those who meet the necessary conditions to be justified. How many live in the sin they hate? And how many long to live in integrity and righteousness, but aren’t able to roundup enough strength to turn away from sin?

Sin will not leave you in peace. It is impossible to live in sin and be at peace. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Peace.

How can you be chosen to serve God, when you are still a slave of sin?

If you find yourself in this condition, yet hunger and thirst for righteousness, the LORD chooses you and gives you faith that will justify you to serve Him. Matthew 5.6

Noah was chosen because he was a righteous man. However, his entire generation was in complete chaos. Spiritual and moral corruption multiplied without any hope of improvement. Noah and his family were the only humans chosen to enter the ark of salvation. The animals of each species were also separated. It is important to note the fact that Noah did not have to choose the animals, hunt them or bring them to the ark. God Himself chose them and sent them, two by two, to the ark. All the others died along with the rest of mankind.

In my opinion, the Holy Spirit continues to “cherish” and choose people who hate sin; people who want to turn away from sin but haven’t been successful; people who are, blindly, searching for salvation in religions.

Mount Sinai separated the righteous from the wicked, those who yearned for justice from those who enjoyed unrighteousness…

Bishop Macedo