Three types of people

When the Lord Jesus was taken by the religious in order be condemned  for no reason, we can see the following: 
  
(Read John 18: 28-40) 

* The Lord Jesus - he was completely focused on His mission and pleasing the Father. He never defended himself or resisted to His purpose. 
 
* The religious - Were very concerned about losing their position, their control. The only thing they wanted was to get rid of their "enemy", the one who represented a danger to their political and religious well-being; in other words, the Lord Jesus. 
 
* Pilate - an undefined governor, who knew that Jesus was innocent but did not have the courage to let him free, and stand against the religious ones. 

This shows us that there will always be these three types of people: 
 * The spirituals - those who want to please God and put His will above all. They keep themselves clean and apart from evil. These are focused on their mission, not aiming at their life. 
* The carnal - these are capable of everything to defend their own interests, even if they have to "kill" anyone who crosses their way (with lies, false witness, deceive, etc.). 
 
* The undefined ones - those who stand with those who suit them, because they think about themselves and not about justice. They want to be on the side of those who (they think) can give them more benefits, without endangering their position or well-being. 
 
Let's examine which one of the 3 types of people we have been!

How to keep yourself pure?

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Titus 1:15

Many people ask themselves how it is possible to keep being pure among so much wickedness in this world. If you are alone, without the presence of God, I agree that it is impossible. However, the Holy Spirit gives us conditions to stay pure to God. It is up to us to watch to keep this purity, and to not let our eyes, mind, and heart contaminate with evil things.

If the person is pure, she sees things with good eyes. Of course, I’m not talking about accepting wrong things as right! But to have the purity to understand people, to be merciful, to see the good side and to not try always see the wrong side, that many times don’t exist; unless to those who have evil eyes.

Those who are in the condition of being impure normally like to contaminate others, throwing poisonous words and unnecessary comments. Those who are impure always understand things in a wrong way. If someone wants to help her, she sees it as being persecuted; if she’s rebuked, she sees it as unfair. Even when they do her right, she still sees an evil intention or interest. Since s/he is impure doesn’t know how to receive what’s good or even identify good.

Let’s keep our purity inside of us because it’s a characteristic of the Holy Spirit that abides is us.

God bless you all!

The appearance of evil

 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Appearance speaks a lot for itself, in relation to people, places, meals, etc. You certainly have looked at a plate of food and said: “This looks good, must be delicious” or “this food looks bad, it must not be good.” Even without proof, only by the appearance you could see whether it was good or bad. Although that impression might not coincide with reality, it almost always does!

Let us see the meaning of the word appearance: what appears at first sight; exteriority, aspect, probability.

When God tells us to abstain ourselves of all appearance of evil, it means that when we see the appearance of something, and realize that it does not prove to be good, then we must neither prove nor want to try it, let alone say get closer. God said,“Abstain from all appearance of evil…” He did not say “abstain from all evil” if we see that a certain person, place, or situation already appears evil, we must reject it right away!

Here are some examples:

You know that the boy who is flirting with you is not of the same faith, so do not reciprocate or start a relationship, knowing that he does not know God.  You must reject it before accepting and suffering.

Your friends invite you to go to the club. Don’t you know what happens in those places and that by being there you become vulnerable? Is it the appearance of good or evil?

You see a group of people gossiping, the best thing to do is to not join them, otherwise you will end up doing the same.

The best we can do is to always run away from everything that appears evil and destructive to our lives and to our faith. If we do not, we will end up making mistakes and displeasing God with our attitudes.

Have you fled from the appearance of evil?

What are you afraid of losing?

“So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.” John 12:10-11

We come across these verses with a very scary conspiracy from the chief priests. Men who served God, led the people and had knowledge about the Holy Scriptures were planning to kill two men: the Lord Jesus and Lazarus. Those who “defended” the law given by God to Moses, now intended to break it without any remorse. Or doesn’t the Law say “Thou shalt not kill?”

We see that the feast of Passover was near and many of the people were already coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves (John 11:55). But while the people sanctified themselves, the priests who were to set the example, were planning something terrible.

The fear of losing their religious power was so much that they were willing to commit a terrible act against whom they considered a threat to their purposes. It is very sad when the person thinks that he is spiritual being totally of the flesh.

And how many people when they feel threatened to lose a responsibility, a title or a position, begin to speak lies, become jealous, have evil eyes, malice and even slander those who they think are occupying the place that should be theirs.

They begin to plot evil against someone committing the same error as those priests. At that moment what they have always condemned because it’s against the Word of God, now in a difficult moment of their life, they do it! It is easy to live the faith when all is well, but what are your reactions in the deserts of life? Do you remain faithful to the Word or act in the flesh by forgetting the Law of God?

Many people think that they will achieve spiritual things using fleshy means and that is IMPOSSIBLE. Do not think that by harming someone and being unfair you will get something from God. We must live what we believe and teach, and that is true for good and bad times of our lives.

God bless you all!

Mistakes we can make with time

Time can be a great ally if we remain in the faith, as well as a fierce enemy if there is no vigilance from our part. See common mistakes that someone makes, when he/she is no longer in the faith.

·      He/she thinks they know everything

·      In their weakness they complain instead of using their faith

·      They don’t recognize their weaknesses

·      They do not seek help

·      They don’t accept to be rebuke or be taught

·      They feel self-sufficient

·      Believe in their own ability or intelligence, and so they leave God aside

·      They stop depending on God in the smallest details

·      Want to maintain an image of perfection

·      Live by appearance

If by reading this list you realized that you are in this situation, go back to live a pure and genuine faith in the Word of God.

Leave your comments or testimony!

The sacrifice of Mary

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3

As we read this passage we see that Mary had a gesture of love and gratitude to the Lord Jesus by pouring perfume at His feet. Although it seems a simple attitude, we see that the perfume was rare and it was equivalent to the salary of a year of work. Then we see that far more than a gentle attitude what Mary did was a real sacrifice. At that time single girls used to save money for their wedding day. With this gesture she gave her future and her dreams to the hands of the Lord Jesus. Her faith led her to sacrifice by giving everything to the Lord and remaining in His dependence.

At that time, it was not a good idea for a single girl to touch a man's feet. But Mary knew that the Messiah was not an ordinary man. Regardless of being judged or what others would think or say about her, she knelt down and anointed Jesus' feet. There she materialized her faith and showed that He was the first and most important in her life.

She stood before the Altar and would not miss the opportunity to trow herself on the Altar. How many people are afraid to take a step of faith, always worried about the opinion of others, listening to negative words and feelings of doubt and defeat. When we do what is right and we are driven by faith, we are sure that the outcome will come in the form of blessings.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to throw ourselves into the Altar with faith and doubts remain within us.

Mary is a great example to us all. I don’t get tired of writing about her because whenever I read about her, God reveals something new to me. Perhaps people see what you do to God as something not important. Judas Iscariot also saw Mary's attitude as not important; but she knew that she was pleasing her Lord and her gesture for him was accepted. Without knowing that His death was near, she was preparing the Lord Jesus for the grave (read John 12: 3-7). Mary left there justified and all who depend on the Altar will also be justified by Him.    

Do you believe?

  
 

Translated by Márcia Sebastião

The great difference between Martha and Mary

Martha, Mary and Lazarus were brothers and sisters, and they believed in the Lord Jesus. They always received Him in their home together with His disciples and offered them hospitality. We can then say that they were people who were members of the church, and were intimate friends of the Lord Jesus; and He loved them.

There is a lot of talk about Martha and Mary, and there really was a big difference between them. What caught my attention between the sisters was that Martha was always worried about doing many things, while Mary was always at Jesus' feet. In the hectic world we live in today, this can teach us a lot. Perhaps today you will find out that you have been more Martha than Mary, even believing in the Lord Jesus.

But what was the secret of Mary that led her to receive praise from the Lord Jesus? What was she doing so special?

·      To listen and learn His teachings Mary was at the feet of Jesus:

“She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching.” Luke 10.39

·       In moments of pain and suffering, Mary threw herself at the feet of Jesus:

“When Mary came to where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11.32

·      Mary went to Jesus' feet to worship Him:

“Then Mary took a pint of very costly ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment." John 12:3

Both were from the church, but one called Jesus' attention for her dedication, for always placing Him first, for knowing how to establish priorities. We must understand that God has more interest in us than in our service. Many of us worry about doing many things in the work of God. We want to be busy, we want to feel useful, and we think it will only happen if we work hard, perform many tasks or have many responsibilities.

Many even boast about how many responsibilities they have, their gigantic to-do list. But because they do not have communion with God, what they do for love ends up being a burden and they are always irritated, agitated and murmuring. Doing much is not a synonymous of spirituality.

But what really matters and will make a difference in our lives is the time we spent at Jesus' feet; the moments we spend alone with Him, whether to hear His voice, to seek comfort in difficult times, or to worship Him.

That was the big difference between the two sisters, while one wanted to DO a lot the other wanted for BE much. While one was distracted and occupied with many things, the other had fellowship with God. Many believe in the Lord Jesus, but not all have life with God, not all have this intimacy with their Lord, and that is what He most appreciates in us.

There is no use going to church and believing in God if there is no such approach to the Lord. How about you, have you been a Martha or a Mary?

Faith vs Works

We will be saved by our faith in Jesus and not by the amount of good works. However, a faith without works is not real. If I say that I have faith but I do not materialize it or I do not have the courage to act it, what profit will there be? None! It would be like having a heart and it doesn’t work; it's inside of me, but it doesn’t give me life.

Without the use of faith the person is full of problems and his/her life is destroyed. I am not referring only to physical accomplishments, but it takes faith even to conquer Salvation. It is no use to have faith and not make use of it to leave sin, traditions and religion; and obey the Word.

Genuine and supernatural faith, given by God Himself, drives us to act and not cross our arms. It shows us that there are no barriers that we cannot overcome, even if the circumstances show otherwise.

We cannot show our faith with words. Through the transformation of our lives it is possible to put it into evidence, even without speaking.

Of course, this faith comes through obedience to the Word of God. No one who lives in disobedience possesses the supernatural faith. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within each one of us and the only one that has the power to change our lives, starting with our interior.

“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17).

Sadness

We all go through sad moments. Sometimes it is a personal problem, sometimes it’s because we feel someone else's problem. Struggles, hardships and tribulations we all experience. What cannot happen is that we allow sadness to be above our faith and trust in God.

How many people who were eager in faith, when they experienced a problem became discouraged in such a way that they gave up God? The sadness managed to overshadow their faith and God who was everything in their life, now represents nothing.

If people are angry or disappointed, they blame God for their problems and don’t want to seek Him anymore.

This shows that the love from these people to God was conditioned by circumstances. When everything went well she loved Him, she sought Him, she was glad to go to church, but now with what happened she turned her back completely. Sometimes even inside the church she is far from the Lord; there is anger against Him.

Be careful my friends! We cannot fall into the error of being selfish. God will always be God and we His servants. Our dedication to Him and our fear must stay the same in good and bad moments. From this also depends our salvation!

In sorrow David sought God: “My soul collapses on account of grief; strengthen me according to Your word.” Psalm 119:28

What about you, my friend? Have you ever let sadness drive you away from the presence of God? Share this experience with us!

Which of the 3 are you guided by?

Have you ever stopped to think about by whom have you been guided? We always ask God to guide us, but do we allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives? These are questions that should not be left unanswered. Let's then analyze by who you have been guided:

·      By the Spirit of God

·      By your heart (your feelings)

·      By your flesh (your sinful will)

Those who submit to the Holy Spirit and allow themselves to be guided by Him, are certainly the ones who get it right because they never place their will or feelings above the purposes of God.

They recognize that God is prepared to guide them and does not need any help, after all He is God. These people are subjected to the word of God because they are aware that whoever obeys and lives within biblical standards is protected and safe. So:

·      They deny their flesh

·      They do what is right and not what they feel like doing

·      They obey God, even if His will is not in accordance with their will

·      They are aware that God knows the best way so He can guide them

·      Those guided by the Spirit remain within the plans of God

Now those who let themselves be guided by their heart always suffer, make wrong decisions and make mistakes constantly. They are deceived since the Bible says that our heart is extremely corrupt, who will know it? We don’t even know it!

Sentimental and emotional people do not usually use reason. Since everything is based on what they feel, their decisions, choices and attitudes are guided by their greatest enemy; the one she/he insists to obey and that has only caused her sorrows: her heart. They’re the ones that:

·      Play the victims

·      Stay with someone because they fall in love but do not see that she/he does not suit them

·      Solve their problems crying or screaming

·      Speak without thinking about the consequences of their words

·      Get hurt easily

·      If they feel like going to church or reading the Bible, they do it; if not they won’t do it

·      Make choices for what they feel and not for their intelligent faith

Finally, we have those who are guided by the flesh. Everything they feel like doing, they do it; even if it costs them dearly and risks their salvation.

It doesn’t matter what comes next. What matters is to satisfy their desires now. The flesh always speaks louder; she/he prefers to be carried away than to control their fleshly desires. This way sin has dominion over them.

To be guided by the flesh means to say yes to all your desires, although you know that the consequences will come, and you’ll be subjected to all of them.

·      They follow their uncontrolled desires, and live according to the needs of the flesh

·      The important thing is to satisfy the flesh, they want to please themselves

·      What the flesh asks for they give without thinking twice

·      They desire the pleasures of the world and do not fight to overcome them.

Let us not allow the heart or the desires of the flesh blind our understanding. This would be like signing our death certificate. I leave you this word to meditate:

“To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, for the carnal mind is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8: 6-8