The Inside Story of the U.S.-Israeli Covert Relationship: Money, Mossad, and the CIA (1991)
Saturday, November 28, 2015
7 Secrets That Will Make You More Likable
By Lolly Daskal, Inc., Nov. 20, 2015
Human beings are social creatures, which means social skills are a necessary part of a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Some people are naturals, but most of us deal with some degree of social anxiety. The good news is that social skills are like any other skill–most people aren’t born with them, and it’s never too late to learn.
1. Being smart is good; being social is better. People like smart people. But smart people are especially susceptible to certain social mistakes, like interrupting, discounting other people’s input, or cultivating a know-it-all air. Don’t let your intelligence hold you back socially; be a likable person and spend more time being engaging.
2. Have fun! Seriously. Being fun is a trait people generally appreciate in others. But situational awareness is the key to knowing how to play it. Be sensitive to what’s going on around you; there will be times your playful side can have free rein, but at others it will be necessary to hold back. The trick will be in knowing when to have fun and when to be serious.
3. Draw people out. Be curious about other people, and make a point of finding out what is fascinating and unique about them. Don’t hog the conversation but truly listen. Make it your mission to discover what makes those around you interesting. And, because people love talking about themselves, you’ll gain a reputation as a great conversationalist and extremely personable.
4. Keep communication collaborative. Don’t make your conversations a monologue but a dialogue; make it a partnership in which both parties contribute. Find a topic–ideally not too controversial or divisive–about which everyone has something to say, then listen as the ideas begin to weave around one another.
5. An attitude of positivity and praise goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to be positive and encouraging. If someone looks nice, or is well dressed, or played the piano incredibly well, tell him. If you think someone is funny or interesting, let her know. People are drawn to positivity.
6. Pay attention to nonverbal communication. Pay attention not just to the words you’re saying but also your pace, your tone of voice, and your body language: posture, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions all send messages. If you are avoiding eye contact, standing far away, or crossing your arms, you are likely telling others that you don’t want to interact. If you adopt a confident stance, smile, make eye contact, stand upright, and uncross your arms, you are more likely to make a good impression.
7. Present the best parts of who you are. The person who is most liked is one whose actions match his or her words, who presents an authentic self in every situation. We are judged by four things: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it. Our social skills and deeper relationships are happiest when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.
The secret to being more likable is to make your social skills a priority in your life. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
Human beings are social creatures, which means social skills are a necessary part of a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Some people are naturals, but most of us deal with some degree of social anxiety. The good news is that social skills are like any other skill–most people aren’t born with them, and it’s never too late to learn.
1. Being smart is good; being social is better. People like smart people. But smart people are especially susceptible to certain social mistakes, like interrupting, discounting other people’s input, or cultivating a know-it-all air. Don’t let your intelligence hold you back socially; be a likable person and spend more time being engaging.
2. Have fun! Seriously. Being fun is a trait people generally appreciate in others. But situational awareness is the key to knowing how to play it. Be sensitive to what’s going on around you; there will be times your playful side can have free rein, but at others it will be necessary to hold back. The trick will be in knowing when to have fun and when to be serious.
3. Draw people out. Be curious about other people, and make a point of finding out what is fascinating and unique about them. Don’t hog the conversation but truly listen. Make it your mission to discover what makes those around you interesting. And, because people love talking about themselves, you’ll gain a reputation as a great conversationalist and extremely personable.
4. Keep communication collaborative. Don’t make your conversations a monologue but a dialogue; make it a partnership in which both parties contribute. Find a topic–ideally not too controversial or divisive–about which everyone has something to say, then listen as the ideas begin to weave around one another.
5. An attitude of positivity and praise goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to be positive and encouraging. If someone looks nice, or is well dressed, or played the piano incredibly well, tell him. If you think someone is funny or interesting, let her know. People are drawn to positivity.
6. Pay attention to nonverbal communication. Pay attention not just to the words you’re saying but also your pace, your tone of voice, and your body language: posture, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions all send messages. If you are avoiding eye contact, standing far away, or crossing your arms, you are likely telling others that you don’t want to interact. If you adopt a confident stance, smile, make eye contact, stand upright, and uncross your arms, you are more likely to make a good impression.
7. Present the best parts of who you are. The person who is most liked is one whose actions match his or her words, who presents an authentic self in every situation. We are judged by four things: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it. Our social skills and deeper relationships are happiest when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.
The secret to being more likable is to make your social skills a priority in your life. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Breast Cancer Cured Dr. Day's Miraculous Healing without Drugs or Chemotherapy
AARP Attacks Dr. Day!
This Scam Alert column appeared in the January 2003 issue of the AARP Bulletin.
Read Dr. Day's response below.
Lorraine Day, M.D.
P.O. Box 8
Thousand Palms, CA 92276
1-800-574-2437
www.drday.com
January 14, 2003
Elliot Carlson, Editor AARP
Carole Fleck, author of Scam Alert Column
P.O. Box 199
Long Beach, CA 90801
Dear Mr. Carlson and Ms. Fleck:
I want to thank you for mentioning me in your column "Scam Alert" in the January 2003 issue of the AARP Bulletin, page 18. Obviously my message of Natural Healing is having a major impact throughout the country if an organization the size of AARP, 30 million members, feels the need to attack me.
Yes, I am an orthodox medical doctor who was for 15 years on the faculty of the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, considered to be one of the three top medical schools in the country. As Associate Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, I trained thousands of doctors.
In addition, as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at San Francisco General Hospital, one of the premier trauma hospitals in the country, I ran the equivalent of a M.A.S.H. unit for many years. For the past 20-25 years, I have been invited to lecture to doctors at numerous University medical schools including Vanderbilt, Baylor, Cincinnati, Tufts, South Carolina, Iowa, USC, Minnesota and countless medical societies throughout the U.S. including the Massachusetts Medical Society, as well as other medical organizations around the world, including the Royal Society of Medicine in London.
How surprised they will be to find out that the very doctor, Dr. Lorraine Day, these highly distinguished medical groups invited as a guest speaker, you, the editors of AARP, have designated as a quack.
How could I, overnight, go from a highly respected surgeon at the top of my field, to an AARP-designated quack?
What was my "crime?"
Answer: I had the audacity to successfully reverse my severe, life-threatening cancer WITHOUT DRUGS! According to your business partners, the pharmaceutical companies, this is the GREATEST crime of all!
Yes, I did reverse my life-threatening, end-stage cancer by totally natural methods. (You can see the pictures of the huge tumor I had, as well as my biopsy reports at my web site www.drday.com)
Yes, I did refuse chemotherapy, radiation and mutilating surgery because, as a medical doctor with years of experience, I saw thousands of cancer patients die, NOT from their cancer, but from the painful, maiming, destructive "treatments" we doctors give them.
And Yes, I am TOTALLY WELL and Cancer-FREE a full 10 years after my tumor first appeared, and EVERYTHING I used to get well is totally free, except for food, and almost everyone has to buy that anyway.
But I understand your need to attack me and my reputation. Certainly you don't want your membership to learn how to get well from Cancer, Heart Disease, Parkinson's Lupus, Arthritis, Diabetes and many, many other diseases by natural methods, without drugs of any kind. After all, one of the main functions of AARP, according to your own advertising, is to sell drug medications to your members.
Let's see, with 30 million members (all over 55) and each one spending maybe $100.00 per month with AARP for their medication (a conservative estimate), that amounts to $3 BILLIONin drug sales per month. If your organization gets a cut of just 10% of that total, thatÕs $300 MILLION per month for you! If your cut is only 1%, that's still $30 MILLION per month you are receiving, a minimum of $360 MILLION per year!
When you have a multi-million dollar arrangement with the drug companies as you do, my message of inexpensive natural methods of healing, with NO adverse side effects, could really cut into a truly phenomenal income such as you are receiving. It's easy to see why you would choose to attack me.
One more thing, in your column you referred to natural healing as quackery, yet on the back page of your very same AARP Bulletin, January 2003, you promote a "Yearbook" with an advertising headline stating "Ordinary Ailments, Extraordinary Cures -- Health Breakthroughs and Remarkable Remedies." In that advertisement are listed SIX or SEVEN points of the TEN Step Natural Health Plan I used to reverse my end-stage cancer!
Why is it "quackery" when I promote it, but it's NOT "quackery" when YOU promote it? (see ad in AARP bulletin)
Even MORE interesting is the fact that you CHANGED the headline for the advertisement when it was published in your Bulletin. Here is the SAME ad found in another paper. The heading is very different. It includes the words:
"Remedies That Work Better Than Dangerous Drugs Or Risky Surgery"
Your AARP Bulletin obviously required that the ad be changed to eliminate these important words - to protect your enormous payoff from your drug business. You have deliberately withheld potentially life-saving information from your membership for your own monetary gain.
In the interest of fairness, I'm sure you will be more than happy to print this letter in a prominent spot in your up-coming February AARP Bulletin. I give you permission, but ONLY if it is printed in its entirety. You do not have my permission to cut and paste portions to suit your own agenda.
Just in case there's an outside chance you are NOT interested in fairness, I will post this letter on my own web site at www.drday.com as well as other web sites, as the public does have the right to hear both sides.
Again, thank you for mentioning me. I could never afford to buy publicity like this to an organization the size of AARP, and here you have provided it for me free of charge. You have probably forgotten, or at least have not considered the fact that there are millions of intelligent and discerning members in your organization who will be perceptive enough to search me out,to find out how they too can get well without the torturing pain, surgical disfigurement, and bankrupting expense of orthodox methods.
Thanks for letting them know I'm here! They may not have found me otherwise.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Day, M.D.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Espoir Congo Testimonies
Espoir Congo
By Dom and Marie, Congo
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.—2 Timothy 2:2
Last month we held another graduation ceremony for the next group of young people who completed the 12 Foundation Stones (12FS) course. This is the fourth graduation event we’ve held since coming to Congo in 2008. We see this as a visible fulfillment of 2 Timothy 2:2. In our lives as missionaries, we don’t often get to witness the fruit of our labors, so to speak. We usually sow the seeds, do our best to follow up on people, and trust God for the increase, without really seeing how far that first seed has gone.
Patrick.
Gerse.
These nine young people who just received their certificate have all been met and taught by Gerse and Patrick, who graduated from the 12FS in May 2014. They had met Olivier at the University of Kinshasa while they were completing their medical studies. Olivier, who was met by Andre and Mary back in 2009, had completed the 12FS course in 2011. It was after the retreat we had organized in October of the same year that he felt called to start teaching the 12FS at the university. It was inspiring to have the “old timers” testify during the ceremony, pray for the new graduates, and give out the rewards, while Gerse and Patrick led the show.
And for us, it is so rewarding to take a backseat and just marvel at what the Lord has done, by His Spirit, to win and train these very potential young people, who now love to call themselves by the Family’s name.
We will let some of the graduates speak for themselves, and pray it will be as inspiring for you as it has been for us. Isn’t it wonderful how the Word is so alive and transforms lives from every nation and culture?
A few months ago, Gerse started giving me tracts, which I found quite interesting. I knew the intensity of his faith, and that he was serving the Lord. Each time we met, he would give me more tracts and Activated magazines. I was wondering what to do about it, because I’m his pastor, I’m a theologian, and I was wondering what could this child teach me? So I decided to look more into it. I felt like a fish who is used to swimming in a small river, and who all of a sudden finds himself in the ocean. So I made the decision to study the 12 Foundation Stones Bible course from beginning to end, and I understood why it was so important for me to get to know the Family International.
I’d like to share a small testimony. I had gone to visit one of my church members who had been so ill for over a week that he could no longer get out of bed. He and his wife were very distressed by this situation. I started sharing with them the message of love I had learned in the Foundation Stones, and while we were talking, I felt within me the strong desire to pray for him. All of a sudden, I told him, “Get up in the name of Jesus Christ!” He got up, and that was it, he was completely healed! I want to give the glory to Jesus and to thank the Family International for these teachings which gave me the faith to pray for this sick man.
Now that I have completed the course, I want to give myself more fully to preaching the Gospel, because the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. Also, I see the importance of putting 2 Timothy 2:2 into practice—what we have learned, we must pass on to others, so they in turn can pass it on.—Pastor Sukari
Pastor Sukari.
I thank the Lord to have helped me discover the Family International, thanks to Gerse. I have received wonderful training, and what I liked the most in this course is lesson #5, about the Golden Rule, how to love others. It has taught me how to better show love to those I meet. My vision is to spread the message of John 3:16, to show people how much God loves them, no matter what problems they face or what conditions they live in, to teach others how to put their trust in Jesus and to believe that Jesus is able to solve all of their problems.—Ruth
Ruth.
In the beginning, when Gerse would come to talk to me about the Family International, I wasn’t really interested, but the day I discovered what it was really about, my life changed. Before, I was incapable of reading the Bible, but thanks to the 12FS course, I am a different man, and I can only thank God for that. My desire now is to obey Mark 16:15 to go into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature, and give to others what I have been entrusted with.—Jimmy
Jimmy.
It is thanks to my brother Gerse that I have discovered this Bible course. I heard him talk about it, and it made me want to take this course as well. Now, I want to do what it says in 2 Timothy 2:2, and teach others everything I have learned.—Munduku
Munduku.
One morning, while I was charging my phone in a shop, I met Gerse and he invited me to the 12FS Bible course he was teaching. In the beginning, it was not easy for me, because of the timing and the difficulties of transport because I study at the University of Kinshasa, which is quite far away. I also had health problems and was generally very depressed. So I cried out to the Lord, and today, I can testify that it is thanks to the Family International that I was able to overcome my problems. Now I thank God because necessity is laid upon me to share His Word wherever I go. Woe is unto me if I don’t preach the Gospel!—Patrick
Teacher Patrick and Thierry handing out graduation certificates.
If you could see my face right now, you would understand that I am filled with joy! I can’t even find the words to say, because today is the day that I am becoming a missionary! I feel so blessed to have met the Family! I see people here in Kinshasa who haven’t had that same opportunity, so I thank God to have chosen me. In the beginning it was easy for me to come to the classes of the 12 FS because I lived right there in Massina, but then when we moved to Kingansani (a different part of town), it became very difficult for me to attend the classes. It was so hard that I almost gave up. But I asked the other students to pray for me. I remembered the verse that says that if one falls, the other will pick him up. So thanks to their prayers, I was able to continue and to finish the course and now I am a missionary. My vision is to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2, because I can’t keep this course to myself, I’m going to share it with others.—Olga
Olga.
Please pray for all these new graduates from the 12FS course, for the Lord to help each one to find their calling, and open avenues for them to witness and share their faith. Pray also for the supply of all their needs. Thank you!
If you would like to help them continue their work, communicate with them on their facebook page.
By Dom and Marie, Congo
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.—2 Timothy 2:2
Last month we held another graduation ceremony for the next group of young people who completed the 12 Foundation Stones (12FS) course. This is the fourth graduation event we’ve held since coming to Congo in 2008. We see this as a visible fulfillment of 2 Timothy 2:2. In our lives as missionaries, we don’t often get to witness the fruit of our labors, so to speak. We usually sow the seeds, do our best to follow up on people, and trust God for the increase, without really seeing how far that first seed has gone.
Patrick.
Gerse.
These nine young people who just received their certificate have all been met and taught by Gerse and Patrick, who graduated from the 12FS in May 2014. They had met Olivier at the University of Kinshasa while they were completing their medical studies. Olivier, who was met by Andre and Mary back in 2009, had completed the 12FS course in 2011. It was after the retreat we had organized in October of the same year that he felt called to start teaching the 12FS at the university. It was inspiring to have the “old timers” testify during the ceremony, pray for the new graduates, and give out the rewards, while Gerse and Patrick led the show.
And for us, it is so rewarding to take a backseat and just marvel at what the Lord has done, by His Spirit, to win and train these very potential young people, who now love to call themselves by the Family’s name.
We will let some of the graduates speak for themselves, and pray it will be as inspiring for you as it has been for us. Isn’t it wonderful how the Word is so alive and transforms lives from every nation and culture?
A few months ago, Gerse started giving me tracts, which I found quite interesting. I knew the intensity of his faith, and that he was serving the Lord. Each time we met, he would give me more tracts and Activated magazines. I was wondering what to do about it, because I’m his pastor, I’m a theologian, and I was wondering what could this child teach me? So I decided to look more into it. I felt like a fish who is used to swimming in a small river, and who all of a sudden finds himself in the ocean. So I made the decision to study the 12 Foundation Stones Bible course from beginning to end, and I understood why it was so important for me to get to know the Family International.
I’d like to share a small testimony. I had gone to visit one of my church members who had been so ill for over a week that he could no longer get out of bed. He and his wife were very distressed by this situation. I started sharing with them the message of love I had learned in the Foundation Stones, and while we were talking, I felt within me the strong desire to pray for him. All of a sudden, I told him, “Get up in the name of Jesus Christ!” He got up, and that was it, he was completely healed! I want to give the glory to Jesus and to thank the Family International for these teachings which gave me the faith to pray for this sick man.
Now that I have completed the course, I want to give myself more fully to preaching the Gospel, because the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. Also, I see the importance of putting 2 Timothy 2:2 into practice—what we have learned, we must pass on to others, so they in turn can pass it on.—Pastor Sukari
Pastor Sukari.
I thank the Lord to have helped me discover the Family International, thanks to Gerse. I have received wonderful training, and what I liked the most in this course is lesson #5, about the Golden Rule, how to love others. It has taught me how to better show love to those I meet. My vision is to spread the message of John 3:16, to show people how much God loves them, no matter what problems they face or what conditions they live in, to teach others how to put their trust in Jesus and to believe that Jesus is able to solve all of their problems.—Ruth
Ruth.
In the beginning, when Gerse would come to talk to me about the Family International, I wasn’t really interested, but the day I discovered what it was really about, my life changed. Before, I was incapable of reading the Bible, but thanks to the 12FS course, I am a different man, and I can only thank God for that. My desire now is to obey Mark 16:15 to go into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature, and give to others what I have been entrusted with.—Jimmy
Jimmy.
It is thanks to my brother Gerse that I have discovered this Bible course. I heard him talk about it, and it made me want to take this course as well. Now, I want to do what it says in 2 Timothy 2:2, and teach others everything I have learned.—Munduku
Munduku.
One morning, while I was charging my phone in a shop, I met Gerse and he invited me to the 12FS Bible course he was teaching. In the beginning, it was not easy for me, because of the timing and the difficulties of transport because I study at the University of Kinshasa, which is quite far away. I also had health problems and was generally very depressed. So I cried out to the Lord, and today, I can testify that it is thanks to the Family International that I was able to overcome my problems. Now I thank God because necessity is laid upon me to share His Word wherever I go. Woe is unto me if I don’t preach the Gospel!—Patrick
Teacher Patrick and Thierry handing out graduation certificates.
If you could see my face right now, you would understand that I am filled with joy! I can’t even find the words to say, because today is the day that I am becoming a missionary! I feel so blessed to have met the Family! I see people here in Kinshasa who haven’t had that same opportunity, so I thank God to have chosen me. In the beginning it was easy for me to come to the classes of the 12 FS because I lived right there in Massina, but then when we moved to Kingansani (a different part of town), it became very difficult for me to attend the classes. It was so hard that I almost gave up. But I asked the other students to pray for me. I remembered the verse that says that if one falls, the other will pick him up. So thanks to their prayers, I was able to continue and to finish the course and now I am a missionary. My vision is to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2, because I can’t keep this course to myself, I’m going to share it with others.—Olga
Olga.
Please pray for all these new graduates from the 12FS course, for the Lord to help each one to find their calling, and open avenues for them to witness and share their faith. Pray also for the supply of all their needs. Thank you!
If you would like to help them continue their work, communicate with them on their facebook page.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Love Beyond Human Limits
By M. Fontaine
Link
Audio length: 6:41
Download Audio (6.1MB)
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”—1 John 3:181
Consistently thinking of others and trying to help others, especially when that involves personal sacrifice, is a tall order! It’s so easy to be lazy, selfish, and self-centered. Most of us are that way naturally. Our first reactions are usually about ourselves—what we want and what will make us happy. But if we ask Jesus to help us and put forth a genuine effort, we can develop new habits and reactions, which, with time, will help us become more loving, caring individuals.
Jesus understands that we don’t naturally have enough love to live in the manner He has said we should, but that’s really no excuse. Just because we can’t do it doesn’t mean He doesn’t expect it of us, because He will do it for us and through us if we want it badly enough and ask for His help. He is happy to give us all the outgoing love we need, because that’s what He wants for us too.
It’s human nature to be self-preserving, self-seeking, self-satisfying. It’s human nature to put our own needs and survival above others. But here’s where those who have received God’s love in Jesus have a great advantage, because the Bible promises, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”2 Jesus helps us break those natural circuits. He rewires our minds and hearts to do His bidding, which is to love others.
What a marvelous thing that is! Jesus told His original disciples, “By this all will know that you are My disciples”—followers of His teachings—“if you have love for one another.”3 In that day, the love Jesus’ disciples had for each other, their friends, and even strangers drew much attention and was a powerful example to others of the Lord’s love, and it spread.
Many people in the world are dying for the kind of love Jesus talked about and lived and offers us. This is why He challenges us to manifest deep, sacrificial, impartial love for others, even though He knows such love is far beyond our human capabilities. It’simpossible for us to show such love on our own, and if we try to do this ourselves, we’ll be disappointed, frustrated, and wear ourselves out trying. But if we will simply ask Jesus for that love for others and then be willing to put it into action, He will give it to us.
To become the example of God’s love that you desire to be, ask Him for a willing mind and heart and a believing spirit, and then follow through with small deeds of unselfish love. As you begin to do your part, you may likely find that you think more of others, feel their needs more readily, and have more genuine concern for their happiness and well-being. More wonderful still, you may even find yourself gladly giving up some of your own plans or things you once held dear for the sake of others.
When you give of yourself, when you go out of your way to be a friend, when you take time to talk to someone who is lonely or comfort someone who is sick, when you sympathize and help someone with their problems, when you make someone feel needed, and when you point someone to the source of this extraordinary love—Jesus—you will find that it brings you a special kind of satisfaction and reward of spirit. Through performing these little acts of love and unselfishness you will be blessed personally with happiness that can’t be gotten any other away—the happiness of knowing that you have been a blessing to someone in need.
In loving and giving unselfishly, you not only allow God to use you to help others, but you allow Him to pour His blessings upon you, for He blesses unselfishness and giving. He blesses those who are giving, and He withdraws some of His blessings from those who selfishly always think of themselves first and insist on having their own way. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”4
Human love can only go so far. To be all we can be and accomplish all we can, we need to be filled with the love of God. He can fill our hearts with more love than we’ve ever dreamed possible, if we will only believe, receive, and then be willing to put it into action.
So let’s let Jesus’ love for others shine through us. Let’s love one another more. Let’s do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let’s let the Lord’s love be manifested in more forgiveness, understanding, communication, support, sympathy, and practical, loving, caring action. Let’s give of our time, be a listening ear, and open our hearts and lives to others. Let’s be swift to forgive and forget. Let’s do our best to be our brother’s keeper. Let’s be a strong shoulder to lean on or cry on. Let’s not jump to conclusions or judge unfairly, but instead give others the benefit of the doubt. Let’s try with all our hearts to set a good example of the Lord’s unconditional love. Let’s bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill God’s supreme law: love.5
Adapted from the writings of Maria Fontaine. Published on Anchor November 2015.
Read by Debra Lee.
1 ESV.
2 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV.
3 John 13:35 NKJV.
4 Proverbs 11:24–25 ESV.
5 Galatians 6:2.
Link
Audio length: 6:41
Download Audio (6.1MB)
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”—1 John 3:181
Consistently thinking of others and trying to help others, especially when that involves personal sacrifice, is a tall order! It’s so easy to be lazy, selfish, and self-centered. Most of us are that way naturally. Our first reactions are usually about ourselves—what we want and what will make us happy. But if we ask Jesus to help us and put forth a genuine effort, we can develop new habits and reactions, which, with time, will help us become more loving, caring individuals.
Jesus understands that we don’t naturally have enough love to live in the manner He has said we should, but that’s really no excuse. Just because we can’t do it doesn’t mean He doesn’t expect it of us, because He will do it for us and through us if we want it badly enough and ask for His help. He is happy to give us all the outgoing love we need, because that’s what He wants for us too.
It’s human nature to be self-preserving, self-seeking, self-satisfying. It’s human nature to put our own needs and survival above others. But here’s where those who have received God’s love in Jesus have a great advantage, because the Bible promises, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”2 Jesus helps us break those natural circuits. He rewires our minds and hearts to do His bidding, which is to love others.
What a marvelous thing that is! Jesus told His original disciples, “By this all will know that you are My disciples”—followers of His teachings—“if you have love for one another.”3 In that day, the love Jesus’ disciples had for each other, their friends, and even strangers drew much attention and was a powerful example to others of the Lord’s love, and it spread.
Many people in the world are dying for the kind of love Jesus talked about and lived and offers us. This is why He challenges us to manifest deep, sacrificial, impartial love for others, even though He knows such love is far beyond our human capabilities. It’simpossible for us to show such love on our own, and if we try to do this ourselves, we’ll be disappointed, frustrated, and wear ourselves out trying. But if we will simply ask Jesus for that love for others and then be willing to put it into action, He will give it to us.
To become the example of God’s love that you desire to be, ask Him for a willing mind and heart and a believing spirit, and then follow through with small deeds of unselfish love. As you begin to do your part, you may likely find that you think more of others, feel their needs more readily, and have more genuine concern for their happiness and well-being. More wonderful still, you may even find yourself gladly giving up some of your own plans or things you once held dear for the sake of others.
When you give of yourself, when you go out of your way to be a friend, when you take time to talk to someone who is lonely or comfort someone who is sick, when you sympathize and help someone with their problems, when you make someone feel needed, and when you point someone to the source of this extraordinary love—Jesus—you will find that it brings you a special kind of satisfaction and reward of spirit. Through performing these little acts of love and unselfishness you will be blessed personally with happiness that can’t be gotten any other away—the happiness of knowing that you have been a blessing to someone in need.
In loving and giving unselfishly, you not only allow God to use you to help others, but you allow Him to pour His blessings upon you, for He blesses unselfishness and giving. He blesses those who are giving, and He withdraws some of His blessings from those who selfishly always think of themselves first and insist on having their own way. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”4
Human love can only go so far. To be all we can be and accomplish all we can, we need to be filled with the love of God. He can fill our hearts with more love than we’ve ever dreamed possible, if we will only believe, receive, and then be willing to put it into action.
So let’s let Jesus’ love for others shine through us. Let’s love one another more. Let’s do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let’s let the Lord’s love be manifested in more forgiveness, understanding, communication, support, sympathy, and practical, loving, caring action. Let’s give of our time, be a listening ear, and open our hearts and lives to others. Let’s be swift to forgive and forget. Let’s do our best to be our brother’s keeper. Let’s be a strong shoulder to lean on or cry on. Let’s not jump to conclusions or judge unfairly, but instead give others the benefit of the doubt. Let’s try with all our hearts to set a good example of the Lord’s unconditional love. Let’s bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill God’s supreme law: love.5
Adapted from the writings of Maria Fontaine. Published on Anchor November 2015.
Read by Debra Lee.
1 ESV.
2 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV.
3 John 13:35 NKJV.
4 Proverbs 11:24–25 ESV.
5 Galatians 6:2.
Acredite em Mim Agora
Link
Steve Hearts
Eu andava sobrecarregado pelas circunstâncias que não eram do meu gosto. Estava inquieto, perturbado e ansioso, procurando uma saÃda, contudo sem encontrar nenhuma. Orei o mais que pude, mas me sentia como se estivesse gritando, tentando ser ouvido acima de uma tempestade que rugia ao meu redor, que é a descrição perfeita do meu estado de espÃrito na ocasião. Meus pensamentos eram um amontoado nebuloso e confuso. Por mais familiares que muitas das promessas de Deus são para mim, a sua verdade, consolo e garantia pareciam-me distantes. Minha força foi diminuindo a cada dia conforme a luta para manter a cabeça acima d’água se intensificava. Eu me sentia só e abandonado.
Esta manhã, desesperado para encontrar algo no qual me agarrar, decidi ouvir a música “Believe Me Now”, de Steven Curtis Chapman. Eu já tinha ouvido algumas vezes e a mensagem havia me inspirado. Mas eu não estava tão desesperado como agora, e talvez o significado só devesse tomar vida para mim neste momento. Coloquei a música para tocar e não fiquei decepcionado. Não poderia ter sido uma mensagem mais apropriada para mim, dita pelo próprio Senhor:
Você olha além das águas turbulentas
Certo que suas esperanças estão do outro lado.
Ouve o inimigo se aproximar
Sei que não tem forças para combatê-lo,
Mas tem fé para aguentar?
Acredite em mim agora, creia em mim aqui
Lembre-se de todas as vezes que lhe disse em alto e bom tom
Estou com você e do seu lado
Acredite em mim agora, acredite em mim agora.
No desenrolar da canção, vi claramente que nos últimos dias eu estava fazendo exatamente o contrário de acreditar. Não era de admirar que estava praticamente me afogando num mar de desespero e desânimo. Estava lutando com meus próprios pensamentos em vez de descansar nos braços de Jesus e simplesmente crer nEle. Lembrei-me das primeiras palavras de Hebreus 4: 3: “Porque nós, os que temos crido, entramos no descanso.” Por que eu tinha experimentado tantas perturbações espirituais e mentais ultimamente? A resposta era simples: porque eu tinha deixado de acreditar. Evidentemente, agora era hora de pôr fim à quela luta ferrenha contra meus próprios pensamentos e que até agora era uma batalha perdida. Eu devia entregar tudo a Jesus e simplesmente crer nEle agora, confiando que Ele iria de alguma forma resolver as coisas. Só então eu seria plenamente capaz de “entrar no descanso.”
Comecei a repetir para mim mesmo vez as palavras, “Eu creio, Senhor! ajuda a minha incredulidade.”[1] Este exercÃcio foi mais do que uma repetição de palavras conhecidas. Era uma declaração sincera, de todo o coração ao Senhor, de que eu desejava voltar ao caminho da crença novamente, e que precisava da ajuda dEle para não me desviar.
Através da música, Jesus estava me dizendo exatamente a mesma coisa que disse a Jairo quando parecia que já era tarde demais e sua filha tinha morrido: “Não temas, crê somente.”[2]
Quando os dois cegos vieram a Jesus implorando por misericórdia e para receber sua visão, Jesus perguntou-lhes se eles acreditavam que Ele era capaz de fazer isso. Quando eles responderam que sim, receberam a sua petição.[3]
Ao pensar sobre isso, percebi que eu também tinha me permitido momentaneamente ser cegado pela dúvida e descrença, como todos nós fazemos às vezes. Mas a névoa e a confusão provocada por meu estado ansioso e duvidoso estava agora se dissipando desde que escolhi seguir pelo caminho da crença e confiança em Jesus.
À medida que me esforço para ter uma atitude de acreditar mais, sinto-me mais incentivado e espiritualmente energizado. Em vez de estar preocupado com o negativo, esforço-me para me concentrar em Jesus e nas Suas promessas. Isso não me permite necessariamente ver a estrada à frente e saber exatamente como tudo vai acabar. No entanto, agora consigo confiar que não estou sozinho. Não só estou sendo acompanhado em minha jornada, mas estou sendo conduzido e guiado por quem vê e conhece o caminho à frente. Tudo o que tenho a fazer é acreditar nEle agora, confiando que Ele está comigo e também luta por mim.
[1] Ver Marcos 9:24.
[2] Ver Lucas 8:40–56.
[3] Mateus 9:27–30.
Steve Hearts
Eu andava sobrecarregado pelas circunstâncias que não eram do meu gosto. Estava inquieto, perturbado e ansioso, procurando uma saÃda, contudo sem encontrar nenhuma. Orei o mais que pude, mas me sentia como se estivesse gritando, tentando ser ouvido acima de uma tempestade que rugia ao meu redor, que é a descrição perfeita do meu estado de espÃrito na ocasião. Meus pensamentos eram um amontoado nebuloso e confuso. Por mais familiares que muitas das promessas de Deus são para mim, a sua verdade, consolo e garantia pareciam-me distantes. Minha força foi diminuindo a cada dia conforme a luta para manter a cabeça acima d’água se intensificava. Eu me sentia só e abandonado.
Esta manhã, desesperado para encontrar algo no qual me agarrar, decidi ouvir a música “Believe Me Now”, de Steven Curtis Chapman. Eu já tinha ouvido algumas vezes e a mensagem havia me inspirado. Mas eu não estava tão desesperado como agora, e talvez o significado só devesse tomar vida para mim neste momento. Coloquei a música para tocar e não fiquei decepcionado. Não poderia ter sido uma mensagem mais apropriada para mim, dita pelo próprio Senhor:
Você olha além das águas turbulentas
Certo que suas esperanças estão do outro lado.
Ouve o inimigo se aproximar
Sei que não tem forças para combatê-lo,
Mas tem fé para aguentar?
Acredite em mim agora, creia em mim aqui
Lembre-se de todas as vezes que lhe disse em alto e bom tom
Estou com você e do seu lado
Acredite em mim agora, acredite em mim agora.
No desenrolar da canção, vi claramente que nos últimos dias eu estava fazendo exatamente o contrário de acreditar. Não era de admirar que estava praticamente me afogando num mar de desespero e desânimo. Estava lutando com meus próprios pensamentos em vez de descansar nos braços de Jesus e simplesmente crer nEle. Lembrei-me das primeiras palavras de Hebreus 4: 3: “Porque nós, os que temos crido, entramos no descanso.” Por que eu tinha experimentado tantas perturbações espirituais e mentais ultimamente? A resposta era simples: porque eu tinha deixado de acreditar. Evidentemente, agora era hora de pôr fim à quela luta ferrenha contra meus próprios pensamentos e que até agora era uma batalha perdida. Eu devia entregar tudo a Jesus e simplesmente crer nEle agora, confiando que Ele iria de alguma forma resolver as coisas. Só então eu seria plenamente capaz de “entrar no descanso.”
Comecei a repetir para mim mesmo vez as palavras, “Eu creio, Senhor! ajuda a minha incredulidade.”[1] Este exercÃcio foi mais do que uma repetição de palavras conhecidas. Era uma declaração sincera, de todo o coração ao Senhor, de que eu desejava voltar ao caminho da crença novamente, e que precisava da ajuda dEle para não me desviar.
Através da música, Jesus estava me dizendo exatamente a mesma coisa que disse a Jairo quando parecia que já era tarde demais e sua filha tinha morrido: “Não temas, crê somente.”[2]
Quando os dois cegos vieram a Jesus implorando por misericórdia e para receber sua visão, Jesus perguntou-lhes se eles acreditavam que Ele era capaz de fazer isso. Quando eles responderam que sim, receberam a sua petição.[3]
Ao pensar sobre isso, percebi que eu também tinha me permitido momentaneamente ser cegado pela dúvida e descrença, como todos nós fazemos às vezes. Mas a névoa e a confusão provocada por meu estado ansioso e duvidoso estava agora se dissipando desde que escolhi seguir pelo caminho da crença e confiança em Jesus.
À medida que me esforço para ter uma atitude de acreditar mais, sinto-me mais incentivado e espiritualmente energizado. Em vez de estar preocupado com o negativo, esforço-me para me concentrar em Jesus e nas Suas promessas. Isso não me permite necessariamente ver a estrada à frente e saber exatamente como tudo vai acabar. No entanto, agora consigo confiar que não estou sozinho. Não só estou sendo acompanhado em minha jornada, mas estou sendo conduzido e guiado por quem vê e conhece o caminho à frente. Tudo o que tenho a fazer é acreditar nEle agora, confiando que Ele está comigo e também luta por mim.
[1] Ver Marcos 9:24.
[2] Ver Lucas 8:40–56.
[3] Mateus 9:27–30.
'There is great fear in the air': What's happening in Burundi?
Lucinda Borkett-Jones CHRISTIAN TODAY FEATURES EDITOR 06 May 2015
Reuters
Protestors clashed with riot police in Bujumbura during a protest against the ruling party's decision to allow President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term in office, April 27, 2015.
Riots have erupted in Burundi's capital over the president's decision to stand for a third electoral term, raising fears that violence could become ethnicised.
On April 25 Burundi's leading political party, CNDD-FDD endorsed current president Pierre Nkurunziza as their candidate in the national election on 26 June. This meant Nkurunziza would be standing for a third term, despite the constitution only allowing a president to be elected for two terms.
Opposition supporters took to the streets of the capital Bujumbura to demonstrate against a decision that was seen as being unconstitutional. Reports suggest that at least 12 people have been killed in the protests, although the police say the figure is lower, but the disturbance continued throughout the week. The United Nations said today that nearly 40,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last month.
Nkurunziza argues that his first five-year term doesn't count as, owing to the transitional process at the end of the civil war, he was chosen by parliament and not the people of Burundi. Yesterday the constitutional court ruled in his favour, although there are widespread reports that members of the court were pressured into agreeing with the President. The court's vice-president fled to Rwanda because he refused to sign the ruling.
The foreign and commonwealth office said in a statement today: "Reports of intimidation against members of the Constitutional Court do not give the impression of an independent court that was able to come to an impartial decision. This is not in the best interests of Burundi or its people."
US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Nkurunziza to abandon his election plans. On Monday he told reporters: "We are deeply concerned about President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision, which flies directly in the face of the constitution of this country."
The Burundian government has described the protests as "insurrection". Police arrested leading human rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa and Human Rights Watch said on Friday that more than 400 people had been detained.
It is the worst uprising in the country since the end of the 13-year civil war in 2005, in which an estimated 300,000 people died. Since independence in 1962 there have been ongoing tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi populations, leading to fierce violence between the two ethnic groups in 1972 and again in the 1990s.
There are fears that the protests could spread and that they could become ethnicised. But Simon Guillebaud, the founder of Great Lakes Outreach who has lived in Burundi for 16 years, told Christian Today that Burundi has "moved on" from ethnic conflict, although he said there are "a few people who are trying to make it an ethnic issue."
Speaking of the situation before the protests, he said the Arusha peace agreement, signed in 2000, and the subsequent constitution had been effective in making Tutsis feel safe. He added that the political parties were not divided along tribal lines.
"What we've experienced has been less than Baltimore," Guillebaud said, criticising John Kerry's remarks for being "out of order". He said that the international press had been "more alarmist than the realities on the ground."
Even so, Guillebaud wrote on his blog last week: "There is great fear in the air. It's impossible to predict how things will pan out, and whether this might be quickly resolved or drag on for ages and even spill over into other nations. Optimists are few and far between, and the stakes are incredibly high for the nation and beyond."
In a message to supporters on Saturday he said that demonstrators had set up barricades on their street but they had not been targeted but had spoken with the protestors. He added: "We'd obviously prefer constant calm, but sometimes a storm comes along. Whether for us that's this Monday or not, God has done so many amazing things in Burundi over the years. Some of his finest troops are Burundian. So let's continue to be in faith, not in fear, recognising the realities but pleading with and trusting God for breakthroughs and solutions that through our own eyes are hard to discern as things stand."
The World Council of Churches and the All Africa Conference of Churches issued a joint statement calling for peaceful dialogue and prayer for the nation. "The current atmosphere of division places in jeopardy the peace agreement which has aimed at bringing an end to conflict," they said in the statement. "While reasonable people may differ on the specifics of the road ahead, it is essential that violence cease and dialogue be re-established, so that justice may prevail.
"Beyond the issues at play in the current confrontation, it is not only the peace and security of Burundians which are at stake but also the stability of the Great Lakes region."
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
A Realidade Central
Link
Palavras de Jesus
“Os passos do homem são dirigidos pelo Senhor. Como poderia alguém discernir seu próprio caminho?”—Provérbios 20:24[1]
Neste mundo disperso e fragmentado Eu sou a Realidade central que tudo agrega. Quando mantém o foco em Mim, sua vida tem significado e beleza. Sem Mim, o mundo seria completamente desolado, sem significado ou esperança. Eu vim ao mundo para mostrar-lhe o caminho para o Pai, o caminho para a vida eterna. No entanto, sou infinitamente mais do que um sinal que aponta na direção correta. Eu mesmo sou o Caminho. …
Seus passos são guiados por Mim, apesar de sua viagem muitas vezes parecer aleatória. O caminho que está diante de você agora é velado na incerteza: Você tem escolhas a fazer, mas muito pouca informação para ver o caminho que deve seguir. Dar o próximo passo parece arriscado—é como pular para o desconhecido. A melhor coisa que você pode fazer em tais ocasiões é se apegar a Mim.
Embora não saiba o caminho a seguir, conhece Aquele que é o Caminho. Fique perto de Mim e não tem como errar. Porque Eu sou soberano na sua vida. Na verdade, guio seus passos e faço com que sejam certeiros, mesmo quando parecem aleatórios para você. Fale Comigo sobre sua incerteza, o medo de fazer escolhas erradas. Lembre-se que a escolha mais importante que você faz a cada momento é ficar em comunicação Comigo. É assim que agarra Minha mão. É assim que confia na Minha presença orientadora à medida que segue passo a passo pelo caminho que não consegue ver.[2]
Criado exatamente
“O Senhor apareceu no passado, dizendo: ‘Eu a amei com amor eterno; com amor leal a atrai.’ Por isso não desanimamos... Pois os nossos sofrimentos leves e momentâneos estão produzindo para nós uma glória eterna que pesa mais do que todos eles.”—Jeremias 31:3, 2 CorÃntios 4:16–17[3]
Eu o criei precisamente de acordo com a Minha vontade. Suas fraquezas naturais no corpo, mente ou coração podem na verdade ser uma força aos Meus olhos—porque então sou capaz de viver, mover e pensar através de você. Porque quando você está fraco na sua própria força, a Minha força pode ser manifestada e aperfeiçoada em você.[4]
Não tema! Eu amo você exatamente como você é! Eu o amo porque você é você. Entendo os profundos anelos do seu coração e tudo a seu respeito. Eu conheço o ritmo de cada batida cardÃaca sua, a sua pressão sanguÃnea, o som do pulsar e latejar de cada batida. Tudo isso encontra-se nas Minhas mãos, sob os Meus cuidados.
Não se preocupe, pois assim como o ajudei a transpor águas profundas na sua vida, Eu o ajudarei a transpor esses problemas momentâneos que está enfrentando, e o guiarei a um plano mais alto. Eu o conheço, o amo e Me importo com você, e nunca deixarei de sustentá-lo. Eu o amo de eternidade a eternidade.
Depender do Senhor
“O Senhor é justo em todos os seus planos e mostra o seu amor fiel em tudo que faz. Ele se aproxima de todos os que pedem a sua ajuda, que clamam por Ele com um coração sincero.”—Salmo 145:17–18[5]
Viver dependendo de Mim é uma aventura gloriosa. A maioria das pessoas corre de um lado para o outro ocupada, tentando realizar coisas através de sua própria força e capacidade. Alguns têm grande êxito; outras fracassam imensamente. Mas ambos os grupos não entende de que se trata a vida: viver e trabalhar em parceria Comigo.
Quando você depende de Mim continuamente, toda a sua perspectiva muda. Você vê milagres acontecendo por todas partes, enquanto outros veem apenas as ocorrências naturais e “coincidências.” Você começa cada dia com uma alegre expectativa, esperando para ver o que vou fazer. Você aceita fraqueza como um presente da Minha parte, sabendo que o Meu poder se liga mais prontamente à fraqueza consagrada. Você mantém seus planos como tentativas, sabendo que Meus planos são muito superiores. Você conscientemente vive, move e conecta seu ser a Mim, desejando que E viva em você. Eu em você e você em Mim. Esta é a aventura Ãntima que lhe ofereço.
Eu o tenho amado com um amor eterno. Antes do começo dos tempos, já o conhecia. Por anos você nadou num mar sem sentido, buscando amor, esperando encontrar amor. E durante todo este tempo Eu buscava você, ansiando envolver você num abraço em Meus braços compassivos.
Quando for a hora certa, Eu Me revelarei a você. Eu o tirarei deste mar de desespero e o colocarei sobre um alicerce firme. Você à s vezes se sentia despido—exposto perante a luz reveladora da Minha presença. Eu o envolvia em um manto de arminho: Meu manto de justiça. Eu cantei uma canção de amor para você, cujo começo e fim são velados na eternidade. Eu infundi significado na sua mente e harmonia em seu coração.
Junte-se a Mim cantando a Minha canção. Juntos tiraremos os outros da escuridão e os levaremos para a Minha maravilhosa luz.[6]
Seu coração, Meu templo
“Pois vocês são o templo de Deus, a casa do Deus vivo, e Deus disse a respeito de vocês: ‘Eu morarei neles e andarei entre eles; serei seu Deus e eles serão meu povo.’”—2 CorÃntios 6:16[7]
Esteja você onde estiver, pode fazer um pequeno templo no seu coração e entrar ali. Quando estiver nas câmaras tranquilas, tomando tempo Comigo, afastando-se de tudo o que o cerca e entrar no templo, Eu sussurrarei nos seus ouvidos e falarei com você. No princÃpio pode ser apenas uma sensação da Minha voz ou uma orientação, em vez de palavras especÃficas. Eu talvez apenas lhe dê a paz que precisa. Talvez seja apenas um pequeno sussurro para consolar o seu coração.
À medida que toma este tempo Comigo, vindo a Mim em fé, acreditando que estou aqui, que entro com você nos aposentos secretos e tranquilos do seu coração, você vai Me ouvir falar ao seu coração. Seus ouvidos espirituais ficarão sintonizados para ouvirem a Minha voz. É como um músico aprendendo a afinar um violão. Os músicos têm que sintonizar e concentrar para poderem perceber que cordas estão desafinadas, quais precisam ser apertadas ou afrouxadas. Mas depois de um tempo passa a ser automático para eles. E assim é com aprender a Me ouvir e Me escutar.
Venha regularmente, entre nos aposentos tranquilos do seu coração, e sintonize-se para ouvir a Minha voz. Apenas entre silenciosamente no templo, o lugar secreto de seu coração que foi criado para Mim. Entre sossegadamente e espere ali até a Minha perfeita paz preencher o seu coração. Espere ali até sentir a Minha perfeita paz e o Meu consolo satisfazendo seus anelos. Ouça os Meus sussurros, e Me receba.
Publicado no Âncora em outubro de 2015.
[1] NVI.
[2] Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).
[3] NVI.
[4] 2 CorÃntios 12:9.
[5] BÃblia Viva.
[6] Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson, 2010).
[7] BÃblia Viva.
Palavras de Jesus
“Os passos do homem são dirigidos pelo Senhor. Como poderia alguém discernir seu próprio caminho?”—Provérbios 20:24[1]
Neste mundo disperso e fragmentado Eu sou a Realidade central que tudo agrega. Quando mantém o foco em Mim, sua vida tem significado e beleza. Sem Mim, o mundo seria completamente desolado, sem significado ou esperança. Eu vim ao mundo para mostrar-lhe o caminho para o Pai, o caminho para a vida eterna. No entanto, sou infinitamente mais do que um sinal que aponta na direção correta. Eu mesmo sou o Caminho. …
Seus passos são guiados por Mim, apesar de sua viagem muitas vezes parecer aleatória. O caminho que está diante de você agora é velado na incerteza: Você tem escolhas a fazer, mas muito pouca informação para ver o caminho que deve seguir. Dar o próximo passo parece arriscado—é como pular para o desconhecido. A melhor coisa que você pode fazer em tais ocasiões é se apegar a Mim.
Embora não saiba o caminho a seguir, conhece Aquele que é o Caminho. Fique perto de Mim e não tem como errar. Porque Eu sou soberano na sua vida. Na verdade, guio seus passos e faço com que sejam certeiros, mesmo quando parecem aleatórios para você. Fale Comigo sobre sua incerteza, o medo de fazer escolhas erradas. Lembre-se que a escolha mais importante que você faz a cada momento é ficar em comunicação Comigo. É assim que agarra Minha mão. É assim que confia na Minha presença orientadora à medida que segue passo a passo pelo caminho que não consegue ver.[2]
Criado exatamente
“O Senhor apareceu no passado, dizendo: ‘Eu a amei com amor eterno; com amor leal a atrai.’ Por isso não desanimamos... Pois os nossos sofrimentos leves e momentâneos estão produzindo para nós uma glória eterna que pesa mais do que todos eles.”—Jeremias 31:3, 2 CorÃntios 4:16–17[3]
Eu o criei precisamente de acordo com a Minha vontade. Suas fraquezas naturais no corpo, mente ou coração podem na verdade ser uma força aos Meus olhos—porque então sou capaz de viver, mover e pensar através de você. Porque quando você está fraco na sua própria força, a Minha força pode ser manifestada e aperfeiçoada em você.[4]
Não tema! Eu amo você exatamente como você é! Eu o amo porque você é você. Entendo os profundos anelos do seu coração e tudo a seu respeito. Eu conheço o ritmo de cada batida cardÃaca sua, a sua pressão sanguÃnea, o som do pulsar e latejar de cada batida. Tudo isso encontra-se nas Minhas mãos, sob os Meus cuidados.
Não se preocupe, pois assim como o ajudei a transpor águas profundas na sua vida, Eu o ajudarei a transpor esses problemas momentâneos que está enfrentando, e o guiarei a um plano mais alto. Eu o conheço, o amo e Me importo com você, e nunca deixarei de sustentá-lo. Eu o amo de eternidade a eternidade.
Depender do Senhor
“O Senhor é justo em todos os seus planos e mostra o seu amor fiel em tudo que faz. Ele se aproxima de todos os que pedem a sua ajuda, que clamam por Ele com um coração sincero.”—Salmo 145:17–18[5]
Viver dependendo de Mim é uma aventura gloriosa. A maioria das pessoas corre de um lado para o outro ocupada, tentando realizar coisas através de sua própria força e capacidade. Alguns têm grande êxito; outras fracassam imensamente. Mas ambos os grupos não entende de que se trata a vida: viver e trabalhar em parceria Comigo.
Quando você depende de Mim continuamente, toda a sua perspectiva muda. Você vê milagres acontecendo por todas partes, enquanto outros veem apenas as ocorrências naturais e “coincidências.” Você começa cada dia com uma alegre expectativa, esperando para ver o que vou fazer. Você aceita fraqueza como um presente da Minha parte, sabendo que o Meu poder se liga mais prontamente à fraqueza consagrada. Você mantém seus planos como tentativas, sabendo que Meus planos são muito superiores. Você conscientemente vive, move e conecta seu ser a Mim, desejando que E viva em você. Eu em você e você em Mim. Esta é a aventura Ãntima que lhe ofereço.
Eu o tenho amado com um amor eterno. Antes do começo dos tempos, já o conhecia. Por anos você nadou num mar sem sentido, buscando amor, esperando encontrar amor. E durante todo este tempo Eu buscava você, ansiando envolver você num abraço em Meus braços compassivos.
Quando for a hora certa, Eu Me revelarei a você. Eu o tirarei deste mar de desespero e o colocarei sobre um alicerce firme. Você à s vezes se sentia despido—exposto perante a luz reveladora da Minha presença. Eu o envolvia em um manto de arminho: Meu manto de justiça. Eu cantei uma canção de amor para você, cujo começo e fim são velados na eternidade. Eu infundi significado na sua mente e harmonia em seu coração.
Junte-se a Mim cantando a Minha canção. Juntos tiraremos os outros da escuridão e os levaremos para a Minha maravilhosa luz.[6]
Seu coração, Meu templo
“Pois vocês são o templo de Deus, a casa do Deus vivo, e Deus disse a respeito de vocês: ‘Eu morarei neles e andarei entre eles; serei seu Deus e eles serão meu povo.’”—2 CorÃntios 6:16[7]
Esteja você onde estiver, pode fazer um pequeno templo no seu coração e entrar ali. Quando estiver nas câmaras tranquilas, tomando tempo Comigo, afastando-se de tudo o que o cerca e entrar no templo, Eu sussurrarei nos seus ouvidos e falarei com você. No princÃpio pode ser apenas uma sensação da Minha voz ou uma orientação, em vez de palavras especÃficas. Eu talvez apenas lhe dê a paz que precisa. Talvez seja apenas um pequeno sussurro para consolar o seu coração.
À medida que toma este tempo Comigo, vindo a Mim em fé, acreditando que estou aqui, que entro com você nos aposentos secretos e tranquilos do seu coração, você vai Me ouvir falar ao seu coração. Seus ouvidos espirituais ficarão sintonizados para ouvirem a Minha voz. É como um músico aprendendo a afinar um violão. Os músicos têm que sintonizar e concentrar para poderem perceber que cordas estão desafinadas, quais precisam ser apertadas ou afrouxadas. Mas depois de um tempo passa a ser automático para eles. E assim é com aprender a Me ouvir e Me escutar.
Venha regularmente, entre nos aposentos tranquilos do seu coração, e sintonize-se para ouvir a Minha voz. Apenas entre silenciosamente no templo, o lugar secreto de seu coração que foi criado para Mim. Entre sossegadamente e espere ali até a Minha perfeita paz preencher o seu coração. Espere ali até sentir a Minha perfeita paz e o Meu consolo satisfazendo seus anelos. Ouça os Meus sussurros, e Me receba.
Publicado no Âncora em outubro de 2015.
[1] NVI.
[2] Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).
[3] NVI.
[4] 2 CorÃntios 12:9.
[5] BÃblia Viva.
[6] Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson, 2010).
[7] BÃblia Viva.
Celebrating His Unique Plan
A compilation
Link
Audio length: 10:15
Download Audio (9.3MB)
In his address to the Athenian philosophers the apostle Paul made a definitive statement about God's plan for the ages: “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”1
Paul says that every race and culture was present in God's mind before He created them and gave them their territories on earth. God positioned each of us in a particular race, and yet Paul reminds us that not just as part of our race but as an individual, He is not far from any one of us. This assurance that God planned the very core of my personality, that I was purposefully born and fashioned according to God's plan, and that He is near me wherever I am is reason to celebrate the way He has, to use the colloquial, "wired me." It is easy in a vast world with a diversity of giftedness to forget that God has a personal concern in my life.
I often think of the context into which John Wesley was born.
He was one of nineteen children. His mother, Susannah, was herself the twenty-fifth child of her mother. How does one who is number twenty-five and brings forth nineteen more find the answer to individuality? Yet she was determined from the time she was a young mother that every child would have his or her time alone with her. She laid a plan and followed that plan. It was no accident that as a child, young John had learned that he was important as an individual. On the day that his heart was turned toward his call, that very morning, he opened his Bible and read: “You are not far from the kingdom.” One life ... not far from the kingdom. He recognized his inheritance as an individual and as a son of the King and opened his heart to all that God had for him….
To believe that He has made you uniquely, debilitated or not, and with a distinctive touch, is to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual life. In the vastness of God's creation, your birth and your reach is something unique. With the psalmist we may personalize it and say, “What is there in me that you take notice of me?”2 But again with the psalmist we can also say, “You knit me together in my mother's womb.... I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”3—Ravi Zacharias4
The power of one
We know that, as individuals, God knows everything about us. He knows our frame. He knows what we’re capable of. He knows our gifts, talents, weaknesses, and strengths. And despite whatever we might think of ourselves or our lacks, He picked us for His team! He is certain that, with His power, we have what it takes to fulfill the role that He wants us to play.
When we look at ourselves through God’s perspective, it causes us to have godly respect for ourselves. As God’s children, we’re valuable. As Christians, we are His representatives, the bearers of His truth and message. That makes us pretty important! So don’t belittle yourself or talk yourself out of faith to do what He is asking you to do. You’re made in God’s image. You’re saved. God loves you so much that He let His Son die for you, so you must be awfully important. You are completely and perfectly loved by God. You have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. That’s an awesome thing!
The true value in the “power of one” is the power of the One who created us, redeemed us, and now asks us to glorify Him with our lives.
God made each of us unique. There is no one else in the whole world that is just like you, with exactly the same experiences, knowledge, interests, or abilities as you. The Lord made you to be you. God intended for you to discover the natural talents and abilities that He gifted you with, to hone them, and to use them for your personal good and happiness, as well as to contribute to the good and happiness of others.
Each of us, as Christians, is called by God to bear lasting fruit. That means that each of us has something good and beneficial to bring to the table. Our natural gifts and talents, the way God made us, can be used by Him to first bear fruit within our own life journey, and second, to bear fruit in connecting others with Him.
When a person’s heart and life are changed upon coming to know and accept Jesus, they in turn are called, as His follower, to share the good news of salvation with others. It follows logically that God wants to use our unique talents, skills, and strengths to some extent in the mission of changing the world.
We can each contribute to the change needed in our world through living our lives as a reflection of Jesus, through letting the Holy Spirit shine through us, and through sharing the gospel with others. We each have the power to positively affect people’s lives, but in order to do so, we need to intentionally use our gifts and talents, even our personalities, together with our time and effort, for God’s glory.
God wants to use you and your gifts as a unique expression of His love to humanity.
When you give yourself to God, He makes you a new creation. But He wants you to still be you—just what He envisioned when He created you. He doesn’t discard or change the raw talent that He put within you when He created you. As C. S. Lewis said, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us.”
God made all types of people, and there isn’t one “type” of person that is most effective in making a difference in the world in the way God calls them. Buckminster Fuller once said:
“Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person.”
And how much more is this true if you’re working in teamwork with the God of the universe!
We’re sometimes tempted to despair, feeling that there’s not enough time to accomplish what we feel is God’s will in our lives. We’re often impatient and want to get to our goals more quickly. But God is not often in a hurry. We can comfort ourselves with the knowledge that God always gives us enough time to do His will.
God has a part for every one of us to play in building His kingdom on earth. If you feel that there are few opportunities in your life today for service, perhaps you are in a time of preparation.—In God’s workshop, so to speak, where He is fashioning you with the tool of patience, as you exhibit faithfulness in the seemingly small, mundane things of life. If you feel that your life has little or no outlet for worthy service, be encouraged by this thought from A. B. Simpson: “God is preparing His heroes. And when the opportunity comes, He can fit them into their places in a moment. And the world will wonder where they came from.”
God is calling you to be part of His grand plan to change the world one heart at a time. And that’s something that each one of us can be part of. When we apply the “power of one,” others will come to know Jesus. And their “power of one” will in turn reach others.—Peter Amsterdam
*
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.—Helen Keller5
Published on Anchor November 2015. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 Acts 17:26–27 NIV.
2 See Psalm 8:4.
3 Psalm 139:13–14 NIV.
4 Recapture the Wonder (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005).
5 Often attributed to Helen Keller, but the author may be Edward Everertt Hale.
Link
Audio length: 10:15
Download Audio (9.3MB)
In his address to the Athenian philosophers the apostle Paul made a definitive statement about God's plan for the ages: “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”1
Paul says that every race and culture was present in God's mind before He created them and gave them their territories on earth. God positioned each of us in a particular race, and yet Paul reminds us that not just as part of our race but as an individual, He is not far from any one of us. This assurance that God planned the very core of my personality, that I was purposefully born and fashioned according to God's plan, and that He is near me wherever I am is reason to celebrate the way He has, to use the colloquial, "wired me." It is easy in a vast world with a diversity of giftedness to forget that God has a personal concern in my life.
I often think of the context into which John Wesley was born.
He was one of nineteen children. His mother, Susannah, was herself the twenty-fifth child of her mother. How does one who is number twenty-five and brings forth nineteen more find the answer to individuality? Yet she was determined from the time she was a young mother that every child would have his or her time alone with her. She laid a plan and followed that plan. It was no accident that as a child, young John had learned that he was important as an individual. On the day that his heart was turned toward his call, that very morning, he opened his Bible and read: “You are not far from the kingdom.” One life ... not far from the kingdom. He recognized his inheritance as an individual and as a son of the King and opened his heart to all that God had for him….
To believe that He has made you uniquely, debilitated or not, and with a distinctive touch, is to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual life. In the vastness of God's creation, your birth and your reach is something unique. With the psalmist we may personalize it and say, “What is there in me that you take notice of me?”2 But again with the psalmist we can also say, “You knit me together in my mother's womb.... I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”3—Ravi Zacharias4
The power of one
We know that, as individuals, God knows everything about us. He knows our frame. He knows what we’re capable of. He knows our gifts, talents, weaknesses, and strengths. And despite whatever we might think of ourselves or our lacks, He picked us for His team! He is certain that, with His power, we have what it takes to fulfill the role that He wants us to play.
When we look at ourselves through God’s perspective, it causes us to have godly respect for ourselves. As God’s children, we’re valuable. As Christians, we are His representatives, the bearers of His truth and message. That makes us pretty important! So don’t belittle yourself or talk yourself out of faith to do what He is asking you to do. You’re made in God’s image. You’re saved. God loves you so much that He let His Son die for you, so you must be awfully important. You are completely and perfectly loved by God. You have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. That’s an awesome thing!
The true value in the “power of one” is the power of the One who created us, redeemed us, and now asks us to glorify Him with our lives.
God made each of us unique. There is no one else in the whole world that is just like you, with exactly the same experiences, knowledge, interests, or abilities as you. The Lord made you to be you. God intended for you to discover the natural talents and abilities that He gifted you with, to hone them, and to use them for your personal good and happiness, as well as to contribute to the good and happiness of others.
Each of us, as Christians, is called by God to bear lasting fruit. That means that each of us has something good and beneficial to bring to the table. Our natural gifts and talents, the way God made us, can be used by Him to first bear fruit within our own life journey, and second, to bear fruit in connecting others with Him.
When a person’s heart and life are changed upon coming to know and accept Jesus, they in turn are called, as His follower, to share the good news of salvation with others. It follows logically that God wants to use our unique talents, skills, and strengths to some extent in the mission of changing the world.
We can each contribute to the change needed in our world through living our lives as a reflection of Jesus, through letting the Holy Spirit shine through us, and through sharing the gospel with others. We each have the power to positively affect people’s lives, but in order to do so, we need to intentionally use our gifts and talents, even our personalities, together with our time and effort, for God’s glory.
God wants to use you and your gifts as a unique expression of His love to humanity.
When you give yourself to God, He makes you a new creation. But He wants you to still be you—just what He envisioned when He created you. He doesn’t discard or change the raw talent that He put within you when He created you. As C. S. Lewis said, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us.”
God made all types of people, and there isn’t one “type” of person that is most effective in making a difference in the world in the way God calls them. Buckminster Fuller once said:
“Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person.”
And how much more is this true if you’re working in teamwork with the God of the universe!
We’re sometimes tempted to despair, feeling that there’s not enough time to accomplish what we feel is God’s will in our lives. We’re often impatient and want to get to our goals more quickly. But God is not often in a hurry. We can comfort ourselves with the knowledge that God always gives us enough time to do His will.
God has a part for every one of us to play in building His kingdom on earth. If you feel that there are few opportunities in your life today for service, perhaps you are in a time of preparation.—In God’s workshop, so to speak, where He is fashioning you with the tool of patience, as you exhibit faithfulness in the seemingly small, mundane things of life. If you feel that your life has little or no outlet for worthy service, be encouraged by this thought from A. B. Simpson: “God is preparing His heroes. And when the opportunity comes, He can fit them into their places in a moment. And the world will wonder where they came from.”
God is calling you to be part of His grand plan to change the world one heart at a time. And that’s something that each one of us can be part of. When we apply the “power of one,” others will come to know Jesus. And their “power of one” will in turn reach others.—Peter Amsterdam
*
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.—Helen Keller5
Published on Anchor November 2015. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 Acts 17:26–27 NIV.
2 See Psalm 8:4.
3 Psalm 139:13–14 NIV.
4 Recapture the Wonder (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005).
5 Often attributed to Helen Keller, but the author may be Edward Everertt Hale.
Monday, November 9, 2015
In Protesting Against Israel, Youth in Gaza Also Defy Hamas
By Diaa Hadid and Majd Al Waheidi, NY Times, Nov. 6, 2015
El BUREIJ, Gaza Strip–The Palestinian youths huddled in the prohibited zone along the fence separating Gaza from Israel on Friday, cloaked by thick smoke pluming from flaming tires as they hurled rocks at Israeli jeeps. A tear gas canister came thudding down over their heads, and one teenager dashed over to pick it up and throw it into a puddle on a rainy afternoon.
This is the new normal in Gaza, where nearly every day since early October hundreds of youths have staged a demonstration of defiance against Israel by rushing the Gaza security fence en masse, and sometimes crossing it, to show solidarity with Palestinians under fire in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“We want to send a message to the Israelis that we exist,” said Suheil, 24, who like most of the demonstrators requested that his family name be kept secret to avoid reprisal. “I feel like I’m in solidarity with our brothers in Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
But the demonstrations are also in defiance of the Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza and is trying to keep the battered territory out of trouble with Israel, even as the group’s leaders urge Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up.
At least 15 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza fence demonstrations, including a 23-year-old killed on Friday, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesman for the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
At two separate demonstrations on Friday, one on the outskirts of Gaza City, another on the outskirts of El Bureij, a refugee camp in central Gaza, a few demonstrators tried to dash across the fence into Israel.
Most others, though, hurled rocks in the direction of military jeeps, or just sat on nearby mounds to watch. One was Muhanad, an 18-year-old who said he was staying put after he tried to rush the fence at an earlier demonstration, but ran away when an Israeli jeep opened fire in his direction. “I even forgot my flip-flops there,” he said.
Nearby, the rat-a-tat of live fire echoed, and an ambulance siren blared as a wounded demonstrator was rushed out. A small boy pretended that he, too, was injured. He collapsed on the ground and two others carried him away, giggling. Within minutes though, dozens of boys rushed away for real as Israel forces peppered the area with tear gas.
In all, 72 Palestinians have been killed since a spate of protests, stabbings and vehicular attacks erupted in October in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Palestinians have killed 10 Israelis in that period, and some of the Palestinian deaths have come during such attacks or attempted attacks. Many Palestinians, however, question whether some of the reported attacks actually occurred, and say Israel has used excessive force.
On Friday, one of those killed by Israeli soldiers was a 72-year-old Palestinian woman, Tharwat al-Sharawi, who was shot in Halhoul, a town in the southern West Bank. An Israeli military spokeswoman said Ms. Sharawi’s vehicle sped up to head directly at a group of soldiers, who jumped out of the way and shot her.
Palestinian news media quoted her son Ayoub as saying that his mother had stopped to get gasoline when the soldiers inexplicably opened fire. He said his father had been shot dead by Israeli forces during the first intifada in 1988.
In nearby Hebron, a gunman opened fire on Israelis near a shrine holy to Jews and Muslims, wounding two; the attacker fled, according to news media reports. Another suspected Palestinian attacker was reported to have shot a 19-year-old near Hebron and then fled. And in an industrial area, an Israeli was stabbed and wounded, supposedly by a Palestinian.
While the trigger for demonstrations was Palestinian fears over the fate of a holy site in Jerusalem, a rapidly growing discontent with their political leaders and Israel’s continued military occupation appear to be at its core.
Gaza’s demonstrations were first called by a group of activists who have long resisted Hamas’ heavy-handed rule. One activist, Fadi Alsheikh-Yousef, 28, said they were trying to organize peaceful activities, too, like demonstrating outside United Nations offices in Gaza, demanding that the group intervene. “We need to engage with people’s humanity,” he said.
Some of the protesters said they had also participated in rare demonstrations in September against Hamas over intensified outages of electricity and water. “There’s a huge amount of frustration and depression inside me,” said one, Hamada, 23, who is unemployed. “I want to be involved in all demonstrations against oppression and occupation.”
But the mass rushes to the Gaza security fence–where Hamas forces patrol along a dirt road on one side, and Israeli soldiers patrol the other–have swept up an unusually broad swath of young Palestinians.
Early on, Hamas forces set up checkpoints to bar demonstrators from reaching the border area, said about a dozen protesters interviewed separately. The protesters would rush past, and some were beaten up.
More recently, Hamas security forces appear to wear civilian clothes and mingle with the protesters, ensuring nobody is carrying weapons–much like their rival Palestinian security counterparts in the West Bank whom they have harshly criticized.
Taher Nunu, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said they could not allow any violence from the territory against Israel because they had agreed to a truce that ended last summer’s devastating war. “That’s a political and sovereign issue, and we are abiding by that,” Mr. Nunu said.
So far, Hamas is gambling on hopes that Palestinians in the West Bank will keep the uprising going without active support from Gaza. They expect that a continuing conflict will fray support for the security coordination conducted between Israel and the West Bank security forces of the Palestinian Authority, used chiefly to crack down on Hamas loyalists in that territory.
Akram Attallah, a writer with the Palestinian newspaper Al Ayyam, said Hamas was in a difficult position. The group looks as if it is betraying its own militant words by trying to stop protests, but if it participated, it would invite a harsh Israeli response.
“They know that Gaza needs reconstruction, not destruction. Gaza is still emerging from a war,” he said, referring to last summer’s war, the third in 10 years.
Adding to their misery, most of Gaza’s Palestinians are effectively locked into the tiny coastal territory, since few are allowed to leave through Israel, and Egypt has only briefly opened its border crossing this year. The United Nations estimated that some 80 percent of Gaza’s 1.8 million Palestinians relied on international assistance to survive.
Hamas’ cautious approach, so far, appears supported by most of Gaza’s residents, like Hamada Isdoudi, a car parts salesman, and his customer Ahmad.
“Of course I care about what’s happening,” Ahmad, 21, said on a recent day, as he checked out parts of a rusty yellow car in a dusty spare parts shop just a few hundred feet where the demonstrations took place. “I watch it on television.”
“All of the West Bank can burn!” shouted Mr. Isdoudi, 25, in response.
“We gave the cause our martyrs,” Ahmad said. “They should fight now too,” he said of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“They are part of us; we are the same people,” said a shopkeeper, Hani Hilis, 39, standing nearby. “We share the same destiny,” he added. But what could he do? His home was damaged in the last war and still was not repaired. He barely eked out a living for his six children, he said.
“We have swallowed so much suffering,” he said, sighing.
El BUREIJ, Gaza Strip–The Palestinian youths huddled in the prohibited zone along the fence separating Gaza from Israel on Friday, cloaked by thick smoke pluming from flaming tires as they hurled rocks at Israeli jeeps. A tear gas canister came thudding down over their heads, and one teenager dashed over to pick it up and throw it into a puddle on a rainy afternoon.
This is the new normal in Gaza, where nearly every day since early October hundreds of youths have staged a demonstration of defiance against Israel by rushing the Gaza security fence en masse, and sometimes crossing it, to show solidarity with Palestinians under fire in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“We want to send a message to the Israelis that we exist,” said Suheil, 24, who like most of the demonstrators requested that his family name be kept secret to avoid reprisal. “I feel like I’m in solidarity with our brothers in Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
But the demonstrations are also in defiance of the Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza and is trying to keep the battered territory out of trouble with Israel, even as the group’s leaders urge Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up.
At least 15 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza fence demonstrations, including a 23-year-old killed on Friday, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesman for the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
At two separate demonstrations on Friday, one on the outskirts of Gaza City, another on the outskirts of El Bureij, a refugee camp in central Gaza, a few demonstrators tried to dash across the fence into Israel.
Most others, though, hurled rocks in the direction of military jeeps, or just sat on nearby mounds to watch. One was Muhanad, an 18-year-old who said he was staying put after he tried to rush the fence at an earlier demonstration, but ran away when an Israeli jeep opened fire in his direction. “I even forgot my flip-flops there,” he said.
Nearby, the rat-a-tat of live fire echoed, and an ambulance siren blared as a wounded demonstrator was rushed out. A small boy pretended that he, too, was injured. He collapsed on the ground and two others carried him away, giggling. Within minutes though, dozens of boys rushed away for real as Israel forces peppered the area with tear gas.
In all, 72 Palestinians have been killed since a spate of protests, stabbings and vehicular attacks erupted in October in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Palestinians have killed 10 Israelis in that period, and some of the Palestinian deaths have come during such attacks or attempted attacks. Many Palestinians, however, question whether some of the reported attacks actually occurred, and say Israel has used excessive force.
On Friday, one of those killed by Israeli soldiers was a 72-year-old Palestinian woman, Tharwat al-Sharawi, who was shot in Halhoul, a town in the southern West Bank. An Israeli military spokeswoman said Ms. Sharawi’s vehicle sped up to head directly at a group of soldiers, who jumped out of the way and shot her.
Palestinian news media quoted her son Ayoub as saying that his mother had stopped to get gasoline when the soldiers inexplicably opened fire. He said his father had been shot dead by Israeli forces during the first intifada in 1988.
In nearby Hebron, a gunman opened fire on Israelis near a shrine holy to Jews and Muslims, wounding two; the attacker fled, according to news media reports. Another suspected Palestinian attacker was reported to have shot a 19-year-old near Hebron and then fled. And in an industrial area, an Israeli was stabbed and wounded, supposedly by a Palestinian.
While the trigger for demonstrations was Palestinian fears over the fate of a holy site in Jerusalem, a rapidly growing discontent with their political leaders and Israel’s continued military occupation appear to be at its core.
Gaza’s demonstrations were first called by a group of activists who have long resisted Hamas’ heavy-handed rule. One activist, Fadi Alsheikh-Yousef, 28, said they were trying to organize peaceful activities, too, like demonstrating outside United Nations offices in Gaza, demanding that the group intervene. “We need to engage with people’s humanity,” he said.
Some of the protesters said they had also participated in rare demonstrations in September against Hamas over intensified outages of electricity and water. “There’s a huge amount of frustration and depression inside me,” said one, Hamada, 23, who is unemployed. “I want to be involved in all demonstrations against oppression and occupation.”
But the mass rushes to the Gaza security fence–where Hamas forces patrol along a dirt road on one side, and Israeli soldiers patrol the other–have swept up an unusually broad swath of young Palestinians.
Early on, Hamas forces set up checkpoints to bar demonstrators from reaching the border area, said about a dozen protesters interviewed separately. The protesters would rush past, and some were beaten up.
More recently, Hamas security forces appear to wear civilian clothes and mingle with the protesters, ensuring nobody is carrying weapons–much like their rival Palestinian security counterparts in the West Bank whom they have harshly criticized.
Taher Nunu, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said they could not allow any violence from the territory against Israel because they had agreed to a truce that ended last summer’s devastating war. “That’s a political and sovereign issue, and we are abiding by that,” Mr. Nunu said.
So far, Hamas is gambling on hopes that Palestinians in the West Bank will keep the uprising going without active support from Gaza. They expect that a continuing conflict will fray support for the security coordination conducted between Israel and the West Bank security forces of the Palestinian Authority, used chiefly to crack down on Hamas loyalists in that territory.
Akram Attallah, a writer with the Palestinian newspaper Al Ayyam, said Hamas was in a difficult position. The group looks as if it is betraying its own militant words by trying to stop protests, but if it participated, it would invite a harsh Israeli response.
“They know that Gaza needs reconstruction, not destruction. Gaza is still emerging from a war,” he said, referring to last summer’s war, the third in 10 years.
Adding to their misery, most of Gaza’s Palestinians are effectively locked into the tiny coastal territory, since few are allowed to leave through Israel, and Egypt has only briefly opened its border crossing this year. The United Nations estimated that some 80 percent of Gaza’s 1.8 million Palestinians relied on international assistance to survive.
Hamas’ cautious approach, so far, appears supported by most of Gaza’s residents, like Hamada Isdoudi, a car parts salesman, and his customer Ahmad.
“Of course I care about what’s happening,” Ahmad, 21, said on a recent day, as he checked out parts of a rusty yellow car in a dusty spare parts shop just a few hundred feet where the demonstrations took place. “I watch it on television.”
“All of the West Bank can burn!” shouted Mr. Isdoudi, 25, in response.
“We gave the cause our martyrs,” Ahmad said. “They should fight now too,” he said of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“They are part of us; we are the same people,” said a shopkeeper, Hani Hilis, 39, standing nearby. “We share the same destiny,” he added. But what could he do? His home was damaged in the last war and still was not repaired. He barely eked out a living for his six children, he said.
“We have swallowed so much suffering,” he said, sighing.
Pope: It’s sad to see priests, bishops ‘attached to money’
Associated Press, November 6, 2015
VATICAN CITY–Pope Francis says it is “sad” when bishops and priests are “attached to money” and to advancing their careers, in his first public comments following the latest leaked revelations of greedy Vatican prelates resisting his efforts to reform Holy See finances and administration.
With sad eyes, Francis made the impromptu remarks during his homily Friday, apparently inspired by revelations in two new books of leaked documents and conversations.
Francis said: “Even in the church there are these people, who, instead of serving, of thinking of others. … use the church. They are the career-climbers, those attached to money.”
Looking somber, he added: “How many priests, bishops we have seen like this. It’s sad to say it, no?”
VATICAN CITY–Pope Francis says it is “sad” when bishops and priests are “attached to money” and to advancing their careers, in his first public comments following the latest leaked revelations of greedy Vatican prelates resisting his efforts to reform Holy See finances and administration.
With sad eyes, Francis made the impromptu remarks during his homily Friday, apparently inspired by revelations in two new books of leaked documents and conversations.
Francis said: “Even in the church there are these people, who, instead of serving, of thinking of others. … use the church. They are the career-climbers, those attached to money.”
Looking somber, he added: “How many priests, bishops we have seen like this. It’s sad to say it, no?”
Firme nas Promessas
Link
Maria Fontaine
“Seu divino poder nos deu todas as coisas de que necessitamos para a vida e para a piedade, por meio do pleno conhecimento daquele que nos chamou para a sua própria glória e virtude. Por intermédio destas, ele nos deu suas grandiosas e preciosas promessas, para que por elas vocês se tornassem participantes da natureza divina e fugissem da corrupção que há no mundo, causada pela cobiça.”—2 Pedro 1:3–4[1]
Adoro recapitular as promessas do Senhor, porque a Sua Palavra nunca falha! Adoro ficar pensando em como Ele vai cumprir cada promessa e como tem Seu tempo perfeito e lugar exato para o cumprimento de cada uma. Suas promessas e seu cumprimento é uma manifestação do Seu amor por nós. Podemos clamar e esperar que Ele cumpra a Sua palavra.
É maravilhoso estudar e se firmar nas promessas do Senhor. Já que Ele nos deu e continua dando uma quantidade imensa de promessas na BÃblia para o nosso futuro, é fácil criar familiaridade com as Suas palavras, ou até mesmo considerá-las palavras bonitinhas, ou mesmo poderosas, mas achar que não se aplicam para hoje, nem para nós. Contudo, como todos já experimentamos em diferentes épocas de nossas vidas para o Senhor, descobrimos que o Senhor realmente Se manifesta em nosso favor ao clamarmos Suas promessas e nos mostra que essas promessas são para nós clamarmos e dependermos delas, elas são viáveis e temos visto seus cumprimentos bem diante dos nossos olhos.
Ele deu Suas promessas a todos nós através da Sua Palavra, mas elas também nos são dadas individualmente para as clamarmos e nos apropriarmos delas pessoalmente. Então, ao tomar tempo para refletir nas Suas promessas, peça ao Senhor para lhe mostrar o que o seu cumprimento significa para você pessoalmente.
Também é importante nos lembrarmos das condições vinculadas a tantas de Suas promessas, para podermos fazer a nossa parte para nos assegurarmos de seu cumprimento. As condições são passos comparativamente pequenos que Ele sabe que podemos dar para mostrar a nossa fé de que Ele vai fazer o resto. Ao cumprirmos com as condições permitimos ao Senhor cuidar de Sua parte da barganha.
O Senhor chamou cada um de nós para o Seu reino para uma hora como esta. Então, não importa como se sinta, ou quais sejam seus dons e talentos, você é para estar aqui nesta terra neste momento. Você é uma pessoa valiosa para o Senhor, Seu trabalho e Seus planos para o futuro. O que você tem para oferecer e contribuir, e a maneira como vai brilhar, vai fazer uma diferença.
Não importa que desafios ou provas enfrente, talvez seja tentado a ficar desencorajado, mas apenas se lembre que a Palavra de Deus nunca falha. Somos privilegiados de vivermos e servirmos Jesus! Somos privilegiados, honrados, chamados e escolhidos, e isso deveria nos deixar muito cheios de louvor e alegria. É bom ter isto em mente quando nos depararmos com problemas e obstáculos, que com certeza iremos nos deparar. Assim como seremos privilegiados com as vitórias, também somos privilegiados por lutarmos as batalhas. Tudo faz parte do que o Senhor tem preparado e nos equipado para fazer, e o que Ele sabe que somos capazes.
“Aquele que sai chorando enquanto lança a semente, voltará com cantos de alegria, trazendo os seus feixes.”[2] Talvez derrame lágrimas de sacrifÃcio ao sair, mas voltará se regozijando trazendo consigo os molhos. O sacrifÃcio pode ser um ingrediente muito importante para podermos recolher os molhos e realizarmos nossos sonhos. Como todos nós sabemos, não é fácil se sacrificar. Se fosse fácil, não seria um sacrifÃcio. Então, com tantas renúncias, sacrifÃcios e paciência, e mesmo lágrimas, pensem no fato de que estão abrindo caminho para podermos recolher os molhos, e a realização de seu chamado e destino. No nosso caso, é uma causa eterna e gloriosa que vai mudar o mundo. Vamos ficar eternamente gratos e nos sentirmos honrados por termos participado dela.
O maravilhoso nas batalhas no exército do Senhor é sabermos que existe um motivo para a luta, que vamos ganhar algo de valor, adquirir experiência e crescer, e ficarmos mais capacitados para ajudarmos outros a ficarem firmes por Jesus.
Você sabe que o Senhor vai ajudá-lo, mas não é imediatamente nem tudo de uma vez. Ele sabe quando agir e quando esperar. Sabe quando precisamos de abundância ou passar falta. Sabe quando precisamos suportar um pouco e permanecermos firmes nas Suas promessas por fé. Ele lida conosco na Sua grande sabedoria e amor.
Por mais difÃcil que a situação seja hoje, um dia destes valerá a pena. Vamos ficar muito felizes por termos sido o amor de Jesus “ambulante” para os perdidos.
Isso me lembra daquela linda canção intitulada “Thank You for Giving to the Lord”(Obrigado por Dar ao Senhor), e é a interpretação da visão da pessoa que chega ao Céu e é recebida por todos que foram lhe agradecer pelo que ela fez para que recebessem Jesus. É linda demais! Vai ser assim com cada um de nós que deu um testemunho do Senhor aos outros.[3]
Outro dia, depois de falar com uma pessoa, fiquei sob forte convicção. Ele se chamava Fred e me contou que se dedicava totalmente — todo o seu tempo e energia — à sua profissão. Ele é médico, e investiu sua saúde e sacrificou tudo para ajudar outros na sua hora de necessidade.
Fiquei sob forte convicção, porque ele nem sabe direito sobre o Senhor. Esse médico faz o melhor que pode, e tem fé. Ele disse: “Eu acredito em milagres.” Eu pensei: “Puxa, ele se entregou totalmente, dá tudo de si. Tem aprimorado os dons que recebeu de Deus, tem exercitado esses dons e se esforçado bastante para usá-los da melhor forma, e depois compartilha tudo com os que procuram sua ajuda e conselhos médicos.”
Na verdade, me fez chorar. É tão lindo. Pensei, “Senhor, nos ajude a compartilhar o imenso tesouro de fé que temos com as muitas pessoas que precisam disso desesperadamente”.
As promessas do Senhor são muito encorajadoras e nos dão a força e a visão para continuarmos a seguir adiante. O Senhor nunca nos pede para fazer nada sem nos dar as condições para tal. Isso engloba praticamente tudo na nossa vida e tudo o que fazemos ou viremos a fazer. Se começo a pensar coisas como, “Como é que vamos conseguir fazer isto e aquilo que o Senhor está nos pedindo?” imediatamente me lembro que, por ser a vontade de Deus, existe uma maneira, não resta dúvida.
Todos nós passamos por perÃodos quando parece que os fardos são pesados demais, ficamos sobrecarregados e cansados. Isso é humano e natural. Nessas ocasiões, porém, podemos clamar as promessas de Deus para revigorar nossos espÃritos e aliviar nossas cargas. Ele prometeu, “Venham a mim, todos os que estão cansados e sobrecarregados, e eu lhes darei descanso. Tomem sobre vocês o meu jugo e aprendam de mim, pois sou manso e humilde de coração, e vocês encontrarão descanso para as suas almas. Pois o meu jugo é suave e o meu fardo é leve.”[4]
Ele jamais nos deixará sem condições de fazer o que quer que nos chame para fazer. Ele, melhor do que nós, sabe o que precisamos para cumprirmos nossa missão. Ele é uma fonte infinita!
Publicado originalmente em dezembro de 2008. Adaptado e republicado em setembro de 2015.
[1] NVI.
[2] Salmo 126:6 NVI.
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWAv4qs_YnQ.
[4] Mateus 11:28–30 NVI.
Maria Fontaine
“Seu divino poder nos deu todas as coisas de que necessitamos para a vida e para a piedade, por meio do pleno conhecimento daquele que nos chamou para a sua própria glória e virtude. Por intermédio destas, ele nos deu suas grandiosas e preciosas promessas, para que por elas vocês se tornassem participantes da natureza divina e fugissem da corrupção que há no mundo, causada pela cobiça.”—2 Pedro 1:3–4[1]
Adoro recapitular as promessas do Senhor, porque a Sua Palavra nunca falha! Adoro ficar pensando em como Ele vai cumprir cada promessa e como tem Seu tempo perfeito e lugar exato para o cumprimento de cada uma. Suas promessas e seu cumprimento é uma manifestação do Seu amor por nós. Podemos clamar e esperar que Ele cumpra a Sua palavra.
É maravilhoso estudar e se firmar nas promessas do Senhor. Já que Ele nos deu e continua dando uma quantidade imensa de promessas na BÃblia para o nosso futuro, é fácil criar familiaridade com as Suas palavras, ou até mesmo considerá-las palavras bonitinhas, ou mesmo poderosas, mas achar que não se aplicam para hoje, nem para nós. Contudo, como todos já experimentamos em diferentes épocas de nossas vidas para o Senhor, descobrimos que o Senhor realmente Se manifesta em nosso favor ao clamarmos Suas promessas e nos mostra que essas promessas são para nós clamarmos e dependermos delas, elas são viáveis e temos visto seus cumprimentos bem diante dos nossos olhos.
Ele deu Suas promessas a todos nós através da Sua Palavra, mas elas também nos são dadas individualmente para as clamarmos e nos apropriarmos delas pessoalmente. Então, ao tomar tempo para refletir nas Suas promessas, peça ao Senhor para lhe mostrar o que o seu cumprimento significa para você pessoalmente.
Também é importante nos lembrarmos das condições vinculadas a tantas de Suas promessas, para podermos fazer a nossa parte para nos assegurarmos de seu cumprimento. As condições são passos comparativamente pequenos que Ele sabe que podemos dar para mostrar a nossa fé de que Ele vai fazer o resto. Ao cumprirmos com as condições permitimos ao Senhor cuidar de Sua parte da barganha.
O Senhor chamou cada um de nós para o Seu reino para uma hora como esta. Então, não importa como se sinta, ou quais sejam seus dons e talentos, você é para estar aqui nesta terra neste momento. Você é uma pessoa valiosa para o Senhor, Seu trabalho e Seus planos para o futuro. O que você tem para oferecer e contribuir, e a maneira como vai brilhar, vai fazer uma diferença.
Não importa que desafios ou provas enfrente, talvez seja tentado a ficar desencorajado, mas apenas se lembre que a Palavra de Deus nunca falha. Somos privilegiados de vivermos e servirmos Jesus! Somos privilegiados, honrados, chamados e escolhidos, e isso deveria nos deixar muito cheios de louvor e alegria. É bom ter isto em mente quando nos depararmos com problemas e obstáculos, que com certeza iremos nos deparar. Assim como seremos privilegiados com as vitórias, também somos privilegiados por lutarmos as batalhas. Tudo faz parte do que o Senhor tem preparado e nos equipado para fazer, e o que Ele sabe que somos capazes.
“Aquele que sai chorando enquanto lança a semente, voltará com cantos de alegria, trazendo os seus feixes.”[2] Talvez derrame lágrimas de sacrifÃcio ao sair, mas voltará se regozijando trazendo consigo os molhos. O sacrifÃcio pode ser um ingrediente muito importante para podermos recolher os molhos e realizarmos nossos sonhos. Como todos nós sabemos, não é fácil se sacrificar. Se fosse fácil, não seria um sacrifÃcio. Então, com tantas renúncias, sacrifÃcios e paciência, e mesmo lágrimas, pensem no fato de que estão abrindo caminho para podermos recolher os molhos, e a realização de seu chamado e destino. No nosso caso, é uma causa eterna e gloriosa que vai mudar o mundo. Vamos ficar eternamente gratos e nos sentirmos honrados por termos participado dela.
O maravilhoso nas batalhas no exército do Senhor é sabermos que existe um motivo para a luta, que vamos ganhar algo de valor, adquirir experiência e crescer, e ficarmos mais capacitados para ajudarmos outros a ficarem firmes por Jesus.
Você sabe que o Senhor vai ajudá-lo, mas não é imediatamente nem tudo de uma vez. Ele sabe quando agir e quando esperar. Sabe quando precisamos de abundância ou passar falta. Sabe quando precisamos suportar um pouco e permanecermos firmes nas Suas promessas por fé. Ele lida conosco na Sua grande sabedoria e amor.
Por mais difÃcil que a situação seja hoje, um dia destes valerá a pena. Vamos ficar muito felizes por termos sido o amor de Jesus “ambulante” para os perdidos.
Isso me lembra daquela linda canção intitulada “Thank You for Giving to the Lord”(Obrigado por Dar ao Senhor), e é a interpretação da visão da pessoa que chega ao Céu e é recebida por todos que foram lhe agradecer pelo que ela fez para que recebessem Jesus. É linda demais! Vai ser assim com cada um de nós que deu um testemunho do Senhor aos outros.[3]
Outro dia, depois de falar com uma pessoa, fiquei sob forte convicção. Ele se chamava Fred e me contou que se dedicava totalmente — todo o seu tempo e energia — à sua profissão. Ele é médico, e investiu sua saúde e sacrificou tudo para ajudar outros na sua hora de necessidade.
Fiquei sob forte convicção, porque ele nem sabe direito sobre o Senhor. Esse médico faz o melhor que pode, e tem fé. Ele disse: “Eu acredito em milagres.” Eu pensei: “Puxa, ele se entregou totalmente, dá tudo de si. Tem aprimorado os dons que recebeu de Deus, tem exercitado esses dons e se esforçado bastante para usá-los da melhor forma, e depois compartilha tudo com os que procuram sua ajuda e conselhos médicos.”
Na verdade, me fez chorar. É tão lindo. Pensei, “Senhor, nos ajude a compartilhar o imenso tesouro de fé que temos com as muitas pessoas que precisam disso desesperadamente”.
As promessas do Senhor são muito encorajadoras e nos dão a força e a visão para continuarmos a seguir adiante. O Senhor nunca nos pede para fazer nada sem nos dar as condições para tal. Isso engloba praticamente tudo na nossa vida e tudo o que fazemos ou viremos a fazer. Se começo a pensar coisas como, “Como é que vamos conseguir fazer isto e aquilo que o Senhor está nos pedindo?” imediatamente me lembro que, por ser a vontade de Deus, existe uma maneira, não resta dúvida.
Todos nós passamos por perÃodos quando parece que os fardos são pesados demais, ficamos sobrecarregados e cansados. Isso é humano e natural. Nessas ocasiões, porém, podemos clamar as promessas de Deus para revigorar nossos espÃritos e aliviar nossas cargas. Ele prometeu, “Venham a mim, todos os que estão cansados e sobrecarregados, e eu lhes darei descanso. Tomem sobre vocês o meu jugo e aprendam de mim, pois sou manso e humilde de coração, e vocês encontrarão descanso para as suas almas. Pois o meu jugo é suave e o meu fardo é leve.”[4]
Ele jamais nos deixará sem condições de fazer o que quer que nos chame para fazer. Ele, melhor do que nós, sabe o que precisamos para cumprirmos nossa missão. Ele é uma fonte infinita!
Publicado originalmente em dezembro de 2008. Adaptado e republicado em setembro de 2015.
[1] NVI.
[2] Salmo 126:6 NVI.
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWAv4qs_YnQ.
[4] Mateus 11:28–30 NVI.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Nossa Firme Âncora
Link
D. Brandt Berg
“Nós, que nos refugiamos nele para tomar posse da esperança a nós proposta. Temos esta esperança como âncora da alma, firme e segura.”—Hebreus 6:18–19[1]
Mudança é uma das coisas que nos aproxima do Senhor. Você já ouviu dizerem, “Tudo muda, mas Jesus nunca muda.” “Em tudo há mudança, tudo decai, oh, Vós que sois eterno, comigo ficai.”[2] Tudo muda, exceto o Senhor, então realmente aprendemos a confiar no Senhor. Ele é a única coisa que permanece constante
Uma das circunstâncias em que isto é mais evidente é quando nos mudamos para um novo lugar ou especialmente um novo paÃs. Nós nos acostumamos aos nossos lares, coisas, amigos ou hábitos, e tendemos a depender ou confiar nessas coisas. Mas então, quando estamos de repente em algum lugar longe, podemos passar por um choque cultural. Quando homens de negócios, professores ou estudantes vão para paÃses estrangeiros para trabalhar ou estudar, alguns também passar por este choque cultural, porque estão acostumados a ter a mesma coisa por toda a sua vida—o mesmo idioma, os mesmos amigos, o mesmo lugar para viver. De repente não podem depender mais dessas coisas.
Algumas pessoas não querem ter que se adaptar, elas simplesmente querem seguir a mesma rotina todos os dias. Elas têm uma sensação de segurança ao pensarem que as coisas às quais estão presas vão sempre estar lá e que a vida será sempre a mesma. Mas depois, se algo muda no meio do caminho, ficam abaladas e sentem-se inseguras.
Nós, cristãos, podemos passar por mudanças porque temos uma âncora que nos segura firmes e inabaláveis. Temos uma rocha que é sempre sólida, na qual sempre podemos confiar. Então, a nossa vida em alguns aspectos é basicamente igual todos os dias, porque todos os dias nós confiamos no Senhor. Nós temos aquela Rocha, aquela âncora que nos mantém sãos e salvos o tempo todo, não importa as ondas, não importa o mar de mudanças constantes e as mudanças pelas quais passamos na vida.
Nós temos alguém em quem podemos descansar tranquilos, seguros eternamente, sabendo que nem temos que nos preocupar com nada! Ele vai resolver todos os problemas e sempre dá o que precisamos, seja o que for, e nos mantêm seguros onde quer que estejamos, no que quer que estejamos fazendo
Temos essa âncora. Nós temos essa rocha à qual nos agarrarmos: a nossa fé. O Senhor. Então, não importa o que aconteça à nossa volta no mar cheio de mudanças da vida, não tem que nos abalar. Podemos sobreviver a isso e superar isso. Nós sabemos que já sobrevivemos a mudanças passadas e que podemos sobreviver a futuras mudanças, porque o Senhor não muda.
Então, agarre-se ao Senhor! “Eu sou o Senhor, Eu não mudo. Jesus Cristo é o mesmo ontem, hoje e eternamente.”[3] Glória ao Senhor! Ele permanece o mesmo: sempre fiel, sempre digno de confiança, está sempre presente, sempre dando a solução para cada problema, suprindo todas as necessidades.
Temos então aquela sensação constante de segurança que supera qualquer outra coisa na vida. Mas para as pessoas que não têm o Senhor, não importa quão segura seja a vida que vive, nada é seguro, e tudo pode desmoronar em algum momento. Eles não têm nenhum alicerce, nada em que se apoiar, nada para lhes servir de âncora, nenhuma rocha sólida que possa ser um alicerce.
Mas para nós, não importa o que aconteça, aonde vamos, onde vivamos ou quais sejam as condições, o Senhor continua lá e Ele sempre nos protege não importa o que aconteça. Então nós temos uma sensação maravilhosa de segurança que os descrentes não têm, não importa quanto tempo vivam no mesmo lugar e quanto façam as mesmas coisas e frequentem a mesma escola, tenham a mesma casa, os mesmos animais de estimação e os mesmos amigos. Eles estão na posição mais precária que existe, porque a sensação de segurança que têm é um falso senso de segurança que pode acabar a qualquer momento e ir por terra quando uma só que seja das coisas em que se apoiam mude.
Nós temos uma sensação de segurança o tempo todo. “Já aprendi a contentar-me com o que tenho.”[4] A minha mãe costumava nos lembrar disso vezes sem conta quando reclamávamos porque tÃnhamos que deixar uma escola ou começar o ano já tarde ou nos mudarmos, ou viajarmos, mil e uma coisas. Esse era um dos seus versÃculos favoritos: “Já aprendi a contentar-me com o que tenho.” É uma coisa maravilhosa aprender a estar contente.
Essa é a maravilha de confiar no Senhor! Quando você não sabe o que vai acontecer, simplesmente sabe que o Senhor de alguma forma vai fazer tudo dar certo para o seu bem, não importa quão difÃcil pareça na ocasião. Ele sempre faz isso. Ele nunca falha! Glória a Deus!
Apesar das ondas que quebram com ira,
E da tempestade que contra a alma conspira,
Você está em paz, pois sabe
Que embora o temporal com força desabe,
Você tem uma âncora, forte e segura,
Que resiste ao tempo e perdura.
Ah, a sua âncora está firme!
Sopra forte então ó temporal!
Sobre a nossa fraca e pequena nau
Não falharemos até ao final
Pois a nossa âncora está firme.
Ondas alterosas arremetem contra mim,
Perigos espreitam do profundo sem fim,
No céu correm nuvens iradas,
E as ondas são tão elevadas;
Mas eu resisto à tormenta que arrocha
Pois estou bem ancorado à rocha.
E aguenta, a minha âncora está firme!
Sopra forte então ó temporal!
Sobre a minha fraca e pequena nau
Não falharei até ao final
Pois a minha âncora está firme.
—William Martin, 1902
Jesus nos segura. Ele é nossa âncora! E Ele vai segurá-lo não importa o que aconteça. Jesus vai manter você firme!
Mesmo se você tropeçar e cair, o Senhor o levantará. Então, não se preocupe, não importa quantas vezes você tropece e o quanto possa cair. Se você tem Jesus e O ama, é Seu filho. Você nunca abandona seus próprios filhos, nunca os lança fora, nunca os enviaria embora, não importa quantas vezes tenham tropeçado, caÃdo ou se machucado, ou feito a coisa errada e desobedecido. Você ainda é pai ou mãe deles. Ainda os ama. Sempre os perdoará e sempre os receberá de volta porque são seus filhos, seu filho ou filha, seu pequenino. Eles são seus para sempre, assim como você é do Senhor para sempre. Ele portanto nunca o deixará nem abandonará, até o fim dos tempos! Ele o segurará bem firme!
Publicado originalmente em dezembro de 1988. Adaptado e republicado em outubro de 2015.
[1] NVI.
[2] Do hino “Abide in Me,” H. Lyte, 1847.
[3] Malaquias 3:6; Hebreus 13:8.
[4] Filipenses 4:11.
D. Brandt Berg
“Nós, que nos refugiamos nele para tomar posse da esperança a nós proposta. Temos esta esperança como âncora da alma, firme e segura.”—Hebreus 6:18–19[1]
Mudança é uma das coisas que nos aproxima do Senhor. Você já ouviu dizerem, “Tudo muda, mas Jesus nunca muda.” “Em tudo há mudança, tudo decai, oh, Vós que sois eterno, comigo ficai.”[2] Tudo muda, exceto o Senhor, então realmente aprendemos a confiar no Senhor. Ele é a única coisa que permanece constante
Uma das circunstâncias em que isto é mais evidente é quando nos mudamos para um novo lugar ou especialmente um novo paÃs. Nós nos acostumamos aos nossos lares, coisas, amigos ou hábitos, e tendemos a depender ou confiar nessas coisas. Mas então, quando estamos de repente em algum lugar longe, podemos passar por um choque cultural. Quando homens de negócios, professores ou estudantes vão para paÃses estrangeiros para trabalhar ou estudar, alguns também passar por este choque cultural, porque estão acostumados a ter a mesma coisa por toda a sua vida—o mesmo idioma, os mesmos amigos, o mesmo lugar para viver. De repente não podem depender mais dessas coisas.
Algumas pessoas não querem ter que se adaptar, elas simplesmente querem seguir a mesma rotina todos os dias. Elas têm uma sensação de segurança ao pensarem que as coisas às quais estão presas vão sempre estar lá e que a vida será sempre a mesma. Mas depois, se algo muda no meio do caminho, ficam abaladas e sentem-se inseguras.
Nós, cristãos, podemos passar por mudanças porque temos uma âncora que nos segura firmes e inabaláveis. Temos uma rocha que é sempre sólida, na qual sempre podemos confiar. Então, a nossa vida em alguns aspectos é basicamente igual todos os dias, porque todos os dias nós confiamos no Senhor. Nós temos aquela Rocha, aquela âncora que nos mantém sãos e salvos o tempo todo, não importa as ondas, não importa o mar de mudanças constantes e as mudanças pelas quais passamos na vida.
Nós temos alguém em quem podemos descansar tranquilos, seguros eternamente, sabendo que nem temos que nos preocupar com nada! Ele vai resolver todos os problemas e sempre dá o que precisamos, seja o que for, e nos mantêm seguros onde quer que estejamos, no que quer que estejamos fazendo
Temos essa âncora. Nós temos essa rocha à qual nos agarrarmos: a nossa fé. O Senhor. Então, não importa o que aconteça à nossa volta no mar cheio de mudanças da vida, não tem que nos abalar. Podemos sobreviver a isso e superar isso. Nós sabemos que já sobrevivemos a mudanças passadas e que podemos sobreviver a futuras mudanças, porque o Senhor não muda.
Então, agarre-se ao Senhor! “Eu sou o Senhor, Eu não mudo. Jesus Cristo é o mesmo ontem, hoje e eternamente.”[3] Glória ao Senhor! Ele permanece o mesmo: sempre fiel, sempre digno de confiança, está sempre presente, sempre dando a solução para cada problema, suprindo todas as necessidades.
Temos então aquela sensação constante de segurança que supera qualquer outra coisa na vida. Mas para as pessoas que não têm o Senhor, não importa quão segura seja a vida que vive, nada é seguro, e tudo pode desmoronar em algum momento. Eles não têm nenhum alicerce, nada em que se apoiar, nada para lhes servir de âncora, nenhuma rocha sólida que possa ser um alicerce.
Mas para nós, não importa o que aconteça, aonde vamos, onde vivamos ou quais sejam as condições, o Senhor continua lá e Ele sempre nos protege não importa o que aconteça. Então nós temos uma sensação maravilhosa de segurança que os descrentes não têm, não importa quanto tempo vivam no mesmo lugar e quanto façam as mesmas coisas e frequentem a mesma escola, tenham a mesma casa, os mesmos animais de estimação e os mesmos amigos. Eles estão na posição mais precária que existe, porque a sensação de segurança que têm é um falso senso de segurança que pode acabar a qualquer momento e ir por terra quando uma só que seja das coisas em que se apoiam mude.
Nós temos uma sensação de segurança o tempo todo. “Já aprendi a contentar-me com o que tenho.”[4] A minha mãe costumava nos lembrar disso vezes sem conta quando reclamávamos porque tÃnhamos que deixar uma escola ou começar o ano já tarde ou nos mudarmos, ou viajarmos, mil e uma coisas. Esse era um dos seus versÃculos favoritos: “Já aprendi a contentar-me com o que tenho.” É uma coisa maravilhosa aprender a estar contente.
Essa é a maravilha de confiar no Senhor! Quando você não sabe o que vai acontecer, simplesmente sabe que o Senhor de alguma forma vai fazer tudo dar certo para o seu bem, não importa quão difÃcil pareça na ocasião. Ele sempre faz isso. Ele nunca falha! Glória a Deus!
Apesar das ondas que quebram com ira,
E da tempestade que contra a alma conspira,
Você está em paz, pois sabe
Que embora o temporal com força desabe,
Você tem uma âncora, forte e segura,
Que resiste ao tempo e perdura.
Ah, a sua âncora está firme!
Sopra forte então ó temporal!
Sobre a nossa fraca e pequena nau
Não falharemos até ao final
Pois a nossa âncora está firme.
Ondas alterosas arremetem contra mim,
Perigos espreitam do profundo sem fim,
No céu correm nuvens iradas,
E as ondas são tão elevadas;
Mas eu resisto à tormenta que arrocha
Pois estou bem ancorado à rocha.
E aguenta, a minha âncora está firme!
Sopra forte então ó temporal!
Sobre a minha fraca e pequena nau
Não falharei até ao final
Pois a minha âncora está firme.
—William Martin, 1902
Jesus nos segura. Ele é nossa âncora! E Ele vai segurá-lo não importa o que aconteça. Jesus vai manter você firme!
Mesmo se você tropeçar e cair, o Senhor o levantará. Então, não se preocupe, não importa quantas vezes você tropece e o quanto possa cair. Se você tem Jesus e O ama, é Seu filho. Você nunca abandona seus próprios filhos, nunca os lança fora, nunca os enviaria embora, não importa quantas vezes tenham tropeçado, caÃdo ou se machucado, ou feito a coisa errada e desobedecido. Você ainda é pai ou mãe deles. Ainda os ama. Sempre os perdoará e sempre os receberá de volta porque são seus filhos, seu filho ou filha, seu pequenino. Eles são seus para sempre, assim como você é do Senhor para sempre. Ele portanto nunca o deixará nem abandonará, até o fim dos tempos! Ele o segurará bem firme!
Publicado originalmente em dezembro de 1988. Adaptado e republicado em outubro de 2015.
[1] NVI.
[2] Do hino “Abide in Me,” H. Lyte, 1847.
[3] Malaquias 3:6; Hebreus 13:8.
[4] Filipenses 4:11.
Interpreting Bible Prophecy
By D. Brandt Berg
Link
Audio length: 12:05
Download Audio (11MB)
Nothing about God’s overall plans for the world and world history in general as outlined in Bible prophecy is going to change. The major events and the major participants and the final outcome, that’s all settled. “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.”1 He says, “I am the Lord, I change not.”2 God doesn’t change, His Word doesn’t change, and even His prophetic plans for the world have not changed and are not going to change.
There are certain specifics that we can be sure of. We know Jesus is coming back, and that following His return we are going to go to heaven to enjoy the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and that gorgeous Heavenly City, while there’s hell on earth and the wrath of God is being poured out on the earth below. We know that’s going to be followed by the Battle of Armageddon, which we know is going to be followed by the Millennium. All this is very clear and very specific in the Bible. We know the Millennium’s going to last exactly a thousand years, and we know it’s going to end with another war, the Battle of Gog and Magog, and be followed by the new heaven and new earth.
These are incontrovertible facts—solid stones in the building of your knowledge of Bible prophecy and coming events. They cannot be denied, cannot be doubted, because it’s all right there in the Bible; it says so in plain black and white, clearly, not once but many times. So you cannot change your opinion about these major events or periods of the future.
These are specifics we know, and the closer we get to those periods, the more specific and the more exact our understanding will be. However, right now we are in a much hazier period where many of the exact timings and details, the exact years, months, and days are not that specific yet. But we are given certain pivotal points in history, certain timeline spots from which we can measure accurately.
So what we need first, as we study the Word of God, is to know the things that are unchangeable, the established facts, proven by many scriptures, the sound foundation for our interpretation of Bible prophecy, the certain facts that will not change, that we know are true. You have to know these basic fundamentals of our concept of Bible prophecy and its interpretation first before you can know what might be changed or could possibly be changed, like some theories or guesstimates or personal opinions of the timing.
“Private interpretations”
The Bible says that “No prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation.”3 In other words, it must be generally accepted. The bulk of what I’ve taught regarding prophecy is things on which most Bible students and scholars of Bible prophecy agree. It’s not private doctrine, but things on which most of them are agreed.
When you’re talking about prophetic interpretation of the past, you can prove that many of the prophecies are true because they already happened; those empires have come and gone. It’s not hard to teach and follow that kind of Bible prophecy, fulfilled Bible prophecy; it’s already happened and you know it’s true. But where you’re getting on touchy ground is when you start getting into the future, the time periods that have not happened yet. And this is where most people’s particular little shibboleths and doctrines and interpretations tend to differ.
But just because some of it is unclear or controversial is no excuse to just toss all Bible prophecy away and never talk about it. God’s Word says, “Blessed is he that heareth and understandeth the words of this prophecy.”4 It takes effort; it’s work to try to understand Bible prophecy and to study it and to figure these things out. It sometimes takes years and years of study and working at it, comparing scripture with scripture, going back and forth through the Word of God to arrive at the most plausible interpretations. But God says you’re blessed if you do those things.
Of course, you don’t have to know all the prophetic details of the future; they’ll happen whether you know them or not. But it’s a good thing to know, and it’s a good thing to understand His predictions so you’ll be able to warn and instruct others, and you’ll be able to know what’s going on, what’s happening. Paul himself said, “I would not have you ignorant, brethren.”5
God loves a mystery
We cannot be dogmatic and exact to the nth degree in the application or interpretation or even the categorization of many of the prophetic scriptures. Often the prophets saw distant events like ranges of mountains one after the other in which only the mountaintops and peaks were outstanding, whereas the valleys were somewhat hidden. Also, if you’ve ever noticed as you view mountains at a distance, you cannot always distinguish between the ranges, and sometimes two or three ranges can look like one range from a distance.
The prophets looked into the future and saw the coming events like a row of mountaintops. You can see them all at once, like you look at a whole scene at once, but actually, when you journey up that mountain and get to the top, some of those mountains that you thought were part of the same range turn out to be another 20 or 30 miles away.
The prophet Daniel himself was also puzzled by his own prophecies. He didn’t understand much of what the Lord was revealing to him. He said the cogitations of his head bothered him and he was even sick in spirit.6
There are many mysteries that God has hidden for Himself and which He has reserved for us only to know sometime in the future or perhaps in heaven itself. The prophets who received many of these revelations never explained them, often because they didn’t understand them. God’s ways are above our ways, as high as the heavens above the earth,7 so we’re not expected to understand everything God does and has and knows. We’re just finite men and we have pretty small minds, and we can’t possibly comprehend all of the wonders and mysteries of God and the future.
That’s why when you get bogged down in too many of the details and too many specifics of Bible prophecy you’re bound to make some mistakes, because it’s often mysterious, and you can’t be too dogmatic.
Even if we don’t have the answers now, when it happens, you’ll recognize the answer. And that’s a lot of what the study of Bible prophecy is. You don’t understand everything that’s said, but why do you think God said it when you don’t even understand it? So that when it does happen, you’ll recognize it.
Is prophecy the most important thing?
This may come as a surprise to some, but it is not absolutely necessary that either you or I or any of us see exactly eye to eye on every technical detail of theological hairsplitting, such as minor doctrines and interpretations which are not essential to salvation, witnessing, soul winning, and world evangelism. It is only essential that we agree on salvation through Jesus, the basic authority of God’s Word, our obligation to witness His truth to others, to manifest His love to the world and win the lost for Christ and His service.
You may have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, but without love it’s nothing.8 Love is the lifeblood of God’s work—the Spirit of God’s love. Now don’t get me wrong; Bible prophecy is important, and you should be familiar with God’s predictions of the future. But if you don’t have love, I don’t care how well you understand Bible prophecy and can describe every beast in the book and hang a label on every horn. If you haven’t got love, it’s just cold dead icicles of facts and figures—no warmth, no heat—and will never turn anyone else on either. So remember, Bible prophecy is important, but love is the most important thing.
There’s one thing about prophecy: when it happens, then you’ll know what it meant. Jesus said, “I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass ye might believe.”9 A lot of prophecies are given to help you understand the future, but if you don’t understand it, it was probably written just so that when it happens, then you’ll understand it. Some of these things are not clear, but at least one thing I’m sure of: the Lord put them there for our edification, to either understand the future or recognize it when it happens. When it happens, we’ll know, and then we’ll know what the right interpretation was.
Some people get too caught up in the details and trying to predict them and measure them and figure them out and calculate them mathematically when it’s too early for that. You’ll know soon enough when the time comes. What is the greatest commandment? To predict the future? To become theological experts in every detail of Bible prophecy? The greatest commandment is to love God! And the next greatest is to love thy neighbor as thyself.10
So don’t get your eyes so fixed on the details, doctrines, and dogmas of eschatology that you lose sight of the real goal: to reach the world with the gospel of God’s love. This is our primary purpose for being here, our excuse for existence! Jesus Himself knew all about the future, but His main mission was to love the world and His main message was the good news of God’s love and salvation.
Jesus’ last message to His disciples at the Last Supper just before He was arrested, taken to jail, beaten and crucified was all about love, that love was the most important thing.11
His last request was “Feed My sheep.”12 And this is the greatest, most important job we have to do if we love Him, to witness the Word of God, to preach the gospel, to tell folks about God’s love, to show them the love of Jesus. So may God bless and keep you sharing the good news of His love with others!
Originally published June 1986. Adapted and republished October 2015.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 Psalm 119:89.
2 Malachi 3:6.
3 2 Peter 1:20.
4 Revelation 1:3.
5 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
6 Daniel 7:28, 8:27.
7 Isaiah 55:9.
8 1 Corinthians 13:2.
9 John 14:29.
10 Matthew 22:37–39.
11 See John 13:3–17, 34–35; 15:9–13, 17.
12 John 21:15–17.
Link
Audio length: 12:05
Download Audio (11MB)
Nothing about God’s overall plans for the world and world history in general as outlined in Bible prophecy is going to change. The major events and the major participants and the final outcome, that’s all settled. “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.”1 He says, “I am the Lord, I change not.”2 God doesn’t change, His Word doesn’t change, and even His prophetic plans for the world have not changed and are not going to change.
There are certain specifics that we can be sure of. We know Jesus is coming back, and that following His return we are going to go to heaven to enjoy the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and that gorgeous Heavenly City, while there’s hell on earth and the wrath of God is being poured out on the earth below. We know that’s going to be followed by the Battle of Armageddon, which we know is going to be followed by the Millennium. All this is very clear and very specific in the Bible. We know the Millennium’s going to last exactly a thousand years, and we know it’s going to end with another war, the Battle of Gog and Magog, and be followed by the new heaven and new earth.
These are incontrovertible facts—solid stones in the building of your knowledge of Bible prophecy and coming events. They cannot be denied, cannot be doubted, because it’s all right there in the Bible; it says so in plain black and white, clearly, not once but many times. So you cannot change your opinion about these major events or periods of the future.
These are specifics we know, and the closer we get to those periods, the more specific and the more exact our understanding will be. However, right now we are in a much hazier period where many of the exact timings and details, the exact years, months, and days are not that specific yet. But we are given certain pivotal points in history, certain timeline spots from which we can measure accurately.
So what we need first, as we study the Word of God, is to know the things that are unchangeable, the established facts, proven by many scriptures, the sound foundation for our interpretation of Bible prophecy, the certain facts that will not change, that we know are true. You have to know these basic fundamentals of our concept of Bible prophecy and its interpretation first before you can know what might be changed or could possibly be changed, like some theories or guesstimates or personal opinions of the timing.
“Private interpretations”
The Bible says that “No prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation.”3 In other words, it must be generally accepted. The bulk of what I’ve taught regarding prophecy is things on which most Bible students and scholars of Bible prophecy agree. It’s not private doctrine, but things on which most of them are agreed.
When you’re talking about prophetic interpretation of the past, you can prove that many of the prophecies are true because they already happened; those empires have come and gone. It’s not hard to teach and follow that kind of Bible prophecy, fulfilled Bible prophecy; it’s already happened and you know it’s true. But where you’re getting on touchy ground is when you start getting into the future, the time periods that have not happened yet. And this is where most people’s particular little shibboleths and doctrines and interpretations tend to differ.
But just because some of it is unclear or controversial is no excuse to just toss all Bible prophecy away and never talk about it. God’s Word says, “Blessed is he that heareth and understandeth the words of this prophecy.”4 It takes effort; it’s work to try to understand Bible prophecy and to study it and to figure these things out. It sometimes takes years and years of study and working at it, comparing scripture with scripture, going back and forth through the Word of God to arrive at the most plausible interpretations. But God says you’re blessed if you do those things.
Of course, you don’t have to know all the prophetic details of the future; they’ll happen whether you know them or not. But it’s a good thing to know, and it’s a good thing to understand His predictions so you’ll be able to warn and instruct others, and you’ll be able to know what’s going on, what’s happening. Paul himself said, “I would not have you ignorant, brethren.”5
God loves a mystery
We cannot be dogmatic and exact to the nth degree in the application or interpretation or even the categorization of many of the prophetic scriptures. Often the prophets saw distant events like ranges of mountains one after the other in which only the mountaintops and peaks were outstanding, whereas the valleys were somewhat hidden. Also, if you’ve ever noticed as you view mountains at a distance, you cannot always distinguish between the ranges, and sometimes two or three ranges can look like one range from a distance.
The prophets looked into the future and saw the coming events like a row of mountaintops. You can see them all at once, like you look at a whole scene at once, but actually, when you journey up that mountain and get to the top, some of those mountains that you thought were part of the same range turn out to be another 20 or 30 miles away.
The prophet Daniel himself was also puzzled by his own prophecies. He didn’t understand much of what the Lord was revealing to him. He said the cogitations of his head bothered him and he was even sick in spirit.6
There are many mysteries that God has hidden for Himself and which He has reserved for us only to know sometime in the future or perhaps in heaven itself. The prophets who received many of these revelations never explained them, often because they didn’t understand them. God’s ways are above our ways, as high as the heavens above the earth,7 so we’re not expected to understand everything God does and has and knows. We’re just finite men and we have pretty small minds, and we can’t possibly comprehend all of the wonders and mysteries of God and the future.
That’s why when you get bogged down in too many of the details and too many specifics of Bible prophecy you’re bound to make some mistakes, because it’s often mysterious, and you can’t be too dogmatic.
Even if we don’t have the answers now, when it happens, you’ll recognize the answer. And that’s a lot of what the study of Bible prophecy is. You don’t understand everything that’s said, but why do you think God said it when you don’t even understand it? So that when it does happen, you’ll recognize it.
Is prophecy the most important thing?
This may come as a surprise to some, but it is not absolutely necessary that either you or I or any of us see exactly eye to eye on every technical detail of theological hairsplitting, such as minor doctrines and interpretations which are not essential to salvation, witnessing, soul winning, and world evangelism. It is only essential that we agree on salvation through Jesus, the basic authority of God’s Word, our obligation to witness His truth to others, to manifest His love to the world and win the lost for Christ and His service.
You may have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, but without love it’s nothing.8 Love is the lifeblood of God’s work—the Spirit of God’s love. Now don’t get me wrong; Bible prophecy is important, and you should be familiar with God’s predictions of the future. But if you don’t have love, I don’t care how well you understand Bible prophecy and can describe every beast in the book and hang a label on every horn. If you haven’t got love, it’s just cold dead icicles of facts and figures—no warmth, no heat—and will never turn anyone else on either. So remember, Bible prophecy is important, but love is the most important thing.
There’s one thing about prophecy: when it happens, then you’ll know what it meant. Jesus said, “I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass ye might believe.”9 A lot of prophecies are given to help you understand the future, but if you don’t understand it, it was probably written just so that when it happens, then you’ll understand it. Some of these things are not clear, but at least one thing I’m sure of: the Lord put them there for our edification, to either understand the future or recognize it when it happens. When it happens, we’ll know, and then we’ll know what the right interpretation was.
Some people get too caught up in the details and trying to predict them and measure them and figure them out and calculate them mathematically when it’s too early for that. You’ll know soon enough when the time comes. What is the greatest commandment? To predict the future? To become theological experts in every detail of Bible prophecy? The greatest commandment is to love God! And the next greatest is to love thy neighbor as thyself.10
So don’t get your eyes so fixed on the details, doctrines, and dogmas of eschatology that you lose sight of the real goal: to reach the world with the gospel of God’s love. This is our primary purpose for being here, our excuse for existence! Jesus Himself knew all about the future, but His main mission was to love the world and His main message was the good news of God’s love and salvation.
Jesus’ last message to His disciples at the Last Supper just before He was arrested, taken to jail, beaten and crucified was all about love, that love was the most important thing.11
His last request was “Feed My sheep.”12 And this is the greatest, most important job we have to do if we love Him, to witness the Word of God, to preach the gospel, to tell folks about God’s love, to show them the love of Jesus. So may God bless and keep you sharing the good news of His love with others!
Originally published June 1986. Adapted and republished October 2015.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 Psalm 119:89.
2 Malachi 3:6.
3 2 Peter 1:20.
4 Revelation 1:3.
5 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
6 Daniel 7:28, 8:27.
7 Isaiah 55:9.
8 1 Corinthians 13:2.
9 John 14:29.
10 Matthew 22:37–39.
11 See John 13:3–17, 34–35; 15:9–13, 17.
12 John 21:15–17.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Louvar a Deus nos Momentos DifÃceis
Compilação
Link
Cada um de nós há de passar por uma perda ou pesar em alguma altura na vida. Nesses momentos é normal sentir-se triste ou até deprimido. Louvar a Deus constrói um escudo ao redor dos nossos corações e mentes de modo que não caÃmos em desespero.
Há alguns anos passei por muitas perdas de modo que me senti avassalada e desencorajada. Durante esses meses eu me comprometi a continuar com o meu hábito de louvar a Deus cada manhã. Algumas manhãs eu me ajoelhava e chorava enquanto ouvia música de adoração. Ao oferecer a Deus as minhas lágrimas e confiança, parte da minha tristeza era liberada e minha fé reacendida. Tal como Jó, consegui dizer, “O Senhor o deu, e o Senhor o tomou: bendito seja o nome do Senhor.”[1] Ao me ajoelhar para adorar cada manhã, a presença de Deus se aproximava e eu era consolada na minha tristeza.
Seguem-se algumas dicas para louvar a Deus durante perÃodos de luto, tristeza ou desencorajamento:
Faça uma retrospectiva. Louvar a Deus por como Ele foi fiel no passado pode lhe dar esperanças de que Ele continuará sendo fiel no presente e no futuro.
Deixe as lágrimas rolar. Louvar a Deus nem sempre é fruto de um coração alegre. Está bem e é até bom se permitir chorar quando está triste por ter sofrido uma perda. Às vezes chorar é nossa forma de adorar.
Desenvolva uma série de “versÃculos para emergências.” Quando estiver passando por uma perda, é consolador louvar a Deus usando Escrituras que lhe são familiares e especiais para você pessoalmente. Alguns dos meus favoritos são os Salmos 34, 46, 91 e João 15.
Faça uma caminhada de adoração. Caminhar libera endorfinas e adorar fortalece a sua fé. Combine as duas atividades e seu espÃrito será enlevado.
Mantenha uma lista das coisas pelas quais está grato. Aprendi isto quando passei por uma época particularmente difÃcil na minha vida. Cada noite antes de eu ir para cama eu anotava de 3 a 5 coisas que haviam me acontecido naquele dia pelas quais eu estava grata. Depois de louvar a Deus por cada coisa, eu conseguia adormecer me sentindo encorajada.—Becky Harling[2]
*
Quando o Apóstolo Paulo diz: “Estejam sempre cheios de alegria no Senhor,” ele não diz para ter alegria apenas nos bons momentos. Até quando as coisas são difÃceis, a BÃblia nos ensina que podemos ser cheios de alegria se seguirmos esta simples estratégia:
Não se preocupe com nada. Preocupar-se não muda nada. É muita fumaça sem fogo. Ninguém nasceu preocupado. Preocupar-se é uma reação que aprendemos. Você aprendeu a se preocupar com os seus pais, com seus colegas, com as experiências da vida. A boa notÃcia é que como a gente aprende a se preocupar também podemos desaprender.
Como desaprendemos a nos preocupar? Jesus disse em Mateus 6:34: “Portanto, não se preocupem com o amanhã, pois o amanhã se preocupará consigo mesmo. Basta a cada dia o seu próprio mal.”[3] Ele estava dizendo para não abrir o guarda-chuva até começar a chover. Viva um dia de cada vez.
Ore sobre tudo. Em vez de se preocupar, use seu tempo para orar. Se você orasse tanto quanto se preocupa, teria muito menos para se preocupar. Será que Deus Se importa com o pagamento das parcelas do carro? Sim. Ele Se interessa por cada detalhe de sua vida. Isso significa que você pode levar qualquer problema que enfrenta a Deus.
Dê graças a Deus por tudo. Quando você orar, faça uma oração com ação de graças. A emoção humana mais saudável não é o amor mas sim a gratidão. Gratidão na verdade aumenta sua imunidade. Ela o ajuda a ser mais resistente ao estresse e menos suscetÃvel à doença. Pessoas gratas são felizes. Mas os ingratos vivem na pior porque nada os faz feliz. Eles nunca estão satisfeitos. Nunca nada é bom o suficiente. Então, se você cultivar uma atitude de gratidão, de estar agradecido por tudo, isso reduzirá o estresse na sua vida.
Pense nas coisas certas. Se você quer reduzir o nÃvel de estresse na sua vida, tem que mudar sua maneira de pensar, porque a maneira como pensa determina como se sente. E a maneira como se sente determina a maneira como age. A BÃblia nos ensina que, se quiser mudar sua vida, precisa mudar sobre o que pensa.
Isto envolve uma escolha deliberada e consciente na qual você escolhe pensar nas coisas certas. Nós escolhemos pensar no positivo e na Palavra de Deus.
Qual é o resultado de não se preocupar, orar sobre tudo, dar graças e focar nas coisas certas? Paulo diz, “Se fizerem isto, vocês terão experiência do que é a paz de Deus, que é muito mais maravilhosa do que a mente humana pode compreender. Sua paz conservará a mente e o coração de vocês na calma e tranquilidade, à medida que vocês confiam em Cristo Jesus.”[4]—Rick Warren[5]
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Todos nós passamos por momentos de estresse e precisamos olhar para cima para encontrar alÃvio. Pode ser as palavras inspiradoras de um amigo do peito, uma música, ou ainda mais importante, Deus. Não importa as circunstâncias, podemos sempre repousar no fato de que Deus sempre será fiel.
Deus brilhará sua luz sobre nós, e quando pedimos Ele nos ajuda a passar pelos momentos difÃceis. Se você estiver batalhando hoje, ou se conhece alguém que talvez esteja batalhando, então se encontra no lugar certo para receber a cura.
Abaixo encontram-se [vários] versÃculos da BÃblia edificantes que são uma bênção quando estamos passando por momentos difÃceis:
Salmo 119:67–68 — Antes de ser afligido andava errado; mas agora tenho guardado a tua palavra. Tu és bom e fazes bem; ensina-me os teus estatutos.
IsaÃas 55:6 — Buscai ao Senhor enquanto se pode achar, invocai-o enquanto está perto.
Salmo 34:17 — Os justos clamam, e o Senhor os ouve, e os livra de todas as suas angústias.
2 CorÃntios 9:8 — E Deus é poderoso para fazer abundar em vós toda a graça, a fim de que tendo sempre, em tudo, toda a suficiência, abundeis em toda a boa obra.
Colossenses 1:13 — O qual nos tirou da potestade das trevas, e nos transportou para o reino do Filho do seu amor.
Provérbios 3:5–6 — Confia no Senhor de todo o teu coração, e não te estribes no teu próprio entendimento. Reconhece-o em todos os teus caminhos, e ele endireitará as tuas veredas.—John Callahan[6]
Publicado no Âncora em outubro de 2015.
[1] Jó 1:21.
[2] Becky Harling, The 30-Day Praise Challenge (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2013).
[3] NVI.
[4] Filipenses 4:7 NLT.
[5] http://pastors.com/thankful-tough-times.
[6] http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/7-uplifting-bible-verses-when-youre-going-through-hard-times-125180
Link
Cada um de nós há de passar por uma perda ou pesar em alguma altura na vida. Nesses momentos é normal sentir-se triste ou até deprimido. Louvar a Deus constrói um escudo ao redor dos nossos corações e mentes de modo que não caÃmos em desespero.
Há alguns anos passei por muitas perdas de modo que me senti avassalada e desencorajada. Durante esses meses eu me comprometi a continuar com o meu hábito de louvar a Deus cada manhã. Algumas manhãs eu me ajoelhava e chorava enquanto ouvia música de adoração. Ao oferecer a Deus as minhas lágrimas e confiança, parte da minha tristeza era liberada e minha fé reacendida. Tal como Jó, consegui dizer, “O Senhor o deu, e o Senhor o tomou: bendito seja o nome do Senhor.”[1] Ao me ajoelhar para adorar cada manhã, a presença de Deus se aproximava e eu era consolada na minha tristeza.
Seguem-se algumas dicas para louvar a Deus durante perÃodos de luto, tristeza ou desencorajamento:
Faça uma retrospectiva. Louvar a Deus por como Ele foi fiel no passado pode lhe dar esperanças de que Ele continuará sendo fiel no presente e no futuro.
Deixe as lágrimas rolar. Louvar a Deus nem sempre é fruto de um coração alegre. Está bem e é até bom se permitir chorar quando está triste por ter sofrido uma perda. Às vezes chorar é nossa forma de adorar.
Desenvolva uma série de “versÃculos para emergências.” Quando estiver passando por uma perda, é consolador louvar a Deus usando Escrituras que lhe são familiares e especiais para você pessoalmente. Alguns dos meus favoritos são os Salmos 34, 46, 91 e João 15.
Faça uma caminhada de adoração. Caminhar libera endorfinas e adorar fortalece a sua fé. Combine as duas atividades e seu espÃrito será enlevado.
Mantenha uma lista das coisas pelas quais está grato. Aprendi isto quando passei por uma época particularmente difÃcil na minha vida. Cada noite antes de eu ir para cama eu anotava de 3 a 5 coisas que haviam me acontecido naquele dia pelas quais eu estava grata. Depois de louvar a Deus por cada coisa, eu conseguia adormecer me sentindo encorajada.—Becky Harling[2]
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Quando o Apóstolo Paulo diz: “Estejam sempre cheios de alegria no Senhor,” ele não diz para ter alegria apenas nos bons momentos. Até quando as coisas são difÃceis, a BÃblia nos ensina que podemos ser cheios de alegria se seguirmos esta simples estratégia:
Não se preocupe com nada. Preocupar-se não muda nada. É muita fumaça sem fogo. Ninguém nasceu preocupado. Preocupar-se é uma reação que aprendemos. Você aprendeu a se preocupar com os seus pais, com seus colegas, com as experiências da vida. A boa notÃcia é que como a gente aprende a se preocupar também podemos desaprender.
Como desaprendemos a nos preocupar? Jesus disse em Mateus 6:34: “Portanto, não se preocupem com o amanhã, pois o amanhã se preocupará consigo mesmo. Basta a cada dia o seu próprio mal.”[3] Ele estava dizendo para não abrir o guarda-chuva até começar a chover. Viva um dia de cada vez.
Ore sobre tudo. Em vez de se preocupar, use seu tempo para orar. Se você orasse tanto quanto se preocupa, teria muito menos para se preocupar. Será que Deus Se importa com o pagamento das parcelas do carro? Sim. Ele Se interessa por cada detalhe de sua vida. Isso significa que você pode levar qualquer problema que enfrenta a Deus.
Dê graças a Deus por tudo. Quando você orar, faça uma oração com ação de graças. A emoção humana mais saudável não é o amor mas sim a gratidão. Gratidão na verdade aumenta sua imunidade. Ela o ajuda a ser mais resistente ao estresse e menos suscetÃvel à doença. Pessoas gratas são felizes. Mas os ingratos vivem na pior porque nada os faz feliz. Eles nunca estão satisfeitos. Nunca nada é bom o suficiente. Então, se você cultivar uma atitude de gratidão, de estar agradecido por tudo, isso reduzirá o estresse na sua vida.
Pense nas coisas certas. Se você quer reduzir o nÃvel de estresse na sua vida, tem que mudar sua maneira de pensar, porque a maneira como pensa determina como se sente. E a maneira como se sente determina a maneira como age. A BÃblia nos ensina que, se quiser mudar sua vida, precisa mudar sobre o que pensa.
Isto envolve uma escolha deliberada e consciente na qual você escolhe pensar nas coisas certas. Nós escolhemos pensar no positivo e na Palavra de Deus.
Qual é o resultado de não se preocupar, orar sobre tudo, dar graças e focar nas coisas certas? Paulo diz, “Se fizerem isto, vocês terão experiência do que é a paz de Deus, que é muito mais maravilhosa do que a mente humana pode compreender. Sua paz conservará a mente e o coração de vocês na calma e tranquilidade, à medida que vocês confiam em Cristo Jesus.”[4]—Rick Warren[5]
*
Todos nós passamos por momentos de estresse e precisamos olhar para cima para encontrar alÃvio. Pode ser as palavras inspiradoras de um amigo do peito, uma música, ou ainda mais importante, Deus. Não importa as circunstâncias, podemos sempre repousar no fato de que Deus sempre será fiel.
Deus brilhará sua luz sobre nós, e quando pedimos Ele nos ajuda a passar pelos momentos difÃceis. Se você estiver batalhando hoje, ou se conhece alguém que talvez esteja batalhando, então se encontra no lugar certo para receber a cura.
Abaixo encontram-se [vários] versÃculos da BÃblia edificantes que são uma bênção quando estamos passando por momentos difÃceis:
Salmo 119:67–68 — Antes de ser afligido andava errado; mas agora tenho guardado a tua palavra. Tu és bom e fazes bem; ensina-me os teus estatutos.
IsaÃas 55:6 — Buscai ao Senhor enquanto se pode achar, invocai-o enquanto está perto.
Salmo 34:17 — Os justos clamam, e o Senhor os ouve, e os livra de todas as suas angústias.
2 CorÃntios 9:8 — E Deus é poderoso para fazer abundar em vós toda a graça, a fim de que tendo sempre, em tudo, toda a suficiência, abundeis em toda a boa obra.
Colossenses 1:13 — O qual nos tirou da potestade das trevas, e nos transportou para o reino do Filho do seu amor.
Provérbios 3:5–6 — Confia no Senhor de todo o teu coração, e não te estribes no teu próprio entendimento. Reconhece-o em todos os teus caminhos, e ele endireitará as tuas veredas.—John Callahan[6]
Publicado no Âncora em outubro de 2015.
[1] Jó 1:21.
[2] Becky Harling, The 30-Day Praise Challenge (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2013).
[3] NVI.
[4] Filipenses 4:7 NLT.
[5] http://pastors.com/thankful-tough-times.
[6] http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/7-uplifting-bible-verses-when-youre-going-through-hard-times-125180
