Does your faith need strengthening? Are you confused and wondering if Jesus Christ is really "The Way, the Truth, and the Life?" "Fight for Your Faith" is a blog filled with interesting and thought provoking articles to help you find the answers you are seeking. Jesus said, "Seek and ye shall find." In Jeremiah we read, "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall seek for Me with all your heart." These articles and videos will help you in your search for the Truth.

Monday, December 15, 2014

A Palavra, a Palavra, a Palavra

http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/palavra-palavra-palavra/
D. Brandt Berg

“O céu e a terra passarão, mas as Minhas palavras não hão de passar.”—Mateus 24:35

A Palavra de Deus é a Verdade mais poderosa da Terra. Suas palavras que contêm o Espírito e a Vida do Próprio Deus.[1] A Palavra é a centelha espiritual de Deus que nos inflama com a Sua vida, luz e poder.

O mais importante é ler, absorver e seguir a Palavra de Deus para poder criar uma relação com o Senhor. É a Palavra que mantém você sintonizado com Ele e ajuda você a continuar no caminho de Deus. Foi só quando Adão e Eva pararam de dar ouvidos à Palavra de Deus que se meteram em encrencas.[2] Quando escutamos a Deus e à Sua Palavra, Ele sempre nos diz a verdade. Se obedecermos à verdade de Deus, seremos felizes e produziremos fruto.[3]

A fé na Palavra de Deus é um princípio de vital importância. É o alicerce toda a era da graça: a fé na Palavra. “Porque sem fé é impossível agradar a Deus” e “a fé vem por ouvir a Palavra de Deus.”[4]

Embora Ele seja um “socorro bem presente na angústia” que “nunca nos deixará nem nos desamparará”[5], Ele se mantém, de propósito, escondido e invisível, atrás do véu do mundo espiritual. Por isso, espera que nós, Seus filhos, andemos “por fé e não por vista”[6].

A maior parte do tempo, o Senhor parece nos deixar por conta própria, com pouca intervenção direta, visível ou audível da Sua parte ou dos Seus anjos. Ele não facilita tudo para nós com assistência sobrenatural, aberta e visível, mas deixa muito por nossa conta e espera que encontremos na Sua Palavra a força espiritual e a fé que precisamos.

Quer que absorvamos Sua Palavra, adquirindo assim a fé para atender às nossas necessidades e enfrentar as situações que surgem continuamente. Esta é a razão pela qual a Palavra é tão importante. É a maneira principal pela qual nos comunicamos com Deus e ficamos cientes da Sua Vontade, recebendo assim a fé e a força para continuarmos trabalhando para Ele nesta vida.

Qual é o primeiro lugar onde procuramos a vontade de Deus? Na Palavra de Deus. Sua Palavra é a vontade de Deus conhecida, certa, absoluta e revelada. Por isso, ainda que você nunca receba uma única revelação, nunca ouça uma única voz, nunca receba uma única profecia, nunca adquira o dom do conhecimento nem o da sabedoria, nunca tenha discernimento, nunca tenha o dom da cura ou de milagres, nem qualquer outro dom do Espírito[7], se simplesmente der ouvidos e seguir a Palavra de Deus, realizará muito para o Senhor.

A Bíblia é o livro mais maravilhoso, mais sobrenatural, milagroso, incrível e magnífico do mundo. Ela nos diz de onde viemos, como chegamos aqui, por que estamos aqui, como sobreviver enquanto estamos aqui, como ser feliz enquanto estamos aqui e como amar e ter felicidade, alegria e paz para sempre.

Apesar de todas as críticas, ceticismo e mentiras de que seus oponentes vociferarem contra ela, sabemos sem sombra de dúvida que a Bíblia diz a verdade, porque conhecemos o autor. Isso é fato irrefutável. Antes de você ser apresentado ao autor, antes de conhecer o Senhor, talvez não se importasse muito com a Bíblia e não soubesse se era verdade ou não. Talvez nunca a tivesse lido ou sequer acreditasse nela. Mas agora que encontrou Jesus e O recebeu no coração, sabe que a Sua Palavra é verdade, porque sabe que Ele não lhe mentiria nem lhe diria nada que não fosse certo.

“Tesouros novos e velhos” (Mateus 13:52)

Desde o início, Deus deu ao Seu povo as principais informações básicas que ele precisava. Conforme a história foi avançando disponibilizou mais conhecimento até que, algumas centenas de anos antes de Jesus vir, começou a dizer aos profetas o que ia acontecer. Quando Jesus veio, com os Seus apóstolos e a Igreja Primitiva, Deus deu muitos mais detalhes. Ele está dando cada vez mais informações e mais detalhes que o homem precisa.

Muitas pessoas pensam: “Só a Bíblia basta, não precisamos de mais nada. Deus nunca mais falou desde então, Ele não fala mais nem se comunica mais. Ele simplesmente virou as costas e se calou depois de transmitir o livro do Apocalipse a João, e não devemos receber mais nada de Deus.”

Felizmente, Deus não é mudo nem Se calou quando a história na Bíblia acabou de ser narrada, há dois mil anos. É um Deus vivo, que Se comunica. Ainda fala e tem falado desde então. Tem falado com Seu povo, Seus profetas e Seus filhos ao longo dos tempos, desde a época de Jesus e Seus apóstolos e da Igreja Primitiva. Ele ainda está vivo e continua Se comunicando até hoje.

Alimento para a alma

Jesus disse: “As Palavras que Eu vos digo são espírito e vida.”[8] Sua Palavra é a vida do próprio Deus. É o que nos dá vida, alimento, força e saúde espiritual. Por essa razão, é essencial manter uma dieta bem equilibrada da Palavra de Deus se você quiser crescer e ficar perto dEle.

O próprio Jesus é chamado na Bíblia de “A Palavra”.[9] Jesus é a Palavra, o espírito e a vida, e precisamos de uma dose dEle todos os dias, para nos alimentarmos bem, nos banquetearmos e bebermos dEle, se quisermos crescer e ficar saudáveis espiritualmente. Da mesma maneira que precisamos comer para ter força física, devemos nos alimentar da Palavra e beber a Palavra para termos força espiritual.

“Desejai afetuosamente, como meninos recém-nascidos, o leite racional não falsificado (da Palavra) para que por ele vades crescendo.”[10] Essa é uma ilustração de um bebê que precisa do leite da mãe para poder viver. Se você não receber o alimento da boa, integral, encorajadora e nutritiva verdade da Palavra de Deus, vai passar fome e acabará morrendo espiritualmente.

Temos de alimentar a alma ou nunca cresceremos espiritualmente nemamadureceremos totalmente. Permaneceremos bebês, por falta do leite nutritivo da Palavra. O cristão que negligencia a Palavra fica fraco a ponto de ser vencido pelo mundo. Negligencia sua única esperança de vitória, a vida, a luz, a força e o poder da Palavra.

Em geral, alguém fica espiritualmente fraco quando não se fortaleceu de verdade com a Palavra, não se abasteceu com ela, não se batizou com a Palavra. Não tem vivido na Palavra e ela não tem sido sua força e saúde como deveria ser. Se ficar muito atarefado com um pouquinho aqui, um pouquinho ali e não ler a Palavra de Deus, vai entrar em parafuso. Quem começa a excluir a Palavra da sua vida por causa das suas obrigações, está ficando atarefado demais.

Não pode deixar o barco à deriva e se ocupar tanto com outras coisas que negligencia sua inspiração, o alimento espiritual e a nutrição que precisa extrair da Palavra. Sei que eu muitas vezes ficava muito desanimado se não me alimentasse com a Palavra de Deus.

Mas se buscar sinceramente o Senhor ao ler Sua Palavra, com fome da verdade, Ele vai falar com você por ela. Quanto mais amar a Palavra, a estudar e se alimentar dela, mais vai crescer espiritualmente e ver que Deus pode falar com você de maneira nítida e direta, em alto e bom som, por meio de Sua Palavra impressa.

Quando o Espírito Santo o lembrar de um trecho ou versículo e o aplica à situação que está vivendo, isso dá vida à Palavra. O Senhor dará vida à Sua Palavra e falará com você pessoalmente. Conforme você ler a Palavra, Ele dará soluções para os seus problemas e responderá às suas orações. Quando Deus aplica a Palavra a uma situação, ela subitamente se torna viva. Deixam de ser apenas palavras, ou palavras que só passam pela sua cabeça, para se tornarem palavras que, de repente, atingem seu coração. Então, você realmente entende a mensagem. “A exposição da Tua Palavra dá luz, dá entendimento aos símplices.”[11]

O grande profeta Jeremias disse: “Achando as Tuas Palavras logo as comi, e a Tua Palavra foi para mim o gozo e alegria do meu coração.” [12] Jó disse: “As Palavras da Tua boca prezei mais do que o meu alimento.”[13]

Jesus disse: “Uma só coisa é necessária e Maria escolheu a boa parte a qual nunca lhe será tirada.”[14] Qual foi a “boa parte” que Maria escolheu? Sentar-se aos pés de Jesus e escutar às Suas Palavras. É necessário descansar no Senhor, sentar-se aos Seus pés e escutar a Ele e à Sua Palavra.

Compilado dos escritos de D. Brandt Berg, publicado originalmente em novembro 1988. Adaptado e republicado em dezembro 2014.

Footnotes:
[1] João 4:24.
[2] Veja Gênesis 3.
[3] Veja João 15:11; 13:17.
[4] Hebreus 11:6; Romanos 10:17.
[5] Salmo 46:1; Hebreus 13:5.
[6] 2 Coríntios 5:7.
[7] 1 Coríntios 12:8–10.
[8] João 6:63.
[9] Apocalipse 19:13; João 1:1,14.
[10] 1 Pedro 2:2.
[11] Salmo 119:130.
[12] Jeremias 15:16.
[13] Jó 23:12.
[14] Lucas 10:42.

My Christmas Gift to You —Love that Knows no Boundaries

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 9:41
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Celebrations around the world! Happy holidays and festivities! It is a time for giving, a time for gifts. And yet, what is this I see? I see people searching for love. I see people without any true Christmas gifts. I see people everywhere, running here and running there, desperately looking for some little ray of hope, a little love, a little mercy, a little relief; some kind of salvation.

I care for each person so dearly that I come with special gifts straight from My heart to every person on the planet. You won’t find these gifts in any shop or mall. They cannot be sold or bought for a price, and yet they are priceless and rare. Those who possess them are most richly blessed.

Love, joy, peace—these are My special gifts for humankind. Love that knows no boundaries. Love that does not judge people by the color of their skin, their place in society, the way they look, or how they speak. Love that gives. Love that shares. Love that cares. Love that is alive, vibrant, warm, and kind. Love that is unconditional and forever.

Love that is patient in a world of intolerance. Love that is understanding when others fail to see into your heart. Love that is kind and tender, when all else around you seems cold and hard. Love that comforts you in your sorrow, that consoles you when you’re lonely, that gives you a helping hand when you’re down. Love that is full of happiness and laughter. Love that brings peace in the midst of stormy weather. Love that always finds a way.

My love is always there for you—any place, any time, day or night. My love will descend to any depth to save, go any length to rescue. My love knows no stopping place; it knows no limit in giving. My love brings peace of mind when you are confused, rest when you are weary, and strength when you feel you cannot go on. My love will calm your fears and give you courage in the face of despair. My love can heal your broken body; it can soothe your heartaches and pain. My love will ease your mind when it is troubled and weary; it will melt away tension, worry, and strain.

My love is My forever Christmas gift for you.

I can’t promise you will never have heartaches, disappointments, or worries as you walk down the road of life. But I can promise that I’ll give you encouragement, instruction, guidance, wisdom, and the strength you need to come through. I promise to never leave your side. Together we’ll survive any difficulty, overcome any weakness, hurdle any obstacle. My love is power—power to overcome and power to be all that I have called you to be.

I know, I love, and I care for you, as if you were the only one in the world. That’s the reason I came to earth on Christmas Day—to give My great love to you.

You can talk to Me, anywhere, anytime, anyplace, any way you prefer. Talk to Me out loud, or whisper softly if you like. Speak to Me in words, or just send Me your thoughts, signaling Me from your heart in the rush of the day or in the stillness of the night. Any way you feel comfortable is fine with Me. You can tell Me anything you want, and I will understand. I’m here for you with a listening ear, sympathy, and understanding.

Just open your heart, reach out, and receive. Call on Me and I’ll come to your aid with My Christmas gifts for you. Just say, “I take You, Jesus. I want all Your gifts, and a life that is full and free. Please give me Your gifts of love, joy, and peace. Show me the way. Show me how to live and how to act along my way.” It’s just that simple.

When your life on earth is over, I’ll bring you home with Me—home to My country, heaven, where there is no pain, no sorrow, confusion, or war. Here there is no fear, no hatred, no greed or strife, only My free, abundant gifts of love, and much, much more.

The gift of unconditional love

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”—Philippians 2:6–91

I am the gift that continuously gives—bounteously, with no strings attached. Unconditional love is such a radical concept that even My most devoted followers failed to grasp it fully. Nothing in heaven or earth can cause Me to stop loving you. I am your shepherd, companion, and friend—the one who never lets go of your hand.

Only My incarnation on that first, long-ago Christmas could fulfill your needs. Since I went to such extreme measures to save you from your sins, you can be assured that I will graciously give all you need. I have held back nothing in My provision for you. I have even deigned to live within you! Rejoice in all that I have done for you, and My light will shine through you into the world.

As you celebrate the wonder of My birth in Bethlehem, celebrate also your rebirth into eternal life. This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-stained world. Receive My gift with awe and humility. Take time to explore the dimensions of My love. Allow thankfulness to flow freely from your heart in response to My glorious gift. Let peace rule in your heart, and be thankful.

Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby. I set aside My glory so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions—a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming “Glory!” to awestruck shepherds

When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven’s vistas open up before you—granting you glimpses of My glory. I became poor so that you might become rich. Sing hallelujahs to My holy name!2

Published on Anchor December 2014. Read by Simon Peterson. Music taken from the Rhythm of Christmas album. Used by permission.



1 NIV.


2 Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004).

Dear Mom, You Were Right

The Simple Dollar, 11 Dec 2014

Right after the first of the year, I’ll turn 35. And what a life it’s been so far.

My childhood wasn’t perfect, but I was raised by parents who showed me they loved me every day. I didn’t always like the lessons they taught me, but I know now that they were always coming from a good and honest place. And it was those lessons, the hard ones, that forced me to grow up and be… me.

Once I finished school and transitioned into adulthood, I fell in love—real love—with my husband. Several years later, we became the parents of two amazing children who light up my world. And in 2012, a lifelong dream of mine came true; I started a business that eventually allowed me to leave my 9-to-5 job and support my family as a solopreneur.

I’ve traveled many places in the world, achieved things I never dreamed possible, and experienced so many joyous moments that I feel utterly undeserving.

And it’s all because of the lessons my parents, and specifically my mother, taught me—all of them.

‘Watch Your Pennies and the Dollars Will Follow’
I remember it like it was yesterday. Our family of five went to Ponderosa for dinner and we were waiting to order. Of course, I asked my mother if I could get a Coke for what was probably the hundredth time.

“We watch our pennies here,” she said. “The dollars take care of themselves.”

In other words, no.

I hated that answer—every single time. I was only a child, but I knew that Cokes didn’t cost that much. I wondered, “What difference does an extra dollar make?”

Still, my mother never budged, and I drank water during every meal out I can remember as a child. Of course, I spent that time plotting and praying for the day when I could simply order a round of Cokes for everyone. And that was exactly what my mother suggested, too.

“When you’re grown up and paying the bill, you can drink as much Coke as you want,” she would say with a wink.

But isn’t it funny how things work out? Now that I’m “in charge,” I don’t let my daughters drink anything other than water when we go out. The truth is, my mom was right; the little expenses do add up. A drink for one of us might only be a dollar or $1.50. But for four of us? It could easily add $6 or more to the cost of a meal. My mom knew that money would be better spent elsewhere.

And now that I’m an adult, I realize it, too.

‘Live Far Below Your Means’
My parents were the epitome of frugality and thrift. But as a child, teenager, and eventual young adult, I just didn’t get it.

In junior high and high school, I had friends whose parents gave them everything—televisions in their rooms, new clothes all the time, dinners out, and big, fancy birthday parties. I never minded going without those things, but it also confused me. I knew their parents didn’t make much more money than mine. So that begged the question, “What were my parents doing with their money?”

I later found out exactly what my parents did with all of their hard-earned income: They saved it. Even though we never talked about it at the time, I eventually found out that my parents paid off their home in 17 years instead of 30. Instead of buying us designer clothes, they helped us save for college and for the future. And in lieu of televisions and giant birthday celebrations, my parents saved steadily for retirement. My parents saved their entire lives, and they avoided many of life’s bumpy rides simply because they lived below their means.

And now that I’m an adult, I thank them for every dollar they didn’t waste on me when I was young, clueless, and spoiled. Because now, they can use that money to live a happy and secure life instead of struggling like so many others.

‘Debt Is a Burden’
My parents hated debt so much that my mother often drove old, worn-down cars to avoid having a payment of any kind. I distinctly remember one of them not having a radio, and another not having heat—and hating them both.

But my mother went without for a reason. One thing she tried to tell us was just how burdensome debt could be—whether it was in the form of a loan, credit card debt, or a car payment.

“Avoid debt like the plague,” she would tell us. “It’s a burden you do not want.”

I didn’t listen to that advice until I was in my 20s. In fact, I ran up several credit card balances and financed a $25,000 car before the age of 22.

I chose to learn that lesson the hard way, but I learned it nonetheless. That $25,000 Mitsubishi Galant came with payments of $500 per month, and I struggled to pay my other bills for years because of it. And those credit card bills? I hated them, too, and I hated myself for running up balances I couldn’t tie to a single purchase.

I paid everything off eventually, even the Mitsubishi. And I vowed never to go into debt again. Debt really is a burden, and it’s one that should be avoided at all costs.

Of course, now that I’m an adult, I’m the one with the embarrassing car—a 2007 Dodge Caravan with a crack in the back hind quarter and a few pieces of duct tape on the bumper. And guess what, it’s paid off.

‘Someone Will Always Have More Than You’
“The only way to win the game is not to play,” my mother would often say when the subject of other people’s spending habits came up. But what did that mean?

At the time, I thought it meant that she just didn’t care what other people bought or had and didn’t want to compete. And in a way, that was true.

But it meant more than that, as I would find out over time. As a young adult, I spent a lot of time trying to “keep up with the Joneses.” That $25,000 car I financed is an excellent example, but there was more than that. I bought designer clothes, on my credit card, of course. I purchased expensive makeup and perfume. I balked at anything on sale because I felt I deserved better.

But at age 35, I see things exactly as my mother saw them many years ago. No matter how hard you try to keep up appearances, there will always be someone who outdoes you in an outrageous way.

Get a new Toyota and your friend will one-up you with a shiny BMW.

Upgrade to a house with a basement and your best friend will upgrade hers to a bigger one with a basement and a pool.

Now that I’ve been alive longer, I can honestly say I couldn’t care less. Because, like my mom said, “The only way to win is not to play.” My parents always focused on our family goals instead of worrying about others or keeping up with the Joneses.

And now that I’m an adult, I do the same.

‘It Isn’t What You Make. It’s What You Spend.’
When I was growing up, I believed a lot of things that simply were not true. One misconception that sticks out was that earning a lot of money is the one true way to get ahead.

I remember plotting and planning for a high income when I was in high school, although I had no real plan to get there. I wanted to earn as much money as possible because that was the one true way to achieve real wealth. Or so I thought.

Once I matured enough to realize how my parents turned their average income into a lifetime of security, I changed my tune. Now that I’ve lived in the real world, I know for certain that a high income means absolutely nothing if you spend it all.

I see it everywhere I look—acquaintances who earn more than six figures yet cannot afford home repairs they desperately need. Friends who buy new cars but have nothing saved for retirement.

Now that I’m older, I realize just how easy it is to squander a high, even extremely high, income. There are plenty of ways to spend your money, and if you’re not careful, you can literally spend it all… and then some.

My mom always told me that a high income guaranteed nothing. “It isn’t what you make,” she would say. “It’s what you spend.”

A family that earns $50,000 and saves 10% of their earnings will one day be wealthier than a family that earns $150,000 and saves nothing.

That’s one lesson I don’t intend to learn the hard way. And thanks to my mom, I’ll never have to.

Isn’t it funny how our view of the world changes once we reach adulthood?

As a child, I saw my parents as adversaries who stood between me and what I really wanted in life. But now that I’m adult, I realize they are the sole reason I was ever able to really live at all.

Cokes at restaurants add up, and so do designer clothes and fancy parties. And the people in our lives who appear to have the most sometimes have nothing but a lifetime of debt to show for it.

After all this time, I realize that my parents knew something I simply had to learn myself—life can be challenging, but we have the power to make our lives far easier and simpler.

My daughters are ages 3 and 5, and they ask for lemonades and juice boxes, toys and trinkets, and even trips to Disney World. My oldest is convinced that she’s getting a Wii for Christmas (‘not), and thinks only evil parents don’t order desserts in restaurants.

I simply laugh and tell her the things my mother once told me. “We’re on a budget,” I say. Or, “All of those little expenses add up, my dear.” In the meantime, I sock money away in their college funds every month. I save heavily for retirement so that we aren’t a burden on them when we are older. I stash money away so I can help her pay for her wedding and a down payment on her first home. She may not know it now, but she’ll find out soon enough. Life is so short.

I could never repay my parents for all they have given me, both financially and emotionally. And it would be impossible anyway. The truth is, the biggest gifts they ever gave me are ones that can’t be purchased at all: The ability to find happiness in small things—my children’s laughter, a beautiful day, a good book. The confidence to delay gratification—to save for what I want, to earn it. And the reality that “stuff” can never fill an empty heart.

I desperately hope my daughters learn these lessons too. But, like my mother, I don’t want to preach it; I want to lead by example.

My dream is that, one day, my children will follow in the footsteps of their grandmother. They’ll create a happy, fulfilling life built upon a foundation of hard work and perseverance, and filled with happiness brought on by the little things. They’ll take chances. They’ll save for the future. They’ll find the kind of love you can only find when you truly, honestly love yourself first. And they’ll teach their children how to create their own joy and contentment without the burden of debt—or the hassle of keeping up with others.

And when that day comes, I hope she’s watching.

3 Surprising Leadership Lessons I Learned From Nuns

By Jo Piazza, The Daily Muse, November 30, 2014

People make a joke when I tell them that Catholic nuns are some of the best managers and leaders I have ever met.

“Because they rule with an iron ruler,” one colleague guffawed at me. Yeah, yeah. Angry nuns wielding rulers over recalcitrant children is a stereotype that the sisters just can’t seem to shake.

What most people forget is that Catholic nuns are both entrepreneurs and leaders. These are women who ran hospitals and grade schools and were among the very first female presidents of universities. They have been sitting in management positions for the past century.

Nuns are collaborators, delegators, and team players. They don’t rule with an iron fist or an iron ruler. In fact, they do just the opposite.

Over the past three years, I set out to shatter the stereotypes about nuns while reporting and writing my new book, If Nuns Ruled the World: Ten Sisters on a Mission. And along the way, the nuns helped me become a much better manager and leader.

Here are just a few of the things I’ve learned on the journey.

1. Nuns Get it Done. Hanging out with a bunch of Catholic nuns is the exact opposite of what you’d think it would be. In fact, it’s similar to a brainstorming jam session at a startup—an incredibly effective one.

What is left unsaid in the title of my book is that if nuns ruled the world, “sh*t would get done.”

Nuns stand apart from other inspiring executives for three major reasons. They are masters of delegation, communication, and ingenuity. Most importantly, they lead with a moral compass. Not a faith-and-religion-on-your-sleeve moral compass, but the kind that makes decisions based on what is best for everyone involved.

When I think about that, I think about Sister Joan Dawber, who built one of the only safe houses for female victims of human slavery in New York City. I think about Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, who recently completed a $9 million luxury apartment building to provide affordable housing to female ex-felons and their children.

I think about Sister Simone Campbell, who wanted to rally America to fight against the Republican budget in 2012 that would have slashed life-saving social services for the poor. She didn’t just talk about it. She led a road trip of “Nuns on the Bus” across the country to showcase the people who would have their lives put in jeopardy.

In each of these cases, there was no wavering, no waiting to plow through red tape, no moment of doubt. They saw a problem that needed a solution, and they immediately took action.

2. A Leader is Only as Good as the Team. Time and time again, I found that nuns were more focused on the success of the organization and the team than they were on their own success.

In 2011, Sister Nora Nash confronted Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein over the excessive amount the company’s executives were paid that year in the midst of one of the worst recessions to hit the United States in decades. When I approached her to interview her for the book, she balked. “I don’t see myself as the subject of a book,” she said. It took a long time to crack through her humility.

Sister Nora and her assistant director, Tom McCaney, have taken to task the grocery store chain Kroger over the rights of farm workers, Hershey’s chocolate company over child labor, McDonald’s over childhood obesity, Walmart on raising its minimum wage, and Wells Fargo over predatory lending practices.

She was insistent that I include McCaney in addition to numerous other team members who helped her to achieve their goals. In fact, she would have rather that I wrote about the team as a whole, instead of her.

Sister Carol Barnes serves on The Foundling board of trustees overseeing quality and mission integration for the nonprofit that serves thousands of children and families in crisis in New York City.

“For me as a leader, I think about how I can serve the mission of the organization. That is the primary responsibility,” Sister Carol said to me when I asked her about her leadership strategies. “The second thing is to identify the individuals who enable me to enlarge my own leadership ability. I’m a team leader. I value open discussion.”

3. Enjoy the Journey. Sister Rosemarie Nassif, who oversees the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Catholic Sisters Initiative and its Catholic Education Programs, is one of the happiest people I have ever met. She loves every single part of her job, from the mundane to the extraordinary.

Before joining the Foundation, she was senior advisor to the assistant secretary at the Department of Education, where she had led responsibility for achieving President Obama’s 2020 College Completion Goal. She has also served as president of two universities: Holy Names in Oakland and Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore. She’s kind of a big deal.

But when I asked what was the best part of that, she replied very simply: “All of it.”

Rosemarie gave me a bookmark with 10 commandments of leadership that she created, and that idea is number one—love the journey. The rest of the commandments are just as inspiring, so much so that I printed it out five times and I read it every day. Now, I think about it before I call team meetings or implement a new project.

Love the journey.
Live and work your passions.
Make mistakes.
Give yourself away each and every day.
Always be grateful.
Integrity is your most powerful asset.
Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness.
Vision, no matter how right, can only be delivered through relationships.
Success is only success if everyone feels the win.
Don’t overcomplicate.

Looking back, I am a better manager and leader for having nuns in my life. I’m not a religious person, but I have faith that the nuns will always get a job done right.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Science Says Couples With One Habit Stay Together Longer

By Erin Brodwin, Business Insider, Dec. 11, 2014

They’re grateful.

Regularly taking a moment to stop and show your partner you’re thankful for her small acts of kindness—be they taking out the trash or fixing your computer—can make both of you feel more satisfied and strengthen your relationship.

Psychologists didn’t start systematically studying gratitude—let alone its impact on romantic relationships—until the early 2000s. Before then, most of the research in the field focused on negative emotions and the problems that either produced or stemmed from these feelings.

But a decade of social science research suggests that partners who show they care about the little things activate a two-way feedback system that helps both members of a relationship feel closer and more fulfilled.

Two psychologists, University of California, Davis’ Robert Emmons and University of Miami’s Michael McCullough spearheaded most of the early research on gratitude’s effects.

In one of their studies, the researchers had volunteers keep weekly journals in which they wrote about particular topics. One group wrote about major events that had happened that week. Another group wrote about hassles they’d experienced. The last group wrote about things they were grateful for. Ten weeks later, those in the gratitude group reported feeling more optimistic and more satisfied with their lives than those in any of the other groups. They also reported fewer physical symptoms of discomfort, from runny noses to headaches, and exercised more.

In a series of studies, University of California, Berkeley psychologist Amie Gordon found that the more grateful couples were, the more likely they were to still be in the relationship nine months down the road.

Gordon’s research had one crucial caveat, though: Expressing gratitude isn’t confined solely to saying “thank you” for a kind deed. Being grateful, she writes in a blog post for Psychology Today, is about feeling lucky to have a caring partner in the first place. “My definition of gratitude includes appreciating not just what your partner does, but who they are as a person. You’re not just thankful that your partner took out the trash—you’re thankful that you have a partner who is thoughtful enough to know you hate taking out the trash.”

Happy couples can make it seem like it all comes naturally, but in reality any strong, quality relationship requires a hefty amount of work. If you want to make your relationship stronger—and you’re willing to put in the effort—gratitude itself can help you and your partner feel happier and more connected.

Gratitude is contagious, Gordon’s research found. It produces a cascade of feelings and behaviors, many of which also happen to be critical to strengthening a relationship. When you actively think about your partner’s caring qualities, you begin to think about how much he or she means to you.

Partners who regularly think of each other as valuable and important, it turns out, behave in ways that reflect those feelings.

Imagine stopping for a moment to think about the last time your girlfriend took care of you when you were sick. The next time she says something to you, you might listen more carefully, either because you want to return the favor or because you’ve actively made yourself aware of how important she is to you.

Either way, she’ll likely notice, and she’ll feel more appreciated as a result.

When someone feels appreciated by their partner, they in turn appreciate the partner more too, creating something of a happy cycle. In long-term relationships, it’s those simple behaviors that can make all of the work worthwhile.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

The World, Brother, the World! or Money, Money, Money makes the World Go ‘Round!

By Dennis Edwards--

The money changers do not just want to control America, but the world. Bill Clinton’s mentor was Professor Carroll Quigley from George Town University. In his book Tragedy and Hope, Quigley revealed the following plan of the Bilderberg Group:

The powers of financial capitalism had another far-reaching aim, nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole. This system was to be controlled in a feudalist fashion by the central banks of the world acting in concert, by secret agreements arrived at in frequent meetings and conferences. The apex of the systems was to be the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland; a private bank owned and controlled by the world's central banks which were themselves private corporations. Each central bank...sought to dominate its government by its ability to control Treasury loans, to manipulate foreign exchanges, to influence the level of economic activity in the country, and to influence cooperative politicians by subsequent economic rewards in the business world.[1]

These boys are playing some pretty serious hard -ball with their own agenda and personal interests at hand. The ultimate goal is none other than a One World Government. They want the whole world in their hands and they are moving in that direction!

In Revelation when talking about Babylon the Great we read,

For thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.[2]

Could those merchants be the very International Bankers with their Bilderberg Group who have deceived the nations into accepting their central Banking system and with it the worship of material things? Are they the sorcerers deceiving the nations? Surely, they must be part of them.

Woodrow Wilson admitted his mistake of yielding to the Bankers wishes on his retirement from politics. Despite warnings from earlier United States Presidents, Wilson signed the 1913 Federal Reserve Act which created the Federal Reserve Central Banking system. The same year he published a book “The New Freedom” in which he said the following:

Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of somebody, are afraid of something. They know there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.[3]

A few years later Wilson lamented,

I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world, no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.[4]

When asked his opinion about the American central Banking System Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company said the following,

It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and money system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.[5]

In 1924 while addressing stockholders, the Chairman of the powerful Midland Bank in England, Reginald McKenna is quoted as saying,

I am afraid the ordinary citizen will not like to be told that the banks can and do create money. And they who control the credit of the nation direct the policy of Governments and hold in the hollow of their hand the destiny of the people.[6]

In 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, also commented on the banking situation,

When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation, since the hand that gives is above the hand that takes… Money has no motherland; financiers are without patriotism and without decency; their sole object is gain.[7]

Some sort of capitalism is now present in almost every country in the world. Most countries have a Central Banking System that cooperates with the International Banks. You may have noticed how a Central Banker may end up as a Secretary of Finance or Secretary of the Treasurer in a country’s government. He may come in during a moment of crisis and then afterward return back to the Banking System. A close link exists between government and the Central Banks. The reason is that the governments are dependent on the loans they make from those very banks.

Internationally, the countries that refuse to cooperate with the Central Banking System or act independently get pressured financially like Venezuela and Cuba and Iran or even militarily like Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Khadafy’s Libya and Assad’s Syria. It is not news how the American Central Intelligence Agency has used covert activities such as financial crisis, political scandals, sicknesses and even assassinations in Latin American and other countries around the world to forge its political agenda.

For a good read, John Perkins bestselling book, The Confessions of an Economic Hitman,[8] explains how foreign policy is achieved. It may not be as you expected. According to Perkins, the World Bank and IMF loans are used to generate profits for U.S. business. Poor countries are left with huge debts that allow the United States to control them. As a financial consultant for the banks and instrumental in helping get the loans accepted, Perkins would over estimate the profit a new investment would bring into a countries treasury, while under estimating the expense of building the new infrastructure needed for the new industry.

For example, maybe the goal is to build a dam in a poor country in order to then make an electricity company. The new company would provide electricity for much of the country and therefore help bring them out of poverty. Seems like a benevolent scheme. But by accepting the proposal for the investment, the country would wind up in debt and not able to pay the loan back. In the end, they would have to sell off the newly made industry to foreign bankers for cash to pay back the loan or sell off some other prize national resource such as a forest or a copper mine etc.

Those politicians who could see through the scam and refused to cooperate would end up having political problems, health problems, scandals or even die “accidently” in a car or airplane crash. Others who cooperated managed to siphon off enough money into their own pockets and leave an even bigger burden on their country to pay back. We would call them corrupt third world politicians. But who really are the corrupters?

It is not surprising that former civilian military leaders like Robert McNamara and Paul Wolfowitz went on to head the World Bank. These nations’ debt to international banks ensures they are controlled by the United States, which pressures them into joining the “coalition of the willing” that helped invade Iraq or allowing U.S. military bases on their land. If countries refuse to “honor” their debts, the CIA or Department of Defense enforces U.S. political will through coups or military action.[9]

In another book, “War is a Racket,” written by the most decorated Marine in history, Brigadier General Smedley Butler, we find his apology for being a military Mafioso for Wall Street and Big Business and the bankers. He confesses.

I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.[10]


Footnotes:

[1]http://www.namebase.org/news01.html
[2] Revelation 18:23b
[3]  http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/New_World_Order/WWilson_NewFreedom.html
[4] http://www.themoneymasters.com/the-money-masters/famous-quotations-on-banking/
[5] ibid
[6] ibid
[7] http://www.themoneymasters.com/the-money-masters/famous-quotations-on-banking/
[8] http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Economic-Hit-John-Perkins/dp/0452287081
[9] http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2014-04-18/bankers-are-behind-wars
[10] Smedly Butler, War Is A Racket, http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4377.htm

As Disciplinas Espirituais: Confissão

http://directors.tfionline.com/pt/post/disciplinas-espirituais-confissao/

Ensina um ditado escocês: “A confissão faz bem à alma”. E faz mesmo. Quando buscamos aprofundar nossa conexão com o Senhor e uma vida centrada em Deus, a confissão de nossos pecados tem um papel importante.

A disciplina espiritual da confissão diz respeito ao pecado que é cometido após a salvação. Ao aceitarmos Jesus como Salvador, somos perdoados por nossos pecados e, portanto, do ponto de vista judicial somos justos diante de Deus, com garantia da salvação.[1] Em Seu grande amor pela humanidade, Ele criou uma forma de nos reconciliarmos com Ele, que é o sacrifício de Seu Filho, Jesus, que deu a vida para que pudéssemos nascer de novo, membros da família de Deus. A salvação mudou nosso relacionamento com Deus, que passou a ser nosso Pai.[2]Somos eternamente parte de Sua família.

O fato de termos nascido de novo, contudo, não significa que paramos de pecar ou que nossos pecados não têm consequências. O pecado tem efeitos negativos em nossas vidas e nas vidas dos outros e, principalmente, prejudica nosso relacionamento pessoal com Deus. O pecado cria uma fissura no nosso relacionamento com nosso Pai, a qual a confissão repara. É preciso esforço de nossa parte para corrigir as coisas, similar ao necessário para restaurar um relacionamento com outra pessoa a quem magoamos ou ofendemos.

A disciplina da confissão é o antídoto que neutraliza os efeitos que nossos pecados têm no nosso relacionamento com Deus. Se não confessarmos nossos pecados para repararmos regularmente os danos por eles causados, corremos o risco de endurecermos em coração e espírito, e nos afastarmos de Deus. Como John MacArthur escreveu:

Vi cristãos — judicialmente perdoados e seguros para a eternidade — endurecidos, impenitentes e insensíveis ao pecado. Consequentemente, vivem sem alegria por falta de uma convivência íntima com Deus. Bloquearam essa alegria e essa convivência com uma barricada construída com pecados inconfessos.[3]

No Pai Nosso, Jesus nos ensinou a pedir ao Pai para perdoar nossos pecados.[4]Não estava nos instruindo a orar repetidamente por absolvição, pois essa já nos fora concedida com a salvação.[5] Ele estava nos mostrando a forma de restaurarmos nossa convivência pessoal com Deus quando essa for quebrada ou prejudicada pelos nossos pecados. Quando o rei Davi cometeu um pecado grave, sua convivência com Deus foi quebrada e seu pecado o distanciou de Deus. Assim ele orou:

Não me lances fora da Tua presença, e não retires de mim o Teu Espírito Santo.[6] E pediu a Deus restauração: Torna a dar-me a alegria da Tua salvação.[7]

Confessar pecados e pedir perdão a Deus é o caminho para essa restauração. Quando vamos diante dEle e admitimos que pecamos, quando pedimos perdão e nos arrependemos de coração, a fenda que nos separava de Deus é reparada e o relacionamento abalado é restaurado. Somos purificados de nossa falta de justiça e podemos novamente conviver com a justiça, o próprio Deus.

Se confessarmos os nossos pecados, Ele é fiel e justo para nos perdoar os pecados, e nos purificar de toda injustiça.[8]

A confissão não deve ser vista como algo negativo ou desagradável, porque o resultado positivo de confessarmos nossas transgressões é o perdão. Deus deseja nos perdoar e a confissão é o canal pelo qual recebemos Sua misericórdia e compaixão. Seu perdão renova nosso espírito ao renovar nosso relacionamento, amor e amizade com Ele.
O significado de confissão

A palavra grega para pecado é hamartia, que significa errar o alvo, afastar-se do caminho da integridade e da honra, fazer algo errado. Por sermos cristãos, não queremos nos afastar do caminho da integridade nem errar o alvo. Nossa meta é andar pela estrada da vida perto de Jesus, evitar nos afastarmos dEle. Quando pecamos, distanciamo-nos dEle. A confissão nos reaproxima do Senhor. É uma expressão do nosso amor e desejo de um relacionamento estreito com Jesus e de permanecer conectado a Ele.

A palavra usada no Novo Testamento para a confissão de nossos pecados éhomologeo, resultado da combinação das palavras homos, que significa “o mesmo” e lego, que quer dizer “falar”. É falar a mesma coisa, concordar. Na confissão, dizemos a mesma coisa que Deus diz sobre o pecado. Concordamos com Sua condenação do pecado e reconhecemos que quando pecamos agimos contra Deus pessoalmente, contra Sua Palavra e contra Sua natureza. É uma admissão de que o pecado é errado e que nossas ações foram ofensivas a Ele. É o reconhecimento de que chamamos essas ações pelos mesmos nomes que Deus as chama: inveja, ciúme, cobiça, ódio, engano, ganância, ira, glutonaria, adultério, etc.[9]

É o reconhecimento que essas ações são repugnantes a Deus e que ao praticá-las, ferimos nosso relacionamento com Ele. Concordamos assim que, por causa dos pecados da humanidade, inclusive especificamente dos nossos pecados, Jesus sofreu tortura e morte na cruz. A confissão é o reconhecimento de que essas coisas são erradas, que pessoalmente as praticamos, que oferendemos Deus, que estamos arrependidos e que precisamos do Seu perdão. É também uma expressão de que entendemos que, quando confessamos nossos pecados, Deus, em Seu amor e misericórdia, nos perdoa.

Charles Spurgeon destacou que, por sermos filhos de Deus, não nos apresentamos a Ele como um réu ou criminoso vem diante de um juiz. Somos Seus filhos e vamos até nosso Pai amoroso que deseja nos perdoar.

Há uma grande distinção entre confessar um pecado na condição de réu e o fazer na condição de filho. O abraço do Pai é o lugar para as confissões dos penitentes. Fomos limpos de uma vez por todas, mas nossos pés ainda precisam ser lavados da contaminação adquirida em nossas andanças diárias, na condição de filhos de Deus.[10]

Quando confessamos nossos pecados, reconhecemos ou admitimos nossa culpa. Dizemos que, independentemente de contra quem agimos mal, pecamos contra Deus — a quem devemos prestar contas —, que nos arrependemos profundamente de nossas ações e queremos Seu perdão.

A confissão consiste de reconhecer de forma específica nossos pecados e admitir que os cometemos. A seguinte história expressa bem esse princípio:

Um conselheiro estava tentando ajudar um homem que havia se manifestado durante uma reunião evangelística. “Sou cristão, mas há pecado em minha vida e preciso de ajuda.” Mostrando-lhe 1 João 1:9, o conselheiro sugeriu que o homem confessasse seus pecados a Deus. “Ó Pai — começou — se fizemos algo errado…” “Calma lá!” — interrompeu o conselheiro. “Não me inclua no seu pecado! Meu irmão, nada dessa conversa de “se” e “nós”. Seja direto com Deus!”[11]

Como nossa meta é recuperar nosso relacionamento estreito com Deus, ajuda confessarmos erros específicos com nossos pecados e fraquezas em geral.

Certamente, o arrependimento é parte da confissão, ou seja, uma mudança da maneira de pensar, da maneira que vemos as coisas e uma mudança de propósito. É entender que pecado não é apenas uma fraqueza ou uma área de sua vida na qual precisa se aperfeiçoar. Pecar é agir de forma contrária a Deus e Sua natureza, o que O desagrada e nos distancia dEle, além de afetar negativamente aquele que peca. Arrepender-se é se voltar do pecado para Deus, como o filho que voltou de um país distante para a casa de seu pai. É arrepender-se do pecado e comprometer-se com a mudança.

Deixe o ímpio o seu caminho, e o homem maligno os seus pensamentos. Converta-se ao Senhor, que se compadecerá dele, e torne para o nosso Deus, pois grandioso é em perdoar.[12]

Todos pecamos com frequência. Não é algo que queremos e, de um modo geral, não é nossa intenção, mas pecamos. Há pecados mais sérios que outros, mas o fato é que todo pecado é espiritualmente prejudicial. A confissão enquanto disciplina é parte do processo de reparar o dano.
Com que frequência devemos confessar?

Não há uma regra que determine a frequência com que se deve confessar pecados ao Senhor, mas fazê-lo com regularidade parece ser algo sábio. Antes de vir diante do Senhor, para confessar seus pecados, é bom fazer um exame de si mesmo, pensar e orar sobre como tem pecado e que pecados específicos pode se lembrar. A meta não é ficar à cata de cada detalhe ou todo pecado que possivelmente tenha cometido, mas é convidar o Senhor a trabalhar no seu coração para lhe mostrar as áreas em que você precisa do Seu perdão.[13]

Ao convidar o Espírito Santo a lhe ajudar a vasculhar seu coração, é provável que você passe a perceber pecados que devem ser confessados. Não apenas os pecados resultantes da ação, mas também da omissão, ou seja, quando se deixa de fazer algo que deveria fazer. Isso pode se tornar mais alerta aos pecados do coração (tais como ganância, orgulho, ira, etc.), os quais são menos óbvios que os da carne. O propósito da confissão é maior proximidade de Deus e dedicar tempo para orar, meditar e se abrir para Deus em autoanálise é parte da disciplina.
A quem confessar

As Escrituras nos dizem para confessarmos nossos pecados a Deus. Confessei-Te o meu pecado, e a minha maldade não encobri. Disse: “Confessarei ao Senhor as minhas transgressões”; e Tu perdoaste a culpa do meu pecado.[14] O que encobre as suas transgressões nunca prosperará, mas o que as confessa e deixa, alcançará misericórdia.[15] Confessamos ao Senhor porque, no fim, é contra Ele que pecamos. Isso não significa que não devemos pedir o perdão daqueles contra quem erramos — pelo contrário. E além de pedir perdão, devemos também procurar fazer as reparações possíveis.

Além de nos ensinar que devemos confessar pecados a Deus, a Bíblia também fala de confessarmos nossos pecados aos outros.

Portanto, confessai os vossos pecados uns aos outros, e orai uns pelos outros, para serdes curados. A oração de um justo é poderosa e eficaz.[16]Aqueles aos quais perdoardes os pecados, são-lhes perdoados.[17]

Algumas denominações cristãs — católicos romanos, ortodoxos e algumas denominações anglicanas — seguem as instruções de confessar os pecados aos outros no contexto do sacramento da confissão (também chamado sacramento da penitência ou da reconciliação), em que confessam seus pecados a um sacerdote. Em geral, os protestantes entendem que a confissão se faz somente a Deus, na privacidade da oração pessoal. Em alguns cultos protestantes, o pastor anuncia um período de silêncio para que os fieis possam, privadamente, confessar seus pecados ao Senhor.

Confessar pecados é, de um modo geral, um assunto particular entre o indivíduo e Deus. Contudo, como vimos nos versículos acima, há ocasiões em que somos instruídos a confessar nossos pecados uns aos outros. Martinho Lutero disse que a “confissão em segredo” a outro cristão, apesar de não ser uma exigência das Escrituras, é “útil e até necessária”. João Calvino também recomendou a confissão em particular para qualquer crente que esteja “de tal forma atormentado e afligido com um senso de pecado que, sem a ajuda externa, não consiga se livrar dele.”[18]

Há vezes em que os indivíduos confessam seus pecados ao Senhor, mas isso não lhes parece ser o suficiente, pois não têm a paz que sua confissão tenha restaurado sua convivência com Deus. Em situações assim, pode ser benéfico confessar o pecado a um irmão ou irmã no Senhor em quem tenha confiança. Paraessas situações, Deus nos deu irmãos e irmãs para ocupar o lugar de Cristo e tornar a presença e o perdão de Deus real para nós.[19] Fazer uma confissão verbal do pecado a um companheiro cristão de confiança e receber dessa pessoa orações efetivas é, às vezes, necessário para criar o senso de materialização do perdão, resultando em paz no coração, na mente e no espírito.

Uma confissão assim, sem dúvida, não deveria ser feita a qualquer cristão, pois nem todos os nossos irmãos e irmãs têm a empatia necessária ou o entendimento para receber uma confissão, assim como nem todo cristão pode ser confiado com o sigilo absoluto da confissão. Richard Foster sugere as seguintes qualificações para uma pessoa receber uma confissão:

Há aqueles que não se qualificam porque ficariam horrorizados pela revelação de certos pecados. Outros, por não entenderem a natureza e o valor da confissão, não lhe dariam a devida importância com um “isso não é nada”. Felizmente, muitos entendem e gostariam de ministrar dessa maneira. Para identificar essas pessoas devemos pedir a Deus que as revele para nós. É possível também identificá-las entre os que observamos terem uma fé viva no poder de Deus para perdoar e manifestar a alegria do Senhor em seu coração. Seus principais atributos são maturidade espiritual, sabedoria, compaixão, bom senso, a habilidade de manter o sigilo e um senso de humor saudável. Muitos pastores — certamente não todos — podem desempenhar esse papel. Há pessoas comuns, sem nenhum cargo ou título, que estão entre as mais indicadas para receber uma confissão.[20]
Receber uma confissão

Receber uma confissão de outro cristão é um assunto sagrado. Seu irmão ou irmã o procura em obediência às Escrituras, confiando que você lhe escutará em amor e compaixão. Para adequadamente receber a confissão, deve começar de uma posição de profunda humildade. Todo pecado é uma abominação a Deus e, como todos pecamos, ninguém está na posição ser condenatório nem olhar com desprezo para quem está fazendo a confissão.

O que confessa pode estar sofrendo e padecendo por causa de seus pecados e confessando em obediência às Escrituras ou porque quer agradar o Senhor. Essa pessoa é merecedora do mais profundo respeito e amor de sua parte. Se não lhe pode dar isso, se acha que não consegue manter a informação confidencial, se tem a preocupação que pode trair a confiança, então não deve receber a confissão.

Foster dá o seguinte sábio conselho aos que recebem uma confissão:[21]
Quando alguém compartilha com você suas dores, discipline-se para permanecer quieto. Não tente aliviar a tensão com comentários inadequados, capazes de distrair e até destruir esse momento sagrado.
Não tente descobrir mais detalhes que os necessários. Se sentir que a pessoa está retendo algo por medo ou constrangimento, é melhor esperar em silêncio e oração.
Ore por eles em seu coração, de forma imperceptível, enviando orações de amor e perdão por eles. Ore para que compartilhem a “chave” que revelará qualquer área que precise do toque curador de Cristo.
Terminada a confissão, ore pela pessoa em voz alta e, na oração, reafirme que o perdão que está em Jesus é agora real e efetivo para eles. Isso você pode dizer com um tom de autoridade porque aqueles aos quais perdoardes os pecados, são-lhes perdoados.[22]
Peça a Deus para curar o coração e a mente da pessoa que fez a confissão e as feridas que o pecado causou.

Uma de nossas metas enquanto cristãos é ter um relacionamento profundo e duradouro com Deus, por meio de Jesus. Procuramos evitar o pecado porque nos separa de Deus, mas, por sermos humanos, é-nos impossível estar completamente livres do pecado. É por isso que confessarmos nossos pecados e buscarmos o perdão do Senhor é tão importante para termos com Ele o relacionamento que desejamos. A confissão é o caminho que Deus oferece para nos livrarmos dos efeitos do pecado em nosso relacionamento com Ele. Deus deseja nos perdoar e que estejamos dispostos a buscar Seu perdão.

É possível que busquemos o Senhor para confessar nossos pecados em tristeza, pesar e contrição, mas, quando terminamos, vivenciamos grande alegria. É a alegria por termos sido perdoados, por nosso relacionamento estar restaurado e por podermos estar à Sua presença sem o empecilho do fardo de nossos pecados. A confissão leva à celebração. Nossos pecados são perdoados; nossas vidas, mudadas. De uma forma simples: “a confissão faz bem à alma.”
Nota

A menos que de outra forma indicado, todos os versículos aqui citados foram extraídos da “Bíblia Sagrada” — Tradução de João Ferreira de Almeida — Edição Contemporânea, Copyright © 1990, por Editora Vida.



[1] Para saber mais sobre o conceito da Justificação, leia: A Essência de Tudo: Salvação, Resultados: Justificação, Adoção e Regeneração.

[2] Vindo a plenitude dos tempos, Deus enviou Seu Filho, nascido de mulher, nascido sob a lei, para resgatar os que estavam debaixo da lei, a fim de recebermos a adoção de filhos. Porque sois filhos, Deus enviou aos nossos corações o Espírito de Seu Filho, que clama: “Aba, Pai.” Assim que já não és mais escravo, mas filho; e se és filho, és também feito herdeiro por Deus. (Gálatas 4:4–7).

[3] John MacArthur Jr., Alone with God (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995), 104–106.

[4] Lucas 11:4.

[5] Sendo, pois, justificados pela fé, temos paz com Deus, por meio de nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo (Romanos 5:1). Portanto, agora nenhuma condenação há para os que estão em Cristo Jesus (Romanos 8:1).

[6] Salmo 51:11.

[7] Salmo 51:12.

[8] 1 João 1:9.

[9] David Walls e Max Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 166.

[10] C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition), (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006).

[11] W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 481–485.

[12] Isaías 55:7.

[13] Richard J. Foster, Celebração da Disciplina (São Paulo: Editora Vida, 1983).

[14] Salmo 32:5.

[15] Provérbios 28:13.

[16] Tiago 5:16.

[17] João 20:23.

[18] W. A. Elwell a B. J. Beitzel na Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988).

[19] Foster, Celebração da Disciplina.

[20] Ibid., 153.

[21] Ibid., 155–56.

[22] João 20:23.

Jesus—His Life and Message: Jesus’ Birth (Part 2)


By P Amsterdam
http://directors.tfionline.com/post/jesushis-life-and-message-jesus-birth-part-2/

(You can read about the intent for and overview of this series in this introductory article.)

In recounting the story of Jesus’ birth, the book of Luke begins by first telling the story of the birth of John the Baptist, who is both a relative of Jesus and the forerunner of the Messiah. Luke brings in numerous ties to the Old Testament, making the connection between God’s promises to Israel and the fulfillment of those promises in the birth of Jesus.

We learn about a priest named Zechariah whose wife, Elizabeth, was a descendant of Aaron—the brother of Moses and the first priest of Israel.1 Zechariah and Elizabeth were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.2

In biblical times, childlessness was often perceived as a sign of divine punishment and a source of shame.3 However, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s situation is an echo of the righteous couples throughout Israel’s history who were also barren but through the intervention of God bore a child: Abraham and Sarah,4Elkanah and Hannah,5 Isaac and Rebekah,6 Jacob and Rachel,7 and the parents of Samson.8

As a priest, Zechariah ministered in the temple twice a year. The priesthood was divided into twenty-four orders or courses. Each course would serve in the temple on a rotating basis for one week every six months. As a result, at any given time one would find only a subdivision of priests on duty in the temple.9

This year, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.10 Part of the daily routine at the temple was incense offerings before the morning sacrifice and following the evening sacrifice. The incense offerings were offered in the sanctuary known as the Holy Place, which in terms of holiness was second only to the Holy of Holies. It was a great honor for a priest to offer this sacrifice, and each was only eligible to do it once in his lifetime. The manner of choosing the priest for this honor was the casting of lots, and thus the priest chosen was considered chosen by God. While five priests were involved in the service, only one was chosen to offer incense.

The altar of incense was located in the sanctuary itself and was separated from the Holy of Holies—the place where God was understood to dwell—by a very thick curtain. Only the High Priest was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies, and only once each year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Zechariah’s opportunity to offer the incense, separated only by the curtain from the Holy of Holies, put him as close to the presence of God as any person other than the High Priest might ever come. It was a great honor.11

While Zechariah was in the Holy Place, there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.12 The “right side” was considered a place of honor, which could denote the importance of the angel, who later is revealed to be Gabriel—the same angel who visited Mary and who brought a message to Daniel centuries before. Zechariah’s reaction was similar to Daniel’s, who said: I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called,“Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face.13

The angel said to Zechariah, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord.14 In the Old Testament, when God named a child it was often someone who had some significance in salvation history. Saying that many would rejoice at his birth and that he would be great before the Lord reinforced the idea that he would have an important role in God’s plan of salvation.

Zechariah is instructed that his son must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.15 When the priests were serving in the temple, they abstained from alcoholic beverages, as did those who took a Nazarite vow.16 Refusing to drink alcohol was associated with separation from normal life for a divine task, whether for a temporary specified period or for life. In this we see that John is chosen by God even before his conception.17

The angel tells Zechariah something about the child’s future.

He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.18

John’s role will be that of a prophet whose task is to bring spiritual reconciliation to the nation by turning many to the Lord. His coming in the spirit of Elijah echoes God’s promise made about 400 years earlier in the book of Malachi:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.19

John’s purpose is to ready a people for the Lord’s coming by bringing them to repentance. The period of waiting for the Messiah, for deliverance, is drawing to a close. God is on the move.20

At this point, Zechariah questions the angel:

How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.21

This denotes some doubt on Zechariah’s part, and the angel responds:

I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.22

As a confirmatory sign, Gabriel declares that Zechariah will be silent, meaning mute and probably also deaf,23 until all of what he’s been told comes to pass.24

Throughout the Old Testament we see God giving signs to His people, as in the case of Abraham,25 Moses,26 Gideon,27 Hezekiah,28 and Ahaz.29 Just as with the Old Testament signs, the sign given to Zechariah is a guarantee of God’s promise, but in this case it was also a chastisement for his unbelief. In Luke’s gospel, God gives signs through His own initiative,30 but requests for signs are seen negatively.31 32

At the end of his days of service, Zechariah returns home, and we learn that after some time his wife Elizabeth conceives—just as Gabriel had said she would. Upon realizing she is pregnant, Elizabeth responds with praise and gratitude, saying,Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.33 One can imagine the joy she experienced.

We’re told that Elizabeth remained secluded in her home for five months. The reason for doing so isn’t explained, but it could be that she remained at home until it was obvious to everyone that she was pregnant, in order to avoid five more months of the public disgrace that she had been accustomed to all of her married life. After five months, it would have been very clear to everyone who saw her that God had looked favorably upon her.34

The story then moves forward six months from the time of the angel Gabriel’s visitation to Zechariah. Gabriel is now sent to the region of Galilee, north of Judea, to the village of Nazareth, to bring Mary the message that she would become mother to the Messiah.

Mary is told that her son will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.35 This information and the title Son of the Most High were probably understood by Mary to mean that her son would become the king of Israel.36 As His life unfolds, it becomes clear that His role is to be very different from the standard expectation of the awaited Jewish Messiah. We find that He is instead the Son of God.

Since Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel and comments on that text were covered in the previous article, we’ll move forward to Mary’s visit to her relative, Elizabeth. Soon after Gabriel’s visit, having made the decision to accept to miraculously become the mother of the Savior, we’re told that Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.37

Nazareth, in the region of Galilee, is about 70 miles north of Jerusalem, which lies in the region of Judah. It’s interesting to note that the angel appeared to Zechariah in the temple in Jerusalem, in the Holy Place, right next to the Holy of Holies. However, the appearance to Mary was in Nazareth, in Galilee, far from the center of the Jewish faith. God was doing a new thing, and as the gospel story progresses, we'll see the focus move away from the temple and onto God’s Son. As Brown says:

If the appearance to Zechariah, a priest, took place in the Jerusalem Temple as a sign of continuity with Old Testament institutions, the coming of Gabriel to Mary takes place in Nazareth, a town to which no Old Testament expectation was attached, as a sign of the total newness of what God is doing.38

Upon Mary’s arrival she greeted Elizabeth; and when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”39

Mary greets Elizabeth as would be proper, since Elizabeth is her elder, a daughter of Aaron, the wife of a priest, and blessed of God through a divinely assisted pregnancy. Upon hearing the greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped in the womb, causing her, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to cry out with a blessing both for Mary and the child in her womb. What the angel had told Mary when he appeared to her is now confirmed to the reader of the gospel—Mary is pregnant. While Elizabeth is considered Mary’s superior, she now places herself in a servant’s role by honoring her guest and recognizing her as the mother of my Lord and calling her blessed among women, affirming Gabriel’s message of Mary’s favored status.40

Mary responds with a beautiful hymn of praise, known today as the Magnificat.

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”41

Like other hymns of praise in the Psalms, this one has three parts: 1) an introduction of praise to God; 2) the body of the hymn giving the reasons for praise, which often begins with “because;” and 3) the conclusion.

Mary’s introduction of praise begins with, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.42 It continues with the body of the hymn (verses 48–53), starting with for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.43 The Greek word translated here as “for” is translated as “because” 173 times in the New Testament. The motive (or the “because”) for the praise involves God’s attributes (mighty, holy, merciful), and deeds (shown strength, scattered the proud, brought down the mighty, exalted the humble, filled the hungry). The conclusion summarizes God's deeds (He has helped His servant Israel) and attributes (in remembrance of His mercy) in light of helping His servant Israel.44

Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months, most likely helping her in her last months of pregnancy. It’s not clear if she left before or after Elizabeth gave birth; it could have been either. These two women who played such an important role in the history of salvation were able to be a comfort and help to one another preceding the birth of their children. The time with Elizabeth most likely strengthened Mary for what she was going to face when she returned to her home and explained to Joseph that she was pregnant.
Note

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
General Bibliography

Bailey, Kenneth E. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Biven, David. New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus. Holland: En-Gedi Resource Center, 2007.

Bock, Darrell L. Jesus According to Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.

Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. New York: Doubleday, 1993.

Brown, Raymond E. The Death of the Messiah Vols 1,2. New York: Doubleday, 1994.

Charlesworth, James H., editor. Jesus’ Jewishness: Exploring the Place of Jesus Within Early Judaism. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1997.

Edersheim, Alfred. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Updated edition. Hendrickson Publishers, 1993.

Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament.Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.

Evans, Craig A. World Biblical Commentary: Mark 8:27–16:20. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000.

Flusser, David. Jesus. Jerusalem: The Magnes Press, 1998.

Flusser, David, and R. Steven Notely. The Sage from Galilee: Rediscovering Jesus’Genius. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans’ Publishing Company, 2007.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans’ Publishing Company, 1997.

Green, Joel B., and Scot McKnight, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels.Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Guelich, Robert A. World Biblical Commentary: Mark 1–8:26. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1989.

Jeremias, Joachim. Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1996.

Jeremias, Joachim. Jesus and the Message of the New Testament. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002.

Jeremias, Joachim. New Testament Theology. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1971.

Jeremias, Joachim. The Eucharistic Words of Jesus. Philadelphia: Trinity Press International, 1990.

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans’ Publishing Company, 1976.

Manson, T. W. The Sayings of Jesus. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans’ Publishing Company, 1957.

Manson, T. W. The Teaching of Jesus. Cambridge: University Press, 1967.

Michaels, J. Ramsey. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans’ Publishing Company, 2010.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans’ Publishing Company, 1992.

Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Words & Works of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.

Sanders, E. P. Jesus and Judaism. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985.

Sheen, Fulton J. Life of Christ. New York: Doubleday, 1958.

Spangler, Ann, and Lois Tverberg. Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

Stein, Robert H. Jesus the Messiah, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Stein, Robert H. The Method and Message of Jesus’ Teachings, Revised Edition.Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994.

Stott, John R. W. The Message of the Sermon on the Mount. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1978.

Wood, D. R. W., I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman, eds.New Bible Dictionary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.

Wright, N. T. Matthew for Everyone, Part 1. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.

Wright, N. T. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.

Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

Young, Brad H. Jesus the Jewish Theologian. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1995.

Footnotes:
1 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40:12–13).
2 Luke 1:6–7.
3 Genesis 16:4; 29:31; 30:1, 22–23; 1 Samuel 1:5–6.
4 Genesis 18:11–14.
5 1 Samuel 1:1–2.
6 Genesis 25:21.
7 Genesis 30:22–23.
8 Judges 13:2–3.
9 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 68.
10 Luke 1:9.
11 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 70.
12 Luke 1:11–12.
13 Daniel 8:16–17.
14 Luke 1:13–15.
15 Luke 1:15.
16 Numbers 6:1–4.
17 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 75.
18 Luke 1:16–17.
19 Malachi 4:5–6.
20 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 76, 78.
21 Luke 1:18.
22 Luke 1:19–20.
23 Luke 1:62–63.
24 Bock, Jesus According to Scripture, 59.
25 Genesis 15:7–17.
26 Exodus 4:1–17.
27 Judges 6:36–40.
28 2 Kings 20:1–11.
29 Isaiah 7:10–17.
30 Luke 1:36; 2:12.
31 Luke 11:16, 29–30; 23:8.
32 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 79.
33 Luke 1:25.
34 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 81.
35 Luke 1:32–33.
36 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 81, 60.
37 Luke 1:39–40.
38 Brown, The Birth of the Messiah.
39 Luke 1:41–45.
40 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 81, 94.
41 Luke 1:46–55.
42 Luke 1:46–47.
43 Luke 1:48.
44 Brown, The Birth of the Messiah, 355–56.

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