Blowing in the Wind song by Joan Baez
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."
