DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A CHILD OF THE ETERNAL CREATOR?

Know that for this, only through the blood of Jesus Christ this is possible...

Keep the Bible passages below: They will be powerful keys in Jesus to strengthen his faith! And fight all the fiery darts of satan!

JOHN 1:12-14

12 But as many as received him, he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name;

13 Who were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

JOHN 5:22-32

22 And also the Father judgeth no man, but gave all judgment to the Son;

23 That all may honor the Son, as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father who sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, whoever hears my word and believes in him that sent me has eternal life, and shall not enter into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it shall live.

26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he gave the Son also to have life in himself;

27 And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of man.

28 Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice.

29 And those who have done good shall come out into the resurrection of life; and those who did evil for the resurrection of damnation.

30 I can do nothing of myself. As I hear, so I judge; and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my will, but the will of the Father who sent me.

31 If I testify of myself, my testimony is not true.

32 There is another who testifies of me, and I know that the testimony he bears of me is true.

JOHN 6:37-48

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me; and what comes to me I will by no means cast away.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me.

39 And the will of the Father who sent me is this: Let none of all those who gave me be lost, but that he raise him up at the last day.

40 For the will of him that sent me is this, That whoever sees the Son, and believes in him, may have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

41 And the Jews murmured about him, because he had said, I am the bread that came down from heaven.

42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say: I came down from heaven?

43 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No one can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets: And they shall all be taught of God. Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.

46 Not that anyone saw the Father, but he who is of God; this one has seen the Father.

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth in me hath eternal life.

48 I am the bread of life.

JOHN 8:34-36

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whoever commits sin is a servant of sin.

35 Now the servant is not at home forever; the Son stays forever.

36 If, therefore, the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

JOHN 8:49-59

49 Jesus answered, I have no devil, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.

50 I do not seek my glory; there are those who seek it, and judge.

51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

52 And the Jews said to him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham and the prophets died; and you say: If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And also the prophets died. Who do you make yourself be?

54 Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, who you say is your God.

55 And you do not know him, but I know him. And if I say I don't know him, I'll be a liar like you; but I know him and I keep his word.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and he rejoiced.

57 Then said the Jews unto him, Are you not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

58 Jesus saith unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59 Then they took stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, passing through them, and thus withdrew.

JOHN 9:31-33

31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does his will, he hears him.

32 Since the beginning of the world, no one has ever been heard to open the eyes of a man born blind.

33 If this one wasn't of God, nothing could be done.

JOHN 10:26-30

26 But you do not believe because you are not of my sheep, as I have already told you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

29 My Father, who gave me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

30 Me and the Father are one.

JOHN 11:25,26

25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he is dead, will live;

26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?

JOHN 14:1-25

1 Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions; otherwise, I would have told you. I will prepare a place for you.

3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself, that wherever I am you may be also.

4 Even you know where I am going, and you know the way.

5 Thomas said unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.

7 If you knew me, you would also know my Father; and from now on you know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip said unto him, Lord, show us the Father, that is sufficient for us.

9 Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and have you not known me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees the Father; and how do you say: Show us the Father?

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not say from myself, but the Father, who is in me, is the one who does the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; believe me, at least, because of the same works.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth in me shall also do the works that I do, and shall do them greater than these, for I go unto my Father.

13 And whatever you ask in my name I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

15 If you love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will beseech the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you forever;

17 The Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he dwells with you, and he will be in you.

18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; for I live, and you shall live.

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

21 He who has my commandments and keeps them is he who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him.

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said unto him, LORD, whence come that thou shalt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; now the word you have heard is not mine, but the Father who sent me.

25 I have told you this, being with you.

JOHN 15:1-27

Continuation of the last instructions to the disciples - Intimate union between Jesus and the believers

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that bears no fruit, take it away; and cleanse all that bear fruit, that it may bear more fruit.

3 You are already clean by the word that I have spoken to you.

4 Be in me, and I in you; as the rod of itself cannot bear fruit if it is not in the vine, so also you if you are not in me.

5 I am the vine, you the branches; whoever is in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; because without me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone is not in me, he will be cast out, like a rod, and wither; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they burn.

7 If you are in me, and my words are in you, you will ask for anything you want, and it will be done for you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so will you be my disciples.

9 As the Father loved me, so have I loved you; remain in my love.

10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; just as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 I have told you this, that my joy may abide in you, and your joy may be full.

12 My commandment is this: That you love one another, just as I have loved you.

13 No one has a greater love than this, to give someone their life for their friends.

14 You will be my friends if you do what I command you.

15 I will no longer call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you, and named you, that you might go and bear fruit, and your fruit abiding; so that whatever in my name you ask the Father he may grant you.

17 This I command you: Love one another.

18 If the world hates you, know that it hated me first than you.

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, that is why the world hates you.

20 Remember the word that he said unto you, The servant is not greater than his LORD. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also; if they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

21 But all this they will do to you because of my name, because they know not the one who sent me.

22 If I had not come, nor had I spoken to them, they would not have sinned, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 He who hates me hates my Father also.

24 If I had not done these works among them, which no one else has done, they would have no sin; but now they saw them and hated me and my Father.

25 But it is that the word which is written in their law may be fulfilled: They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter comes, whom I from the Father will send to you, that Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me.

27 And ye shall also testify, for ye have been with me from the beginning.

JOHN 16:31-33

31 Jesus answered them, Do you believe now?

32 Behold, the hour is coming, and it is near, when you shall be scattered, each one to his part, and shall leave me alone; but I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 I have told you this, that you may have peace in me; in the world you will have afflictions, but be of good cheer, I have conquered the world.

I JOHN 2:1-17

1 My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not; and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

Keeping the commandments. Brotherly love. separation from the world

3 And in this we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.

4 He who says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and in him is not the truth.

5 But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is in him truly perfected; in this we know that we are in it.

6 He who says he is in him must also walk as he walked.

7 Brethren, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the old commandment, which you had from the beginning. This ancient commandment is the word you have heard from the beginning.

8 Again I write to you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you; because darkness is passing away, and already the true light shines.

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is even now in darkness.

10 He who loves his brother is in the light, and in him there is no offense.

11 But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he should go; because darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 Little children, I write to you, for through his name your sins are forgiven you.

13 Fathers, I write to you, because you have known him who is from the beginning. Young people, I write to you, because you have conquered the evil one. I wrote to you, children, because you knew the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known him who he is from the beginning. I wrote to you, young people, because you are strong, and the word of God is in you, and you have already overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world, nor what is in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world.

17 And the world passes away, and its lust; but he who does the will of God remains forever.

I JOHN 2:28,29

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he appears, we may have confidence, and not be confounded by him at his coming.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that whosoever doeth righteousness is born of him.

I JOHN 3:8,9

the children of God

8 Whoever commits sin belongs to the devil; because the devil sins from the beginning. For this the Son of God manifested himself: to undo the works of the devil.

9 Anyone born of God commits no sin; because his seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

I JOHN 4:10-18

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we too must love one another.

12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God is in us, and his love is perfect in us.

13 In this we know that we are in him, and he in us, for he gave us of his Spirit.

14 And we saw, and testified that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God is in him, and he is in God.

16 And we know, and believe in the love that God has for us. God is love; and whoever is in love is in God, and God in him.

17 In this is love for us perfect, that in the day of judgment we may have confidence; because, which he is, we are also in this world.

18 In love there is no fear, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has with it pity, and what fears is not perfect in love.

I JOHN 5:1-21

Faith in Jesus and its consequences

1 EVERYONE that believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves him who begat him also loves him who is born of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not burdensome.

4 For everyone who is born of God conquers the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.

5 Who is it that conquers the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is the one who came by water and blood, that is, Jesus Christ; not just by water, but by water and blood. And the Spirit is what testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

7 For there are three that testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.

8 And three are they that testify on earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree on one.

9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that of his Son he testified.

10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of his Son.

11 And the testimony is this: that God has given us eternal life; and this life is in his Son.

12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God.

The effectiveness of prayer

14 And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything, according to his will, he hears us.

15 And if we know that he listens to us in everything we ask, we know that we have reached the requests we asked of him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sin, a sin that is not unto death, he will pray, and God will give life to those who do not sin unto death. There is sin unto death, and for that I don't say pray.

17 All iniquity is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

18 We know that everyone who is born of God does not sin; but what is begotten of God retains itself, and the evil one does not touch it.

19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is in the evil one.

20 And we know that the Son of God is already come, and has given us understanding that we may know what is true; and in what is true we are, that is, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

21 Little children, beware of idols. Amen.

PLEASE SHARE THESE TRUTHS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

THE TIME IS NOW!

2 Timothy 4:

1 Therefore I adjure thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, at his coming and in his kingdom,

2 That you preach the word, urge in season and out of season, rebuke, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, having itching in their ears, they will heap up for themselves doctors according to their own lusts;

4 And they will turn away their ears from the truth, returning to fables.

5 But you, be sober in everything, suffer afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

#thetimeandtoday #thetimeisnow #PregueaWord #pregueoevangelho #EMTEMPOEFORADETEMPO

 NOEMI: 3 TRACES OF MATURITY IN CHRISTIAN LIFE

NOEMI LOST HER SPOUSE, THEN HER TWO CHILDREN...

Charming, nice, smooth, sweet...

The name of the person I would like to talk about a little means all of these adjectives above, and his story teaches us to trust in the providence of a kind God.

Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, begins to have her story told in the first chapter of the book of Ruth, within a context in which Bethlehem, where she lived, despite being known for the production of grapes, olive trees, wheat, among others, and, from literally meaning the “house of bread”, it was going through a period of famine. As a result, her husband Elimelech, she and her two sons decide to leave there and go to live in Moab, a pagan nation born from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his eldest daughter (Gen. 19:36-37).

After that, Naomi becomes a widow and her two children marry Moabite women: Ruth and Orpha. The Bible reports that Naomi dwelt in Moab for ten years, at which time she too lost her two children, becoming helpless.

Many of us can identify a lot with Naomi, can't we? We are living our lives and serving God normally, until the “hunger” comes over us, and then, instead of waiting and trusting in the Lord, we think that perhaps going to Moab is the best way. We take the reins of the situation and choose the fastest and easiest, even if it is a land cursed by God.

In the case of Naomi and her family it was really the shortage of food, and in ours? Is it the job we can't get? The wedding that never comes? Poor health? Will it be passing the course of dreams? Whatever it is, we can't go to Moab. That is, we cannot leave the place of God's blessing, the place of obedience to Him, together with His people, in order to seek supplies in other lands. Going to Moab is never the solution! As difficult as things are, let's stay in Bethlehem of Judah, stay in the promised land, that way we won't be helpless.

The story follows in verse 6 of chapter 1: "Then she arranged herself with her daughters-in-law and returned from the land of Moab, because in this she heard that the Lord had remembered her people, giving them bread." Here we see that God never forsakes us. At the right time, even after years of famine, He sent the bread and supplied the people. Even if years pass, dear reader, God will send the bread that will supply his need! Not only that, but just as Naomi decided to come back, so can you. If you ended up in Moab, don't be discouraged, you can come back! Remember that God is good, meets our needs, and it is worth returning to his presence and the safe territory of the Church.

When she decides to return, her two daughters-in-law want to accompany her, so she says: “(…) No daughters of mine! For because of you I am bitter that the Lord has laid his hand against me. Then again they cried aloud; Orpha, with a kiss, said goodbye to her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her” (Ruth 1:13b-14). At first, Naomi did not realize that the Lord had provided Ruth to take care of her and be taken care of by her. Young man, the Lord doesn't want you in Bethlehem of Judah just for positional reasons, but also purposeful. He wants to work on you, he wants to trust you with people, and, don't forget, he will also send people to look after you.

In chapter 2, we see that Ruth goes to pick ears in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech, who comes to favor Ruth because he recognizes what she has done for her mother-in-law and because she left everything and went to join God and his people. Upon hearing her daughter-in-law's account of favoring Boaz, we see in Naomi's response the first trace of God's work in her life, when she says: “Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who still he has not left his benevolence neither to the living nor to the dead. Naomi said to him more: This man is our close kinsman and one of our rescuers. Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Ruth: It will be good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidservants, so that, in another field, they will not molest you.” (Rt 2:20 and 22)

Naomi now recognizes the Lord's provision in the figure of Boaz and knows he is a rescuer. Naomi also learned the lesson: she demonstrates trust in God's provision, and stays in the place where she can receive His blessing. So she instructs Ruth to stay with the servants of Boaz so that elsewhere she will not be molested. Now who rescued us? Boaz typifies the Lord Jesus! And being with his servants keeps us from being molested! Thanks to the Lord!

The second trait of God's working in Naomi's life is revealed in the opening verses of chapter 3 when Naomi, loving Ruth and wanting her to have a home to be happy, outlines a bold plan to be followed by Ruth, which consisted, in short, , in getting ready, going to Boaz, discovering his feet and waiting for what he said. With this second trait, we see the need to love the people who take care of us and those given to us to take care of.When we love people, we and they are blessed. Furthermore, we see that under God's blessing we are able to make plans that will be successful because He is with us! Making plans under God's blessing is a characteristic of those who are maturing.

The third and final trait of God's work in Naomi's life shows that the good work the Lord begins in us is completed. After Naomi's plan is fulfilled, Boaz tells Ruth that he has a rescuer in front of him and that he will go to him so that if he refuses to rescue, he can do it. When reporting such an episode to her mother-in-law, we wisely have: "Then Naomi said to her: Wait, my daughter, until you know where things will happen, because that man will not rest until this case is resolved today" (Rt 3 :18). Here we see that Naomi trusted the people who were close to her and saw his plans fulfilled to the end.

What a growth the Lord wrought in sweet Naomi's life! If before she left Bethlehem of Judah for not waiting and trusting in God's providence, now, as a grown daughter, she not only waited (and told Ruth to wait too) but also trusted that Boaz would not rest until he did. resolve that situation.

And do you know what happens in the end? Ruth and Boaz marry and beget a son, Obed and the Bible reports: “Then the women said to Naomi, May the Lord be blessed, who has not failed to give you today a grandson who will be your ransom, and be famous in Israel the name of this. He will be the restorer of your life and the comforter of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, gave birth to him, and she is better for you than seven children”.

Dear reader, our God is the I Am! He is the God who provides! In our lives we will go through periods of famine, when the land is dry, but we can learn, like mature Naomi, that the best thing is to wait and trust in the Lord; He uses the difficulties and ease of life to deal with us. He is our rescuer, and does not rest until he has fully supplied us.

Naomi came back bitter, but was rescued, not just from her financial situation, but from her shattered spiritual state. She is now recognized as a grandmother, has a descendant, and ends the story happily. The Lord worked in it with his providence. Young man, the Lord rescues not only your exterior, but your interior as well. God's work in her gave her, as a delight, Obed. God's work in us will give us, as a delight, Christ and His Kingdom! Hallelujah!

 STAY RELAXED! NO ONE WILL GET LOST...

'ACTS 27'

Paul travels to Rome

1It was that we should embark for Italy. They then handed Paul and the other prisoners over to Julius, a Roman officer who was from the battalion called "Battalion of the Emperor." 2We boarded a ship from the city of Adramitius, which was ready to sail to the ports of the province of Asia. And so we started the journey. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from the city of Thessalonica, was with us. 3The next day we arrived at the port of Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go see his friends and get what he needed from them. 4After leaving Sidon, we sailed north to the island of Cyprus to avoid the winds that were blowing against us. 5We cross the sea in front of the coast of the Cilicia region and the province of Pamphylia and arrive at Mirra, a city in the province of Lycia. 6There the Roman officer found a ship from the city of Alexandria on its way to Italy, and he made us board it.

7We sailed very slowly for several days and with great difficulty arrived in front of the city of Cnido. As the wind wouldn't let us continue in that direction, we passed Cape Salmona on the island of Crete and followed the south side of that island, which is protected from the winds. 8So we sailed very close to the coast and, still with difficulty, we arrived at a place called “Bons Portos”, close to the city of Laseia.

9We stayed there for a long time, and it became dangerous to continue our journey because winter was approaching. So Paulo warned:

10— Men, I see that from now on our journey will be dangerous. There will be great damage not only to the ship and its cargo, but there will also be loss of life.

11But the Roman officer had more confidence in the captain and owner of the ship than in Paul. 12The harbor was not a good place to spend the winter. That's why most people thought we should get out of there and try to get to Phoenix. This city is a port of Crete that has one side to the southwest and the other to the northwest. And they thought we could winter there.

the storm at sea

13A light wind began to blow from the south, so they thought they could do what they had planned. We weighed anchor and sailed as close as possible to the coast of Crete. 14But suddenly a very strong wind called “Northeast” came from the island 15and swept the ship in such a way that we could not make it go in the right direction. So we gave up and let the wind take us. 16To escape the wind, we passed south of a small island called Tail. There, with great difficulty, we managed to retrieve the boat from the ship. 17The sailors lifted the dinghy into the ship and tied the ship's hull with thick ropes. They were afraid that the ship would be dragged to the sandbars that are close to the Libyan coast. Then they lowered the sails and let the ship drift away. 18And the terrible storm continued. The next day they started to throw the cargo into the sea. 19And the other day, the sailors, with their own hands, threw a part of the ship's equipment into the sea.

20For many days we could not see the sun or the stars, and the wind continued to blow strong. We finally lost all hope of saving ourselves.

21 It had been a long time since they had eaten anything. So Paul stood in their midst and said:

“Men, you should have heeded what I said and stayed in Crete; and so we would not have had all this loss and loss. 22But now I ask you to have courage. Nobody will die; we will only miss the ship. 23I say this because last night an angel of God to whom I belong and serve appeared to me 24and said, “Paul, don't be afraid! You need to go to the Emperor's presence. And God, in His goodness, has already given you the lives of all who are traveling with you.” 25Therefore, men, be brave! I trust God and am sure he will do as he tells me. 26But we are going to be dragged to some island.

27Two weeks later, at night, we were still being carried away by storm in the Mediterranean Sea. Around midnight, the sailors began to feel that we were getting close to land. 28Then they threw a rope with a weight at the end into the sea and saw that the water there was thirty-six meters deep. Later they measured again, and it got twenty-seven meters. 29They were very afraid that the ship was going to crash against the rocks. So they dropped four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for dawn soon. 30Then the sailors tried to escape the ship. They lowered the boat into the sea, pretending they were going to drop anchors from the front of the ship. 31Then Paul said to the Roman officer and the soldiers,

“If the sailors don't stay on the ship, you won't be able to save yourselves.

32Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the boat and dropped it into the sea.

33At dawn Paul asked everyone to eat something and said:

“You've been waiting for fourteen days and during that time you haven't eaten anything. 34Now have something to eat, please. You need to feed yourself to be able to continue living. Because no one is going to lose even a hair.

35Then Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat. 36So they got more courageous and ate too. 37On the ship there were a total of two hundred and seventy-six people. 38After everyone had eaten, they threw the wheat into the sea to make the ship lighter.

All arrive safe and sound

39When morning came, the sailors did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay where there was a beach. So they decided to do their best to ground the ship there. 40They cut the ropes of the anchors, and dropped them into the sea, and untied the rudders. Then they lifted the sail from the front side so that they could head towards the beach. 41But the ship hit a sandbar and ran aground. The front part got stuck, and the back part started to be ripped apart by the force of the waves.

42The soldiers agreed to kill all the prisoners so that none could reach the beach and flee. 43But the Roman official wanted to save Paul and would not let them do that. On the contrary, he ordered everyone who could swim to be the first to jump into the water and swim to shore. 44And he also ordered the others to be saved, holding on to boards or pieces of the ship. And that's how we all arrived on earth safe and sound.

#Jesusestanoboat  

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DECLARE IN FAITH!

 NO WEAPONS FORGED AGAINST US WILL PREVAIL!

GOLDEN TEXT.

“And when Paul had gathered a number of vines and put them in the fire, a viper, fleeing from the heat, took hold of his hand.” Acts 28:3.

TRUTH APPLIED.

There is no diabolic onslaught that does not reveal itself before the fire produced by the Eternal or that can stop a believer filled with the Holy Spirit.

REFERENCE TEXTS.

Acts 28:5-8

INTRODUCTION.

The shipwreck experience had been extremely traumatic and rest was all those men needed before continuing on their journey. It was dark and cold and the apostle decided to add wood to the fire to warm everyone, to bring some comfort in that difficult time.

I. A VIPER IN THE MIDDLE OF FIRE.

Much worse than the struggles and situations we live in. Paul still faced judgments by being misinterpreted. People judged that situation as judgment. Paulo had escaped from the shipwreck but “justice” would come through the bite of the snake to not let him live. Paul traveled as a prisoner, had already been wronged by the Jews, had gone through trials and accusations, faced a tremendous storm, survived yet another shipwreck and now a viper clings to his hand (Acts 28:4).

With the viper in his hand.

Paul's life goes through a chain of trials and temptations that don't seem to end. Now, in Malta, a viper clings to his hand (Acts 28:3). There are times when we must choose between mourning or acting, waiting for the screen of probation to close, or shaking our hands. In people's interpretation, some curse was under Paul's life. But he didn't let himself be carried away by the viper or by other people's opinions. There are words that paralyze us and at these times it is important not only to shake the hands, but also the mind (Rom. 12:1,2). The right attitude and hope (Rom 4.18; Col 1.23; I Thess 5.8). No matter how many vipers cling to our hand, God has not called us to be consumed by the vipers of hopelessness and doubt, but to shake them in the fire.

A viper fleeing the fire.

The barbarians were in solidarity with the survivors of the shipwreck (Acts 28.2). Because of the cold and rain, they went to warm themselves by the fire and Paulo gathered some dry sticks to throw into the existing fire. Then, to escape the “heat”, the viper revealed itself from where it was camouflaged (Acts 28:3). The text is clear: “the fire” revealed where the viper was. If we wholeheartedly desire revival in our time, we will be surprised to see Satan at work in seemingly normal places and lives. The fire has the characteristic of illuminating and everything that is covered by darkness must declare itself (Dan 2.22; I Cor 3.13; Eph 5.13).

A viper thrown into the fire.

Everyone expected Paul to die, but he simply shook the viper at the stake and acted as if nothing had happened (Acts 29:4, 5). Suddenly, they saw that Paul was no longer a curse and began to compare him with a “god” (Acts 29:6). In our life, there will always be phases that will mark us and it is up to us to let situations drown us or push us forward (Phil. 3.12, 13). Being in the hands of Jesus is always going beyond the essential (Phil. 4:12). We cannot be stopped by what they think or think of us. Many do not understand how God is acting with us and draw a profile according to what they see. For some we are cursed, for others we are gods, but what really matters is what we are to God and what He is to us.

II. THE DECLARATIONS OF FIRE.

The barbarians were polytheists and the “justice” to which they refer was personified in the goddess “Dike” who, according to their beliefs, intervened to punish evildoers (Acts 28:4). Paul was within the divine purpose and circumstances created possibilities for him to act in the name of the Lord.

Between dry sticks.

Drawing here a parallel of spiritual life, we understand that to be “dry” is to be lifeless (Ezek 37:11; Mk 11:12-14; 20:21). Note that the fire was already lit and Paul was carrying dry sticks to add them to the fire and this would increase (Acts 28:2). The viper among the dry sticks is a symbol of Satan's action in a life without fruit and without fellowship (30:19). When this life is brought into the fire of God's presence, the heat of the Holy Spirit generates discomfort, causing the enemy to manifest and retreat. The anointing that was on Paul's life was stronger than the venom of the serpent and so it is with everyone who is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 10:19; Mk 16:17; Eph 6:16).

Viper grasped in hand.

The fact that the viper bites Paul's hand teaches us how Satan tries to stop us, making useless of our work tools, which, in this case, were Paul's hands (2Co 10:4; Acts 28:3). The bite didn't just happen because the viper fled the fire, it was a retaliatory blow, a last blow before defeat. In several cases of liberation and spiritual battle, retaliation is certain, so we must be prepared like Paul, who did not care about the viper, immediately threw it into the fire, which is its place (Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10).

Wonders on the island of Malta.

Paul did not allow rejection and criticism to frustrate God's projects in his life. Publius, the chief of the island of Malta, was the main Roman representative of that island. His father was sick and Paul had the opportunity to exercise his gift of healing and bring him comfort. After being informed about the miracle, the other inhabitants of the island who were sick also came and were healed by the hands of Paul (Acts 28:9).

III. REVIVAL AND PROVISION.

Experience teaches us that great trials are signs of great wonders on the part of our God. After the battle with the viper, Paul becomes the hope of those natives and, in gratitude for the blessing achieved, they both honored and supplied the apostle's needs (Acts 28:9, 10).

The wind of the Spirit.

The Spirit propelled Paul to Malta and what for many was a great trial, for God it was an opportunity to act with his Servant. Paul would never get there if it weren't for the force of contrary winds (Acts 27:4). He wasn't in his plans to be in Malta; His target was Rome (Acts 23:11). That viper did not bite anyone other than Paul, it was his action that revealed it and because of this incident a revival and the glorification of the name of Jesus was triggered.

The divine provision.

We gain credibility when we connect with individuals and show a genuine interest in helping them. By touching the hearts of the people on that island, Paul and the entire crew were provided for their needs (Ac 28:10). Look at your hands! Shake your hands. What do you have in your hands? Nothing, because the storm took over. Shake your hands and be ready to see what God will be putting on them. More important than full hands is to see how God can use those empty and scarred hands to heal the sick, perform miracles and embrace those who need hope (Rom. 4:18).

The purpose of God's supernatural power.

The moment people saw the viper clinging to Paul's hand, they drew their own conclusions, misinterpreting that situation. If at this very moment Paul was not aware of his mission and firm in the faith, the comments could alter his situation. Why did Paul shake the viper in the fire? Because he knew who he could trust. When we trust in God and remain faithful to His Word, He turns shame into honor and scarcity into abundance (Is 61:3; Acts 28:10).

CONCLUSION.

Nothing will happen to us until God does to us what he has determined to do. What will motivate this is our attitude towards each new stage we face. Let's shake hands, throw the viper into the fire, and walk steadily into the next phase of our lives.

 

Posted by: Pb. Ademilson Braga/ Lucilene adaptations

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ANALYSIS...

 WHO IS YOUR FATHER?

In 1 Corinthians the apostle Paul said, "Become imitators of me, as I am of Christ." But is it possible to be an imitator of Christ? Yes! God made us in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). We change and we can imitate him because the Holy Spirit is what transforms us.

If you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit that dwells in you will be able to mold you and make you like Him every day. This will reflect in your actions and in the fruits of your attitude.

In simple terms, having the image and likeness of God means that we were made to resemble Him. The Holy Spirit is the transforming agent who, as you seek Him, will make you an imitator of the Father in spirit in truth.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR WORKS? DO AN ANALYSIS!!!

Galatians 5:16-24

The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit

16 But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these oppose one another; so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 For the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: fornication, uncleanness, lust, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, emulation, anger, strife, dissension, heresies, 21 jealousy, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and the like these, of which I declare unto you, as I have told you before, that those who commit such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. 23 Against these things there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

Become my imitators, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, Ephesians 5:1

In fact, you became imitators of us and of the Lord, because, despite much suffering, you received the word with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24

May your attitude be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, although being God,

did not consider

that being equal to God

it was something to cling to; but he emptied himself,

coming to be a servant,

becoming similar

to men. And, being found

in human form,

he humbled himself

and he was obedient to death,

and death on the cross! Philippians 2:5-8

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. Let him rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the great beasts of all the earth, and over all the small beasts ¬ that move close to the ground". Genesis 1:26

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen them and keep them from the Evil One. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

OR

"You belong to your father, the Devil, and you want to fulfill his wish. He was a murderer from the beginning and did not cling to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his own language, for he is a liar and father of lies. John 8:44

He who commits sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this the Son of God was manifested: to destroy the works of the devil.1 John 3:8

Be alert and watch. The Devil, your enemy, walks around like a lion, roaring and looking for someone to devour. Resist it by standing firm in the faith, knowing that the brothers you have all over the world are going through the same sufferings.1 Peter 5:8-9

This is not surprising, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

"When you get angry, do not sin". Soothe your anger before the sun goes down and don't make room for the Devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Then there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But these were not strong enough, and so they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was cast out. He is the ancient serpent called the Devil or Satan, who deceives the whole world. He and his angels were cast down to earth. Revelation 12:7-9

"Then he will say to those on his left: 'Cursed, depart from me into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations that are on the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle. Number of him is like the sand of the sea. The nations marched across the surface of the earth and besieged the camp of the saints, the beloved city; but a fire descended from heaven and devoured them. The Devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet had already been cast. They will be tormented day and night, forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10

We know that everyone who is born of God is not in sin; he who was born of God protects him, and the Evil One does not harm him. We know that we are of God and that the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.1 John 5:18-19

In this way we know who the children of God are and who the children of the Devil are: whoever does not do righteousness is not from God, nor whoever does not love his brother.1 John 3:10

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JUST FOR A MOMENT...

THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS, IT MUST BE ENTERED INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE ETERNAL...

As a Christian, since you received Jesus, have you felt pressured from all sides?

Tribulation comes and goes. You win one and then another. Or several at the same time! If you feel suffocated, harassed, persecuted, dejected, perplexed. Welcome to). For many tribulations it matters to us to enter the Kingdom of the Eternal...

But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium who, having convinced the crowd, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

But, the disciples surrounding him, he arose, and entered the city, and the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.

And having preached the gospel in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium and Antioch,

Confirming the spirits of the disciples, exhorting them to remain in the faith, since through many tribulations it is important for us to enter the kingdom of God.

And having, by common consent, elected elders in every church, praying with fasts, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

After passing through Pisidia, they went to Pamphylia.

And having announced the word in Perge, they went down to Attalia.

And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had already accomplished.

And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported how great things God had done for them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

And they stayed there not a short time with the disciples. Acts 14:19-28

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake.

Because God, who said that light should shine out of darkness, is the one who shined in our hearts, for the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellency of power may be from God and not from us.

In everything we are troubled, but not distressed; perplexed but not dismayed.

Persecuted but not helpless; slaughtered but not destroyed;

Always carrying the mortification of the Lord Jesus in our bodies everywhere, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies;

And so we, who live, are always given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that Jesus' life may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death works in us, but life in you.

And therefore we have the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believe, therefore I have spoken; we believe too, so we also speak.

Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus, and will present us with you.

For all this is for your sakes, that grace, multiplied through many, may cause thanksgiving to abound for the glory of God.

That's why we don't faint; but even if our outer man is corrupted, the inner man is nevertheless renewed from day to day.

For our light and momentary tribulation produces for us a most excellent eternal weight of glory;

We are not paying attention to the things that are seen, but to the things that are not seen; for those that are seen are temporal, and those that are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Paul's sufferings for the gospel's sake

16 Again I say: let no one judge me foolish, or else welcome me as foolish, so that I may also boast a little. 17 What I say, I do not say according to the Lord, but as for folly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 For as many boast after the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For, being you wise, you willingly tolerate the foolish. 20 For you are suffering, if anyone puts you into bondage, if anyone devours you, if anyone catches you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone smites you in the face. 21 Ashamed I say this, as if we were weak, but in what anyone has boldness (I speak foolishly), I also have boldness. 22 Are they Hebrews? Me too. Are they Israelis? Me too. Are they Abraham's seed? Me too. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as outside of myself.) Me even more: in jobs, much more; in lashes, more than they; in prisons, much more; in danger of death often. 24 I received from the Jews five quarantines of lashes minus one; 25 three times I was flogged with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, one night and one day I spent in the abyss; 26 on trips, often; in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my nation, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger among false brethren; 27 in work and fatigue, in vigils, often in hunger and thirst, in fasting, often in cold and nakedness. 28 In addition to external things, the care of all the churches oppresses me every day. 29 Who weakens, let me not weaken? Who is scandalized that I don't open up?

30 If it behooves me to boast, I will boast concerning my weakness.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is eternally blessed, knows that I do not lie. 32 In Damascus the ruler under King Aretas put guards at the gates of the city of the Damascenes to arrest me, 33 and I was lowered in a basket by a window in the wall; and so I escaped from his hands.

Romans 16:17-27

17 And I beseech you, brethren, to take note of those who cause dissension and scandal against the doctrine which you have learned; turn away from them.

18 For such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but his womb; and with soft words and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 As for your obedience, it is known to all. So I delight in you; and I want you to be wise in good, but simple in evil.

20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Give you greetings to Timothy my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosypatro my relatives.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, my host, and the whole church greet you. Erastus, procurator of the city, greets you, and also Brother Quarto.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him who is able to confirm you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which from eternal times has been hidden,

26 But which has now been revealed, and has been notified by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, to all nations for obedience of faith;

27 To the only wise God, be glory through Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

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