6 REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD HATE CARNIVAL

1. It is spiritually damaging. Carnival is a feast of carnality. Sensuality is extolled in the streets and sexual immorality is practiced in the salons. The Christian is the one who has crucified carnality with its passions and desires (Gl 5.24), flees from sexual sins (2 Tm 2.22) and, clothed in Christ, no longer feeds his flesh (Rm 13.13,14). In this sense, there is nothing more harmful to sanctification than Carnival.

2. It is culturally poor. The musical culture in Brazil has not been going well for a long time, however, during Carnival it gets worse. The marchinhas with a double meaning, with a sexual connotation, are proof of that. Carnavalescos even try to put a bit of Brazilian history in the lyrics of the songs, to give an impression of high culture, but the result is pathetic: excerpts from our history accompanied by drums and naked women.

3. It is patriotically disastrous. Unfortunately, around the world, Brazil is known as the country of football and Carnival. Scenes of naked women dancing on floats travel the world, reinforcing the image of easy sex and prostitution in our country. There are many instances of women being treated as prostitutes when, abroad, they identify themselves as Brazilian. The blame for this confusion comes, to a large extent, from Carnival.

4. It is politically indecent. Since antiquity, governments have entertained the people with bread and circuses. In this sense, the Brazilian government counts on the help of football and Carnival. In recent times, the situation is even worse because of the crisis that has settled in our nation. As the song said: Life of cattle, marked people, happy people...

5. It is economically unfair. The millions of reais invested by the government in this party could be used in housing, hospitals and schools. The ambulances and police that are deployed to the parades could be available to the population. In a country that still cares for patients on stretchers in hospital corridors, Carnival should definitely be the last option for the government to invest taxpayer money.

6. It is socially harmful. Carnival does not bring any good to society. On the contrary, the amount of young people taking drugs and drinking alcohol is gigantic. Diseases such as flu, herpes, conjunctivitis, hepatitis and AIDS multiply during this period and promiscuity generates thousands of unwanted pregnancies and abortions. The number of car accidents increases.

For all this, it is inconceivable that a Christian, committed to Jesus Christ, could have any admiration for Carnival. If by chance you feel tempted by this feast, remember that "God did not call us for filthiness, but for sanctification" (1 Thess 4.7) and that whoever loves the things of this world makes himself an enemy of God ( Tg 4.4). May God sanctify you.

AGEU MAGALHÃES

 WHAT IS DEAD IN YOUR LIFE?

JESUS CAN RESUSCITE TODAY!

The Resurrection of Lazarus

11 A certain Lazarus, from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha, was sick at the time. 2 And Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with ointment and had wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 His sisters therefore sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, the one whom you love is sick. 4 And Jesus, hearing this, said: This disease is not for death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 After this he said to his disciples, Let us go again into Judea. 8 His disciples said to him, Rabbi, even now the Jews were seeking to stone you, and are you going back there? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks by day, he will not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if he walks by night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him. 11 So he spoke, and afterward he said to them, Lazarus, our friend, is sleeping, but I am going to wake him up from his sleep. 12 His disciples therefore said, Lord, if he sleep, he shall be safe. 13 But Jesus said this of his death; but they thought he was speaking of the rest of sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let's go to him. 16 Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 (Now Bethany was about fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem.) 19 And many of the Jews had gone to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him. Mary, however, sat at home. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But now I also know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you. 23 Jesus said to him, Your brother will rise again. 24 Martha said to him, I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day. 25 Jesus said to him, I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live; 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe that? 27 She said to him, Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.

28 And having said this, he departed and called in secret to Mary his sister, saying: The Master is here and calls you. 29 When she heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.

 YOU HAVE BEEN REACHED BY JESUS

  ?

IF YES, YOU ARE CALLED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, FIRST WITH YOUR LIFE BEING AN EXAMPLE AND, ALSO SPEAKING, WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY!

  BELOW SOME VERSES THAT PROVE WHAT I AM SAYING ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES...

WHEN PAULO PREACHED FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE HAD A VISIBLE DISEASE. THIS SHOWS THAT EVEN HAVING OR GOING THROUGH AN ILLNESS, OR ANY STRUGGLE, THIS DOES NOT STOP US FROM PROCLAIMING THE KINGDOM OF GOD! DON'T EVEN BE SHAMEFUL ABOUT IT! THEY ARE TRIALS!

Galatians 4:13 And you know that I preached the gospel to you first, being in the weakness of the flesh;

14 And the temptation that was in my flesh you did not reject or despise, but received me as an angel of God, even as Jesus Christ.

15 What then is your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would pluck out your eyes and give them to me.

16 Have I made myself your enemy by telling the truth?

17 They are jealous for you, not as it should be; but they want to exclude you, so that you may be zealous for them.

18 It is good to be zealous, but always for the good, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, for whom I am in labor again until Christ is formed in you;

20 I would now like to be present with you, and change my voice; because I am perplexed concerning you.

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.

23 However, that which was of the slave was born according to the flesh, but that which was of the free woman, by promise.

24 What is meant by allegory; because these are the two covenants; one, from mount Sinai, bearing children for bondage, which is Agar.

25 Now this Agar is Sinai, a mountain in Arabia, which corresponds to the Jerusalem that now exists, for she is in bondage with her children.

26 But the Jerusalem which is above is free; who is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written: Rejoice, barren, who do not bear; Strive and cry, you who are not in childbirth; Because the children of the solitary woman are more than those of the one with a husband.

28 But we, brothers, are children of the promise like Isaac.

29 But as then he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now.

30 But what does the Scripture say? Throw out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will by no means inherit with the son of the free woman.

31 So then, brothers, we are children, not of the slave girl, but of the free woman.

JESUS LEFT AN ORDER FOR EVERYONE:

And he said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:15

WHAT IS YOUR WORLD? IT IS IN HIM THAT JESUS WILL USE YOU AS AN INSTRUMENT TO PREACH AS AN EXAMPLE AND!

THIS MUST BE DONE AT ALL TIMES

2 Timothy 4:2-3

2 Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season, rebuke, correct, exhort with all patience and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; on the contrary, having itching ears, they will gather masters for themselves, according to their own desires.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH SEED WILL GERMINATE!

DO YOUR PART! SOW! THE WORK IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

REMEMBER THE PARABOL OF THE TALENTS!

WHEN JESUS COMES BACK, HE WILL CHARGE THE DEPOSIT HE MADE IN YOUR LIFE WITH INTEREST! MULTIPLY .THIS IS THE ROLE OF THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. DO NOT BURY! FOR, YOU MAY BE AN EVIL AND NEGLIGENT SERVANT WHO WAS THROWN INTO DARKNESS.

THAT JESUS CAN USE US AS INSTRUMENTS TO PROCLAIM HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RETURN AMEN?

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

THROW THE SERPENT INTO THE FIRE!!!

MANY TIMES, WHEN WE HELP SOMEONE, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY; WHEN WE ENGAGE IN ANY PROJECT TO HELP OTHERS; TO BRING A LITTLE COMFORT; A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AT TIMES OF PAIN, AGONY, SUFFERING; THE ENEMY (SATAN) AFFRONTS US, LIKE A VIPER! PAULO WHEN BRINGING PROVISIONS (STICKS) TO INCREASE THE FIRE AND WARM UP EVERYONE, IN THE MIDST OF THE SITUATION THE VIPER ARISES AND WANTS TO BITE OUR HAND, POISON US, KILL US, BRING SOME DAMAGE TO OUR LIVES AND FAMILIES. WHEN WE DO GOD'S WILL, WE DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID. THROW THE SERPENT INTO THE FIRE!!! WHICH IS HER PLACE! NO EVIL WILL BECOME YOU. FINALLY, JESUS SAID:

Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and all the strength of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.

Luke 10:19

DON'T CARE ABOUT THE JUDGMENTS OF OTHERS. THEY CAN SPEAK BADLY ABOUT YOU, MAKE GOSSIP, BADLY INTERPRET YOU BUT IN THE END THEY WILL KNOW THAT JESUS IS WITH YOU!!! AND ACT ON YOU!

And having escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.

And the barbarians used us with no little humanity; because, lighting a big fire, they gathered us all because of the falling rain, and because of the cold.

And when Paul had gathered a quantity of vines, and had put them on the fire, a viper, fleeing the heat, attacked his hand.

And the barbarians, seeing the viper hanging from his hand, said to one another: Surely this man is a murderer, since, escaping from the sea, justice does not let him live.

But when he shook off the viper into the fire, he suffered no harm.

And they expected him to swell up or drop dead suddenly; but having already waited a long time, and seeing that no discomfort came to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god.

And there, near that place, there were some estates belonging to the chief of the island, by name Publius, who received us and hosted us benignly for three days.

And the father of Publius happened to be lying sick with a fever and dysentery, whom Paul went to see, and having prayed, he laid his hands on him, and healed him.

So when this was done, the others who had illnesses on the island also came to him, and they recovered.

Which also distinguished us with many honors; and, having to sail, they provided us with the necessary things.

And three months later we sailed on a ship from Alexandria that had wintered on the island, whose ensign was Castor and Pollux.

And when we reached Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

Whence, going along the coast, we came to Reggio; and blowing, a day later, a wind from the south, we reached Poteoli on the second day.

Where, finding some brethren, they begged us to stay with them for seven days; and then we head to Rome.

And from there, when the brothers heard the news about us, they went out to meet us at the Square of Appius and the Three Sales, and Paul, seeing them, gave thanks to God and took heart.

And as soon as we arrived in Rome, the centurion handed over the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was allowed to live on his own apart, with the soldier who guarded him.

And it came to pass, after three days, that Paul summoned the rulers of the Jews together, and he said to them together, Men and brethren, when I had done nothing against the people, or against the rites of the fathers, nevertheless I came bound from Jerusalem, delivered into the hands of of the Romans;

Who, having examined me, wanted to release me, because there was no crime of death in me.

But the Jews being opposed, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not having, however, to accuse my nation.

For this reason I called you, to see you and speak with you; because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Then they said to him, We received no letter concerning you from Judea, nor did any of the brethren come hither to tell us or say anything bad about you.

However, we would like to hear from you what you feel; for, as for this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at the inn, to whom he declared the kingdom of God with good testimony, and he tried to persuade them to believe in Jesus, both by the law of Moses and by the prophets, from the beginning. morning until afternoon.

And some believed what was said; but others do not.

And when they disagreed among themselves, they parted, Paul saying this word: Well said the Holy Spirit to our fathers by the prophet Isaiah,

Saying, Go to this people, and say, By ear ye shall hear, and shall not understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.

For the heart of this people is hardened, and with their ears they hear heavy, and they have closed their eyes, so that they may never see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their heart, and convert, and I heal them.

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great strife among themselves.

And Paul stayed two whole years in his own room which he had rented, and received all who came to see him;

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things pertaining to the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom, without any hindrance.

Acts 28:1-31

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

 REMAIN FAITHFUL ONLY TO THE CREATOR

Every time someone claims to belong to the People of God (Israel) and deviates from the way of the Lord by disobedience, unbelief, by idolatry and spiritual prostitution, finally by willful sin, the Lord will allow the enemy to persecute and torment these people, putting them to shame and enslaving them! They will be delivered into the hands of the Enemy!

For this reason, fights often arise to shame people, and we see cases of people giving bad testimony. let's watch

 

We are at all times, tested...

May Satan not find a loophole in our lives to give Him legality to destroy us!

 

So the children of Israel did evil

 

in the eyes of the Lord; and served the Baals.

 

(Idolatry)

 

And they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went after other gods, among the gods of the peoples that were round about them, and they worshiped them; and provoked the Lord to anger.

 

Because they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtoreth.

 

( Devils)

Therefore the wrath of the Lord

 

lit up

 

against Israel, and delivered them into the hand of the plunderers, who plundered them;

 

and he delivered them into the hand of their enemies round about; and they could no longer stand before their enemies.

         

Wherever they went, the hand of the Lord was

 

against them for evil, as the Lord had spoken, and as the Lord had sworn to them; and they were in great distress.

 

And the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

But neither did they listen to the judges before

 

they prostituted themselves after other gods, and worshiped them; they quickly turned aside from the path where their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not.

Judges 2:11-18

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

 REMAIN FAITHFUL ONLY TO THE CREATOR

Every time someone claims to belong to the People of God (Israel) and deviates from the way of the Lord by disobedience, unbelief, by idolatry and spiritual prostitution, finally by willful sin, the Lord will allow the enemy to persecute and torment these people, putting them to shame and enslaving them! They will be delivered into the hands of the Enemy!

For this reason, fights often arise to shame people, and we see cases of people giving bad testimony. let's watch

 

We are at all times, tested...

May Satan not find a loophole in our lives to give Him legality to destroy us!

 

So the children of Israel did evil

 

in the eyes of the Lord; and served the Baals.

 

(Idolatry)

 

And they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went after other gods, among the gods of the peoples that were round about them, and they worshiped them; and provoked the Lord to anger.

 

Because they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtoreth.

 

( Devils)

Therefore the wrath of the Lord

 

lit up

 

against Israel, and delivered them into the hand of the plunderers, who plundered them;

 

and he delivered them into the hand of their enemies round about; and they could no longer stand before their enemies.

         

Wherever they went, the hand of the Lord was

 

against them for evil, as the Lord had spoken, and as the Lord had sworn to them; and they were in great distress.

 

And the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

But neither did they listen to the judges before

 

they prostituted themselves after other gods, and worshiped them; they quickly turned aside from the path where their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not.

Judges 2:11-18

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

 When God takes away the "delight of our eyes"

(Base text: Ezekiel 24: 15 to 27)

How many times do we lose things, people, pleasant moments in life, due to the omniscient will of God? Precisely what we loved and wanted most, causing pain and suffering. What we don't understand is the main purpose of each situation, the why and what for everything that happened. And through our inquiries and indignation, we began to ''blame'' God for the non-happening of the facts as we wanted, that is, according to OUR WILL.

Verse 15 "The word of the Lord came to me, saying:

          16 Son of man, behold, I will suddenly take away the delight of your eyes, but you shall not wail, nor cry, nor shall tears flow.

The prophet Ezekiel, in chapter 24, could have reacted like this, asking God, becoming indignant, not accepting the terrible situation through which God allowed him to go through; namely, the death of his beloved wife. The Bible says that she was considered by him as the 'delight of his eyes', thus conjecturing the size of the love he felt for her. If God said that Ezequiel's wife was the delight or desire of his eyes, it is because there was a very strong and beautiful feeling in the prophet's INTIMUS. It was God himself who called it that! He knows everything, including the heart. Just imagine, for a woman, to be recognized like that by a man? How she must have been loved! History shows that his wife died suddenly, suddenly. But God had revealed it to him before, he had given him the word. When God wants to accomplish something in our lives, He prepares us in advance. Ezequiel was prepared by God to face the difficult situation. And this preparation can happen in 2 ways: By revealing the word of God or imperceptibly in life's situations; i.e. His dealing with us in some way.

We are enveloped in life by various kinds of "delights" or "pleasures" (as it is written in some translations). It could be our car, our job, son, daughter, husband, wife, house, parents, siblings, friends, etc. I don't know. But God KNOWS WHAT YOU ASK. In the Old Testament, God repeatedly tested the faith of His prophets, giving them seemingly absurd commands. In the case of Abraham, for example, God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac, the son of promise. Abraham was willing to obey, and at the “H” hour God saved Isaac from being immolated. Abraham's faith was tested without bloodshed!

 Vers 17 ' ' Groan in silence, do not mourn for the dead, fasten your turban, put your sandals on your feet, do not cover your whiskers and do not eat the bread they send you.

          18 I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died; the next morning I did as I was told.”

But the most interesting thing about this story and what we should pay attention to is Ezequiel's obedience to God's instructions regarding that terrible moment he was going through. In the face of all the PAIN he felt, he was directed to suffer QUIET. It was practically forbidden by God to watch over his own wife! And we can ask ourselves: Why would God have given him this “crazy” direction? This is where His sovereignty and will come in: God wanted to test Ezekiel's character and make this death and the prophet's reaction to it serve as a witness to the people of Israel. The Israelites were immersed in sins, idolatries and corruptions, and God wanted to "warn them" about what would happen to the Temple of Jerusalem, to the city itself and to their relatives.

 

Then you may wonder: But would God use the pain, the tragedy of a person's life to warn a stubborn people? The answer is yes! The Bible says, in Romans 8:28, that ''All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.'' Therefore, God will always allow bad events to prove and show His fidelity. Do you think He abandoned Ezequiel right at the worst moment of his life? Of course not! He was there, sustaining him, strengthening him, and most importantly, USING him! It is in the worst moments of our lives that He gives us the greatest revelations, the best words.

 OBS.: Meaning of the name Ezequiel: ''God strengthens''.

 Prophet has no history, he has TESTIMONY.*

 Let's understand some orders given to Ezekiel by God:

 1. ''Moan in silence'' - God was proving his obedience and at the same time saying: ''Stay firm, endure, for I am sustaining you.''

 

2. ' ' Do not mourn for the dead ' ' - God wanted him not to regret the past.

3. ''Strap your turban'' - Turban talks about public demonstration of his mood. The turban is a cloth 45 meters long, widely used in the Middle East by Muslims. Its innumerable ways of tying represent a kind of popular language; it can indicate a social position, a tribe to which the person belongs or even their mood. God wanted Ezequiel to keep a low profile in front of people and not expose his feelings; that is, he would guard his heart.

 

4. ''Put your sandals on your feet'' - Sandals talk about wearing the gospel of peace. The prophet should continue his spiritual walk.

 

5. ''Don't cover your mustaches'' - Mustache speaks of social importance. Ezekiel was a prophet and God wanted him to be respected by the people. Historically, the mustache is a facial feature that tends to identify different cultures. Its use demonstrated, in the 19th and 20th centuries, socio-economic ostentation and had obligatory use among men of great importance in those times.

 

6. ''Do not eat the bread they send you'' - Bread is spiritual food. And God orders Ezekiel not to eat the “bread” offered by the people, which was the result of inquiry and indignation.

 

Vers 19 ' ' Then the people said to me: Will you not make us know what these things mean that you are doing?

          20 And I said to them, The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

          21 Say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the glory of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and the desire of your souls; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.

         22 And ye shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your whiskers, nor shall you eat the bread they command you.

         23 And your turbans shall be on your heads, and your shoes on your feet; ye shall not wail nor weep, but pine away in your iniquities, and groan with one another.

         24 Thus shall Ezekiel be a sign unto you; according to all that he did, will you do; when this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.”

 

The public mourning procedure was common at that time, so they asked him, they considered his attitude to be impious, but Ezequiel explained that his wife represented the Temple, “the delight of their eyes”, which would be profaned, that is, destroyed by the Chaldeans , and their relatives would also be killed. And just as he did not publicly weep for his wife, neither should they publicly mourn the destruction of the Temple. Rather, they should weep for their sins. We often go through afflictions, difficulties, whatever the area, with the purpose of serving as living testimonies before God and men, of being tested in our character and love for Him, of learning to obey Him. God's omniscience is unreachable. The Bible says, in Isaiah 55:9, that ''His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours.'' When God gives us direction, we should instantly obey it. The prophet clearly demonstrated this attitude. He had to let go of all the pain he felt without worrying about what people would think or say about his situation. Many people, at certain times, will ask you why you didn't react in such a way, why you didn't say this, why didn't you say that, why did God allow you to go through that?, Why you, who are so faithful to God , lost his wife so? But, maintain your posture of obedience to God's order, because it will yield you, in the future, very rewarding fruits!

 

*Time is the best conflict solver.*

 

Verse 25 ''Son of man, shall it not happen that on the day I take away their pride, their joy, their glory, the delight of their eyes and the desire of their soul, and their children and their daughters,

          26 on that day, will anyone who escapes come to you to tell you the news in person?

         27 In that day your mouth will be opened to him who escapes; you will speak and you will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”

 

If God tells you to shut up at certain times, shut up. There are always specific situations that He will use you to help someone with the same problem, with the same pain, to confront or prophesy about that person's life. As with Ezekiel, we will be the SIGN of God's omniscience, omnipotence and faithfulness. At the right time He will command you to open your mouth!

SOURCE: https://karenborba.webnode.com.br/news/quando-deus-nos-tira-a-delicia-dos-nossos-olhos/