We all go through times of sadness but God is with us to comfort us. Many things can cause sadness but sadness doesn't last forever. God will restore joy.

Even in times of sadness, we can praise God. He gives us strength to carry on when we are sad. God is in control at all times and we can trust him to change the situation. God's joy is more powerful than all the sadness we go through!

Give me back the joy of your salvation

and sustain me

with a spirit ready to obey.

Psalm 51:12

Those who sow with tears,

with songs of joy they will reap. The one who comes out crying

as he sows the seed,

will return with songs of joy,

bringing his sheaves.

Psalms 126:5-6

I'm exhausted from moaning.

From crying so much at night

my bed;

with tears I soak my bed. My eyes are consumed with sadness;

weaken because of everyone

my opponents. get away from me

all you who do evil,

because the Lord heard my cry. The Lord heard my supplication;

the Lord accepted my prayer.

Psalms 6:6-9

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and from him I receive help.

My heart rejoices with joy,

and with my song I will give him thanks.

Psalm 28:7

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

John 14:1

This is my consolation in my suffering:

Your promise gives me life.

Psalms 119:50

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord,

it's over me,

because the Lord anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to care for those who are

with a broken heart,

announce freedom to the captives

and deliverance from darkness to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn and give to all who mourn in Zion

a beautiful crown instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning

and a mantle of praise

instead of depressed spirit.

they will be called

oaks of justice,

planting of the Lord,

for the manifestation of his glory.

Isaiah 61:1-3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land,

and torrents on dry land;

I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring

and my blessing on his descendants.

Isaiah 44:3

In this you rejoice, though now, for a little while, you must be grieved by all kinds of trials. This is to prove that your faith, much more valuable than gold that perishes even if refined by fire, is genuine and will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Even though you haven't seen him, you love him; and though they do not see him now, they believe in him and rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious, because you are obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9

Is there anyone among you who is suffering? Let him pray. Is there anyone who feels happy? Let him sing praises.

James 5:13

In the fight against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your own blood. You have forgotten the word of encouragement that he addresses to you as to his children:

"My son, do not despise

the discipline of the Lord

don't even get hurt

with his rebuke, for the Lord disciplines

whom he loves,

and punishes everyone

whom he accepts as a son." Endure difficulties, receiving them as discipline; God treats you as children. Now, what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined, and discipline is for all children , then you are not legitimate children, but illegitimate.

Hebrews 12:4-8

For his anger lasts but a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

crying can persist one night,

but in the morning joy breaks out.

Psalm 30:5

My soul is consumed with sadness;

strengthen me according to your promise.

Psalm 119:28

The ropes of death encircled me,

the pangs of Sheol have come upon me;

affliction and sadness overcame me. So I called on the name of the Lord:

Deliver me, Lord! The Lord is merciful and just;

our God is compassionate. The Lord protects the simple;

when I was already without strength, he saved me.

Psalms 116:3-6

To share

To send

tweet

Email

Why are you so sad,

oh my soul

why are you so upset

inside of me?

Put your hope in God!

For I will yet praise him;

he is my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43:5

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

 "EXHORTATION TO VIGILANCE"

Jesus said, As it was in the days of

Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son be

of the man. For just as in the days before the flood they were eating, drinking,

married and were given in marriage, until

the day that Noah and his family entered

in the ark, and knew not until he came

the flood, and destroyed them all. Like this

will also be the coming of the Son of man.

Matthew, 24:37-39

We all need to be corrected sometimes and I believe that God prefers to talk to us and correct us himself, rather than using situations or people to do it. Correction is one of the hardest things to receive (especially when it comes through others), but we must be humble and recognize our faults, because only then will we be transformed and walk in obedience to God.

When God shows that something is wrong in his life, don't kick the bucket or leave the boat. Simply agree with Him and repent. Tell God you can't change unless He helps you, and thank Him, because if God shows you something wrong, it's because He wants to make changes for the better.

To tidy up a closet, you have to mess everything up first, don't you? In the same way, God wants to teach you step by step how to put everything in its place. Maybe you would like to be living a happier phase of life, healthier, richer or less lonely, but don't cry about it. Use your faith and start from "zero" if you have to. There is no age to start over, so believe that God is doing a beautiful work in your life and soon you will start to see the results, if you simply obey Him!

SOURCE: PASTOR ANTONIO JUNIOR

We need to be careful with pride. Pride makes us think we are better than other people. The proud do not submit to God because they think their own way is better. But in the end he will find that God's way is perfect and he will be humbled.

Our pride must be in God. It is God who helps us succeed; it is God who gives us talents and wisdom. When we understand that everything comes from God, we will have a balanced view of our successes, without excessive pride.

Man's pride humbles him,

but the humble in spirit obtains honor.

Proverbs 29:23

Pride goes before destruction;

the haughty spirit, before the fall.

Proverbs 16:18

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:12

For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetousness, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, arrogance and foolishness. All these evils come from within and make man impure."

Mark 7:21-23

But he grants us greater grace. Therefore the Scripture says:

"God opposes the proud,

but he grants grace

to the humble".

James 4:6

Likewise, young people, be subject to your elders. Everyone be humble towards one another, because

"God opposes the proud,

but he grants grace

to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

1 Peter 5:5-6

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18:4

Make no mistake. If any of you think he is wise by the standards of this age, he must become "mad" in order for him to become wise.

1 Corinthians 3:18

If I must be proud, let it be in the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11:30

Have the same attitude towards each other. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of lesser standing. Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Romans 12:16

I have great confidence in you, and I am very proud of you. I feel quite encouraged; my joy overflows in all tribulations.

2 Corinthians 7:4

We, however, will not boast beyond the proper limit, but will limit our pride to the sphere of action that God has entrusted to us, which reaches you included.

2 Corinthians 10:13

If anyone considers himself something, being nothing, he deceives himself. Each one examines his own actions, and then he will be able to be proud of himself, without comparing himself with anyone, for each one will have to carry his own load.

Galatians 6:3-5

Thus says the Lord:

"Do not the wise man glory in his wisdom

nor the strong in his strength

nor the rich in his wealth, but whoever boasts, let him boast in this:

to understand and know me,

for I am the Lord

and act with loyalty,

with justice and righteousness on earth,

because it is these things that I like",

declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

"Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre: This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

"In the pride of your heart

you say, 'I am a god;

I sit on the throne of a god

in the heart of the seas'.

But you are a man, not a god,

although he considers himself so wise

how much God.

Ezekiel 28:2

"Speak not so proudly,

nor let such arrogance come out of his mouth,

for the Lord is a wise God;

it is he who judges the acts of men.

1 Samuel 2:3

To fear the Lord is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,

the bad behavior

and perverse speech.

Proverbs 8:13

The end of things is better than

its beginning,

and the patient is better than the proud.

Ecclesiastes 7:8

The arrogance of your heart has you

mistaken,

you who live in the hollows of the rocks

and builds his abode on top of the mountains;

who say to yourself, 'Who can

to tear down?'

Obadiah 1:3

For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of goods - does not come from the Father, but from the world.

1 John 2:16

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree with the sound doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that is according to godliness, he is proud and understands nothing. This one shows an unhealthy interest in controversies and strife over words, which result in envy, quarrels, slander, evil suspicions.

1 Timothy 6:3-4

The vain and arrogant

he is called a mocker;

he acts with extreme pride.

Proverbs 21:24

When pride comes,

misfortune comes,

but wisdom is with the humble.

Proverbs 11:2

Pride only breeds arguments,

but wisdom is

with those who take counsel.

Proverbs 13:10

The Lord of hosts planned it

to bring down all pride and vanity

and humiliate all who are famous in the earth.

Isaiah 23:9

The sinful life of the wicked

you can see it in the proud look

and in the arrogant heart.

Proverbs 21:4

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

 

I know that in practice it is not easy to rejoice in trials, but this is the guideline!

James 1 - NTLH New Translation in Today's Language

1 I, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, send greetings to all God's people throughout the whole world.

2 My brothers, be happy when you experience all kinds of afflictions.

3 For you know that when your faith overcomes these trials, it produces perseverance.

4 May this perseverance be perfect so that you are mature and correct, failing at nothing!

5 But if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, and he will give it, because he is generous and gives kindly to all.

6 But ask in faith and do not doubt at all, for those who doubt are like the waves of the sea, which the wind blows from side to side.

7 Whoever is like that, do not think that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8 for he has no firmness and never knows what he should do.

9 A brother who is poor should be happy when God makes him better off;

10 and who is rich must feel the same when God makes him worse off. For he who is rich will disappear like the flower of the grass of the field.

11 When the sun shines brightly, and its heat burns the plant, then the flower falls, and its beauty is destroyed. Likewise, he who is rich will be destroyed in the midst of his affairs.

12 Happy is he who remains faithful in afflictions! Because, after being approved of these afflictions, he will receive as a prize the life that God promises to those who love him.

13 When someone is tempted, do not say, “This temptation is from God. ” For God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself does not tempt anyone.

14 But people are tempted when they are enticed and deceived by their own evil desires.

15 Then these desires give birth to sin, and sin, when it is ripe, brings forth death.

16 Make no mistake, my dear brothers.

17 Everything good that we receive and everything that is perfect comes from heaven, comes from God, the Creator of the lights of heaven. He does not change or vary his position, which would cause darkness.

18 By his own will he caused us to be born, through the word of truth, in order to occupy the first place among all his creatures.

19 Remember this, my dear brothers: everyone be ready to listen, but slow to speak and get angry.

20 Because human anger does not produce what God approves.

21 Therefore, leave all immoral custom and all bad conduct. Humbly accept the message that God plants in your hearts that can save you.

22 Make no mistake; don't just be hearers of this message, but put it into practice.

23 For he who hears the message and does not put it into practice is like a person who looks in a mirror and sees himself.

24 he Takes a good look, then walks away, and soon forgets what he looks like.

25 The gospel is the perfect law that gives freedom to people. If someone examines this law well and does not forget it, but puts it into practice, God will bless everything that person does.

26 Is anyone thinking they are religious? If he doesn't know how to control his tongue, his religion is worthless, and he is deceiving himself.

27 For God the Father, religion is pure and true: to help orphans and widows in their affliction and not to be stained with the evil things of this world.

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.

 

How to deal with anxiety in difficult times

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

The apostle Peter wrote this letter to Christians throughout the Roman Empire who were suffering persecution from unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. In this passage, Peter shows how they should face the anxiety they are feeling in this situation: they should cast that anxiety on God. By doing so, they would recognize that they are helpless and weak, and that God is able to care for them.

"All your anxiety" is a reference Peter makes to the anguish Christians felt due to hostility and persecution from pagans, such as fear of death, fear of suffering, concern for family and friends, and other similar fears. The word "anxiety" comes from a Greek word meaning part, piece or division, which accurately describes an anxious heart: it is divided, pulled in all directions and in constant distress.

Christians must "cast on him" all these anxieties; that is, they must place all their cares and fears in God's mighty hands, and rest their troubled hearts. This is done, in practice, through prayer and petition, in which we confess our weaknesses to God, tell Him our troubles and needs, plead for His favor and grace, and rest confident that He has heard us. It is implied, though unspoken, that dwelling on these anxieties would be a form of elation and pride.

"Worry is a form of pride because when believers are filled with anxiety, they are convinced that they must solve all the problems of their lives in their own strength. The only god they trust is themselves. When believers cast their concerns about God, express their trust in His mighty hand, acknowledging that He is Lord and Sovereign over all life" (T. Schreiner).

They are encouraged by Peter to do this "because he cares for you", says the apostle. Even if it didn't seem like it, God was taking care of them in the midst of suffering, not necessarily releasing them from pain, but not allowing it to exceed their limits and giving them grace to endure and remain faithful. God was not insensitive to their suffering. God's care for them could also be a reference to what He prepared for them at the coming of Christ, as Peter had already said at the beginning of the letter (1 Peter 1:3-7).

This exhortation of Peter reflects the teaching of many Psalms that encourage the faithful to cast their burdens upon God (Ps 22:10; 37:5; 55:22), as well as the teachings of the Lord Jesus against anxiety (Matthew 6:25 -34).

In this way, Christians are encouraged to trust God and rest in Him in the midst of the most terrible sufferings, confident that Almighty God is caring for them, even if that care is not always noticeable.

SOURCE: AUGUSTUS NICODEMUS LOPES

CHARACTER CHANGE IS THE GREATEST SIGN OF THE NEW BIRTH...

 

In Ephesians 4:22-32 it is written:

"As for the old way of life, you were taught to put off the old man, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the way of thinking and to put on the new man, created to be like God in righteousness and in holiness from the truth. Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak the truth to his neighbor, for we are all members of the same body. "When you are angry, do not sin." the sun goes down, and do not give way to the devil. He who stole, do not steal anymore, but work, doing something useful with your hands, so that you may have something to share with those in need. Let no filthy word come out of your mouths , but only what is useful for building others up, according to their need, that it may give grace to those who hear it. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, indignation, and wrath, clamor, and slander, and all malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

SOURCE: PASTOR ANTÔNIO JUNIOR