The fundamental truth is what Ted Turner said

In the beginning there was Adam and Eve.

After the flood there was Noah and his wife.

In the beginning of the nation of Israel, there was Abraham and Sarah.

In the beginning of the new Israel – the birth of the Lord Jesus – there was Mary and Joseph.

Do you notice the manner that God starts things, and lays the foundation of a project?

Marriage.

From the beginning marriage has been the foundation on which God builds His major projects.

One reason is that marriage is a prototype of the relationship between people and God. It is like a flight simulator for pilots, where they test their skills and learn to deal with every situation they will encounter in actual flight.

In marriage, our Christianity is tested more than in any other area. Turning the other cheek. Doing for others what we want others to do for us. Sacrificing. Forgiving in order to be forgiven. Refusing to judge so that we will not be judged. Loyalty. Fairness. Giving to receive. Denying your own will... In other words, all the principles of Christian faith should first be practiced in marriage. If we succeed in our relationship with the person closest to us, then we will succeed in our relationship with God.

Nobody knows a husband better than his wife, and vice versa. Nobody can testify of his character and faith better than her. This is why every great project conceived by God began with a couple. In spiritual terms, He also chose for men of God to be tested in their marriages:

"For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?” 1 Timothy 3.5

God made a successful marriage a prerequisite for leadership of a church. (How many religious leaders would pass this test?)

In your life it is no different. If you're searching for the solid foundation to permanent success, you should start investing in your marriage. If you are single, be careful with your choice. If you are married, prioritize your marriage.

According to research, happily married people have greater benefits. Here are a few:

- They live longer because they are more stable and their partners help them take care of their health;

- They have more peace because they are not plagued with loneliness, betrayal, or old relationship ties;

- They are more prosperous because they are partners when it comes to money;

- They avoid immoral and reckless behavior to avoid hurting their partners;

- Their children are more stable with stronger marriages, because of their parents’ example.

The American billionaire Ted Turner, founder of CNN and the second largest private landowner in the U.S., when asked asked if he had any regrets in life, said:

"I regret that I wasn’t more successful with my marriages, but it is what it is."

Turner (pictured above with his third ex-wife, Jane Fonda) has been married three times, and today, at 74, has four girlfriends. He says, "It is much simpler having a wife."

If you failed in marriage like Ted Turner, God is a God of new beginnings. He has a plan for you. You just need to be prepared to start again – but this time, God’s way, not yours.

What you may NOT have thought about Christmas

Supposedly, the spirit of Christmas is one of joy, unity, family, love, giving and receiving gifts, and peace. But in reality, VERY FEW people experience those things.

Sadly, most people either do not have a family or are not getting along with family very well. Many are struggling financially even to keep up with their bills, let alone buy everyone they love a gift!

As a result, a lot of people are NOT so happy and peaceful this time of the year. So what’s Christmas like for them?

A disaster! A really depressing time!

Many take to drinking and drugs, others feel really lonely and depressed, and some even commit suicide. Now I ask you:

Is that what Jesus meant to promote?

What many people don’t know is that Christmas has very little to do with the spirit of Christ. Jesus never asked us to celebrate His birthday, but He did tell us to celebrate His DEATH regularly. Why? Because the heart of Christ’s message is the cross, not the manger!

It’s more important to have Jesus be born in YOUR HEART than simply knowing the historical fact that He was born 2,000 years ago.

Don’t get caught up in the emotionalism and commercialism of this season. That’s not Christ-like. Don’t put yourself under pressure to get everybody a gift or put up a Christmas tree. And don’t feel left out if you didn’t get gifts.

Instead, focus on the real reason the Lord Jesus came to this world and what it means TO YOU.

I guarantee you’ll have a much happier, more productive time.

Halitosis

The Lord Jesus did not come for hypocrites. He came for people who are lost in sin and are crying out on the inside – people who want to serve God and cleanse themselves. Once they are cleansed, they will give good offerings. God wants to be worshipped by people that give fragrant offerings to Him.

Have you ever spoken to someone with bad breath? How did you react? I try to get away because the smell is so bad, as if something were rotting. I don’t tell the person, but I step backwards because I can’t stand the smell. I can’t stand people with bad breath or to have it myself.

The same goes for the offerings we present to God, because our lives are an offering. The Lord Jesus was an offering to God and we should follow His example and be offerings too.

This is what happened to Noah.

Noah was so grateful that he and his family had been saved that soon after leaving the Ark, he built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed “clean” animals on it. When he made that offering the Lord smelled the aroma of his sacrifice and immediately said: “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake..." Genesis 8.21, and then blessed Noah and his sons, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." Genesis 9.1

God made a covenant with Noah because he had expressed deep gratitude through his sacrifice.

Have you ever asked yourself what kind of offering you are to God?

Abel’s offering pleased God and justified him before the Almighty.

Noah sacrificed “clean” animals because “unclean” animals would have given off a foul smell.

Jesus was an Offering to God on Calvary, and God the Father smelled that perfume.

But what about you? And me? How do our offerings smell? Do we emit the fragrance of the Lord Jesus or the smell of halitosis?

Many people ask me what my secret is.

Do you know what it is? …or at least one of them?

I spend my time saving souls. I live to save souls, to serve my God. I believe that while we are on Earth, we have a great opportunity to save as many souls as we can, and I will not waste the time I have been given. While I'm here, I want to do my best to glorify my Lord and foster the salvation of souls. While I'm here, I want to give my best so that my life is a pleasing aroma to God.

God saved us so that we could save others. Those of you who have no church title, but are born of God, should consider your primary mission in life to be saving souls. This can be done through offerings, evangelism, visiting the sick, the imprisoned, the orphaned… whatever. When we are born of the Spirit, we live to do the same for others. This is a good offering.

We are not happy to see a pastor, assistant or member fall away. Instead, we are revolted! In fact, I want to make a special invitation to former pastors.

I don’t know what you did wrong, and I am not referring only to former pastor of the Universal Church, but to former pastors, assistants, and members of any church, no matter which it is. We want to help you.

Though you left the true Vine, the Lord Jesus wants you back. It doesn’t matter what church or ministry you belonged to. We will help to restore your spiritual health, so that you can be a fragrant smell, a good offering, and once again emit the frangrance of Jesus, so that God is glorified through your life.

If you used to be a clean offering to God, but now emit a foul odor, attend the nearest UCKG and get help this Sunday at 6pm.

Destroying the altar of baal

Judges 7.1-4
Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains. So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey.

After 40 years of peace (‘So the land had rest for forty years.’ Judges 5.32) the people went back to doing what was evil in God’s eyes and because of this the Lord delivered them in the hands of the Midianites.

It was not, it is not, and it will never be God’s will for His people to be oppressed by the Midianites (demons). They were oppressed because they CHOSE to do what was evil.

When they were living in sin they knew they could not count on God. So, what did they do? They applied their ‘strength’ to building caves and hiding from their enemies (problems) instead of fighting against them. This is exactly what sin does to us. It makes us come up with excuses for our failures (blaming others, blaming the economy, blaming our lack of opportunity, etc.).

Isn’t this what happened to Adam and Eve as well? They hid from God because they were AFRAID (Genesis 3.10).

How many don’t have the faith to sacrifice to God because they are of the opinion that they will not be answered anyway? They think this way because they know there is a Baal inside their houses (heart). Their consciences accuse them, just as they did the Israelites throughout those seven years. At the end of the day, they knew they had abandoned the Lord.

It’s interesting to note that the Midianites did not kill the Israelites. They would come and take everything the people of God had worked for. They did it for 7 years. They didn’t kill them because the Israelites were working for them. In the same way, the devil does not always want to kill us immediately, because he also came to steal and to destroy.

So, what did God do? He found a man who refused to hide, and who was revolted and ready to do whatever God asked him to do. Gideon was actually thinking about God and His wonders when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him.

What did God do? FIRST he was told to tear down the altar of Baal and cut down the wooden image beside it. This gave him strength to sacrifice the second bull on GOD’S ALTAR (the one he built).

In the exact same way, when a person decides to let go of sin and abandoning it once and for all, he IS FILLED WITH STRENGTH AND ASSURANCE that God is with him, because the accusations of the devil are no longer there. This gives him strength to do WHATEVER God asks of him. THERE’S NOTHING BETTER IN THIS WORLD THAN A CLEAN CONSCIENCE.

There are people who can make a physical sacrifice, but not a spiritual one. They may even be healed, or get a great job and achieve some other blessing, but they will never have PEACE and the ASSURANCE OF THEIR SALVATION that God gives. And that’s NOT what we want! We want a strong church that’s free of demons, blessed, prosperous, made up of fighters, converted and above all, BORN OF GOD.

We invite you to destroy the altars of Baal inside of you (grudges, hatred, hidden sins, doubt, evil thoughts, envy, jealousy… and any other thing that brings doubt).

This will give you the boldness to present your sacrifices on the altar of God next Sunday December 16, 2012.

10 Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’” Judges 6.10

What about you? Are you going to obey the voice of God or not?

The power of choice

The power of choice is mine, and the consequences cannot be shifted to anyone else.

It's not fair to knowingly make bad choices and blame the consequences others.

God gave us the power to choose good or evil, to obey or disobey.

Nobody’s perfect, but the obedient strive for perfection. The Spirit of God wants for these types of people to serve Him.

Integrity and righteousness, the fear of God and fleeing from sin are virtues that are a part of the character of those who spread the fragrance of the Lord Jesus.

1. Integrity and honesty: The way you react to others. Treating others the way you want to be treated, and wanting others to have what you want for yourself. Matthew 19.19

2. Fear of God: Faithfulness to God. Malachi 3.8

3. Fleeing from evil: Running away from every form of sin or injustice. Job 1.1

What’s the point of doing the Work of God when we have bad character? Bad character is like bad breath to God. It’s unbearable.

If the Work of God means destroying the works of the devil, how can we destroy the works of the devil when we’re living together with him?

It is better to be or to spread the fragrance of the Lord Jesus Christ than to be a maker of perfume.

A cry from Heaven

"I have loved you, says the Lord ..." Malachi 1.2

The love of God is a fact. And yet, we should never assume that His love tolerates sin. God is Righteous, Perfect and Pure. He forgives the wrongdoing of repentant sinners and is slow to anger, but will not allow the guilty to go unpunished. His Righteousness, Holiness and Purity do not allow His love to be mixed with unrighteousness, wrongdoing and the wickedness of humanity.

Meditate on these passages:

"The Lord is slow to anger and rich in faithful love, forgiving wrongdoing and rebellion. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished..." Numbers 14.18 (HCSB)

"The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished..." Nahum 1.3 (HBSC)

Many Christians obsess on the Love of God in an unthinking manner. As a result their faith is devoid of the Fear of God. They defile themselves with every type of immorality, idolatry, lie and deceit. They are yoked to the world. Their sins are so blatant that they no longer understand the Word of God. They have eyes but do not see, and ears but cannot hear. They are lost at the bottom of a pit, but continue to act as if they were Christian. They rush to do evil, and even convince others to join in their misguided ways.

The moral and spiritual climate in the time of Malachi is no different than today. Christians are estranged from the Covenant made on Calvary.

In those days the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel sent Malachi the prophet with a judgment, a verdict against Israel not unlike the stern verdict of Jeremiah to the false prophets and corrupt priests of his day. In those days the Lord said, “I… will cast you out of My presence. And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten." Jeremiah 23.39-40

The question we should ask ourselves is: Can the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, be pleased with the spiritual state of His people today… the New Israel, the Church?

Could a stern verdict have been pronounced against modern day "Christians" who take their faith lightly and only bother to be spirit while they are physically inside their churches?

Rock bottom and still wearing high heels

If Jesus gave this assurance: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover,” (Mark 16.17-18) why are some people in church, including the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, unable to break free, change their lives or solve their problems? Is the authority of God a farce? Is it real?

Of course it is! Proof of this is other people who give testimonies of their victories and conquests. We have authority over every kind of demon, but what we do not have is authority to remove pride from people’s hearts, which allows the devil to work in the lives of destroyed people.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people let go of anything and everything – properties, health, relationships, a family’s love, peace, etc. – but not arrogance and pride. This is clear in the story of ex-psychic Lucia Culanda:

"I suffered a lot, and it took me a long time to overcome because I HAD HIT ROCK BOTTOM BUT WAS STILL WEARING HIGH HEELS. Though I was sinking and going downhill fast, I refused to let go of my ego and arrogance. I would not step down from my pedestal.”

If you are experiencing pain and suffering and want our help, let go of your pride. As long as it remains we cannot help you. We do not have the authority to drive our your pride.

Here is a piece of advice from the Almighty: "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility." Proverbs 15.33

God bless you greatly!

Bishop Guaracy Santos

Whether you like it or not

Some time ago I was speaking to the parents of a young man who were fed up and did not know what to do about their son. He refused to obey anyone. He said he was free to act whatever way he wanted and would not allow anyone to tell him what to do.

When they came to the UCKG, I prayed for the young man and he manifested a demon. The spirit said: "I don’t let him obey anyone. He’s proud of that, but he doesn’t know that he has to obey me."

People make a big mistake when they equate freedom with not having to submit to anyone or anything. We will always have to submit to someone or something, and it’s up to us to decide who or what – who we are going to OBEY!

You can obey an evil spirit like that young man…

You can obey your own fleshly urges…

You can obey other people’s advice about your life…

Or you can obey God, like Gideon.

"So Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as the Lord had said to him ..." Judges 6.27

Bishop Marcus Vinicius  

What are you tired of?

In this world of evil, all of us are tired.

The question is: What are you tired of what? Fighting? Suffering?

There’s a huge difference between these two people.

When those who are tired of suffering are attacked by fear, they may even have crawled into a cave at some point in their lives, but when they have had enough of suffering, they take a stand, face and overcome their fears to turn the tables on defeat and shame.

They do what Gideon did, who was called by God to change his life and the lives of the entire nation because of his attitude.

"Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son GIDEON THRESHED WHEAT IN THE WINEPRESS, in order to hide it from the Midianites." Judges 6.11

Elijah had experienced God’s deliverance in great ways, but got frightened by a letter and irritated by the unbelief and ingratitude of the people of Israel and got "tired of fighting". He asked God for his own death and crawled inside a cave. He was overcome by fear and had to be replaced by Elisha.

God even had to choose someone else to replace him, saying:

"Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshias king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place." I Kings 19.16

Tell me, what are you tired of? Suffering or fighting?

Your answer to this question will determine where you are going: Out of the cave or into one.

May God greatly bless you!

Bishop Guaracy Santos

Righteous offerings

 

God is looking for righteous offerings from His servants.

A prophecy:

"He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness."  Malachi 3.3 announces the coming of Jesus as Lord and Savior. He would refine the children of Levi like gold and silver.

Levi was the tribe of Israel chosen to serve Almighty God as priests. They would perform the special duties of the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple.

At first Levi and his sons felt honored to dedicate themselves to the Lord. They did it with holiness and fear. Only they could carry the Ark of the Covenant, assemble and disassemble the Tabernacle, making sacrifices and present the people’s offerings to God, in addition to other duties.

But over time, his children grew cold in their faith and did what was evil. They no longer served God.

Their lack of fear caused them to look at offerings as a weariness. They showed disrespect for the Lord of Hosts by giving Him unclean offerings… stolen, lame and sick animals. Malachi 1.13

Jesus came as a refiner's fire to purify the unclean hearts of the sincere, and refine them like gold. But this can only be performed on the sincere because all others, hypocrites and so forth, would be burned up by His fire.

The blood of Jesus continues to wash and justify a sincere sinner, and the fire of His Spirit keeps him pure so that he brings righteous offerings to the Lord.

The true worshiper

EVERYTHING is possible for  those who believe. But this belief requires that one abide by certain rules to make EVERYTHING possible.

God the Son came into the world to remove sins and serve as Intercessor before God the Father. But only for those who obey Him.

Therefore, Jesus is the Gift of God the Father to save the believer and is The Offering of the believer to enter the presence of God the Father. Ephesians 2:18

Jesus is the Torn Veil that enables the access of His servants to the Holy of Holies. Hebrews 10:20

Three times the Lord said:

None shall appear before Me empty-handed. Exodus 23:15; 34.20; Deuteronomy 16:16.

This means that it is impossible to enter the presence of God the Father without the offering.

Every offering made to God the Father has to symbolize Jesus.

If the offering comes from a pure heart, it represents Jesus and the offering giver is accepted before God the Father.

If the offering comes from an impure heart, the offering giver is not accepted before God the Father.

In other words, the Christian life depends on the offering.

My Father seeks true worshipers, said Jesus. That is, My Father seeks offering givers.

It's not about money, belongings or possessions. But something that proves sincere dedication of the heart.

Worshipers who worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Christians who use their intellect (spirit, intelligent faith) and in true, that is, through Jesus (The Truth).

True worshipers are true offering givers.

Fake worshipers are fake offering givers.

“No servant can serve (offer up, surrender to) two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve (offer up, surrender to)  God and mammon.” Luke 16.13

This is why many "Christians" are losers. Their offerings have not symbolized the Lord Jesus.

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." John 4:23

In other words, Jesus is The Way, The Living Offering, Clean and Perfect for access to the presence of God the Father.

When you realize you have to change

Over the course of our lives, we go through many experiences that shape us — or at least they try to. If we are blind and deaf to what each experience teaches us, then our character cannot be shaped. And that’s the problem many of us carry inside. Our human heart is just so full of itself, so convinced that it knows better, that it can never be wrong, that we often miss the learning point in an experience.

When it hits us — the rude awakening of being shown we ARE wrong — we can react in one of two ways.

1. We can wake up and humbly learn our lesson, or
2. we can stubbornly dig our heels in and maintain our pride.

The first means we learn and grow; the second means we have become too proud to be taught something new.

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind,” said the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4.23. Few, but deep words.

Our mind needs renewal. It does because it gets old. As the years go by, if we don’t keep refreshing the spirit of our mind, we start getting really old spiritually and mentally. Old ideas, old ways, resistance to change. We stop growing. We get left behind. Younger (and fresher) minds begin to pass us by. And we become a boring, bitter, resentful caricature of our old self. And then we blame the world for having changed.

“Change is difficult but often essential to survival.” – Les Brown

So next time your current views or beliefs are challenged by different, better ones, don’t be proud. Go ahead and change yourself.

It’s for your own good.

Making time

We all complain about the lack of time to do this or that. But whenever I want to do something that really matters, and all I hear in my mind is, “I don’t have time for this”, I ask myself:

“What would happen to my schedule in the next few days if something really tragic happened in my life, like the death of a loved one, or a horrible disease, or an ugly accident?”

Any such thing would ruin anybody’s schedule for days, if not weeks. Suddenly, everything would have to wait. Time you didn’t think you had will appear out of nothing, so you can dedicate your full attention to that new crisis.

The next question then is, Why would I need a tragedy to prove to me that I can make the time if I want to? Why not take control of my time right now?

We have all the time we want, to do anything we want. And no, I don’t need any proof, thank you. Do you?

If I had the time

This is one of our favorite excuses. “If I had the time,” I would do this or that.

You say you have so “little time,” but have you noticed how you still find the time to eat, sleep and drink every day? Do you know why? Clearly because if you don’t do these things your body will eventually get sick and die. In other words, they are vital.

Therefore, you will only find the time to do something according to how important it is to you.

If your marriage was of such importance, you would find the time to invest in it, make the necessary changes and repairs to make it better.

If your health and family were more important to you than the fake sense of pleasure from smoking, drinking, or any other addiction, you would find the time and strength to go to the doctor, go through a treatment, exercise everyday and stop everything that harms your body and mind.

So the problem is not time, it’s the level of importance that you give to what you have to do.

What is your faith?

I have always heard that the same faith that heals your body, saves your soul. But that’s not true.

Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned. He healed the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda and later found him in the temple and said to him: “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5.14  In other words, if he had gone back to his sinful ways something worse would have happened. The faith that had healed him did not guarantee the salvation of his soul.

The fact is, the same faith that makes divine healing, prosperity and other material blessings possible does not guarantee salvation.

"Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7.22,23

Many have used faith to prophesy, to cast out demons and perform miracles. Faith in success. However, they did not have faith to obey the Word. Instead, they practiced lawlessness by following fleshly urges.

Why have so many experienced the wonders of faith and then lost their way?

Because miracles of faith require mere belief in the Promises, not obedience to them.

But the miracle of eternal salvation demands obedience.

Obedience to the Word of God.

Repentance is obedience; obedience is repentance. This is the faith that leads to the new birth or to a personal experience with God.

The Holy Spirit convinces a sinner to turn away from sin and obey His Word. Sooner or later this renewed person will be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and become a completely new creation.

HE inspires obedience.

HE inspires forgiveness.

HE inspires repentance.

HE gives the faith both to repent and obey.

In the end, HE leads a sinner to His Son Jesus Christ.

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." John 6.37

Finally, the Lord Jesus says:

"But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" Luke 6.46

"You are My friends if you do what I command you." John 15.14

Jesus became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5.9

Does the faith that saves people neutralize the faith that heals and performs miracles?

No, not at all.

"...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (faith in salvation and obedience to the Word), and all these things (faith for miracles) shall be added to you." Matthew 6.33

The human-being next to you

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, some of the most basic rights include: freedom of expression and the right to think.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. (Article 19)

Why then, in the midst of so many human needs, did the need to guarantee the right for people to think, have an opinion and express themselves come about?

Because one of the most humiliating things, which makes us feel small, is when our opinion doesn’t count. When nobody wants to know what you think. When the right to speak is denied.

This is deplorable in any situation of society. But one of the worst circumstances where this can happen is in a romantic relationship.

When a husband or wife, fiance, girlfriend/boyfriend, doesn’t allow their partner to express their opinion, they don’t try to understand their point of view even for a minute, even if the other disagrees, the feeling of being shunned psychologically and emotionally by their partner has catastrophic consequences.

The human being by your side, your partner, also has rights, just like you. In an argument you could even be in the right but don’t deny them the basic right to have an opinion, even if it’s different from yours.

Let them speak. Consider that perhaps, who knows, your opinion isn’t the only right one. There is another side to the story. Disagree if you need to disagree. But don’t morally abuse the other person denying them the right to think, have an opinion and express it without being attacked.

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Voltaire

One of the biggest signs of great intelligence is the ability to appreciate different points of view without having to necessarily change your own.

When money speaks louder than God

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets Who make my people stray; Who chant “Peace” While they chew with their teeth, But who prepare war against him Who puts nothing into their mouths: (Micah 3:5)

From the time of Micah, these “prophets” only had one interest: money. That’s why their messages were preached in tune with the listener’s pocketbook. The rich would hear a message of peace because it pleased them, and in return they would give money to the prophets. While the poor, who had nothing to give, were threatened to be cursed by those demons dressed as angels.

Such prophets are present in all religions, in all places, including evangelical churches. False prophets who, for a couple of silver coins, are willing to talk about anything, to preach whatever pleases the ears of those who have the means and those who write checks.

My consolation and need for justice rests on the following words:

“Therefore you shall have night without vision, And you shall have darkness without divination; The sun shall go down on the prophets, And the day shall be dark for them.”
(v. 6)

Please hurry Lord.

Afraid? Me? Of what?

Why are some people "afraid" to admit they are "afraid"?
Only those who have not been born yet or are already dead are not "afraid"!

Take a look at what the Bible says:
“So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed..." Genesis 32.7

The heroes of faith were only heroes because they overcame their fears, but they were all afraid.

This is what happened with Gideon. If he was not afraid, where was he during the seven years that the Midianites, Amalekites and the people of the East dominated Israel? He was also hiding inside the caves, like the rest of the nation of Israel, helpless before their threats. Gideon was not born the same day that he was called. He was there from the beginning, when the enemy began taking control, but, like everyone else, he was also imprisoned by fear.

I'm sure many are wondering: So, why did God chose him and use him to deliver his people? Because he overcame his fears and understood that as long as he was a slave to his fears, he would also be a slave to his enemies. This understanding made it easier for him to get over his fears. But keep in mind that, even though he was afraid, he was also revolted!

Those who revolt against unrighteousness and the shame that is overpowering their lives will have to face and overcome their fears before facing and overcoming their enemies!

Overcome your fears and you will make all the difference! In the hands of God, you will also be a strong ally in making a change in your life and the lives of those around you!

Bishop Guaracy Santos

Purgatory

People carelessly conceive children without the slight notion of their soul’s final destination. Earth is a Place of Decision between eternal life and eternal death. Here, people decide to follow the path of righteousness or unrighteousness, sin or godliness.

The chances of reaching the Place of Righteousness are minimal.

"...Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it," Matthew 7.14.

Of every 100 people that hear the Word of God, only 25 are obedient, justified and saved. Therefore, just imagine the number of disobedient, plus those who never listen at all.

While on Earth, the righteous and unrighteous must put up with each other. They will only be separated after both have died. Each one will go their way.

The Righteousness of the Righteous Judge cries out for the souls of the righteous, and His angels are sent to bring them to the Place of Righteousness (heaven).

"So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom..." Luke 16.22

But there are no angels when the wicked die. Their soul goes straight into the depths of unrighteousness, hell. There is no waiting room, purgatory or anything of the sorts. Jesus does not mention an intermediate place.

"... The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades..."  Luke 16.22

While on Earth, the unrighteous enjoy a life of wickedness, satisfying the desires of the heart, benefiting from betrayals, lies, deceit, prostitution, hate, grudges, thefts, that is, all sorts of unrighteousness that goes against God's Law.

Through Paul, the Holy Spirit says: "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God," Galatians 5.19-21

Upon the death of the wicked or sinful, the cry of unrighteousness (hell) claims their souls. And the Righteous Judge cannot do anything about it.

Purgatory is here on Earth. Those who want to have their souls purified of sins must surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His Word. In order for faith to justify a sinner, he is required to practice the Word of God.

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it." Mark 8:35

I know what I have to do

 

“I know what I have to do.” But you don’t do it. That’s where your problem is. Many people suffer due to ignorance, for not knowing what to do. But I believe that there are more people that suffer for not doing what they know.
It was for these people that the Lord Jesus said the following:
“Repent and do the first works.” Rev. 2:5
In other words, you’re used to doing what is right. You know what worked, because you did it for a long time. You reaped good fruits. But for some reason, you stopped. The results were catastrophic.
You know what you have to do, but in between you knowing and doing you know certain barriers exist:

• Pride
• Embarrassment
• Timidness
• Grudges
• Laziness
• Distractions
• Being complacent with your current situation
• Doubts
• Fear of failure and not being able to be who you were
• Indecision
• Procrastination

It seems that you’re so far from your first works that you won’t be able to rescue them. But the truth is that you’re really close, as close as the living room beside you. In order to go into the living room, all you have to do is go through the door. For you to return to your first works, you just have to make a decision to start now. Is it difficult to make this decision? Absolutely not. The difficult thing, probably what you’re thinking, is how to keep up with that decision…
Don’t worry. Don’t be anxious about what will happen later on today, tomorrow or after that. Worry only about right now. Take a decision to do what you know you need to do right now. Just do it. And afterwards, later on, continue doing it. When you feel discouraged or hit any barriers, remember, re-decide to continue your first works. This constant decision to do what is right is the door that leads to success.
It’s that simple. We are the ones who create difficulties.
Think right now about those things that you know you need to do but haven’t done, and make a decision to do them now—at least one thing. It doesn’t matter how small the first step is. Start now, as soon as you finish reading this blog.
Don’t tell me what you know. Tell me what you’ll do.
 

Steve Jobs’ yacht

 

Before he died, Steve Jobs had been working for five years on the design of a yacht for his personal use. The yacht finally took to the water on Sunday, one year after the death of Apple’s genius. The cost was not disclosed but is estimated at tens of millions of dollars. At the inauguration, the yacht was named “Venus”, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity and victory. Irony, or what?

I have nothing against those who become rich as a result of their hard work. Jobs worked, created, invented, inspired and enriched deservedly. Unfortunately, he did not live to enjoy the yacht he designed, among other things. He lost his battle against pancreatic cancer at the age of 56, and his entire fortune was not able to overcome death.

It was because of people like him that Jesus told this story:
The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: “What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.” Then he said, “Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, “Lucky man! You’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!” But God said to him, “Fool! Tonight you die. And your barn full of goods — who gets it?” That’s what happens when you lay up treasure for yourself, and are not rich toward God.”

This story is not a condemnation of the rich, but a warning to anyone who is rich and does not recognize the true wealth. God calls them “fools”. They know the value of a yacht, an airplane, a car, a company, a watch, a jewel, etc., but they do not know the value of life and of eternal life for that matter.

Whatever your bank balance may be, are you ready to die tonight? How is your balance in God’s account?

The Investor and the Adventurer

The investor is not afraid of sowing because he is certain of what he will reap. He does not consider the risks because he believes that "he who observes the wind will not sow and he who regards the clouds will not reap...," Ecclesiastes 11.4. This is the faith of the investor. His faith, his spirit.

Contrary to the investor, the adventurer is a gambler, who likes to push his luck. He trusts in the power of luck and doubts that it can fail.

Both of them have one thing in common: they are not afraid to go after what they want. The only difference lies in having assurance.

The investor does not have a problem with insecurities, because the foundation of his actions is established over the Word of the Creator.

As an adventurer, the gambler depends on his intuition. Because his mentality is set on riches, his dreams are moved by fantasy-filled emotions. He thinks that his day will come, he was born to be rich and sooner or later his luck will change. He lives by how he thinks his life should be. His dreams are based on what "he thinks", inspired by his heart.

The investor is different; he thinks differently, acts differently and has another Spirit. He absorbs the thoughts of the Almighty and applies them with absolute assurance. This assurance flows from the Throne of the Almighty.

This is called supernatural faith or the power of God that flows from his interior in the form of conviction.

Those who want to find out if they are an investor or an adventurer need to evaluate themselves when it comes to investing in the Word of God. When there is the slightest bit of fear or doubt about the outcome, it is because you are not ready to take possession of the Promises.

The investor does not pay attention to the circumstances and does not observe the winds of the market. Instead, inside himself, there is an assurance that the worst circumstances make for the best opportunities.

Inside, he is convicted that regardless of how things may appear, the Word of God is the power of God for those who believe.

Like it is written: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...," Romans 1.16.

Not only is it is the power of God for the salvation of the soul, but also for all other difficult situations.

The investor knows this and goes for it with all his might because he likes challenges. His aggressive character is persistent because of his personal conviction.

He believes that the Greatness of God is not for those who think small.

He knows that God does not need His partner to be physically strong in order to do great things. However, He requires him to think like He does. This is the minimum He requires.

Is it possible for two people to become partners if they are in disagreement?

God is infinitely Great, however, He is looking for people that will embrace His ideas and put them into practice, so that His glory can be manifested in this world.

It does not matter who you are, if you are highly knowledgeable or illiterate, man or woman, deserving or not of God’s attention, godly or ungodly.

God is willing to partner up with you, as long as you forget about your own abilities and depend on Him.

Guarantee of the Spirit

Using an inheritance as a promissory note is common in today’s society. And yet, it was also common in the time of Paul who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, used this custom to help Christians in Ephesus better understand their promised, eternal future.

“… after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the Guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1.13,14

Putting this in plain English we could say:

…after hearing the message of the Good News you believed in the Lord Jesus, were saved and then were given the Holy Spirit as a promise. The Holy Spirit is the Promissory Note of our salvation until the day that His property is Restored to the praise of His glory.

Obviously this text is not referring to bootleg or fleshly Christians, but only to those who are born of the Spirit.

It is glorious to live by the faith and know that sacrificing the will of our flesh for the Lord Jesus has such immediate rewards.

We haven’t seen Jesus, haven’t felt or touched Him, haven’t seen Heaven or the angels, nothing…

All we have is an inner conviction that guarantees our eternal life.

Jesus prophesied about this certainty when He said: “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”John 20.29

Those who are born of the Spirit, as God’s Treasured Possession, have this Guarantee. As long as they are on loan to this world for His work of saving souls, they have the Holy Spirit of Promise that testifies to their spirits that they will be rescued when the Lord Jesus returns.

They exist for His glory.

The mindset of practical faith

“The LORD of Hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand’” Isaiah 14.24

God swore.

It’s hard to understand why God swore.

Did He need to?

Isn’t His Word enough?

Why did He swear?

The Bible states that God swore on various occasions.

He swore to give the Promised Land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Exodus 6.8;

He swore that the rebellious Israelites would not enter the Promised Land, Numbers 14.30;

He swore to the house of Eli that its guilt would never be forgiven, I Samuel 3.14;

He swore to David that his descendants would forever sit on his throne, Psalm 132.11.

Here, the prophet records one more oath.

I believe it to be one more recipe for conquest: Firmness of thought in your objective. Determination and certainty that, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will come to pass.

What I think will come to pass.

I believe He sworn to show us the path of supernatural faith: Positive thoughts, positive words and an inner conviction of success.

In other words, Jesus also taught the formula of practical faith: "But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”Matthew 5.37

When the children of God have this behavior, their character matches that of their Eternal Father.

Faith and religion

Faith and religion do not mix.

They do not mix when you’re dealing with supernatural faith.

Like the heavens are higher than the Earth, so is supernatural faith when compared to religion.

But when it comes to natural faith, faith walks hand-in-hand with religion.

When an atheist ignores faith, in reality, and without realizing it, he’s ignoring supernatural faith.

In his case, it makes sense.

But when it comes to natural faith, everyone has it, even the most sceptical.

It is impossible to live without it; it comes from the cradle.

Who would work when there’s no certainty of being paid?

Who would sow when there’s no certainty of reaping fruit?

Who would study when there’s no certainty of a better future?

This certainty is natural faith, which is built-in to human nature.

Religion considers natural faith an easy sell and takes advantage of it.

This is why thousands of religions exist in the world, millions of gods and billions of religious people.

And the worst part is that no one understands anyone else.

If they belonged to God, they would not cause division or promote prejudice.

In contrast to natural faith, which comes from the cradle, supernatural faith comes from on High.

It is God's gift to the poor in spirit.

It is infinitely superior to natural faith.

It is the single direct channel to God, without middlemen.

Similar to a School of Faith, the UCKG teaches this kind of faith...

That engenders a close relationship between created and Creator, one that does away with middlemen;

That causes the dreams of those who have it to materialize;

That turns the cruel, and the most harmful to society, into good individuals;

That heals the physical and spiritual wounds of those who believe;

That "gives power to the weak, and increases the strength of those who have no might" Isaiah 40.29…

That fosters a life that’s different from unbelievers.

Supernatural faith frees people from religious burdens, half-truths and everything else that stifles our ability to reason and make the best choice.

It delivers from the deceptions of the heart, from empty, self-centered feelings that enslave the human mind.

Finally, supernatural faith restores the image and likeness of the Almighty, since the Spirit of Creation operates through it.

"So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."  Malachi 3.18 (HCSB)