"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say? Luke 6:46(NLT)

Let us be practical here; a muslin, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist... does not call our Lord Jesus as Lord. Christians or "so called Christians" does.

As we always say: "seating on a garage does not turns one into a car, likewise, seating on a church pews does not turn anybody into a Christian.

Jesus was referring it to those who were following Him. In nowadays, it can be referred to those who attend a church or perhaps they are even a member of the choir, member of a youth ministry or has any activity in the church.

Calling 'Lord, Lord'! does not mean anything if the words of Jesus are not being obeyed.

That is the main reason, some people inside of the same church are blessed, while others may have a stagnant life.

Luke 6:47(NLT)

I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.

I love the way in which Jesus proposes to show the difference between the one who obeys and the one who does not care about His words

The one who obeys: Luke 6:48 (NLT)

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built.

The floodwaters represented here are the trials and troubles that all of us will face in life (like Job). But the difference lays on the foundation. The ones who obeys the Words of Jesus has deep and unshakable base.

They have structure, strength, faith, courage ... No doubts, endures all things, believes all things and wins! They are winners! Job suffered, but in the end, he overcame and became even more blessed.

As for the church goers, Jesus said:

Luke 6:49 (AMP)

But he who merely hears and does not practice doing My words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the torrent burst, and immediately it collapsed and fell, and the breaking and ruin of that house was great.

They merely hear and absolutely does not care about what has been preached. They have their own way of thinking, they just like to hear what is pleasant to them. They do not accept the whole Bible and refuse about offerings and tithes.  

According to Jesus, they have no foundation and when troubles comes they will IMMEDIATELY collapse and fall, and their breaking and ruin will be great!

They are most likely to have a unfruitful, defeated life and still blames Jesus, the church, the pastor or anybody else but themselves.

We conclude that obedience to the WORD of God is optional, however, blessings/victories, are not for everyone.

The Lord makes a clear difference between the two groups: Malachi 3:18(GNT)

Once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not."

Do not think that "serving God" is all about some activities you may have in the church. We serve the Lord when we obey HIS WORDS.

Some people go around thinking that obeying God is just a matter of avoiding the "big sins". But they forget that the word of God strongly rebukes laziness, otiose, being slothful and so on...

John 14:23(AMP)

Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.

Many people say that they Love Jesus...do they? It's between the person and God, but one thing is true; the one who loves, obeys HIS words.

God Bless you.

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

There was a scorpion who was trying to cross a river,  but it could not swim. The scorpion stood there for hours looking for a bridge, a tree branch or anything that it could use to cross the river. But it couldn't  find anything at all. Then it saw a turtle nearby  and the scorpion approached the turtle.

When the turtle saw the scorpion coming with that tail raised and prepared stings, the turtle retreated and hide its neck.

The scorpion said,  "Do not be afraid, Mrs. Turtle. I just like to have a little talk with you.  Can I see your face so we  could talk?" The turtle replied:  "No way!  You are a treacherous creature. If I put my neck out,  you will apply your stinger on me.  And your venom is strong enough to kill an elephant."

 And the scorpion replied: "No,  Mrs. Turtle;  don't get me wrong.  I know that I have a bad reputation, but I need a big favor. I have to cross this river,  but I cannot swim and I know that you swim very well. So if you could do to me this kindness, I would ride on top of your shell, you would cross the river and leave me on the other side. No big deal."

The turtle, which has hundreds of years of life and is not silly, said: "Scorpion, do you think I was born yesterday?  I'm sure if I put my head out, or if I do this favor to you,  you will apply your sting killing me in seconds." The  scorpion said: "Come on!  What idea you are doing of me! I only need a favor.  If I apply the sting, I will be applying this stinger against myself as well.  Because if you die, I will die too. If you drown in the river,  I also drown because I cannot  swim.  So trust me, Mrs. Turtle. I just need this favor. Take me on the other side, please.  I will owe to you for this favor for  the rest of life. Whatever you  need me, You can count on me. Just  make this kind act."

The turtle was thinking  over and over, " It is not logical. If he applied the sting on me, I will die and he dies too  because he cannot swim.  I think it costs nothing to do this favor." The turtle put her head out of its shell and said: " Okay, Mr. Scorpion. Go up there on my back."  And the scorpion, with its tail raised and with that scary stinger, was coming up on the turtle's back and went to the top of its shell.

Slowly, the turtle was walking down the riverbank and the scorpion was on top of it, "Thank you , Mrs. Turtle. Thank you for the favor that you are doing to me."  And the turtle replied:  "You're welcome." they were going down until they found water and began to swim with the Scorpion on its shell. The turtle swam and swam to reach the other shore of the river.

But the Scorpion began to look to the turtle neck and wondered , " I'm so in desire to give a sting. I'm not able to control my tail." And the innocent turtle were swimming , over and over; believing  that it was a favor to the scorpion.

The scorpion then thought: "Just a little more and we will arrive on the river bank. I need to give a sting. I just need to be patient and make sure I will be safe."

Later they arrived on the river bank and suddenly, the turtle gives a painful  cry:  "Oh, what's that?  You stung me and your poison now is inside of me! Why did you do that, Scorpion?  I helped you, I did a favor to you  and now I 'm going to die!"  The scorpion said: "Sorry, Mrs. Turtle,  But this is my nature. That's all I can do."

This story show us how a bad companionship can lead a person into trouble. Although the turtle was a hundred years old and "full of experiences" she was not vigilant enough. On the same way, years of church won't protect anyone if we aren't watchful and prayerful.

The scorpion represents the devil with his smooth words of temptations, but it represents also a treacherous "friend". Just like the scorpion, there are people that just want favors from others and as soon as they get what they want, they may stab (sting) those who aren't useful anymore. They just know how to get, but no reciprocity whatsoever.

King David knew what was to be betrayed by a friend that would even WORSHIP God with him:

Psalm 55:12-14 (NIV)

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, we had intimate talks with each other and worshiped together in the Temple.

Betrayal is without a doubt very painful and the Bible says:

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) 

Be a blessing.

The ant and the grasshopper

On a hot summer day, a happy grasshopper was singing and playing his guitar with all the enthusiasm.

She saw an ant passing by, and the ant was very focused  in its large daily hard work, which consisted of storing food for the winter.

"Good morning Mrs. Ant, come and sing with me, instead of working so hard." Challenged the grasshopper. "Let's have some fun."

"I have to store food for the winter,"  said the ant,  without stopping working,  "and I advise you to do the same."

"Do not worry about the winter it is still far away."  Said the  carefree cicada. "As  you can see, we have no lack of food."

But the ant would not listen to that and continued its toil.

Months passed away and the weather cooled increasingly until all nature around was covered with a thick white blanket of snow. A harsh winter just arrived.

The grasshopper was starving and freezing, and it went to the ant's home and humbly begged for something to eat.

"If you had listened to my advice in the summer time, you  would not be so desperate by now."  Scolded the ant.  "Have you not preferred to sing and play your guitar?  Well,  now you can dance! Have some fun!"

And saying this, the ant shut the door, leaving the cicada reaping what it had sowed.  

The apostle Paul warned the members of the church in Thessalonica by saying:  

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat."

King Solomon, the wisest men, wrote:

Proverbs 6:6-8 (BBE)

"Go to the ant, you hater of work; give thought to her ways and be wise: 

They have no leader, chief, or ruler,

but they store up their food during the summer, getting ready for winter".

Proverbs 6:9 (GNT) How long is the lazy man going to lie around? When is he ever going to get up?

God is eager to prosper HIS children, and HE will bless the WORK of our hands.

Psalm 128:2 (GNT)

Your work will provide for your needs; you will be happy and prosperous.

Be blessed.

What does your faith believes?

There was  two children  skating on a frozen lake.

It was a cold and cloudy afternoon, and the children were playing without worry.

Suddenly, the ice broke and one of the children fell into the water. The other child, seeing that his friend was drowning under the ice, picked up a stone and began to strike with all his strength, managing to break the ice and saving his friend.

When the firefighters arrived and saw what had happened, they asked the boy:

" How did you do this? It is impossible for you to break the ice with this stone, and with such small hands!"

At that moment, an old man approached and said:

" I know how he did it!"

Everyone asked:

" How?"

The elder replied:

" There was no one around to tell him that he would not be able ..."

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

My dear friend, don't let words of discouragements or any circumstances to destroy what your faith and confidence believes.

Hebrews 10:35 (NLT)

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Mark 5: 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 

27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you".

Conclusion: "Your faith will save you from any situation"

Be blessed today.

Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

There was, on a mountain hill, three little trees who dreamed about what they would become when they would get taller and stronger. The first tree, looking at the stars, said:

"I want to be the world's most precious treasure chest, full of treasures;  and for that, I am willing to be cut down."

The second tree looked at the creek and sighed: 

" I want to be a big ship to carry kings and queens."
The third tree looked at the valley and said:

"I want to stay here on the mountain and grow strong and huge, so that people, when they look at me, they will raise their eyes and think about God."

Many years passed, and one day came three lumberjacks and with their chainsaws, they cut down the three trees. All the trees were eager to be transformed into what they had dreamed about. But loggers usually do not hear or understand theirs dreams!
 
The first tree was eventually transformed into a trough for animals, covered in hay. The second was turned into a simple and small fishing boat, carrying people and fish every day. And the third, even though dreaming of staying on top of the mountain, was just cut into high beams and set aside in a barn.
And all the three trees wondered frustrated and very disappointed they said:

"Why Lord? Why do we became like this?
 
But at one evening, full of light and stars, where there were a thousand melodies in the air, a young woman placed her newborn baby in that trough for animals. And suddenly the first tree knew that the greatest treasure in the world was placed over it.

The second tree, years later, just carried a man who fell asleep in the boat, but when the storm almost sank the small boat, the man stood up and rebuked the storm.  And at a glance, the second tree knew it was carrying the King of heavens and earth.

Days later, on Friday, the third tree was startled when her beams were joined together to form a cross and a man was nailed to it. Soon the tree felt horrible and cruel. But on Sunday, the world cheered with joy and the third tree felt that it was a man nailed for the salvation of mankind, and all the people would always remember God and his son Jesus Christ when looking at it.

The trees had their dreams ... At first, the trees got confused, frustrated and sad when they saw that they were turned into something they were not dreaming of. But their accomplishments were a thousand times better and wiser than they had ever imagined.

We have our dreams and our plans sometimes do not coincide with the plans God has for us, and  later, "despite of some adjustments",  we are surprised by HIS grace and mercy .
It is important to understand that everything comes from God, and we can believe and trust Him, for He knows what is best for each one of us .

We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. Proverbs 16:1 (NLT)

The plan of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. Proverbs 16:1  (AMP)

We live by faith and not by sight

Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 1 Kings 18:41  (NKJV)

There had been a drought in the land for three and a half long years, and God told Elijah to tell King Ahab that it was going to rain. But there was no sign of rain. In obedience, Elijah told the King to get prepared because he heard the sound of abundance of rain.

How many times we see very dark clouds on the sky and we think that a strong rain is about to come, but then, the clouds just vanish and no sign of rain?

Elijah just believed in the Word of God without waving in his faith. Although his physical eyes could not see the sign of a rain; he believed in it so much that he even said that he heard a sound of abundance of rain.

King Ahab were a wicked person and he did not fear God; in fact his wife (Jezebel)  was ordaining that all prophets (including Elijah) would be killed.

Please notice that the drought  had lasted for more than three years. We may have trials in life that may last longer than others. What makes the difference is how  we behave during the years of drought.

 
So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. Meanwhile, the famine had become very severe in Samaria.            1 Kings 18:2(NLT)

Things were getting severe on that land, but what we supposed to do while we wait for the answer of our prayers? What to do when things are from bad to worse? What actions to take when the situation is severe?

We should imitate Elijah, by confessing that an abundance of rain is about to come. In another words: that an abundance of blessings is about to come. Be it in our family life, in our health, in finances...

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1  (NLT) 

Elijah had assurance of something he could not see. Literally!

1 Kings 18:42-44 (NKJV) "So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again.

Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you."

Elijah had absolutely no sign of rain, but he confessed  to the king that a strong rain was about to come. Instead of worrying, look sad, stay low in prayers and in actions, blame others, getting mad at God or even thinking about to give up; he kept praying on his knees despite of the negative report of his servant.  For seven times he would send his servant to look toward the sea.

This a good example that we are to persevere in prayer, even when our first prayers aren't answered. Elijah kept in his position of prayer until the answer comes.

But what answer? He said to King Ahab that an abundance of rain would come, and all that they saw were a small cloud so small as a human hand!

Any other person would got mad at God by this point, but not Elijah. Even though the sign were so small, Elijah even sent another message to the King in order for him to get prepared for the rain.

Some people don't give value for the small signs of blessings that comes prior of big blessings. This is a important fact to observe. Elijah could lose the chance of being answered by God if he would complain or let doubt comes in his heart.

And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:45  (NLT)

Just like Elijah, we should get confident about what we see, no matter how small it might be, rather than being angry about what we don't see.

"We live by faith, not by sight". 2 Corinthians 5:7  (NIV)

We will all face moments of great drought in this life, but our position in faith and prayers will result in abundance of blessings.

Be blessed!

PRIDE = FALLING FROM GRACE

Much has been said about grace and some people are misunderstanding the gift of grace thinking that it is their passport for a reckless life.

WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2 (AMP)

Many are the fruits of the flesh, and once we accept Jesus as the king and master of our lives, we are to declare the death of our sinful nature.

In this message, we will discuss about grace and discipline. Those who do not accept to be disciplined are in danger of pride. Some people like to create a list of things that they classify as sinful, and they forget that pride is one of the worst sins.

Actually, pride was the first sin ever. Most people think that the first sin is about Adam and Eve. But it is not. Lucifer committed the first sin, and his sin was pride. Basically, Satan didn't accept God's discipline and he did not accept the way God governs all what God HIMSELF created.

In other words, the devil thought that he could be and do better than God.

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north.” Isaiah 14:12-13 (NKJV)

“You said you would climb to the tops of the clouds and be like the Almighty”. Isaiah 14:14 (GNT)

“But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit”.  

Isaiah 14:15 (NIV)

As we can see, Lucifer, was a kind of angelic being, and because of his pride, he became Satan. Pride is able to transform any devote Christian into a demon possessed person.

Satan fell from Grace from the moment he became proud. And the same happens with us man and women of God. The moment we think we are a better than others, the moment we think that we should not be disciplined, corrected, exhorted, trained and taught; a huge door will be opened in our lives. 

And through this door, Satan and his demons have full access to do whatever they can in order to destroy the life of those who became proud.

Should grace be the absence of discipline?  Not according to the Bible:

“It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects”. Hebrews 12:6 (MSG) 

“You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?” Hebrews 12:7 (AMP)

“Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]”. Hebrews 12:8 (AMP)

"Because the Lord disciplines those he loves." This is a sign of sonship. If we are being disciplined either by God or through someone else, it is a sign that we are loved.

But pride has blinded people, and whenever they are exhorted or trained, a burst of pride invades their hearts and they may become angry, resentful, vengeful and hurt.

“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you”. Proverbs 9:8 (NIV)

The devil has so much hatred in him. Pride leads to such an intense odious feeling. He hates everything that God created.

Have you seem someone full of hatred? Usually they are full of pride and consequently, full of demons as well. 

Unfortunately, we have seen many Christians falling from Grace. From the moment they forget that they are already dead for the fruits of the flesh, and they start to nourish their flesh all over again and subsequently, giving all the rooms the devil needs to destroy them.

A proud person does not accept the truth of the Word of God. They want to manipulate their preachers in order to make them preach only what they like to hear:

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT)

“And shutting their ears to what is true, will be turned away to belief in foolish stories”. 2 Timothy 4:4 (BBE)

One of the most painful situations inside of a Church, is to have pretenders, haters or a proud religious people in the midst of the congregation, who do not want to change their mindset. They may accuse and judge everyone else.

They refuse to understand, that the closer we are with Jesus, less judgmental we become.

Pride, always search the worse in everyone else. Grace always sees the best in everyone else.

Jesus is grace HIMSELF, while Lucifer is all about pride and hatred.

In the same way that merely sitting on a garage doesn't turn anyone into a vehicle, sitting on a church pews won't make anyone a Christian.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6  (NIV)

Prayer:

"My beloved Lord, who am I in order to be so proud? Have mercy on me Lord!

Help me to overcome my pride. I do not want to fall from your grace, and I want your Name to be exalted forever. I open my heart for your presence, and let it be more of you and less of me". Amen.