Devotional for friends // Devocional para as amigas

Colossians 3:12 I grew up in Brazil, as many might know it. And I used to read the bible and find so many words that I didn’t understand properly. Only many years later, maybe when in contact with different translations and even in another language like English I came to understand better one of those words. It was long-suffering. What in English it seems pretty straight forward to me. Like something that you will endure through suffering. But in Portuguese, the word doesn’t give us any clue. So, I believe many people just know the word but don’t have any clue about the meaning of it.   Long-suffering in the website, thefreedictionary.com says patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties; patient endurance. That may clarify a little bit. What exactly Paul means when in Colossians 3:12 – 14 says 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one anothe...

Joshua 22:10 – 34 Here’s an interesting story. And that tells us so much about us, and our anxieties and insecurities. How many of us had just assumed the worst before having all the facts? How many of us can’t even let the other explain “the beans” before we see if it is worthy or not to get into a fight? On that occasion, the Jews were so afraid of disobeying God that they couldn’t bear the possibility of their brothers (BROTHERS – not estrangers, not foreigners, not enemies, but Brothers) doing so. They arrived there condemning. Their speech is a condemnation, a death threat, before even giving them a chance to defend themselves. Luckily, at some point they allow them to speak. But that doesn’t happen often with us, does it? We sometimes are so focused on the negative because of our own insecurity that we don’t want to hear; or worst, we don’t want to be proved wrong, do we? So there it comes our pride meddling in our affairs and destroying relationshi...

“Remember, when the peacock struts his stuff the shows his backside to half the world”. Herve Wiener   Pride   I was searching on the internet trying to find something positive about pride. I found none. Yet, many people are full of it and boast about being a proud person. Why? I heard so many times: “I have my pride hurt”. I wonder, so what? Did it change you? I truly don’t understand why people are so protective of their own pride like it was a good thing.   In the bible, we find so many verses condemning pride, and yet it seems words in the wind, it seems that doesn’t sink in the heart of the people.   Here it is some verses from the bible: The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), Isaiah 2:12 The LORD Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth. Isaiah 23:9 But he gives u...

Let’s see, we’ve been doing it for quite some weeks now, and it has been very good so far. What is it? Some ladies and I have been reading studying the Psalm and Proverbs of the day. What does it mean? For example, today is July 7th, we read Psalm 7 and Proverbs 7 too. And we talk about them.   Today I realized that not only me but some millions around the globe have got it wrong. What exactly?   Life.   Especially these days when people are out in the street shouting for justice and all, and sometimes we keep saying that “life isn’t fair” or when something bad happens we say, “it is just life”. So, you might be thinking about what specifically I got wrong about life.   Life is fair, plain, and simple. You want to disagree with me and hit me in the face, I know, but hold your horses right there.   I am going to talk about myself and my beliefs. So please, if you disagree with that try at least to respect my opinions. Psa...

Eles Precisam Saber Resgate   Eles só querem saber como é possível viver Só querem aprender pra poder decidir Eles só querem entender Eles só querem sentir a fé que pode existir Que podem descansar, que podem esperar E não desfalecer   Alguém precisa falar, eles precisam saber Que não se vende fé Saber que Deus não é o que se vê na TV E eles precisam ouvir só o que Deus quer dizer Será que ninguém vê que é preciso amar Eles precisam saber   E eles precisam saber o que é a graça de Deus Que aquilo que Deus faz, aquilo que Deus tem Não se pode comprar Eles precisam saber que Deus pode se mover Por aquilo que são, por compaixão E não pelo o que podem dar   Alguém precisa dizer, alguém precisa pregar Que Ele veio pagar, que Ele veio morrer Pra que possam viver Eles precisam de amor, eles precisam ver Que a inocência traz o risco de pagar Pelo...