Devotional for friends // Devocional para as amigas

  The kingdom of God   Where is it? It is here. How? You might ask, I only see disaster, poverty, violence. How can this be the Kingdom of God? Yet, it is. Because it is not made by those people who cause violence or evil. But it is made by those who follow, truly follow Jesus. Jesus said so many times what the Kingdom of heaven is like and what it is made of.   The Kingdom of God is precious, so precious that it is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)   It is made of people who live like Jesus lived. It is made by the poor, the meek, by those who mourn, those who are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted by His name’s sake. We are being transformed (at least we should be) every day into a person more like Jesus, to be able to see His Kingdom in the age to come. We are in the proces...

  Today I heard a very sad testimony of a man who has been afflicted with a terrible disease or diseases, and although he has been through several surgeries and treatments, his faith still remains. Even knowing that God is not going to heal him because of His purposes, his hope for eternal life holds.   It made me think that I also have health issues, nothing like his; what made me feel a little ashamed because at the beginning of his testimony, I said that if it were me, I would have killed myself twice. I know how weak my faith is. But one thing I know, God’s plans are still better. I don’t understand them, but I have the same hope. His plans don’t depend on my faith to happen. He has the control.   I hear people confronting God, or questioning his existence based on the cruelty in this world. If there is no God, where does your “goodness” come from? Even if you admit that God exists and you have rejected him because of...

  He came to a broom bush, sat under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough,  Lord ,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”   5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once, an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”   6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the  Lord  came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”   8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. (1 Kings 19: 4-8) How many times have you wished that this life were over? I have wished that many times. Sometimes it is just too painful, or sad, or hopeless, isn’t it? You know, Elijah...