Desert defines difficult times

* Luís Alberto Alves

We use the word desert constantly to define difficult moments in our lives. You see, the expression desert is no definition for any fight. Desert is intense fighting, deeply painful battles. It is not a time of little rain, but of no rain. Daily we also say that it is in the wilderness that we know God.

We need to form and establish our convictions in the person of God and in His open heart for us in the Bible. Only then will we have the strength to remain faithful to Him all the time. Do not expect "visible encouragement" from people.

Most of the time the circumstances will not cheer you up. Do not count on what you see to underpin your diverse decisions, attitudes and reactions.

"I have known you in the wilderness, in very dry land." (Hosea 13.5) come to receive a Word of restoration! God is with you!!

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

The Lord calls what he trusts in him

* Luís Alberto Alves

It deceives those who think that the Lord calls those who are ready, for, above all, He calls those whom He trusts. To those who are called, the Lord only expects one thing: obedience. The person marked by the disposition is that which corresponds immediately, without reservations to the call of God. A willing person will always have on his lips the prophetic answer: "Here I am! Send me! (Is.6,8) "
God of the family!

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

By faith, Abraham obeyed God

* Luís Alberto Alves

It was by faith that Abraham, responding to the call, obeyed and departed to a land which he was to inherit and departed without knowing where he was going "(Hebrews 11,8). Only those who believe, trust. The person of faith obeys and responds to God, even without having human and material safeguards, because, like Abraham, it is necessary to walk in faith towards the heavenly homeland, which is heaven.

It was by faith that even Sarah, despite her old age, was able to have a seed, because she considered the author of the promise faithful (Hebrews 11,11). Faith makes us persevere in the promises of God, because nothing is impossible with God.

 And finally, the initiator and finisher of the faith, Jesus Christ, is the example par excellence of a person of faith, and it is in him that we find the fullness of what we must believe and accomplish. Thus, it is through the obedience of faith to the Christ that we can give answers to God. Even without seeing, we believe, because Jesus himself says: "Blessed are those who believe and have not seen" (Jn 20,29).

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Just a fight to start the complaint

* Luís Alberto Alves

Murmuring is the expression of unbelief and ingratitude. Nowadays it is no different, because any fight is enough and many begin to complain.

To overcome the murmuring is not only to stop complaining, but to act the Faith, knowing that the Lord is with us, that He is in control of all situations, is as the psalmist states in Psalm 23.4 "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. "

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Know the Lessons Left by the Prophet Samuel - 5

* Luís Alberto Alves

When Goliath looks at David with five stones in his hands, he mocks his adversary. In life it is so. Demons never believe they will be defeated. Smile of our prayers until the Lord's fire consumes them and destroys them.

David was not intimidated, he looked at Goliath's forehead and with the Lord's help, a single stone knocked him down. Jeovah made that little stone take a 4-ton weight and annihilate the giant. In the great difficulty, God turns the impossible into possible.

Lesson of this battle is to believe in the Lord, even when something very big is in our way. David did not hesitate. He cut off Goliath's head to keep him from reviving. Never leave anything half in the spirit world.

After this victory, everyone became his friends. Even the brothers who criticized him. With you it will be this way. In the struggle, only Jesus on your side, in victory will all support you, with eyes on the benefits they can receive. Meditate on all of these topics and may Jesus continue to bless you.

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Know the Lessons Left by the Prophet Samuel - 4

* Luís Alberto Alves

Further on, David will bring food to his brethren who are fighting in the army of Israel against the Philistines. Ali is snubbed and cursed by them, when he begins to ask about the giant Goliath. To his brothers, David was only a child.
They forgot that he had been anointed by the Lord.

In life we ​​face these kinds of challenges. Many, even knowing that we are of God, ignore us. They ignore the anointing of Jesus Christ in our lives. They imagine that the defeats of darkness are due to physical force.

In the next step, David's comments come to King Saul. He offers his armor and weapon so the boy can fight Goliath. David can not walk with that weight. In battles against darkness, the weapons of others are not for you. It is God who enables you.

The day of the great battle comes, and David stands before Goliath, a six-foot-tall man, six hundred pounds, a true war machine and expert at killing opponents. He is then ironized by his adversary because of his size.

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Know the Lessons Left by the Prophet Samuel - 3

* Luís Alberto Alves

Most of the time we are ignored by our own family because the stranger does not know the inner life we ​​take. From Jesse's perspective, son David would not be able to stay ahead of a reign.

When you are invited to take on some office of trust in the church or company, few people will believe in your potential. They will try to discourage you. Without wisdom, some brothers and sisters throw the towel and refuse to climb another step in life.

When the oil fell on the head of David, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. From that moment, the life of that boy received the protection of the Lord and through her Israel would know great wonders.

From the moment God enters your life, brother or brother, everything changes for the better. Weakness becomes force, hatred becomes love, misery is transformed into abundance, illness into life, failure to victory, blindness into vision, lack of intelligence in wisdom.

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Know the Lessons Left by the Prophet Samuel - 2

* Luís Alberto Alves

The Lord has already warned that our heart is corrupt and only He is able to know it deeply. How many times have we looked at someone and mind-generated images, fed by the heart, create decisions, which in our view, will be right?

Brothers and sisters, no one sins suddenly. The mistake is built slowly. Adultery does not come at a gallop, but at a snail's pace, slowly but steadily every day. Until the fatal moment comes, when it comes true.

In Samuel's view, any of Jesse's handsome sons could receive the anointing of the future king of Israel. However, the Lord warned the prophet that He looks inside and never outwardly. Then he asked him to ask Jesse if all his children were present.

With disdain he discovered that David was in the field tending the sheep. Jesse himself did not bet on the boy's club. Samuel asked to call him. Upon entering the house, God said that this was his chosen one!

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Know the Lessons Left by the Prophet Samuel - 1

* Luís Alberto Alves

The biggest problem of the human being is the illusion. Many do not think rationally. Let the emotion prevail. In the sentimental area, beauty is a very strong dart. What man or woman does not get carried away by someone very handsome?

Between opting for an ugly woman or man, most prefer the future partner or handsome partner. If you have money and fame, in human vision, it is a perfect choice. In the divine view it is not like that. Beauty does not always represent happiness or even honesty.

When we look at the book of Ezekiel where Satan is described, before the fall of the Heavens, it is possible to perceive that he was endowed with much beauty and attributes. Jesus Christ says that the devil becomes an angel of light to deceive the elect of the Lord.

But how do you avoid falling into this kind of trap? It is asking wisdom from the Lord. With spiritual sight. In this way we will see beyond and identify if that choice is good or bad, to avoid suffering in the future.

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor

Know the lessons left by the prophet Samuel

* Luís Alberto Alves

As we read the book of 1 Samuel we find several lessons left by God. Many of us ignore it because of the rush to win blessings. However, the attentive Christian should pay attention to the details. In them God imparts important teachings.

When Samuel received the mission to go to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons, the seduction of the beautiful image surprised the prophet. He was fascinated by the beauty of David's brothers. He soon thought of choosing one of them to anoint.

But the Lord warned him that the anointed future was not there. That is to say, Samuel bet that the physical beauty of Eliabe and his brothers was the passport to receive the anointing sent by God. Most of the time we act this way.

How many unsuccessful marriages start like this. The man or woman gets drunk with the beauty of the future husband or wife and enters a relationship that will become a stumbling block later and end up blaming Jesus Christ for the bad choice.

* Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor