God's Existence

When the boy turned 12 years old, his father sent him off to study theology. The boy studied there until he turned 24 years old. After graduation, he went back home, filled with pride.

His father asked him: "How can we know something exists, if we can’t see it? How do we know that God Almighty is omnipresent?"

The boy began reciting scripture verses to prove God’s existence, but his father quickly interrupted: "This is all very complicated. Isn’t there an easier way to learn about God’s existence?"

He replied: "Not that I know of, father. I’m an educated man and I must use these doctrines to explain the mysteries of the divine wisdom."

- "I lost my time and money by sending you off to those theologians!” complained the father.

He took his son by the hand and led him into the kitchen. He filled a bowl with water and added a bit of salt. Then, they went for a walk around town.

When they returned home, his father said: "Bring me the salt you put into the bowl."

He looked for the salt, but couldn’t find it because it had dissolved in the water.

- "So, did you find the salt?" asked the father.

- "No, the salt became invisible."

- "Well then, take a little bit of water from the top of the bowl and put it in your mouth. How does it taste?"

- "Salty."

- "Try some of the water from the middle, how is it?"

- "It’s as salty as the water from the top."

- "Now try the water from the bottom of the bowl and tell me how it tastes?"

He tried it and it tasted just like the previous two waters.

- "You’ve studied for so many years; yet, you can’t use simple terms to explain how an Invisible God is able to be everywhere," said the father.

- "I could teach any uneducated farmer about God by calling Him “salt” and mixing it with water. Please, my son, forget about all that theological wisdom you’ve learned because it just pushes us further away from God. Instead, work towards building up your faith, which will bring you closer to Him. "

Pr Julio Da Silva

Your job or God

One day, the CEO of a company called one of his Christian employees into his office.

He cut to the chase and got straight down to business:

- We are restructuring the company and we’re looking for someone with your skills to fill a management position. We evaluated your file and there is just one problem: your religion. This position is absolutely incompatible with your beliefs, so you'll have to make a choice between this job promotion and your church. You don’t need to give me an answer right now. Today is Friday; go home, think about it and on Monday, you can let me know what you’ve decided.

The man went home overcome with doubts. On one hand, he looked forward to this new job - after all, it was the chance of a lifetime. How many people wouldn’t wish they could trade places with him? On the other hand, he had his faith, the church and God!

All kinds of thoughts rushed through his head. His heart turned into a battlefield; it was a war between right and wrong, between the real and the ideal. He had sleepless nights, unable to focus his thoughts on anything. It was the worst weekend of his life; the worst Saturday, the worst Sunday...

There he was, bright and early Monday morning, eager to meet with the CEO:

- Well? – He asked – What is your decision?

- I think I'm going to accept your offer.

The CEO didn’t even raise his head:

- Therefore you can head straight down to the Human Resources Department and take care of your paperwork. You're fired!

- But ... Sir ... You’re the one who made me the offer!

- Yes, I was testing you, but you failed. If you were so quick to turn your back on your God, what guarantees me that you won’t turn your back on this company even faster?

"... But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:09

This story reflects the nature of those who haven’t been born of God.

Greetings to my family and companions of war.

Bishop Julio Freitas

Half or Whole

A man enters into the church. He has no legs however he crawls ...
The man crawls up to the altar ...
People are watching him in silent and amazement.
The man with his eyes full of tears, says to the pastor:
- Pastor, does God accepts half a man?
Everyone wonders what the pastor's response will be.
Then, God speaks through the lips of the pastor saying:
- Yes, God accepts half a man, who gives himself as a whole to Him, but He does not accept a whole man who only gives half of himself!

Pr Julio Da Silva

The 300 of Gideon are in War

God's Dream

God's Dream

You’re completely mistaken if you think the Lord Almighty doesn’t have dreams.

If he didn’t have any dreams, he wouldn’t have sacrificed His only Son.

So, why did He do it? What dream could have possibly moved or motivated Him to sacrifice?

He dreamt of redeeming mankind, of saving people from going to hell and transforming their lives for His glory. That is, make them new through His Spirit; new creatures, according to His image and likeness – true children of God.

God spoke through His servant Asaph with a poetic language filled with profound feelings; like a common dreamer, a drowning man who longs for help or a bee that craves honey. Likewise, the Lord of Lords tenderly yearns to reveal Himself through His creatures. That’s His dream.

Oh! ...

How often do we use this word to express an overwhelming desire we’d like fulfilled?

Oh! If I won the lottery ...

Oh! If I had that kind of money, I would ...

Oh! If I could just find someone that makes me happy ...

Oh! If this or that …

That’s precisely what the Lord is referring to when He expresses the following in His dream.

“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.” Psalm 81.13-16

But instead, He has to put up with affronts from those who insist on rejecting His teachings.

Pr Julio,

Almost there

Almost there

A couple of days ago, during the service, I thought of an interesting way to explain why many people aren’t successful in the Campaign of Israel, as well as in other areas of their lives.

Many are "almost there!”.

They are almost baptized in the Holy Spirit, almost married, almost successful, almost healed, almost delivered from a spiritual problem, etc...

Why are they ALMOST there?

Because their sacrifice is also ALMOST there!

The rich young man ALMOST made it, but there was one thing missing.

Moses and the people of Israel almost made it into the Promised Land, but there was something missing.

Ananias and Sapphira almost made it as members of the early church, except they were missing the other half of their sacrifice.

Something was missing.

On the other hand, we have the example of those who were on the verge of losing everything, but they made it because they presented the perfect sacrifice.

Abraham and Sarah were nearing the end of their lives and didn’t have any children, but they made it.

Gideon and his people were nearing the end of their strength, but because of him and the 300, they made it.

Zacchaeus was almost doomed to spending eternity in hell because he was a thief, but through his sacrifice, he and his family were saved.

And the list goes on.

In this Campaign of Israel, those who understood are going to remove the word ALMOST from their sacrifice, and as a result, they’ll also be eliminating the word ALMOST when it comes to receiving their miracles!

Pr Julio,

how change happens

How Change Happens