tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81593428040152262632024-02-18T19:06:25.999-08:00OverflowingInforming the Kingdomfeacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-7797825710314882362013-08-29T18:15:00.001-07:002013-08-29T18:15:15.083-07:00Autoridade na pessoa de Jesus (Mateus 8. 14-17)
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">Quantas
vezes já experimentamos dias nos quais chegamos aos nossos lares, após uma
maratona de atividades, física e mentalmente cansados. Por vezes,
dias puxados nos consomem de tal maneira que o nosso desejo de descanso é aparente
e o refrigério uma expectativa promissora. Porém, vemos no ministério de Jesus por meio da biografia de Mateus que seu ministério era intenso. Como homem, Ele era totalmente exigido.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">Ainda em Cafarnaum, Jesus se depara com a mãe da esposa de Pedro dentro das
quatro paredes de um ambiente familiar. É importante ressaltar que
os dois sinais de Jesus, narrados anteriormente no capítulo 8 de Mateus foram de extrema grandeza,
considerando as barreiras sociais e étnicas que foram transpostas através da
suprema autoridade de Jesus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">Este
primeiro sinal que envolvia a sogra de Pedro é narrada de forma curta. Jesus viu a sogra de Pedro em uma
situação crítica e foi de encontro a ela no mesmo instante. Provavelmente, ela
sofria de algo grave. Uma enfermidade que a consumia e produzia febre muito alta. Jesus toma a mulher pela mão, e a febre a deixa instantaneamente. Também averiguamos, que esta mulher a respeito de quem pouco sabemos, logo após ser curada,
começa a servir Jesus. Uma vez salva, ela se coloca a disposição do Mestre como serva.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">A nossa
salvação na pessoa de Jesus, deve produzir em nós um desejo primordial de
servi-lo. Nós o servimos por que Ele nos deixou o seu exemplo. Ele derramou
sobre nós a sua graça para que cresçamos em um relacionamento intimo com Ele, o
qual nos impulsiona a submetermos a Ele como servos, cheios de compaixão em relação aos outros.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">Lembrando-se
que tudo ocorrera em um sábado, de acordo com o Evangelho de Marcos, Jesus já
havia participado do culto na sinagoga, mas continuava tocando vidas,
restaurando a vitalidade dos enfermos e expulsando espíritos malignos. Ele
executou estes sinais no <i>Shabbat,</i> o
que afirmava aos Judeus a razão pela qual havia sido enviado. A autoridade de
Jesus era evidente, e seu ministério de restauração completa já havia sido
anunciada por meio do profeta Isaías.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">Esta
semana, aprendemos que quanto maior o impacto do evangelho
de Jesus em nossas vidas, maior a nossa influência em nosso contexto. De fato,
Jesus tomou sobre si mesmo nossas enfermidades e nos sarou para que possamos
servi-lo. Sua autoridade suprema e sua missão deve nos impulsionar a agirmos
como Ele agiu, e então seremos sal e luz em muitos espaços, na vizinhança, na cidade, nos negócios, nos esportes, nas artes...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-8245079879246974562013-08-16T13:11:00.000-07:002013-08-16T13:11:13.028-07:00Autoridade na pessoa de Jesus (Mateus 8. 5-13)
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<br />
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Estudando o ministério de Jesus através dos relatos de Mateus, logo nos
deparamos com o dinamismo da movimentação geográfica do SENHOR Jesus. Não
podemos esquecer que Jesus, havia acabado de descer do monte, e adentrava
Cafarnaum, local que era familiar a ele.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="PT-BR">Sempre
atento as necessidades dos oprimidos e quebrantados de acordo com a vontade do
Pai, Jesus continuava a tocar e curar vidas, e consequentemente revelar o seu
caráter de suprema autoridade no meio do povo. Ainda no começo do seu
ministério, as notícias se espalhavam pelas vizinhanças e muitos chegavam para
ver com os próprios olhos ao SENHOR Jesus Cristo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="PT-BR">De fato,
logo na entrada da cidade, Jesus se depara com um centurião cuja identidade
provavelmente era romana, um oficial do exército mais poderoso do mundo até então
conhecido. Porém, como uma pessoa do alto escalão na sociedade local, ele se
humilha diante de Jesus, chamando-o de SENHOR,
e reconhecendo que ele não era digno de recebê-lo em sua casa. A posição
do centurião e sua postura diante do Messias, foram frutos da sua humildade.
Muitas vezes, não estamos atentos sobre a disciplina da humildade, muito menos
numa cultura que esta sempre se modificando em prol da nossa satisfação
momentânea; porém, devemos lembrar que a humildade está conectada com a nossa
fé no filho do Deus vivo e operante. Quanto mais nos humilhamos, mais
fortalecidos somos em nossa fé e mais reconhecemos a autoridade do SENHOR Jesus
Cristo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="PT-BR">Este
episódio, no ministério de Jesus prova que não existe ninguém que escape do amor de Deus e sua graça. Não importa a
posição econômica ou social, tampouco a circunstância e dificuldade. Tanto
centuriões quanto servos são convidados a participarem do reino de Deus. Não
devemos esquecer que aquele que nos acolhe, está atento as nossas necessidades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="PT-BR">Jesus
também usa este momento para enfatizar aos seus seguidores e ouvintes, que a fé
como a do centurião, é algo crucial em nossas vidas. Quando paramos de buscá-la
mediante a ajuda do Espírito, estamos vulneráveis a ideais estranhas e
contrárias a mensagem do Reino de Deus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="PT-BR">Finalmente,
esta história na perspectiva de Mateus enfatiza o Messias que foi encarnado e
advogou por uma nova vida junta ao pai. O reino de Deus está em nós, quando nos
humilhamos e buscamos enaltecer a pessoa de Jesus, cuja autoridade reflete sua
graça e amor por nós. Não vivemos apenas em prol do futuro certo, porém, nos
submetemos a convidar a graça maravilhosa do SENHOR a estar presente em cada
momento da nossa jornada. Nosso desejo é continuar no Senhor e proclamar a sua
lembrança em cada momento das nossas vidas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-88749851051880671052013-05-22T08:21:00.001-07:002013-05-22T08:21:29.950-07:00Our mission in proximity to the culture!
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<b>Our
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What are some words to describe our
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and sophisticated society. People are constantly bombarded by opportunities,
challenges, and choices (Barna)<o:p></o:p></div>
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- The emerging generation do not need
to go to the store to buy music, they also do not need to purchase magazines to
access pornography; therefore, they are questioning if they need to go to the
church in order to experience Jesus (Kinnaman)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>1
Samuel 3 (Eli’s example)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>“Reversing
the 59%” </i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(*dropped
out of attending church, after going regularly)</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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1 – Meaningful Relationships – Love
them, connect with them, being intentional.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 – Cultural Discernment – Be aware of
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3 – Reverse Mentoring – Don’t come
with the answer but be sensitive to the voice of the Spirit. Answer their
questions!<o:p></o:p></div>
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4 – Vocational Discipleship (Calling)
– Invest time, resources into their calling (ex. Science)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
5 – Voice of God – Instruct them to
listen to the voice of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-63896613627336335472013-01-20T14:00:00.001-08:002013-01-20T14:00:58.009-08:00How can I be a true disciple of Jesus?
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There
was a disciple of Jesus who had left everything to follow Him. He was a man
full of the Holy Spirit and was a reference in his generation. However, during
his ministry, the church was going through severe persecution. There was an
evil king, who was ruling during the disciple’s ministry. He had one of the
disciples’ friend put to death with the sword and he proceeded to arrest the
disciple of Jesus. During his time in prison, the church was earnestly praying
to God for him. The night before the disciple’s judgment before the court, he
was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with more guards at
the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the
cell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>Before we finish the story, I would like to invite you to think about Jesus' invitation for us to be disciples of Him. When Jesus approaches Simon (Peter) by the Sea of Galilee (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5%3A1-11&version=NIV">Luke 5:1-11</a>), he invites him to come and follow him. It sounds like a simple message, but it requires sacrifice by embracing some disciplines. To be a true disciple of Jesus today we need to ask the Lord's help so we can fulfill the following:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Now, lets finish the story we started... </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The
angel told the disciple to quick get up, and the chains fell of the disciple’s
hand. The disciple followed the angel out of the prison. He wasn’t it was a
dream or a vision but he continue to follow the angel by passing through those
soldiers. Finally he found himself back to the city and he realized the Lord
had sent an angel to save him just before his trial. He went back to the where
the church was gathered together and when he knocked the door and a servant who
answered the door, left him hanging there while she went to tell the others that
were inside. The church thought she was out of her mind; however she kept
insisting and they thought it was his angel, they thought he probably had died.
However, the disciple kept knocking in the door until they finally opened. He
came in the midst and quietly explained what had happened and how the Lord had
brought him out of prison and then he left. That was the last time that Peter
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the midst of suffering. Are you ready today to be a true disciple of Jesus?</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-33672179273338460472013-01-09T13:12:00.000-08:002013-01-09T13:12:43.469-08:00I am in it to end the movement of human trafficking!<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I am writing this I have been overwhelmed by the response of friends in my generation regarding human trafficking. Last week I was able to participate in a conference called passion where we were encouraged to unify our voices to end human trafficking. We raised more than 3 million dollars to help several orgazinations that are passionate about serving the Lord and are combating human trafficking!</div>
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<b>The issue of modern-day slavery has been affecting an estimated of 27 million of people who find themselves oppressed and are living in the shadows. This is the largest number of slaves in human history. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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On Sunday night, our church held a special worship service. It was a little different since we used arts, poetry, and dance to be reminded of others that are living in the shadows. We joined voices with Art4Abolition (<a href="http://www.art4abolition.org/">http://www.art4abolition.org</a>) whose passion involves in raising awareness about human trafficking and modern-day slavery.</div>
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We had an amazing time celebrating a God who has called us to experience freedom. There is no freedom apart from Him and we cannot be ambassadors of freedom apart from Him. Therefore, we must be filled with God's Spirit in order to go out and make an impact in life of others that have been oppressed, abused, or that may simply need a word of encouragement. May we provide a song of freedom to others and may we glorify the Lord by offering our lives back to him!</div>
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<i>"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21)."</i></div>
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feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-74606983299827494992012-09-19T08:24:00.001-07:002012-09-19T08:24:47.484-07:00Serving through soccer!Yesterday, we were able to start our soccer partnership with <a href="http://parks.columbus.gov/FeddersenCenter.aspx">Feddersen Recreation Center</a>. As I walked in, I got to meet students from the neighborhood and It was such a privilege. In the course of the fall weeks, we will be playing soccer and you are all invited to participate. Our goal as the Church is to relate to those around and built relationships with those in the community. Our prayer is that God will use us as we develop those relationships.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ivX_m525ImkkJ72oFtD9rlaP1m4mUFzLAr2JBUn-PMDpVpPXocubBiffdHUcbNVK3k-7rJFlV7gb2rDklyAsrETDy3J6cbxhXpu8s_l7P6SZPjRNEur8WRFlBdI2_CFwwI_dVXAlxUA/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ivX_m525ImkkJ72oFtD9rlaP1m4mUFzLAr2JBUn-PMDpVpPXocubBiffdHUcbNVK3k-7rJFlV7gb2rDklyAsrETDy3J6cbxhXpu8s_l7P6SZPjRNEur8WRFlBdI2_CFwwI_dVXAlxUA/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-21730438451604289622012-08-18T16:57:00.000-07:002012-08-18T16:57:47.588-07:00Rethinking our jobs NOW!
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a young servant of the Lord, I love to think
about creative ways to bring meaning into our lives. This week, I have been
thinking about the intersection between faith and work. It is not new for us,
that we spend a great amount of time in our work places. I believe this is an
opportunity to show our true identity as kingdom workers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Since our childhood our parents' desire is for us
to professionally succeed. There is nothing wrong with that! We want to
work in areas that satisfy us, and there is nothing wrong with that either.
However, sometimes I feel like desires and illusions coming from inside of me
are far from what God has called me to do now! Sometimes I need to be reminded
that God has greater plans for my life, and I just need to be a humble servant,
so my life can bring meaning not only to the work environment, but also in the
other spheres of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> In the work environment, we must understand, we do
not work for ourselves! We do not work for our parents, neither for any other
person. So, whom do we work for? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Slaves,
obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is
on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for
the Lord.<b> </b>Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as
working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will
receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord
Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs,
and there is no favoritism.<b> </b>Masters, provide your slaves with what
is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
(Colossians 3:22-4:1)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Scriptures are clear that we work for a bigger
purpose. Christ is our supreme master; therefore, he is the only one who will
reward us at last, if we decide to obey and serve him only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our jobs must be a vehicle, in which we perform in
a way that Christ may be glorified through our actions, words, behaviors, etc.
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feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-21613721179178194142011-10-31T17:12:00.000-07:002011-10-31T17:12:56.322-07:00Oposição em Betel (2 Reis 2.23-25)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Continuacao do estudo em Eliseu: s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">alvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O ministério de Eliseu também se desenvolveria em circuitos, em rotas. Rotas de profetas. Ele havia caminhado ao lado de Elias na curta jornada de Betel a Jericó; sob a direção do SENHOR, ele percorreria o percurso contrário. Depois do primeiro sinal público em Jericó, Eliseu subiu a Betel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cidade sediava uma escola de profetas, mas, também preservava um reduto importante de idolatria: Jeroboão, o primeiro monarca do Reino do Norte, havia estabelecido altares nas imediações, explorando a localização estratégica. Portanto, nos dias de Eliseu, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bet-El</i>’, a ‘Casa de Deus’ era uma cidade dividida! Em seus limites, alguns honravam ao SENHOR, o Deus de Israel, outros, se curvavam diante de divindades mitológicas cananéias.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Logo em sua chegada, antes mesmo de passar pelas portas da cidade, Eliseu foi abordado por mais de quarenta jovens. No texto original, está claro que eles não eram crianças ou meninos, mas rapazes. Com declarações insinuantes e provocantes, se aproximaram e procuraram abertamente oprimir o profeta:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Sobe, calvo! Sobe, calvo!” </b>As vozes de escárnio, não apenas ofendiam Eliseu mencionando, com deboche,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>algo de seu aspecto físico, mas, visavam atingir a sua autoridade profética.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As declarações não eram nada infantis, como se afirmassem: “Vamos, careca, suba, entre na cidade!” Não! estavam indo muito além: “Vamos, careca, suba ao céu como o velho Elias, afinal, você é mesmo um homem de Deus, cheio de poder, não é mesmo? Ou ainda pior: “Vamos, você agora está careca, desnudo, sem a proteção de Elias!” Seja qual fosse a conotação pretendida, havia mesmo um incontrolável desejo de insultar o profeta, ou melhor, humilhá-lo, não em razão de qualquer marca depreciativa em seu corpo, pois, na verdade, Eliseu tinha na ocasião a cabeça coberta, como era usual em seu contexto. Não havia, portanto, provas para afirmar ou não a sua calvície. Os rapazes, muito provavelmente, não eram os únicos de Betel que desconsideravam a Eliseu<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>e não o aceitavam como o novo “Pai dos Profetas”; pais e parentes deveriam pensar de forma semelhante. Havia mesmo franca oposição em Betel, não apenas a Eliseu, mas ao Deus de Eliseu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eliseu então voltou-se para os agressores e os amaldiçoou <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“em nome do SENHOR”</b>. Mesmo terrivelmente provocado, Eliseu não procurou vindicar a si mesmo; a maldição não foi uma simples reação pessoal, uma resposta emocional. Os jovens de Betel não estavam afrontando apenas um homem, mas um homem de Deus, o recém-ordenado porta-voz do SENHOR. Como em episódio anterior, no qual Elias tinha sido ameaçado por soldados do rei Acazias,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a autoridade do pleno representante do SENHOR havia sido desafiada. Na ocasião, Elias clamou por fogo do céu e cem dos homens do rei foram exterminados; os cinqüenta poupados foram os bem conduzidos por um capitão sensato, que havia reconhecido o poder de Deus na vida do profeta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Em ambos os casos,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a ação drástica não foi definida por homens envolvidos em um conflito, mas sancionada pelo juízo de Deus, contra os que procuravam atacar a santidade de seus próprios escolhidos. Naqueles dias, desaprovar um profeta como Elias ou Eliseu era desaprovar o próprio Deus!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Deus lançou mão de animais selvagens. Há um outro evento semelhante em 1Reis 13. Procurem encontrá-lo e então tracem as comparações. Todos os quarenta e dois que haviam armado o ataque, o complô contra o profeta foram ‘despedaçados’ por duas ursas. Sim, duas fêmeas defenderam o profeta como à própria cria! Provavelmente, os jovens loucos tenham tentado salvar uns aos outros, mas, por fim, todos foram vítimas da força superior das ursas. As notícias a respeito certamente correram rapidamente e confirmaram a autoridade profética de Eliseu.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">De Betel, Eliseu foi então ao Monte Carmelo, em uma viagem bem mais longa, de aproximadamente cento e dez quilômetros. O monte Carmelo havia sido o palco da revelação de Deus a todo Israel, por meio de Elias. Talvez, o próprio Eliseu tivesse estado presente, no dia em que os profetas de Baal, que comiam à mesa de Acabe e Jezabel, foram mortos por Elias, junto ao ribeiro Quisom. A visita ao Carmelo, sem dúvida, indicava a Eliseu que<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>o ministério de Elias e o seu tinham conectividade, e a ação de Deus em Israel seria ininterrupta. Por fim, segundo a narrativa bíblica, depois da peregrinação ao Carmelo, Eliseu rumou para Samaria, capital do Reino do Norte, sede do governo, onde muitos de seus sinais seriam manifestados. Os primeiros dias do ministério de Eliseu, intensos como foram, serviram para que todas as dúvidas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a respeito de seu ministério terminassem definitivamente, até mesmo eventuais dúvidas do próprio profeta, mas, especialmente, de todo o Israel:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eliseu, o sucessor de Elias, o profeta de Deus, o homem de Deus. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ministério confirmado e defendido pelo SENHOR. Eliseu, e sua mensagem: Salvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ernesto Ferreira Junior</span></i></span></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-15610287719271091782011-10-21T20:54:00.000-07:002011-10-21T20:56:06.034-07:00The glory of GodHave you found yourself with a "word" or "idea" in our mind, that simply keeps coming back to you? Also every time you study/read something you are somehow able to connect this same idea to what you are studying?<br />
<br />
Lately I have been experiencing that. Last sunday I shared with the children at my church about what God has been speaking to me about his character and his glory. The main passage we saw, God had this intimate relationship with Moses, in which they would talk to each other face to face, like a man talks to his friend (Exodus 33:11). It amazed me that God, the creator of the universe, who is Holy in his essence; would still reveal himself to mankind and would allow us to enter in his presence by calling us by name. I came to understand this God wants to participate with us in the exchanges of love that will make a profit for His kingdom.<br />
<br />
This amazing God also calls us to display his glory among the nations, therefore he is not an egomaniac being, <b>He wants us to experience his glory and share it to the world</b>. Something I have been thinking about is that when we neglect this God, somehow we are declaring that we prefer the glory of this world and this earthly pleasure more than the glory of God. Sin is corruptive and it has severe consequences. However, there is good news in the personhood of God. This glorious God still wants to walk with us and to cover us with his presence, so we can better engage in his passion and in his kingdom.feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-48608510477118327262010-12-27T11:20:00.000-08:002010-12-27T11:25:55.938-08:00O Primeiro Sinal Público (2 Reis 2.15-22)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Continuacao do estudo em Eliseu: s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">alvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">De fato, a transição ministerial de Elias para Eliseu antecipa uma outra. Há vários detalhes coincidentes. Tanto João Batista quanto o SENHOR Jesus foram recebidos com reservas e resistências, especialmente por parte das ordens religiosas instituídas. Muitos não creram na pregação do SENHOR, pois afinal duvidaram de sua autoridade, e mais, não a reconheceram como divina. Profetas de Deus, por vezes, são questionados. Eliseu foi aceito, no entanto, a sombra de Elias ainda estava presente.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eliseu havia recebido o poder para a carreira profética, o manto de Elias já estava em suas mãos. Entretanto, mesmo as testemunhas oculares da passagem miraculosa de Elias e Eliseu pelo Jordão, e do retorno solitário de Eliseu, também miraculoso, ainda esperavam por Elias. Os cinqüenta discípulos dos profetas tinham sido informados que o SENHOR tomaria ao seu servo Elias, porém desejavam ver para crer, ou, talvez, investigar para então aceitar a sua partida. A despeito de terem reconhecido a Eliseu como o legítimo sucessor, a ponto de prostrarem-se diante dele, ainda esperavam descobrir o paradeiro do velho profeta. A localização exata de Elias, em seus anos de ministério itinerante, sempre havia sido misteriosa; suas rotas, imprevisíveis. Talvez, também por essa razão, os cinqüenta homens tenham pensado que Elias, ou pelo menos o seu corpo, bem poderia estar escondido: <b>“Nalgum dos montes ou nalgum dos vales”</b>. Eliseu sabia que havia certa incredulidade e mesmo ignorância, e que qualquer operação de busca seria mais do que desnecessária, seria, de fato, fútil e inútil. Eliseu procurou dissuadi-los; os discípulos, no entanto, foram bem teimosos. Por fim, Eliseu consentiu com as várias insistentes solicitações. Reflitam a respeito. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Os enviados voltaram após três dias de buscas e encontraram Eliseu a espera deles, ainda em Jericó. Depois da missão frustrada, os jovens profetas ainda precisaram ouvir as palavras do novo “Pai dos Profetas”:<b> “Não vos disse que não fôsseis?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ainda em Jericó, o profeta Eliseu foi procurado pela população da cidade. Um desafio de grandes proporções nos primeiros dias de sua ação profética o aguardava. Ele não era mais o segundo homem de Deus a ser procurado, era então o primeiro a ser buscado para revelar a vontade e o poder do alto. Jericó tinha, por sua localização, muitos recursos naturais, inclusive hídricos, já que estava situada em uma área fértil do Vale do Jordão. De qualquer forma, as águas de uma fonte, aparentemente principal, tinham se tornado más. Possivelmente, quando usadas para irrigação na agricultura ou mesmo para hidratação na pecuária, em vez de garantirem sobrevivência, determinavam morte. Obviamente, havia riscos consideráveis para todos os moradores que desejavam se beneficiar das águas do manancial.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A solução apresentada pelo profeta traria cura substancial, por meio de uma ação pedagógica. Ele solicitou um prato novo, uma escolha significante e também sal, algo inusitado. Meditem bem! Ainda que na história de Israel, nas prescrições levíticas, sal garantisse preservação e pureza, a idéia de usar sal nas águas, pelo menos a princípio, não pareceria conveniente, afinal elas poderiam ficar piores e não melhores. Águas salgadas não são tragáveis! Mas, por meio do poder de Deus, o procedimento atípico trouxe o resultado tão esperado, e não para um dia, nem para uma estação, mas para o futuro. Eliseu usou a forma profética clássica em seu pronunciamento: <b>“Assim diz o SENHOR: tornei saudáveis estas águas; já não procederá daí morte nem esterilidade.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O primeiro milagre dos muitos do ministério do profeta Eliseu, teve mesmo um claro caráter simbólico. Foi, portanto, um verdadeiro sinal. As águas más e as terras estéreis significavam a condição espiritual do Reino de Israel; em seus limites, a morte era a conseqüência óbvia da contaminação e poluição geradas pela idolatria e infidelidade prevalecentes. A condição do mundo hoje é ainda mais alarmante, “o mundo inteiro jaz no Maligno”. Mas, o SENHOR Jesus, sim Ele mesmo, é quem lança no mundo o sal presente em sua Igreja, para promover cura, purificação e para garantir algum sabor vital às relações humanas que apodrecem rapidamente. <b>“Vós sois o sal da terra." </b>Conversem seriamente a respeito. <b>“O sal é certamente bom; caso porém, se torne insípido, como restaurar-lhe o sabor?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O profeta Eliseu, </span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Deus é salvação”, novo ‘Pai dos profetas’ começou anunciando que a cura, a restauração, e a salvação pertencem ao SENHOR, nunca a falsas dividandes, nunca a Baal. A acão purificadora, permanente de Deus na fonte de Jericó seria um memorial eterno que apontaria para o poder do único que estabelece e reestabelece a sua criação, livrando-a da improdutividade e da promiscuidade. Deus está incansalvelmente propondo vida em um mundo sentenciado à morte.</span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Águas purificadas pelo </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Poder</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> purificador. Eliseu, e sua mensagem: Salvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR.</span></span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ernesto Ferreira Jr.</span></span></div></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-49899519119417932392010-12-21T09:09:00.000-08:002010-12-21T09:10:43.196-08:00Understanding the Kingdom better through the letter of James<div class="MsoNormal"> Continuing to explore the message of the Kingdom and the implication of Jesus’ invitation for us to pursue a radical transformation from inside out according to the Sermon of the Mount, I would like to look today at the letter of James. This New Testament letter had a great impact in my life. I remember when I was still in middle school and I started to study this letter with my father. I believe it was the first book of the Bible that really instigated in me a passion and reverence to the Word of God. I was challenged in many ways to pursue integrity in my walk with the Lord, and even though I was young, I understood the relevance of James’ apprehensions about the social impact of our attitudes. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">This letter differs somewhat from others letters in the New Testament, since James presents the Christian message relating to the social impact of holiness. The book also uses a straightforward language marked by unambiguous ethical teaching and authoritative pronouncement. James was addressing the twelve tribes (1:1), which most likely were Jewish people scattered among the nations. Interestingly enough the book of James correlates to the gospel of Matthew. Both were Jewish writers writing to Jewish audiences. Perhaps James wanted to translate Jesus’ invitation in the Sermon of the Mount for us to be co-participants of the Kingdom of God into practice. Therefore, his main goal was to encourage the audience to pursue holiness in the social context; in other words, they were instructed to translate their love for God and for others through faith and works.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Today I would like to look at the first verse of this letter: “<i>James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings”</i> (James 1:1 – NIV). Since the name “James” was very common in the early Church, we cannot know for sure the authorship of this book. Most likely the author was one of Jesus’ brothers, so it makes sense that James attempts to radically challenge the audience, since he experienced suffering and persecution in the early days of the Church. Scholars believe James was martyred at A.D. 62. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> James refers to himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. This perhaps represents James’ humility in identifying himself with the word “servant.” This word in the Jewish context represented a very low social position; it was worse than a position of slavery. In order for us to experience the Kingdom, we need to understand what it means to be a servant of God. Jesus gave his example when he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-12). This shows us that we need to be willing to humble ourselves so we can serve others. Service also represents loyalty upon the Master. James understood his role in the Kingdom of God that we must serve God by serving others. We can also grasp from this verse a sense of authority, in order for us to influence others in seeking to experience salvation we cannot have a selfish agenda; therefore the model of servanthood is to be lived out by those in leadership.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">James is such a rich letter, there are so many implications from the text and I am amazed by what we can grasp by studying only one verse. In the first verse of the letter, we understand what our position should be according to Jesus teachings. We can experience the Kingdom today by serving others, and by being loyal to God. Studying the Scriptures requires an understanding of the matter presented to the ancient audience. By understanding the audience, context, culture, etc… we are able to comprehend more about this Book. God wants to reveal Himself through His Scripture, may our minds and hearts will be open for what He has to say and teach us so we can grow in the fear of the Lord.</div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-7708504874845067792010-12-20T08:41:00.000-08:002010-12-20T08:54:07.626-08:00O Manto, em Novas Mãos (2 Reis 2.1-14)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O rei Acabe tinha morrido. A despeito das veementes advertências do profeta Micaías, o rei de Israel, com o apoio de Josafá, rei de Judá, havia declarado guerra à Síria, pela retomada de Ramote-Gileade. Antes de sua decisão, havia relativa paz em relação ao inimigo histórico. Os detalhes que cercaram a morte de Acabe seguiram as palavras proféticas de Elias. Ferido mortalmente por uma flecha, disparada sem alvo específico, Acabe resistiu por algumas horas, mas, por fim, faleceu; o sangue acumulado em seu carro de batalha serviu aos cães de Samaria. Após a sua morte, o declínio do poderio militar do Reino do Norte tinha se processado ainda mais velozmente. Os moabitas, e outros, que haviam estado sujeitos a Israel já tinham reconquistado temporariamente a independência (2 Reis 1). Após o curto governo de Acazias, um outro filho de Acabe, Jorão, havia sido levantado como rei em Israel. Em meio a tal contexto, de convulsões sociais e transições políticas, uma outra sucessão, muito mais importante para a condição espiritual do Reino, se confirmaria. Longe da projeção da corte, dois profetas, um em final de ministério e outro, ainda em início, andavam juntos.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Quando estava o SENHOR para tomar Elias ao céu, Elias partiu de Gilgal em companhia de Eliseu. Disse Elias a Eliseu: O SENHOR me enviou a Betel,... O SENHOR me enviou a Jericó,... O SENHOR me enviou ao Jordão...”</span></b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Essa Gilgal não era a cidade histórica dos tempos da conquista de Canaã. Ao deixá-la, os dois profetas caminharam aproximadamente onze quilômetros sentido sudeste e chegaram a Betel e então a Jericó, cidade bem próxima ao rio Jordão. A despeito da idolatria reinante, as três cidades sediavam escolas de profetas, provavelmente abertas por Elias, durante o seu ministério no Reino do Norte. Sim, os lugares de rebelião eram também as sedes da resistência. Reflitam: No Reino do Sul, havia o templo edificado, e as ordens sacerdotais levíticas, estabelecidas, entretanto, em Israel, os profetas não contavam com o apoio de nenhum outra classe atuante de servos do SENHOR. Elias foi impulsionado a visitar os discípulos nos três centros, ciente de que estava na iminência de ser tomado pelo SENHOR. A peregrinação pela rota da ascensão, sem dúvida, permitiu que as escolas fossem confirmadas, em um processo semelhante ao adotado pelo apóstolo Paulo e companheiros em relação às igrejas nascentes(Atos 15.36-41). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Segundo o texto bíblico, Elias, por três vezes, insistiu com Eliseu a fim de que ele não o acompanhasse em sua rota final. No entanto, Eliseu, bem como os discípulos das escolas de Betel e Jericó, sabia que naquele mesmo dia Elias seria trasladado. Portanto, todos esperavam o momento terminante, mas, pelo menos a princípio, não sabiam que as expectativas eram comuns. Eliseu já havia acompanhado Elias por aproximadamente sete anos. Desde o dia de sua convocação, ele havia aprendido por observação, ou mesmo por imitação, as várias exigências e facetas da carreira de um profeta. Seus conhecimentos, por certo, já eram consideráveis, no entanto, o poder para exercer o ministério, poder semelhante ao de Elias, era algo que Eliseu ainda não possuía. Assim, Eliseu decidiu não se afastar de Elias, nem por um momento sequer, pois esperava receber a herança de seu pai espiritual, a porção dupla destinada ao filho primogênito. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Quando chegaram finalmente ao Jordão, Elias tomou o seu manto, o mesmo que ele havia usado em Horebe e em Abel-Meolá, e o enrolou e bateu contra as águas do rio, ao que se abriram imediatamente. O manto, símbolo visível do ofício profético, foi o veículo para a ação do poder do Espírito do SENHOR. O milagre tem muitas semelhanças com um outro, no qual um profeta de Deus partiu as águas do Mar Vermelho; o objeto em suas mãos, no entanto, não era um manto, mas um...(Êxodo 14. 15-25). No primeiro caso, o mar foi aberto para uma nação, no segundo para dois servos de Deus, sob os olhares atentos de cinqüenta discípulos dos profetas.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Logo após a travessia, Eliseu teve a sua chance; o seu pedido a Elias foi expresso: <b>“Peço-te que me toque por herança porção dobrada do teu espírito.”</b> Na verdade, segundo a linguagem do Antigo Testamento, o espírito de um homem não era o aspecto imaterial de sua existência, mas a expressão visível da presença do Espírito de Deus em sua vida. Assim, o espírito de Elias, buscado por Eliseu, era menos a soma das características da própria pessoa de Elias e mais a evidência das ações e manifestações do Espírito em Elias. Portanto, o desejo de Eliseu não era simplesmente ser duas vezes mais poderoso ou duas vezes mais popular do que Elias, mas sim ter os recursos espirituais suficientes para garantir o prosseguimento do ministério profético em Israel, sob a benção de Deus. Logo, Elias não poderia prometer algo que caberia apenas ao SENHOR definir. Porém, sob a inspiração do Espírito, ele propôs um sinal a Eliseu: Caso o suplicante discípulo o visse em sua ascensão, seu pedido seria confirmado.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enquanto andavam, repentinamente, um carro celestial com cavalos flamejantes passou no meio deles e os separou. Elias então foi elevado ao céu, em um turbilhão! Sim, dessa vez, Deus estava no grande e forte vento. Eliseu impactado gritou: <b>“Meu pai, meu pai, carros de Israel e seus cavaleiros!”</b>. A expressão significava a constatação da importância de Elias como guardião do Reino de Israel. Diante da cena grandiosa, Eliseu rasgou as suas roupas em duas partes, tomou o manto que Elias havia deixado cair, o empunhou, o levantou e voltando-se ao Jordão, e como Elias poucos minutos antes, o projetou contra as águas. Diante das testemunhas da ascensão, perguntou</span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: <b>“Onde está o SENHOR, Deus de Elias?”</b> Um sinal respondeu a pergunta: Eliseu fez o percurso de volta em solo seco. O primeiro milagre de Eliseu demonstrou que a partida de Elias não significava a partida do SENHOR de Israel, pelo contrário, o poder do alto seria revelado de forma ainda mais contundente por meio dele. Também pelo mesmo sinal, Eliseu, o filho de Elias, foi confirmado como o novo pai dos profetas de Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Em muitos aspectos, a transição ministerial de Elias para Eliseu antecipa uma outra. Conseguem identificá-la? Pensem: A voz solitária do deserto, que clama por arrependimento, dando espaço à mensagem pública, que anuncia salvação. As semelhanças são óbvias. Assim como João anunciou a chegada de Jesus, Elias chamou o seu sucessor; assim como o Espírito desceu sobre Jesus, ao ser batizado por João, Eliseu recebeu o poder para a carreira profética, quando o manto de Elias chegou em suas mãos. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">O manto em novas mãos. Eliseu, e sua mensagem: Salvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ernesto Ferreira Jr.</span></span></div></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-1010402726156135382010-12-16T12:53:00.000-08:002010-12-16T12:53:02.401-08:00Wit (Movie Review)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> The Kingdom ethics are not high ideals but transforming initiatives one must have in order to participate in the Kingdom of God. To learn how to relate to our neighbor is not an easy task. Several times we find ourselves in certain circumstances that make us reflect how we should relate to our neighbor. The movie <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bROGmi93prk">"Wit"</a> <span id="goog_338170693"></span><span id="goog_338170694"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>presents a true reality in our society in terms of relationships. People often times do not treat their neighbor in the way they should because they are blind to the message of the Kingdom. Learning and acting according to the Sermon of the Mount is the key to overcome the barriers that often times are seen in the various levels of relationships in our society.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> The main character of the movie: Vivian Bearing is overwhelmed. Even though she does not realize in the beginning how tough her situation is, she is constantly fighting in order to find a solution for her problems. One might say her vocation and background play a significant role in her relational life because she often times go back and refers to them as she is trying to figure it out a specific answer in her life. Vivian is extremely sick; she has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, which determines that she will have to be in treatment in case she wants to overcome the illness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> By accepting the treatment with some reservation due the complexity of her state, she finds herself in a hospital room, where she will have to deal with different people that have different goals and values than her. She keeps thinking over her past and trying to solve problems by acting in an empiric way; she is a very intelligent woman with a PhD in philosophy, which makes her reflect and contemplate different aspects of her life as well as other people that are involved in her life. During the movie, we see her talking to herself always using a very scholarly language which tells us the level of intelligence she is used to in her life. She used to be a very tough professor before she is diagnosed with cancer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> The first person that deals with Vivian is Dr. Kelikian. Head of the research project at the hospital, he is very precise in his use of the words. He is very direct in his explanation of the disease in the beginning of the movie, and he will treat Vivian as an object of study for his research. He is not very concerned about Vivian and her anxieties as a human being, which undermines their relationship. In the same way, Jason, who is a young research doctor who had Professor Bearing when he was still studying at the university when professor Bearing use to teach.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> Both Dr. Kelikian and Jason’s attitude toward Vivian failed according to the example left from Jesus. Perhaps their professional career plays out a significant role in the way they have to relate to their patients; however, they do not show any concern regarding respect, love and compassion. Jason still shows a kind of respect and honor toward the professor due all the things she accomplished as a professional in the area of education; however, he does not identify himself with the suffering nor try to show his concern for her emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> On the other hand, we have Suzie who is a nurse at the hospital and is very concerned about Vivian, during the movie she identifies herself the patient’s suffering. This concept of identification was the same Jesus had for the poor and oppressed in his ministry. Jesus’ main concern was for the lost and his passion was to reveal God will to them. It is interesting to see how Suzie relates to Vivian, when she is experiencing one of the toughest stages of her treatment. When Suzie comes in her room at four in the morning, she is very cautions in the way she approaches professor Bearing, even though her character in the movie is more simplistic compare to other characters regarding her social status, she is the one who gets the deep meaning of a relational life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One professional way we can engage in this movie regarding our professional lives is to not let professional things such as ambition, money, success modify our mindset which should be rooted in the Kingdom message. Since we have been called to be a “Kingdom Worker” no matter where we are, we should pursue the Kingdom of God first as this verse illustrates; “</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 – NIV). Living the Kingdom message must show out integrity in the various levels of relationship in the many scales of society.</span></span></span></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-84725635310227285132010-12-14T10:22:00.000-08:002010-12-14T10:22:59.373-08:00Resposta ao Chamado (1 Reis 19.19-21)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Este e o segundo estudo sobre Eliseu: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Um novo profeta, com uma nova mensagem: Salvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O encontro em Horebe havia devolvido a Elias o vigor espiritual. Depois de uma sucessão de conflitos íntimos causados por medo, desorientação, exaustão, além da sensação de terrível solidão, o profeta havia então sido cuidado e direcionado pelo SENHOR. Elias havia sido lembrado que a ação de Deus em Israel não estava limitada ao seu ministério, afinal, o profetismo em Israel havia sido instituído pelo SENHOR, quando a nação estava ainda às portas da Terra Prometida. Na ocasião importantíssima, Deus falou por meio de Moisés que, na condição de profeta, anunciou a vinda de um futuro Profeta. Portanto, os filhos de Israel não deveriam copiar as práticas abomináveis das nações vizinhas, que apoiavam e buscavam toda sorte de ‘futurólogos’, como adivinhadores, feiticeiros e necromantes, pois homens seriam levantados por Deus, homens que receberiam as suas palavras e as proclamariam, garantindo instrução do alto a todo Israel (Deuteronômio 18.9-22). Os verdadeiros profetas não eram eleitos por um conselho de classe, também não eram meros religiosos separados pelo povo, mas simples dádivas da graça de Deus a uma nação marcada por sua infidelidade endêmica.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Segundo o texto bíblico, Elias deixou a Península do Sinai e, em seu caminho rumo ao norte, achou a Eliseu. Sim, ele apenas o achou, Deus o havia escolhido. Pensem: Sucessões promovidas por homens, por vezes, seguem um curso segundo o qual homens são substituídos por outros supostamente‘iguais’. </span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Elias, era mesmo um homem de personalidade exuberante e mística, mas ele não encontrou alguém como ele. </span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eliseu não seria um clone, uma réplica de Elias; seu ministério seria até semelhante, em alguns aspectos, ao de seu antecessor, mas, evidentemente, não igual. Diferentes contextos, diferentes momentos, <b>diferentes servos</b>. As escolhas do SENHOR são perfeitas. Sempre. Há mais exemplos bíblicos a respeito, mesmo no Antigo Testamento, porém, nas primeiras páginas do Evangelho de João, estão os relatos de um Profeta também achado e em muito diferente de seu antecessor imediato. Encontrem o texto!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Provavelmente, Eliseu era mesmo nativo de Abel-Meolá, no vale do Jordão, região pertencente aos limites do Reino do Norte. O filho de Safate era membro de uma família com recursos materiais consideráveis para os padrões da época. Sim, doze parelhas de bois não significavam pouca coisa; obviamente, a propriedade da família era grande, havia muita terra sujeita a lavragem, além do mais, o uso de tantos animais, por certo, demandava servos assalariados. Ao que tudo indica, Elias e Eliseu tiveram origens bem diferentes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Elias passou (por Eliseu), e lançou o manto sobre ele.” </span></b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O manto representava a vocação profética, e, uma vez lançado sobre um sucessor, confirmava, de forma dramática, a transferência de tal vocação, e, naturalmente, de todas as responsabilidades inerentes. Portanto, o manto sobre os ombros de Eliseu foi o sinal de sua investidura, investidura irrevogável. Eliseu entendeu o simbolismo do ato de Elias imediatamente. Viu o santo profeta se afastando, deixou os animais de trabalho e correu após ele. Depois do encontro, quando então se entreolharam, Eliseu fez um pedido expresso: <b>“Deixa-me beijar a meu pai e a minha mãe, e então te seguirei.”</b> Eliseu queria apenas um tempo com a família. Não havia dúvidas em seu coração, muito menos intenções sutis; as devidas despedidas fariam parte de um processo de saída definido, não de um esquema que prolongaria a sua permanência em casa(Mateus 8.18-22). Reflitam! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A resposta de Elias foi curta e direta: <b>“Vai e volta…”</b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As despedidas não poderiam ser longas, pois Eliseu já havia entendido que não sairia para uma aventura, mas para o cumprimento de um ministério sagrado. </span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Com a devida permissão, Eliseu voltou ao local onde havia deixado os animais de trabalho, os </span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">matou, queimou o equipamento de madeira e então, com carne e lenha disponíveis, preparou </span><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">um grande churrasco para sua família e amigos. Notem, Eliseu não se desfez do que pertencia a família, apenas do que era propriamente dele, em sinal de ruptura com a sua condição passada; ele não deixou algo reservado para uma possível volta, pois não haveria volta.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Então, se dispôs, e seguiu a Elias, e o servia.”</span></b><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Aparentemente, Eliseu era ainda jovem quando de seu chamado, pois seu ministério profético se estenderia por mais de cinquenta anos. No início, no entanto, ele seria apenas o moço, o servo de Elias; Eliseu assumiria uma condição na qual aprenderia muito por simples observação. “<b><i>Eliseus</i></b>” é a forma grega do nome hebraico “<b><i>Elisha</i></b>” cujo significado é “Deus é salvação”. O nome de Eliseu caracterizaria apropriadamente o seu ministério. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eliseu, não mais lavrador. Um novo profeta, com uma nova mensagem: Salvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ernesto Ferreira Junior</span></span></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-21364717544233405522010-12-13T16:04:00.000-08:002010-12-13T16:07:30.468-08:00"Devoted" (Acts 2:42)<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i><br />
</i> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj9oRX1wHdyr1s3uTgFs2Aaz91F8RqKNwm9967NG3_17fK7LFZ1QwUDOFysOrFTVKSTPotdVjiSREh5w43LcN1kH5YqwtrCvDOPQtkZ8g4RM__PT58L2vHbRYYyg34Bf2ZRhzRUva8-I/s1600/DSC03334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj9oRX1wHdyr1s3uTgFs2Aaz91F8RqKNwm9967NG3_17fK7LFZ1QwUDOFysOrFTVKSTPotdVjiSREh5w43LcN1kH5YqwtrCvDOPQtkZ8g4RM__PT58L2vHbRYYyg34Bf2ZRhzRUva8-I/s320/DSC03334.JPG" width="320" /></i></span></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i><br />
</i> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Today, I would like to share a little bit about one of my experiences this summer serving at my local church. Probably the highlight of this summer was the "pre-teen mission trip". We took our kids to the Inner-City Cleveland to work alongside a ministry that works with the poor/outcast community. Anyway, one of the things that were really special about this trip was the Bible Text we studied before/during the trip. Before we left for the trip, the children's pastor and I were thinking and meditating in Acts chapter two. We started studying and we thought it would be cool to ministry to the kids about the fellowship of the believers in the early church and what ways they engaged in the disciplines of faith taught by Jesus. It is amazing for me to think how greatly God used them. There was such an impact through the apostles' ministry because they had learned from Jesus what means to be devoted as this verse illustrates:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i> </i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><i>"They devoted themselves in themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42 - NIV).</i></span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This verse shows the apostle's submission to the life and teachings of Jesus. After experiencing three years along with the Master, they had seen how Jesus taught, prayed, ministered communion, served the community, etc. Therefore, they wanted to put in practice what they had learned and they did so by experiencing the help and instruction of the Holy Spirit. They all were filled with the Holy Spirit and by the wonders they were seeing in the life of the early church (Acts 2:43)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgexKrl5Gsnp70OJIpDnUKkiVzqye1wvfgPzKFAA0jpAlkgYmmbWRB1Us3ML9fIL0MrTFGahxc0LTk2_6TcyJ7vagNkUjkybhL4RR-w_TMR-cJcp0U8pNrDxM25Vnv-iKkJAD1MRKfJI4/s1600/DSC04002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgexKrl5Gsnp70OJIpDnUKkiVzqye1wvfgPzKFAA0jpAlkgYmmbWRB1Us3ML9fIL0MrTFGahxc0LTk2_6TcyJ7vagNkUjkybhL4RR-w_TMR-cJcp0U8pNrDxM25Vnv-iKkJAD1MRKfJI4/s200/DSC04002.JPG" width="200" /></a> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniNKDHwlhpyx573xaDrS4mkoqgkm2Qk_khwCtivOchUF_6CzEmHoEzh2kk83Vv8l3Nm5vPlNeYheDiHzc9wWPo9BDr4plzYuH9JEkZAdnip9ma4wNJ4TOXXlcchjEFhg3meaSEVim3SU/s1600/DSC03337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniNKDHwlhpyx573xaDrS4mkoqgkm2Qk_khwCtivOchUF_6CzEmHoEzh2kk83Vv8l3Nm5vPlNeYheDiHzc9wWPo9BDr4plzYuH9JEkZAdnip9ma4wNJ4TOXXlcchjEFhg3meaSEVim3SU/s200/DSC03337.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;">Anyhow, it was really neat to see in the life of the kids their willingness to engage and grow in the disciplines presented in this verse. In order for us to experience the “inbreaking” of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kingdom</b> we must be devoted. We need to be willing to experience growth by allowing God’s love to shape us and flow through us.</span></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-75683590434030218672010-12-12T13:47:00.000-08:002010-12-12T13:47:15.367-08:00“To end all wars” - Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Today, I would like to talk about a really good movie called: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp8khHe_HMo">“To end all wars”</a>. The movie presents a strong and deep meaning concerning Christian ethics. I believe the director tries to present as best as he can the tough reality of a war labor camp and how difficult can be to show kindness and love to different cultures with distinct views portraying respect, forgiveness, maturity, etc.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFoYl-Etz_J4JDZMVXe9hix7qO-jVYPKk4AuLd8EVsqiOxhR2xx_onVnbT1OsRN3rh-rJnadULKp8qUlHdjngqikt37_jq-mqRcFt7D2ORtI2LNecEIzHPlXyalXnCX25r9p7UMVg8VI/s1600/TEAW.Firing.Line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFoYl-Etz_J4JDZMVXe9hix7qO-jVYPKk4AuLd8EVsqiOxhR2xx_onVnbT1OsRN3rh-rJnadULKp8qUlHdjngqikt37_jq-mqRcFt7D2ORtI2LNecEIzHPlXyalXnCX25r9p7UMVg8VI/s200/TEAW.Firing.Line.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></span>In the story we see many characters demonstrating different attitudes toward their neighbor. Loving our enemy is not an easy task as the story shows. However, the movie shows that if we seek for God’s guidance and grace, He will help us to develop a love for our enemies. It is interesting to notice that the Prisoners of War started to understand this issue of how they should relate to their neighbors, when they begin to read the Scriptures and develop accountability among themselves. It is fundamental for one to build a good relationship with God and the neighbor to first grow in ways that will shape their lives from the inside out. This process requires a deep need and passion for the Word of God, which can be reinforced by the fellowship of the believers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">As the prisoners learn more about God and each other, they start to understand that only with respect they would be able to earn something back from the Japanese. Therefore, they begin to relate better with the Japanese, by not seeking revenge, but by forgiving and showing love through their actions. At first the Japanese captors do not comprehended why the prisoners are acting differently, but as the time goes by they start to realize how significant are their attitude toward the people in the camp, that continues to be shaped with the episodes that happen during the story. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">It is interesting to see how each character in the story build their ethic ideals and how some of them approximate their lives to a Christian perspective regarding love, forgiveness and respect. The first example, which happens in the beginning of the camp, is the major Campbell. He does not accept the fact that the Japanese were requiring a great amount of work and offering precarious conditions regarding food, rest, fellowship, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stands against their position and he died because of his firm mindset, which did not allow him to see the situation with the eyes of one changed by the <b>Kingdom</b> message found in the Sermon of the Mount. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">In the other hand, we have examples such as Ernest Gordon, Jim Reardon and Dusty Miller that present morals of one that are still suffering because of the tough situation, but that understand that love should be their first reaction, when it comes the time of relating and serving their enemy. At first it was hard for them to accept the situation, especially because the Japanese were enduring such a harsh treatment on them. However, they keep growing as they start to encourage each other, practice forgiveness and love toward the Japanese’s commanders. Their approach to violence changes the scenario of the camp. At first, the Japanese do not understand such a distinct behavior from the prisoners, but as the time goes, there are compelled by the power of love, forgiveness, respect. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Loving our neighbor and showing forgiveness is a difficult task. Jesus explores this concept in his Sermon, which fulfilled the earlier Jewish law regarding the horizontal relationship with our neighbor. Practicing those actions such as praying for our enemies and seeking for help from people that experienced this same kind of relationship (accountability) are the keys that Jesus tried to reinforce in his message. By watching the movie, we can see that violence only brings more violence. For instance, when Major Campbell showed rebellious against the Japanese by trying to escape the camp, this only brought more suffering to both sides in the story. Therefore, we need to ask God to help us and shape us through prayer. But we also ought to practice forgiveness in the same way God showed to us. Only by accepting his will we will be able to relate in love to one another.</div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-293611469710063642010-12-11T13:53:00.000-08:002010-12-11T13:57:26.853-08:00O Sucessor de Elias (1 Reis 19.1-18)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Este estudo faz parte de uma serie de estudos sobre o ministerio de Eliseu, pretendo postar semanalmente:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"></span><br />
<span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A batalha do Carmelo havia sido um evento histórico incomparável. Um homem fiel contra uma nação infiel. O desfecho glorioso tinha provocado temor reverente em todo o Israel e incluido o extermínio dos profetas de Baal, segundo pena determinada pela Lei (Deuteronômio 17.1-7). A chuva havia chegado, encerrando a longa seca que sinalizava o juízo de Deus contra as práticas idolátricas ostensivas promovidas por Acabe e Jezabel. Elias, o mais exuberante e ousado de todos os profetas de Israel, havia assim cumprido a missão mais arriscada e importante de sua carreira ministerial. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Acabe também teve a chance de voltar o seu coração ao SENHOR. Afinal, ele viu com os próprios olhos a revelação do poder de Deus e descobriu que Elias não era nenhum perturbador, mas um homem cuja autoridade provinha do céu. Sua decisão, no entanto, foi covarde e infantil. A chuva molhava a terra de Israel, quando o fraco Acabe encontrou sua implacável esposa. Tão logo soube dos fatos recentes, Jezabel se enfureceu e elaborou um plano de retaliação. A ameaça de Jezabel a Elias tinha todos os componentes necessários para assustar e intimidar o profeta. Ela reafirmou o seu poder de ação, pois, de fato, ainda tinha o governo de Israel em suas mãos, empenhou audaciosamente a sua palavra, e, por fim, marcou o horário no qual assassinaria o profeta. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Diante do quadro ameaçador, conflitos íntimos passaram a perseguir Elias. Depois de todos os seus esforços, ele não passava de um proscrito. Provavelmente, Elias via apenas fracasso, e, certamente, sentia medo. Partiu logo, em uma rota de fuga que o levaria para Judá, ou seja, para longe do Reino do Norte. Passou por Berseba, e, solitário, caminhou por região desértica. Suficientemente longe de tudo e de todos, sentou-se à sombra de um arbusto e fez seu pedido ao seu Deus: a morte. Talvez, tenha considerado a possibilidade de morrer ali mesmo. Estranho. Fugiu para não ser morto e então pediu para ser morto. Na verdade, Elias, ainda confuso e, possivelmente exaurido, buscava o seu Deus. Temores em relação a Jezabel não o incomodavam mais. Ficaram pelo caminho. Agora, a angústia tinha a sua vez. Tanto que em seu pedido a Deus, Elias desvalorizou a si mesmo e, indiretamente, a importância de seu ministério. Em casos assim, a busca pela morte é, na verdade, a procura pelo sentido da vida. Elias simplesmente não entendia tudo o que havia ocorrido, e mais, não sabia também o que o aguardava. “Elias, um homem semelhante a nós.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elias dormiu. Mas, o SENHOR providenciou para ele os cuidados necessários. Acordado duas vezes por um anjo, o profeta foi impulsionado a comer e a beber. Ele o fez, por duas vezes. Depois de suprido sobrenaturalmente, como nos primeiros dias de seu ministério, Elias caminhou por quarenta dias e quarenta noites em direção a Horebe. Como a distância entre Berseba e as montanhas era de pouco mais de trezentos kilômetros, Elias certamente andou mais do que o necessário o que indica que a provisão garantida pelo SENHOR não serviria apenas para uma viagem rápida, mas para uma peregrinação longa. Assim os filhos de Israel tinham sido supridos no mesmo deserto, por quarenta anos, assim importava que Elias passasse por experiência semelhante, por quarenta dias. Logo que chegou a Horebe, achou, em um dos montes, uma caverna. Nenhum outro local seria tão adequado à condição de Elias. Uma caverna, no Monte de Deus. Moisés, o mediador da Aliança da Lei havia estado lá; Elias, o restaurador do Culto ao SENHOR em Israel precisaria também chegar a Horebe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Inicialmente, a palavra do SENHOR a Elias veio sob a forma de uma simples pergunta indutiva: “Que fazes aqui?” Em tempos passados, o SENHOR havia guiado o profeta diretamente: “Retira-te… Dispõe-te… Vai, apresenta-te…” Mas, a chegada a Horebe havia ocorrido segundo a própria escolha de Elias, ainda que sob a direção do Espírito do SENHOR. O profeta fez então uma revisão de suas experiências ministeriais. Elias se sentia só. De fato, não há piores dores do que as causadas pelo abandono. No entanto, ainda que os lamentos de Elias fossem honestos, estavam afastados da realidade. Havia profetas sobreviventes em Israel, verdadeiros servos de Deus, embora não poderosos como Elias; além do mais, as reações populares no Carmelo haviam sido visíveis. De qualquer forma, profetas de Deus, por vezes, se vêem solitários, acompanhados ou não. Em seguida, o SENHOR mandou que Elias deixasse a caverna e se posicionasse perante Ele. Sim, o SENHOR passaria por Elias. Manifestações portentosas se seguiram. Entretanto, Elias não ouviu ao SENHOR em nenhuma delas, ou seja, no vento impetuoso, no forte terremoto ou mesmo na chama de fogo. Finalmente, Elias percebeu a presença de Deus, em meio a uma suave, quase imperceptível brisa, sem expressão visual e volume sonoro. Deus se manifesta aos seus onde, quando e como deseja. Para com Elias, o profeta das ações dinâmicas e dramáticas, o SENHOR se manifestou com graciosidade e ternura. Experiências pessoais com o SENHOR não se reproduzem, não se duplicam. São mesmo particulares. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Que fazes aqui?” Com o rosto coberto, Elias ouviu a mesma pergunta, pela segunda vez. Sua resposta também se repetiu, porém ainda mais intensa, com entonação bem emocional. As declarações do profeta foram coerentes, típicas de um homem voltado não para a sua própria condição, mas para a defesa da honra de seu SENHOR. A palavra zêlo define bem a postura de Elias. O cuidado intransigente para com as coisas do Deus dos Exércitos consumia o profeta. Notem as ênfases: “A </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">tua</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> aliança, os </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">teus</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> altares, os </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">teus</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> profetas”. Elias perguntava ao SENHOR, “Quem irá defendê-lo, eu estou só e sob ameaça de morte?” Ele, no entanto, não estava, nem estaria só. Sim, o ministério de Elias não havia chegado ao fim. O SENHOR ainda tinha alguns trabalhos para ele e parte de sua missão restante seria ungir o continuador de sua missão. O próprio sucessor, Eliseu, filho de Safate, seria quem, na verdade, ungiria também o novo rei da Síria, Hazael, e o novo rei de Israel, Jeú. Por meio de um inimigo estrangeiro e pelas políticas internas, a condição precária da nação exposta por Elias seria julgada pelo SENHOR. Elias ainda precisou saber que para além de seu conhecimento, o SENHOR havia preservado sete mil fiéis. O SENHOR nunca fica sem seus representantes.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eliseu, profeta no lugar de Elias. Um novo profeta, com uma nova mensagem: Salvação para todos, em nome do SENHOR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span lang="PT-BR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Ernesto Pereira FerreirJr. <o:p></o:p></span></div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8159342804015226263.post-58576939794040679202010-12-11T11:35:00.000-08:002010-12-11T14:33:07.749-08:00"Affluenza"<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> We live in a society today marked by its traces of consumerism. The issue of economics show our human weakness in deal with money. Jesus presented in his sermon, a deliverance message that challenges us to live accordingly to his will in every single area of our lives, including economics.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> One way that one can be infected with the “affluenza” is by having a selfish and individualistic mindset. Our society, often times want to consume materialistic possessions to meet a specific and selfish need. This issue carries another way that we are also often infected in our society: The vicious cycle of always wanting more. I believe these two issues are correlated because one will never be satisfied with their needs. In other words, our selfish desires cannot be met by the materials this world has to offer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> Another way that we are affected, mainly the newer generation, is by the great appealing of the media in our society. There are many kinds of advertising; they can be seen in the television, newspaper, internet and even in school. A growing audience that has been impacted by the power of the media is the children. There is appealing of the media that represents the “children market”, which has a lot to do with their empiricism. They often time see the parents, who live it up this logic of a capitalistic and consumer society, that is never content with their material possessions. The media plays out a great impact in our society and especially in the lives of children because it is always so appealing by announcing new products that make us believe we always need to be update regarding materialistic possessions.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> Finally, we are frequently exposed to peer pressure. Not only in economics, but several times we seek to be accepted in our society by accomplish certain things that will perhaps draws us near to our neighbor. We want to demonstrate them that we are aware of the “market updates” concerning our possession and belongings and that we are special in the same way as they are.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnTUTRGHJ5SwlPcKoFyJoZ04NThvktgSe5ldDdSmxMIJmAj_7MB6ar1bqsYE2eDsFPB1kimWIQ0L6vfJwZmRPiBcuX5qO_I7u2DRXfXqZSM55JyvuTj_1DG1bTKNYCFscdu6u24jfyqA/s1600/affluenza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnTUTRGHJ5SwlPcKoFyJoZ04NThvktgSe5ldDdSmxMIJmAj_7MB6ar1bqsYE2eDsFPB1kimWIQ0L6vfJwZmRPiBcuX5qO_I7u2DRXfXqZSM55JyvuTj_1DG1bTKNYCFscdu6u24jfyqA/s320/affluenza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> By observing and living out the words and examples of Jesus we can overcome the affluenza in our life. Jesus is very clear in his sermon that we are able to follow him and his kingdom if we are willing to seek a reorientation in our minds and hearts, that has also to do if economics; “Because we are disciples of Jesus and are invested in his eschatological project it naturally follows that we reorient our lives in every area, including economic life” (Stassen & Gushee 411). Therefore, like any other issue, economics also requires a willingness to be changed from the inside out through the power of the Holy Scriptures.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> The words of Jesus related to economics can be found on Matthew 6:19-24. According to our authors we can grasp three important imperatives from this text: “do not worry…look…consider” (Stassen & Gushee 412). Jesus words had so much impact in the lives of his disciples because Jesus had authority to teach, to preach, to rebuke, etc. Such authority reflected Jesus wholeness and that makes his message extremely powerful not only in that context but in our economic situation today. Jesus invites us to identify our lives with his life and message, by allowing our hearts to trust and therefore not worry about the things this world tells us we should pursue. Of course, we still have to work hard and seek for a good position in terms of professional vocation, but our hearts, which is the core of our existence, should be rooted in love for God and love for our neighbor. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Pursuing the will of Christ help us to discern what material things we really need. God is a provider God who is attemptive to our needs. In his sermon, Jesus uses the example of fauna and flora to express his care for his children. “In looking at the provision God majestically offers for the flora and fauna we are called away from anxiety to trust in God the Creator-Sustainer-Reedemer” (Stassen & Gushee 413). Therefore, by learning from Christ message we are able to rely in Him. We can trust that he will supply and that we should not let things this world has to offer to corrupt our minds and hearts.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Stassen, Glen Harold, and David P. Gushee.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Kingdom ethics: following Jesus in contemporary context</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Print.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div>feacferreirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00653656996749754597noreply@blogger.com0