Don't fear time!

"Everything has its own time" and "Nothing lasts forever" — Wise is he who acquires lessons throughout time. (Ecclesiastes. 3:1-8)

This miracle has to be cultivated so it'll be born at the proper time. The important thing is to not give up or forget the goal — Salvation. For this you need a daily maintenance in your communion with God. 

The overcomer is he who overcomes time, being perseverant in the faith no matter for how long they'll have to persevere.

The God who determines the events in our lives is compassionate, kind and faithful. 

Nothing will be delayed, fast forwarded or interfere with what God wants for you.

GOD NEVER FAILS! There are more than 30 million promises stating this found in the Holy Scriptures. If He promised, He will live up to His word!

Don't let circumstances mess with your faith instead, take advantage of them. 

Is there a bigger motivation letting us know that we're capable of overcoming walls or limitation with the strength of God working in us other than this? 

"I can do all things through He who strengthens me."

The finish line is right there!

Don't fear time! 

The beauty of listening

If you manage to hear in silence the beauty of the Voice of God, you understand the importance listening to others: beauty lies there as well.

What does it mean to listen?

• Emptying your mind in order to receive everything the other person is saying.

• Being in the conversation in body and soul, putting your worries to the side.

• Don't be defensive, trying to justify or explain yourself.

• Don't take criticism or suggestions personally.

• Close your mouth when the other person is speaking and open your ears.

• Don't try to guess what the person is about to say, or how they feel.

Open your ears and hear with at least two of your senses, audibly and visually.

When our communion with God is personal and intense, everything around us becomes uncomplicated becoming simple.

Day 10 - Fruit: Longsuffering

This is a genuine Christian quality, no one can show a longsuffering attitude if they aren't involved with the Holy Spirit, because being longsuffering means ENDURING OFFENSES.

It's not a self control from our human nature that makes us be longsuffering (patient), the revelation of this fruit is not this way, but the direct actions of the Holy Spirit inside a person that's makes them produce a patience to tolerate aggressions that society imposes on us, because with don't mingle with it corruption... only those who've been through the new birth have this ability. Let's meditate on the importance of this fruit:

The Lord Jesus what put through fire of those who hated Him, trying to provoke him to react in the same manner, which is what those people to do those, who because of love, strive to win them for eternal life.

There lies the true meaning of longsuffering. Meanwhile the world succeeds, it strives  and fights with all its might to destroy us, we struggle with all our might to save it.

Non-Christians cannot handle offenses with patience, only if there's a reason for them in their yes... but the Christian is able to handle ALL and whatever kind of injustice and still, he remains strong and longsuffering.

The race is not always of the fastest, nor the battle of the strongest. The race is won through patience, by learning to walk with God, step by step. 

It's been 2 years since I follow your blog...

Hi Mrs. Graciele,

I couldn't wait to send you this email... I finally got the chance!

I want to share with you and everyone else the big change that happened within me since I started following your blog a little over a year ago.

Before following your blog, there were things about me (inside and out), that still needed to change. I couldn't interact with others and I always looked serious; at church, there were a lot of assistants that I didn't speak to and I wasn't responsible, with the things placed in my care; at my house, only complaints, I was very lazy and didn't clean my room.

One day I heard two assistants speaking about "The Diary of a Pastor's Wife", so, I decided to go and see it out of curiosity. I became a follower and during 2 years I began to put in practice everything I'd read, and also practice what the pastor would preach but overall what God would say to me. 

The first change I noticed in me, was the purpose of friends. I participated in both purposes that took place, one in 2011 and the other one this year.

The results of that purpose was very good, I conquered my first goal. Cynthia, was the fruit of last year and Nadia the fruit of this year. Today we're very blessed friends, we're here for one another 

The second change (even though it should've been the first) was inside of me. I began taking care of my communion with God, praying more, fasting more. When we had to decorate our Bible, I realized the importance that it was to read the word of God, ever since that day, not a day goes by without me reading the Bible.

Being good spiritually with God and not having problems with my friends immediately brought a change in my home. Today I'm a testimony of the Lord Jesus in my home. I'm no longer lazy; I wake up early to go to work, but before that I make sure I leave everything organized to avoid problems. I have fixed my room, decorating and moving furniture (something I wouldn't do), I even helped paint the living room.

At church I've also changed, I've grown in all the groups that God has placed me at and today I'm a responsible Servant. 

Taking the opportunity I want to take advantage and share my testimony from this Fast of Daniel. I began living each day at a time, making sure each day I grew. I stopped watching TV, going on Facebook, listening to the radio, etc. I decided to fill those empty slots, and implementing them in my daily life which turned into a habit. In the past months because of the cold, I had stopped sports and sadly :( gained weight, but in these 21 days I decided to take care of the temple of the Holy Spirit... I'm getting up early to walk, I drink almost 2 liters of water daily and, I have added many fruits to my diet... soon the result will come :)

In the spiritual side, I decided to dedicate more of myself (Saturday and Sunday), going to evangelize and winning souls for the Kingdom of God and, I'm also helping two new assistant teachers. In my spare time I make lessons, books and other items for the kids zone.

I thank God for changing this inside of me. Today I am a new woman of God, dedicated, responsible... I learned not to get comfortable in any situation.

I'm thankful to you Mrs, because I know God used you to help me with your experiences and purposes.

God bless you very much,

Yamila, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dear Yamila,

I'm very happy with you testimony... but even with the comment you added, you didn't depend on my posts but instead, you added them to the word the Holy Spirit used that pastor in your church to tell you overall! You looked for answers in the Word of God! That for me friend, has no pirce! It's my salary!

It's good to hear when people use the experiences I had and will have to learn to depend on God. Thank you for sharing your testimony... It's good to know that even with mistakes, God can use us in some way for Him to be Glorified ;-)

God Bless... Graci

Day 9 - How are your 21 days?

Before we continue with the study of the Holy Spirit book I'd like to do something different today. I want to know how these days have gone for you. What have you done? Or stopped doing to be in communion with God?

You will be enticing others to do the same when you leave your comment.... so, I'll begin, okay?

In these 21 days I've been in the purpose of leading people to desire the baptism in the Holy Spirit... through the studies in the book of Bp Macedo, through counseling, conversations, praying with you over the phone and also through the kids zone through visual items. In my spiritual life, I'm not accessing Facebook, I'm praying in all the times for our purpose of prayer, studying English, organizing things to have easier access, helping the work of God by drinking more water, I need it to become a habit in my life to have good health and preserve the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is my healthy that serves God.

Here are some pictures :-)

Day 8 - Fruit: Peace

The same way the the world confuses love and joy, it has also confused the real meaning of peace. The world wants peace and no more wars... but, even if all the atomic weapons are banned on the face of the earth, even if all the countries were to get along, even then, there would not be peace that humans need and crave.

It's not acquired through a simple sensation of well-being among people, but through a deep stillness in the soul, and is only possible when God, in the Person of His Son Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, passes to reign through your soul.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) There are two kinds of peace: The peace that comes from God and the peace from the world. The first reaches the depths of a person when the peace of the world only reaches the exterior.

Everything that affects our interior lasts permanently, as it creates inside of us a different world totally independent and private. Exterior peace is subject to and also dependent on others.

You can receive this power of peace that comes from God... open your soul and pour it before the Lord Jesus through a sincere prayer. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. Don't waste time! Do it now!

Day 7 - Fruits: Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is very different from the joy the world gives. It's not born by jokes, drunkenness or anything like that, neither does it have a time limit... Joy that comes from the Holy Spirit is powerful! It sprouts from the deepest part of our hearts to remain eternally.

This joy is the result of our salvation, the manifestation of an inner well being. The planting is usually always done with tears, but the harvest is done with joy (Psalm 126:5-6). Who ever is filled with the Holy Spirit overflows with joy even when persecutions or difficulties arise.

Day 6 - Fruits: Love

God is love. In order to understand the real meaning of love, it is essential that we know God, and for this, the first thing to do is accept His ultimate expression of love for us, that is, His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Upon acceptance of this divine love, we begin to see the magnitude, scope and extent of this fruit that is - Love.

This love of which I speak, doesn't lose its temper; it seeks to be constructive. Its not envious, doesn't seek to impress, doesn't exaggerate ideas about his own importance. Love has good manners and does not seek its own interest. It's not irascible. Doesn't look with evil, neither rejoices with the weakness of others. Rather, it rejoices with good, when the truth prevails.

Love has no limits on what it can stand, it is infinite in its confidence and hope and will not wilt. It's really the only thing that lasts when everything else finishes. Love never loses hope, it stands against everything with faith, hope and patience. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13).

The love that comes from God gives without expecting to receive ... and only those who have this understand this, so I usually say that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are Super Powers within us... This is the love that we must cultivate in our hearts, allowing it to flow from our lives others, this is the true love, you cannot confuse it with a passion.

The Kingdom of God can only exist on the basis of deep and pure love and can only be brought forth to those who love God above all things... one can only love God above all things when you have the Spirit of God within you, and it happens when we see the Lord Jesus as the only Lord and personal Savior.

The beauty of the fruit of the Spirit is that it is like a bushel of grapes. The are many parts but, they form but only one fruit. Look for a beautiful bushel of grapes, each grape is nice, juicy and perfect. Likewise, in love we find patience, kindness, gentleness, kindness,  self-control, faith - because each is part of the fruit, and each form the whole.

Note: I wonder if this study of the Book of Bp.Macedo here on the blog has helped you in these 21 days... :-)

Day 5 - The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

This is a topic simpler to understand, but the hardest to achieve… it's not easy to access but many begin worrying more about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and leave aside the constant exercise of a life that reflects the Character of God.

And also, it's much easier to manifest the spiritual fruits with people from a distance, that you don't see much than with those whom you're always close to and witness your every move. For these people it's much harder, even impossible.

The fruits of the Spirit are given naturally… have you ever seen a tree struggling to give fruit? Of course not!

We know that the fruits are the result of what is planted… let's understand this better: if someone desires to get a certain kind of fruit, they must first plant the seed of that fruit to harvest it, right?

But what happens the majority of times is that many forget to plant (attitudes) or they get tired of planting. They then are surprised when the harvest they wanted doesn't come (baptism in the Holy Spirit). Many want the fruits of the Holy Spirit but many don't begin to plant with attitudes… they wait, expecting that the Holy Spirit come over them to later on bear fruits, it's not like this.

If I want to have the fruits of the Holy Spirit, I first need to be a good farmer, prepare the proper soil (prepare my life, clean my heart and begin practicing these fruits, show that I want! That I desire Him!) If something happens that my emotions make me want to be sad, I'm going to act with happiness because I want to have this fruit in difficulties, believe that God is with me… If my friend disappoints me, the normal thing for this world is to hate her… but I know I can choose to love her because I also am not perfect… any situation that you go through you can choose (sacrifice) and practice a fruit of the Holy Spirit, you begin showing what you want.

Also, sometimes the farmer plants and the rain is not enough for a good harvest… he plants, but the storm carries away the seeds. Sometimes he plants, but insects come and devour the crop. Even when that happens he doesn't stop. He's persistent because he knows that at the given time, the harvest will come (Those who want to be baptized with the Holy Spirit don't give up! They don't lose heart! They fight until the end, until they get to… Oh, what a day!)

Day 4 - Symbols of the Holy Spirit

The same way that different names identify the Holy Spirit in the lives of those regenerated by faith through His Holy Son Jesus, He's able to represent Himself through several symbols.

If, in case, God would allow people to use images to adore Him, then, they wouldn't live by faith but by their senses.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) If it's the substance of things hoped for, how can a person have faith in something they see right in front of them? How will they believe in something they don't see, if in front of them is a graven image? Read Isaiah 40:18-23.

Symbols are used by God because no one will desire to adore water for example, wind, rain or fire. These elements help people to express their faith which is normally hidden inside of them. The simplest objects were used by God to deliver people, which should not be objects of adoration because this should only be done in spirt and in truth.

Let's see and meditate in a few symbols of the Holy Spirit:

River of living water (John 7:38)
Wind (John 20:22)
Fire (Exodus 13:21)
Oil (Exodus 29:07)
Tongues (Acts 2:8)
Dew (Psalm 133:3)
Dove (Matthew 3:16)
Sky (2 Corinthians 1:22)
Rain (Hosea 6:03)

Day 3 - Attracting Him to you

"...and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David..." (1 Samuel 16:13)

We've learned that the Holy Spirit is the same temple — God, father and son, who was, is and will always be inside of the heart of those who have been chosen by God for His purposes.

The story of David clearly shows when the Holy Spirit manifests Himself. When the Holy Spirit took hold of David, all his weaknesses became strengths and  power... in that moment the people didn't see a change in his life, his appearance stayed the same, humanly speaking, nothing happened... but inside, David obtained everything from God!

From that moment on, all that David couldn't do before because of his inabilities, he received the conditions to do, because inside of him was now the Spirit of God. And this way, the fruits, his attitudes, began showing what was inside of him. Like David, all the other men and women who make room in their life for the Holy Spirit, were used exclusively and extraordinary.

When one has the Holy Spirit, there is nothing impossible! The confidence inside of you is so strong that the world could be ending before your eyes, yet you strongly believe God is there with you. You can be going through an unexplainable situation, difficulties, but there is an assurance that you will overcome this for God.

Many want the Holy Spirit, but many have not tried to find out about the power in being baptized. There is not a complete surrender from their part, no sacrifice, they may even begin well, but they don't go to the end. Understand this, you need to want this first! There's no point in asking for something that you don't know, have you tried to understand that perhaps that's what is lacking inside of you?

David still being a kid, in front of men was insignificant, but inside of him, there was a big desire to know God, much bigger! This desire attracted God to him.

Do you want to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? So then, learn about Him through His word (the Bible)... the more you read about Him, through His word (the Bible), the more you'll desire Him inside of you, your attitudes will be determined (without emotions) to leave your old life, things that are against God... That's it!!! You will attract the Holy Spirit and say, "Ah, What a Day!" 

Day 2 - Names of the Holy Spirit

Let's see the other names used by the Holy Spirit to more easily identify the followers of His son the Lord Jesus... let's meditate? Stop whatever you're doing, if you can't right now, separate some time later on... Read each verse patiently, attentively, with thirst and meditating on each word understanding what identifies Him.

The multiple acts of the Spirit of God in our lives:


The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:02)

Good Spirit (Psalm 143:10)

Counselor (John 14:16)

Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)

Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15)

Spirit of Love (2 Timothy 1:7)

Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9)

Spirit of Glory (2 Chronicles 7:3)

Spirit of Grace (Zechariah 12:10)

Spirit of judgement and burning (Isaiah 4:4)

Spirit of a Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13)

Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4)

Spirit of Truth (John 14:17)

My Spirit (Genesis 6:3)

Now, after meditating on each verse… stop for a moment… seek the Holy Spirit. If you believe, you'll receive Him right now in your life!

Day 1 - The Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity is perfect. We know that it is revealed only when we come before the Throne of Grace. But, an apparent example of this Trinity was the baptism of the Lord Jesus.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

The Son, having been baptized in the water... The Holy Spirit, descending upon the Son like a dove... and the Father, identifying from heaven His beloved Jesus.

God the father sacrificed His son whilst being God... God the son having a Spiritual nature sacrificed Himself by not calling on His Spiritual nature... God the Holy Spirit is God — Father and son, who is willing to live in the lives of those who allow Him. Many want to have this miracle inside of them, but they aren't willing to pay the price.

What is the price to pay? The total surrender of YOUR WILL AND 100% OF YOUR ALL for everything God has!

What do you gain with this? SUPERPOWERS! The Holy Spirit inside of you, you become a power person in the Spiritual world. You receive The Spirit to recognize God's voice... He makes you reason, He guides you! Typically, you use these super powers in difficulties and trials.

Why is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit necessary? It's necessary for the survival of faith in this world, every day it's much harder to dwell in it. It's impossible to be a Christian in this world without the seal of the Holy Spirit.

Being a Christian without the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the same thing as hearing about a delicious plate of special food and staying hungry wishing one day being able to eat it. The baptism in the Holy Spirit enables us to personally know the Lord Jesus, it takes us to have personal experiences with God, it guarantees our salvation and it impedes us from being deceived or mislead by our weaknesses, emotions, and feelings by motivating us towards a constant spiritual growth.

The Holy Spirit is the Flame that impedes our faith from going out. Only those who have been sealed by Him have stayed firm.

21 days - Meditation

During the Fast of Daniel, I will be meditating with a few youth in the church over the book of Bishop Macedo The Holy Spirit... Starting on Monday (August 13th), I will be posting on this blog a bit of what we'll be meditating during these 21 days (everyday). If you want, come here starting the 13th... let's be in that faith of fasting :-)

Willing to Compromise (Testimony of a Pastor's wife)

I've wanted to share an experience I had with God in order to help someone out for a while now but, I was always leaving it for later, I didn't have time. Actually, it's not that I didn't have time but I didn't know how to say it. In the end I got the courage to overcome this challenge.

It's been two years since I've been doing the Work of God on the altar. My husband and I had only been married 4 months and were then transferred to assist a more experienced pastor. In the beginning it was very difficult for me, being away from my family, my pride wouldn't allow me to compromise in my marriage resulting in many arguments and nights of crying. When I was an assistant, I thought I was so strong until I came across a problem much bigger than any other I had overcome as an assistant: overcoming myself, my ego. It took me time to recognize that I had to change because I was very spoiled, I wanted to compare my marriage to that of my parents. There was no point to this because the more I criticized him the less he changed.

He worked exhaustively winning souls and when he got home, besides than the bad food (lol), he had to hear my complaints and comparisons, and whatever he said I took it as an offense. If he said that I had to learn to make bread like his mom or his favorite dessert, it led to an automatic argument. I kept grinding it between my teeth feeling inferior every time. Do you think I did something to change this? No. I thought the problem was on his behalf, he was expecting too much of me.

All he wanted was to have peace and dinner on the table (lol). And I in a bad mood just wanted to compare everything to my old life as a single woman. I was on MSN wasting too much time chatting with my single friends that I didn't have time to hear the voice of God. Only until the time that I managed to disconnect from all those (which deep down I knew was taking up the time I was supposed to be serving God) things of no help, I then started reading books on marriage, participating in meetings that the main pastor's wife of the state had with those that had been married for 3 years or less and God started showing me how selfish I was being and how I wasn't valuing the man God had given me to help.

I had prayed so much when I was single and now had to face the truth. I needed to compromise, I needed to mature, I needed to be humble and recognize that my husband's life could not revolve only around me but in the suffering souls because, that is what God had called us for. I began to realize that if I didn't become the helper he needed, he'd never be the man of my dreams and that's when everything began to change. I began reading cooking books and making those recipes (lol), he got so happy that he began complementing me and I began feeling more secure about helping more around the church, organizing more my time. Many times, he was in need of a shirt and it wasn't ironed or cleaned, it wasn't the lack of time but lack of organization and willingness, I'll talk more about this another time.

Summarizing, my marriage began changing once I took the first step, without waiting to receive anything in return, that's where I learned what true love is, and that the stage of adaptation lasts for a short amount of time when we are willing to compromise. 

Daniela Garces - Paraná, Brazil

Too much information?

Nowadays it's too easy to obtain information, just click, send an email, call, send a message on MSN, skype, etc., you get what ever information you need without having to leave your couch. News spreads fast of when someone stops their relationship with God, when someone is sad, happy, upset, strong, weak, angry, calm, and the only thing you have to do is go on Facebook — no need to leave your house to find all this information. But be careful! That's where danger lies... curiosity kills! Kills the spiritual life!

Lately I've been sifting out what I receive or try to find, sometimes it's things that show no danger (harmless), but... deep down is where the danger lies.

"The more information you receive, the more voices you hear... The more voices you hear, the less you hear God's voice." Let me make it clearer: When we listen to a lot of voices (information), we stop hearing God's voice.

You read someone's "insinuating" message on a social network and you think - "Is she talking about me?" A person sends out an email with one sentence or an article speaking in parables and you think — "What did I do? What is she trying to say?" And that's how the voices start inside of you, your thoughts speed up ahead of you concocting things that don't exist. What about God's voice? You lose It.

We must be very careful! Think! Why do I need to know about that? Or about that? Will it help me? Will that bring me down? Will it bless me?

When you ignore all that information, God's voice will become stronger and clearer for you. Learn to filter the information that will really add to your life.

One voice is enough!

Teamwork

I had the privilege of being in far away places serving God here in the US... places where there weren't a lot of people in church, it was just starting, and we had to be the assistant, evangelist, kids zone teacher and many other things. Even now, we need to do a little of everything at every place... my colleagues know very well how it is... it's very gratifying :-)

One of the things I learned during this time was to work as a team with my husband. One of the things I really admire in my husband is that he shares with me everything he does, and vice-versa... When we have the same objective, in this case, my husband and I (saving souls), when we work together, and when it looks something will turn out wrong, it turns out right.

When I was alone in these places with my husband, I had the opportunity to learn new things, not only was I working to save souls, I had to do many things at the same time. He was always motivating me, helping me. There are many things my husband could do without me but he gives me the chance to help him... he motivates and includes me in his plans which is to save souls for the Kingdom of God. This makes me be closer to him on behalf of the souls and also in my marriage.

When we have a goal and work together, we can be a team, even as a friend or colleague, as well as your spouse, helping one another, what ever happens will be blessed... everything will go smoothly.

Working as a team reflects God's nature for us. In groups you get ideas, creativity, motivation, and you learn many things from one another... now imagine, how much more fruit would we bear if we worked as a team?

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” Michael Jordan

5th Check Up - Am I a (+) or a (-)?

We're either adding or subtracting in the lives of others, there's nothing in between. Because of this, it is essential to see which of the two we are doing, adding or taking away... It's easy to say that in order to add, you need to do something, you can't just "be" an addition. To be of God, to be a good girl doesn't doesn't signify you're adding! It's necessary to "be" and "to do" (all in the same package).

There are many people with a godly character but they don't make any difference. What's the point to be of God, have the Holy Spirit, a position and do only what we're told to do? All this won't make a difference... What makes the difference is to do not only what you were told but, also what you weren't told.

When you're a plus sign, there is no time to tell others, hey, why aren't you doing this? or that? You can become so consumed into those thoughts thinking... Man, I could be doing that, I could be working on an idea I had recently, I could be learning something else... Whoever adds, doesn't waste time looking at what others do or don't do.

If we haven't been taking initiative, we have not been adding, on the contrary, we've been wasting time of those who have to keep reminding us at every moment what to do. We subtract when we could do something else but don't because of fear, embarrassment or because we know that others can do it, keep thinking about what others will say... we subtract when we keep nagging our husbands minds, when we don't try to learn something, when we depend on others (we subtract their time)

What symbol have you been? A "+" or a "-"?

If I'm a blessing, I have to add not subtract.

4th Check Up - A decorative vase or a toilet?

We all have to be be aware about what we really want, deep down in our soul. What are the real intentions of our heart? What do we really want? To bless our life? A position? Or do we want to serve God?

Those who want to serve God don't worry about serving as a household item, like a trophy (as the Word of God says), or as an item of no honor, for example, a toilet. 

A young girl named Ferly Victoria sent me a really good example (thank you dear!), about being a decorative vase, beautifying places, the altar, etc., unlike a toilet, which has no beauty. I thought more about her example and I know that many already know about this, but let's go deeper shall we? It's very important for us:

A decorative vase is beautiful. It makes a big difference where ever you place it, calling attention by its appeal. The whole environment looks nicer, I mean, who doesn't like vases with flowers? It's a perfect combination! Let me ask you, is this decorative vase useful? Of course!

Now on the other hand, the toilet seat isn't as charming. It also makes a big difference, even without beauty, it may be far away hidden, but you need it to relieve yourself (which is always, lol) so, you go after it :-) We cannot live without it!

Both are useful, one serves as a decoration and the other to relieve yourself.

Now, let's understand. You have people who serve God as a decorative vase, and others who serve God as a toilet in the restroom. When you first buy the vase, it is beautiful on the first day, but as the days go by, you get used to seeing it, it gets old and you forget about it. But, the toilet you cannot forget, lol. You need it every day, it's always working, it's always being used.

What am I trying to say by this? It doesn't matter where we'll be used by God! The important thing is that we'll be saving souls! If you received His Spirit, it doesn't matter where you'll be, you have something to give... now, if you don't have His Spirit, then you have nothing to give, that's where complaints and barriers come from, and God will have to find someone to replace you.

A toilet seat is not beautiful on the outside and it's not seen as a decoration to human eyes but it's located everywhere we go always ready to fulfill it's duty.

Want to know which of these two you are? Analyze your attitudes and the intentions of your heart and you will have your answer.

To be continued...

3rd Check Up - Are you judging too quickly?

Could it be that you've never judged a situation? Or perhaps someone, without knowing them directly? Of course you have, we all have!

Many times we aren't our own judge but instead become the judge of others, isn't that right? It's difficult to reflect and judge our own actions. Honestly, no one likes being judged, do you? But why is it that every moment we are judging those around us in their attitudes, their behaviors, their posture, how they speak, in their silence... you get the point? We judge all the time and for all kinds of reasons, even when we have none.

We have to understand that before being the judge of another, we have to observe their motives, ask God for guidance, what He wants, before pointing an 'apparent' flaw, which might not even be true. You could ask yourself, "Why is so and so acting that way?" They aren't! Could you stop assuming before you have something to say to someone, because judging others only because of information can be dangerous, and many times, we could be taking souls to hell with this attitude.

We have to always be patrolling ourselves, specially women... we first have to look at ourselves, and not fall into the devil's trap, who many times tries to convince us that judging isn't so bad. Let's be careful, let us be included in God's plans, to be at his disposal, and once we are, people will see the God in us.

Everyday, many people have judged too quickly and delayed the Work of God and many times they take these actions because of personal motives, and unfortunately they get fed up with God because of not watching... be very careful friends!

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5

2nd Check Up - Are you limitless?

The amount of those who serve God has grown. Around us we hear and see many people who serve Him by evangelizing, cleaning, being an assistant, being responsible of many things, and doing this or that. Let's just say, there's several serving God around us. But, why is there a difference between one and the other? Why do some stand out whilst others don't? Why is it that sometimes those who stand out are the ones who appear to not "do as much" according to human eyes?

Because those who don't stand out are servants with limitations. They have boundaries which block God's power in them. They're not always willing when God needs to use them, like in very simple situations.They fail to see that because of their boundaries and their "own will" they're unable to... Why? Because their "own will" overpowers them.

During the time I wasn't able to do anything, while I was recovering from an incident, I saw and learned a lot more about this. I asked myself every day, am I a servant with limitations? Where can I serve more? Where does God want more of me? Do you know why I kept asking this? Because I saw many people who were servants with limitations, and the worst part is that they had not even noticed it, I have prayed to God not to be that way, because there's a chance, I haven't seen it as well, but I want to... I want to be a limitless servant for Him.

How can one be a limitless servant? Is it with the strength of your arms? Or is it to do so much and later on, lose your physical strength and start complaining? Is it being part of everything, always being in charge, and putting down others who follow you? Not at all friends. God works quite differently than you can imagine, if we don't understand that, God will not have the freedom to use us.

He tests us all the time, to see if what we say in our prayers is indeed true, "Lord, I am here! Use me!" to see if you're being sincere. And how does He find out? In the simplest situations in our day to day, and once he approves us, He is able to do through us what He needs.

Here are some situations He has shown me:

Be sympathetic with the people that go to church, but don't want anything to do with God, you know those who only go to waste time? (God showed me that if they're still going, it's because He wants to save them, and I need to be in God's plans in order for Him to work in these people.) 

Serve those who currently have limitations (Even if they think I'm a fool because I'm always trying to serve them, even if they may take advantage of me, with my attitude God will eventually show them that I'm doing the right thing, that I'm serving God. I'm not worried about who I'll have to serve). 

Doing things only for the eyes of God (No one is watching me and, I don't tell anyone when I clean the church restrooms but, God is being glorified when people go in and say, "This restroom smells nice, I wondered who cleaned it..." I don't even need to say it was me... 

Or, arriving earlier to the kids zone, anointing the class and making a prayer... Or, to stop ironing on my ironing day and accompanying with joy a friend who needs to go to the doctor... Or, when I go grocery shopping for myself and remember an item that we need for the kids zone and buying it, even if it's something small... Are you getting it? We can be an a servant without limitations at every moment.

The servant without limits doesn't THINK at every moment about the Work of God, like they have to clock in and only serve during this time and, when it's time to clock out, they forget about this and go about their life, with their desires thinking it's "their time". The servant without limits lives THINKING at every moment about the Work of God, they may already be doing something for God but are still thinking what else they can he do for Him. They don't have limits... this is what makes the difference!

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me. 

(Psalm 139:7-10)

1st Check Up - Have you been persuaded?

When I started out in church, I dressed like a guy, spoke rudely and improper, I was rude and bitter, I was very displeasing. Did I know this? Yes, but I didn't think it was something to worry about. During this time, I don't remember anyone coming up to me and saying, "Graciele, you dress bad, you're not pleasant, you're this or that, you need to change, to dress up more." Instead they would come up to me and say, "Graciele, you are special and beautiful, God chose you, you are important for Him." And that's how I started changing and the reason I'm here today.

What am I trying to say with this? Nobody tried to convince me, that I was in the wrong, that I needed to change, but instead, people gave me what I needed, they reminded me that I was important for God, the One who convinced me that I needed to convert, stop speaking rudely and dress better was the Holy Spirit.

I was observing today that many of us have annoyed people of God, trying to persuade them, insisting for them to change, to give their lives to God, specially the youth. It's an out of the ordinary pressure that influences many to take decisions based on this insistence and later on the regret it and go back into the world because it wasn't God the one who convinced them but, the servant of God.

And this also happens with us, people in general who do the Work of God. They try to convince that you have to be a certain way and every time your colleague sees you they keep reminding you, insisting until you do as they say.

I want you to understand that it's not wrong to give advice, teach, help, but the one who convinces is the Holy Spirit, and the one who decides to do this is each one of us, don't confuse these things.

We have lost many people because of these attitudes, they have left God because they can't handle the pressure of those servants of God (they feel suffocated). Be very careful with the way you've treated people and even your friends. Your behavior can damage your image, and make people stay away from you and God. Don't try to do God's job, work with Him. 

Note: People come from the world into the church burdened and the ones who are in church have gone through several trials... so why try to impose more burdens on them with this attitude?

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment..." John 16:7-8

To be continued...

Check-up

God is always showing us patience through situations that we go through day by day and if we notice, things are repeated and perhaps you may ask yourself why God is trying to teach you the same thing again.

It's because He loves us that He takes care of us. Since December I've gone through different situations that have made me meditate, for me this isn't something new, but that still existed and with all of our strength we need to be vigilant, they're small things, but they can keep you away from people and God.

I want to review 5 attitudes with you that need to be very far away from us that make many people unpleasant and doesn't reflect well to those around you. Can you think of what they are?

If you want to check this out with me, know that together we will change this picture, even if we are few, but there will be a big difference, we will be reflecting God's image in our life.

To be continued...

Don't forget about God's plans!

"Life is too short to do everything we want yet long enough to do everything God wants us to do." Many have dedicated all their time on personal goals forgetting completely about the plans of God for their lives.

Perhaps at this instant, the most important approach you could have is listening to the voice of God. You may be going through something in which this is crucial step.

Be attentive!

The problem of many is not the fact of having so much work to do but, having this work distract them, take away all their time and make them push aside the most important thing at that moment: our connection and relationship with God.

"Hear, O my people, and I will speak..." (Psalm 50:7)

Good vs. Bad Eyes

At last... what does it mean to have good eyes?

We live life thinking badly of others, seeing flaws in everyone, not being able to trust anyone... now when you come to church you find out that in order to become a virtuous woman you need to have good eyes... now what?

Well... On top of praying you need to change your thoughts and actions... it all depends on that... if you see a situation and decide to look at the good side, you will have good eyes.

This is how it works: first you "SEE" then come the "BAD" eyes, then you react with "GOOD" eyes... below are some examples...

SEE - She's very well dressed

BAD - She's stuck up, she wants to call attention

GOOD - She took some time getting ready and she looks really pretty

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SEE - She's very messy

BAD - She's dyslexic

GOOD - She didn't have time to get ready today, she must've worked a lot

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SEE - She's speaks seriously

BAD - She unsympathetic

GOOD - She's reserved and must be concentrating on something

——————————————————————

SEE - She didn't say hi

BAD - She's snobby

GOOD - She might have not seen or remembered me

——————————————————————

SEE - She is speaking with a group (being the center of attention)

BAD - She thinks she's all that

GOOD - She's bold and has the spirit of a leader

——————————————————————

SEE - She is not leading just helping

BAD - She's a softy

GOOD - She's a servant, she does her best no matter what it is

——————————————————————

You see... those are a few examples... you can continue this list day by day... when a situation or something you hear brings bad thoughts, beat them with good eyes.

Strive and ask God to help you and you will see a big change!

Source: Espaço Feminino - Força Jovem Paraná

My Love Life - Where Everything Began (Final)

I went home still thinking this wasn't true. I really wanted Wednesday to come already so I could finally speak with my pastor. On Wednesday morning, I went to church and attended the meeting but didn't have the courage to speak to pastor. I would walk around him but couldn't speak, I had the impression that I was in sin and, also I'd only be able to go to work after speaking with someone about what had happened. 

God prepared for me a special person, the pastor's wife. I had never spoken to her about me, but I felt the need to speak to her first. I asked her if she had a minute to spare and with a smile on her face, so beautiful in the inside, she told me of course. We went inside a church room and I took a deep breath... I told her I had a very serious issue to speak to her about, and if I was doing wrong, I was willing to change (she must've thought I was sinning), ever since I've been in the work of God I've been this way, if something was going to harm me, I prefer to obey authority, no matter what it is, what I have to sacrifice, I only want God's guidance and not my own. 

I said almost crying... "I like a pastor, and he came up to me yesterday and asked to pray together, what should I do Mrs??" She smiled and told me, "You are blessed child, no need to worry, I'll go speak to my husband — wait here." Oh no, the pastor was going to know but, I was ready and waiting lol. He came in smiling and said, "You can pray my daughter, I'm going to speak to him." Wow... my blessing was complete, the only thing I needed now was to know his name... I asked the pastor's wife and she told me, "Valdo."

That same week we had a vigil with the assistants and my pastor spoke with him. When the meeting ended he came towards me and I ran to the restroom, what audacity!!! I didn't want anyone to know yet. When I came out, he was there waiting for me, I was objective, "I can't speak now, only on Tuesday when I come."

I wrote a letter to him with words of faith and my phone number and took it to the meeting of the 70. I gave it to him and asked if we could be discreet about this, for nothing was certain as of yet (we were there to help people and not see each other). He gave me his phone number and from that day on, I began to know him. We only spoke through the phone, in meetings only from far away. This is when I asked him about the day he came to my church and what happened with that assistant. I laughed because they were indeed introduced only that, he was already interested in me, when the pastor spoke to him about meeting an assistant he thought it was me so he went. He was speechless and then asked her her age, she was almost 2 years older than him, that's when he said he wasn't meant for her, that God would bless her with a man of God.

A month went by and my relationship was approved by the regional pastor, the pastor at my church announced in the morning meeting that in the evening meeting at 6 he would be blessing a couple (the auxiliary that had been an assistant with me) as well as a new relationship. I heard comments with the assistants and members and they had no clue it was me... I stayed quiet and only my best friend Luiciana knew about this as well as the assistant who would go with me to the meeting of the 70.

When the pastor asked for me to go up on the alter, to bless this relationship, many people were shocked. Who knew the chubby girl, wearing cat eye looking glasses, blessed.

The secret was in my trust and the intentions of my heart, I valued myself, I am of God and couldn't be dating one and another. 

Don't let time and anxiety, fear and despair hold back the work of God in your life. You don't need to give God a helping hand. Let him work!!!

Do you think this is over? LOL... no. I also faced struggles in my relationship. Do you want to know them? Just wait!!!

The right thing to do...

This message is for all those young women who have doubts regarding their love life and specially for all the assistants who are dating or interested in a single pastor.

You need to take into consideration a few basic rules in order to avoid making the wrong choice.

What do you as an assistant, have to observe in a pastor before starting a relationship with him?

1. If he is a servant.

2. The amount of time he's been in the Work of God.

3. If his ministry was approved.

4. His personality.

5. His flaws.

6. His age.

7. Only accept to date him with approval from the pastor in charge.

8. Participate in the Therapy of Love meetings as soon as your relationship has been approved.

These are a set of factors that will reduce the chances of an unsuccessful relationship, as well as wasting time with a person that still needs approval. I'm from the time in which you would only pray and just wait on God. The assistant would pray, speak with him only in public (never alone), they never went out together, and they would specially not call each other. 

Today things have changed and because of this, the risks are higher. Young women rely only on what's in front of them, they become blind and don't realize that not everything that glitters is gold!!!

Many times a young lady who was disappointed from a previous relationship starts believing that she has found the man in her life... Perfect! But, we have noticed that things are more complicated, they forget that before being a man of God, their suitor is a man. This means that he has flaws and shortcomings, the perfect man doesn't exist, but rather the perfect match for each one of us. Perhaps this image of perfection and holiness has caused many young women to not realize that they need to watch in order not to make the wrong decision. Being of God doesn't mean being perfect, but rather a condition, this condition guarantees a path with fewer rocks, but never without them...

It's hard to accept that we make mistakes in our choices, but being of God is to take courage and confront our mistakes and learn from them. 

"The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it." (Proverbs 10:22)

Mrs. Carla Leite - Mozambique, Africa

My Love Life - Where Everything Began (Part 4)

(Read Part 3 here)

I kept on going to the meeting of the 70 apostles and would see the auxiliary I liked in the meetings. The feeling was still there, how could I face him? I would not let him interfere with my plans with God nor with the church. I was not feeding these feelings by, listening to romantic music and thinking about him (aw, I lost him, boohoo), or daydreaming in a fairy tale, noooo... I had no time for that, my mind was in my work, my family, the work of God, souls. It's funny that during this time two assistants came up to me asking to pray with me (I now realize I was very rude but, oh well, lol) The first one asked me and I responded by saying, "Do you work?" He said he was looking for a job... 

"Okay, after you get a job you can look for me and we'll talk..."Lol... 

I asked the other one, "How old are you"? He answered15. "Okay, after you grow up, then you can look for me, I already take care of a little brother, now if you really like me, start decorating the book of Psalms" I responded. 

I could be chubby, use cat looking glasses but, I knew my value, lol, I was of God. 

When you start liking someone... don't become fooled by feelings, our time is not the same time as God.

Another detail: When I began liking this auxiliary, I didn't tell anyone, I stayed 3 months with these feelings, not knowing what church he was from, what his name was, I didn't know anything about him nor did I want to know (I didn't want to feed these feelings). After that special meeting I had in church, a month passed and everything remained normal, just as it had always been.

On Tuesday I went to the meeting of the 70 and at the churches door was the auxiliary I liked looking my way. After the meeting was over, he stayed close to me, I would go one way and so would he (I found this odd), but I didn't worry about it. The meeting finished, I counseled people, he had already gone up...good.

I counseled one last person and asked the assistant, that I considered a father, if he could wait for me because I didn't want to go home alone. I went to get my purse in the assistants room. I remember that I was heading towards the exit and I hear a person running toward me in the hall. It was an auxiliary that had been an assistant with me, he called, "Graciele, wait!!" My God, what does he want with me? It's been a long time since I've spoken with him. I stopped in the middle of the hallway. It's funny how he awkwardly asked, "Do you like someone??"

"Hahaha... What kind of question is that?" I responded. I didn't beat around the bush... "I may like someone, why?"

"Because there's an auxiliary who likes you, he's the one waiting there by the door." I looked back and it was him, I couldn't believe it!!!

I answered, "It is him." The auxiliary made a sign for him - "She likes you".

He came towards my direction, I froze... I remember in that moment the prayer I had made, he had to come to me. He came and introduced himself, he called me by my name, I didn't even know his name. He asked if I had faith to pray with him and I said I yes.... he asked for my number and I said no. Calm down girls, lol,  it's because I wasn't able to give it to him in that moment, I had to go catch the bus and I also told him that. It was all very new for me, I needed to speak with my pastor... Remember, there was once that I was put down from being an assistant because I didn't let the pastor know that I wouldn't be going on a Wednesday lol... since that day, I let him know everything first lol... even to this day. I started leaving and at the same time asked him his name... but I didn't hear it (what a shame), and I left anyway. The assistant that I would always go home with saw everything, I asked him if he could please not tell anyone about this. I was so happy... because it was all the way I asked God, I didn't force anything, everything happened at the right time...

To be continued...

Note: I would like if you could leave your comment. What do you think about your love life? Have these posts been helping you?

Kisses...