Faith in Christ is like a living being - it grows daily until it reaches adulthood and, with each step, makes trust in God real and strong. People who have not accepted the Son of God as their Savior pass through church without realizing that they will never receive the blessings that the saved enjoy every time they pray. Because they live on the margins of the Lord's operations, they cannot believe in the Gospel. They need to be converted!

         From time to time, someone at church awakens to the reality of the Lord and finds happiness in practicing their faith in Christ and His Name. Then they come to know the mysteries of the cross on which the Savior was nailed to. On that Cross, He suffered our sins and iniquities, as well as pain, sickness and the punishment that brought us peace (Isaiah 53.4,5). Now, the Lord clearly tells us to take possession of what He has bought for us. We are members of His Body forever.

        Every Christian must learn to meditate on the Scriptures in order to stand firm as God's people. Everyone is invited, but some exchange permanent pleasure for sins that shame and defile them. Now, failing to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life is the worst decision you can make. It may be too late, and there will never be another opportunity to receive Him and be redeemed. Take your stand with Him now!

       It's good to hear the Lord speak to us openly; then we will no longer have any doubts about His will. Christ began to prepare His disciples to enter the phase in which the Word would be announced clearly, when He realized that they could understand the message. He didn't delay it but proceeded to give them more revelations. The same will happen to us, so let's dedicate ourselves to God in prayer and obedience. Watching and praying are the Lord's instructions!

         We have to maintain our communion with the Father; that way, we won't get in the way of His plans for our lives. We are in the world at the right time, so we must strive to please the Lord with all our hearts. One day, we will know Him in the same way that He knows us (1 Corinthians 13:12). That is our goal: to become perfect. But even if we don't achieve it in our lifetime, we can live fully in the Lord and obtain His blessings.

          Elijah was one of the inhabitants of Gilead, as we are the inhabitants of some unimportant town. This prophet was a good and simple man who sought to know his Creator in order to serve Him faithfully. God called him to rebuke the king of Israel. This may sound crazy, but the Lord's servant knows that he becomes the greatest authority in the mission assigned to him by Heaven. Never be afraid to seek direction from On High and fulfill it.

          By serving God, you improve and are able to understand the Father's revelations. Now, it's good to remember: And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4.19). These are factors that greatly hinder obedience to God. When we let anything come between us and the Almighty, we will suffer great harm.

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares