bitterness, it's unbridled anger, right? This undermines love,
This undermines love, that's why it's sin. So,
that's why it's sin. So, what happens in life? Yeah,
what happens in life? Yeah, sin is a lack of love or hatred toward
sin is a lack of love or hatred toward others. This needs to be clear.
others. This needs to be clear. Yeah, and whoever and whoever loves, whoever is
Yeah, and whoever and whoever loves, whoever is born of God, whoever begins a
born of God, whoever begins a new life with God, is flooded with love.
new life with God, is flooded with love. Everyone has this experience.
Everyone has this experience. Everyone has this experience that whoever
Everyone has this experience that whoever begins a relationship with God begins
begins a relationship with God begins loving relationships. They begin
loving relationships. They begin loving relationships because they have a source of love
loving relationships because they have a source of love in their life.
We have this experience, don't we? Whoever is born of God
experience, don't we? Whoever is born of God begins a religious life.
begins a religious life. Whoever is born of God begins to follow the
Whoever is born of God begins to follow the rules, begins to dress well. Whoever is
rules, begins to dress well. Whoever is born of God begins to dress well,
born of God begins to dress well, begins to wear suits and ties.
Right? Whoever is born of God begins to love, begins to love.
begins to love. Begins to love.
Begins to love. And the Christian life They are relationships of love.
And the Christian life They are relationships of love. That's the Christian life. In the Christian life, it
That's the Christian life. In the Christian life, it 's not, well, it's not about following
's not, well, it's not about following a list of religious rules, it
a list of religious rules, it 's not about fulfilling some obligations.
's not about fulfilling some obligations. Tick, tick, I do this, I do this, I do this,
Tick, tick, I do this, I do this, I do this, I'm a good Christian, a good
I'm a good Christian, a good person, I'm safe. The Christian life is not
person, I'm safe. The Christian life is not that, brothers. When we love, we
that, brothers. When we love, we follow the rules, right? But the
follow the rules, right? But the essence of the Christian life is not
essence of the Christian life is not rules. Rules serve to serve
rules. Rules serve to serve relationships.
relationships. To serve relationships. Rules
To serve relationships. Rules serve to help us have better
serve to help us have better relationships. Why do we start
relationships. Why do we start worship at 10:30 or 10:35? We have that
worship at 10:30 or 10:35? We have that rule. It's a rule, right?
rule. It's a rule, right? Well, some people arrive at 10:30, some do
Well, some people arrive at 10:30, some do n't, right? But hey,
n't, right? But hey, all that can happen. Today I got a
all that can happen. Today I got a flat tire, right? And I was a
flat tire, right? And I was a little late to worship rehearsal. It
little late to worship rehearsal. It happens, it can happen, right? Well, but
happens, it can happen, right? Well, but we have that rule. Why? Because
we have that rule. Why? Because that rule exists
that rule exists to separate the good ones. believers from bad
to separate the good ones. believers from bad believers? That's it, right? Those who are punctual
believers? That's it, right? Those who are punctual are heroes. Those who aren't punctual are useless
are heroes. Those who aren't punctual are useless . That's it. That's what
. That's it. That's what the rule is for. What are
the rule is for. What are the rules for? They're to
the rules for? They're to serve us, to serve
serve us, to serve relationships, to have a time when we
relationships, to have a time when we know we'll meet and
know we'll meet and be together. That's what the
be together. That's what the rule is for. We are not slaves to the
rule is for. We are not slaves to the rule. The rule serves us, it serves
rule. The rule serves us, it serves relationships.
relationships. And so it is, everything that doesn't serve
And so it is, everything that doesn't serve relationships, everything that all the rules that
relationships, everything that all the rules that enslave us, is out. Out. Or else we
enslave us, is out. Out. Or else we have to put it in its place. Sometimes it's not
have to put it in its place. Sometimes it's not out, it's put in its place. Because sometimes the
out, it's put in its place. Because sometimes the rules are good. We're the ones who put them in the
rules are good. We're the ones who put them in the place of the essence, which shouldn't be there
place of the essence, which shouldn't be there . We change things, don't we? We
. We change things, don't we? We think the most important thing is the rule, it
think the most important thing is the rule, it 's the so-called legalism, right? The law
's the so-called legalism, right? The law becomes God's.
becomes God's. So,
So, sin is evil, okay? Sin is a lack of
sin is evil, okay? Sin is a lack of love, it's everything, it's Hatred is everything
love, it's everything, it's Hatred is everything that undermines love. That's
that undermines love. That's sin. Okay?
sin. Okay? The Christian life is about loving relationships, and
The Christian life is about loving relationships, and eternal life is about loving relationships.
eternal life is about loving relationships. Eternal life is lived this way. It's lived in
Eternal life is lived this way. It's lived in loving relationships. They're great,
loving relationships. They're great, perfect relationships. It's a
perfect relationships. It's a bed of roses, isn't it? They're
bed of roses, isn't it? They're conflicting relationships, difficult relationships,
conflicting relationships, difficult relationships, relationships in which we have to die to
relationships in which we have to die to ourselves and forgive. And all of this, all of
ourselves and forgive. And all of this, all of this is part of the loving life that
this is part of the loving life that Christ lived and that we want to live
Christ lived and that we want to live too. We want to live like Christ. We
too. We want to live like Christ. We really want the
really want the cross, don't we?
cross, don't we? And finally, we have to remember that
And finally, we have to remember that in eternal life, the whole world around us
in eternal life, the whole world around us is under the power of the devil. And
is under the power of the devil. And not just around us. We are, we
not just around us. We are, we are part of this world. Well, we don't
are part of this world. Well, we don't belong to this world, but we are in
belong to this world, but we are in this world, affected by this world.
this world, affected by this world. And this world is under the power of the
And this world is under the power of the devil.
devil. This world is under the power of
This world is under the power of hatred, under the power of darkness,
hatred, under the power of darkness, under the power of death, under the
under the power of death, under the power of sin. Has anyone noticed
power of sin. Has anyone noticed that?
that? Yes. Just this week, we had that
Yes. Just this week, we had that Charlie Kirk murder, right? That
Charlie Kirk murder, right? That young man, he was speaking at universities
young man, he was speaking at universities in the United States, had
in the United States, had his ideology, had his politics, he was a
his ideology, had his politics, he was a Christian too, with a
Christian too, with a certain political leaning, but he
certain political leaning, but he was a Christian
was a Christian and like him, many other people have
and like him, many other people have died and been victims of
died and been victims of violence, right?
violence, right? Well, this is the world. This is the world
Well, this is the world. This is the world . This is the world. And, and it's not
. This is the world. And, and it's not surprising. This is not a thing. Oh,
surprising. This is not a thing. Oh, no, no, we're not like that. We're
no, no, we're not like that. We're shocked and sad. And it's normal to
shocked and sad. And it's normal to be shocked and sad. It's not normal to be
be shocked and sad. It's not normal to be indifferent, is it?
indifferent, is it? But not perplexed. No, but no, this is not what is
But not perplexed. No, but no, this is not what is expected. This is what is
expected. This is what is expected in this world. This is what John
expected in this world. This is what John says.
says. We know that we are of God and that the
We know that we are of God and that the whole world is subject to the power of the
whole world is subject to the power of the evil one. The whole world is subject to the
evil one. The whole world is subject to the power of the evil one.
power of the evil one. God, the kingdom of God is here and the kingdom
God, the kingdom of God is here and the kingdom of God is being established. And one
of God is being established. And one day all the power of the evil one will be
day all the power of the evil one will be emptied, all the power of the evil one will
emptied, all the power of the evil one will be, he will disappear, he will be
be, he will disappear, he will be destroyed, his days are numbered, but
destroyed, his days are numbered, but Until that day comes, he dominates this
Until that day comes, he dominates this world. He is the God of this world. Paul
world. He is the God of this world. Paul says, he is the prince of this world.
says, he is the prince of this world. Prince means the chief of
Prince means the chief of this world. He is the God of this world.
this world. He is the God of this world. He is the one this world worships.
He is the one this world worships. So, we are not surprised.
So, we are not surprised. But where does it begin?
But where does it begin? Where is the first
Where is the first
manifestation of the devil for us? Where is
of the devil for us? Where is the first
the first manifestation of the devil that
manifestation of the devil that we should be most concerned about?
where our main concern is? I
am the main concern, the main manifestation of the world for me is me.
manifestation of the world for me is me. That is why the apostle Paul said:
That is why the apostle Paul said: "Jesus Christ came to save
"Jesus Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest,
sinners, of whom I am the greatest, I am the chief." The apostle Paul
I am the chief." The apostle Paul said, I think we can
said, I think we can also say,
also say, "I am the chief."
"I am the chief." Let's process this a bit. What does it
Let's process this a bit. What does it mean to be the chief of sinners?
mean to be the chief of sinners? Why did Paul say that?
Why did Paul say that? He, the apostle, great apostle,
He, the apostle, great apostle, missionary, right? A
missionary, right? A church planter,
he had, he had this, right? He had this present. He If
He had this present. He If he didn't forget where he came from.
he didn't forget where he came from. But in his life after that, he
But in his life after that, he also knew what he was
also knew what he was made of. That's why in Romans 7 he
made of. That's why in Romans 7 he said, "What I want to do, I don't
said, "What I want to do, I don't do, eh, and what I do, I
do, eh, and what I do, I ought not to do." Right? It's there in Romans 7.
ought not to do." Right? It's there in Romans 7. So, he struggled with sin
So, he struggled with sin within himself. And sin in us is our
within himself. And sin in us is our main concern. And if it isn't, if it is
main concern. And if it isn't, if it is n't, we're trying to remove specks
n't, we're trying to remove specks from other people's eyes and forgetting
from other people's eyes and forgetting our own planks.
our own planks. Our main concern
Our main concern must be ourselves. We have
must be ourselves. We have so many distractions from ourselves, don't we?
so many distractions from ourselves, don't we? And nowadays, more than ever, isn't it
And nowadays, more than ever, isn't it ? Technology. We're always, we're
? Technology. We're always, we're always being distracted from looking
always being distracted from looking inward. Always being distracted from looking
inward. Always being distracted from looking inward. We look outward a lot.
inward. We look outward a lot. Then all these issues, all the news
Then all these issues, all the news to make us look outward. I'm not
to make us look outward. I'm not saying we have to live in alliance, am I
saying we have to live in alliance, am I ? Not eight, not 80, but there are many things
? Not eight, not 80, but there are many things that distract us from looking within and
that distract us from looking within and understanding where God needs to
understanding where God needs to work.
work. We have time to meditate.
We have time to meditate. We, and it's so convenient for us to have
We, and it's so convenient for us to have all these distractions because we don't
all these distractions because we don't like them. We run away with everything, with
like them. We run away with everything, with every means we can. We avoid
every means we can. We avoid looking within and understanding where the
looking within and understanding where the devil's manifestation is within us.
devil's manifestation is within us. Where is the manifestation of the world,
Where is the manifestation of the world, of darkness, of hatred within us? Where is
of darkness, of hatred within us? Where is the lack of love within us? Where is
the lack of love within us? Where is the sin within us? Our
and we need to, and we don't have to, is not to look at ourselves
look at ourselves and say, "I'm so bad, so bad,
and say, "I'm so bad, so bad, so bad," and stay like that, "I am, I
so bad," and stay like that, "I am, I 'm horrible, I'm a horrible,
'm horrible, I'm a horrible, horrible, horrible person, I'm horrible."
horrible, horrible person, I'm horrible." We're on this, we're on this, on this
We're on this, we're on this, on this wave. No, that's not the idea, that's not it.
wave. No, that's not the idea, that's not it. Because we have a hope. We
Because we have a hope. We have a hope
have a hope that it is
that it is the Son of God who has already come, who has already
the Son of God who has already come, who has already given us intelligence to know the
given us intelligence to know the true God and that we are united to the
true God and that we are united to the true God through his Son Jesus
true God through his Son Jesus Christ. And this is the true God and is
Christ. And this is the true God and is eternal life. We are united to
eternal life. We are united to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we do
eternal life in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we do not remain in the realization of our
not remain in the realization of our sin and we do not have to go through
sin and we do not have to go through it, but we do not stay there.
it, but we do not stay there. We look to the God who can
We look to the God who can heal us, right? That can transform us, that
heal us, right? That can transform us, that can free us. We do not conform
can free us. We do not conform to what we perceive to be wrong
to what we perceive to be wrong with us, but we hand it over to God so that our
with us, but we hand it over to God so that our God can do his work in us.
God can do his work in us. And, brothers, if we ask according to his
And, brothers, if we ask according to his will,
will,
he hears us. Do you think it is God's will for us to be
think it is God's will for us to be perfected, to
perfected, to be molded? It is God's will. If
be molded? It is God's will. If we ask, he will answer us.
we ask, he will answer us. The process is not pleasant.
The process is not pleasant. Just. OK. The process is not pleasant,
Just. OK. The process is not pleasant, but if we want it to happen, it will happen. And even if
but if we want it to happen, it will happen. And even if we don't want to,
we don't want to, he will, he will squeeze us, right?
he will, he will squeeze us, right? Because God doesn't conform, right? Our
Because God doesn't conform, right? Our father, he loves us too much to let us
father, he loves us too much to let us stay the way we are.
stay the way we are. So, life too, if we are
So, life too, if we are tough, life will give us a few
tough, life will give us a few slaps, right? Life will change our lives,
slaps, right? Life will change our lives, God will use circumstances to pressure us
God will use circumstances to pressure us
and we will understand what he wants to
we will understand what he wants to do, brothers. And we come to the last sentence
do, brothers. And we come to the last sentence of the letter, which is also a
of the letter, which is also a somewhat enigmatic sentence and, above all, the
somewhat enigmatic sentence and, above all, the way to end a letter is a bit,
way to end a letter is a bit, a letter like this is a bit enigmatic.
a letter like this is a bit enigmatic. My children, keep yourselves from idols.
My children, keep yourselves from idols. Okay, finished, right? It ends like this. It's a
Okay, finished, right? It ends like this. It's a bit weird, right? H, Paul, for
bit weird, right? H, Paul, for example, often ended his letters
example, often ended his letters with greetings. Greetings to this one, to
with greetings. Greetings to this one, to that one, with blessings, right? With the blessing,
that one, with blessings, right? With the blessing, the communion, the love of the Father, eh, the love of the
the communion, the love of the Father, eh, the love of the son. And no, here it is: "My children,
son. And no, here it is: "My children, keep yourselves from idols."
keep yourselves from idols." So, but why does John end up
So, but why does John end up like this? This is related to what we
like this? This is related to what we were talking about, isn't it? What
were talking about, isn't it? What are idols? What are idols?
As in I didn't understand the first word
in I didn't understand the first word you said. People oh people people
you said. People oh people people we adore. They can be. I
think, I think that what António said complements what you
António said complements what you said, right? Eh, they replace God,
said, right? Eh, they replace God, things that we put in place of God, right?
things that we put in place of God, right? People, things.
Uh-huh. We place above God. An idol is always something that competes with
is always something that competes with God, right? competes with God for worship.
God, right? competes with God for worship. H, and everything in our lives that competes with
H, and everything in our lives that competes with God is an idol. What can be an
God is an idol. What can be an idol?
idol? Vices.
Vices. So, I'm going to ask this: "Is there
So, I'm going to ask this: "Is there anything that might not be an idol?"
anything that might not be an idol?" Football.
Something that might not be an idol. Is there anything that might not be an
Is there anything that might not be an idol?
idol? There is?
There is? God,
God, only God can not be an idol, right?
only God can not be an idol, right? If we worship God.
If we worship God. Only he is he, he is the one who
Only he is he, he is the one who must be our true idol.
must be our true idol. Although he probably doesn't like being
Although he probably doesn't like being called that very much.
called that very much. H, but what can what?
H, but what can what? Anything that might not be an idol?
Anything that might not be an idol? No. Anything can be an idol. Everything
No. Anything can be an idol. Everything has the potential to be an idol.
has the potential to be an idol. From the silliest thing. It
From the silliest thing. It is not? It could be an idol.
is not? It could be an idol. Hmm. There's a
way, but it's not love anymore, right? It's not true love anymore, is it? It's one of
right? It's not true love anymore, is it? It's one of the distortions of love, the
the distortions of love, the original replicas, right? The original replicas of
original replicas, right? The original replicas of love have a lot of potential to
love have a lot of potential to become idols.
Uh-huh. Yes.
Yes. It's a thing of the heart, isn't it?
It's a thing of the heart, isn't it? It's a thing of the heart.
It's a thing of the heart. Well, it has to do with the heart, because if
Well, it has to do with the heart, because if we measure it by time, then
we measure it by time, then everyone here is an idolater, because
everyone here is an idolater, because everyone works, or everyone, or
everyone works, or everyone, or almost everyone. There are 8 hours, which if
almost everyone. There are 8 hours, which if we work 8 hours a day,
we work 8 hours a day, for some it is more, for
for some it is more, for others it is less. It's an average, Rosita. It's
others it is less. It's an average, Rosita. It's an average.
8 hours. Let's put eight. We worked 8 hours. Eh, we have about 14
hours. Eh, we have about 14 hours awake, right?
hours awake, right? HH It also depends. It also depends. It could
HH It also depends. It also depends. It could be more. Hmm, it could be 16, 17 or 18
be more. Hmm, it could be 16, 17 or 18 in a 24 hour day. Hmm. But if we
in a 24 hour day. Hmm. But if we measure it by the time we spend
measure it by the time we spend working, then we are all
working, then we are all water addicts, aren't we? Time is not really the
water addicts, aren't we? Time is not really the measure. It's not quite the right fit. Even if it
measure. It's not quite the right fit. Even if it says something, it can say something
says something, it can say something , but it cannot be the only
, but it cannot be the only measure.
measure. And it's a thing of the heart, right? What
And it's a thing of the heart, right? What takes up the most space in
takes up the most space in our hearts? What is it that
our hearts? What is it that we long for? What is our what does
we long for? What is our what does our heart yearn for?
our heart yearn for? What is, what is our, our, our
What is, what is our, our, our main focus? Focus, what is our
main focus? Focus, what is our main focus?
main focus? God, when God is God,
God, when God is God, he is the focus in everything we do, right?
he is the focus in everything we do, right? He is the focus at work. When I'm
He is the focus at work. When I'm working, I'm working
working, I'm working to glorify God and because it's
to glorify God and because it's necessary, right? Well, because
necessary, right? Well, because in this world it is necessary, in eternity
in this world it is necessary, in eternity perhaps we will be able to rest and
perhaps we will be able to rest and just stay in the shade of the banana tree, right? But
just stay in the shade of the banana tree, right? But not here, here we have to work.
not here, here we have to work. And but it's not, it's not, it's not just here, is it?
And but it's not, it's not, it's not just here, is it? Because Adam, Adam in the garden, Adam and
Because Adam, Adam in the garden, Adam and Eve, he already had to work before he
Eve, he already had to work before he sinned. Therefore,
sinned. Therefore, we will possibly have some tasks there in
we will possibly have some tasks there in eternity as well,
eternity as well, right, in the new heavens and new earth that God
right, in the new heavens and new earth that God will create. Um, but yeah, I work
will create. Um, but yeah, I work because of focus. What is my focus to
because of focus. What is my focus to work on? It's God, isn't it? What is the focus in the
work on? It's God, isn't it? What is the focus in the relationships I have
relationships I have ? Why did I
? Why did I start a family, right?
start a family, right? Why do I have to
Why do I have to take care of my family? Why do
take care of my family? Why do I have to love my brothers?
I have to love my brothers? Why do I have to invest here in
Why do I have to invest here in our family of faith, in the church?
our family of faith, in the church? Why, why,
Why, why, right? What is my focus? If God is my
right? What is my focus? If God is my focus, then that's great. If God is not
focus, then that's great. If God is not my focus, idol.
my focus, idol. Thanks.
Thanks. No, but you can change, you can change.
Leave me, leave me, leave me. Thanks.
me. Thanks. Idols are all manifestations of
Idols are all manifestations of evil in the world and in us, right?
evil in the world and in us, right? Everything that takes the focus away from God is from the
Everything that takes the focus away from God is from the evil one.
evil one. He's an idol, right? Therefore, this
He's an idol, right? Therefore, this keeping of idols is very important
keeping of idols is very important in the world that is under the power of the
in the world that is under the power of the evil one. Very important. It seems like
evil one. Very important. It seems like something we don't even notice at the end
something we don't even notice at the end of the letter. João, maybe I don't know, eh,
of the letter. João, maybe I don't know, eh, someone called him, he couldn't
someone called him, he couldn't finish. We don't know what
finish. We don't know what happened, but it was God's will that it ended
happened, but it was God's will that it ended like this. We're sure of that, aren't we? And
like this. We're sure of that, aren't we? And this wake-up call is very
this wake-up call is very important in a world dominated by
important in a world dominated by evil. We are surrounded by
evil. We are surrounded by potential idols. And what's more, it's not
potential idols. And what's more, it's not just us, we're not just surrounded, they
just us, we're not just surrounded, they 're in us.
're in us. Our feelings are a very
Our feelings are a very potential idol.
potential idol. My emotions are an idol,
My emotions are an idol, always fighting, always
always fighting, always fighting, because they are always here
fighting, because they are always here wanting to take God's place, wanting to
wanting to take God's place, wanting to direct our lives, wanting to
direct our lives, wanting to determine what we say and think,
determine what we say and think, right? are always here competing with
right? are always here competing with God and his word for our
God and his word for our focus. And it's so easy for us to make
focus. And it's so easy for us to make our emotions our idol,
our emotions our idol, because they are inside us.
because they are inside us. So it's a struggle, isn't it? Our
So it's a struggle, isn't it? Our thoughts, as I think Inês
thoughts, as I think Inês said, our thoughts have
said, our thoughts have enormous potential to become idols, right? If
enormous potential to become idols, right? If I create a thought, if I
I create a thought, if I develop an obsessive thought about
develop an obsessive thought about something that has nothing to do with
something that has nothing to do with God, about someone,
God, about someone, right, that is
right, that is not
not framed within the love of God and if that
framed within the love of God and if that dominates me, it is an idol.
dominates me, it is an idol. So this is a this is a universe
So this is a this is a universe of possibilities, isn't it?
Yes, it really is. And how much, how much temptation we
really is. And how much, how much temptation we have, right?
have, right? How tempted we are to think
How tempted we are to think we are the ones, the last cookies
we are the ones, the last cookies in the packet, right? AND. So the question
in the packet, right? AND. So the question is: how do we identify idols and guard our
is: how do we identify idols and guard our hearts from idols?
hearts from idols? How do we do this? How do
How do we do this? How do we identify idols?
we identify idols? Yes, we have to adjust our focus every day
Yes, we have to adjust our focus every day and realize in prayer before
and realize in prayer before God, in reflection, if something is
God, in reflection, if something is competing with God, ask God to
competing with God, ask God to reveal it to us, right? The Holy Spirit of
reveal it to us, right? The Holy Spirit of God who is with us to guide us,
God who is with us to guide us, who is in us to guide us.
who is in us to guide us. And in the light of the word, in the light of the word,
And in the light of the word, in the light of the word, understanding what the word
understanding what the word tells us. If the word tells us to love and
tells us. If the word tells us to love and we are hating, it's a little
we are hating, it's a little easy to realize that the focus is wrong, is
easy to realize that the focus is wrong, is n't it?
n't it? It says not to envy each
It says not to envy each other and we are feeling envious. If you
other and we are feeling envious. If you tell us to forgive and we are
tell us to forgive and we are resentful, it
resentful, it 's pretty easy for us to understand that the
's pretty easy for us to understand that the focus is wrong.
focus is wrong. If we are willing to be honest
If we are willing to be honest and put pride aside.
and put pride aside. But this exercise is for us to do
But this exercise is for us to do daily. Daily, because the world is
daily. Daily, because the world is already in evil. The world is dominated
already in evil. The world is dominated by the power of evil. He is in us.
by the power of evil. He is in us. We are affected. We are
We are affected. We are affected by sin. We have a new
affected by sin. We have a new nature. Those who receive Jesus, who
nature. Those who receive Jesus, who believe in Christ, have eternal life. We have
believe in Christ, have eternal life. We have eternal life, we are living
eternal life, we are living eternal life, but we continue to be affected.
eternal life, but we continue to be affected. We are in a fight too. We are in a
We are in a fight too. We are in a fight. That's why it's so important for
fight. That's why it's so important for us not to let our guard down, because
us not to let our guard down, because we're in combat and we need to
we're in combat and we need to guard our hearts from idols.
guard our hearts from idols. And if we don't identify them,
And if we don't identify them, we are definitely being dominated by them
we are definitely being dominated by them . If we don't do the
. If we don't do the exercise of identifying them, of stopping
exercise of identifying them, of stopping to identify them with 99,999,
to identify them with 99,999, we are certainly being dominated by
we are certainly being dominated by idols.
Let's stand up and do what
we're told we have to do, which is pray.
is pray. ask God for revelation to guide us in
ask God for revelation to guide us in this eternal life, which is good. Amen. It
this eternal life, which is good. Amen. It 's good to live eternal life, it's
's good to live eternal life, it's wonderful,
wonderful, but it has challenges,
but it has challenges, and great ones, right? And we need
and great ones, right? And we need God's grace to give us victory, right?
God's grace to give us victory, right? Every day in these challenges,
Every day in these challenges, we can face all
we can face all difficulties, amen, in Him who
difficulties, amen, in Him who strengthens us.
strengthens us. Come on, let's pray.
Let's take it, let's take 30 seconds, 1 minute. 30 seconds to 1 minute to
minute. 30 seconds to 1 minute to meditate a little in silence.
meditate a little in silence. Ah,
Ah, think a little about which are our
think a little about which are our easiest idols
easiest idols to dominate us.
to dominate us. Let's do this exercise. Which
Let's do this exercise. Which idols are easiest to dominate us?
Father, we ask for your direction and revelation
direction and revelation so that the eternal life you call us
so that the eternal life you call us to live, eh, we can live it
to live, eh, we can live it guided by you. the only way to
guided by you. the only way to truly live it, Father, but you know that
truly live it, Father, but you know that so many times we
so many times we give way to sin,
give way to sin, to a lack of love, we give way to hatred, we
to a lack of love, we give way to hatred, we give way to darkness and that is why we
give way to darkness and that is why we need so much to remember the
need so much to remember the hope that we have in Christ, that
hope that we have in Christ, that we are united to Christ, that he
we are united to Christ, that he gives us eternal life and that he will not
gives us eternal life and that he will not abandon us.
abandon us. that you will not leave us
alone and you will not leave us alone and you will
leave us alone and you will
not leave us and choose directions that are deadly, without
directions that are deadly, without warning us,
warning us, without using people to
without using people to call our attention, to exhort us, to
call our attention, to exhort us, to encourage us too,
encourage us too, God. Thank you because we have
God. Thank you because we have eternal life with you. It's a good life,
eternal life with you. It's a good life, God. Thank you, because it is a joy for us to
God. Thank you, because it is a joy for us to walk with you and know that we have
walk with you and know that we have this security, this hope of life
this security, this hope of life that goes far beyond earthly life,
that goes far beyond earthly life, infinitely beyond. And thank you
infinitely beyond. And thank you because we can walk this path
because we can walk this path together, that we may
together, that we may be companions on the journey,
be companions on the journey, that we help each other, that we love each other
that we help each other, that we love each other and that we invest in each other.
and that we invest in each other. Father, may we have relationships and
Father, may we have relationships and build and develop
build and develop deep relationships, relationships of love, of
deep relationships, relationships of love, of help, and may you protect us
help, and may you protect us from idols, Father, from everything that
from idols, Father, from everything that competes with you in this world to
competes with you in this world to divert us, to take our focus away. God,
divert us, to take our focus away. God, give us a well-adjusted focus each day,
give us a well-adjusted focus each day, God, and may we keep this very
God, and may we keep this very present each day, that we need to
present each day, that we need to stop, give space to your spirit, listen
stop, give space to your spirit, listen to your voice and receive revelation from you
to your voice and receive revelation from you so that we can continue with our
so that we can continue with our focus very firmly fixed on you,
focus very firmly fixed on you, God, in the name of Jesus, we pray.
God, in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Amen. Amen.
Amen. Amen, brothers.
Amen, brothers. Ah, may
Ah, may God guide us and let us
God guide us and let us allow ourselves to be guided. May we let ourselves
allow ourselves to be guided. May we let ourselves be led by him,
be led by him, because we
because we need to fight against ourselves
need to fight against ourselves too, don't we? Against this
too, don't we? Against this stubbornness of ours.
stubbornness of ours. Ah, but God is with us. Amen. And we are
Ah, but God is with us. Amen. And we are family. And as a family, uh, we
family. And as a family, uh, we usually sing happy birthday to everyone
usually sing happy birthday to everyone who had a birthday last week
who had a birthday last week . I don't know if anyone had a
. I don't know if anyone had a birthday last week, or the
birthday last week, or the week that is ending. I don't think so. So,
week that is ending. I don't think so. So, let's finish. We will have more time
let's finish. We will have more time to talk, to give someone a hug
to talk, to give someone a hug , to
, to build, develop
build, develop relationships
relationships and be intentional about it. OK? So
and be intentional about it. OK? So let us end with the Lord's blessing. May
let us end with the Lord's blessing. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. The
Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. The Lord bless us. A good Sunday and a
Lord bless us. A good Sunday and a good week to all. Amen.
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