"Perfect love drives out fear". (1 John 4:18)
Rest in God's acceptance with the dawn of each new day. Trust in the promises of God's word. Share Christ's sacrificial love with others rather than being insecure and defensive. For perfect love drives out fear.
Liz is very busy organizing another church jumble sale to be held at the Patos School to raise money to help us finish off the building of our new church at Ipueira. Our jumble sales also help the poor giving them the chance to purchase good clothes with dignity and very low prices.
Please pray for our work with the deaf 🦻led by profoundly deaf pastor Luiz Carlos. Every Friday he teaches Brazilian sign language to new interpreters and every Saturday he leads the main meeting of the week for the deaf at the Care Centre. On Sundays the service is interpreted to the deaf with a small section of the church filled with deaf folk. During the week Pastor Luiz Carlos cares for the deaf flock individually and in small groups.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers... so let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth". (1 John 3:16,18)
God's love is essential in the life of the Christian. God's love in us must constantly grow in action and in truth.
Our worker Betânia and Bible College student Henrique got back from their mission to China yesterday so thank you for your prayers. Betânia will be sending me a report once she has rested up so I will let you know about the details of the blessings and challenges of the mission.
Please pray for our radio evangelism at Flores and Imaculada that the Lord might touch many lives and save many souls through this ministry. 📻🙏
"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives for ever". (1 John 2:17)
"God does not command impossibilities, but by commanding admonishes you to do what you can and to pray for what you cannot, and aids you that you may be able". (Augustine)
"Happiness and fulfilment are discovered by doing God's will". (Boyd Bailey)
Now is the time of year for the EAB Action Child and Action School reports, letters and photos for the second half of the year as we do 2 reports a year in May and November. Marian has chased me up on this today so I have requested the reports by November 7th from all our teachers from our 14 schools. I am also working on a new child for sponsorship from our Flores school as requested by Marian. This work with about 800 very poor children educating them, feeding them and teaching them about Jesus is so important and such a blessing.
I have just heard two audio messages from a mother of a little boy who goes to the EAB Action School at Juazeirinho. The mum is over the moon with how much her son's reading has improved since he started going to our school. Praise the Lord for this encouragement, and be encouraged Marian who is the EAB UK Action Child Coordinator! I know it's a lot of work but it is making a great big difference in the lives of hundreds of very poor and needy children. If you would like more information about sponsoring our schools and children please contact Marian Rashleigh at missionmr@ntlworld.com
Liz went to the Patos Women's Fellowship meeting yesterday held at our school and no less than 14 women from the area came and heard the Gospel. PTL!
"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin". (1 John 1:7)
Walking in the light involves open, honest alignment with the Lord. Walking in the dark means hiding from the truth. Walk in the light!
EAB/ACEV believes in integral mission. Integral mission is preaching and practicing the Gospel. Integral mission is evangelizing, planting churches and teaching the word, whilst also caring for the poor and needy drilling wells, building them toilets, distributing goats, and running extra help schools for underprivileged children. Integral mission is taking the parable of the Good Samaritan seriously caring for the man attacked by robbers and caring for him, different from the Levite and the Priest. Integral mission is listening to Jesus say: "Whatever you do for one of the least of my brothers you do it for me". We live for Jesus! We love God and our neighbour!
Dates for your diary in 2027: 10-day evangelistic outreach with a 100+ team at Juru from January 8th to 17th / Carnival Camp at Green Pastures from February 6th to 10th / Easter with Good Friday on March 26th and Easter Sunday on March 28th / ACEV/EAB General Conference at Conceição on May 21st and 22nd.
Last night I took part in the Patos Men's Fellowship and was to have brought a study on Romans 7:19-20, but numbers were down so we just had a time of prayer together.
I send special greetings to Marian Rashleigh and all friends in the Southampton area saying sorry for the whipping QPR are going to give you this coming Saturday at St. Mary's! 😃
2 Peter 3 tells us that "with the Lord a day is like a thousand years... so the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... but is patient not wanting anyone to perish" (v 8 - 9).
Praise God he doesn't want anyone to perish but wants all to come to repentance. Come to Jesus today!
I have just been looking at a Ruddy Dove's nest in the Rose-Apple tree in our garden. The female is proudly laid on the eggs and doesn't bat an eyelid with us really close to her. It's a beautiful scene. 🐦
Our 4-Legs project team is lining up the further donations of sheep in the municipality of Princesa Isabel 🐑 and of pigs in the municipality of Diamante. 🐷
Please pray for new church plants at São Mamede, Santa Teresinha, Ipueira, Catolé do Rocha, Campina Grande Novo Cruzeiro and João Pessoa Bessa. May many come to Christ through the ministry of the Gospel in these towns.
Last night I took 2 men home from the Care Centre after they received treatment from our dentist. They live in inaccessible rural areas where there is no public transport.
2 Peter 2 warns against false teachers who "are springs without water and mists driven by a storm" (v17) who will end up like "dogs returning to their vomit and pigs returning to the mud" (v22).
May God keep us from heresy, firmly planted in the holy word of God, far from sickly dogs or muddy pigs!
"Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts". (2 Peter 1:19)
God's prophetic word is a light like the day dawning and as the morning star rising in our hearts. We must pay attention to God's word because it's origin is not just human but of the Holy Spirit. It is light in our darkness!
Please pray for all our constant evangelistic endeavours. We have a team evangelizing the Patos market every Saturday morning and another team evangelizing the men's prison every other Wednesday. Then we have a team evangelizing at our school every Wednesday and another team evangelizing the rural area of neighbouring São Mamede on Mondays. We also have 2 ministries of radio evangelism with one at Imaculada up in the mountains and the other at Flores in the state of Pernambuco. And all this evangelism goes together with Gospel tract distribution and Bible distribution. May many yet this year come into the Kingdom! 🙏🙌
The Brazilian presidential election finished without incident and surprisingly incumbent President Lula was re-elected with 51.79% of the second round vote and his opponent Flávio Bolsonaro received with 48.21%.
"Be shepherds (pastors) of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock". (1 Peter 5:2-3)
May God help all of us pastors to be servants! May God help us to be humble and not lord it over anyone! May God help us to be examples!
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms". (1 Peter 4:10)
Serve others! Serve God!
"They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master". (1 Peter 3: 5-6)
When I pointed this scripture out to Liz I won't tell you her comment! 😉 Culture bound concepts need to be carefully handled. Take for example Deuteronomy 21:18-21 where the killing of a rebellious son is advocated! May God give us humility and wisdom in Biblical interpretation and application.
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious stone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame". (1 Peter 2:6)
Peter says that we in Christ are like living stones being built into a spiritual house, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, with Jesus as the capstone... the precious cornerstone. Praise God for being part of Christ's living stones spiritual house where the Holy Spirit is constantly present.
Yesterday Liz and I took part in an excellent EAB Trustees Board Meeting online.
In Patos we cancelled the planned Saturday service owing to constant power cuts and owing to the political tensions with 2 opposing candidates' parades on the eve of the election at the time of the service.
Today is the deciding round of the presidential election so I'll be going to vote shortly. We should have the result tonight. The final opinion poll gives Senator Flávio Bolsonaro 51% and President Lula 49% which is maintaining the same percentages as in the first round. Never has a candidate in second place in the first round won the second round, so everything points to a Bolsonaro victory.
QPR beat Swansea 5 x 0 yesterday at home! 🙌😂
The EAB AGM Celebration went very well yesterday despite the bad stormy weather, and a surprisingly good crowd turned up despite the climate. I am told that Amy and Philip spoke well and that David Fiddy's participation was a blessing too. Thank you to everyone who supported the annual event, especially Dave Flowers who led the worship despite having just been in hospital for a week with severe asthma.
"Men are like grass and their glory is like wild flowers... the grass withers and the flowers fall... but the Word of the Lord stands forever". (1 Peter 1:24)
We're not eternal brothers and sisters, and our energy is fragile... but the Word of the Lord stands firm and resolute come what may... for all eternity... so trust in the Lord always!
A small but important thing I always need around this time of year is a diary for the coming year which usually my sister Jean used to send me from England. However the Brazilian government started charging so high import duty that it made it non-viable. However thankfully I have managed to purchase one from amazon.com.br and I received it today which is good.
Pigs are in the process of being involved in EAB's 4-Legs Project at the request of a community at Diamante. So now the 4-Legs Project involves goats, hair sheep (non-wool) and pigs!
A further drug addict will be taken to rehab at Princesa Isabel today. Please pray for this young man that God might transform his wretched life.
Yesterday Liz and I made a 2 minute 20 second video for the EAB AGM this Saturday and sent it to Roy. Saturday will be a busy day for us as we will have the EAB board meeting and then we will also have the main service of the week here in Patos on Saturday at 5:30 pm instead of Sunday, because on Sunday is the second and final phase of the presidential election between President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, with the latest opinion polls showing them tied at 50% each.
Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Firefighter Lieutenant Romildo brought a good study on Acts 1:6-11 as he proceeds with a series of studies in the Book of Acts.
It was lovely to see 2 children from our Patos school bringing their mother to the weekly service we hold there, and she was really blessed and says she will return! Please pray for her salvation. 🙏
Let me remind everyone that the 88th EAB AGM will be tomorrow!
Yesterday Liz and I travelled to the town of São Mamede where we rented a small hall to officially function as a church for £77 a month as from November 1st. Please pray for this venture of faith. EAB/ACEV's work in this town goes back decades. In the 1950s Missionary Pastor Frank Dyer was attacked by an Armadillo on his way back from evangelism in São Mamede. About 20 years ago we made another church plant attempt and now we are trying again. The church will be led by Deaconess Dodora so please pray for her.
In the Patos High Street they are putting up the Christmas lights! 🎅
News from Betânia, Henrique and team in China is good and they are now in the north having travelled for a day yesterday by coach and plane. Please pray for them.
Last night I travelled with the Patos Men's Fellowship to the town of São Mamede where I preached in a street service on 'Jesus sends out the twelve' from Mark 6:6-13 which is part of my series there in the Gospel of Mark. Pastor Rafael led the service and various people took part. At Green Pastures I am doing a series in John's Gospel and in Patos I am doing a series in Romans and am also about to start another series in Revelation. I am enjoying preaching more and more and value your prayers.
We especially ask your prayers for a new church plant to start in December or January in the beach area of Bessa in João Pessoa. This new venture of faith has been under discussion for some time but we have now rented a house to start the work which we will receive on December 1st, and the church plant will be led by Thyago from Campina Grande and his wife Letícia. This young missionary couple are really blessed and intelligent with Thyago now finishing his PhD and Letícia about to do her master's degree. However above all they are on fire for God!🔥We already have 8 people committed to this new church plant and yesterday we had a meeting with Thyago and Letícia together with Pastor Wostenes and his wife Gleydice. 🙏
When on this blog I announced my aim to write a résumé of the entire Bible chapter by chapter I imagined that this could take me 7 years. So I started on September 23rd 2024 and 2 years and 25 days later I have completed the 1,189 chapters of the 66 books of Scripture. This means that over 2 years I averaged about one and a half chapters a day, not just reading, but writing an abbreviated summary of each chapter and publishing this initially on this blog to be later published on the EAB website. I am very pleased and blessed to have finished this task.
Last night I led the service in Patos and preached the first of a series of sermons on the Book of Romans covering chapter 1 with the title: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel". It was a good service and the sermon went well. Pastor Murilo went and preached at our Imaculada church, and Pastor Rafael went and preached at our Catolé do Rocha church.
Revelation 22 is the Bible's final chapter which affirms that Jesus will return and offers the water of life to God's people. "Then an angel showed me the river of the water of life... flowing from God's throne... and on each side of the river was the tree of life giving fruit every month, whose leaves were for the healing of the nations... and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city and his servants will serve him... and they will see the Lord's face and his name will be on their foreheads... and God will give them light and they will reign forever and ever... and Jesus said behold I am coming soon... then the angel said the time is near... behold, said Jesus, I am coming soon... I am the beginning and the end... so blessed are those who wash their robes so that they have the right to the tree of life... but outside are the dogs... and I Jesus sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches... I am the bright and Morning Star... the Spirit and the bride say come... whoever is thirsty come... but don't add anything to this book nor take away from this prophecy... yes I am coming soon... Amen come Lord Jesus".
Now after the final judgement Revelation 21 points to the tremendous blessings God will give his people. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... and I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven from God... prepared as a bride... and it was announced that now God dwells with men... and he will wipe all tears dry... and there will be no more death or pain... and God announced that he was making everything new... I am the Alpha and the Omega and will give water to the thirsty... and he who overcomes will inherit this... but unbelieving murderers, sexually immoral and idolaters will go to the fiery lake which is the second death... then an angel invited me to see the bride... and he showed me Jerusalem coming down from heaven shining brightly with a high wall with 12 gates with angels at the gates... and there were 12 foundations with the names of the apostles... and the city was a 1,400 mile square and the wall was of Jasper and the city was pure gold... and the foundations were of precious stones... the 12 gates were pearls and the street was pure gold... and there was no temple because God and the Lamb are its temple... and there is no sun or moon because it is lit by God's glory... and there will be no night there... and nothing impure will enter... but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life".
Revelation 20 describes Satan being bound for the millennium, Jesus reigning with the saints, Satan's final rebellion and the great white throne judgement. "Then I saw an angel with the key to the Abyss... and he seized the dragon/serpent/devil/Satan and bound him for a thousand years throwing him into the Abyss... and only after the thousand years would he be set free for a short time... then I saw judges on thrones... and I saw the souls of those beheaded for Christ... who had not received the mark of the beast or worshipped him... and they came to life and reigned with Christ for the millennium... as priests of God and of Christ... then at the end of the millennium Satan will be released to deceive the nations and gather them for battle... and they marched across the earth to God's beloved city... but fire descended and devoured them... and the devil was thrown into the fiery lake where the beast and false prophet already were... and they will be tormented forever... then I saw a great white throne with the Lord sat on it... and I saw the dead standing before the throne, and the books were opened... the book of life was also opened... and the dead were judged according to that recorded in the books... and the sea, Hades and death gave up their dead and all were judged according to what they had done... then Hades and death were thrown into the lake of fire which is the second death... and anyone not in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire".
Revelation 19 describes heaven rejoicing over God's judgement of sin, the wedding supper of the Lamb and the return of Christ. "Then I heard a great multitude shouting... hallelujah... salvation, glory and power belong to God... and just are his judgements of the great prostitute... and the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures worshipped God crying hallelujah... then a voice from the throne exhorted all God's servants to praise him... then again a great multitude shouted... hallelujah for our God reigns... so rejoice because the wedding of the Lamb has come and the bride is ready with fine linen given her to wear... then the angel told me to write that blessed are all invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb... so I fell to worship but he rebuked me telling me only to worship God... and then I saw an open heaven with a white horse whose rider is called faithful and true... his eyes are like a blazing fire... and on his head many crowns... and dressed in a robe dipped in blood... and his name is the Word of God... and the armies of heaven followed him on white horses dressed in white linen... and out of his mouth came a sharp sword... and he will rule with an iron sceptre... and on his robe was KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS... then an angel invited the birds to the great supper of God... and eat the flesh of kings, generals, mighty men, horses, riders and all people... then I saw the beast with kings and armies ready to make war against the rider on the horse and his army... but the beast was captured together with the false prophet... and the 2 of them were thrown into the fiery lake... and the rest were killed".
Revelation 18 describes the fall of Babylon which is a symbol of a corrupt worldly system opposed to God. "An angel with great authority announces that Babylon had fallen... and has become a home for demons... the kings of the earth committed adultery with her and merchants grew rich through her... then I heard another voice calling out God's people from her... so that you will avoid her plagues... pay her back double for what she has done... give her as much torture and grief as she gave herself glory and luxury... and plagues, mourning and famine will overtake her and she will be judged by God consuming her with fire... and the kings of the earth will weep and mourn seeing that Babylon's doom had come... and merchants will weep and mourn too... because nobody now buys their luxurious cargoes... riches and splendour have vanished... and the sea captains and sailors will bemoan Babylon's demise too weeping and mourning... but heaven, the saints, apostles and prophets rejoiced... then a mighty angel threw a boulder into the sea and said that in this way Babylon will be thrown down... music will be heard no more... light will never shine again... for all the nations were led astray by your magic spell... and in her were found the blood of the prophet and the saints".
2 of our members from our Campina Grande Catolé church, Missionary Betânia and Bible college student Henrique, are in China on a short-term exploratory evangelistic mission. Henrique feels the call of God to work for the Lord in the almost impossible country of North Korea. Betânia has worked previously in Uruguay and has been on mission to India too. Please pray for Betânia and Henrique in China!
QPR sadly lost away yesterday to Birmingham 3 x 0 and are down to 9th place in the Championship.
The Brazilian presidential run-off elections are a week away today and President Lula's position in the opinion polls has improved leaving him and his opponent Flávio Bolsonaro neck and neck. Please pray for peace. 🙏
I have just worked out the rota for the pastors in our region for the month of November covering Patos, Imaculada, Teixeira, São Mamede, Green Pastures, Papagaio and Santa Teresinha. We value your prayers.
Support and donate online to EAB: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/evangelicalactionbrazil
Edition #106 of the bi-annual EAB InTouch magazine is now available online together with the Christmas Gift List. You can see it at https://www.eabrazil.org This magazine will be distributed at EAB's AGM next Saturday and the rest will be sent by post to more distant readers.
John now says that one of the 7 angels offered to show him "the punishment of the great prostitute with whom the kings of the earth had committed adultery... and the angel took me to a desert where I saw a woman dressed in purple and scarlet sitting on a scarlet beast... it had 7 heads, 10 horns and was covered with blasphemous names... she held a golden cup filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries... and written on her forehead was MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH... and I saw that she was drunk with the blood of the saints... and I was astonished... and the angel asked me why the surprise and proceeded to explain to me about the woman and the beast she rides... the beast once was, now is not and will come out of the Abyss and go to destruction... and those not in the book of life will be astonished because the beast once was, now is not, and yet will come... the 7 heads are 7 hills on which the woman sits and they are also 7 kings of which 5 have fallen, one is and the other has not yet come... the 10 horns are 10 kings yet to receive a kingdom... they will make war against the Lamb... but the Lamb will overcome with his faithful followers... then the angel said that the waters you saw near the prostitute are the nations and languages... and the beast and 10 horns will hate the prostitute... and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire... and the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth".
John now describes the vision of the outpouring of God's wrath. "The first angel poured out his bowl of wrath on the land and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast... then the 2nd angel poured his bowl on the sea and it turned into blood and the sea creatures died... then the 3rd angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs and they became blood... and another angel said this was because they had shed the blood of saints and prophets so they have been given blood to drink... then the 4th angel poured wrath on the sun which heated up to scorch people making the people curse God, yet still they didn't repent... the 5th angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast and his kingdom was thrown into darkness and men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed God... then came the 6th angel who poured his bowl on the River Euphrates and the water dried up... and I saw 3 evil spirits like frogs that came out of the dragon's mouth, and out of the beast's mouth and out of the false prophet's mouth... and these spirits of demons went out to gather the kings of the world for the battle on the great day of God... and they gathered the kings at Armageddon... then finally the 7th angel poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice from the temple said it is done!... and there was lightening, thunder and an earthquake bigger than ever seen... so the great city split into 3 parts... and the islands fled away and the mountains disappeared... and huge 100 pound hailstones fell on men... and they cursed God".
John now says in chapter 15 that "he saw in heaven another great and marvellous sign with 7 angels with God's final plagues... and I saw a sea of glass mixed with blood... and standing there were the victorious over the beast who sang with harps... great and marvellous are your deeds Lord God Almighty... just and true are your ways... you alone are holy... and all nations will worship you... and I saw that the tabernacle of testimony was open in the heavenly temple... and out came the 7 angels with 7 plagues wearing clean shining linen and golden sashes... and the 4 creatures gave the angels 7 golden bowls full of the wrath of God... and the temple was filled with the glory and power of God... and no-one could enter the temple until the 7 plagues of the 7 angels were completed".
After the horrific images of the previous chapter John points us to the triumphant Christ. "Then I looked and saw the Lamb on Mount Zion with 144,000 with the Father's name written on their foreheads... and I heard a sound from heaven of rushing water with thunder... then I heard harpists and a new song before the throne... and no-one could learn the song other than the 144,000... who didn't defile themselves with women and kept themselves pure... and they follow the Lamb wherever he goes... and then I saw another angel flying in mid-air and he had the gospel to proclaim to every nation... and he said fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgement has come... then came a second angel declaring... fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great... then a third angel said that if anyone worships the beast, his image or takes his mark they will drink of God's fury... and they will be tormented with burning sulphur... for there is no rest day or night for who worships the beast or receives his mark... but blesses are the dead who die in the Lord from now on... then I looked and saw a white cloud... and seated on it was the son of man... with a crown of gold and a sharp sickle... then another angel called to the son of man... take your sickle and reap because the harvest is ripe... so he swung his sickle and harvested the earth... then another angel appeared with another sharp sickle... and another angel told him to reap the grapes... and he threw the grapes into the winepress of God's wrath... and blood flowed from the winepress rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 180 miles!"
Now John "saw a beast coming out of the sea representing evil power opposed to God... it had 10 horns, 7 heads, 10 crowns on the horns and a blasphemous name on each head... it resembled a leopard though it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion... and the dragon gave the beast authority, his power and his throne... and one of the beast's heads had had a fatal wound yet been healed... and the whole world was astonished and followed the beast... and men worshipped the dragon and the beast... and the beast exercised his authority for 42 months with proud words and blasphemies... and he slandered those that live in heaven... and he was given power to make war against the saints... and he was given authority over all nations... and all inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast if their names are not in the book of life... and the saints need to have patient endurance and faithfulness... and then I saw another beast coming out of the earth and he had 2 horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon... and he made everyone worship the first beast... and he performed miraculous signs... and because of the signs he deceived the inhabitants of the earth... and he ordered the construction of a statue to the first beast and he gave breath to the image and it could speak and kill those who refused to worship the image... and he forced everyone to receive the mark of the beast on his right hand or forehead and no-one could buy or sell without he had the name or number of the beast... and the number is 666".
Revelation 12 depicts a battle between Satan and God in graphic apocalyptic imagery. "A pregnant woman about to give birth appeared in heaven clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head... then also appeared an enormous red dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns on his heads... his tail swept a third of the stars from the sky... and he waited for the woman to give birth to that he could devour the baby... and she had a boy who will rule all nations... but the child was snatched up to God's throne... and the woman fled to the desert to a place prepared by God where she was taken care of for 1,260 days... then there was war in heaven as Michael and his angels fought against the dragon... and the dragon and his angels lost their place in heaven... as the ancient serpent called the devil and Satan was hurled to the earth... and I heard a loud voice from heaven declaring... this is the salvation, power and kingdom of God and the authority of Christ... who has hurled down the accusers of the brothers... who overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony... so rejoice... but woe to the earth and sea because the devil has gone down to you... and he is furious because he knows his time is short... then the dragon chased the woman but she was given eagle's wings so she could fly somewhere safe in the desert out of the serpent's reach... so the serpent spewed a river of water to try and drown her and sweep her away... but the earth helped the woman swallowing up the river... so the dragon was enraged and went to war against those who obey God's commandments".
Yesterday I took part in a meeting with our projects team discussing action in this final quarter of 2026 and planning for the continuing of the work in 2027. It was a good meeting.
My writing of the summaries of the Bible chapter by chapter nears its end as I have now completed 99% of the Bible having concluded half the 22 chapters of the Book of Revelation. Within a couple of days I should cover the final "Come, Lord Jesus" and "Amen"!
Now John says at the start of Revelation 11: "I was given a measuring rod and was told to measure the temple and altar and count the worshippers... excluding the outer court with the Gentiles who will trample the holy city for 42 months... and I will empower my 2 witnesses to prophesy for 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth... and these witnesses, olive trees or lampstands have special defensive mechanisms... and anyone that wants to harm them must die... and the 2 witnesses have power to control rainfall, to turn waters into blood and attack the earth with plagues... but eventually the beast from the Abyss will attack the 2 witnesses and kill them and their bodies will lie in the street of the great city... and for 3 and a half days they will be refused burial... and the people will rejoice over their deaths... but after 3 and a half days a breath of life from God entered them and they stood up... and the people were terror struck... and then the witnesses went up to heaven in a cloud and there was an earthquake which destroyed 10% of the city killing 7,000 people, and the survivors glorified God... then the 7th angel sounded his trumpet and loud voices from heaven announced that the kingdom of the world had become the kingdom of the Lord Jesus and he will reign forever... then the 24 elders worshipped saying... thanks to God who has begun to reign... the time has come for judging the dead... and for rewarding the prophets and saints... and for destroying those who destroy the earth... and God's temple was opened... and the ark was seen as there was lightening and thunder".
Now John says: "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from the heavens robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head... and he was holding a little scroll... and he gave a loud roar of a lion... and 7 thunders spoke but I was told not to write this down... and the angel raised his hand to heaven and swore that there would be no more delay... then the voice from heaven told me to take the little scroll.. and the angel told me to eat it... and it tasted sweet as honey but in my stomach it turned sour... so I was told that I must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings".
"The 5th angel sounded his trumpet and I saw a fallen star given the key to the shaft of the Abyss from where smoke arose, sun and sky were darkened by the smoke, and out of the smoke came locusts with power like scorpions... and they were told to attack those without the seal of God on their foreheads... and they couldn't kill people but tortured them for 5 months... with the stings like a scorpion was their agony... in that day people will long to die, but death will elude them... and these hybrid locust/scorpions had gold crowns, human faces, women's hair, lion's teeth, breastplates of iron, and stings like scorpions torturing the people for 5 months... and they were led by the angel of the Abyss... then came the 6th angel blowing his trumpet... and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar ordering the release of the 4 angels bound at the River Euphrates with orders to kill a third of mankind... the horses and riders were red, blue and yellow, the heads of the horses resembled lions and out of their mouths came smoke, fire and sulphur... killing a third of mankind... but the rest of mankind still did not repent, or stop worshipping demons or halt their murders".
Chapter 8 starts with the opening of the 7th and final seal "and there was silence in heaven for half an hour... and the 7 angels who stand before God were given trumpets... and a further angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer with much incense... and the incense went up with the prayers of the saints... but then the angel filled the censer with fire and hurled it on the earth bringing thunder, lightning and an earthquake... then the first angel sounded his trumpet and there came hail and fire mixed with blood... and it too was hurled down on the earth causing a third of the earth and trees to be burnt up and all the green grass was burnt... then came the second angel blowing his trumpet and a blazing mountain was thrown into the sea turning a third of the sea into blood and killing a third of sea creatures and destroying a third of all ships... now the third angel sounded his trumpet and a great blazing star fell from the sky on rivers and springs and a third of the water turned bitter killing many people... then the 4th angel sounded his trumpet and a third of the sun, moon and stars turned dark... and I heard an eagle flying in mid-air call out woe! woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth because of the trumpet blasts yet to be sounded by the other 3 angels".
Between the opening of the 6th seal in chapter 6 and of the 7th seal in chapter 8 John sees 2 visions in chapter 7 with the first being of 4 angels and the second being of a great multitude. "I saw 4 angels standing at the 4 corners of the earth... holding back the 4 winds of the earth... then another angel came from the east having the seal of the living God... and he told the 4 angels that had been given power to harm land and sea to not harm anything before they had put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of God... and 144,000 were sealed with 12,000 being from each tribe of Israel... then John saw the 2nd vision of a great multitude which no-one could count... from every nation, tribe, people and language... standing before the throne in front of the Lamb wearing white robes and holding palm branches crying out... salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb... and the angels fell down in worship to God saying... praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honour, power and strength be to our God forever... then one of the elders asked who the multitude was... and I told him he knew... and he said these are those who came through the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb... they are before the throne and serve God day and night... and never again will they hunger or thirst... and the Lamb will be their shepherd... leading them to springs of living water... and God will wipe all tears from their eyes".
"I watched as the Lamb opened the first seal... and I saw a white horse with a rider and a bow and a crown... and he rode out as a conqueror... then the Lamb opened the second seal and I saw a fiery red horse and its rider was given a large sword and was given power to take peace from the earth... when the third seal was opened I saw a black horse and its rider held a pair of scales... and I heard a voice which said a quart of wheat for a day's wages... and don't damage the oil and wine... then the fourth seal was opened and I saw a pale horse named Death, with Hades close behind... and they received power to kill a quarter of the earth by sword, famine, plague and wild beasts... when he opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those slain for the word and their testimony... and they called out asking how long before their blood would be avenged... and they were given white robes and told to wait a little longer... then when Jesus opened the sixth seal there was a great earthquake... and the sun turned black... the moon turned blood red... the sky fell to earth and receded like a scroll... and absolutely everyone rich and poor hid in caves and among the mountains... and they asked the rocks to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb!"
Revelation 5 continues John's vision of God's throne in heaven when John sees a sealed scroll in God's right hand and only Jesus is found worthy to open the scroll of human history. "I saw in the right hand of the one sat on the throne a scroll sealed with 7 seals... and an angel asked who is worthy to open the scroll?... and no-one was found to do this... and this made me weep... but then one of the elders told me not to cry because the Lion of Judah had triumphed and was able to open the scroll... and then I saw a Lamb that had been slain standing in the centre of the throne... encircled by the 4 living creatures and priests to serve God... and he had 7 horns and 7 eyes... and when he had taken the scroll from God's hand the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb and sang a new song saying... you are worthy to take the scroll and to open the seals because you were slain... and you made those purchased with your blood to reign on the earth... and tens of thousands of angels sang... worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and praise... and then I heard every creature in heaven and earth sing... to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honour, glory and power forever".
John now says in chapter 4: "After this I looked and saw an open door to heaven... and I heard the invitation to come up here and I will show you what is going to happen... and I was in the Spirit and saw a throne in heaven with someone sat on it... and a rainbow encircled the throne... and surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones with 24 elders sat on them, dressed in white with gold crowns... from the throne came lightening and thunder... and in front of the throne were 7 blazing lamps which are the 7 spirits of God (sevenfold Spirit)... and in front and behind the throne there was a sea of glass... and in the centre were 4 living creatures covered with eyes... the first was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man and the fourth was like a flying eagle... and each creature had 6 wings... and non-stop they chanted Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come... and the 24 elders bowed before the one who sits on the throne... and worshipped him forever... and they laid their crowns before the throne... saying worthy is the Lord God to receive honour, glory and power because you created everything".
First in chapter 3 John addresses the church at Sardis transmitting the words of Jesus: "I know your deeds and your reputation for being alive... but you are dead!... so wake up and strengthen what remains... remember what you received and heard and obey it and repent... but thankfully there are a few in Sardis who have not dirtied their clothes... these will walk with me dressed in white... and those who overcome will be dressed like them in white... and I will acknowledge them before the Father and his angels... listen to the Spirit... then comes the message to Philadelphia... when Jesus opens no-one can shut... and I have placed before you an open door that nobody can shut.... I know you are weak but you have kept my word and not denied my name... so I will make those of the synagogue of Satan to fall at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you... and since you have endured patiently I will keep you from the hour of trial which will come upon the whole world... I am coming soon so hold on to what you have so that no-one takes your crown... and he who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple... and I will write on him a new name... listen to the Spirit... Finally comes the message to Laodicea... to whom Jesus says that they are neither hot not cold and for this reason he is about to spit you out of my mouth... you say you are rich but you are poor, blind and naked... I counsel you to buy gold from me so that you become rich with white clothes to wear... for those whom I love I rebuke and discipline... and here I am at the door knocking... and if anyone opens the door I will go in and eat... for to the overcomer I will give the right to sit with me on my throne... listen to the Spirit".
Initially in chapter 2 John addresses "the angel (pastor) of the church at Ephesus... Jesus says... I know your deeds, hard work and perseverance... you can't stand wicked men... and you have tested and rejected false apostles... but you have not grown weary... however you have lost your first love... so repent or I will remove your lampstand from its place... but at least you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans which I also hate... so listen to what the Spirit says because he who overcomes will get the right to eat from the tree of life... Next comes a message to the angel of the church at Smyrna to whom Jesus says... I know your afflictions and poverty - yet you are rich!... I know you are suffering slander... but don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer... the devil will put some of you in prison and you will suffer 10 days of persecution... but be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life... so listen to the Spirit because he who overcomes won't be hurt by the second death... Following this comes the church at Pergamum... and Jesus says that I know you live where Satan has his throne... yet you remain true to my name... and you didn't renounce your faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness who was martyred... however you have people aligned to the teaching of Balaam... and also you have those aligned to the Nicolaitans... so repent!... or else I will come to you with my sword... so listen to the Spirit because he who overcomes will be given hidden manna... and I will give a white stone with a new name written on it... finally in this chapter the angel of the church at Thyatira is addressed... I know your deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance... yet I don't like you tolerating Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess... yet she misleads people into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols... and she won't repent... so I will place her on a bed of suffering and cause suffering to those who commit adultery with her... and I will kill her children... but to those who overcome I will give authority over the nations... and will give them the morning star... listen to the Spirit".
One of the special attractions at EAB's annual celebration AGM is the sale of New Forest Homemade Jam and New Forest Honey with all proceeds going to the work of EAB. We thank those who provide this and we recommend everyone to pick up your annual supply of EAB jam and honey. The celebration is a week tomorrow.
We have received enquiries concerning the EAB toilet/shower units and value your prayers for this project for the very poor. The project constructs a two-and-a-half metre circular building with a water tank on top, cess pit beneath, sink to wash clothes outside, and a flush toilet, shower and hand basin inside. Please pray for this project.
Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Murilo brought an excellent study on the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast.
Last night I concluded my reading and summarizing of the Bible's 65th book, covering 98% of the Bible, so just Revelation to go!
The Book of Revelation is the last book in the Bible which was written by the apostle John while he was on the island of Patmos. It describes Jesus Christ's glory, God's final victory over evil, the judgment of the wicked, and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. The book is apocalyptic and full of visions, symbols (often hard to interpret), prophecies, and has messages for seven churches. Its central message is that Jesus Christ is victorious, God is sovereign, and those who remain faithful to Him have the promise of eternal life. Revelation presents us thus with the Biblical view of the end times of human history.
John starts chapter 1: "The revelation of Jesus Christ about what must soon take place... and he made it known through an angel... blessed are they who read this prophecy and take it to heart... because the time is near... to the 7 churches in Asia... grace and peace from him who is, who was and who is to come and from the 7 spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ who is faithful witness, firstborn from the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth... to him who loves us, saved us and made us priests to serve God the Father... he is coming with clouds and every eye will see him... I am the Alpha and the Omega says the Lord... who is, was and is to come, the Almighty... I John was on the island of Patmos... and I heard behind me a trumpet... and I was told to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the 7 churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea... so I turned round to see who was speaking and I saw 7 golden lampstands... and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man... dressed in a robe... and his hair was white like wool or snow... and his eyes were blazing fire... his feet were bronze burning in a furnace... and his voice like rushing waters... and in his right hand he held 7 stars... and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword... and his face was like the brilliant shining sun... and I fell at his feet as dead... and he told me not to be afraid... I am the First and the Last... I am the living one, I was dead but now I'm alive for evermore... and I hold the keys of death and Hades... so write what you have seen, what is now and yet to come... for the 7 stars you saw are the 7 angels of the 7 churches and the 7 lampstands are the 7 churches".
Jude, the brother of James, writes to warn Christians about false teachers. "I urge you to contend for the faith... because certain men marked out for condemnation have infiltrated you... they are godless, immoral and deny Christ... so I remind you that God delivered his people from Egypt but later destroyed unbelievers... he bound rebellious angels with everlasting chains for judgement on the great day.. he judged Sodom and Gomorrah's immorality... so in the same way these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings... they are like unreasoning animals... woe to them following Cain, Balaam and Korah... they are shepherds who only feed themselves... clouds without rain... wild waves of the sea... and wandering stars... and Enoch prophesied about these ungodly men who are grumblers and fault finders... boasters and flatterers... so remember that the apostle said that in the last days there would be scoffers following their ungodly desires and that do not have the Spirit... so build yourselves up in the holy faith and pray in the Spirit... keep yourselves in God's love... and be merciful to those who doubt... snatch others from the fire and save them... to others show mercy... so to him who is able to keep you from falling... to God be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord now and for evermore! Amen".
John writes his final little letter to his friend: "To my dear friend Gaius whom I love in the truth... I pray for your health both physical and spiritual... I was pleased to hear that you continue to walk in the truth... you are faithful in what your are doing for the brothers and I have told the church about your love... it was for the sake of the Name that they went forth... I wrote to the church but Diotrephes will have nothing to do with us... so if I come I will call attention to his gossiping and malicious talk about us... so make sure you don't imitate what is evil... anyone who does good is from God... Demetrius is well spoken of... and I hope to see you soon... peace to you".
2 John is a short letter presumably written by the elder and apostle John to encourage Christians to walk in truth and love and is addressed "to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth... I have great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth... I ask that we love one another... and walk in obedience to his commands... walk in love... many deceivers don't acknowledge Christ as coming in the flesh... they are deceivers and antichrists... but make sure you don't lose out... but continue in the teaching of Christ... and steer clear of the heretics... I hope to see you soon to complete my joy".
Now John concludes his epistle saying: "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... this is love for God, to obey his commands... and his commands are not burdensome... and our faith is the victory that has overcome the world... for the overcomer is he who believes in Jesus... who came by water and blood... and the Spirit testifies because the Spirit is truth... and three testify... the Spirit, the water and the blood... and God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son... and he that has the Son has life... and everything we ask in his name he hears... but if anyone see his brother commit sin that doesn't lead to death he should pray for God to give him life... but there is sin which leads to death and I'm not asking you to pray about that... anyone born of God doesn't continue in sin... and the Son of God has come and given us understanding that we may know him who is true... he is the true God and eternal life... so keep yourself from idols".
Now John alerts Christians: "Don't believe every spirit but test the spirits to see if they're from God... because there are lots of false prophets about... and every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God... but he who doesn't acknowledge this is the spirit of antichrist... but you have overcome because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world... we are from God and whoever knows God listens to us... and let's love one another because love comes from God... for God is love... and he sent his son into the world so that we could be saved... so we should love one another, he lives in us, and his love is made complete in us... and we know that we live in him because he has given us his spirit... so whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him... and there is no fear in love... because perfect love drives out fear... and we love because God first loved us".
John now starts chapter 3 exclaiming: "How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God... and when he appears we shall be like him... and no-one who lives in him keeps on sinning... so don't let anyone lead you astray... for he who does what is sinful is of the devil... and Jesus came to destroy his work... and no-one born of God will continue to sin... for anyone who doesn't do what is right is not a child of God... and we should love one another... and don't be like Cain who murdered his brother... we know we've passed from death unto life because we love our brothers... Christ laid down his life for us and we should lay down our lives for our brothers... if you don't pity someone who is poor where is the love of God?... so let's not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth... and if our hearts don't condemn us we have confidence before God... so believe in Jesus and love one another".
John starts chapter 2: "I write this to you so that you won't sin... but if we sin we have Jesus to intercede with the Father for us... for he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins... and we know we know him if we obey him... and if we obey his word his love is truly made complete in us... for whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did... this is an old command... but I am writing you a new command because darkness is passing... so if you claim to be in the light but hate your brother you are still in the dark... and the darkness has blinded you...and I write to you because your sins have been forgiven... I write to you fathers because you have known him... to you young men because you have overcome... and you are strong and the word of God lives in you... don't love the world because the world brings cravings, lust and boasting... for the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever... and this is the last hour and many antichrists have come... they went out from us but didn't really belong to us... but you have an anointing and know the truth... but he who denies Christ is antichrist... but remain in the Son and in the Father and have eternal life... for you have the anointing and that anointing is real so remain in him... so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed".
1 John was written to encourage Christians to remain faithful to Jesus Christ and to recognize false teachings. John, who is traditionally thought to be the author, emphasizes that God is light and love, and true believers demonstrate their faith through righteous living and love for one another. John teaches that salvation is found in Christ and that Christians should always confess their sins.
In chapter 1 John starts: "What we have seen and heard we proclaim concerning the Word of life... eternal life that was with the Father and has appeared to us... we proclaim this so that you may have fellowship with us... to make our joy complete... for God is light... and we lie about fellowship with him if we walk in the darkness... but if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus purifies us from sin... and if we deny sin we deceive ourselves... but if we confess our sins he will forgive us".
Everyone in Brazil has an identity card and also has a tax card number. Now a new identity card is being issued joining the two so that the tax number becomes your identity card number which makes sense. Yesterday I went to fill in the forms for this change for the second time as they wrote my father's name incorrectly the first time. I hope they get it all right this time round. On top of this I have my driving license number and my voting card number. Lots of numbers!
QPR beat Derby 4 x 1 at home yesterday and are now 5th in the Championship firmly in the play-off section.
Please pray for the election run-off for president of Brazil 10 days from today. President Lula has improved in the opinion polls but is still slightly behind Trump's friend Flávio Bolsonaro.
In his final chapter Peter warns that "in the last days scoffers will come following their own evil desires... and asking where is this 'coming'?... when everything goes on the same since creation they say... but don't forget that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years... the Lord is not slow in keeping his promises... for he is patient not wanting anyone to perish but for everyone to come to repentance... for the Day of the Lord will come like a thief... the heavens will disappear and the elements will be destroyed by fire... so live holy and godly lives... there will be destruction by fire but we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth... so make every effort to be found spotless... and be on your guard that you are not carried away by the error of lawless men... grow in the grace of the Lord Jesus and to him be the glory now and forever. Amen".
Peter now goes on to say: "There were also false prophets among the people as there will be false teachers among you... they will introduce destructive heresies even denying the Sovereign Lord... bringing destruction on themselves... for if God didn't spare angels... and if God brought the flood... but God knew how to save Noah and family in these situations... but God also judged the unrighteous... for bold and arrogant are these men who are not afraid to slander celestial beings... and they blaspheme in matters they don't understand... they are like brute beasts... so they will be paid back... for their reveling in pleasure with eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning, they seduce the unstable... and have left the straight way to follow the way of Balaam... these men are springs without water... and blackest darkness is reserved for them... and they promise freedom whilst they themselves are slaves of depravity... for they are again entangled by the world... it would have been better had they never known the truth because the dog returns to its vomit and a pig goes back to wallowing in the mud".
Peter in 2 Peter 1 talks about the need for a Christian to make his calling and election sure. He says: "God has given us everything we need for life and godliness... and has given us great and precious promises so that you may participate in the divine nature... so make every effort to add to your faith, goodness, and knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love... so as to avoid being ineffective in your knowledge of Christ... so be eager to make your calling and election sure... and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom... and I make every effort to make sure you remember these things... for we didn't invent stories but we were eye-witnesses to his majesty... and God spoke from glory saying this is my Son whom I love, in whom I am well pleased... and we ourselves heard this... and you will do well to pay attention to the prophets... until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts... for prophecy comes from men carried along by the Holy Spirit".
Finally Peter addresses elders and younger men: "To the elders among you... be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers... as God wants you to be, not greedy for money but eager to serve... being examples to the flock... so that one day you receive the crown of glory... and young men be submissive to your elders... and humble yourselves under God's mighty hand... cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you... be self-controlled and alert... because the devil prowls around seeking to devour you... but resist him standing firm in the faith... and the God of all grace will make you strong, firm and steadfast.. greet one another with a kiss of love... and peace to all of you who are in Christ".
Peter now continues to exhort Christians: "Since Christ suffered in the body arm yourselves with the same attitude... and live for the will of God... because you have spent enough time doing what pagans do like debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies and idolatry... but they will have to give account to him who judges the living and the dead... because the end is near... so be clear minded and pray... and love each other deeply... offer hospitality without grumbling... and use your gifts to serve others... to give glory to God... but don't be surprised at the painful trial you are going through... but rejoice in participating in the sufferings of Christ... so if you suffer as a Christian never be ashamed... for it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God... so those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good".
Peter now gives advice to husbands and wives: "Wives be submissive to your husbands so as to win over non-Christians through your purity and reverence... and your beauty shouldn't be outward but should be the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit... holy women of the past were like this such as Sarah who obeyed Abraham and called him master... and husbands be considerate to your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner... so that nothing hinders your prayers... and everyone lives in harmony... love, be compassionate and humble... keep your tongue from evil... for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous... so set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts... be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have... for it's better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil... for Christ died for you once for all to bring you to God... and he went and preached to spirits in prison... who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah... but 8 were saved through water symbolizing baptism that now saves you also... by the resurrection of Jesus Christ".
Yesterday we were involved in intensive counselling and value your prayers for us and for those we counselled.
We made a blessed visit to the ex-landless settlement of NS Aparecida II in the municipality of São Mamede where we had good discussions about the work of the Lord with Deaconess Dodora and her husband Paulo. Please pray for this family and the work of the Lord in the São Mamede region.
Last night I was at the Patos Men's Fellowship held at our school once a month in the borough of Jatobá. We enjoyed a nice time of sharing round the word together about forgiveness from Ephesians 4:31-32.
1 Peter 2 challenges Christians to "rid themselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander... craving pure spiritual milk... so that you grow up in your salvation... now that you have tasted that the Lord is good... for you come to Jesus the living stone... chosen by God... and you are living stones being built into a spiritual house... for I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone... and trusting in him you will never be put to shame... for the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone... and now you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God... so I urge you to abstain from sinful desires... and submit yourselves to authorities... live as free men but don't exploit your freedom for evil... show proper respect to all... slaves submit to your masters with all respect... and it's commendable to suffer for doing good... for Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree... by his wounds you have been healed".
We come now to 2 Petrine epistles written to encourage Christians amidst suffering, live lives pleasing to God and grow in the faith.
Chapter 1 starts: "Praise God for giving us a living hope through the resurrection and an inheritance that can never perish... so greatly rejoice despite suffering from all kinds of trials... such trials refine your faith and prove it genuine... so as to result in praise, glory and honour when Christ returns... in whom you believe filling you with inexpressible joy... and this salvation spoken of by the prophets... predicting the sufferings of Christ... has now been told you by the preaching of the Gospel... which angels longed to look into... so prepare your minds for action... and set your hope on grace... and be holy in all you do... be holy because I am holy... live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear... because you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ... so your faith and hope are in God... and love one another deeply from the heart... because you have been born again... for grass and flowers wither but the word of the Lord stands forever".
Now James condemns the rich who have horded wealth, failed to pay workmen wages, lived in luxury and self-indulgence and condemned and murdered innocent men. But be patient in suffering, he says: "Be patient and stand firm... don't grumble or you will be judged... and have the perseverance of Job... and don't swear by anything but let your yes be yes and your no be no... when in trouble pray... when happy praise... if you're sick call the elders to pray for you and anoint you with oil... confess sins and pray for each other... for the power of a righteous man is powerful and effective... Elijah was a man like us yet his prayers controlled the rain... and remember that whoever turns a sinner from error will save him and cover a multitude of sins".
James now discusses humility and submission to God by the Christian: "Don't fight for things you want... because you don't have because you didn't ask God... or asked with wrong motives... for friendship with the world is hatred towards God... but God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble... so submit yourself to God and resist the devil... come near to God and he will come near to you... humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up... and don't slander one another... and don't be presumptuous but always say if it is the Lord's will we will do this or that".
James now says: "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts... as a horse is controlled by a bit or a ship by a rudder, and a forest fire starts with a spark... so the small tongue has potential for fire and devastation... but no man can tame the tongue which is evil and poisonous... and out of the same mouth come praise and cursing... and this should not be... who is wise let him show it by deeds done in humility... and not by envy and selfish ambition... for the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace loving, impartial and sincere... for peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness".
James starts chapter 2 condemning discrimination of the poor and the show of favouritism to the rich and well dressed. "Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom?... love your neighbour as yourself... but if you show favouritism you sin... and mercy triumphs over judgement... for what good is it if someone brags about faith but doesn't practice it?... for faith not accompanied by action is dead... Abraham's faith and actions were shown together when he offered his son Isaac on the altar... Abraham believed God and it was credited to him for righteousness... so you can see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone... the same is the case with Rahab the prostitute who lodged the spies and sent them off in a different direction... so faith without deeds is dead".
The Book of James is a message of practical Christianity talking about how to live out the faith, not just saying it but doing it too! James starts in chapter 1: "Consider it pure joy when you face trials because it develops perseverance and maturity... and ask God for wisdom if you lack it... blessed is the man who perseveres under trial... because he will receive the crown of life from God... and don't be deceived because every good and perfect gift is from above... and everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger... get rid of all moral filth... and don't just listen to the word but do what is says... but the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom... and does it... will be blessed... and if anyone considers himself religious but doesn't control his tongue then his religion is worthless... for religion that God accepts is looking after orphans and widows... and keeping oneself from the world's pollution".
"We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure when the billows roll". (Based on Hebrew 6:19) Praise God for our anchor of hope and security in Christ!
Yesterday we went to Eleni's funeral who died on Sunday. Eleni was Biba's mother, Sacha's mother-in-law and Alice and Beatriz's grandmother. It was a Roman Catholic funeral but I was asked to pray at the end. Please pray for the family at this time.
I heard the bright yellow Great Kiskadees singing at first light this morning.
The lads at our church at Juru always form a good football team every year under the leadership of local pastor Esequias (Ezekiel) and they compete in the regional cup. This year they finished runners up in the final as they lost on penalties after a 0 x 0 draw. Well done boys!
The local leadership of our Teixeira church has just ministered communion to one of our sisters there who is bed ridden and sent me videos of the visit with the sister overjoyed and blessed.
I finished the Book of Hebrews last night so that leaves me 8 books to go having completed writing the summary of 96% of the Bible. James here we come!
Hebrews 13 concludes the book telling the Christians practical ways in which they should live out their faith: "Keep on loving each others as brothers... don't forget to entertain strangers because they might be angels... remember those in prison... and remember those suffering ill-treatment... marriage should be honoured, the marriage bed kept pure, and God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral... don't love money and be content with what you have... God will never leave you or forsake you... for the Lord is my helper so I will not fear... remember your leaders and imitate their faith... Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever... steer clear of strange teaching... and may your hearts be strengthened by grace... here we don't have an enduring city but are looking for one that is to come... and through Jesus offer a sacrifice of praise... and don't forget to do good and to share with others... obey your leaders... they keep watch over you and must give an account... pray for us... and may the God of peace... the great shepherd of the sheep... equip you with every good thing... Timothy has been released... those from Italy send you their greetings... Grace be with you all".
In chapter 12 the author encourages the Christians to remain faithful through suffering, discipline and difficulties. He says: "Let us run with perseverance... and let us fix our eyes on Jesus - the author and perfector of our faith... consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you don't grow weary or lose heart... my son don't make light of the Lord's discipline and don't lose heart when he rebukes you... because the Lord disciplines whom he loves... endure hardship as discipline because God is treating you as sons... and he disciplines us for our good... so that we may share in his holiness... no-one likes discipline but it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace... so make every effort to live in peace with all men... and be holy because without holiness no-one will see the Lord... you haven't come to a mountain as did Moses trembling with fear... but you have come to Mount Zion... to the church of the first born... you have come to the judge of all men... to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant... therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and worship God with reverence and awe... for our God is a consuming fire".
Hebrews 11 is the great chapter of faith... the hall of faith... citing the heroes of faith and trust in God over the years. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and being certain of what we can't see... by faith we understand creation... by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain... by faith Enoch was taken from this life... for without faith it's impossible to please God... by faith Noah built an ark... by faith Abraham obeyed God's command looking forward to the city whose architect is God... and by faith he had a son at 100... and by faith he was willing to offer that son as a sacrifice... by faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau... by faith Jacob blessed each of Joseph's sons when he was dying... by faith Moses survived infant persecution and was used by God to deliver his people from Egypt... so too by faith Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets served God... shut the mouths of lions... quenched the fury of flames... became powerful in battle... some faced jeers and flogging... some were stoned and put to death by the sword... and the world was not worthy of them... all of these were commended for their faith".
Hebrews 10 shows that Jesus Christ offered the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins, so that we can approach God with confidence. It starts: "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come... and it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin... so when Christ came he came to do God's will... because burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire... but we have been made holy through the sacrifice of Christ once for all... because by one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy... for God says I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them in their minds... therefore we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... by a new and living way... so let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith... hold unswervingly to hope because he who promised is faithful... let's spur one another on to love and good deeds... don't give up meeting together as some have done... but encourage one another... and don't keep sinning after getting saved... because you will be judged... for the Lord will then judge his people... and it's a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God... so remember when you first came to faith and all the persecution you faced... so don't throw away your confidence... but persevere... for He who is coming will not delay... and the righteous will live by faith... and we will not shrink back and be destroyed... because we believe and are saved".
Hebrews 9 points to Jesus as the perfect sacrifice and as the mediator of the new covenant, showing how the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to the definitive sacrifice of Christ. The text starts: "The first covenant had regulations for worship in an earthly sanctuary with lampstand, altars, ark of the covenant and cherubins... and the Holy Spirit was showing that the way to the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed... and the gifts and offerings were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper... but when Christ came as high priest he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle... and he entered the Most Holy Place by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption... so how much more will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences... so that we may serve the living God... so Christ is the mediator of a new covenant... to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant... and it was necessary that the copies of the heavenly things be purified with the shedding of blood... and Jesus entered heaven itself to appear for us in God's presence... thus Christ appeared once for all to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself... and Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many... and he will yet appear a second time".
Hebrews 8 shows that Jesus is the permanent and definitive High Priest of a new and better covenant with better promises including a deeper relationship with God. "The ministry of Jesus is superior to all of the past and he is the mediator of a superior covenant than the old one, founded on better promises... the time is coming when I will make a new covenant... and I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts... I will be their God and they will be my people... for I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more... so the old covenant is obsolete".
Hebrews 7 shows how Jesus is our perfect and eternal high priest of an order greater than the Old Testament priesthood. "Melchizedek was a priest who received tithes from Abraham... and remains a priest forever like the Son of God... unlike the Levitical priests whose priesthood ended at death, Jesus remains a priest forever... for it is declared (in Psalm 110:4) You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek... and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God... The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever... Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant... and because Jesus lives forever he has a permanent priesthood... and He is able to save all who come to Him... and he lives to intercede for them... such a high priest meets our need... he is holy, blameless and set above the heavens... and he sacrificed for sins once for all when he offered himself... for God has appointed the Son who has been made perfect forever".
Hebrews 6 encourages Christians to grow in Christ, hold firm to the faith and remain faithful to God. "Let us go on to maturity... and hold firm in Christ... for it's impossible for those who have shared of the Holy Spirit, and later fall away, to be brought back to repentance... because they crucify Jesus all over again... and the author compares such backsliders to those who produce thorns and thistles so as to be subject to judgement... but we are confident of better things in your case... and God swore by himself when promising to Abraham... and Abraham received what was promised... so trust in God... because it's impossible for God to lie... we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure".
Last night I led the service in Patos and Pastor Murilo preached on 'Precious Promises' from 2 Peter 1:4. It was a good service, but numbers were down a bit. Pastor Rafael went and took the communion service at our Teixeira church.
Yesterday afternoon Sacha's mother-in-law and Alice and Bia's grandmother died aged 79 of pulmonary emphysema. We went to her wake last night after church, and we will be going to her funeral this afternoon.
My mother would have been 102-years-old today. Happy memories! She went to be with the Lord aged 92.
Hebrews 5 commences talking about how Jesus was chosen by God to be high priest as had Aaron been in the Old Testament, though Jesus was a priest forever after the order of Melquizedek... and he learned obedience through suffering and became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. "But this is all hard to explain because you are slow to learn... you need milk and not solid food... so you are not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness... but solid food is for the mature".
Hebrews 4 tells us that "the promise of his rest still stands... so be careful not to fall short of it... so now we that believe enter that rest... and on the seventh day God rested from his work... so today do not harden your hearts... because there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God... so make every effort to enter that rest... for the word of God is living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, penetrating to divide soul and spirit, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart... so since we have Jesus our great high priest hold firmly to the faith... for we have a high priest who was tempted like us yet without sin... so let us approach the throne of grace with confidence and find mercy and grace".
Chapter 3 starts: "Fix your thoughts on Jesus - our apostle and high priest... he was faithful to God who appointed him as was Moses, but Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses... and Christ is faithful as a son over God's house... so today if you hear the Holy Spirit's voice don't harden your hearts... see to it that none of you have a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from God... so don't be like those who never entered Canaan owing to their unbelief".
Tomorrow is children's day in Brazil so all our churches commemorate this with special children's services this weekend. At our Pastor Frank Dyer School in Patos 120 children gathered on the school playground, not to mention the parents. Liz went to this service which she says was absolutely great. I went to a similar service at the Green Pastures Church which was beautiful too with lots of games and food! I have just seen some videos from our Catolé do Rocha church which had a similar service. How wonderful it is to share the Gospel with precious children. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven".
After the service I saw flocks of black Shiny Cowbirds which come into roost in the trees around the meeting hall and get disturbed when we leave the hall.
I have now finished writing the summaries of 1,133 chapters of the Bible which totals 57 of the 66 books. I am now doing the 13 chapters of Hebrews.
2 weeks today, the day after the EAB AGM, Brazil will decide on its president as from New Year's Day, with the second round of the election between President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Opinion polls show Bolsonaro ahead by 4%. I pray for a president that will care for the poor by distributing wealth, help them with housing, health and education and practice all possible means of social justice. For these are indisputable Christian principles because Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 "Whatever you do for one of the least you do for me!" Please pray! 🙏
Hebrews 2 starts: "We must pay more careful attention... for if the message of angels was binding... how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?... for it is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come... for the son of man was made a little lower than the angels and is now crowned with glory and honour and everything is under his feet... so we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death tasting death for everyone... and in bringing many sons to glory God made the Pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering... so Jesus can say: Here am I, and the children God has given me... and these children have flesh and blood because he too shared in their humanity so that he can destroy the devil who holds the power of death... for surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants... and he himself suffered when he was tempted and so is able to help those who are being tempted".
The Book of Hebrews, whose author is unknown, was apparently written for a mainly Jewish audience to show how superior Jesus Christ is to everything: angels, Moses, and Old Testament priests and sacrifices. Jesus is pointed to as the definitive revelation of God to humanity ushering in the new definitive covenant.
In Hebrews 1 the author says how God spoke through different channels in the past "but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... through whom he made the universe... and he is now sat at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven... and he is much superior to the angels... so let all God's angels worship him... for the heavens are the work of your hands... they will perish but you remain... you remain the same, and your years will never end... so are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
The Epistle of Philemon is one of Paul's shortest letters which teaches lessons about forgiveness, love, grace, and the transforming power of the gospel. Paul encourages Philemon to receive Onesimus, a former slave who had become a Christian, as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul starts greeting Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and the church which meets there in their home. Paul says that he prays that they might be active in sharing their faith and says he is overjoyed because "you have refreshed the hearts of the saints... and I appeal to you Philemon on the basis of love for my son Onesimus... for he has become useful both to you and me... so I am sending him to you... although I would have liked to have kept him here... but not without your consent... so take him back no longer as a slave but as a brother in the Lord... so welcome him as you would welcome me... confident of your obedience... prepare a guest room for me... and the grace of the Lord be with your spirit".
"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities... be obedient, slander no-one, be considerate showing humility... when the kindness and love of God appeared he saved us from all malice and envy through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... so be devoted to doing what is good... avoid foolish controversies... and avoid divisive people... our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good... Grace be with you all".
"You must teach sound doctrine Titus... teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love and endurance... teach the older women to be reverent, not to slander or drink too much, and teach what is good... and they can train the younger women to love their families, be self-controlled and pure, be busy at home, be kind and subject to their husbands... encourage the young men to be self-controlled and be an example... show integrity in your teaching and be serious... teach slaves to be obedient to their masters... and not to steal from them... and the grace of God brings salvation to all... so say no to ungodliness and live upright lives... these are the things you need to teach with authority".
Paul had left co-worker Titus on the island of Crete to organize the church there and he wrote to him there: "The knowledge of the truth leads to godliness... and God who does not lie brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me... to Titus, my true son in our common faith... I left you in Crete to straighten things out there... appointing elders as leaders who must be blameless, only have one wife, whose children are believers... he should not be quick-tempered, not drink too much, non-violent or dishonest... an elder must be hospitable, love good, be self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined... he must be trustworthy in sound doctrine... so silence mere talkers and deceivers... and propagators of Jewish myths... and combat those whose minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God but their lives deny it".
