Advantage

"For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it." Ecclesiastes 7:12

Wisdom is like riches, and what is important about it is the life you receive through God's direction, as well as joy and peace with all.

Protection

"The LORD will protect him and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies." Psalm 41:2

Not only the Lord protects us, He also gives us happiness and long life, not allowing the enemies to mock those who serve Him.

Defense

"The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies." Isaiah 42:13

The Lord of hosts will fight for us and will show His power against those who persecute us.

Spiritual Discernment

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

1 Corinthians 2:14

The Word of God may sound like nonsense for the lost. Try to convince the unbeliever about the things of God is often a waste of time. But how to talk about the Lord Jesus in a clear way? Through your own life testimony in a real and intelligent way.

Longing for help

"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs." Psalm 12:5

The eyes of the Lord are upon the afflicted and needy. He stands and is ready to stretch out His hands to deliver and protect all those who cry out for Him.

The Lord's Servant

"And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:24-25

Those who are in the faith have been evangelizing the unbelievers with wise, patient and gentle words, so that they may be led to the knowledge of life in the Lord Jesus and His powerful Word, resulting in repentance of sins.

Second Death

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelations 21:8

Those who practice one or more of these offenses may even get away with it before the human justice, but will by no means escape the eternal condemnation, which is the second death.

Faith put to the Test

"...so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7

Our faith is constantly being tested through the our daily trials, which causes us to feel the burning fire. But such trials are essential in order to strengthen our trust in God and to reveal the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world.

Faith put to the Test

"...so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7

Our faith is constantly being tested through the our daily trials, which causes us to feel the burning fire. But such trials are essential in order to strengthen our trust in God and to reveal the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world.

Safely Kept

"Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

Revelations 3:10

We have been seen catastrophes coming against many nations, bringing about pain, death and suffering. But God's chosen ones, those who have been persevering, will be spared from the trials of the final days.

Sanctuary

"in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:21-22

He who adjusts his faith according to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus grows and shines God's glory. He becomes a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, Sanctuary of the Most High.

God's Household

"Moses was faithful in all God's household as a servant who was to testify to what would be said later." Hebrews 3:5

The servant obeys the Lord God, takes care of His house, loves His people, and is a reference of his Master's doing and greatness.

Strength and Power

"Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all." 1 Chronicles 29:12

Because he saw God's magnitude in his reign, the king Davi desired to build a great Temple to the God of the Armies. And to exalt our God, also instilled of the same faith, we will edify lives that will come together in the replica of the Temple of the king Solomon in São Paulo, Brazil.

Sincerity

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness." 1 Chronicles 29:17

God tests the heart. Those who are sincere please Him and are honored by Him. The rest are despised.

Flesh and Spirit

"For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." Romans 8:5

To be after the flesh means submitting to the whims of the heart. It is impossible to succumb to your heart's desire and do the will of God at the same time. To be after the Spirit means submitting to His command, according to His Word.

Near

"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching." Romans 10:8

Simply use your intelligent faith, confessing with your lips that the Lord Jesus is Savior, and then, your ways will be smoothed.

IF

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

IF the people of God humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn away from their wrong ways, THEN they will be heard and forgiven. This is the condition so that God may hear your cry. Humbling yourself means emptying yourself completely. Praying means talking to God and seeking His face relates to getting closer to Him. And finally, conversion means changing of attitude in concerning sin, in other words, abandoning it for good.

The Blessing

"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."

Genesis 12:2

We are part of the nation that was promised to Abraham, and will continue to be as long as we keep obeying God just as Abraham did. The promise still stands for his descendants in faith, not even a comma has been canceled.

Humbleness Rewarded

"O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear."

Psalm 10:17

The promise was already made, and if it is written, it is to be enjoyed. God hears, fortifies, and rescues the humble of heart because they are the ones who give themselves completely, body, soul and spirit. The humble one does not question, he accepts, and this is of great value to God.

Heavenly Places

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."

Ephesians 1:3

We know that there are two kingdoms in this world: The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. We can see the kingdom of the devil with our eyes in the form of pain, misery, oppression, addictions, disharmony and sorrow in everybody that serves him. The Kingdom of God is an Invisible and exclusive Kingdom for those who live the faith in the Lord Jesus. And in that special place, they are at an elevated level, called Heavenly Places, under the control and protection of God, blessing them everyday.

While you sleep

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep."

Psalms 127:1-2

If God is not in control of everything in the human life, it is pointless. But those who have built their houses on the Rock have the increase and the protection even in their sleep.

Famine

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD."

Amos 8:11

The lack of fear of the Lord is growing because unbelief has been contaminating many generations, and consequently, bringing all sorts of evil. God does not send evil: it is already in the world to destroy those who belong to it.

Struggle

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Ephesians 6:12

The problematic family, illness or fierce enemies are not the ones responsible for destroying people, but the demonic forces that take hold of their hearts, causing diseases and disagreements amongst them.

And because of that, Jesus died, went down to hell to despoil the evil forces and rose again to fulfill His Word in the lives of those who believe.

Strength

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

For three times God told Joshua to be strong, courageous and never dismay before adversities. This reveals what God expect from His children and the attitude that must be taken on difficult situations. In response, He guarantees His presence to protect us.

You do not know

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

Ecclesiastes 11:5

The human mind cannot achieve God's thoughts which brings about suffering. But when we submit to His Word by faith, then we find fullness of life.

Prudent

"Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein."

Hosea 14:9

Those who accepts God's counselling are wise. Those who walk according to His Word are prudent, but those who ignore or reject His guidance will suffer condemnation.

Born of God

"But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

John 1:12-13

Only the power of God can transform us in children of God and enable us to bear affronts, offenses, prejudices and especially,the envy of the children of darkness. But those who were born of the Holy Spirit have the power to overcome EVERYTHING!

Accusation

"Who shall accuse God's Elect? It is God who justifies!"

Romans 8:33

Praised be our Lord Jesus, who intercedes for His chosen day and night and makes justice for those who are righteous.

Integrity

"The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me." Psalm 7:8

The eyes of the Lord search the whole world, He is the One who can judge the great and the little. His pleasure is to see His children doing good and helping out those who might be in need, and that is when they are put in charge of bigger things. He tries to give a chance for the malicious and those who are disturbed with envy of those who please Him.

Judge

"Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it." James 4:11

The Lord advises us "Do not judge, and you will not be judged"

I rather fall into my Lord's hands, for He understands me and loves me.

Confess and Forsake

"He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13

Without sincerity or the willingness to abandon sin, a person's life remains bound to evil and still has credit with the devil. However, he who recognises his mistakes and leaves his unruly life puts himself under the conditions of the Spirit of God to act in his favour and to bless him.

Fear of God

"Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, 
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity." 
                      Proverbs 28:14

Those who fear God are those who have a faith that is constant and defined and giving ears to the His voice is their priority. However, those who resist and harden their hearts will suffer damage from evil because of their rebellion.

The Pit

"He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good." Proverbs 28:10

Many try to be smart in their own eyes by inviting the righteous to the wrong path, however, if there is fear in the heart of the Christian, he will escape evil and evil people and will find favour with God.

Received

"Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come on you." Revelation 3:3

Remembering and meditating on the teachings that we have received and promptly seeking to live what the Holy Spirit has told us, (giving us an opportunity to correct our mistakes and thus striving to obey His teachings), is a sensible way of watching; so that we may be found active in faith. 

Oppression

"Yet he protected the needy from oppression, and cared for his families like a flock of sheep." Psalm 107:41

Oppression is the work of the devil in the lives of his children. However, deliverance is the fruit of the unconditional surrender to the Lord Jesus. For these people, the promise is to live, by faith, in the heavenly realm, safe and blessed, with their families.

Cares

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." Psalm 94:19

In all of my worries in YOU I find consolation and refuge.

Rejoicing

"He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126:6

In spite of the difficulties that you face, it is important to work - giving of yourself - because you will certainly reap the joy of your fruits here in the present.