Salmos 42:11

"Por que estás abatida, ó minha alma, e por que te perturbas dentro de mim? espera em Deus, pois ainda o louvarei. Ele é a salvação da minha face e o meu Deus."

Salmos 42:11
Bíblia Sagrada

How do I know there is a God?

Have you ever thought about how many things you know and believe without having seen them? Take gravity for instance. No one has ever seen gravity, but I see evidence of it is all around. As a matter of fact, we depend on it for almost all of our everyday activities. Gravity holds our cars on the road. It keeps us from floating away into space. We would be in serious trouble without it.

Look at God in very much the same way that you look at gravity. You have never seen him, but you see evidence that he must exist in the world. Whether taking in a soft summer sunset or a late night display of the constellations, know that someone took some serious time and effort to get things just right. The Bible puts it this way, "Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." (Hebrews 3:4)

Have you ever taken time to look closely at the world in which we live? Get up a little earlier than normal tomorrow and let the sunrise speak for itself. You decide which is more impressive, the beauty of the sunrise or the fact that is has risen every day in the history of the world. You will hear an inaudible voice in that sunrise. It is God's voice. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Perhaps you are more impressed with detail. Take time to count the hairs on one of your arms from your wrist to your elbow. As you notice the delicacy with which each hair is connected, consider how hard plastic surgeons work to duplicate a "normal" hair pattern. They never do get it quite right, do they? All of this is part of God's great attention to detail and more evidence that he does exist.

We have never seen God, but, like gravity, we know he is here. He has taken the time to leave evidence of his existence all around the world in which we live. Take time to notice it. You will see that he is very real. If you want more, definite information, take time to get to know him better in the Bible.

WELS
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/questions-answers

O anúncio da vinda do Senhor

O anúncio da vinda do Senhor, precedido pelo seu anjo.

"Eis que eu envio o meu anjo, que preparará o caminho diante de mim; e, de repente, virá ao seu templo o Senhor, a quem vós buscais, o anjo do concerto, a quem vós desejais; eis que vem, diz o Senhor dos Exércitos."

Malaquias 3:1
Bíblia Sagrada

Cristo voltará!

Cristo morreu!
Cristo foi sepultado!
Cristo ressuscitou!
Cristo voltará!

Gloria Dei
Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church
www.gloriadeigb.com

Salmos 100:4

"Entrai pelas portas dele com louvor, e em seus átrios com hinos: louvai-o e bendizei o seu nome."

Salmos 100:4
Bíblia Sagrada

Don't let me worry about death

Jesus, don't let me worry about death. Remind me every day that you have forgiven all my sins. Remind me also that if you have conquered death for me, then I don't need to worry about anything at all! Thank you, Jesus! Amen

www.wels.net
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Jesus, you are my King

Jesus, you are my King. In love for me, you did what no king should have to do–you suffered and died for a rebellious servant like me. Thank you for your forgiveness and care. Fill me with your love and faithfulness so that I always serve and honor you.

www.wels.net
www.WhatAboutJesus.com

Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

Amen

Luther's Evening Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray You to forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

ELS Catechism and Explanation, p. 26

www.evangelicallutheransynod.org

Luther's Morning Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray You to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

ELS Catechism and Explanation, p. 26

www.evangelicallutheransynod.org

A mighty fortress is our God

A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need That has us now o'ertaken.
The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected.
But for us fights the valiant one Whom God himself elected.
You ask, "Who is this?" Jesus Christ it is,
The almighty Lord. And there's no other God;
He holds the field forever.

(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal - Hymnal - 200, stanzas 1 and 2)

Interactive Faith (WELS)

January is two months away and what better way to start a new year than with a new Interactive Faith online Bible study series.

Beginning Wed., Jan. 7, 2015, Rev. David Scharf, Immanuel, Greenville, Wis., will lead a six-week study called "Breaking the Cycle with Grace (a study of the book of Judges)."

Scharf says of the topic, "It has been said that nearly every doctrine of the Bible can be found in the biblical narratives contained in the book of Judges. That fact alone merits a deeper look! And yet, how often have we read, let alone studied this action-packed book of God's grace? In our lives, we go through cycles of ups and downs - we think God is pleased one moment and that he is not the next. Come and break the cycle of uncertainty with grace as we study a book full of God's love and patience!"

The study will be streamed live online twice every Wednesday night between Jan. 7 and Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (central).

Thousands of WELS members have participated in the Interactive Faith Bible studies, which are held twice a year and led by a WELS pastor or professor. Many congregations gather as a group for the study; other WELS members connect as couples or individuals. The studies are designed to have 10 to 15 minutes of lecture by the instructor, followed by 5 to 10 minutes for congregations to discuss a question or two or do further study. Participants can interact with the instructor via the chat box.

To learn more or join the study, go to www.wels.net/interactivefaith

Jeremias 29: 11

"Porque eu bem sei os pensamentos que tenho a vosso respeito, diz o Senhor; pensamentos de paz, e não de mal, para vos dar o fim que esperais."

Jeremias 29: 11
Bíblia Sagrada

1 John 2:9-10 (NIV)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.

- 1 John 2:9-10 (NIV)

Eclesiastes 3: 1-8

1 Tudo tem o seu tempo determinado, e há tempo para todo o propósito debaixo do céu.
2 Há tempo de nascer, e tempo de morrer; tempo de plantar, e tempo de arrancar o que se plantou;
3 Tempo de matar, e tempo de curar; tempo de derrubar, e tempo de edificar;
4 Tempo de chorar, e tempo de rir; tempo de prantear, e tempo de dançar;
5 Tempo de espalhar pedras, e tempo de ajuntar pedras; tempo de abraçar, e tempo de afastar-se de abraçar;
6 Tempo de buscar, e tempo de perder; tempo de guardar, e tempo de lançar fora;
7 Tempo de rasgar, e tempo de coser; tempo de estar calado, e tempo de falar;
8 Tempo de amar, e tempo de odiar; tempo de guerra, e tempo de paz.

Eclesiastes 3: 1-8
Bíblia Sagrada

How God Blessed the Reformation through Katie Luther

"God blessed the Reformation through Katie Luther's support of Martin's preaching and teaching the Gospel, and her setting a model for the Christian family, her household, and Christian businesswomen."

Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS)

http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/Lutheran-Sentinel/how-god-blessed-the-reformation-through-katie-luther/

Encontrar Deus em Cristo

"Não devemos tentar penetrar nos sublimes mistérios da majestade de Deus, mas devemos simplesmente contentar-nos com o Deus na cruz. Quem tenta encontrar Deus fora de Cristo encontrará apenas o diabo."
Martinho Lutero

"We should not try to penetrate the lofty mysteries of God's majesty, but we should simply be content with the God on the cross. Anyone who tries to find God outside of Christ will find only the devil."
Martin Luther

Proverbs 13:24

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs 13:24

Loving, Careful Discipline
Being a parent is very great privilege. Being a parent is also a very difficult job! It's hard to strike the balance between protecting your children and letting them spread their wings in a sometimes scary world. It's hard to strike the balance between letting your children have fun and making them abide by the rules. It's hard to strike the balance between being your children's friend and being their life's teacher. We know it is important to discipline our children, but we also want to balance that with what Colossians 3:21 says, "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."
We all need discipline because we have a sinful nature that needs to be continually trained. It is especially vital in a child's formative years to receive discipline. Sinful habits formed in childhood will be even more difficult to break in adulthood. For their own personal benefit and for the benefit of society children should receive careful discipline so they become humble, hard-working, ethical adults who strive to serve God and serve others with their lives. While children might not appreciate the disciplinary training their parents give them, later in life they will appreciate that their parents loved them in that way.
Key words in this Bible verse are "loves" and "careful". . ."he who loves him is careful to discipline him." God calls upon parents to carefully discipline their children out of love for them. If discipline - in whatever form it is administered - is not motivated by the love and care of parents for their children, it can lead to choices that are detrimental and sinfully wrong. The goal of discipline is to help children mature and lead more God-pleasing and productive lives, and ultimately that children are trained spiritually and spend eternity in heaven through faith in their Savior Jesus.
Parents, pray for wisdom to be able to lovingly and carefully discipline your children.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help parents to love their children to carefully discipline them for their earthly and eternal benefit. Amen.

WELS
www.wels.net/contact-us
Twitter: @welstweets
www.facebook.com/welslutherans

Isaías 49: 1

"O Senhor me chamou desde o ventre, desde as entranhas de minha mãe fez menção do meu nome."

Isaías 49: 1
Bíblia Sagrada

Reflexão: Vocação e trabalho

"O que fazes na tua casa é tão valioso como se o estivesses a fazer no céu para o nosso Deus. Devemos acostumar-nos a pensar que a nossa vocação e trabalho são sagrados e agradáveis a Deus, não devido a si próprios, mas por conta da palavra e da fé, das quais a obediência e o trabalho fluem." (Martinho Lutero)

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow." (Martin Luther)