The Lord Jesus said: “All things are possible to him who believes.” And isn’t that exactly what we say to people who come to Church with incurable diseases, large debts, broken families, hitting rock bottom, alone and without anyone to help? We teach them about faith, explain that they cannot accept the problem, have to act by faith and trust in God. We tell them to participate in the chains of prayer, seek God and go to the Altar because it’s the only way to solve their problems.
But, what should we do in our case, when we face problems in the states where we do the work of God? Obstacles that appear, problems with pastors, things that need to be bought, yet the first thing we do is turn to an email or phone call, to solve the problem. In other words, we want the easy way out and that may end up serving as a barrier to our faith.
Anything that is facilitated is detrimental to both the old and the new. For the new, because they find everything has been done for them; things that should be acquired with sacrifice are easily and effortlessly received, which causes them to become weak. And the old, who began when things were still very difficult, with sacrifice, for the good of the work, today, all the conveniences have caused them to put aside their faith and become complacent.
This example shows us the great danger of having conveniences: a father sacrifices his entire life working, with great effort to give his family better conditions. After everything is done, he dies and his son keeps everything for himself. The same son that had all the conveniences while growing up and in his adulthood will eventually lose everything because he was never required to sacrifice.
And in the work of God, when the pastor becomes used to conveniences and does not see his requests being met, he begins to use the following excuse: “The work isn’t growing because I’m not getting any support.” The truth is that there isn’t a lack of support, but that he has become a religious man, using an emotional faith, working on automatic and preaching a faith he does not live. What we should actually do is practice what we preach to the people. We have to use our faith, seek God, go to the Altar and say to Him, ” My God, I don’t accept this situation. There is a need and You have to open these doors for me.” I’m sure God will honor us, because He also wants His work to grow.
The apostle Paul said:
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16.9
The door only opened because he provoked it by manifesting his faith. Even though there were many adversaries, he was not intimidated because his focus was always on the Altar.
Sacrifice is for everyone; it’s for those who are just now beginning, as it is for those who’ve been here for some time. The best example we have is bishop Macedo, who began with difficulties, sacrifice, no one believed in him, he had no support, and today, despite the Church being what it is, he continues to sacrifice, using his faith and remaining dependent of God.
And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Joshua 14.10-11
His flesh aged, time passed, difficulties increased, but the spirit of faith remained. Though there was a need to conquer the Promised Land, Caleb’s focus was always on the Altar!
It is written:
Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. Ephesians 5.14
We have to wake up!!!