thegoodfellas/blogset-br huggingface dataset:
Christmas gift greater than theson? Why one cannot grasp this greatness? Unfortunately, the conscience hasbeen cauterized. Why do I need a savior, one asks. I need a new laptop. Newclothes, the new trend. Materialism has been used as a way to find happiness,joy, peace. Sorry but I have to say this straight. IT WILL NEVER WORK. No humanbeing on the face of this earth will ever conclude, If it had not been for thematerial things I gathered, I would not have lived the best of my life; now I can goin peace to the grave. We all know by history the conclusion has been just theopposite. How many millionaires regretted of having everything but peace. Howmany successful people have already taken their own lives. The truth is, nomaterial thing can touch and transform a spiritual soul who is hungry andthirsty of true life. People are once again trying to solve a profound spiritualproblem with the superficiality of a material world, only by what the eyes can seeand the hands touch. But let me say something. For apeople who is lost, not knowing where to go or what to do, a Wonderful Counselor has been given. Ineach page of His word, in each statement he made, in every vocabulary he used,you can find a way to the eternal, you can find a way to life, you can put thissuffering to an end without any other gift your money could possibly buy!The god money has been used overand over again, but never had the power to deliver what it promises. It isa weak tool. Nevertheless, a Mighty Godwas given to you in the original Christmas day. Not as the powerless money,which can buy you a bed but never a rest; can buy you a trip but never the joy;can buy you a house but never the peace; can buy you a party but never afriend; can buy you a lover but never the love. The Almighty God came to giveyou freely all that your soul is longing for. What a divine night, when he wasborn in this World.Some, with or without money, willhave another Christmas as orphans, fatherless. How hard it's to lose the father. Worse still is never having one. However, in the true Christmas, an Everlasting Father was given to us. When you need protection, you have the Father.When you need correction, you have the Father. When you need help, you have the Father. Furthermore, only the children have rights for the promised inheritance. Whenyou join this family, you have an eternal richness beyond measure, not worthcomparing with anything in this world. The Everlasting Father provides to you allthat you need plus everything you have never dreamed to have.These three gifts are all in one,but theres the fourth. I cannot think in any other thing people are lookingfor more than this one. You can be in the midst of a war or in the silence of you home,given that you have one. No matter the place, no matter the circumstance, whatthe whole World together is seeking is only one thing. Peace. It
is importantto mention that peace is not the absence of problems, but is rather, when evenin the middle of problems, in spite of it, you can have peace within you. I canguarantee you, on one else is able to give this peace. Why? Because theresonly one who is the Prince of Peace. Hearts troubled. Mind confused. What the World needs in this Christmas is the true Peace of God. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 That during this Christmas youmay meditate in the best gift we have ever received. You just need to accept it, better, to accept HIM. IF Christmas is all about gifts,I dont know, what I do know is that the best gift we could possibly receivewas already given.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shonearound them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not beafraid. I bring you good news that willcause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior hasbeen born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: Youwill find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a greatcompany of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and onearth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:9-14Merry Christmas.
me it is just inconceivableto see a Christian focusing his lifes goals on the same things a non-Christianis focusing on. One has eternity and Christ as theframework, the other has just a short meaningless life that needs to be enjoyedat any cost.How can be possible for a trueChristian to live based on the same desires, models, parameters, and whateverelse guides this world? Now I am addressing directly to Christians. Since, then, you have beenraised with Christ, set your hearts onthings above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians3:1)Paul mentions where our desiresmust be (heart). Setyour mind on the things above, noton the things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2, emphasis added).Paul mentions where our thoughtsmust be (mind). There is no way to change ourmind and our desires without God, who wants us to find how perfect, good andpleasant his will is. For this to happen, only by rejecting the worldsstandard. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed bythe renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Godswill ishis good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2-3)I have repeated this particular passageso many times, and I do not think I will be tired to keep doing it. Do not tryto get the most of this brief life. There is nothing here that provides youwith peace, joy, hope and love. Without these four, life is absolutely meaningless. Love is the biggest of them all, the direct or indirect pursuit of every human being. Therefore, everything is meaningless without taking into consideration avertical life-style. God has to be in the center of it. God has to be the Lordover your life.To put it straight, most of peoplehave despised the Lord. They do not have pleasures in God nor in anythingrelated to him. They are living independently. Everybody who has really met Godhas more pleasure in him than in anything else. I have just to mention this beforea final statement. Please, consider the following:God expects you to love him by who heis. He has already proven his love for us, in giving his own life (see John15:13). We know the value we give to something by the time we exclusivelydedicate to it.If I love my wife, I willconsequently dedicate my time to be with her. In the view of that, make this self-analysis.If:Youdont like to read him (through Bible)Youdont like to talk to him (through Prayer)Youdont like to hear his voice (through Prayer)Youdont like to obey him (through Bible)Youdont like to talk about him to others (Evangelism/Discipleship/Christianmeetings)Then, I would say, there are somegood evidences you are not willing to expend eternity with God. I would say,you have not known him or, which is worse, you may have known him and rejectedhim because of the pleasures of this world. As Jesus said, Be careful, or yourhearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties oflife, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap (Luke 21:34). Somewill certainly hear his words, but the cares of this life will suffocate
themat the point to abandon the faith in exchange of worldly pleasures with its promisedsatisfaction (see Matthew 13:22).Therefore, if you can identify yourselfwith the above description, you are nota Christian at all. Please, know that we are free to do whatever we want. However,do never expect God to accept someone who does not like him to be living withhim forever. This is evident and logical. Even you would do the same. Ifsomeone does not love God here, he will not love him at any other point oftime. This is why the greatest commandment is, Love the Lord your God with allyour heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all yourstrength (Mark 12:30). Do you really know God? Do you love him?
Mexendo em alguns arquivos, encontrei este texto que um dia escrevi. Deve ser de 2010 ou 2011, mas e muito bom.Voce vai ate um supermercado. O que cabe na sua mao voce recolhe, leva ate o caixa, e pergunta quanto custa. A moca responde, com um sorriso simpatico: Hoje e de graca!UAL! Um dia de compras gratis em um supermercado; talvez voce estranhe, mas podera levar o que quiser sem pagar absolutamente nada. Logo voce saira anunciar a todos seus amigos sobre os produtos que estao sendo distribuidos de graca.Mas a graca e algo dificil de entender para muitos dos seus amigos. Alguns, achando nao ser suficiente, acabam trabalhando duramente para o dono do supermercado neste dia, pensando acrescentar algo para levar os produtos. Outros orientam os amigos a so levarem um pouquinho de cada coisa, e outros dizem que apenas o necessario para nao passar necessidade.No fim do dia, quem muito trabalhou, quem deixou de levar algumas coisas e quem levou so o pouquinho necessario, recebeu tudo da mesma forma. De graca! Aqueles que trabalharam muito ficaram pasmos. Os que poucas coisas pegaram, chateados. Os que aceitaram a graca realizaram a vontade do bondoso dono do supermercado.Se os produtos deste supermercado fossem trocados por algo mais valioso? Que tal a vida eterna? E o dono do supermercado por alguem realmente bom? Que tal Jesus? E os consumidores? Os cristaos atuais. Podemos entao fazer uma analogia e entender um problema em comum; a dificuldade de entender o que e a graca!Algumas pessoas tendem a querer adicionar coisas a mais para receber algo de graca. Para estes, so a graca e algo sem graca. Trocadilhos sem graca a parte, conseguimos ver facilmente hoje pessoas que nao se acham dignas de receber algo de graca. E realmente nao sao. Nenhum de nos e. Nao somos merecedores de coisa alguma. Nao importa o que fizessemos, continuaremos sendo os mesmos pecadores de sempre. Mas nem por isso deixamos de ser especial. E livre de pecados entao, somos sim, muito especiais! Especial significa tambem diferente, algo valioso, e para ser assim, devemos mudar. E podemos mudar, se aceitamos algo daquele unico capaz de fazer mudancas em nos, e totalmente de graca. Sim, podemos nos tornar pessoas especiais, repletas de paz, alegria e justica, se aceitarmos de bom grado a vitoria, por uma luta que nao lutamos, por uma dificuldade que nao enfrentamos, e de alguem que muitos ainda nao conheceram. Porem muitos ainda acreditam na historia do pague o preco. Ora, pagamos o preco de sermos especiais, sim, diferentes, separados (santos), em meio a um mundo corrompido e perverso. Pagamos um preco pagando o mal com o bem, bendizendo aqueles que nos maldizem, e suportando pessoas que nos odeiam. Mas isso tudo nao tem relacao alguma com a mudanca da nossa vida, ou seja, a transformacao do velho homem para o novo homem, livre da condicao de pecador, rumo a uma vida eterna, atraves da graca. A salvacao e pela graca. "Mas se e por graca, ja nao e pelas obras; de outra maneira, a graca ja
nao e graca. Se, porem, e pelas obras, ja nao e mais graca; de outra maneira a obra ja nao e obra." (Romanos 11 : 6)Nao ha o que adicionar. Nao ha obras que salvem o homem. Porque todos pecaram e destituidos estao da gloria de Deus; Sendo justificados gratuitamente pela sua graca, pela redencao que ha em Cristo Jesus Romanos 3 : 23-24. Somos justificados gratuitamente por aquele que nos amou independente de sermos pecadores, e deu sua vida para nos tornarmos especiais. Nao faremos nada entao? Ora, o que nos leva a trabalhar em favor daquele que nos concedeu a graca, e o constrangimento de conquistarmos todas as coisas, por nada. Logo, isso deve ser anunciado a todos aqueles que estao proximos. Um dia de compra gratis seria motivo de divulgacao para toda sua familia e amigos proximos, certo? E uma vida eterna em um novo ceu e uma nova terra?E proximo disto que existe uma confusao. Devemos entender algo; graca e de graca, e nada mais. A salvacao veio pela graca de Deus, o qual deu seu unico filho por nos. A recebemos pela fe, aceitando a graca, nao pelas obras. Porem, se a aceitamos, viveremos de acordo com o seu proposito. "Segui a paz com todos, e a santificacao, sem a qual ninguem vera o Senhor; Tendo cuidado de que ninguem se prive da graca de Deus, e de que nenhuma raiz de amargura, brotando, vos perturbe, e por ela muitos se contaminem." (Hebreus 12: 14-15) e "Por isso, tendo recebido um reino que nao pode ser abalado, retenhamos a graca, pela qual sirvamos a Deus agradavelmente, com reverencia e piedade;" (Hebreus 12 : 28). Servir a Deus? Voce esta em duvida de como agir? Disseram-lhe, pois: Que faremos para executarmos as obras de Deus? Jesus respondeu, e disse-lhes: A obra de Deus e esta: Que creiais naquele que ele enviou. Joao 6 : 28-29.Aceite a graca, e entenda que essa graca e dos que trabalharam muito e dos que trabalharam pouco; basta crer naquele que Deus enviou. Ninguem e melhor que ninguem, ninguem e maior que ninguem.Mas nao devemos esquecer que, uma vez vivendo na condicao de graca, a nossa fe nao podera ser vazia. E ai a fe coopera com as obras. Pois se a salvacao veio pela graca, a justificacao apos ela vem pela fe, evidenciada pelas obras. Creio, logo vivo em conformidade com a minha crenca. Meus irmaos, que aproveita se alguem disser que tem fe, e nao tiver as obras? Porventura a fe pode salva-lo? E, se o irmao ou a irma estiverem nus, e tiverem falta de mantimento quotidiano, e algum de vos lhes disser: Ide em paz, aquentai-vos, e fartai-vos; e nao lhes derdes as coisas necessarias para o corpo, que proveito vira dai? Assim tambem a fe, se nao tiver as obras, e morta em si mesma. Tiago 2 : 14-17.Porem, quer muita sejam as obras, quer poucas, a graca sera a mesma para aqueles que retem firme a esperanca da salvacao, crendo no filho de Deus.Uma vez reputado como
filho de Deus, a mesma graca dEle deve estar em nos. Se nossas obras foram poucas, e porque poucas vezes tivemos a oportunidade de ajudar alguem, como mencionado acima. Se muitas, muitas oportunidades; Porem, nao e quem fez mais ou menos, mas a mesma graca de Deus que e para com todos. "Por isso, nem o que planta e alguma coisa, nem o que rega, mas Deus, que da o crescimento." (I Corintios 3 : 7). Se voce e um pedreiro de uma pequena cidade, e coopera com 5 pessoas, otimo. Se e um executivo de uma multinacional, e coopera com 500 pessoas, otimo. Cada um trabalha com o que lhe foi confiado. Seja pouco, seja muito. Afinal, quem pode fazer essa distincao? "E o seu senhor lhe disse: Bem esta, servo bom e fiel. Sobre o pouco foste fiel, sobre muito te colocarei; entra no gozo do teu senhor." (Mateus 25 : 21)Vindo, porem, os primeiros, cuidaram que haviam de receber mais; mas do mesmo modo receberam um dinheiro cada um. E, recebendo-o, murmuravam contra o pai de familia, Dizendo: Estes derradeiros trabalharam so uma hora, e tu os igualaste conosco, que suportamos a fadiga e a calma do dia. Mas ele, respondendo, disse a um deles: Amigo, nao te faco agravo; nao ajustaste tu comigo um dinheiro? Toma o que e teu, e retira-te; eu quero dar a este derradeiro tanto como a ti. Ou nao me e licito fazer o que quiser do que e meu? Ou e mau o teu olho porque eu sou bom? Assim os derradeiros serao primeiros, e os primeiros derradeiros; porque muitos sao chamados, mas poucos escolhidos. Mateus 20 10:16.
Today I going to writeexclusively to Christians. However, if you are not one, you can still extract someimportant lessons from it.There are only two types ofChristians. Those who name themselves Christians and those who are named Christiansby others. The first ones are conducting their lives in discordance with theirbelief, however they believe they are believers. The second ones, because ofthe way they are conducting their lives, they are recognized as true believers.In fact, theres no way to be ina middle point. You are either a Christian or not. What I would like toemphasize is the great problem the first category are comprehensively causingin our current time. Christians have been mocked,ridicule, and I would partially agree with what Mahatma Gandhi said, I likeyour Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike yourChrist. Paul, when addressing to hypocrite men, severely affirmed by quotingIsaiah and Ezekiel, As it is written: Gods name is blasphemed among the Gentilesbecause of you.In this pluralistic society, oneneeds firmly to decide what he really is and whom he is really serving. According to Christ Jesus, theown name the Christians bear, there are some intrinsic characteristics of atrue believer. By living the opposite way, a person - who thinks to be aChristian - will not only be unfruitful, but also a trouble causer. It is thecase of the soldier, who carries a gun without knowing to where he should aim.He can shoot his own fellows, as when he not ends shooting himself. I have seen with my own eyes andhave experienced many times the disgusting moments when one auto calledChristian start exposing his own distorted ideas, having no knowledge ofChristianity at all, denigrating the whole teaching of Jesus in the presence ofmany. Particularly here in America, because one goes a single morning to aChurch near home, have some meals with Christians fellows, and sing one or twosongs by heart, he thinks his duty with God is done, and all his thoughts andideas are in a good shape. His correct political view do not allow people toengage in Christian conversations, since it is not morally right and can bedetrimental to people of other faiths. He keeps his faith private, his answersare never based on Gods word, his ways are always determined by his own will,the path chosen to walk is based on success and fame, the direction he gives tohis family is based on money, and the testimony he gives is about materialismand consumerism.Some of the characteristics of atrue Christian are the capability of demonstrate love even when persecuted.Having the right word for the right hour to the right person. Solving complexproblems with simplicity. Being the salt and light in an insipid and dark world.Gathering together people to God by his sincere testimony and love. Faithfullyrepresenting the one who only loved, giving his life for the sake of many.Unless one incorporate the words of Jesus, putting them into practice, hecannot be called Christian. Not hearing the word is a great problem, buthearing and not putting in practice is even worse. Lets see what Jesus said aboutthis particular matter.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt losesits saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good foranything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:13. AgainI repeat, I have seen with my own eyes people being trampled by others, servingworldliness interest with all their strength, but not bringing anything differentto help lives. Either you are the one who brings difference or you are the sameinsipid person who just talks about meaningless and futile subjects, withoutbringing any hope to this world. It may sound harsh, but Jesus wasnever imploring people to follow him. He gives both the unique salvation bygrace and the exigencies of being an obedient son, whose greatest challenge isto love. Jesus was never imploring people to follow him, just to have a greatnumber. By the way, he was also making the statements by which one could muchmore easily deny him and stop following him them to really make a commitment. Hehimself said, Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does notgather with me scatters. Luke 11:23Some people, instead ofattracting others by their way of life are doing the very opposite, restrainingthem for their bad example and incoherent life. The one who affirms somethingand never demonstrates in practical ways is a hypocrite, having the minddisconnected from the heart. Lets also remember that Jesus always condemnedthe hypocrites. I also called your attention tothe fact that, if you, being a Christian, but not living in conformity with it,are worse than someone who has never heard about it. If anyone, then, knowsthe good they ought to do and doesnt do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17.Moreover, if someone shrink back, he twice worse than the one who never knewabout it. Of them the proverbs are true: A dog returns to its vomit, and, Asow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.1 Peter 2:22, and Butmy righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one whoshrinks back. Hebrews 10:38. Do not neglect your calling! Give your bestthrough obedience to God, and you will live the best of your days by bearingfruits. Notwithstanding the problem ofbeing a problem to others, the one who lives by this controversial way will endup being destroyed. For the ax is already at the root of the trees, and everytree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into thefire. Luke 3:9. Its good to consider the costs when making the decision tofollow Christ. Nevertheless, remember, that by sharing in his sufferings wewill also share in his glory (Romans 8:17). Theres trials, battles,persecution, hardships and troubles when living as Christ commanded us, especiallybecause the world hates us. As Jesus said, If the world hates you, keep inmind that it hated me first. John 15:18. However, it is not the best life wecan live, it is the only one. We were called to do good works, not aiming to bejustified by them, but for obedience to the one who gave his life to us
andwants us to give our lives to our brothers. Also reinforcing, a good treecannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree thatdoes not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by theirfruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:19-20One last thing. When looking backinto history, names as Friedrich Nietzsche, whose father and both grandfatherswere minister, and even Charles Darwin, who left behind any belief in God topursue their own answers, had a great [negative] impact in our society.Philosophical and ideological barriers were lifted up, bringing confusion anddiscussions without end. With regard to ideologies, those who once were consideredto be Christians, ended up bringing profound problems to new generations, bybringing a mixture of trues and lies, affirming them to be absolutes, at thesame time denying absolutes and praising what is relative. Jesus teachings arenot relatives, as his truth is not either. Either you are a son of God who willcooperate in the growing of his Kingdom, or you are the opposite, who will justbe a hindrance to the work of God, assuming the risk to be cut off earlier inlife.To be a Christian is to beChrist. Evaluate your life sincerely through the lenses of the Bible. Lookyourself on the mirror. If you dont see Christ, reevaluate your belief. Youmay be not a Christian at all. What fruits are you producing? Are they good? Enterthrough the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leadsto destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow theroad that leads to life, and only a few find it.