ME: Brilhando na Escuridão

[CELC Floripa]

Mensagens de Esperança - Hora Luterana

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Brilhando na Escuridão Posted: 17 Feb 2015 05:00 PM PST O período de Quaresma começa nas cinzas. João nos conta que a Palavra de Deus se tornou um ser humano e entrou em nosso mundo. Mas imediatamente mostra que o nosso Salvador iria enfrentar muitas lutas: “A luz brilha na escuridão, e a escuridão não conseguiu apagá-la” (Jo 1.5). Todos nós lutamos contra o poder da escuridão em nossa vida: a escuridão do medo, da dúvida, da angústia e da ansiedade, problemas de saúde, crises financeiras e relacionamentos desgastados. Nesta Quarta-feira de Cinzas, o Espírito Santo chama você e quer iluminar os cantos mais escuros do seu coração, cheio de pecados. As cinzas da quarta-feira nos fazem lembrar da morte que a escuridão trouxe para todos. Mas também nos relembram que o nosso Salvador tomou sobre si a nossa morte, dando-nos sua vida e perdão. Oração: Luz do mundo, brilha em meu coração e dá-me paz. Amém. Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries "Shining in the Darkness Ash Wednesday " February 18, 2015     Read John 1:1-18. TEXT: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).  Our Lenten season begins in the darkness of winter and by the end of our nearly seven week journey the darkness will have given way to the light of spring. This battle between darkness and light is the theme of the Gospel of John, and it will be the theme of these Lenten devotions.  Chapter 1 begins with the Christmas story; John tells us the Word of God became human and entered our world. But immediately John hints at the struggles our Savior will face: "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." In the coming weeks we will see Satan, the prince of darkness, use many instruments in his efforts to snuff out the Light: fanatical crowds, treacherous enemies, a disciple's kiss, a high priest's oath, a Roman official's fear, a whip, thorns, nails, a dead tree and a huge stone. All of us struggle with the power of darkness in our lives, the darkness of fear, doubt, dread and anxiety. We see it in our health problems, financial struggles and our strained relationships. We see it in the darkness of our own struggles within. On this Ash Wednesday the Holy Spirit calls you to gather with His people in church where He will shine His glorious light into the darkest corners of our sin-filled hearts and minds. The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us of the death that darkness has brought to all. But it also reminds us our Savior took our death upon Himself, giving us His life and forgiveness. Join us as we journey through the Gospel of John, watching the Light battle and overcome the darkness for us.