Incentivo
A Bíblia é fonte inesgotável de incentivo. Em cada página, Deus nos encoraja a não temer, a perseverar e a confiar que Ele está conosco e é maior que qualquer adversidade.
Deus é por nós
Se Deus é por nós, quem será contra nós? O Senhor fortalece, sustenta e guia seus filhos em cada batalha e desafio.
What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? [Ps 118:6]
‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ [Acts 18:10]
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired. [Heb 12:1-3]
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you."
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
Esperança e perseverança
A tribulação produz perseverança, a perseverança produz caráter, e o caráter produz esperança que não decepciona.
And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward.
Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. [Rev 3:10, 11]
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world." [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.
Jesus said to him, "[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!"
Deus cuida de nós
Entrega o teu caminho ao Senhor. Lança sobre Ele as tuas ansiedades, porque Ele tem cuidado de nós diariamente.
Commit your way to the Lord;
Trust in Him also and He will do it.
The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].
When he falls, he will not be hurled down,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.
Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). [1 Pet 5:7]
In my trouble I cried to the Lord,
And He answered me.
I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands
Who have set themselves against me all around.
Futuro e promessas
Eu sei os planos que tenho para vocês — planos de paz e não de mal, para dar-lhes futuro e esperança.
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
"The Lord your God is in your midst,
A Warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with joy;
He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
But Jesus looked at them and said, "With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [Gen 18:14; Job 42:2]
but just as it is written [in Scripture],
"Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed]." [Is 64:4; 65:17]
But he took his stand in the center of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory.