During the several years of my pastoral ministry I accompanied lives that faced different situations, such as: Blessings, miracles, struggles and situations or problems that almost led to total destruction.

And a large part of these accompaniments concerned people who were facing very difficult situations in their lives (marriage, family, work or personal life), and a good part of them were desperate, without prospects and wanting to give up everything.

And the almost common cause for so much suffering was: THE LACK OF GOD IN THE DAY TO DAY OF THESE PEOPLE

These people were mistaken, blind and without realizing that their lives were actually darkness, and when you are in darkness, most of the time you don't see the cause, nor the way out.

At the same time that we witnessed such situations, we could see the wonderful power of God transforming these lives and bringing the full light, restoring the homes, the family, and the individual himself, to fulfill His Word:

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Many people have tried to solve their problems on their own or have looked for ways that only aggravate situations and lead to destruction.

Some have listened to advice that has no biblical foundation and consequently have suffered the consequences of their actions.

Many are mirroring the adulterer, the corrupt, the sinner, instead of mirroring themselves in the Word of God.

Matthew 15:14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.

For those who are living in darkness, the solution is to live in the light, because light consumes darkness and there will never be communion between them.

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Jesus is the light and we need the light to not perish and to have a transformed life.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

He who gives his way to Jesus abandons sinful attitudes and takes pleasure in the things that are of God and pursues them, so Jesus is turning darkness into light.

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.

The root of all destruction in the world is sin and man's departure from God.

The current misfortunes, miseries, destruction are reflections of the contempt and distance of man from God.

If you have doubts, think: Could a man with God in his heart steal, kill, corrupt himself, lie, commit adultery, wish evil on his neighbor?

If you are experiencing situations like these, surely God is missing from your life and consequently your life is in darkness.

John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

Always remember this interesting phrase I heard one day: "NEVER LISTEN TO A MAN WHO DOESN'T LISTEN TO GOD".

FOLLOW THIS GUIDELINE!

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Pastor Val Martins