July 2023 Editon

ENGLISH SPECIAL EDITION - ONLINE DIGITAL - JULY 2023

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Oral Health

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Dr. Fatima De Melo Dentist

do cosmetics?" When she why do you want me to take smiled, I understood right x-rays?" away. She had nice teeth, but few years ago, I had a pa- they were too far apart.

It seemed like a simple case; tient come into my office for her teeth looked healthy, and her first visit. After review- I explained to her that the apparently, the only thing to ing her file, I asked her what first thing I would like to see do was to close the spaces her main complaint was. She would be complete x-rays, between them. promptly answered me with to which she quickly replied, another question, "Do you "But I don't have any cavities, She wanted to have cosmetic

A

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Articles, messages, interviews, and studies published in this Newspaper, by each author, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor.

Each writer is responsible for their own content.

Therefore, each author is available to answer the reader's questions.

Oral Health

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rect position.

fillings to make the gaps between her teeth disappear, but she didn't want to get xrays.

After reviewing her X-rays, I looked at her, and the way I examined the X-rays made her sense my thoughts. She asked earnestly, "What's wrong, Doc?"

I explained to her that the x-rays would help me assess her general jaw health and determine the best course of treatment for her.

I was momentarily speechless because before me was a young woman with more than half of her teeth destined for extraction. The remaining teeth could potentially be saved with intensive periodontal treatment.

I went on to say, "Perhaps it is not necessary to place veneers because, many times, when the supporting tissues are healthy, orthodontic treatment is enough to close the spaces and position the teeth more aesthetically, thus avoiding compromising the tooth structure with unnecessary restorations."

I also explained to her that the teeth, in relation to the bones and gums, were like a house that needs to be built on solid ground so that the foundation can support its structure.

Many times, one gets the impression that the problem lies in the teeth, but upon closer examination, it is discovered that the issue is in the "foundation," which refers to the bones. However, the patient decided not to continue with the consultation as she believed that the radiographs were unnecessary.

Two years later, we received a call from a woman who wanted to schedule her first visit. As part of the protocol, we informed her that the radiographic examination and the clinical examination were necessary during the visit.

The person on the line said, "I know, I know, the doctor can't make a diagnosis without an X-ray." My assistant immediately asked, "Have you been a previous patient of the doctor?"

She wanted to have cosmetic fillings to make the gaps between her teeth disappear. plied, "No, but I know." My assistant found the situation amusing, but she didn't say anything to me.

plained to her that the best course of action would be for her to return to the dentist who initially applied the braces so that he could evaluate Finally, the day of the consul- the ongoing treatment. tation arrived, and the moment I saw her, I recognized Internally, I thought to myself, her. There she was in front of "Complete orthodontic treatme, the girl who had refused ment in just 4 months sounds to take X-rays a few years ago. like a miracle." She continued to explain, "My teeth are how There she was, all happy and I want them, but my gums wearing braces. She began are bleeding excessively, so I by saying, "Doctor, I came think it's time to remove my here because I decided to get braces." She didn't need to braces on my teeth instead say anything more. I realized of having restorations, as you that she had a significant isadvised. sue.

I went to a dentist in my hometown. It has been 4 months now, and all the spaces are closed. I would like you to remove my braces because The patient on the line re- my teeth are in place." I ex-

I proceeded with the consultation and took X-rays.

However, she persisted in expressing her desire to have the braces removed since her teeth were already in the cor-

The bone loss was extensive, and gum disease had spread to such an extent that the braces were essentially holding the teeth together. Once the braces were removed, the teeth would likely shift again, and many of them could even fall out with the simple act of removing the braces rings.

Like this patient, I encounter many others who still don't believe in the importance of radiographic exams.

If she had followed the protocol for the first visit, her chances of maintaining her teeth would have been much higher because her periodontal problem would have been identified through the radiographs and the clinical examination.

When gum problems are treated promptly, they can be brought under control, allowing for appropriate cosmetic procedures.

Therefore, when it's time for your check-up, please adhere to the protocol mentioned in this article for the initial visit.

By doing so, you will increase your chances of preserving your oral health and, consequently, enhance the likelihood of receiving a cosmetic treatment that is best suited for your case and provides long-lasting results. ◙

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Science

eeking not only to underSstand the doctrine of the To-

tal constructions.

These sciences should not be discarded as an instrument for understanding man², but, however, when abandoning themselves to experiments and directed methodology (often formed on false assumptions), almost always with the objective of confirming or attesting to the veracity of the scheme proposed speculative.

tal Depravity of Man, but to corroborate it with the biblical text, abandoning the study carried out in Genesis, chapter 3 (whose account of the Fall of humanity took place together with the Fall of Adam, which, as the head, he represented us and, with him, we all sinned, and fell), we will now delve into the study of chapter 6, of the same book of Genesis.

First, I emphasize the strangeness provoked in most people, many of them practicing and convinced believers, regarding the biblical concept of human depravity.

There is an attempt, especially among the most literate, to know human nature not through reality, through what can be seen and observed in everyday life.

Much less through biblical reports¹, but through the academic and theoretical framework of sociology, anthropology, psychology, and pedagogy, often nothing more than addicted and, in some cases, delusional men-

There is an attempt, especially among the most literate, to know human nature not through what can be seen and observed in everyday life.

Unfortunately, the human sciences have become, especially in countries dominated by the progressive mentality, a collection of ideological postulates where truth, accuracy, and fidelity to facts have increasingly given way to the artificial exploration of an impossible and unattainable thought, utopian, where reality and the natural aspect necessarily become marginalized and rejected within the methodological spectrum of studies; a way of scaring them away from the possible damage they would do to the dominant intent, conviction or belief of the ideologue.

The knowledge acquired through practice, through studies, through observation CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

Science

7 5 not an academic myself, but when I got to know many of them, their inability to practice what they claim to defend is clear and, in fact, they are completely unaware of it.

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is abandoned, surrendering to academic training where the principle is not that of neutrality in research, but that of carrying out, to the last consequences, the defense of the suggested assumption (I say, suggested), even if there is, during its investigative course, evidence of its deceit or invalidation.

And that alone would be enough to prove that the doctrine of the Total Depravity of Man is not only credible, but real and indisputable.

The concept of science has been distorted in the last hundred years to the point where, in many research centers, there is nothing more than propaganda, dogmatic marketing, disguised as academicism.

Not all of them, of course, perhaps not even the majority, but a good portion does what makes it non-existent and inefficient for the world as a whole: non-science or vulgar and corrupted scientism.

The concept of science has been distorted in the last hundred years to the point where, in many research centers, there is nothing more than propaganda, dogmatic marketing, disguised as academicism.

Trying to separate academic works from any relationship with God, humanity got involved in an insane and destructive struggle against ment thought, a dictatorship reason itself, against nature of academic thought led by a itself, with humanity itself. controlling elite, capable of That's why they're nothing including or exclude, which is more than a lame excuse, to say, guarantee or not the with no heads or tails, with public and private financing, the sole purpose of sustain- of those inserted or excluded ing the unsustainable. It may in its ideological organism. seem just ignorance, but there is a central objective in all this “scientific” method and effort: to destroy Western civilization and, more specifically, the Judeo-Christian tradition, and the formulation of a new social construction, from the destruction of that and values ​​that, at the very least, are the foundation of all human existence.

Competence and merit mean nothing, as well as the plausibility of theories and their concrete veracity, the candidate only having to make sure he is colluding and collaborating for the perpetuation of the crime, certain that his mediocrity will not be perceived or repudiated but fed by the tacit agreement of intellectual domestication. And the more confused, hermetic, Instead of there being an and delusional. incessant search for knowledge, for truth, for knowl- The human sciences currently edge, it appears to be a sys- produce academics as a plastem of simple reverberation tics factory, generating chamof the postulate, a diffusion ber pots, with the difference of dominant or establish- that the chamber pots fulfill a

natural purpose, on behalf of humanity, while the so-called scientists ensure, for themselves, a factitious stability in a jammed machine it's useless As a rule, it becomes a purpose, a type of nobility superior to knowledge, without any real objective of social or humanitarian benefit, limiting itself to being an instrument and means for the control, for the appropriation of bodies and souls.

With that, there is not, on my part, sabotage of the academic system, which is unnecessary, as it oversees selfsabotage, but the verification of the existence of vices that impel it to disaster and prevent it from carrying out its noble mission.

A diploma or title is enough for them to be sure of the absolute abandonment of academic rigor. The title brings all the framework sufficient to take it as infallible and inerrant and, from that premise, exclude it from the need to hear, read and think about anything else unrelated to its “deity”.

Even more so if you are anchored by the nomenclature, by peers that give you genius and suitability without the need to prove them. It's like a hypnosis or self-help course: you don't need to see or understand anything beyond what you are told and confirmed as true, even the most sordid and amoral mendacity and quackery.

Contrary to what it should be, many Christians indulge in the absurd thought of recognizing the merit of reasoning not for its content or argument, but for the fact that its interlocutor is a graduate, an authority.

Known as argumentum ad verecundiam, it is a logical fallacy, of the crudest, most improbable, but in which Christians seem to have a special predilection for its mechanism of unquestionability.

It happens that they fail in several aspects, mainly beIt seems a futile generaliza- cause they deposit credibiltion, precisely because I am ity in the author, a man subCONTINUES ON PAGE 6

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Science

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ject to errors like himself, but coated with an almost divinity that makes him infallible, instead of depositing it in the true Author, God. Hundreds, thousands of years of vivid Christian experience, the testimony of millions of people, endless accounts of an authentic faith, not subject to wavering and change, It doesn't matter if he undermined facts, disregarded evidence, manipulated data, concentrated his efforts on fashioning a disguise, shielding him from recognition of his incompetence or insanity.

Crazy people scream because there is nothing else to do but silence themselves, it happens that this state annuls them; then they bluster, fictionalize, get mad, get upset, threatening to unmask the reluctant as ignorant: “look at that one over there, he's an ass!

It happens that (many Christians) fail, mainly because they deposit credibility in (the Scientist), a man subject to errors, but coated with an almost divinity that makes him infallible, instead of depositing He doesn't have a diploma, it in the true Author, God. he's not part of the academy, but he insists on accusing me! It is the typical confirmation of the saying: “win in the scream!”; and there is no mitigation to attenuate the pragmatic tension of authority, other than to accept him and his speech without hesitation.

The accusation is never the fragility or non-existence of the argument, but the threatened individual, caught and cornered in his own mischief, has no choice but to roar and show his teeth menacingly.

Like that child who, after wetting his pants, looks scared at his mother while the hot liquid runs down his legs. She can't say: “I didn't do that”, but the shady academic can say it invested with authority, making it unquestionable, even though everyone can

see his soaked crotch.

wisdom, fulfilling the requirements of implausibility itself, Why does the believer insist why strive for the search for on molding his faith to sci- the truth if a mockery of it is ence, without first taking care easily achieved? to know if what is presented to him is really nothing more With the answer, you, if you than an imposture? are not too lazy.

Why is attention paid to the first new rumor to the detriment of centuries and centuries of experience and confirmation of the truth by the body of Christ?

I believe there is a good deal of vanity and arrogance in making oneself understood of what not even its proponent understands.

Looking smart or smart is easier than being. And if there is a molded structure for the validation of an anachronistic

ing the queen of all sciences, without which any other instrument becomes, at the very least, inadequate, or inappropriate.

3- And why not mention the high degree of madness; to the point of making himNotes: self imperceptible to other 1- The Bible presents man people's eyes, given the enthronement of his personalas he is, without flourishes, ity? without softening him, without fantasies, but portrays Heidegger, with his stilted anhim in his most intimate de- ti-Semitism, inspired the contails, which can be confirmed struction of the Nazi-fascistby reality, by the sinful bru- State; just as Marx, and his tality undertaken daily by collectivist delirium, fomentany of us against the natural ed Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and holy order created by the Pol-Pot, and Mao, to name good God. just a few examples, among many others of murderers 2- Incomprehensible is the and tyrants. ◙ discard that the modern world gives to theology, be- Source: Kalamos

Bible History

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Some sources indicate how and where the apostles died.

1 – Peter: According to tra- 2 – Andrew: According to 3 – James: Son of Zebe- 4 – John: Brother of James,

dition, he was crucified up- tradition, he was martyred dee, killed by Herod. Acts cast alive into a pot of boilside down in Rome. and killed in Greece.

12:1,2. The first of the apos- ing oil, but he suffered nothtles to be killed. ing, God delivered him as he did with the young men cast into the burning fiery furnace. Then he was exiled to the island of Patmos where he received the Revelations of the Apocalypse. He was the youngest of the disciples, and he was the last of them to die, possibly at Ephesus, a natural death.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". Philippians 1:21

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Bible History

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5 – Philip: According to 6 – Bartholomew: Ac- 7 – Thomas: According to 8 – Matthew: According “Genealogies of the Apos- cording to tradition, he was tradition, he worked in India to tradition, he died a natural tles”, he died a natural death. put alive in a bag and thrown and there he was martyred death in Ethiopia or Macedointo the sea. and killed. nia.

9 – James: Son of Alpha- 10 – Thaddeus: It is only 11 – Simon: The Zealot, ac- 12 – Judas: Hanged himeus, a book of his time re- known that he was buried in ports that he was stoned by Beirut, or in Egypt. the Jews, in Jerusalem, for preaching about Christ.

cording to a tradition, worked self after betraying Jesus. S. in North Africa and suffered Matthew 27:3-5. martyrdom in Palestine during the reign of Domitian, persecutor of Christians.

We could still add Paul, who was not among the twelve, but was called to be an apostle personally

by Jesus: He was beheaded near Rome, according to tradition. ◙ Biblia.com.br team

God

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oday I want to talk to you Tabout some concepts we have about God and our life.

There are many types of beliefs about God. There are those who don't believe in God, they only believe in real, tangible, and visible things.

Some believe that God exists, but that he made the world like someone making a clock, winding it up and letting it run until the winding finally runs out.

Others believe that God created the world, but that he has nothing to do with us.

Still others believe that God does not exist and that we are the result of chance or evolution.

We believe that God exists and that He has a relationship with us.

We Christians do not believe CONTINUES ON PAGE 10

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God

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in any of these theories.

We believe that God exists and that He has a relationship with us.

But still, many of us have a misconception about what is secular and what is sacred.

Many think that God cares about our soul, about evangelization, discipleship, missions, churches, prayer meetings, services, church planting, that is, spiritual things.

And that he is not interested in our work, science, business, economics, politics, the arts, that is, physical things.

But if we were to look at the Bible, there are many texts about spiritual matters, but there are even more that deal with economics, business, politics, etc.

Imagine if you changed the way you treated others a little, and did what Jesus told us: Love God and your neighbor... All the time!

Imagine if all Christians were Christians 100% of our time, and not just when it came to "holy" things?

with their bosses, humiliated subordinates, didn't respect teachers at school, were irresponsible with their money, didn't care about who votes, Does God not care about us didn't care about elderly parat all? And does He not want ents, beat their children, etc. to be our Lord at all?

Imagine if divorce lawyers I've heard so many believ- were counselors for couples ers saying that they fought in disguise, or if they were

society?

Imagine if all Christians were Christians 100% of our time, and not just when it came to "holy" things?

Imagine if you changed the way you treated others a little, and did what Jesus told us: Love God and your neighbor... All the time!

Let's change our mindset that only missionaries and pastors are full-time workers in God's work, and become full-time workers in God's work in our work, school, home...etc.

Think about it! ◙

doctors who spoke of miracles greater than healing, or bosses who were humble and loving, or parents who were role models for children, or workers who were counselors at work, or students fighting injustice at school, etc.

Can you imagine if we stood up in politics to fight for a just

Bíblia.com.br

Self Esteem

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from yourself even for a second of your life. Wherever you go, you will be there!

Do you remember how bad you felt the last time you spent a few hours with someone you didn't like?

The same principle applies to your relationship with yourself. If you don't like yourself—the one person you're always with—you're destined for a life of great unhappiness.

But when you love yourself, you are able to appreciate life.

Joyce Meyer Bible Teacher

Let me ask you a question: Do you love yourself?

I'm not talking about loving yourself in a selfish or selfcentered way, but loving the true and only "you" as God created you.

Think about this for a moment. You cannot run away

If you don't like yourself— the one person you're always with—you're destined for a life of great unhappiness.

To love yourself is to accept God's unconditional love with all your heart, to see yourself as He sees you, to rejoice and be at peace with who He created you to be: chosen, royal, holy, and special (see 1 Peter 2:9).

This healthy self-love is not based on what you do right or CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

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Self Esteem there was a time when people ironed). One day she asked, “Why do you start at the collar when ironing a shirt? I always start with the body.”

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wrong, but on who you are as a child of God. When you don't know who you are in Christ, you can't see or love yourself as He sees and loves you, or even be yourself.

My friend was just making a comment, but from that day on, when she came to visit and I was ironing, I would start with the body of the shirt.

Instead, you are at the mercy of others' opinions and constantly feel inadequate and inferior, wishing you could be someone else.

RELAX AND BE WHO YOU ARE For a long time, I tried to be like so many people that I ended up losing myself.

I got stuck in this vicious cycle, and trust me, that's a terrible way to live your life.

Having been sexually abused by my father, I always felt that there was something wrong with me.

I did what I thought would get me her approval instead of going the way that was comfortable for me.

To love yourself is to accept God's unconditional love with all your heart, to see yourself as He sees you, to rejoice and be at peace with who He created you to be.

I tried to be like my husband, who is my extreme opposite. I tried to be like my pastor's wife, who was also the opposite of me. And I tried to be like a friend who had talents that I didn't.

Even if they weren't trying to pressure me, the mere thought of someone not approving of what I was doing was enough to send me into a panic. Years later, already married with children, I had a good friend who visited me often.

Sometimes she would sit and talk to me while I ironed (yes,

I spent many frustrating years as a Christian trying to please others and failing, until the Lord showed me that the problem was that I had never really received His love for me.

After receiving this revelation, I spent a year studying God's Word, meditating on it, and loudly confessing God's love for me.

That negative feeling drove me to try to be like other people I admired or who I thought I should “look like”.

In fact, if someone even suggested that I do something differently than I was doing it, I immediately felt pressured to change.

The funny thing is, she probably didn't even notice how I was ironing the shirts after that comment, so all my effort was probably wasted.

At that time, I had a fortyyear history of not liking myself—and loving myself even less—so renewing my mind in this area took time.

We can all work with God toward positive change in our behavior without rejecting ourselves or seeing ourselves as failures because of our imperfections.

At first, I felt guilty trying to love myself because I was so aware of my flaws, but over time I learned that I could love who I am without loving everything I do.

We can all work with God toward positive change in our behavior without rejecting ourselves or seeing ourselves as failures because of our imperfections.

Those around us can be quick to point out our flaws and quirks, and our enemy, the devil, is sure to remind us of them.

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Self Esteem CONTINUING FROM PAGE 12

him victory over the giant (see 1 Samuel 17:41-45).

But we don't have to believe everything we hear. We must compare what we believe with the Word of God to see if it is true or not.

Young David then went on to do what no one thought possible. The sling that Goliath had mocked cast a single stone that struck and killed him, and the Israelites defeated the Philistines that day (see 1 Samuel 17:46-51).

God created each of us, and according to Psalm 139, He did so with great care. God makes no mistakes and all his works are wonderful. It means you are wonderful!

Let's take a look at the psalmist David, who underwent a huge test of his own authenticity just before facing Goliath in battle.

STAY TRUE TO YOUR PURPOSE The passage from 1 Samuel 17 tells the story of how the Israelite army faced a giant named Goliath, champion of the mighty Philistines.

When Goliath mocked David, trying to intimidate him, David responded with the certainty that God would give him victory over the giant.

However, when Goliath went out to fight, the Israelite soldiers were terrified and young David was the only one willing to go to battle (see 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 16).

However, David soon realized that he could not go into battle dressed in someone else's armor because he was not used to it. In fact, he couldn't even move inside her.

When Goliath mocked David, trying to intimidate him, David responded with the certainty that God would give

David defeated Goliath, but he had to be true to himself to do it. If he had tried to go into battle in Saul's armor, he would not have been able to use the weapons he was familiar with.

His way may have been unusual for others, but it worked because God was with him. And the same goes for you and me.

Always remember that you cannot defeat your Goliath wearing Saul's armor. You can't use someone else's skills, personality or resources to do what you need to do: you have to be true to yourself.

Learning to be you is essential for any kind of victory in your life. Others may not understand your uniqueness, but God does and that's what matters. You have so much to offer the world, and now is the time to start doing it.

It took convincing, but when King Saul finally agreed to allow David to fight the giant, Saul dressed him in his own tunic and armor and placed a bronze helmet on his head.

He took off Saul's armor, took his shepherd's crook, and collected five smooth stones and a sling. Armed with only these familiar items, he approached the giant (see 1 Samuel 17:37-40).

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This is a new day, a new beginning for you if you are ready to embrace it.

You are God's beloved, and He has big plans for your life, so buckle up and get ready for the journey to authenticity. ◙

Learning to be you is essential for any kind of victory in your life.

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Death/Resurrection

hey say that some people Tcame back telling what is be-

sage. She turned our planet into the cemetery of the Universe, a place where everyone dies. Thank God, there is hope and comfort in His Word on this matter. What we need is the truth about the loss of our loved ones and the joyful news that the resurrection day is coming. Before, however, we need to understand why this bewildering confusion exists. Could it be that all this attachment to death is not leading to an attachment to the author of death, the one who turned the Earth into a cemetery?

yond life. Are they convinced of what they say? Are we not playing with death?

What happens ten minutes after death? What's on the other side of that mysterious door?

There is now a veritable epidemic of films and plays about death. The current interest in death is close to obsession. Interest in death is in fashion. There are manuals on how to die and death is considered by many to be an achievement!

Twenty-seven students from a state high school built a bier out of pine and gave it to the high school as a memorial. The coffin remains inside the classroom and students lie down inside it to meditate. “Death is beautiful,” they say, “it is as natural as a rose that blossoms and then withers, and then is thrown away.” But what's romantic about throwing away a withered rose? There is nothing beautiful about death. She is cruel; he is an enemy and not a friend; it is a closed door and not a beautiful pas-

Since he was banished from Heaven, Satan has known that he must suffer irreversible death. Hence, he is determined, if possible, to take the whole human race with him into destruction.

Since he was banished from Heaven, Satan has known that he must suffer irreversible death. Hence, he is determined, if possible, to take the whole human race with him into destruction. Satan and his minions paint death as something beautiful, as something not to be feared at all. After all, how else could he lure his victims? That was his strategy in the Garden of Eden.

God warned our first parents that disobedience could result in death. But Satan spoke to Eve through the serpent: "Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4).

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Death/Resurrection CONTINUING FROM PAGE 14

This statement by Satan means: “You cannot die. In fact, you will be alive in another place, in another state of existence. So live as you like.” At the core of all your plays remains your original lie: you won't die. Why is this move so successful? The answer is very simple. If he can convince you that the dead aren't dead, it'll be easy to convince him that the dead can communicate. And, if you believe that, a well-executed act will give him a direct line to your mind. Satan and his helpers, the fallen angels, are masters of disguise.

They have taken millions of lonely people to seances, where they are easily convinced that they are in touch with departed loved ones; and millions, not having a knowledge of the Word of God, believe in this supernatural manifestation. Jesus warned us about end-time deception: “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

7 15 the verse is that the bishop doesn't know; is in Ecclesiastes 9:5. Then he quoted the passage correctly: “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing.”

Notice that Lazarus, when he was called from his tomb after four days, had no story to tell about where he had been all that time. Evidently, he hadn't gone anywhere.

them in the guise of an angel of light. Or, even worse, like a loved one who has passed away. That's the problem: millions simply haven't studSatan and his minions rare- ied God's Word and still quesly use the direct approach tion his authority. t o m a ke t h e i r i d e n t i t y Bishop Pike did not believe known. They prefer to wear a in an afterlife. But his condisguise: “For such false apos- victions were easily shaken tles are deceitful workers, when a host of appalling phetransforming themselves into nomena drew him like a magthe apostles of Christ. And net to the occult. The tragno wonder, because Satan edy that started this process himself is transformed into was the suicide of her son an angel of light ′′ (2 Corin- Jim. The sudden death of her thians 11:13 and 14). When son brought her great sadthe movie “The Exorcist” ness, especially because he was doing great, people who was involved with drugs. would just watch it would say, “Satan is a really horrible After the tragedy, Bishop Pike creature.” He loves people appeared on television in Tosaying that, because if they ronto, Canada alongside spirit think he's a hideous mon- medium Arthur Ford. During ster with hooves and horns, the program, Ford went into then they're totally unpre- a trance and convinced him pared when he appears to that he was in contact with his

son Jim. With no faith in the Bible, he was easy prey; he was so fascinated with the game of the spirit world that he didn't see any red flags ahead. Sometime later, in Los Angeles, the Bishop was interviewed while promoting his new book: “The Other Side”. Joe Pyne listened to what he had to say very carefully.

Finally, he turned to his guest and asked slowly, "Bishop, doesn't the Bible say somewhere that the dead know nothing? " Obviously cornered, Pike replied, "I don't know." Then he picked up a pencil and said, "I'll look it up at home." Then, when Joe Pyne opened the program for questions from the audience, a young man introduced himself and started talking: “I just want to say where

The bishop did not think it important to learn the Bible's position on the matter. That single passage would have prevented him from being further deceived. This holds true for us too. The Living Bible translates Ecclesiastes 9:5 like this: “For the living at least know that they will die! But the dead know nothing.” God's Word states that the dead, good or bad, are simply sleeping in their graves, where they will remain until the resurrection.

When Lazarus died, Jesus said he was sleeping. “Lazarus, our friend, sleeps, but I go to wake him up” (John 11:11). In verse 14, Jesus plainly told them, “Lazarus is dead.” And notice that Lazarus, when he was called from his tomb after four days, had no story to tell about where he had been all that time. Evidently, he hadn't gone anywhere. The apostle Peter, on the day of Pentecost, said that David had not gone to Heaven, even centuries after his death (Acts 2:29 and 34).

Let's let the Word of God clarify this matter further. “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Is that what you learned, or did you think that some of the spirits went up and some went down? What spirit is this that returns to God? “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

The spirit is what keeps the body alive. So, what is this spirit that keeps the body alive? The word for "spirit" CONTINUES ON PAGE 16

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Death/Resurrection

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cend from Hell and enter our bodies again.

in the original Hebrew of the Old Testament is "ruach"; the same as "pneuma", in the original Greek of the New Testament and means "breath".

Now the second question: Do you believe in judgment? “Of course,” you will say, because God's Word says, “Because he has set a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed” (Acts 17:31).

From that word, we take our popular tires and airfilled tubes. Spirit or "pneuma" simply means air or breath. When the spirit is missing, the correct translation is “death”, because a body without “air” is dead. The two words, "breath" and "spirit", are synonymous in Scripture.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).

God formed man from two elements: the dust of the earth and the breath of life. As a result of the union of these two elements, man became a living soul. When he dies, the two separate, but go nowhere.

Matthew describes the distribution of rewards to the good and the bad when Jesus returns. So here's the question: Why a judgment at the end of time if we already have the reward or punishment when we die?

If a person was being burned in hell for 212 years, do you think God would send someone to get him for judgment?

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; I will prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also” (John 14:1breath of life. As a result of 3). the union of these two ele- If we were already in Heaven, ments, man became a liv- what would be the purpose ing soul. When he dies, the of Jesus returning? No, the two separate, but go no- Bible does not teach this kind where; they simply lose their of confusion! state of consciousness until the resurrection, when body You might think: What about and breath are united again. the thief on the cross? Didn't Jesus tell the thief that he Two questions will help us to would be with him in paraclear the mind of doubts. Here dise that very day? is the first of them: Do you Let's read Luke 23:43: “Jesus believe in the resurrection? answered him, Truly I say to The Scriptures teach that it you, today you will be with will occur on the last day, Me in Paradise.” And somewhen Jesus returns. But why one says, “Yes, that's the way the need for this resurrection I've always understood it… on the last day, if we have al- that is, until today! ready received our reward or There seems to be a problem punishment when we die?

Illustrations have their weak- In the same way, God formed here, doesn't there? Does nesses, but despite that, we'll man from two elements: the We certainly would not de- that one verse contradict evuse them. Imagine some dust of the earth and the scend from Heaven, or as- erything else in the Bible?

Watch the Creator in action: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." Lying on the ground, complete in every detail, man has just left the Creator's hands, ready to live, love and act, but he is not yet alive. “And he breathed into their noses the breath of life; and man became a living boards and nails, which we soul.” use to assemble a small He was not given a soul, but he box. So, we no longer have became a living soul, a being, just boards and nails – we a living person. The breath of have a box. Where did that God that was placed in man's box come from? It didn't nostrils, the breath or spirit, come from anywhere. separates from the body at It's just the result of joining death and returns to God. the boards and nails. Let's The body returns to dust. Now assume we don't want the that spirit, the breath, cannot box anymore. So, we pull think, cannot worship, can- out the nails and put them not sing; that spirit returns on one side and the boards to God whether the person is on the other. Where did the a saint or a sinner. Man sim- box go? To nowhere, she simply ceases to be a living soul, ply ceased to exist as a caa living being, until the life- shier. The nails are still there, giver brings the two together the boards are still there, but (body and spirit) in resurrec- there can be no box until the tion. two are put together again.

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Death/Resurrection CONTINUING FROM PAGE 16

The apostle Paul describes the resurrection this way: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and those who died in Christ will rise first.

Death by crucifixion was a long, slow process. Victims usually resisted for several days. So Pilate was surprised that Jesus died so quickly. He did not die from the crucifixion. He died of a broken heart.

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

Now examine John 20:17: “Jesus said to him, “Touch Me not, because I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brothers and tell them that I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God. ”

What a day! What a hope! For those who have passed away, there will be no sense of time passing in the grave. The next step for them will be to see Jesus come back.

On Sunday morning Mary went to the tomb. She searched but could not find her Lord. However, there was someone standing in the shadows of that garden. She thought it was the gardener. “Where did you put Him?” she asked. And Jesus simply said, "Mary."

Immediately she threw herself at his feet and tried to embrace him, but Jesus held her by his hand and said, "Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father." Jesus himself, on Sunday morning, had not yet gone to paradise, how could he have been there on Friday night?

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What a day! What a hope! For those who have passed away, there will be no sense of time passing in the grave. The next step for them will be to see Jesus come back.

There is no evidence that Jesus was in any realm that dark Friday. But the thief looked farther down the corridors of time to the day when Jesus would receive the kingdom ten Me and run away; today, that rightfully belonged to when it seems I shall never Him. have a kingdom; today, when And he said, "Remember me it seems I can never save anywhen you come into Your one; I give assurance, guarankingdom." That was the tee. I say to you today, “You only expression of faith that will be with Me in paradise.” reached his ears as he hung Note that the change in puncon the cross. tuation changes the entire And Jesus answered: “I tell meaning of the text. Since you today, you will be with there is no punctuation in the Me in paradise.” Today, when Greek text (this was an adeven My disciples have forgot- dition around the ninth cen-

tury), out of respect for the general context of Scripture, the sense of the text must be given as the Trinitarian version did: “Truly I say to you today, that you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

He comes triumphantly to the planet that once rejected Him, scourged Him and crucified Him, but a planet He cannot forget, and as He approaches this Earth He cries out in a voice like thunder: “Awake, you who sleep in the dust of the earth! earth, come to eternal life.” Our Lord offers us reality, not games. He tells us know what He told someone long ago: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (John 11:25).

There is nothing beautiful about death. She is cruel; it is a closed door and not a beautiful passage.

At the heart of all of Satan's gambits remains his original lie: you will not die. That's the problem: millions simply haven't studied God's Word and still question its authority. The Word of God states that the dead are sleeping in their graves, where they will remain until the resurrection. Death only means the cessation of life until the resurrection. ◙

We conclude that death does not mean going to Heaven, hellfire or purgatory, or the spirit world. Death only means the cessation of life until the resurrection.

Biblia.com.br team

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Eye Health

but it takes effort and focus.

There’s no question that a healthy lifestyle is necessary, including proper dietary choices and exercise to control blood sugar. Unstable blood sugar or one that fluctuates can cause lots of changes in your body.

These significant fluctuations are not good for the body and not good for your eyes.

Your doctor has likely also told you to stop smoking, keep your blood pressure under control, and get an annual dilated eye exam.

Susan A. Primo

Optometrist, professor, and clinician

These are all aimed at preventing serious problems or at least detecting them early enough to be treated.

ou’ve just been diagnosed Y with diabetes – or you’ve had the diagnosis for a while now – or your doctor keeps changing or adding medications because you just can’t seem to get it under control.

These are common scenarios, and whether you are newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for a long time, there’s a lot of information to take in!

Diabetes is a chronic and often lifetime condition that can be gotten under control,

Diabetes is a chronic and often lifetime condition that can be gotten under control, but it takes effort and focus.

We also know that the longer you have diabetes, the more you are at risk for some serious complications.

Like the rest of the body, diabetes can affect your eyes and vision in a few ways.

As your blood sugar fluctuates, diabetes can cause blurry vision and even change your eyeglass prescription.

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Eye Health

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nearsighted as your sugar levels go up or more farsighted as the sugar goes down.

You may notice in your eye exam that we ask you to know your A1c because it’s a sign of your blood sugar levels over time.

As your blood sugar fluctuates, diabetes can cause blurry vision and even change your eyeglass prescription.

The goal is to have stable A1c levels with minimal fluctuation. We ask for a couple of reasons.

We will all get cataracts if we live long enough, but cataracts from diabetes can be more advanced.

We want an accurate measurement for your eyeglass or contact lens prescription. If we think the prescription will fluctuate, we may ask you to come back for another visit when your blood sugar is better controlled.

SIGNS OF POSSIBLE EYE DAMAGE. Research also shows that elevated A1c levels or unstable blood sugars can contribute to vascular changes in the retina, causing fragile blood vessels to leak or even causing new ones to grow.

These are both signs of

These findings should be prevented at all costs, but if they do occur, it’s best to catch them early so that we can stop or control them before permanent damage occurs.

Cataracts can also develop earlier if you have uncontrolled diabetes.

ACCURATE VISION PRESCRIPTIONS.

We don’t want to prescribe glasses only to have the prescription change a few weeks later.

what’s called diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema.

Follow your eye doctor’s recommendations for follow-up and discuss the potential for surgery when the time comes.

Glaucoma has also been shown to be at a higher rate in people with diabetes.

Cataracts can also develop earlier if you have uncontrolled diabetes.

Glaucoma has also been shown to be at a higher rate in people with diabetes.

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean you will get glaucoma, but the key is to have that annual comprehensive eye exam, making sure your eye pressure is measured at each visit.

If you do develop glaucoma, follow your eye doctor’s recommendations with treatment and follow-up. ◙

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Word of God

MESSAGE FOR YOUR LIFE PSALMS 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Highest will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord: He is my God, my refuge, my fortress, and in him I will trust.

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the pernicious plague.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will trust; his truth will be your shield and buckler.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night or the arrow that flies by day, Nor the plague that walks in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at midday.

A thousand will fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

For you, O Lord, are my refuge. In the Highest you made your dwelling.

No harm will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.

For he will give his angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.

They will support you in their hands, so that you do not stumble with your foot on stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the snake; you will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.

Because he loved me so dearly, I also will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knew my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will take him out of her, and I will glorify him.

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.