It doesn’t matter what you have in life, but who you have in life.

Before honour comes humility.

Bear with other people’s faults just as you bear with your own.

A best friend is one who makes you better than who you already are.

A true friend wants you to be happy, without selfishness or envy… A true friend is happy for your achievements.

Nothing in this world is more important than guaranteeing your soul’s eternal salvation. Jesus said: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul? It’s impossible to gain it and keep it without help from the Holy Spirit. Only He is able to teach, guide, strengthen, sustain and keep those who follow His Son on the right path.

Every branch that doesn’t produce fruit will be cut down and only the branches that bear fruit will remain. The Holy Spirit is the nourishing sap that gives life to the branch. Without it, it wilts.

I have witnessed many people who were cured from numerous illnesses and diseases, and freed from all sorts of evil spirits, who became financially stable, accomplishing wonders by faith, only to later abandon it. Unfortunately, many forget that if they conquer by faith, then they lose by doubting. Faith needs to be kept alive, otherwise it evaporates.

Only those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit remain firm. They are the true “called and chosen”.

God has called many but few have been chosen. Divine injustice? No. Absolutely not. Just like salvation is offered to everyone, the same goes for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The problem is that not everyone is willing to sacrifice their life. What can we do?

Everything needs care and maintenance. The same is true for the greatest spiritual blessing: salvation. The Holy Spirit is the Flame that keeps faith from burning out. He is the Seal of Guarantee to eternal life.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me.” (Acts 1.8)

(Interesting text that’s been circulating on the internet, author unknown)

WHO CREATED YOU?
Lucifer: I was created by God himself, long before the existence of man (Ezekiel 28:15).

HOW WERE YOU FORMED?
Lucifer: I came into existence fully formed and like Adam, I had no childhood. I was a symbol of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty and my clothes were adorned with precious stones (Ezekiel 28:12,13).

WHERE DID YOU DWELL?
Lucifer: I walked in the glow of the precious stones of God’s Holy Mountain in the Garden of Eden (Ezekiel 28:13).

WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
Lucifer: I was anointed and ordained by God as a guardian cherub. My job was to guard God’s glory and lead the angels in praise. A third of them were under my command (Ezekiel 28:14; Revelation 12:4).

WERE YOU IN NEED OF ANYTHING?
Lucifer: (thoughtfully and in a quiet voice) No, nothing (Ezekiel 28:13).

WHAT CAUSED YOU TO LOSE THE POSITION OF GREATEST HONOUR THAT ANY CREATED BEING COULD HAVE?
Lucifer: It didn’t happen suddenly. One day, I saw my reflection in the stones (like a mirror) and realised that I surpassed the other angels (maybe not Michael or Gabriel) in beauty, strength and intelligence. A yearning brewed in my heart and I began thinking about how it would feel to be worshipped like a god. This yearning lead to strategizing and scheming a plan on how to raise my throne above the stars of God and become like Him. One day, I tried to go through with my plans but that caused me to be expelled from God’s Holy Mountain (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15-17).

WHAT FINALLY TRIGGERED YOUR REBELLION?
Lucifer: When I realised that God was about to create someone to His image and likeness and therefore superior to me, I couldn’t accept it and so I manifested the true intentions of my heart (Isaiah 14:12-14).

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANGELS THAT WERE UNDER YOUR COMMAND?
Lucifer: They followed me and were also expelled. Together we have made the kingdom of darkness (Revelation 12:3,4).

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MANKIND?
Lucifer: (enraged) I hate the human race and will do everything in my power to destroy it because I envy them. I should have been made in the image and likeness of God (1 Peter 5:8).

WHAT ARE YOUR STRATEGIES TO DESTROY MANKIND?
Lucifer: My biggest objective is to keep them away from God. I encourage them to do what is evil and confuse them in a sea of philosophies, thoughts and lie-filled religions mixed in with half-truths. I send my messengers to confuse those who want to seek God. I turn lies into truths, leading man to practise what is wrong, pulling him away from God, though he thinks he’s close. And there’s more. I make the message of Jesus Christ seem like old-fashioned nonsense. I stimulate pride, arrogance, selfishness, quarrels and hatred in them. I work hard with my minions to weaken churches, cause divisions, discouragement, criticism of the leadership, adultery, resentment, spiritual weakness, greed and an absence of commitment (laughs hysterically). I try to destroy the lives of pastors, especially with sex, money, ungratefulness, lack of time for God and pride (1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-8; Revelation 12:9).

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Lucifer: (with a hatred-filled look) I know that I can’t win this battle with God and I have little time before going to my eternal prison—hell. My angels and I will work hard to make sure we take as many people as possible with us there (Ezekiel 28:19; Jude 6; Rev. 20:10-15).

SO, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYS: “TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS” (Hebrews 3:7,8).

Not everyone believes. Even among those who believe, only few await Him. But He will return. The latest events that have taken place around the world are evident signs of this. Tsunamis, earthquakes, heavy rains, epidemics and famine have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention drugs, violence and accidents. Everything seems to be pointing to the end.

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:10,11)

“Nation against nation” refers to wars among countries. “Kingdom against kingdom” refers to religious conflicts. And a religious conflict is worse than a war between countries. For this reason, Jesus said, “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death” (Matthew 10:21).

This atmosphere of terror and death already exists. And it tends to get worse. He is coming back soon. But it’s not the end yet.

In the past, the end of times was a subject only talked about in the church. Today, scientists are so sure of the end of times that they talk about it openly. One of the most important TV channels in the world is always showing reports about the subject. The worldwide catastrophes seem to be announcing the end. But, before it happens, there will be the Great Tribulation—when the Antichrist will rule for a period of 7 years.

At the moment, we are living in the period of light affliction. And when it finishes, the Lord Jesus will take His faithful followers. They will not experience the Great Tribulation. The false, “pirate” Christians, on the other hand, will be harmed by the fury of the Great Tribulation.

Those who live will see it…

I wrote this letter so that you pray for me and if you want, you can also read it to the assistants. Thirteen years ago, I abandoned the Work of the Lord Jesus because I let a grudge enter my heart.

I did the Work of God from 1991 to 1996. I was a blessed assistant, and I served in the church out of love. I liked going out to evangelise—I’d participate in all the groups, even the one that visits prison inmates.

I always served in the headquarters, where the work of an assistant is harder, but I never complained. My financial life was blessed, and almost all the members of my family were converted. The first time UCKG members visited Israel, I went too. I visited all the places where Jesus walked—it was a blessing. All the areas of my life were blessed. I even became responsible for the Kids Zone of an entire region in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We opened a centre for drug addicts—many of them are in the presence of the Lord until today.

But one day, when I was not watching, I let pride enter my heart. I held a hard feeling against a pastor and, although I was right, I let my salvation slip through my fingers.

I abandoned everything and began doing things that were even worse than what I used to do in the past. I began using drugs again—the desire was much stronger this time— and tried to commit suicide four times. In 2002, I had an overdose and was taken to hospital. I almost died. I spent the following 6 years clean from drugs, yet I had no strength to turn back to Jesus.

Last year, I began taking drugs again. I started doing so many crazy things that I ended up being arrested. I never imagined this could happen, but here in prison I stopped smoking and taking drugs—the desire is gone. I’ve been seeking the presence of God and the Holy Spirit. I want to serve Jesus again when I am released. I want to do the Work of God again, so pray for me, because I know that the devil will do everything to impede me. I urge all men and women of God to never abandon the presence of God, for what is written in the Word of God is true: I’ve eaten with the pigs.

Thank you.

Marcia Moraes
Inmate

Pray for me and take care of your salvation!

This letter is from a former assistant who is behind bars.

When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:43-45)

My name is Rosana Vaz Wolters, I am 44 years old and this is my story:

When I was 3 years old, my mother left my father, who was an alcoholic and wasn’t around much to help out with the household expenses. She struggled to raise three children on her own. Despite financial hardships, I have pretty good childhood memories.

My mother remarried when I was 7. Her new husband was very irritable and aggressive. There was constant fighting in the house because any little thing would set him off. I couldn’t stand living in that hostile atmosphere, so I always found a way to sleep over at a friend’s house and try to escape reality.

During my early teens, I was strictly anti drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. But over time, I began giving into peer pressure, and when I realized it I was already drinking and smoking cigarettes and marijuana.

After a serious argument with my stepfather, I decided not to go back home. So I went to live with someone until I could afford my own place.

At that time, my life was heading towards disaster. Because I didn’t want to remember the past, I decided to wonder about my future. As a result, I went to a fortuneteller. During the reading, she described my past in detail. I was very impressed because I had never seen this woman before. Later on I learned that I was actually having a consultation with an unclean spirit, which was why she knew everything about me. The one who caused all the destruction in my past was right there, speaking to me through this woman. And so I decided to resign from a promising job in Brazil and moved to Spain and then to London, England.

In Europe, it is so easy to come into contact with different cultures and religions. Soon, I was deep into religious philosophies that preached about karma and reincarnation. I was greatly mistaken because the Word of God teaches us that: “… Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

I think one of the biggest mistakes taught by certain philosophies is the belief that only God and heaven exist and that hell and the devil are fictitious fairytales, and if we believe only in the existence of God and heaven, we don’t feel the need for salvation. “Salvation from what?” I would wonder when someone told me that I was lost and in need of salvation. And yet, the Bible describes hell in detail and warns us against the father of lies and the enemy of our souls.

In London, I experimented with drugs such as hashish and LSD, as well as different types of marijuana. In time, I was smoking every day and spent everything I earned on drugs, shows, alcohol and cigarettes.

Looking for a way to save some money, I moved to Australia. There, I experimented with ecstasy and cocaine. I didn’t have much of a relationship with my family because talking to them would remind me of what I tried so hard to forget.

During my 3 year, 5 month stay in Australia, I met Junior Marvin, the lead singer of a reggae band called The Wailers - a band that toured with Bob Marley for 14 years (I mention his name here with his permission).

The bright lights of the stage and the possibility of having any kind of fame took hold of me. In the summer of 1995, I travelled with him all across Europe. I loved the interaction with the fans, the interviews and all the attention they received. Little did I know that all those things were, and are, illusions.

That same year, I married Junior and got pregnant. I remember thinking: “What am I going to do now that I have to stop using drugs?” I had an enormous fear of facing reality without any type of anaesthesia to dull my pain.

Six months after my daughter’s birth, I moved back to Brazil to be near my family in Goiania. My mother had already converted but my pride wouldn’t let me go near her house. Although I was a follower of philosophies that preached about inner peace, forgiveness, tranquillity and harmony, all I had to do was set my eyes on my stepfather and I would become enraged. He, in turn, received me with open arms and was saddened by the fact that I wouldn’t allow him to stay near my daughter. This is how I came to the conclusion that the religious philosophies I read so much about were worthless. I was still a slave to the hatred, bitterness, resentment and pride.

My brother and his mother-in-law were the ones who showed me the way to the Universal Church. I arrived without a place to live, jobless, without a car, with a 9 month old daughter to raise, a failed marriage, filled with hurt, anger, suffering from a stomach ulcer, panic attacks, and addicted to marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol.

The first meeting I attended was for deliverance, with the then pastor and now bishop, Marcus Silva. Although I didn’t understand much of what was happening, I immediately noticed that there was a different type of power present there. I saw people being truly delivered through the pastor’s prayer. I began to understand that I, more than any of the people I blamed for my bitterness, needed to be urgently delivered. To my family’s surprise, who had always considered me the “black sheep”, I continued attending the meetings at the Universal Church. It was the beginning of a new life.

I am very grateful to the bishops, pastors and assistants of the UCKG, in particular to Mrs. Roseli, because as a new member and knowing that she was an ex-witch doctor, I immediately sought her out to talk to her.

Because I wasn’t truly delivered yet, I was looking to her for a revelation. I knew that in other churches, people used God’s name to do something very similar to what fortune-tellers do. I thought she would be my way around my addiction of fortune-telling.

However, to my embarrassment, her answer was always the same: “The man of God just finished preaching from the altar what you have to do to change your life. Did you hear what he said?” she asked. “I heard,” I answered. “Then why are you here asking me the same thing all over again? Do you think my answer will be different? I’m not a witch doctor anymore and I will never return to that life again. If everyone had the chance to see what I saw, they wouldn’t play, not even for a second, with the things that pertain to God and they would live this day as if it were their last because you never know how many minutes of life you have left. Be obedient, fix your life with God, do what the pastor said and you’ll see an answer in your life.” So, I obeyed.

After a few years, I moved to the United States with my daughter, began working as a housekeeper and remained faithful.

I remarried. My husband, Alan Wolters, is a wonderful husband and father. Our kids get along really well. We live in peace with no arguments in our comfortable home.

Because of our faithfulness in our tithes and offerings, God has prospered us. Today, I no longer work as a housekeeper. In less than one year, we opened two companies, one of which is at an estate I once worked for. We own luxury cars and dine in the finest places; everything has changed.

I must also mention that my relationship with my family has been transformed. Today, the same man I used to call step-father I now call my father. I no longer have any sicknesses or addictions.

I once heard Bishop Macedo on the radio, inviting us to use our intelligence. He said, “To my friends who believe in fortune-telling. If you believe your future is written in the palm of your hands, please use your intelligence. What about those who don’t have hands? Does that mean they don’t have a future?” Those words made a light turn on in my head and it was like the chains that were tying me down were broken.

I, who thought myself to be so advanced and intelligent, was introduced to my ignorance right then and there. I couldn’t think of anything to do other than laugh. I realized that I needed to, without delay, forget everything I learned and start over. So I did.

In faith,

Rosana Wolters

The kind of faith that pleases God is brave, but never arrogant. It is characterised by obedience and humbleness. Abraham was an example of faith, and his faith justified him because of his obedience to God’s Word. Only those who are obedient are humble, and only those who are humble are obedient. And so a faith that is supernatural, intelligent, and practical and produces blessings that are accompanied with humility.

That was the enormous difference between Kings Saul and David. Saul was not humble to obey God, and his disobedience cost him his life. The moment he saw that he was stuck in a life or death situation, he preferred to fall on his sword instead of seeking God’s compassion. The same thing happened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A man was going through financial difficulties and unable to cope with the humiliation and shame, killed his wife, his two teenage daughters, and then committed suicide.

David was absolutely sure that however dirty and miserable he was, he could always count on God’s compassion. His brave, yet humble faith saved him.

True humbleness, the humbleness of spirit, keeps the doors open for us to reach the throne of the Most High.

He promised, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).

The following testimony has led to the conversion and salvation of many souls:

Born in the city of Minas Gerais, Brazil on February 10th 1941, Roseli Silva had a life filled with struggles. Despite having been rejected while still in the womb and handed off to her paternal grandmother at birth, Roseli was a healthy child, always ready to work hard.

She got married at 18 and had 3 children. After some time, Roseli opened her own witchcraft centre and her dedication to evil spirits, whose names are not worth mentioning, increased every day. In addition to witchcraft, she saw, heard and spoke face to face with the self-proclaimed chief of hell.

Although she never charged for her consultations, she continued doing witchcraft for those who sought her help.

Until one day, while watching the news on TV, she saw a story about Bishop Edir Macedo’s arrest. Up in arms, thinking that the bishop was guilty of all charges and acting in bad faith, she decided to conjure a curse to kill the bishop, right there while still in prison. First, she wanted to be certain of what the bishop’s true intentions were, his actions in the past and present and whether or not he was guilty.

If he was guilty, she determined according to her powers of witchcraft, that his death would be ordered to happen within the next 3 hours; if he was innocent, he would be released within the same 3 hours. Her orders were always strictly followed to the T by the devil.

However, something new and very curious happened. The candle she lit would not stay lit. She lit it 3 times and although there was no breeze, it kept blowing out. That’s when the devil appeared and she began demanding answers: “Why doesn’t the candle remain lit and why is the bishop still alive? The demon, known as Lucifer, quickly answered: “I’m not allowed to touch him.”

“What?” she asked. “I can’t touch him,” he repeated. “And why not?” she asked. “He’s a just man. He isn’t at fault,” he answered.

Realizing that there was Someone greater than the one she worked for, Roseli became enraged, but the devil kept talking: “And more, I am here for the last time to give you a message. From now on, I won’t have anything to do with you and when you go to that Church, which I hate, and put on that uniform, I’ll be watching you. But the moment that you slip up, I’ll get you because the thing I hate the most is losing a soul to the Great One.” She replied: “So from now on we are enemies.”

Meanwhile, her assistant called to inform her that the man she placed a death curse on had been released. This is what convinced her of Bishop Macedo’s innocence.

She then asked that justice be done to those who plotted against him.

Wasting no time at all, Roseli got rid of all her witchcraft supplies and utensils and before she knew it, she was in a Universal Church in the city of Goiania. Still not quite understanding what was happening, she says that there were many evil spirits inside the Church, but they weren’t intrepid, giving orders or screaming. She observed that many of them were bound and on their knees, obeying what Pastor Israel commanded.

She noticed one of the head demons flying over the altar around the pastor. She, in her simplicity, began talking to that demon and asked,
“Why don’t you kick him in the mouth for saying these things and getting me tremendously upset.”
He replied: “I can’t.”
“Why?” she wondered.
“He has an empty stomach. He hasn’t eaten or drank anything,” said the demon.
“Even I can knock him down with a simple punch,” she said.
“I can’t touch him because he’s done no wrong. But I know everything he likes and I’m going to put it just outside the church door,” replied the demon, surrounding the pastor in great anger.

Roseli’s deliverance began that day. Through her obedience to the Word of God and the pastor’s counselling, she persevered in getting to know the same God that protected the bishop from her curse. Her deliverance didn’t take long. In a short amount of time Mrs. Roseli was baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit.

Even though she knew that God had forgiven her past mistakes, Mrs. Roseli carried with her the dream of apologizing to Bishop Macedo. God fulfilled her dream and as shown in the pictures. She had the opportunity to personally apologize to Bishop Macedo, whose messages she constantly listens to, and always prays for him and his family.

Today, she is more than happy to use her testimony to win souls for the Kingdom of God. “My life is an example. I came to church sick, addicted to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, a follower of many cults, addicted to Tarot cards, broke, jobless and homeless.

Today I am delivered, healthy, happily married, full of joy and prosperous; Praise God!

Like Mrs. Roseli’s says: “I will never leave The Universal Church. Even if Bishop Macedo decided to leave, which is impossible, I won’t move from here because I know the truth. I know I’m alive because of his and the pastors’ efforts, dedication and obedience to the Word of God.