Be Alert, the Enemy is Watching!

Has the devil got any percentage of goodness in him? Could it be that maybe he is 90% bad and 10% good?

It’s written that, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." (John 10:10)

If he had any good in him, it would have been mentioned. But sometimes he uses the good things to destroy people’s lives and often uses the people closest to you to do so.

He will try to deceive you in such a way that you won’t even notice. For example, the devil tried to stop Jesus from fulfilling his mission by using the Pharisees to question, persecute and even beat Him up. But because they had no effect on Him, he used Peter, his closest disciple.

"And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (Mark 8:31-33)

What Peter said seemed to be something good, but if Jesus had listened to him, he would not have gone to the cross and have conquered our freedom.

That’s what he does with us today. He will try and use the people you know well to try and deceive or deter you from your target and separate you from God.

The antidote for that is simple: SPIRITUAL AWARENESS. In other words, the only way for me to identify the enemy is when I am in the faith. When my life is in God’s hands, when I am born of Him.

When Jesus heard what Peter said, he immediately knew that it was a trick of the devil. That’s why He said, '"Get behind Me, Satan!"' (Mark 8:33)

If we are not alert, sooner or later we’ll end up following someone else’s mind, ideas, ways and end up falling into the devil’s trap. So be alert, the enemy is watching…waiting for an opportunity to make you fall.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Metamorphoses - Conclusion

I can imagine the reaction you had when you read last week's message about metamorphoses. You probably thought, "Why on earth this woman transformed her body like that? She was so beautiful." You probably felt sorry for her too.

I won't get in to details about her bizarre looks. It's pretty much clear to me that she's lost and trying to overcome her past by changing OUTWARDLY first. It seems like the devil found a way to reveal his true colors, literally. 

On the other hand, I have no doubt you felt disgusted by the strong images of Bryan Widener removing his tattoos, but also very much encouraged by the man's determination to eliminate his past in order to become a new man. He changed INWARDLY first. 

LESSON: Much less is asked of us and we tend to say, 'it's too hard!'. One way or another you're transforming yourself, either for good or for bad. 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Rm 12:2

Luke Castro
YPG National Coordinator

Metamorphose

One way or another we are TRANSFORMING ourselves, either in to someone, 

or 'something', for that matter, good or bad.

I'd like you to take a look at the video and picture below. 

Watch, look, stare and take time to ponder and make your own conclusions.

I'll get back to you in a few days to talk more about it.

Maria Jose Cristerna, AKA Vampire Woman.

 Before (teenager)           After (at 35 yrs-old)

Former skinhead

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Be What You Aim To Be - Conclusion

Last week I posted the video interview of the Bronco Denver's quarterback Tim Tebow, where he talks freely about his faith in Jesus. Without hesitance he declares his commitment to God and does not consider the alternative. 


If you are a believer you probably loved it. If not a believer you either respected his choice or labeled him a fanatic. 


Well, my intention is not to discuss the video but his attitude. He does not care what people think. He is what he is. If people don't like it, their problem. Eat less as we say in Brazil. 


Many youths hide their faith and that they go to church from their classmates and co-workers. They are too concerned with their reputation, if they have any.


In a much smaller scale, compared to Tebow, they deny God. On the other hand, Tebow confess God in front of the cameras, for the whole world to see, including the fact that he is a virgin.


Perhaps that's one of the main reasons behind his success.


Jesus said, "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." Mt 10:33


How about you? Will you continue denying Him?



Luke Castro
YPG National Coordinator

Be What You Aim to Be

I'd like to ask the followers of this blog to watch this video carefully as I will be making some comments in 3 days time. See you then...

Jesus vs Religion

The Pressure is On!

Jesus once said, "And because of lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." - Mt 24:12

I've been thinking about it lately, specially in regards to young people. As the title suggests, THE PRESSURE IS ON!

Peer PRESSURE, family PRESSURE, carnal PRESSURE, worldly PRESSURE, media PRESSURE...; it's a daily struggle.

Basically, we have to develop our spiritual skills to a 'hand-to-hand' combat in order to literally survive in this filthy world. 

And to remain faithful to Christ as a young person nowadays isn't easy at all. You've got to be brave, have some guts to stand your ground and fight back at all that the world throws at you.

But that isn't the end. He also said, "BUT he who endures to the end will be SAVED." Mt 24:13

He has given us His Spirit, which once working in line with our minds, not hearts, mind you, turns us into supernatural beings, aliens in this corrupted world. 

"Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against your soul". - 1 Pt 2:11

One of our youth members here in America wrote the following, "A thousand may date at your side, ten thousand may get married at your right hand, but it will not come near you." 

That isn't Biblical, but surely worth a thought.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Music for the Soul. DANGEROUS!

Last blog post you learned the physical consequences for listening to certain songs. As the title suggests, music for the soul is the satan's number one weapon, as the soul is linked to emotions. Once he touches your emotions through music he gains access to your innermost feelings. Once that access is obtained he then controls the person as a mere puppet. 


Devil's recipes:


Are you angry? Listen to Heavy Metal, Punk Rock. 


Are you in love? Listen to love songs. 


Wanna take a puff? Listen to Hip Hop, Garage or the like. 


Do you want to spur that rage inside you? Rap is what you need. Need a stronger dose? EMINEM is excellent to drive you crazy. 


Are you happy? Listen to... happy songs, I guess. 


In other words, there's a song for any kind of mood. He can control you as it pleases him. 
  
Well, I warned you before, can you stand the truth? If not yet so then I'm using the Bible as my last resource to bring you to your senses:  



"You were in Eden, the garden of God; 
Every precious stone was your covering: 
The sardius, topaz and diamond; 
Beryl, onyx and jasper; 
Sapphire, turquoise and emerald with gold. 
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes 
Was prepared for you on the day you were created." - Ez 28:13



Luke Castro
YPG National Coordinator