by J. Randal Matheny

Today a subscriber to a couple of our lists in Portuguese wrote. She subscribes to our (almost) daily devotional, called "God with Us" (Deus Conosco), which has a verse and about a 100-word thought, as well as to our daily Bible reading list, biblia1ano, which sends out passages of Scripture every day. My wife has saved my neck on the latter, helping to send it out for the last several months.

Here is what our subscriber friend wrote:

Thank you for today's meditation, and for all the ones sent. They have encouraged me to know our Savior better, to have more and more faith and confidence in Christ. They awakened me to the importance of Bible study (through the study list Biblia1ano), in short, a means by which I grow ever closer to the Lord. Thanks be to God!

May Christ always illuminate your mind and guide your actions. And may he bless us all. --Paula

Such messages as these are encouraging, and more than that, show us the power of the virtual word to draw people closer to the Lord. Pray that this good lady may realize her desires.

by J. Randal Matheny BZeal Weekly

Our meeting Sunday morning was edifying and pleasing to our God, for we worshiped him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

In the Bible school, Otavio Carvalho directed us in the study of Revelation, chapters 3 and 4. Later, he did another fine job leading singing (second time).

In the sermon, I continued with the theme for this quarter, "Why I Am Still Just a Christian." This week my topic was "Because God Makes Sense of Suffering." The three main point of the lesson were these:

(1) God makes suffering SAVE in Christ. (2) God makes the Christian a PARTICIPANT in Christ's sufferings. (3) God makes suffering reason for REJOICING for Christ's disciples.

In all, 47 Christians, children, and visitors were present, if my count was correct.

In our monthly training session afterwards, the men considered how to serve better during the assembly, and especially how to project the voice when speaking to the congregation. (We do not have a sound system.)

During this period, the women dedicated themselves to prayer.

== Small Groups

Last Wednesday night, the study group in our house considered another truth in the series, "The School of Life." We looked at these points in the topic, "The Benefits of Suffering:"

(1) Suffering emphasizes eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:16-18). (2) Suffering discovers the power of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10). (3) Suffering completes the afflictions of Christ (Col. 1:24-29).

Lord permitting, we will begin in 2004 a new series of studies in the weekly groups, "Life Decisions." The first quarter topics are already planned, with passages taken from the Pentateuch (Gen.-Deut.).

== Other News

Alexandre Pestana, elder in the city of Jundiai, in Sao Paulo state, wrote me Sunday that the mother of Jose Maria de Oliveira, his fellow shepherd, suffered a heart attack during post-operative recovery. She also has diabetes. Jose Maria and his family have traveled to Guararapes, in the northeastern state of Pernambuco, to be with her, since the doctors have give little hope of recovery. Let us pray for her and her family of 17 children.

== Thought of the Week

May we share the sentiment of Paul:

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Col. 1:24, ESV).

Make this week a moment of glory to the Heavenly Father by your obedience to Christ.

Randal Matheny

Both in one week. I went to Rio de Janeiro March 4-6 to teach my Total Transformation course in the Ramos congregation. One of the brethren there said that, after contact with Christians, he began looking for the church. Found it -- right in his own neighborhood -- after discovering our online church listing.

While I was in Rio, my wife told me over the phone that one of the major networks, SBT, saw the site of the Christian camp we maintain. They called and asked to send a film crew on Sunday of the Carnaval camp session. They wanted to do a show on alternatives for the Carnaval holiday. Filmed the worship service, interviewed people, even played some games with the campers. Was shown Monday morning of this week on national television. All for free. All because we had a web site.

Never doubt the power of the web. Or better, the power of God to use every means at our disposal for the gospel.

by Randal Matheny

On our new daily Bible reading email list, I announced I would be in the city of Jundiaí for the weekend and hoped I could keep sending the readings regularly.

A subscriber of the list wrote saying she lived in Jundiaí and asked for local congregation's address. She mentioned she did not have a church home and was looking.

When I preached that Sunday morning, she and her boyfriend were present. The congregation welcomed them, and they expressed interest in some courses offered there.

We pray this contact may result in their conversion to Christ. It again points up that we should use "all means" consistent with the gospel to "save some" (1 Cor. 9.23).

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BZeal focuses on the gospel's progress in Brazil and around the world. Please share this email with friends.

Comments, suggestions, and prayers are requested. arborwood.com

BZeal Weekly by Randal Matheny Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil

Wonderful, wonderful trip to the USA from October 2 to November 15! More about that later in our monthly newsletter.

Suffice it to say, now we're getting back on track as we pick up where we left off.

• I just told Tim Hall I'm not sure if we got used to the cool weather there or if it's just plain hot. It generates a tortoise malaise. Makes me thankful for my little fan working away. Don't tell anybody I took off my shoes and socks in the office.

• Until year's end, I'll be speaking a good word in the Lord's name from the pulpit. (We've not finished class and preaching schedule plans for next year yet.) I've been asking for opinions on my nine ideas for a six-sermon series. Today's Decision Day!

• Vicki was shocked at the general rise in prices during our absence. She tells me some food products rose 100-200%. Not typical, but the election of the new socialist president may have something to do with it.

• Keep Wilson and family in your prayers: after a brief, unhappy experience, he is still unemployed after some 8 months. He and Bete have four children.

• I mentioned Tim Hall. He's Forthright Magazine's newest columnist. Does a great job on his weekly HEM-Lines. Check him out on both sites.

Oops! I exceeded my word limit for this week. Pare me down next time. Until then, keep praying for us. We give thanks to God for you.

Blessings,

Randal

P.S. Please share BZeal (bzeal.antville.org) with the brothers and sisters in your congregation.