I went astray... and Now

By Danilo H. Gomes

Most (or perhaps all) Christians, at some point in their lives, have strayed from the Target and have weakened in faith. Perhaps this is your current situation. A huge void plagues your soul and you want to return to Jesus' feet, but you lack the strength. This phase of his life is fleeting, as the Lord awaits him with open arms and is always ready to restore his lost spirit. I WENT ASTRAY ... AND NOW? it will guide you in the light of Scripture and show how returning to the right path is a matter of time if the circumstances of life are viewed with eyes of wisdom. The book presents the biggest problems faced by discouraged Christians and the solutions that the Word reveals to us. Return to the right path and enjoy the life God has prepared for your children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Nov 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781071583432

Danilo H. Gomes

Danilo Henrique Gomes, brasileiro, marido de Débora Gomes, nasceu em Araçatuba/SP no ano de 1993. É cristão desde o berço, apaixonado por Jesus e fascinado pela arte de escrever. Em meados de 2016, dois anos após o início de uma forte crise financeira que assolou o Brasil, foi demitido pela primeira vez em sua vida. Desempregado e com poucos recursos, mas cheio de ideias, escreveu seu primeiro livro sem ao menos saber qual seria o futuro daquele projeto. Seu projeto teve sucesso. Desde então não parou de escrever e publicar livros que já alcançaram vários países ao redor do mundo. Segue sua vida como escritor independente e fiel cristão. Site oficial: www.danilohgomes.com Instagram: @danilo.h.gomes Youtube: Danilo H. Gomes Telegram: t.me/danilohgomes

Book preview

I went astray... and Now

Danilo H. Gomes

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Translated by Santos João 

I went astray... and Now

Written By Danilo H. Gomes

Copyright © 2022 Danilo H. Gomes

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by Santos João

Cover Design © 2022 Danilo H. Gomes

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

I went astray... and now?

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There is still time to return to the ways of the Lord

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Danilo H. Gomes

I went astray ... and now?, by Danilo H. Gomes

Edition/Cover: Danilo H. Gomes

Traduction: Santos João

Theme: Development

Published in Brazil in 2020.

www.danilohgomes.com

All rights reserved.

Total or partial reproduction is prohibited, by any means, without prior written authorization from the author.

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Contents

<- Bottom line ->

<- Doubt ->

<- Thunderstorms ->

<- Shame ->

<- People ->

<- Return ->

<- Final Reflections ->

About the Author

<- Bottom line ->

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You acquired this book because you feel you have strayed from the right path or because you know someone who is in this fateful situation. Everyone is subject to this unexpected lifestyle. No one, in the act of baptism, imagines that one day he will swerve from Jesus' feet. It is an unpredictable event. One day we are firm on the Rock and, suddenly, we observe our lifestyle and notice that we are no longer the same.

I do not judge you for this, rest assured. I tasted this torturous walk. At certain times in my life, I treated the gospel as trivial. I had experiences that I regret. How could I treat with such disdain who shed so much blood for me? I do not know this answer, however today I understand how this deviation is common among the family of faith.

My parents decided to follow Christ when I was just a year old. Since I know myself, I know who Jesus is and that there is no other way, truth or life besides him.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14: 6 (NIV)

I heard biblical stories even before I started reading my first books. I received a unique education in this regard. I attended church meetings frequently and stood out among the children at the children's Bible school. I do not quote my story to boast, even because in the first few paragraphs of this chapter I revealed that I too had strayed from the path.

It is a fact that no one deviates from the truth overnight. This deviation is always accompanied by some gradual event or feeling. Despite being a choice on the part of the individual, straying seems to be an unconscious and natural attitude. Just as the act of sleeping that occurs gradually and, at the same time, suddenly, abandoning life in Christ follows the same rhythm.

We abandon Bible reading, and then we no longer pray ... praise? Worship? We do not even remember that anymore. We fail to attend church meetings while confirming attendance at various other secular events. It happens little by little and when we least realize it, we look like anything but a true Christian.

I do not wish to eliminate the guilt of those who walk the wrong paths. Yes, the human being is to blame for his dirty and unproductive acts. What I want is to make you realize that you are not the worst person in the universe, dear brothers. Everyone is subject to this.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

As we see above, the apostle Paul, he perceives this vulnerability among Christians. In other words, this verse says you who believe that you are firm and strong enough to be unattainable, be careful ... the next one to fall maybe you. Many, before walking in the wrong direction, though they would never fall. We already have a possible reason for your deviation here.

I was sure that I was full of Christ and no one could bring me down. I was full of pride. Full of myself. This is the problem. The ego automatically tries to inflate itself constantly and that is a great danger. Christ must grow and I must decrease.

He must become greater; I must become less."

John 3:30 (NIV)

Another reason for the deviation. The ego grows silently. It is like cancer. We are born in Christ, humble, full of first love, stripped of self and thirsty for the good of others. The first steps on this path are very beautiful. Nevertheless, as time goes by, self-knocks on the door again. After all, the ego feels like the owner of this address. We must remember that this temple (our body) must be the exclusive house of the Holy Spirit.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)

Did you think it would be easy to remove the former resident from the house without conflict? Silly mistake. Your self will never shut up. It will look for breaches in all possible areas to settle again in this house