Every Soul...

This is a song that spoke deeply to my heart, titled "How Sweet The Name" by Delirious. It's so simple yet so powerful! Thank You Lord...for your unconditional love. My soul has a savior! God Bless, Lucas Penido. (*ps. Click here to download the song)

FEAR

I'm realizing now, that the number one thing that has kept me from growing in my spiritual life, without a doubt wasn't even sin. It was fear. Fear of consequences, fear in form of doubt (ex: "Am I worthy?"), fear of capability (to accomplish something), fear...fear..fear.

There's a song by Jars of Clay, which I'm listening to it right now; it's called "Much Affraid" and it pretty much talks about that. There's a verse in it that says..."...All of these things/ I've held up in vain, No reason nor rhyme/Just the scars that remain/Of all of these things/Im so much afraid/Scared out of my mind/By the demons Ive made..". If you have ever gone through fear, you know that the verse I just typed summarizes that feeling. However like brother Watchman Nee wrote in one of his books, the whole battle is "fought" in our minds and without a doubt, the enemy knows that fear is his ak-47! Let me be short today, but let me say something...I'm declaring out loud that I'm through with that! Yes, fear might come once in a while but I'm not going to let that hold me from stepping up and letting the Lord use me in whatever HE wants. Tell you why not...because I have much more to gain than to lose, even if I make mistakes...what I have to gain by stepping up is much bigger, much more. the Lord says in 2nd Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Enough said! Let me finish just by saying...you know what I love about the song I mentioned in the beggining? that at the end, after stating all his thoughts and fears...he says..."Sweet Jesus, YOU'll never let me go!" You might be reading this blog for the first or the billionth time...bottom line is...He'll never let you go if you come to him. Pray for me as I'll do the same for you, all you got to do is holla! God Bless, Lucas Penido.

I'm Luke Skywalker...

I made a few serious decisions in my life this week, one of them being that no matter what it takes...I'm going to prioritize my spiritual life. (By the way, I'm already going to apologise for all the mispelling, my settings are in portuguese due to "The Hype BR" and I really don't want spell check, instead I want to write what's on my heart). Sometimes I want to come in here and write. however, it's not everyday that something "supernatural" happens (or at least is noticed) and I just don't want to come in here and bla bla bla bla bla... Tell you what, today on my devotional...I read something that deeply touched me! I knew I was meant to read that! Why? Humn...Well, it just answers so much right now. (I'm actually re-reading it right now, and I think the whole chapter would fit) but the one verse that really stuck with me is something that should be obvious but maybe because it's in the Bible it makes so much more sense and it just goes straight to the heart..well, that verse was 1st Timothy 6:7..which says "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out". I mean...how many times have I said that among friends or in the middle of a conversation, etc...but do we truly believe that? ...and if so, do we act like we do? The Enemy is very subtle and when I think I've "mastered" on something...I realize, it's only by the the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ that I can truly do anything...especially as a young adult leaving in a world full of things that tell syou that "..You are only as important as what you have, who you are, etc..."

Forget that! I'm goning to tell you something straight up! Enough with the "glitter"! Hey, no disrespect to all my fans and people that read "The Hype Br" but my walk with my Lord needs to be my priority and if that means carrying my cross which could come in so many different ways...then, that's what I'm willing to do! I love what I do...but the Lord has been speaking so much to me lately on how my blessings have turned into a distraction and how they have opened a door/gap/whole..whatever you want to call..for the enemy to come in. Tell you what, listen/read closesly now: I'm all about Galatians 2:20...I'm crucified! I don't have the strenght to do alot but I got a father that does...and HE promised me all I gotta do is trust. I've been to both sides and I'm Luke Skywalker...I don't belong in the dark side. Fact! Pray for me as I'll do the same for you...may all i do, all my talent, whatever...be used for the glory of my Lord and only savior JESUS. God Bless, Lucas Penido. (To the sound of André Valadão...I've heard this song 44 times in the past 24 hours..it's called "I can't see you" and the chorus goes like "I Can't See you but I just know/ You are the "I AM"/Can't see you but I know Who you are...Alpha and Omega."

The Good vs The Best

Haven't posted in a "minute". Life's been so crazy this past couple of months with all the traveling, the store, the blog, the projects...etc...and It's really hard to focus and prioritize what really matters sometimes. All that really matters if I get down to it, or at least what should be #1 is my spiritual life. All the glitter, the work, the "this and that" is secondary...if not irrelevant! But once again...it's pretty hard not to let those things "pile up" and next thing you see, you're lost at sea again or at least...far from the target. Two brothers though, in different occasions shared something with me and for some reason...short, straight to the point sentences have way more impact in me than you know...a loooong "breaking down the points" talk. I guess the spirit testifies ...well..I'm sure the spirit testifies..and they said...something along these lines..."blessings usually turn out to be distractions, but His grace is greater"...hey, blessings do turn out to distraction????? That's me 100%! I feel like almost every blessing in my life has in a way or another taken more than sometimes they should...however, Our Lord's grace always comes to the rescue and keeps me grounded even if sometimes i gotta go through things I really didn't need to. However this other brother said something only 2 days ago that really stuck with me...he said "Don't let the good get in the way of the BEST"...hey, that's all I needed to hear. I pray that the Lord gives me the same strength he gave Joseph to escape Pharaoh's wife however...I need to seek as much as Joseph did. Nothing comes for free and there's no shortcuts in our walk with Christ. Anyways...it's 03:30 in the morning but I just felt like coming in here and saying.."Hello"! Keep me in your prayers as I will do the same...(just drop me an email saying your name or whatever so I know who to pray about)! God Bless, Lucas Penido.

OMIKASE STYLE

So...I was asked at an interview for this really cool blog this past week about my life as a Believer. The interviewer asked: "So...everybody knows you as the owner of one of the most famous fashion websites in Brazil...but I googled your name and found that you also have a blog that expresses your faith, who did you write that for?". So many people that read The Hype BR have also found this blog right here, however...it was the first time that I was going to talk about it in a public way. My answer was..."Pretty much, I don't like religion...religion messes things up...however, I love Jesus and Jesus loves everyone who seeks him. "Luke Believes" expresses this aspect of my life. I didn't create it or write it for anyone in particular...I write it for anyone who's wants to read it." Well...was my answer good or bad?! Who cares... that's in my opinion secondary...however, It was crazy being sort of put against the wall for the first time because of my faith...and that's when i was like..."Wow...hey, I really have a serious responsibility here." The Lord has blessed me soooooooo much this past year, especially also coming from a year (2006) that was probably the worst one in my life and then...HE gives me this huge oportunity to not only get back on my feet but to also tell others about what and in Who I believe in. It's truly amazing! Today...I went to a Bible Study and my friend Elby gave a really good analogy of the "Omikase Style" of eating . Omikase Style, which I have only done a couple of times...is when you allow the chef to serve you whatever he wants; Mainly because you trust him so much or you believe He's that good...that you know whatever he gives you will be great. That touched me deeply because that's how we should trust our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I personally struggled for years with that...trusting that what HE had prepared for me was THE BEST. I always felt like..."Hey, what if HE has something for me I don't really like, etc..." but I recently found that not only HE has the best...but also HE doesn't play with our feelings, He is not here to joke around...HE wants the best for us (Psalms 37: 5-6) and will prepare us somehow, emotionally, phisically, however...to go through what HE has instore for us . Yes...it could be a bit scary but I wouldn't want it any different. I always used to compare my spiritual life to a "Rollecoaster" now...I would compare it to a road with a few bumps along the way (John 16:33). The Lord has really come through as ALWAYS and when I realized all I had to do was trust????!!! It almost upsets me..haha..Why didn't I do it before?! Ok...such a cliché question but so true!. That being said...I must say that, trusting in the Lord might be a life long learning experience but honestly...Who else is also ready for that "Omikase style" spiritual cuisine? God Bless, Lucas Penido.

SEEN ANY FROGS LATELY?

I have been extremelly busy latelly and I thought I didn't want to "post just for posting"...so I was really waiting on something that spoke deeply to my heart and yesterday I received this email..it's a devotional written by Dana Congdon. Check it out and see if it also speaks to your heart:

Feb. 9 Exodus 7:14-9:35 Matt. 24:32-51Exodus 9:35

"So Pharaoh's heart hardened, and he did not let the children of Israel go,just as Jehovah had spoken through Moses."It is hard to believe that someone could be so hard hearted. Pharaoh now has defied Jehovah nine times and the cost is getting greater each time.

Is it possible that people today could be so hard?It seems that man learns to adjust to curses, wraths, plagues and judgments because there is just no rational reason for them except bad Karma, lousy luck or "that's life".

What does it take for God to get the heart's attention? When these plagues are matched up with the final events in Revelation we see men well into the great tribulation and still hardened of heart and full of rationalizations.

But then there are those who fear Jehovah. And just his slight displeasure causes pain. And their consciences have been sensitized by the Light of fellowship until they at times suffer from over-sensitivity.

Such dear ones are kept in the eye of the storm as when the crops and the cattle of Goshen were preserved through the plagues.And what would the difference be that marks the 'sensitive ones'? Mainly this, that they heard the Word before it happened and BELIEVED and were consequently readied and sheltered. Moses had spoken the whole thing step by step before each stage happened. The end times cause little fear to those who are prepared and provided for by believing the Word.

Seen any frogs lately?

-Danda Congdon

Dupla Honra

This song means so much to me and The Lord used it and still uses it in a big way in my life..."Dupla Honra" means "Double Honor" in Portuguese and the chorus of this song says: "...It's you Lord, who divides waters, establish kings and also all makes them fall...who inclines from heaven just to hear my voice, Restores my soul when I think about giving up...and because I am attached to you, for every day of shame...Double Honor." May this words really find a place in our hearts. God Bless, Lucas Penido.

I'm a Christ Follower (Mac vs. PC Parody) Part 02

haha..posted the first part a long time ago, here is part 02. Hey...I'm not trying to be a legalist but this is still pretty funny! God Bless, L.P

In Christ alone...

So...during my devotional this morning, I read "My utmost for his highest" and what called my attention the most was that a book that was written almost 100 yrs ago (and has been continuosly in print since 1935) is still so relevant...this is what Brother Chambers said on todays reading:
"..The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant, non-confrontational manner." Wow...are you sure he's still not alive?! That deeply touches me because, yes, I've heard brothers and sisters talking about really hiding the Cross of Jesus and really saying that "hey...its all about love and almost no consequences." but to hear (read) that from someone some almost 100 yrs ago?! Now...something that touched me even more is how he puts a thought into perspective, he says "..If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right-standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way." It may sound simple and cliché but that to me translates into my theory that "Nobody changes Nobody" not acting nice, not showing them anything; afterall, only the spirit convinces. Simpathy and understanding is necessary but at the end of the day..."In Christ ALONE OUR hope is found". God Bless, Lucas Penido.

All In ( Letting Go) TobyMac

This is a video I made...the lyrics touched me so much that I was like...I gotta put some visual to this! Its lyrics represented the exact stage I was in like "this time I'm so for real, this time a I seal the deal..shut down my lame appeal...I'm letting go..." and then..."I'm letting go of everything I am and Im holding on to everything you are" May the Lord keeps us all in that stage...of always holding on to HIM. God Bless, L.P

I have decided...

...to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus...I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back...no turning back.
Well...today there was a Bapitsm. There are somethings that never cease to amaze me and deeply touch me in a certain way...Baptisms are definitely one of them; The simbolic fact of someone telling the world that they are now "born again" amazes me and brings tears to my eyes; The testimonies by the people being baptized were very simple yet very touching and if I may...powerful. I can't help since we're almost days to the end of the year...to look back and reflect...Wow...this has been the best year of my life! I found Jesus, I found love, I found a family and friends, I mean...all around, emotionally, professionally, sentimentally and most importantly...spiritually, this has been the best! Cliché? Maybe; but one thing is true..."I could sing of your love forever".
If you used to follow my old blog, you know I always posted my "New Year's resolution". I still haven't posted the one for next years but I'll tell you what...it will be very similar to the one from this year. in other words...I'll rather be driven than drive...my pilot knows the road way too well! hehe...without any fake modesty...HE's the best!
I need to constantly remind my self of a few things though like..."I am crucified, HE lives for me", "Forgetting the things...I'll push on", "Seek the Kingdom first", "Where is your heart there's is your treasure" oh...I got something that will put this whole concept into a single sentence...
"The World Behind me...The Cross before me, The World Behind meeee..The Cross Before me...The World Behind meee...the Cross Before meee..NO TURNING BACK...NO TURNING BACK".
God Bless, Lucas Penido.

Back room...

So...I have this saying that "I always gave the Lord the Mansion but always kept the backroom/garage ". Which is a metaphor for not entirely giving him my heart; I can safely say that this year has been the first year in my life that I've applied the "No holding back" rule. Well...there are some verses that are key verses to alot of questions and thoughts that I think that due to my personality I need to keep (them) in my heart and mind at all times...so, I'll share one regarding this matter with you..." For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Mt 6:21 God Bless, Lucas Penido.

FORGIVENESS...

Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony at Calvary. We should never take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification in simple faith, and then forget the enormous cost to God that made all of this ours. - Oswald Chambers.

Where Self Begins...

Read this phrase on "Morning/Evening" a devotional book by C.H Spurgeon that was given to me on my Birthday:"Make God your only object, depend upon him. Where self begins, Sorrow begins." May the Lord really keep us focused solely on him. God Bless, Lucas Penido.

Johnny Cash - It Was Jesus

Who was it everybody? It was Jesus Christ our Lord...nothing better than hearing the man in black singing this. God Bless you! L.P

I surrender all..

Every time I'm extremely happy...I run to this blog; I've been working so hard and the Lord has blessed me beyond what words can express! I mean...way,way beyond...Where was I last year?! Thank you Lord! Anyway...Now that I'm writing for all these media outlets, etc...it seems like I really gotta think before what I gotta say (write) but here...in this blog, I just literally pour my heart out; It probably takes me 10 mins to write the same amount it takes for me to write a single paragraph anywhere else...I'm approaching my 26th birthday and I honestly am so thankful for what the Lord has done in my life this past year; I know that alot of people read this blog because of the other stuff and etc...and I feel like sometimes God has allowed me to go somewhere with my plans because he has a bigger plan...and when I say bigger, I don't necessarily mean...lots of things...but if you just think about it...the Bible says that Heaven rejoices when only one sinner repents (Luke 15:7) I mean...that's pretty big, so trust me...if anybody through this blog accepts the Lord as their sufficient and only savior..that's bigger than anything else...ok...It's now pretty late and I've been working the whole day and will probably work for part of the night but I needed to say that this has been the best year in my life because for the first time...I can actually say that I surrendered all...have you ever tried(if you haven't done it yet...) doing the same? ? It's a scary thought but from the bottom of my heart....there's nothing better than to know that the One who created heaven and earth is now taking care and "driving the car" for you. If you never visit this blog again or never remember a thing I said...remember this...Jesus loves you. God Bless, Lucas Penido.

THE GREATEST NEED...

I was reading my devocional this morning and this one sentence, even though may sound "clichè" to some, really spoke to my heart...


"...The greatest need we have is not to do things, but to believe things". Oswald Chambers

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)

What can I say about all the good things that have happened to me lately? What can I say about anything and everything? Well...I can say two things, one: It's all by the grace of my Lord, Jesus Christ that all things are possible...the closer I get to him, the closer I see that if it wasn't for his grace...I wouldn't be able to do a thing; and I mean, Nothing! From eating sushi to working, to being a good son, friend, to whatever...it's all by his grace. The second thing is pretty much a follow up to the first...why have I tried to accomplish so much in my spiritual life before and could never pass square 1? Exactly because "I"tried..and I'm nothing but a sinful man that makes tons of mistakes, however...I'm crucified with my Lord, so guess what? I don't live anymore, but he lives in me and through me. Hey, 20 + yrs in the church and really never understood that...I have insomnia, but my Lord doesn't...so guess what? Insomnia`s gone, and so is was my anxiety and so is everything else...He lives, not me.
Many of the people I know, have been walking with The Lord for quiet sometime...so this might not be something new to them...but this is for all the people that through my other website, my work, etc...somehow got to this blog; Jesus loves you, accept him in your life and once and for all be crucified with him; (True) life is so much easier like this, why? Because you don't need to live anymore, but HE will live for you. God Bless, Lucas Penido.

Because HE lives...

This hymn played a huge part on my recent trip...All the Honor and Glory unto HIM! God Bless, LP.

I'll never forget it...

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?Who is like you, majestic in holiness,awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? - Exodus 15:11

Son of God - Starfield

I was listening to this song today, I've been so happy...to be honest, I've been happy, because I feel like I really didn't know whaat that was; anyways...was listening to this song and wanted to post it; I found this simple yet beautiful "video", which is really a picture slide put together and it really translated and expressed all the feelings I had inside of me,to something visual! Jesus...You are worthy of all my Praise, You are beautiful!

Thank you...

My words can't describe what the Lord has done in my life within a years period but I found something in Psalms, that describes precisely what I feel:

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:12 &13

God Bless, Lucas Penido.

Michael Tait "right on the money" once again!

Little by little, Michael Tait is becoming a reference to me, I've used many of his examples in habit of paraphrasing; His very short speech during one of his concerts deeply touched me therefore I posted a few of the things he said back when I started the blog, and once again he is right on the money; My favorite comment..."Church is irrelevant to the Youth (nowdays)", and he is right...because first of all... what is "The Church"? Regardless of where you live, your background, what you do or who you are... Christ is relevant...always is; and if you never visit this blog once again, remember that.
Getting back to the church...We are the Church, the body of Christ is the Church...question is, how is the body of Christ nowdays? is it being relevant afterall? You answer that question...and I, I'll stick with Tait's opinion. God Bless, L.P

Andre Valadao - Alegria

This is a song The Lord used in my life to get me through alot...Oddly enough, it's a song I wouldn't listen to, it's not necessarily..."my cup o'tea" if I may say,however the Lord used this and many other songs my this brother... the message behind this particular song is what I want to live for the rest of my life:
"Your joy in my life, gives me strenght every day, You joy in my life, I receive it today, I receive it now..."

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness

psalm 30:11

I was thinking on what to post today, and as I read some stuff many things came to mind, I wrote some stuff and erased some stuff...long story short....the less the better, so this is what's in my heart right now:
"To love God is the greatest of virtues; to be loved by God is the greatest of blessings." - Unknown

God Bless you, Luke.

Just before I go to sleep, I have this...humn...tendency or perhaps...habit, of reading the Bible or a book (mostly, My Utmost for his highest), or listening to Gospel,CCM and sometimes even Hymns; I strongly believe that whatever goes in your mind when you go to sleep...is what you wake up thinking about (or at least that's what works for me). Today, it was no different...so this is what I'm going to sleep meditating on and hopefully wake up thinking about:


"We have the idea that we can dedicate our gifts to God. However, you cannot dedicate what is not yours. There is actually only one thing you can dedicate to God, and that is your right to yourself " by Oswald Chambers