Deliver

June 13, 2023·Rapha Abreu

The number of the beast

In Revelation 13 we are introduced to the number 666, “the number of the beast”, a sequence that would bring with it curse, pain, distance, war… There are many explanations and thoughts about this on different theological lines. All the ones I’ve read about make sense at specific points and teach us a lot. But there is one in particular that caught my attention. Three 6 “This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.” Revelation 13:18 I don’t know about you, but this subject scared me a lot when I was younger. The idea of a giant being, who affronts God and brings destruction, whose main objective is to distance people from the Father and generate wars, scared me. And that number? Why? If there are so many numerical combinations… The explanation that most calls my attention is in Revelation 13:16-17 that describes that only with the mark on the right hand or on the forehead, which is the name of the beast or the number that represents its name, we could buy and sell. The mark would be a precondition […]

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December 16, 2022·Rapha Abreu

The meaning of the gifts

When Jesus was born, the story tells that the wise men went to the baby and presented him with some objects. Have you ever wondered about the meanings of each gift given by them? “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 The gold This gift represented and reaffirmed the royalty of Jesus. “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty. The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. Indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago. You are from all eternity”. Psalms 93:1,2 The boy was born in a manger, surrounded by animals and hay. But he was still the Son of the King of Kings. Jesus was King right there in Mary’s lap and King in every heart that recognized Him as Lord. He just wasn’t a king who would reign in a palace. As stated in Philippians 2:6, He was God Himself in human form but, even though He was the greatest in the world, He did not attach to titles, but came to earth to fulfill His purpose […]

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December 13, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Have you been a disciple or one of the crowd?

In the stories of Jesus we see several miracles happening wherever He went. But what most calls my attention in them is where the focus of each character was in the face of everything that happened. We can compare it to our focus on situations these days. The crowd seeks the miracle “And the people all tried to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all” Luke 6:19 The crowd followed Jesus for His works, often craving what He could offer rather than who He was. After the healings and miracles it was possible to see people worshiping Him with greater vehemence. It always leads me to think that I too am often the crowd. Who asks, begs and hopes for a miracle, but who only has that as a goal. We seek God many times for what He can do for us, and we forget to seek Him just because He is God, our Father. The Master for the crowd was often an attraction. The disciple seeks Jesus “Many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’, Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, ;Lord, to […]

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July 21, 2022·Rapha Abreu

[Series: Identity] Do I have a calling?

Another point in our life, which makes up our identity, is our calling. But after all, what is this? How do I find my calling? Am I already doing something in the area of my calling? These are questions I’ve asked myself several times, out of curiosity or fear of making mistakes. But I want to talk more about this subject with you today, in our penultimate text in this series. We all have a calling We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach. If it is to encourage, then give encouragement. If it is giving, then give generously. If it is to lead, do it diligently. If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8 God has a plan for us since before we were born. He left a specific mission for each person in this world and invites us to act in a certain area. Our greatest and most important calling will always be to worship him above all else, but there is a vocational path that we can choose […]

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February 25, 2022·Ana Julia Luiz

Surrendering Everything to God

It’s not easy to hand things over to the Lord, we often want to hold them so tightly with us, but God is asking for something. On this day, let’s pray together, surrendering to God whatever we are holding. The control or our Isaac, as we discussed in the previous text. Remembering that you don’t need to repeat the prayer exactly as I’m going to leave it here, because each of us has a specific way of communicating with the Lord. But if you want to accompany me, it will be my pleasure. Feel free to speak your own way. Prayer “Lord my God and Father, we want to start by thanking you for your giant and intense love, which manifests itself every day. We also want to come and ask for forgiveness, for all the times you asked us for something and we didn’t want to give up, holding on tightly with us. As difficult as it is, on this day, we propose to surrender to You whatever we are holding. We want to submit to You the control of our lives. May You Lord act as you wish. Guide our steps and days according to Your will. We […]

deliver devotional

February 22, 2022·Ana Julia Luiz

And when God asks to sacrifice the son?

Let’s start by defining, what is the son in this case? When we talk about the son, we talk about what has real value to you and me, something we feel we couldn’t live without. Imagine that there comes a day when the Lord comes and asks you for your son, that is, He asks you to deliver something that you love very much. What would you do at that moment? Abraham and Isaac There is a well-known biblical story, reported in Genesis from chapter 18 to 22, that talks about this. The story begins with a promise: even though Abraham was old, the Lord promised that he would have a son. This child was the long-awaited Isaac. Sara, his wife, was elderly and past childbearing age. However, the Word of God never fails and Sarah became pregnant even in her old age, giving birth to the child of promise. The Bible reports that after some time, when Isaac was a grown child, God asked Abraham to give his son as a sacrifice. In obedience, the next day, Abraham prepares wood for the burnt offering and proceeds to the place God had indicated. Would you dare to do this? Honestly […]

deliver devotional