Follow Jesus

February 08, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Instruments of Praise

In the previous text, I discussed the daily decision to be someone through whom God is praised. Today, I invite you to pray with me about this, to become available and completely surrendered instruments, allowing God to work in our lives according to His will. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Father, I acknowledge Your worthiness of all praise and worship, for everything in creation is under Your sovereignty, and all belongs to You. I understand that my purpose is to praise You, and I desire to do so each day of my life, leading others to worship You in the same way. You are the source of all love and grace, and Your mercy continues to pour out upon me, even when undeserved. Make me an instrument of praise. Shape my heart according to Your will, and may my hands be ready to carry […]

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February 06, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Who are you?

Every day, we need to make decisions, whether big or small, that can change not just an hour but an entire life. These decisions often unsettle us, especially because we don’t know the impact they will have on various areas. Have you ever wondered what the most significant decision in your life will be? Well, I believe I have the answer for you… Identity and direction “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose… The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:12 and 14 The most significant decision will always be choosing Christ. Without further ado, today I invite you to decide to be the vessel through which God is praised. Regardless of the magnitude of professional, financial, or family decisions… Choosing Christ should always take precedence. When our lives are centered on following Him and worshipping Him, others around us are influenced to do the same, and this stance radically transforms our lives, aiding us in making countless other decisions. A life focused on God provides answers to questions that once seemed insurmountable. Used daily “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special […]

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January 29, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Take a stand!

In the book of Judges, we see some challenges and victories recounted, and in the midst of them, a woman emerges as a spiritual mother for the people of Israel. Deborah was a wise leader, but beyond emphasizing that, I want to remind you of one of her actions that made all the difference: rising up. Challenged to act “Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.” Judges 5:7 Deborah stood up as a mother to Israel in a time of need, and her story powerfully tells the transformative impact of standing up and taking action. In Judges 4, we see Israel immersed in times of war, crying out to God for guidance and deliverance. Being a leader in moments like this is very challenging and complicated, but even so, Débora stood up with determination, as a judge and spiritual mother. She decided to act boldly, guiding and inspiring the people, in God. How long has it been since you stood up and truly stood with authority in your life? Acting in fear of the Lord “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the […]

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January 25, 2024·Rapha Abreu

God and sin

Some texts have such a huge impact with certain words that our attention can focus on just one part of the sentence and take away the full meaning of it. I see this detail in some texts in the Bible and also in those that mention faith, where, if we don’t have an open heart, we can focus on just a few parts and forget the context. Aversion to sin “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Certainly, you have heard the phrase “God hates sin, but loves the sinner”. This phrase is not in the Bible, but it has become very famous. The word “hates” becomes something so impactful for us that it steals our attention only on it, but I want to invite you to read the rest of it. The Lord truly abhors sin; He does not accept it, and His desire is for sin to be destroyed. But He loves those who sin because the way God sees us goes far beyond our mistakes. He knows our hearts deep down and knows who we are in Him. The Father gave us the […]

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January 23, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Identity of Jesus

Previously, we talked a little about some of the names by which Jesus is called throughout the biblical texts. There are many others that I did not mention in the previous text, names that are presented in prophecies since the Old Testament until they become palpable in the New Testament. Regardless of the name that catches your attention the most or the one that is most repeated in the Bible, God remains the same and reveals Himself to us with grace and mercy. I want to invite you to pray today about recognizing this God at any time, place, or situation. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Lord God, I recognize Your greatness and majesty. I know that Your name is the clear expression of Your love and grace towards us. I cry out for Your presence in my life. Thank you for revealing to […]

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January 18, 2024·Rapha Abreu

The Names of Jesus

Jesus is described in the Bible in various ways, with different words and names, but these descriptions always reveal His divine character and the profound nature of who He is and was sent to be. God incarnate “He appeared in the flesh…” 1 Timothy 3:16 All those names are beautiful, but the one that captures my attention the most is: “God with us” “Immanuel“! Among all the names by which He is called, this one encapsulates it well. It signifies the greatest miracle and the expression of grace, where God chose to reside among humanity, revealing His love in a personal and accessible manner, close to sinners and the forgotten. Throughout our lives, we strive for luxury, wealth, recognition, and yet, the greatest among us, who could possess all this with a snap of His fingers, remains the most humble and simple, dwelling among us. He loves everyone, even those who don’t deserve that love. The name “Jesus” also carries the meaning of “Savior,” and this is the name we hear most often, embodying the calling of Jesus, the purpose that the heart of the Son yearned for. He came to rescue humanity from sin and the separation from God, […]

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January 11, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Don’t chase the wind

Life goes by so fast. Places are renovated, addresses change, people come and go; We are often forced to say goodbye. At other times, it is necessary to choose wisely who to say “hello” to and who to say “goodbye” to, no matter how much it hurts. Growing up hurts, but it teaches us and matures us. It prepares us for things much greater than anything we dream or plan. Life does not stop “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 My favorite quote has always been that of Saint Teresa of Ávila: “It is fair that much costs what much is worth.“ To reach “tomorrow,” it is fair that it costs our “today.” Some cycles can only begin when others close, when we understand that we need to leave behind what is behind, that life goes on above any situation. The world does not stop as we need or want; each day has the same number of hours, and we need to act wisely in every minute. Do not waste time. I […]

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January 09, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Walking in the light of the Word

I always heard about the Word; I was raised by my parents hearing about its importance in knowing how and where to walk, following Jesus and the kingdom of God above all. It is essential that we read and delve deeper into it at the end of the process as well, as the Word of God always teaches and feeds us, but it is at the beginning of things that it provides paths and directions. From the beginning “If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:16 If we take our own steps when starting our journey and then everything goes wrong, even if we seek God just at that moment, entrusting our path into His hands, the Lord hears us and responds; He corrects our walk. But do you agree that it becomes more difficult this way? Because He will need to undo what we do to actually begin His work. We have to deliver our firstfruits, the beginning when everything is still a dream and project, because He guides us and clarifies our paths. He answers us in the end, […]

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December 22, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer to One God

Our minds, in moments of sadness and turmoil, become weak if they are not established in Christ. Consequently, we begin to try to fill the void within ourselves at any cost, but we can never fill it with anything other than God and His life-giving Word. This prayer is based on the previous text Creating other gods. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Dear God, thank you for being complete. I appreciate that everything we need can be found in You. Please don’t let me create other gods or prioritize dreams and projects over You. I don’t want to seek answers elsewhere. Keep me steadfast in Your word, following Your direction. God, I ask for forgiveness for the times I’ve placed any other subject, place, person, or situation above You. Do not let my eyes stray from You, Father. Grant me discernment to identify and […]

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December 22, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Creating other gods

The Lord instructs us several times that He should be the Only One worshiped, above anything else, because He is the Only God. This is not because He simply desires exclusivity. It goes far beyond that thought. Thinking like this makes it seems like God pleads for attention and needs us. But that is not it. One God for all The Father desires to be first in our lives, but He does not instruct us to worship Him solely out of a desire for exclusivity, as if His power depended on it. He calls us to have Him as the Only God because it is not necessary for us to look for something elsewhere. He is already the true source of everything. He is complete, whole, unique, and incomparable. Why would we worship other gods? Why would we create other gods? Just as the disciple Peter said in John 6:68: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” If He already possesses everything and gives us all these wonders through His grace and love, why would we run to other gods? In the past, it was common to hear about a god for each subject. […]

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December 18, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Aligning Paths

In the last text, I spoke to you about walking. We mus know that the path and steps will often seem messy, but we must follow with a focus on God’s promises and directions. I want to invite you to pray today for the perfect path we find in God. Also for obedience and faith to take each step towards what the Father has for us. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Lord, first, I want to thank You. For loving me and guiding me, even though I don’t deserve to follow in Your footsteps. Thank You for speaking to me, even though I’m not worthy of hearing Your voice. Make me sensitive to what You have to speak to me, that I can feel You in every breath always. I ask you for firmness to walk with you. My eyes are limited, and Your […]

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December 18, 2023·Rapha Abreu

A messy organized

In moments when life seems messy, it’s normal to think that God is not with us. But the hardships and confusions of life do not mean the absence of the Lord. I understood this in a beautiful way, even after going through difficulties. Finding your place “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Many times, and I would venture to say that in most of them, God “mess up” the paths to then align them and allow us to understand them. On a trip I took, on the road, I missed an entrance, and the return was far ahead. At the time, the feeling was stress for having made a mistake, that feeling of wasting a lot of time for a small mistake. But before returning, I found an amazing bakery on the way. Big, beautiful, and full of good options. I stopped, bought something to eat, and continued my journey happily. I wouldn’t have known about that stop if I hadn’t missed the entrance. We know the path by walking. Therefore, it is good to allow yourself to miss an entry. Sometimes your place is at the entrance, on the way, at the […]

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December 14, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Reaching for eternity

I want to use this space to pray with you for clarity and depth so that we can prepare ourselves for eternity with the Father. May we walk and act with this purpose, longing for Him and sharing His love and grace with people along our journey. In this journey, may we love above all, for He loved us first. The love, which is Christ, dwells within us. The Holy Spirit of God resides in me and in you. Therefore, may our response always be one of love and grace. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer Father, I come before You today to ask for clarity, not to know all the steps I will take in life and have a false sense of control, but so that I can see You and hear You. I don’t need to understand eternity, but I want to fear […]

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December 07, 2023·Rapha Abreu

It wasn’t for free

It wasn’t free. Nothing Jesus did, nothing the Father poured out, was without value or cost. We hear the word “grace” so much that we confuse it with something that doesn’t have a value or that doesn’t need a price to be paid. However, I emphasize, nothing in the Bible was free, but everything came through grace and because of it. It is finished “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price… The cross was a delivery, a payment, so that God’s grace could reach everyone. I’m not saying that we can buy God, but rather that a cross price was paid for us to reach the Father. We have so many mistakes, so many flaws and faults in our human configuration. Nothing we could do would be able to redeem and cleanse everything we have done, are doing and will still do. Nothing can purify us from our impure way of living except the grace of God. This grace represents unconditional love. If this love is unconditional, the name itself already says that it does not need conditions to exist. The mercy and unmerited favor given by […]

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December 05, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Promises that guide us

We are often frightened by new paths and only obey God when He explains every detail of what lies ahead to us. But most of the time, He won’t tell us where. He will just show us what we should do now, and as we obey, new paths will take shape in front of us. Today I want to pray for this so that we trust when there is light to see each step, but also (and even more) when everything is dark and abstract. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Dear God, in this moment of reflection and prayer, I open my heart to You. Help me recognize Your greatness and faithfulness more and more each day, placing complete trust in You. I don’t need to know the entire path, nor do I want to rely on my understanding of each step to be […]

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November 30, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Guided by a Promise

New beginnings are, in a way, endings too. Moving forward means leaving old steps behind. The difficulty in starting over lies both in the uncertainty of the unknown and in the nature of endings. A step in the dark “Truly my soul finds rest in God. My salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1 Many times, God calls us to start over, and we take a long time to take action, waiting for Him to tell us what to do after the first step. However, starting over is not necessarily linked to knowing what to do, but rather to continuing to sail even without knowing where the boat is going, resting in the truth that Jesus is in that boat. Noah didn’t know where the boat was going; nothing he knew before existed at that moment, everything was below his vision, flooded. However, he continued, for that was what the Lord commanded. You won’t have the answers at all times; The Lord is not a GPS that will constantly be telling you to turn or go straight. But His silence never meant His absence or lack. He put you on the boat, and He will take that boat to the right place, […]

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November 28, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: A good soldier

Whenever I hear the word “Missions,” I remember soldiers who are placed in front of tasks that must be completed in the best way, seeking excellence in carrying them out. We are those soldiers in the Gospel. In addition to being called as Children of God, we are also included in the mission of spreading the word, making it known and desired. Today, I want to pray about this Christian mission, about us as His soldiers. Remember that you don’t need to pray in the same way as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their own way of talking to the Father, and it is important to have our intimacy with Him. Feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way, and, if you wish, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Father, I lift my heart to You at this moment, laying at Your feet my complete reverence and a full surrender to You. I desire to be a faithful instrument in Your hands, seeking to be an increasingly effective soldier in carrying out Your works. May my entire being be dedicated to proclaiming Your Gospel and truth, spreading Your […]

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November 23, 2023·Rapha Abreu

The Christian Mission

The Gospel continually teaches us about our mission as christians. This goes beyond what we can measure in distance or time. It doesn’t matter the geographical distance or the time it takes to fulfill this mission. What really matters is how deeply we carry it out and how our hearts are devoted to this purpose. Instructed by love “In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3 The Bible instructs us in various ways and through various texts about the missionary role we have as christians. It invites us to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. When we think of missionary work, it’s common to think about trips to Africa or other countries. But Jesus urges us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, spreading the love of the Father and His message of mercy and grace. The ‘Great Commandment,’ revealed by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39, is the fundamental basis for the missionary call. This love that renounces our own desires and wishes is the driving force behind the Christian mission. When we love […]

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November 21, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Liberation

I invite you to join me in prayer today, seeking deliverance and the true freedom that comes from God. Our Father desires our hearts to be free from guilt, remorse, and the shackles of sin. Life with the Lord leads us to a healthy fear of Him, which, in turn, guides us to obey His will. Let not the weight of sin and guilt keep you at a distance from Him, preventing you from recognizing the intricate details of His work in your life. Keep in mind that you don’t have to follow my words precisely in prayer. Each person has their unique way of communing with the Father, and it’s crucial that we individually strive for intimacy with Him. So, feel free to speak to the Lord in your own manner. However, if you’d like, I’d be delighted to join you in this prayer. PRAYER God, thank you for never giving up on me. Despite my mistakes, Your love persists, and Your arms remain open to welcome me back. Open my eyes to see Your wonders and continuous blessings in every detail of my days. I want to avoid the risk of complaining about something that You, Lord, did […]

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November 14, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Slaves of pain

Have you ever thought about losing all the things we complain about? If we were to lose our jobs because we complain about them, if we were denied access to places because of our complaints, or to people, situations, opportunities… Complaining about something is often connected to a lack of appreciation for it, even if only for a brief moment. It’s when something irritates me to the point of blinding my eyes to the value it holds in my life. Activate the faith. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance, character. And character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 Many times, we complain about storms and difficult situations. We forget that it is precisely these adversities that activate our faith and lead us to new levels with God. It’s not about a bad life, but rather a challenging day, perhaps just a complicated hour that, if we dwell on for hours, can ruin the entire day. Then, we ruin weeks, months, and even years! The reality is that we […]

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November 09, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Overcoming

In the previous text, I spoke to you about the feeling of overcoming and renewal that the end of the year brings and how we should learn to use it to improve and grow, to fully trust in God. Today, I want to pray with you about this moment, about leaving the past behind and focusing on the future with hope for tomorrow. You don’t need to pray exactly as I will write here. I know that everyone has their own way of talking to the Father, and it is important for each of us to individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable to talk to the Lord in your own way. But if you’d like, I’ll be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Lord, how good it is to be able to trust in You and rest in the truth that You will do infinitely more than I have ever dreamed or asked. Lead me to reach even higher places than I’ve already reached. Remind me that nothing I’ve lost compares to what lies ahead; nothing matches what I will receive from You. However, I desire to focus on nothing more than Your presence. I may […]

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October 17, 2023·Rapha Abreu

First, put your feet on

Always before going to sleep I pray that, in addition to protection and rest during the night, the Lord visits me in my dreams to speak to me. Sometimes He comes, and I know when it’s Him because I remember every detail of some specific parts, and those parts don’t leave my mind. In 2022 I had a special dream where a person brought me a phrase and, since then, I have dreamed more times with the same phrase brought in different ways in each dream. I didn’t understand it very well, but now it’s clear to me and I want to share it. Seeking answers in Him “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 In dreams, this phrase was always delivered through people or appeared printed in places. When I understood it, it never appeared to me again. The sentence in Portuguese said something like: “We must not eat salt until it is on our feet and coating our steps.” To me it seemed like an enigma and, whenever I tried […]

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October 05, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Right Intention

In the last text I talked about how our heart needs to be focused on the correct intention. We must follow God’s paths and desires, always working with the intention that His work is done everywhere through our lives and in the best possible way. We will never be perfect channels, but we are the imperfect instruments that He perfects at each new stage in the process of building His work. He doesn’t want you to be perfect so that He can use you, He just wants your heart to be generous and humble, totally focused on His voice. And that’s what I want to pray with you about right now. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to pray here. I know that everyone has a specific way of talking to the Father and it is important to have our intimacy with Him. I want you to feel comfortable talking to Him in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Father, I am embarrassed to remember how, even without me deserving it, You use me and shape me in Your love. Instruct and teach my heart […]

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September 28, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Peace beyond the rain

Having the peace that passes all understanding means being at peace on rainy days as well as on sunny days. Whether in difficult times or when everything is going well. It goes beyond all the reasons that surround us for being good or bad in a situation, it goes beyond everything we have within us and around us. Today I want to pray with you about this peace, so that we can ask God to fill us with it and that it is not just an emotion in our hearts, but a lifestyle. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has a specific way of talking to the Father and it is important to have our intimacy with Him. I want you to feel comfortable talking to Him in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “God, even though there are reasons to cry, I know that I have even more reasons to smile, through the joy of the Lord that was deposited in my heart. Open my physical and spiritual eyes so that I can focus on the reasons […]

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