Follow Jesus

March 18, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Do you change the world?

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 Reflecting the Light of Christ Jesus called us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, reflecting His love and truth in all that we do. Just as light dispels darkness, our lives should reveal God’s presence wherever we are. Just as salt enhances flavor, we are called to bring new life and hope to those around us. We cannot hide our faith; we must live it out in a way that glorifies the Lord. When we allow Christ to shine through us and transform us, we make an impact on those around us. This happens through our testimony, our words, and our daily actions, which should always align with God’s will. Our calling is to live differently from the world, being examples of goodness and righteousness. In a time of great darkness, we must bring hope and transformation, showing […]

blessings follow-jesus kingdom-of-god love-of-god

March 12, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: A Holy Life

Lord, thank You for choosing me and setting me apart for You. I know that I am not worthy by my own strength, but by Your grace, I have been called to live in holiness. Teach me, Lord, to understand Your purpose and to remain faithful to the path You have prepared for me. Help me to reject everything that draws me away from You and to dedicate myself entirely to Your will. Purify my thoughts, my words, and my actions so that my life may reflect Your glory. May I be a light in this world, living according to Your principles. Lord, strengthen me in moments of temptation and weakness. I know the world will try to pull me away from Your calling, but I trust that Your Spirit will guide me. Empower me to deny sin and obey You above all. I desire to walk according to Your heart. May I never forget that I have been set apart by You for an eternal purpose. Let my life, my time, and my gifts be used to glorify Your name. May I find joy in serving You and be willing to fulfill the calling You have placed upon me. […]

follow-jesus grace holy-spirit obedience

February 27, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Under grace

God’s presence is more than just a fleeting moment; it is the place where we were created to dwell and seek daily. From the very beginning, He called us into deep communion, but sin separated us from this reality. In Christ, that connection was restored, and now we are invited to remain in Him every day. We must stand firm in the hope of eternal life that He has promised. Housing “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 God’s presence is not a place we simply pass through; it is the eternal home of those who love Him. From creation, we were made to live in communion with Him, but sin distanced us from that reality. Through His sacrifice, Christ restored our access to the Father’s presence, and now we are called to remain in Him every day. Dwelling in God’s presence means maintaining a constant relationship, not just experiencing isolated moments of visitation. He desires to lead us through the Holy Spirit so that we may live according to His will. This connection […]

follow-jesus grace holy-spirit kingdom-of-god

February 13, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Simplicity

Lord, teach me to live with the same humble heart that Christ demonstrated. May I reflect His character in every action, serving with love and simplicity, placing others above myself, as I learn through Your Word. Help me to value service without seeking glory for myself but for You alone. I know humility begins in the heart. Break every trace of pride and vanity within me so that I may depend solely on You. Even in difficult times, let me remember that Christ, in simplicity and love, gave Himself for me on the cross. Father, strengthen me to live a life that reflects the love of Christ. May I never forget that everything comes from You. Teach me to recognize Your sovereignty in all areas of my life and to be grateful for all You have done and all You will do. I want to follow the steps of Jesus, who did not seek riches or status but lived to fulfill His purpose. Let my life be a living testimony that serving You is the greatest honor I can have. May I be an instrument in Your hands to bring light and love to the world. Thank You, Father, for […]

follow-jesus obedience prayer simplicity-en

February 11, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Humble Son

The life of Jesus is a perfect example for us in every way—especially in humility and during moments of suffering and injustice. Christ left us a model to follow, serving as an inspiration for how we should walk. Every step He took teaches us how to take our own. Servant of servants “Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:7-8 The life of Jesus teaches us that true greatness lies in serving others. Though He was the Son of God, He took on the role of a servant. In John 13, for example, the Bible recounts how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, showing that no one is above performing acts of humble service. He did not hesitate to serve those who followed Him. Even as the Sovereign Lord, Jesus was present for them—close and humble. This attitude demonstrates that Christian leadership is not about dominance but about love and care. He made it clear that whoever desires to be great must first be a servant. By […]

follow-jesus heart love-of-god love-your-neighbor

February 06, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Walking in Lightness

Beloved Lord, I thank You because, in Your infinite goodness, You offer me a light path and an easy burden. Help me to lay the weights of my heart in Your hands, trusting fully in Your care and provision. May I live with the certainty that You are my rest and my refuge. Father, teach me to depend less on my own strength and more on Your grace. May I not get lost in anxieties or pressures that draw me away from You, but may every step I take be aligned with Your will and perfect plans. Grant me discernment to identify what unnecessarily burdens me and wisdom to lay it at Your feet. I want to walk the path You have prepared for me, experiencing the peace that comes only from Your presence and Spirit. May I seek You not only in moments of difficulty but every day of my life. May my communion with You be constant, allowing Your Word to light my steps and Your voice to guide my choices in every moment. Thank You for Your patience, love, and unwavering care, Father. I entrust my heart, my mind, and my life to You, knowing that with […]

follow-jesus grace love-of-god prayer

February 04, 2025·Rapha Abreu

A light path

Sometimes we feel so tired, and what we hear most from people is about the weariness of daily life. But there are many who are exhausted, thinking that by being in motion, they are heading somewhere, when in reality, they might just be walking in circles. Reaching the goal “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 When we run without a clear vision, without aligning our steps with Christ’s, it’s like walking on a treadmill: we grow more and more tired, but we don’t move forward. It’s precisely at this moment that discouragement sets in. The sweat of the journey, by itself, is no guarantee that we are on the right path. There are paths that exhaust us and others that renew us. However, if we remain focused on Christ in both, we will learn and achieve our goals through Him. After all, weariness doesn’t necessarily mean we are accomplishing something, just as calm waters don’t guarantee that […]

follow-jesus holy-spirit kingdom-of-god obedience

January 30, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Zeal for the Kingdom

Father, You teach us so much! You left Your Word and teachings so that we could follow in Your footsteps. Your zeal for the temple, as described in Matthew 21, teaches us to value the holiness of Your house. May I have a heart willing to surrender to You, to be purified, and through this transformation, become a vessel in the lives of others. Remove from within me everything that does not please You so that my life may draw others into Your presence. Teach me to live in a way that honors Your ways. God, help us to identify and remove from Your house anything that contaminates Your name. May we be instruments of sanctification, guided by Your Spirit, committed to truth and love for others. Give us discernment so that we do not allow human interests and impurities to corrupt the place of worship. May we love Your Church as Christ loves it, always seeking its edification and unity. Lord, awaken in us a sincere zeal for Your Kingdom. We do not want empty rituals but a life transformed by Your Word. Renew our minds and hearts so that we may be true worshippers, faithful to Your will. […]

follow-jesus kingdom-of-god love-of-god obedience

January 23, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Constant God

God, I know You are everything I need. No circumstance in this world changes who You are, and I am grateful for Your constant presence and promises in my life, which remain steadfast beyond human struggles. Our limitations often try to confine You, but may my heart always remember Your infinite mercy and love, and how Your words are eternal and unchanging. Teach me, Father, to trust in You completely, surrendering every decision and plan into Your hands. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on the Kingdom and on eternal purpose so that the challenges of this world won’t shake my faith or divert my heart. I know I will never be deserving of Your love, yet You love me and care for me with every step I take. My salvation does not come from me or my efforts but from Your grace. Guide my eyes so that they stay focused on You. May I seek Your presence and direction in prayer before making any decision. I don’t want to walk according to my own understanding but in alignment with Your plans and purposes. Father, do not let anything else take Your place in my life. You deserve the […]

faith follow-jesus grace love-of-god

December 04, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Following God’s plans

Lord, in the decisive moments of our lives, when comfort calls us back, and the unknown challenges us, grant us the courage to burn our “carts,” sink our “ships,” and follow Your call without looking back. Help us to abandon any plan B, trusting that the future You have for us is far greater than we can imagine. Father, just as Elisha responded to Your call with radical courage, we want to do the same. Let us live without reservations, without hesitation, surrendering our old habits and plans so that You can create something new in us. Grant us the strength to walk by faith, even when the path ahead is unclear. We know that life with Jesus requires surrender and sacrifice. Help us understand that by letting go of the past, we are stepping into the fullness of Your promises. May we trust completely in Your plan, even when the way is uncertain, and the decisions are tough. Lord, we find true transformation in You alone. We don’t want to fill our lives with anything else; only Your presence satisfies. May You be our only plan. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

faith follow-jesus prayer

December 02, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Undo plan B

At times, we will face the opportunity to remain stagnant and stuck, to revisit the past and reopen a wound, or to move forward. In those moments, we must make an important decision: to step into the unknown and embrace incredible new experiences, or to stay in the familiar place of comfort, not moving toward God’s promises. Sink the second option You’ve probably heard the expression “Burn the ships.” It is linked to Hernán Cortés, who, in 1519, ordered his ships to be burned so his soldiers could not retreat. We see this concept reflected in several biblical stories, such as in 1 Kings 19. The prophet Elijah finds Elisha and calls him to be his successor. In response, Elisha performs a radical act: he slaughters the oxen he was using for work and burns the equipment, symbolizing the end of his old life. This act demonstrates his decision to follow God without reservations or plans to return. That’s what the expression means: having no plan to turn back. Cortés’ soldiers had only one option—to move forward and fight for a better future. When it comes to following Jesus, we cannot hesitate or keep a backup plan in mind. Instead, […]

blessings faith follow-jesus obedience

November 28, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Come as you are!

The Lord knows our humanity, understands that we are imperfect, and yet chooses to love us. When we deserve only God’s wrath, He responds with love, a result of His mercy and grace. Shall we pray together about this? Prayer Father, I come to You acknowledging my imperfections and limitations, but also remembering Your love that sees beyond them, giving me a new identity. Thank You for loving me and staying by my side, even when I fail and drift away from You. Teach me to trust in Your grace, which reaches me even in my worst moments, renewing my strength and hope each day. I can draw near to You even in my brokenness because I trust in the power of Your grace and mercy, which rebuilds and shapes me. I know I don’t need to be perfect for You to accept and love me, but I desire to become more like Your Son Jesus every day. In a world that demands so much, I am reminded that Your love is unconditional and not based on what I do, but on Who You are. Shape my heart to rest in this truth and to live freely in Your presence, […]

follow-jesus grace holy-spirit love-of-god

November 26, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Imperfect and loved

God Doesn’t Just Love Our Best Version God doesn’t love only the best version of us—the one that prays every day, follows His commandments, and lives an exemplary life. It wasn’t just that version of us that received salvation. Jesus came to heal, transform, and renew those in need. He loved and still loves our imperfect, broken, and flawed version. We have been rescued! Reconciled “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 God does not expect perfection from us. He knows our struggles, our mistakes, and our weaknesses, but He desires that we strive to become more like Jesus. When we stray from His will, when we make mistakes, or even when we rebel against His plans, He doesn’t abandon us. He sent His Son so that, even in our imperfect state, we could be reconciled with Him. God loves us not for what we do right but for who we are in Him, regardless of our faults. Our mistakes are not accepted or loved by Him, and we must seek change and transformation. However, we are received by Him above and beyond our errors because […]

follow-jesus grace kingdom-of-god love-of-god

November 21, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: From the inside out

Today, I want to invite you to join me in prayer for true transformation and renewal that can only be found in Christ. Only He has the power to change times and seasons in our lives, guiding us toward a greater purpose covered by His love and grace. Let us surrender to His work! Prayer Father, I thank You for Your transforming grace that calls us to become more like Christ. Teach us to let go of what separates us from You, and allow Your Holy Spirit to shape our hearts and minds. May every step we take be guided by Your truth, leading us to true transformation. Help us to recognize that only in You can we find the strength to overcome obstacles and limitations. May our dependence on You grow daily, and may we trust fully in Your power to completely renew us. Grant us the courage to surrender to Your transformative process, even when it is difficult or challenging, so that we do not give up. May our lives reflect Your love and light, serving as a living testimony to those around us. Shape us according to Your eternal purposes. Thank You, Lord, for not giving up […]

follow-jesus heart love-of-god prayer

November 12, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Followers

What Is Your Identity as a Follower of Christ? Light and Salt “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 You are light and salt in the world. You shine not because of your own light, but because God’s light shines through you. You bring a new flavor, not because you have the power to transform, but because God transforms through you. You need to go into the world and bring that new flavor, showing others that there is joy and delight in living with God. The light within you is meant to shine forth into the world. God wants to use you to brighten dark places. Listen to God’s voice and follow Him to where He wants to take you. Chosen and Set Apart “Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his […]

follow-jesus grace holy-spirit kingdom-of-god

November 05, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Sowing the Way

Today, I want to invite you to join me in prayer as we reflect on how we are working toward the future we hope to create. We need to take steps today toward where we want to be tomorrow, so that we can reach our goals and ideals. And it is in God that we find the strength and guidance to walk this path. Prayer Lord, I acknowledge that my future depends on the seeds I plant today. Help me to walk in obedience to Your plans, taking each step based on Your Word and guidance. Through hard work, dedication, and seeking Your truth, I know I will be shaping the future You desire for me. Let my desires align with Yours, and may I remain steadfast in following Your path. Father, I know that promises and dreams alone are not enough—action and boldness on my part are necessary. Give me the strength to overcome fear and obstacles, keeping my eyes fixed on You so that nothing can hinder my journey. Teach me to cultivate what is good, with patience and perseverance, trusting that the promises You’ve activated spiritually will manifest at the right time. Help me not to give […]

blessings follow-jesus prayer

October 22, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Mirroring Christ

Let’s pray together about being good channels of God’s word? Remembering that you don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their own way of communicating with the Father, and it is important that we seek this intimacy. Feel free to talk to the Lord in your way. But if you wish, I am here to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer Beloved Father, teach my heart to be an example of Your love and grace. May my life reflect the light of Christ, showing others the greatness of Your mercy. Guide my actions and words, and teach my steps. I want to honor Your name and bring glory to the Lord. Thank you for the opportunity to be used by You! God, I desire to become more like Jesus in thoughts and attitudes. May I be a living testimony of Your goodness, bearing fruit that glorifies Your name and draws others to Your Kingdom. Let my life be an invitation to the transformation that only You can provide. In moments of challenge, strengthen me to act with grace and compassion. I want to be a constant reflection of Your character. Help […]

follow-jesus grace prayer

October 17, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Have you been an example?

God uses people, places, and situations to teach each of us. And often, we are also the ones He uses to teach others. Honorable children “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you…” John 15:1-4 God uses you as an example in one way or another, either as a model of what to do or as a model of what not to follow. You were created and are being directed by God to produce for Him, honoring and bringing glory to His name. He will use you as an example. If you work for the Kingdom, you will be a child that God is proud of, like a father who speaks proudly of what his child has done and how honored he feels to have him. But if you work only to benefit yourself, you will be like someone we should not use as a basis or inspiration. Get up! “Therefore, I urge you, brothers […]

blessings follow-jesus grace kingdom-of-god

October 01, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Aligning the Focus

I want to invite you to pray together today, asking God to teach our hearts about the true value of things, so that we may prioritize the Kingdom and everything that leads us to Him and to Christ in our lives. Remembering that you don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their own way of communicating with the Father, and it is important that we seek this intimacy. Feel free to talk to the Lord in your way. But if you wish, I am here to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Beloved Father, I come before You with an open and sincere heart, asking that my heart may find in You the true value and treasure. Teach me to have a pure heart, like David’s, who sought Your presence above all else. May I keep Your word within me, so that it may guide my thoughts, words, and actions. May my priorities be aligned with Your will, and may my goal be to seek Your Kingdom above all. Grant me wisdom to discern what is eternal and dedicate my life to it. I want to keep my heart focused on […]

follow-jesus heart kingdom-of-god prayer

September 26, 2024·Rapha Abreu

The value of the heart

One of the most well-known Bible verses is Matthew 6:21, which says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (KJV). But what does this verse truly mean? Focus “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6 The passage in Matthew does not refer to “treasure” only in terms of material wealth, like gold and riches, but conveys the sense of “value.” The value I place on a particular matter, person, possession, or situation determines where my heart is. That’s why our notion of the greatest value, something unsurpassable, must be in Christ. If the place of greatest value for you is heaven, then your heart will be there. Everything you do and seek will be there. Direction “I press on toward the goal to win the […]

blessings follow-jesus heart kingdom-of-god

September 24, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Directing the wind

There will be days when life is completely beautiful, like a summer evening with friends. At other times, there will be storms, and that’s normal! God is present in both. He cares, guides, and directs the wind. Just adjust the sails and fix your eyes on the Father. Would you like to pray about this together? Prayer “Father, I know that many times the strong winds and storms of life make me lose my way. There are moments when I feel disoriented, not knowing where to steer the ship of my life. But, Father, I know You are with me at every step of this journey, even when the sea seems too rough. Teach me, Lord, to adjust the sails so I can navigate according to Your will, towards Your plan for my life. May I not focus on the opposing winds, but on Your promise and direction. Give me wisdom to understand that, even though I cannot control the circumstances around me, I can trust in You, knowing that You are taking care of every detail. May my eyes always be fixed on Jesus, just as Peter walked on the water while looking at Him. Do not let the […]

faith follow-jesus holy-spirit love-of-god

September 19, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Adjust the sails

Many times we are on a path, and then, we divert our gaze. This changes our steps, actions, and goals, either leading us to the right path or diverting us to the wrong one. Towards Christ “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:30-31 Keeping watch over the direction of our gaze is something that defines the direction of our steps. In Matthew 14, we see the story of Peter, where Jesus calls him to walk on water, and he goes to meet the Son. While Peter’s eyes were on Jesus, he stayed above the water. The invitation was made by God, the path was created by Him, but at a certain moment, Peter stops and looks at the waves. Then, he begins to sink. When Peter’s eyes were focused on Jesus, miracles happened; but when he focused on the storm and the problems, he strayed from the path of life. Steer the boat “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, […]

faith follow-jesus heart holy-spirit

September 10, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: I want to see You

Let’s seek the face of God. He sees us, sees our hearts. Run to see Him, climb whatever tree you must to find Him. Shall we pray for this presence? Prayer Father, we acknowledge how sinful and weak we are, and we now place ourselves in Your presence, knowing that without You we are nothing, but with hearts full of hope, because we know that Your love for us is greater than any mistake we could make. Just like Zacchaeus, who longed to see Jesus, we too desire to find You, to be in Your presence, and to contemplate the beauty of Your face. Lord, we know we do not deserve to be before You. Just like Zacchaeus, who was despised by society because of his sins, we also carry guilt and wounds that separate us from You. But just as You did with Zacchaeus, we know that You look upon us with love, inviting us to sit at Your table, for a personal and profound relationship. Help us to seek Your face with all our being, to step out of our comfort zone, to leave behind all that holds us back, and to overcome our fears, so that we […]

faith follow-jesus love-of-god prayer

September 05, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Climb the tree!

In Luke 19, we see the story of Zacchaeus, a man small in stature, but with an immense desire to see the Lord. Stay exposed “A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.” Luke 19:2-3 As we read the verses of this story, we might mistakenly interpret that the Lord saw Zacchaeus because he was in an elevated position. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, a group whose social status was equivalent to that of sinners, prostitutes, and lepers at the time. For this reason, he was considered as sinful and impure as they were, and people hated him. He always walked accompanied by Roman guards to ensure his safety. Even knowing the risk of being lynched, Zacchaeus exposed himself. He placed himself in a position of visibility, seeking to see the Son of God. Be vulnerable “So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay […]

faith follow-jesus heart love-of-god