Obedience

March 07, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Get out of the boat!

When we hear the word “worship,” one of the first things that comes to mind is music, praising in songs. But it’s not just that. We can worship Him in songs and melodies, but worship is a lifestyle and holds a much deeper meaning. We need to worship Him beyond the comfort of the boat. Complete delivery The first mention of the word “worship” is found in Genesis 22, verse 5, where God instructs Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, to offer him as a sacrifice: “He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” This initial mention of “worship” was associated with an offering, not a song. To worship means to be in complete devotion. This absolute surrender can occur through a song, but it is also evident in our decisions, the steps we take, the way we speak, act, and love. We can engage in various activities, but what characterizes an action as worship is the act of surrender. When we give something to the Lord, pour out everything at His feet, and submit it to His […]

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March 05, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Servants

We are servants of the Kingdom, which means we depend on one Lord, under one God, and follow one direction. Offering ourselves for our brothers, just as the Lord gave himself for us, is our greatest calling. A high price, in blood, was paid so that today we could be free, and in that freedom, choose to be servants of the One who called us! We have already received, and therefore, we give. Today, I want to pray with you about this devotion and obedience in serving and pouring everything at His feet. 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 “God, today I come before You with a heart overflowing with gratitude. I acknowledge the abundance of blessings I have received from You and the unconditional love You have bestowed upon me since before my birth. Thank You for envisioning my existence and showering Your boundless […]

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February 22, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Fighting with Christ

In Proverbs 3:5-6, it is written: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This verse reminds us of the importance of fully trusting in God and recognizing Him in all areas of our lives. In one of the previous texts (“Unnecessary Battles”), we discussed avoiding fighting battles that do not come from the Lord, conflicts that arise from our own decisions and can divert us from the plan that God has for us. Today, I want to pray with you for the courage to completely surrender our lives to God, trusting in His wisdom and guidance to lead us along the right path. 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, I acknowledge that I often make decisions without seeking Your guidance, leading me into unnecessary battles. Today, I […]

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February 09, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Unnecessary battles

There are battles necessary for our growth, where God strengthens us and reveals Himself to us. However, we cannot forget that actions generate reactions and consequences, and depending on the step we take, the result may be an unnecessary battle that we ourselves create. Guided fights “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 Daniel was placed in the den with lions, and David was sent to fight Goliath. Similarly, we are also called to battles, urged to be strong and courageous, receiving direction and power from Him. These confrontations elevate us to new levels, drawing us nearer to Him and His promises. They are moments of strength and shaping, fostering our growth. However, at times, we engage in unnecessary battles not initiated by Him. The Bible instructs us to involve the Lord in our decisions from the very first step. Yet, in our daily hustle and bustle, we often decide for ourselves. This leads us into places, relationships, and circumstances not aligned with God’s plans, thus delaying the […]

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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 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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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 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 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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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 03, 2023·Rapha Abreu

What is your real intention?

Generosity is something difficult to put into practice, as most of the time it is accompanied by sacrifice. Whether it’s sacrificing part of our time to serve someone or even donating material resources, which we often don’t have spare, but we do so to share with those in need. Therefore, serving and being generous is an act of courage and gratitude. Surrender and devotion “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless, I will show my salvation.” Psalm 50:23 We need to be generous, because through this action, in addition to serving other people, we express our gratitude through giving, whatever the scope. More than give material resources or donate our time, we need to look at everything we have, all areas of our lives, in a generous way. Because generosity is at the essence of the Gospel. Pastor Tim Keller said something interesting in one of his sermons: Jesus Christ was the only human being who was not simply born, but who was delivered. God gave, donated His son out of love for us. Christ gave himself out of love for us. He became poor so that we could become rich. Through this surrender of Christ we […]

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September 07, 2023·Rapha Abreu

What is the enemy’s power?

Whoever looks for you in your past will find you there? Or will you find an empty place? Hell at all times wants to take us to a place of our past, making us live all the mistakes again or taking away our peace with remorse for what has already gone. But while the enemy wants to remind you of your past, God keeps releasing things about your future… God made you new! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Christ made all things new. You are no longer the same person you were yesterday, He constantly puts you in new positions, plants new dreams in you, continues daily to pour new blessings into your heart. But the enemy just as constantly tries to focus your eyes on what has already been forgiven by the Father. He knows that have been given to you a son’s identity, he knows how much access you have to the Father. What he always struggled to have, you have for free. But we have a lot to learn from the enemy and I know this phrase sounds strange, but I’ll explain. […]

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August 15, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Not yet…Wait!

I have a potted oxalis purple clover at home. It is a flower that hibernates at certain times, and during the day it opens or closes more depending on the incidence of the sun. I want to focus with you precisely on this period when the clover is silent. Writing the last text on the blog, about burying and planting, I thought a lot about this flower and I’d like to talk about the details in its care. Process “…Is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.“ Psalm 1:3 I commented with you in the last text about the importance of understanding the right time to bury and plant, the difference between these two actions. But do you know the similarity between them? Both take place in darkness and silence. When the clover arrives in the “hibernation” season, we cannot water it or put it in the sun. He needs to be recluse, as if there is nothing inside the vase. It is the moment when we really need to forget about it and, when it grows back, we take care of it again so that it is […]

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August 10, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Bury X Plant

There is a big difference between burying and planting. Many times we confuse these two words and take actions that take us off the right path or take us in the wrong direction. What’s the difference? Even if there is nothing in the bible that directly compares “burying” and “planting”, there are several passages that treat each of these concepts in isolation. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 we see the following passage: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot” The term “bury” is seen, for example, in the text of Luke 9:60, where it is written: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Planting is sowing to reap something in the future, burying is linked to burial, the completion of something. In our lives, we need to have discernment and wisdom to understand when to plant and when to just bury. Closed cycles “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 We’ve all heard that life […]

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July 20, 2023·Rapha Abreu

All spiritual blessings

“All spiritual blessings,” as written in Ephesians 1:3, is a way of describing the abundant blessings received from the Lord. They are divine favors. This term is linked to the favor and grace of God manifested in our lives. It is not something received on merit or at random. The essence of this term “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” Ephesians 1:3 Many times our mind refers the word “blessing” to something material. Like money, house, car… But God blesses us from the material to the immaterial. He blesses us spiritually and emotionally. He gives us health, family, relationships, spiritual growth, peace and resources. Receiving all spiritual blessings does not exempt us from challenges. Trials exist and difficulties can arise in some areas, even as they coexist with blessings in other aspects of our lives. The point here is that He has already blessed us and we can rely on God’s love and faithfulness in all circumstances and at all times. This awareness of God’s presence and care in our lives is sharpened as we develop intimacy with Him, not whether we […]

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June 15, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Led by the Spirit

The Holy Spirit transforms many things in us and many of them have to do with our positioning. These days I heard a preaching from a very special pastor and I would like to share with you some of the ideas he presented. To position “Be on your guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13,14 Sometimes we think that having the Holy Spirit, in certain situations such as arguments or difficulties, is keeping quiet and just holding back, sitting back and waiting for Him to do something. But the Spirit of God gives us discernment for a good position in any situation. To be filled with this Spirit is to know how to position yourself, but not with your own strength, but by recognizing your dependence on Him. God expects us to position wisely. Even if we are without strength, He calls us to act according to His will. If the call comes from Him, He will be the source of strength to walk toward it. He empowers you “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with […]

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March 23, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Have you been dreading your call?

Do you know what your calling is? What did the Lord form you and call you for? It is important as Christians to know this, because God counts on us. Your calling won’t do anything for you if you don’t say “yes” to it. God does not suggest “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” 2 Timothy 1:9 It all starts with understanding that your calling is not a suggestion from God. It’s not like your life is a suggestion box, where God puts little slips of what He thinks could be better. We need to begin to understand the voice of God as a duty. Not that duty that tires us and is a boring obligation. But listening with obedience and devotion. When our obedience is activated, so are God’s graces and blessings in our lives. And it is through our calling that many of them are poured out on us. Obedience is faith “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.“ James 1:22 […]

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November 02, 2022·Rapha Abreu

What is the dynamic of faith?

The dynamic of faith is when something is anticipated. As it is written in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see“ Faith is not a reaction to something, it is an anticipation. It is when we can understand the end without necessarily seeing the whole process. When we recognize that He is taking us to an amazing place, even if I don’t understand the way. Predetermined “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations… Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” Jeremiah 1:5 and 7 This is the greatest folly of the gospel! God calls you what you are, even before you become. And we need to trust God even before something happens. He called Abraham the father of multitudes in Genesis 17, even before that man had a son. When God anoints David as King in 1 Samuel 16, Saul was still in power and David was a shepherd in his father’s house. This is the dynamic of […]

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August 07, 2020·Nicole Leão

The importance of Identity

Do you recognize your identity? Or rather, do you know your identity in Christ? These are certainly difficult but important questions. Your identity determines who you are, which involves many aspects of your life, such as how you act and your personal tastes. So, being sure of it is essential to not lose focus during a walk. You are a child of God Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 Certainly, much of who we are on earth is determined by nationality, upbringing and family, but by accepting Jesus as our only savior, we became part of a heavenly family, we became God’s beloved children. Bearing in mind that the creator of all things is your father, is the first step in knowing your identity. Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, so as it is written in 1 Corinthians 6: 19 – 20, we do not belong to ourselves, as we were bought at a high price and with that we must honor God, through it, which begins in our identity. Know Christ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, […]

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August 01, 2020·Léo

It was never about a feeling!

Have we based our relationship with God on feeling? Do we understand that we should not seek only the feeling? Today, I would like us to talk a little about this topic so much talked about in the Christian world. Have we sought the Lord’s presence just to feel Him? Shall we talk about? A rational search “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17: 9 I don’t know if you have been through this situation, but for a good part of my spiritual walk, I carried a heavy burden on my heart because I was deceiving myself. I thought that I would only be having a total surrender to the Lord and would only be living a sincere relationship with Him, if I felt His presence in all services and at all times. It hurt me for a long time and even demotivated me. I went to conferences, services, had my moments with God, but I didn’t feel His presence. Many times I was stressed with the Lord, I was angry and sad, because I did not understand why all this was happening. It didn’t make sense to me. I was looking, […]

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July 23, 2020·Léo

What are your priorities?

Have we given due importance to the Word of God? Has the Lord been a priority in our lives? Or do we leave to have a moment with God only at the end of the day and prefer to do other things before? In today’s blog, we would like to bring this reflection! We know that God and His Word are extremely important, but have we given due attention? I think this reflection is valid for all of us! Come on? The day by day! “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6: 33 In our life, we have several things to do. We have dreams, plans and projects and we strive and dedicate ourselves to achieve them. However, we understand that if our dreams and plans are not in accordance with God’s will, we will never be able to please God, much less be truly happy. Happiness is exclusively tied to the will of God in our lives. We Christians know very well that deep, true and overflowing happiness cannot be found in the things of the world. Okay, but what does all this have to do […]

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July 19, 2020·Léo

I can’t hear God’s voice

Have you also been troubled by not being able to hear the Lord’s voice? Have you ever wondered why you didn’t hear God speak? Are you going through this today? Today I would like to talk about one of the phrases that I spoke most in my life and that I hear many times! If you’ve ever felt that way, I imagine it’s an important text for you! Shall we talk about it? The noise is too loud! “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 The Bible shows us that, on several occasions, Jesus withdrew from the presence of others, went to a quiet place and prayed to His Father. But for what reason did He do this? In my view, Jesus withdrew for two reasons: to avoid noise and to be alone with the Lord. I would like to speak specifically about the noise. Noise that deafens us and disturbs us. What noise would that be? The vast majority of us have a busy schedule and a very busy life. We got involved in a lot of activities and ended up with a very full mind too. It is important to say that there is […]

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