Priority

August 29, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Jesus is not a priority

We hear a lot about how God needs to be our priority, the number one on our “to-do” list. But I disagree with that and I want to talk a little bit about it with you today. He is urgent! “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 When we enter a hospital looking for care, we need to go through triage, where patients are sorted and prioritized according to their situation. If you have a headache and arrived first, you are a priority. But, if someone arrives in an ambulance after you, having suffered an accident, this is an emergency patient, and the urgency to assist him, allows him to undergo care ahead of all the people who are waiting. Jesus is not a priority in our lives. He is urgency! He doesn’t have to be number one on your “people I love the most” list, He can’t be on lists, he’s above that and before that. Putting Jesus in a ranking takes away the true meaning of urgency and pre-eminence that He has. He is everything! “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is […]

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December 08, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Don’t sell your anointing

These days I heard this phrase from the title of a friend and it was kept in my heart. So I decided to look more closely at God for what that really meant, as I felt it was Him speaking to me through this friend, that it was Him reminding me of my worth and what I was anointed for in the Spirit. Anointing “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come”. 2 Corinthians 1:21,22 This word means to anoint, to apply consecrated oil to a person. In the religious sense, anointing is practiced with the intention of exerting spiritual influence, sometimes with the purpose of blessing or even healing. An anointed person is under divine protection and the anointing can heal any physical or spiritual illness, bringing transformation through its calling. To sell that would be to give it up for something else. Something non-negotiable is that which we would not exchange or sell for anything, as that is the maximum value for us and nothing would be big enough to […]

biblical-study blessings choices essential

December 01, 2022·Rapha Abreu

What is the difference between fundamental and essential?

We often confuse what is fundamental with what is essential. And this is very dangerous for the progress of our spiritual life, as we end up losing focus. There are things that need to be in our essence, like the air we breathe, and others that are important to give us a base and a path to them. That’s what I want to talk to you about today, the difference between what’s fundamental and what’s essential. Fundamental “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life”. John 5:39-40 The dictionary brings as “Fundamental” something that forming a necessary base or core, of central importance. A central or primary rule or principle on which something is based. Basic, indispensable. Giving an example about this term linked to the Gospel: Reading the Bible is fundamental. Our goal is not to know the Bible for the sake of knowing it. She is not the end. Many people read the Bible and study it without actually knowing God and having their lives transformed by it. Our goal is to know the Living […]

bible biblical-study essential fundamental

October 13, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Take Risks!

“It is only fair that much costs what is worth much”. This phrase is one of my favorites. I heard it from a writer that I admire a lot and it was forever in my heart. Many times we want something so badly, and we make it too valuable for us. We ended up marveling at the idea of arriving at this place, forgetting that the path we have to walk to it requires a responsibility on our part. Come out of the shadow “You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did” James 2:20-22 A lot of passion doesn’t get you anywhere, it needs to be filled with strategy and action. And the answer to that comes from above. When we don’t leave the place and don’t take the risks that come with what we want, we also don’t get anywhere and here comes the monotony and frustration, making us believe that God has abandoned […]

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September 06, 2022·Ana Julia Luiz

The Priority of a Child

The book of John chapter 1, verse 12 tells us that those who have believed and received Jesus have the right to become children of God. When I think of my parents, I have the habit of giving them total priority, because often in the rush of everyday life, we can’t spend much time together. But when we have that free weekend or holiday, I put them ahead of every appointment, because they are my priority. During this week the Lord led me to reflect on this. We are children of God. This is our identity which was designated by the Father himself. But have we given Him due attention? Me and the father I once saw the following reflection: imagine that God is by your side physically, every day, from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep. Your day goes by and He is there doing everything with you at ALL times. He’s trying to talk about something, about how you should do something, or he’s just wanting to talk about random everyday topics. However, every time He tries to speak, you completely ignore Him. I can imagine how much it must hurt to be ignored […]

devotional paternity priority

May 23, 2022·Ana Julia Luiz

Choose your priorities wisely

Currently, we have many priorities: work, studies, personal projects, among others. But have you ever stopped to think about YOUR priority? Are you prioritizing things wisely? God and wealth Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 The “treasures” that Jesus talks about in the above passage are not just money or possessions, but can be anything that is really important to us: desires, work, studies, personal projects, etc. It refers to what can even take the place of God in our lives. Concerning these things, the Lord directs us not to “store up”. After all, the Bible itself says that everything is fleeting. The truth is that we have to focus, first of all, on what produces results for eternity. Also in that same chapter, Jesus says in verse 33: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. […]

devotional priority