JFA Blog

Reflections, studies and news for your walk with God.

December 11, 2020·Nicole Leao

Hope, the art of waiting with faith!

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:21-24 It’s almost mid-December, near the end of the year, and usually this is a time when we get more reflective, thinking about what happened and what is to come. I don’t know about you, but I usually get even more excited, thinking about what I’m going to do, what’s to come, and this always brings me hope, a subject I want to talk to you about today. Hope in a different year The year 2020, for sure, was very different from what we could imagine there in January. The virus that the whole world has been living with had just been discovered, it was still not possible to imagine everything that would come. But soon after the world scenario changed and we saw despair, fear and insecurity probing the lives of many. The rate of death by covid increased, that of unemployment skyrocketed. We began to experience a […]

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December 10, 2020·Nicole Leao

Learn to deal with different opinions!

Since childhood people have different opinions, either for simple everyday things or even more serious questions, topics that need further deepening and reflection. Even within the church there are disagreements or different understandings on certain issues. And one of the points that makes fellowship so important is this one, through these debates and conversation, one can help the other to see more clearly. The divergent opinions in the book of Job In Job’s book, it is reported that they and their friends had different opinions about the reason for the tragedies that affected his life. Eliphaz, for example, was sure that his friend had committed some serious sin and was therefore being punished, as described in Job 22. On the other hand, Job was convinced of his innocence and believed that even God would be in his favor. In the course of the book, Job’s four friends presented their different and divergent opinions. As we read a few paragraphs we can even imagine them exalted, with each one defending his point of view. But it is also remarkable that there was mutual respect there. Each one listened to the other attentively, at times it was almost a speech, the placement […]

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December 08, 2020·Nicole Leao

Father, fulfill your plans in my life!

How many times have you prayed asking for the concretion of a plan or a dream? I can say that I have prayed this prayer a few times and I have not always received what I wanted in the time I was waiting. Many people are discouraged by this, but they forget that there are some reasons for these wishes not to come true. The most obvious is that these plans and dreams might not be good for us and our God as Father does not grant them because he knows the evil they would bring. Another, and that many times still is not the right time, so the Lord needs to work in us so that they can be realized in a perfect way. Besides, I believe that one of the most important reasons is the fact that God has the best in us, and thinking about this, today we will pray that not our own, but the Lord’s plans will come true in our lives. I also want to leave here 3 verses for you today: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is […]

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December 04, 2020·Nicole Leao

Make wise choices!

We know that every choice brings consequences. That is why we must be prepared to take responsibility not only for the choice made, but also for its results. Even if we are free to choose, we will never be free of consequences, be they good or bad, because they will inevitably come. This reminds me of Jeremiah’s story. Together with thousands of Jews, Jeremiah had been imprisoned by the Babylonians, as he himself had prophesied. However, the captain of the guard, believing in the prophecies that Jeremiah had previously uttered, released him from jail and gave him freedom to choose, giving him the following options: He could travel to Babylon and stay under his protection, or go wherever he wished, even to return to Judah, which was destroyed, and live with the poor who had remained there (Jer. 39:10). This was a difficult choice, which would certainly have consequences: if he went to Babylon he would have peace and comfort, but he would be considered a traitor by the Jews, if he returned to Judah he would remain poor and rejected. In Jeremiah 40:1-6 it is reported that he was slow to give an answer, probably because he was pondering […]

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December 03, 2020·Nicole Leao

We are forgiven in Christ

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7: 18-19 In the above passage we find a beautiful statement about God’s forgiveness for us. Micah’s prophecy certifies the total extermination of our iniquities by our God. He not only forgives them, but throws them into the depths of the sea, that is, to an unreachable place, such is His fullness and forgiveness, through grace. Forgiven through the cross The main aspect of the Old Testament is forgiveness, while the entire legal and cultural structure established by God precedes the promise of the coming of the redeemer, Christ Jesus. God’s forgiveness is the fruit of the work of Christ, who paid the debt for our sins on the cross (Col 2:13-15), so that we can be justified no matter what good deeds we do (Rom 4:5-6). Unlike the old sacrifices, the work of Christ was definitive (Heb. 10. 11-14), so that forgiveness is within […]

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December 01, 2020·Nicole Leao

Prayer: Discouragement? Never!

How many times we feel discouraged, with a feeling that we can’t describe, we just feel and want to get rid of this “weirdness”. Anyway, I believe that everybody sometimes feels this way. With this, we end up not having the will to do what we need, we stop in time, we become stagnant. This discouragement can be momentary or not, sometimes situations end up causing it, a discussion, news we didn’t expect and so many other things. Thinking about it, today we will pray for God’s help to free us from this evil. I also want to leave here 3 verses to get out of discouragement: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV) But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Remembering that you don’t have to repeat the prayer exactly as I’m going to leave it here, because each one of us has a specific […]

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November 27, 2020·Paulo Oliveira

What is the real victory?

Have you ever heard of the expression “Pyrrhic Victory”? Pyrrhus was a Greek general who was born at the time of Alexander the Great and died (318 B.C.). He fought for the restoration of his power in Greece and southern Italy. He faced the Romans and defeated them a few times, but at such a cost in lives, that the campaign could not be considered really victorious… When they congratulated him on his victory against the Romans at the Battle of Asculus, he would have responded: “One more victory like this, and I am lost! Since then, the term “Pyrrhic Victory” has been used to express something like “won, but did not take”. What have you been fighting for? Have you experienced victories like this in your life? Fight hard for something, pay a high price and then find out it wasn’t worth it? Actually, our lives are full of Pyrrhus’ victories…men and women who pay high prices for a professional victory, to later discover that they lost their marriage or their children; people who prioritize above all the money, to end their life without friends; people so determined to reach their destiny, that they can’t even enjoy the way […]

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November 26, 2020·Nicole Leao

What does the Bible teach about success?

I would like to start this text by reminding you of a successful biblical character, that is Joshua, who with the death of Moses, was called to take the leadership of God’s people and lead them to the conquest of Canaan. This man of God’s task was to lead more than 2 million people in a strange land to war and conquer a new life. In face of such a challenge, we can already say that without God, this would be impossible, but when we have the Lord by our side, success is guaranteed. Joshua heard God. He was instructed, encouraged and taught by God. So, with him we can learn the secret of the Christian’s success. Read the passage where the Lord speaks to Joshua and encourage him: No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave […]

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November 24, 2020·Nicole Leao

Prayer: Shame, never more!

Whoever is more shy knows how difficult and challenging it can be to talk to people for anything, to talk to many people then… Shame can get in the way of our lives in many ways, whether at work, college or even at church. With this, even our ministries and calls from God to our lives can be impacted. The fact that we have shame also hinders the fulfillment of a great commandment for us Christians, which is found in the text of Matthew 28:19;20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. We can often miss the opportunity to introduce Jesus to others. One day, someone sowed the word of Christ in your and my life or in the life of someone close to us. In the same way, we have the mission to present to people the greatest good news of humanity: salvation granted to those who accept Jesus as their only savior. Thinking about it, today […]

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November 19, 2020·Nicole Leao

Don’t doubt God’s actions!

It is common to see people doubting God’s actions. Many times we find ourselves in situations so complicated that we begin to fear that our Lord is not listening to our prayers or has forgotten us. But, although it is common, this should not happen because our Father is the first to want the best for us, His children. So today we are going to reflect on doubt and how dangerous it can be. Is it a sin to doubt? And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11: 6 Doubt is not a sin, as long as it does not compromise our faith, so when it comes to God’s action in our lives it is wrong to doubt, because in this case we are showing unbelief about what the Lord has already done and is doing in our lives. And how it is written in verse above, it is necessary to have faith to please God. When we doubt, we act by our own strength, being unstable. In James 1:6-8, it is written that whoever doubts must […]

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November 19, 2020·Nicole Leao

Rahab: a lesson of faith

Rahab is a curious character in the Bible. She was the one who hid the spies sent by Joshua in his house and protected them when the king of Jericho found out about their presence. After hiding them, Rahab asked them to remember her and her family. And to spare them when Jericho was conquered by the people of Israel. Her declaration of faith in God She was a prostitute and was mentioned 8 times in the Bible, 5 of them as “the prostitute Rahab. She acame from a culture of worship of other gods. Even so, when she made the agreement with the spies to spare her family, she makes a statement of faith in which she recognizes the supreme sovereignty of God: And said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites […]

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November 17, 2020·Nicole Leao

Do you thank or murmur?

These days I was thinking that we seldom sadden or identify murmuring as a sin, we forget that murmuring is ungrateful and we usually do it without realizing it. Murmuring is the same as slandering, mumbling, speaking in a low voice, speaking ill of someone or something. So I ask how many times did you mumble today? We complain about so many things that we don’t even notice, because the more we complain, the more we will complain, but also the more we thank, the more we will be grateful. In 1 Thessalonians it is written that we should always be grateful, because that is what God wants from those who are united to Christ. We may not realize it, but murmuring takes us away from God, because when we murmur we cannot see everything he has done in our lives. Our Lord is faithful to us and does not rejoice in ingratitude, being grateful is an act of worship and that shows confidence in God. Thinking about it, today we will pray thanking our Lord for everything he did and asking for help and forgiveness for the murmurings. I also want to leave here 3 lines about waiting: Give […]

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November 13, 2020·Nicole Leao

Learning about the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Temperance

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22 (JKV) We are in the eighth text of the series “Learning about the Fruit of the Spirit”, in which we will go deeper into what is written in the Bible about the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God, mentioned in the book of Galatians and today we will learn more about temperance. I would like to start by saying that temperance is moderation in thought, word or action, that is, it is directly linked to self-control. Temperance and self-control He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28 (KJV) Those who practice temperance have self-control and show moderation in their passions and behavior. Therefore, temperance as a character trait is a common theme throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament. It is impossible to live a godly life and please the Lord without self-control because our flesh desires only to please itself. But in Romans 13:14, we are warned not to seek to satisfy the evil desires of our human and […]

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November 12, 2020·Nicole Leao

4 lessons from Esther’s life

Esther was a young Jewish woman from the tribe of Benjamin, whose parents died during the Babylonian exile. Esther was raised by her cousin Mordecai in Susan, one of the capitals of the Medo-Persian Empire, during the reign of Ahasuerus – approximately 483 B.C. The story of the young Jewish woman unfolds after the banishment of Queen Vashti, when King Ahasuerus, at a feast that lasted 180 days, asked her to parade before the guests and she refused. Then he ordered another woman to take the queen’s place. The king summoned all the virgin and beautiful women of the kingdom, to choose his new queen and Mordecai who served in the palace, arranged that Esther be among the suitors. With this, she was taken by the guards together with the other women to the palace. Esther did not tell anyone she was Jewish because Mordecai had warned her not to reveal where she came from. One year later, the king started calling the girls he had selected. Finally, Esther was called to the presence of the king, who was delighted with her beauty and attitude, so much so that made her his queen, (Esther 2:17). In time, Esther proved to […]

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November 10, 2020·Nicole Leao

Praying for the waiting time

I’ve been thinking a lot about the waiting time in our lives, have you ever stopped to think that we all expect something? A job, a relationship, a child, the purchase of a property and so many other things … we all wait for something, be it an answer, a solution or a miracle. What I have realized is that we often do not understand why we are waiting and we forget its importance, because it is during the waiting that we are prepared and shaped according to the will of God so that His plans are fulfilled. Thinking about it, today we will pray for the waiting time. I also want to leave here 3 verses about waiting: Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. Psalm 37:34 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will […]

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November 06, 2020·Nicole Leao

Learning about the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Meekness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22 (JKV) We are in the eighth text of the series “Learning about the Fruit of the Spirit”, in which we will delve into what is written in the Bible about the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God, mentioned in the book of Galatians and today we will learn more about meekness. I would like to begin by leaving here the passage from Colossians 3:12: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”. Meekness But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3: 15-16 (JKV) Meekness is keeping calm even in tense situations, who is meek acts with wisdom and calm, not allowing himself to sin when he gets […]

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November 05, 2020·Nicole Leao

A study about John Baptist

There is no denying the importance of this biblical character, being the cousin of Jesus, John Baptist was the son of Zacarias and Isabel, the result of a miraculous conception, since his mother was old and sterile (Luke 1: 57-66). John Baptist knew from an early age what his purpose here on earth was: to announce the coming of Jesus Christ – the Savior – and he remained faithful to his call. The prophet Isaiah had already prophesied about him. And this is confirmed in the text of Matthew: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” Matthew 3:1-2 The beginning of his ministry When the Spirit of God directed him to the desert to begin his preaching ministry, he did not hesitate to obey (Luke 1:80; Mark 1: 2-6), he lived in the desert until he began his ministry, he did not drink alcohol, he used camel hair and ate grasshoppers and honey. […]

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November 03, 2020·Nicole Leao

Prayer: God, restore my family!

Family was created by God and should be a place of safety and protection. But because of the sin that exists in the world many families live in a real war footing, where the parents do not respect each other, the children do not respect their parents and everyone lives in total disunity. This certainly does not please our Heavenly Father and today I want you to say the following prayer: God, restore my family! Before, I leave here three passages of the Bible on family: That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 1-4 Prayer Dear God, […]

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October 30, 2020·Nicole Leao

Learning about the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Faith

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 (NIV) We are in the seventh text of the series “Learning about the Fruit of the Spirit”, in which we will delve into what is written in the Bible about the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God, mentioned in the book of Galatians. Today we are going to learn more about faith. I would like to start by leaving the passage of Ephesians 6:16 here: “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one“, then, remember that faith is the shield against flamed darts of the enemy. Faith For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2: 8,9 (NIV) I want to start this text by reminding you that faith is a quality that gives us strength to overcome evil and adversity. It is good to remember that faith is not just believing in God, because as it is written in […]

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October 29, 2020·Paulo Oliveira

A life that overflows into eternity

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly! John 10:10 Do you know what is in this verse that is not written in your Bible? The final exclamation point! But it is difficult to imagine Jesus making that statement without that exclamation point… He came to give us LIFE and abundant life! In many countries and cultures, November 2 is associated with the Day of the Dead. It recalls loved ones who are no longer with us, people line up in cemeteries and decorate their tombstones with flowers. But We can also talk about life. Without any disrespect, if Jesus made this powerful statement about the purpose of His incarnation – to bring life – it must also reach the lives of those who no longer live, right? Which leads me to think of another very strong word in this verse: ABUNDANCE! Abundance means exceeding, not ending, overflowing! It has to do with almost waste, and certainly not with saving, rationing or saving. Doesn’t it look like a consumer dream? Enter the supermarket or mall without worrying about […]

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October 26, 2020·Nicole Leao

Prayer: Fear, never again!

Fear is a natural feeling, which can even be positive in some situations, serving as an alert, but often causes us harm, despair, paralysis and leads to wrong decisions. All of this is not good, but I have some good news to give you today … and it is, with God’s help, you can win! In Psalm 34: 4 it is written: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears”. We cannot let ourselves be dominated by fear, so today I invite you to pray, throw away all the fear that paralyzed you, remember that God is greater than everything that afflicts you so much and He will take care of you. Here are some verses to help you: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for […]

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October 23, 2020·Nicole Leao

Learning about the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Goodness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 (NIV) We are in the sixth text of the series “Learning about the Fruit of the Spirit”, in which we will delve into what is written in the Bible about the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God, mentioned in the book of Galatians, and today we will learn more about goodness. I would like to begin by leaving here the passage from Psalm 125: 4: “Lord, do good to those who are good,to those who are upright in heart”. Goodness Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV) We are already in the sixth text of our series and I would like to bring a reflection here, I believe that you have already realized how each of the characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit are related to each other. Goodness is directly related to long-suffering, which is related to peace and so on, that is why it is so important that […]

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October 22, 2020·Nicole Leao

God, the expert in preparing banquets in the desert!

Have you ever stopped to think how many times God has prepared a table for you in the desert? By this, I mean that all of us have been through some moment of tribulation, because we live in a world fallen by sin, but as it is written in the Holy Scriptures, even in the worst situations the Lord is with us and more than that, he prepares banquets in the desert, as it is written in Psalm 78. In this chapter, the miracles of God are counted – that were made for your people who left Egypt for the Promised Land. The Bible points out the desert as a place of trial, where we are taught and improved. Certainly the people of Israel had to go through this arid place, because as we saw along this Psalm, even God caring and bringing supplies, their hearts were full of ingratitude and murmuring. We must never doubt the miracles of our Lord, we must remember his righteousness and benevolence. The desert is a place of preparation, where He is forging you for something greater, that is, no situation is in vain, through your life God wants to manifest the Glory of […]

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October 20, 2020·Nicole Leao

Prayer: Making wise decisions!

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what was the best decision to make? Most likely, yes. I’ve been in this condition a few times and I know how difficult it can be, because we don’t want to make mistakes or make decisions that may not be the best in the future and it’s not always clear what we should do. Fortunately, our God and Creator knows all the ways, knows what is best for us and is willing to give wisdom to anyone who asks. So today we are going to pray for the guidance of our Lord, but first I would like to remind you that the right decision is one that will glorify the Father. Here are three verses that can help you: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1: 5 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 Prayer Beloved God, […]

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