JFA Blog

Reflections, studies and news for your walk with God.

September 08, 2021·Nicole Leão

Is indifference the opposite of love?

There is a well-known phrase that says “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference” (Elie Wiesel). Today we will talk about this and see what the Bible says about love. And for that we will start with some verses that define what love is: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not mistreat, it does not seek its own interests, it is not easily angered, it does not hold grudges. Love does not rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8 Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 But God demonstrates his love for us: Christ died on our behalf while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 God is love and He is not indifferent In 1 John 4:8 we […]

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September 03, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: A nation with hope!

Our hope must always be first in God and when it comes to our nation it is no different. Of course we also have more than the role of just waiting, as Christians we must do our part and be good citizens, respecting the laws of our country and giving the example of a life of integrity. There is no use in demanding less corruption when you yourself are corrupt in your “small”, but significant, daily actions. As we said in the last text, as Christians we also have a commitment to all creation, we must take care of nature. And today I want to pray with you for our country, also remembering our responsibility for the country to have a good future and hope. You may have heard or said that children are the hope of the nation, but they will do in the future what they have been taught to do, so we need to be good examples. I leave here some passages especially for you today: They say to him: From Caesar. And He said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. Matthew 22:21 And […]

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September 02, 2021·Nicole Leão

Is there hope for your country?

We often hear phrases like “this country is hopeless”, especially in the midst of crises like the one we and the whole world faced (and still faces) in the area of health with the coronavirus, which also impacted other areas, one of them being the economy, with unemployment, high prices and instability in various sectors. But will your country be able to get back on its feet? And what is our role as citizens? A good Christian should always be a good citizen They tell him: From Caesar. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. Matthew 22:21 That being so, first of all Christians respect laws, obey them. A good Christian votes conscientiously, does not omit himself, but rather is present, fights for the transformation of the world and the society where he lives. He pays his taxes, no matter how heavy they are in his pocket. You can even fight for fairer taxes or for a more just society, for rulers who govern seriously, but without failing to fulfill their duties. If we want a better country, we can start by doing the right […]

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September 01, 2021·Nicole Leão

You are not alone!

In a world with more than 7.674 billion people, we see more and more isolated people. And being isolated is not always about having or not having someone around you. This is often related to how you are feeling, with the impression of not having anyone to trust, to count on, or even feeling like you need to keep a mask of happiness all the time. Maybe you who are reading this text right now are feeling this way and I want to tell you right away: you are not alone! It is not easy to talk about, but it is necessary Honestly, today it is not easy to write this reflection, not because I have nothing to talk about, but because I have seen many times Christians disdaining when the subject is mental health by considering anxiety, depression and other mental disorders as a lack of God. So before I say anything, I want to remind you that our bodies and minds are complex and that even God-fearing people with their stories portrayed in the Bible have faced such difficulties. Elijah and Depression while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, […]

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August 30, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: Fighting with your knees on the ground!

As it is written in Ephesians 6:12, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. That is also why our tools and preparation are not like those of this world. Our struggles and battles require kneeling on the ground, dialogue with our Lord, the One who can do everything and who has the power to change any situation. I don’t know how your home, bank account, pantry, work and relationships are doing, but I do know that prayer, the act of praying together with action, has an incredible power to transform. So today let’s pray together for our daily struggles for strength, protection and empowerment. I leave here some passages especially for you today: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but humbly regard others as greater than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 A man’s pride humbles him, but he of a humble spirit obtains honor. Proverbs 29:23 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is anything excellent or worthy […]

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August 27, 2021·Nicole Leão

Where your feet cannot reach, your knees bent in prayer will carry you

Today I read this quote on a church’s Instagram and how much truth there is in it! You and I are strong when our knees are on the ground and it carries such beautiful symbolism, for this is a position of humility. You can see when there is a marriage proposal the groom kneels before the bride-to-be, in a humble gesture of demonstration of love, affection and care. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but humbly consider others superior to yourselves. Philippians 2:3 So many times we see people trying to do everything by their own strength, acting for themselves and getting frustrated, failing, not getting where they expect, that’s because either it’s not meant to be, or it’s not the way it’s supposed to be. Acting in our own strength is tiring and discouraging, but fortunately we have a loving Father who renews our spirits and who, more than preparing us for battle, is by our side while we are in it. A man’s pride humbles him, but he of a humble spirit obtains honor. Proverbs 29:23 I will repeat the last sentence… more than preparing you for battle, God is by your side while you are […]

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August 25, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: No more despair!

This week we talked about making a mountain out of a molehill and saw how damaging it is for us. This term is the result of two things, namely fear and lack of understanding. Let’s see, in fear we find insecurity and lack of trust in God, and when we are desperate we act on impulse, which prevents us from making good decisions and consequently makes things worse. The lack of understanding is a consequence of fear, because when we are disappointed we easily put our fears, insecurities and worries above the fears of others, thus we do not seek to understand the other. Therefore, today I want to pray that self-control and understanding will be more present in our lives and no more despair! I leave here some passages especially for you today: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 He who is longsuffering is great in understanding, but he who is hasty exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29 Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store in barns, yet their heavenly […]

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August 23, 2021·Nicole Leão

Why make much ado about nothing?

It’s easy to see children making “scenes” that seem unnecessary to their elders. When they are little because they don’t want to eat, sleep or wear something, when they grow up a little more it’s because a friend turned his face away or got a lower grade than expected, but here’s the real point of this text, even adults thinking that none of this is necessary, sometimes we do the same or worse. We turn a simple situation into something much bigger than it should be, and this is a theme that touches on another aspect of human character, because it involves lack of patience, fear, insecurity, despair, lack of conviction in what God is doing, and so on. However, I believe that there are two the most striking aspects of this expression and in them are fear and lack of understanding. Fear Didn’t I command you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 As we have already written here fear is not always bad, it was created and is in us also as a warning of danger, but when it hinders us […]

devotional word-of-god

August 19, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: Putting aside vanity!

Vanity is very present nowadays, you can open your Instagram and you will see people all over the place. As if life was a big “show” that should be exhibited for everyone, which generates even more vanity. With this we see people thinking more about what others will think than what God thinks about their attitudes, but as it is written in Habakkuk 2:4: “The wicked is proud; his desires are not good; but the righteous shall live by his faithfulness. With this in mind, today I want to pray for everyone who is reading this text, that all vanity and any evil way will not be in our hearts. I leave here some passages especially for you today: Beauty is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting; but the woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Proverbs 11:13 Write: “The wicked is proud; his desires are not good; but the righteous shall live by his faithfulness. Habakkuk 2:4 I have found that all work and all achievement arise from the competition that exists between people. But that too is absurd, it is chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Remember that you don’t have to repeat the prayer exactly as I […]

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August 18, 2021·Nicole Leão

Do you care more for your soul or for your body?

Do you take care of your soul like you take care of your body? We live in a time that is far too media-driven and full of vanity exaggerations. There are painful procedures, expensive products to delay aging, what is natural in life, and so on. Now I ask myself, a generation that takes so much care of the body, does it take care of the soul in the same way? Let’s see, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t take care of ourselves, in fact, I believe that it is essential to take care of our body, because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we have to go to the doctor, practice physical exercise, and look after ourselves, but the problem lies where vanity begins. When we care more about our physical appearance than about our behavior. The danger of comparison Beauty is deceitful, and comeliness is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Proverbs 11:13 If you are a woman, you may have noticed the number of posts and reels on Instagram about makeup, tips to cover up “flaws,” pictures of skinny women, designer clothes, and so on. Maybe you’ve even felt […]

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August 16, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: God in control of my life!

We don’t have the script for our lives, only our Father does, and that’s a good thing, isn’t it? God is in control of everything we are going through and knows what is best for us. This is wonderful, but sometimes we find it difficult to just trust, we want to be in control and know what is going to happen in the future, which is impossible. But do you know what? When our Lord is in control there is no need to know what is going to happen in the future and, furthermore, when we prepare ourselves and give our best today we will certainly be prepared for whatever comes, be it blessings or trials. This is why I want to pray with you today, that we hand over our future to the Father and prepare ourselves daily for whatever comes. I leave here a passage especially for you today: Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 Remember that you don’t have to repeat the prayer exactly as I am going to leave it here, because each one of us has a specific way […]

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August 13, 2021·Nicole Leão

Life doesn’t come with a script!

It’s easy to find someone who wishes they had made better decisions in life, we hear the famous phrase “if I had known this was going to happen I wouldn’t have done that”, however, we don’t know our future, nor will we ever know. After all, the only one who knows about your past, present and future is God. The screenwriter of our lives who gives us freedom to make decisions and knows very well what each decision will lead to. But do you need to know what will happen to make better decisions? I actually think it is important that we do not know the future. Because then we can truly deliver it to the Lord. When we trust and have faith in God, we believe that His plans are bigger and better than ours. We may not have a script, but we have the best instruction manual in the world, the word of God! It is living, unique and effective. Through it we are counseled and taught in the way of the Lord, we have there precious teachings for our life. It is through its reading that we find answers, confirmations and comfort. So what good would it […]

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August 11, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: Father, help me to deal with nervous people!

Dealing with nervous people is not easy, maybe you are one of them yourself. However, the word of God teaches us how to deal with different kinds of people as we can see through the teachings left by our master Jesus Christ. Still, there are situations in which besides reading the Bible, we need discernment to put into practice what we read. And today we will pray asking the Father to help us to deal with nervous people, giving us the right strategies and working on us to see where we can improve as well. I leave here some passages especially for you today: A calm answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult, but rather bless; for to this you have been called, that you may inherit blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 Remember 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 way of communicating with the Lord. But if you want to follow me, it will be a pleasure, feel free to speak it in your own way. Prayer […]

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August 09, 2021·Nicole Leão

How do you deal with nervous people according to the Bible?

Have you lived with someone who is very nervous? It is not easy, is it? There are people who are like that, and there are others who are just nervous sometimes. But after all, how do you deal with nervous people according to the Bible? This is a difficult question to answer, because each person has a different way of reacting. Fortunately in the bible we find the answer to everything, and in today’s text we will see what the bible has to tell us about the subject, remembering that we also get nervous with others, so as you read this text reflect not only on how to deal with others, but how you can improve yourself as well. Dealing with nervousness is an exercise in love, patience, and grace To begin with I would like to bring up a situation that we went through here at home recently. Well, my 10-year-old brother’s behavior had been changing for some time. More closed, quiet and irreverent as well. He entered in that complicated phase, when his mother speaks (or his sister) and immediately he retorts or questions. “Why do I have to take a bath?”, “I’ll go soon”, “this is boring”, […]

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August 06, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: God fulfill your will in my life!

In last week’s Friday text we talked about God’s word being the last and most important. After all, how many times have you found yourself in a situation that seemed to have no way out? I am sure they were not few, but with the same certainty I know that even if everything says no, it is the Lord who knows the plans He has for you. And what is His will for you no one can take away from you, and you will have provision when the time is right. Therefore, today I want to pray that the will of the Most High be fulfilled in our lives and that we may live according to His will! I leave here a passage especially for you today: The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 Therefore, for Christ’s sake, I rejoice in weaknesses, in insults, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the answer of the tongue. Proverbs 16:1 Remember that you don’t have to repeat the […]

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August 05, 2021·Nicole Leão

God’s word is the last and most important!

How many times have you found yourself in a situation that seemed to have no way out? Well I can guess that not a few, we all go through times when everything seems to say no, but if there is one thing that is a fact, it is: even if everything says no, God’s word is the last and most important! Bills that we don’t know how they will be paid, diagnoses said to be irreversible, relationships that seem to have no solution anymore, but when we least expect it God comes with his hand over the situation and everything turns out fine. This is because what is His will for you no one can take away and you will have provision at the right time. As it is written in Matthew 24:35, “The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Testimony Today I want to bring a word of something that happened this week to me. Well, I am heading into my last semester of college and due to a number of factors I was having a financial hold on college, so I would not be able to do my rematriculation unless […]

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August 02, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: Overcoming your insecurities!

As human beings we sometimes have complexes, insecurities that come in and make us feel too small, but as we saw in the last text, we don’t need to live feeling inferior or having self-pity, because we are children of God and all equal before Him. As it is written in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of fortitude, and of love, and of moderation. With this in mind, today I want to pray with you, that you will overcome your complexes. Your God is bigger than any feeling of inferiority or self-pity. I also suggest reading the last text if you haven’t read it yet (click here). I also leave here some passages for you who have been feeling this way: For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of fortitude, and of love, and of moderation. 2 Timothy 1:7 Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why are you troubled within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the salvation of my face, and my God. Psalms 42:11 As He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that […]

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July 29, 2021·Nicole Leão

It’s time to overcome your insecurities

Have you ever felt inferior or self-pitying, felt that everyone was judging you, but in fact none of it was real. As human beings we sometimes have inferiority complex and insecurities that come in and make us feel too small and what does the Bible have to say about this? Well, complexes imprison us and everything that imprisons us is not good, for we have been called to freedom in Christ. Many people feel this way because they have lived in hostile environments, suffered bullying or been criticized too much, and as a result, they end up absorbing the external problems, which makes everything more complicated. But today I want to bring two biblical examples about inferiority and self-compassion. Through the stories of Gideon and the prophet Elijah, we will better understand what the word of God has to tell us about these things. Gideon and inferiority The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why […]

devotional word-of-god

July 27, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: Getting rid of childhood fears

The other day I wrote here about fears that we develop as children and sometimes accompany us into adulthood, be it the night, abandonment, need, sickness… Anyway, you are not guilty or to blame for this fear, but it is certainly horrible to live in fear and we have been called to freedom in Christ Jesus. So today I want to pray with you, asking for deliverance from these fears that you have been carrying around since you were little. Here are some passages especially for you today: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 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 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 Remember that you don’t have to repeat […]

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July 27, 2021·Nicole Leão

Fears generated in childhood still live in you?

Today I want to open this text with a story, since I was very young I have always been afraid of the dark. And it was not little, it tormented my parents night in and night out. They came to my room, prayed with me, told me stories, but not always these things solved it. Restless nights When I was 11 years old during a period I started to suffer with epileptic crises at night, due to abnormal brain discharges, which can be caused by conditions such as hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Thanks to our good God, these episodes of crises happened few times, but unfortunately they left a bad mark, which was the fear of sleeping and having a crisis again. Once again I saw my fear at night that came since childhood being reinforced and when I started to relax my body, about to sleep I had the following thought: “but what if something bad happens?”, this made me unable to rest and consequently made my parents crazy too, being a situation that we had to face as a family. I remember that at the time, my parents bought a Christian book that talked about fear to […]

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July 22, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: Adoration and Gratitude!

Today I want to join you in a prayer of adoration and gratitude, to bring to mind all that our good God has already done for us. After all, we should not pray as if we were making a “checklist” of requests. It is good to stop and give thanks for what God has already done or is still doing, and to worship Him for His infinite grace and goodness. Worship, like the act of giving thanks for what God is already doing in our lives, creates peace, calms anxiety, as we remember the goodness of the One who first loved us. So I invite you to take this time to reflect a little. I leave here some passages especially for you today: 1 It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,2 proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, Psalms 92:1-2 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:28 Remembering that you don’t have to repeat the prayer exactly as I’m […]

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July 22, 2021·Nicole Leão

God is love and consuming fire! What does it mean?

The term consuming fire is often used in Christian circles, but do you know what it means? Are you unsure if one contradicts the other? Well our reflection today is to understand where this term comes from, why we use it? What is its meaning? And how does God’s love relate to his consuming fire? To begin with in the Bible fire appears many times directly related to God, as a symbol of his presence in some aspect. Examples of this is when God makes his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15:17, or when he summons Moses when he saw a burning bush in Exodus 3:2. There is also the pillar of fire that accompanied the Israelites, reported in Exodus 13:21. So as we can see, fire can represent the symbol of their presence. Fire is also used for purification, something that we see in our daily life, but spiritually it represents holiness, which is one of God’s moral attributes, for He is fully holy and is the source of all holiness. As it is written in Habakkuk 1:13, God’s holiness is such that His eyes cannot behold iniquity. So why is God a consuming fire? God is consuming fire […]

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July 20, 2021·Nicole Leão

Prayer: For a Generous Heart!

Generosity is a powerful tool of connection as we wrote these days around here, which is essential for all areas of our lives, whether in the church, at work, or in our homes. It has the power to transform environments, people’s day. Our God is generous with us many times, although we don’t always realize it, He is so generous that He gave us His only son so that we could have eternal and abundant life. And thinking about this I want to pray with you that we can be more and more generous, have a generous heart. I leave here a passage especially for you today: As a result of your service, (1) they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers (2) will show that you are obedient to the good news of Christ. And (3) they will pray for you with deep affection, because of the overflowing grace God has bestowed on you. 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 Remembering that you don’t have to repeat the prayer exactly as I am going to leave it here, because each one of us has a specific way of communicating with the Lord. But if you […]

generosity prayer

July 07, 2021·Gabriela Angerami

A powerful tool for connection

Do you know what one of the most powerful tools of connection is? Generosity! Keep this in mind: generosity is a powerful tool for connection. Let’s talk a little bit about it. Paul encouraged the churches to be generous It is interesting that in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we see him encouraging the Gentile churches to contribute to the church of the Jews in Jerusalem. There were Jews in the Jerusalem church going through need. And Paul knew the weight that Gentile contributions to Jews would carry. The church of the new covenant in Christ Jesus, in which non-Jews, that is, Gentiles also became part of the people of God, was also new at that time. The Corinthian church’s act of generosity to the church of Jews in Jerusalem would symbolize the unity of the church. In this context, Paul was using generosity as an instrument of connection. The results of generosity in the Church In 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 it is very cool to see Paul pointing to what the results of that generous act of the Gentiles would be. “As a result of your service, (1) they will give glory to God. For your generosity to […]

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