JFA Blog

Reflections, studies and news for your walk with God.

December 19, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

A new life

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard the phrase: “New Year, New Life”. At the end of the year, here in Brazil this sentence is posted on the social media and said by family members, friends, pastors… It is a typical end-of-year sentence. During this period of the year I have the habit of briefly reflecting on my year: what got better, what got worse, the best moments, the worst, among other points. A former leader once also encouraged me to think about something I take into my life: what about my relationship with God? Has it improved, worsened or stayed the same? After all, regardless of all the other things that happened (if I got a job, got into the school/college I wanted, got a car, moved house), what matters most is my relationship with God. Everything loses value if I don’t dive deeper. Relationship with God Sometimes I find myself thinking about the ups and downs I’ve had throughout the year, including my relationship with God. After all, I’m not perfect. I always end up sinning and moving away from His presence a little, but the important thing is to always return to the Father’s feet. […]

devotional life new-year

December 19, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Have you been grateful?

When a new year begins, we always look for dreams in the drawer to put them into action during the new months and not let them stand still. And filling our heart with hope is great! Having a goal moves us and, when we hear His voice to know the best path, it also takes us closer to Him. The problem is when we transfer our happiness to our dreams, putting the responsibility of making us happy on them. Gratitude in the now “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 It makes me question whether I’ve been grateful for what I already have. Have I been seeing the little things that God has already poured into my life or am I busy waiting for a hyper event that takes me off the ground and makes me lose my breath? When we plan big things, we end up focusing too much on them and forgetting about the small pieces that put together such a bigger and amazing puzzle. As human beings, we are used to easily noticing the big and we let go unnoticed or with less attention to what is […]

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December 16, 2022·Rapha Abreu

The meaning of the gifts

When Jesus was born, the story tells that the wise men went to the baby and presented him with some objects. Have you ever wondered about the meanings of each gift given by them? “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 The gold This gift represented and reaffirmed the royalty of Jesus. “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty. The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. Indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago. You are from all eternity”. Psalms 93:1,2 The boy was born in a manger, surrounded by animals and hay. But he was still the Son of the King of Kings. Jesus was King right there in Mary’s lap and King in every heart that recognized Him as Lord. He just wasn’t a king who would reign in a palace. As stated in Philippians 2:6, He was God Himself in human form but, even though He was the greatest in the world, He did not attach to titles, but came to earth to fulfill His purpose […]

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December 16, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

Our Gift

This week I heard a sentence that I found very interesting. “At Christmas, it is Christ’s birthday, but we are the ones who receive the gift of love, grace and care coming directly from the Father”. And this is a fact. Thanks to the birth of Christ we are entitled to the greatest gift there is: redemption, grace and being able to enjoy the Father’s love. Tradition Have you ever wondered what is the origin of this tradition of exchanging gifts? According to what the stories say, it began with the birth of Jesus. In Matthew 2:1-12, it is told of the three wise men from the East. In this passage each of them brings a gift to Jesus after His birth: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They say that it was Pope Liberius who made it official in 354 a.C. There is also the story of Santa Claus, which began with a Bishop who delivered gifts to needy children on Christmas Eve. All these are stories that started the tradition of gifts, including the most socially accepted and passed down from generation to generation. A proof of this for me is that even if my family is not well financially, […]

christmas devotional present

December 13, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Have you been a disciple or one of the crowd?

In the stories of Jesus we see several miracles happening wherever He went. But what most calls my attention in them is where the focus of each character was in the face of everything that happened. We can compare it to our focus on situations these days. The crowd seeks the miracle “And the people all tried to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all” Luke 6:19 The crowd followed Jesus for His works, often craving what He could offer rather than who He was. After the healings and miracles it was possible to see people worshiping Him with greater vehemence. It always leads me to think that I too am often the crowd. Who asks, begs and hopes for a miracle, but who only has that as a goal. We seek God many times for what He can do for us, and we forget to seek Him just because He is God, our Father. The Master for the crowd was often an attraction. The disciple seeks Jesus “Many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’, Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, ;Lord, to […]

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December 13, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

Worship: breaking the Jar

There are many ways to develop our spiritual life and be constant in our relationship with the Father: reading the Bible, praying, fasting and worship are some of them. But today I want to talk to you especially about worship. Break your jar There is a concept that worship is that time when we are in church or in our room lifting our arms and singing to the Lord. We associate it with that “ideal moment”, when we feel a shiver. But that’s not true. We need to deconstruct the idea that worship requires the right “environment” or the right song. In the Word of God we find the following passage: “And as he sat at the table in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and breaking the flask, she poured it on his face. head.” Mark 14:3 When Jesus was in Simon’s house there was no music, there was no “ideal moment” or anything like that, but there was a sincere heart ready to pour itself out and worship the only one who deserves to be worshiped. Some studies claim that that jar […]

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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 […]

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December 06, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

Me and Contemplation

According to research, children up to the age of five contemplate the lives of their parents to learn and reproduce what they do. At that age, my family was not Christian, but I used to observe what my parents did in their daily lives. I noticed the way my mother took care of the house, how my father participated, how they treated their parents and so on. Many of the things I do today are a reflection of their attitudes. Me, God and Contemplation “But my eyes look to you, Lord, my Lord. I seek refuge in you; do not let me die.” Psalm 141:8 Our walk with God is no different. We are called “Christians”, which means little Christs. Therefore, our attitudes must match this meaning. Not that we will be perfect like Him, but we have a duty to contemplate His attitudes, to know how to act in different situations. We know how He would act when we seek unceasingly, meditating on the Word, to grow and strengthen. To be able to imitate someone, we have to know and live with that person on a daily basis. Our search does not end, because we can be more like […]

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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 […]

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November 29, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

Prayer for consolation

How many times have you lost someone? Whether it’s a matter of life and death, or someone you loved has moved away? Anyway, there are several concepts to lose someone. Perhaps one of the greatest pains we will experience in this life is to see someone we love leave. I do not say lose, for we know that those who serve the Lord are saved and will find themselves in paradise, but it is a departure from earthly life for eternal life. How many times have you lost someone? Whether it’s a matter of life and death, or someone you loved has moved away? Anyway, there are several concepts to lose someone. Perhaps one of the greatest pains we will experience in this life is to see someone we love leave. I do not say lose, for we know that those who serve the Lord are saved and will find themselves in paradise, but it is a departure from earthly life for eternal life. Prayer “Lord, my God and Father, we thank You for this day of life. Father, so many brothers and sisters have lost someone in recent times. Therefore, I ask that You Lord come with Your love […]

consolation devotional prayer

November 24, 2022·Rapha Abreu

There is only One Way

Today I came here to remind you that there is a right path and a wrong path, however hard it is to see and accept. I know that sometimes it becomes more comfortable to think that there is a third way, because then we would have a better chance of getting it right, but there is not. These days I was playing golf and I paid attention to some details. I’m bad at golf. But I’m learning to play by playing. In the race. There is a right way to position your hands, your body and aim. There is a correct force to apply. Details that I wouldn’t have known without the instruction of someone who knows the sport and lives it. We create our own path In the middle of the game I already started to feel pain in my hands, in my back… I could hit the ball with the club, it would go out of place, but it wasn’t getting as far as the golf players next door, because the The way I was playing was a path I created, not the right path. All this out of sheer laziness and lack of patience to learn from […]

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November 04, 2022·Gabriela Angerami

Prayer against anxiety

If you have been suffering from anxiety, stress and have been held hostage by worries, I invite you to pray with me right now. Declare the truths of God’s Word about your life. Take hold of all the blessings that have already been released through the work of Christ! Remembering that you don’t need to repeat the prayer exactly as I’m going to leave it here, because each of us has a specific way of communicating with the Lord. But if you want to accompany me, it will be a pleasure. Feel free to speak your own way. PRAYER Dear Father, I want to start this prayer by thanking you for all the provision and care for my life. Thank you because in You we can be sure that we are loved. Thank you also that we can enter and remain in Your presence. In You we can dwell in a safe place. I pray that the Lord will help us find the peace that passes all understanding. May Your calm enfold our hearts right now. We cast all anxiety, worry, and distraction upon You. We wish to focus on the blessings of Your inheritance. We trust in Your good […]

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November 04, 2022·Gabriela Angerami

God is always enough!

IT’S REAL: Regardless of the situation you’ve been living, know that God is enough! Life is made up of many seasons. There are moments of great changes, in which cycles end, some people distance themselves not out of harm or anything, but because life has changed. There are times when we are waiting too long for something and it doesn’t happen. There are people who really want to get married, find a mate or a companion. There are people who have some professional or ministerial dream that has not yet come true. There are people who are hoping to have a child, but they can’t. And often in these seasons we can feel incomplete. When we close a cycle, we lose something or someone, we can feel incomplete. Or sometimes we are waiting for something so we feel complete. But I want to tell you that even in these situations you are COMPLETE in Jesus! He is the fountain of living water and the bread of life “Jesus answered and said to her, `Every one who is drinking of this water shall thirst again; but whoever may drink of the water that I will give him, may not thirst — […]

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November 04, 2022·Gabriela Angerami

How to be remembered forever?

Today I would like to talk to you about Generosity and how it is capable of producing an eternal memory. After all, no one would like to simply be forgotten. I think we all want to do something relevant that people will remember us positively and in a way that glorifies God. I never met my great-grandfather, but everyone who talks about him gets emotional and remembers him as a good and generous man. I don’t know about you, but whenever I received something generously, it was engraved in my heart with great affection and gratitude. A generous gesture marks people, generates memory. Even if there is a remarkable way for us to express God’s character and love, it is through generosity. Your deeds will be remembered forever “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.” – Psalm 112:5-6 Psalm 112 describes the conduct of a God-fearing person. This biblical chapter reveals that the fear of the Lord leads to a generous life. The person who fears is upright, honors the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, and blesses his […]

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November 02, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Why know God’s will?

God has so many desires and dreams for your life. So many projects and accomplishments to shower on you. We constantly seek to know what these dreams are. But have you ever stopped to think about why you want to know God’s will for your life? We try to suit the Creator “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well“ Luke 12:31 At times I found myself asking this, thinking my curiosity had to do with how much I cared about God and His thoughts about me. But I noticed that I often ask His will because I care too much about myself. We think we are seeking the Lord, but in certain situations we use Him as a means and not as an objective. We begin to see God as an amulet, to use Him as a ladder to reach places we dream of. Trying to adapt the Creator of everything to our own creation. Remember: He is Life itself In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 He is not the way for you to get something you want […]

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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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November 02, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Are you an ambassador for the word?

These days I came across the word “Ambassador” and went to research more about it. In this search I found some Bible verses that pointed to the fact that we are ambassadors through Christ. But after all, what does that mean? Authority in speaking “…For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God“ Romans 13:1 Ambassador means being a spokesperson for a certain issue, be it a brand, a company, an organization, or the word of God. To be an ambassador it is not necessary for you to be from the company you will be speaking about, for example. But knowledge on the subject is mandatory, it is essential that you identify with a certain positioning and thinking. An Ambassador is someone who is up to date on the subject and has full authority and knowledge about it, whether an employee of a company or a user of its brand. You might be wondering where I’m going with this. Depth breeds authority “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God“ 2 Corinthians 5:20 In the passage […]

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November 01, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

Praising in the fight

“When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, ‘These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.’ The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:19-26 This is certainly one of the stories that most impacted me. The way God took care of Paul and Silas, worked a miracle, converted the jailer, how they handled the situation, are questions […]

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October 27, 2022·Rapha Abreu

God doesn’t just want to help you

Last week I spoke to you about the passage in Acts 3 where Peter and John are brought to Peter and John who was looking for alms. This man brought to them asks for some coins, and is healed. In the last text I talked about the apostles turning that man’s eyes to God. Today I want to talk about what he was looking for when he went to them. Daily view “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money” Acts 3:3 That man’s intention was to receive help for that moment. Something that would allow him to feed that day. And then, probably, the next day he would be in that same place again looking for supplies for that new day and so on. In our lives we also look for solutions that we believe would solve our problems, but in fact are just keeping us in the same place, in a vicious cycle. If Peter and John had given the man alms, his life would have remained the same. He would continue to think that it was okay for him to live like that, that life had no more hope, that he […]

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October 25, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

Prayer for Children

In October we celebrate Children’s Day here in Brazil. Our little ones have been targets of attacks from the evil one. After all, if he wants to unbalance the Church, why not go straight to the source? If he attacks children today, he mainly affects the future and the next generations. The Bible says: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 We must invest time teaching children the Eternal Way, but also intercede for their lives, crying out that the Lord will take care and protect them from all the evil that has plagued this world. Today, I invite you to intercede with me for the lives of our little ones, remembering that you don’t need to repeat the prayer exactly as it is here. After all, everyone has their own way of talking to God, but if you want, I’ll be happy to accompany you. Prayer “Lord, our God and Father, we thank You for Your love for our lives. Father, this world is so evil and the forces of darkness have been working to get our children out of Your way. We […]

children devotional prayer

October 20, 2022·Rapha Abreu

Has your mind paralyzed you?

These days I was looking at some posts on social media and came across the text of Acts 3. This passage tells the story of a miracle performed in the life of a lame man. One day Peter and John were on their way to the temple and came to them bringing a man with a disability in his legs, which made it impossible for him to move. A detail in the text caught my attention, I looked for some studies and words about it and I need to share it with you. Healing cause and consequence “Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and […]

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October 18, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

What is your treasure?

I particularly am one of those people in love with books. I have a full bookcase and sometimes I haven’t read all the works and titles, but I keep them all neatly organized. Because of that, this week a friend lent me a book called “The Gutenberg Bible Enigma” (Maurício Zágari), which tells that one day a missionary took one of the 48 copies of the Gutenberg Bible (the first printed book) to a Brazilian Church and the book was stolen. The whole story revolves around this fact, because that Bible was extremely valuable and could not be lost in that way. That book was the treasure of that missionary, that church, and it could not be lost. The Hidden Treasure The story in this book reminded me of the treasure hidden in the field: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44 I’m still reading the book, so I’m imagining the ending: have they found the Bible? Who was to blame? Was there really a culprit? If they found it, imagine how happy […]

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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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October 10, 2022·Ana Júlia Luiz

And when is not the time?

Have you ever had the feeling of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Getting to the level where you clearly feel within you the Holy Spirit saying, “Get out of there!”? It’s a slightly hopeless feeling, it leaves you agitated and scared. Wrong place at the wrong time Earlier this year, I was walking home after a day at work, and while waiting for the bus, I saw a man passing by, being carried by two others. He had a strange appearance and I felt uncomfortable in his presence. It was when I felt inside me someone clearly saying “get out of there”, at that moment I knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me. At the same moment this happened, my bus arrived and I had no peace until the moment it left the station and I was heading home. To be ready or not to be? Later, the Lord told me that it was a much more complex situation than I had imagined, which I was not ready to handle. In another situation, maybe He would send me to the man to pray for him, but I wasn’t ready for that, I still didn’t […]

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