JFA Blog

Reflections, studies and news for your walk with God.

February 22, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Fighting with Christ

In Proverbs 3:5-6, it is written: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This verse reminds us of the importance of fully trusting in God and recognizing Him in all areas of our lives. In one of the previous texts (“Unnecessary Battles”), we discussed avoiding fighting battles that do not come from the Lord, conflicts that arise from our own decisions and can divert us from the plan that God has for us. Today, I want to pray with you for the courage to completely surrender our lives to God, trusting in His wisdom and guidance to lead us along the right path. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Lord, I acknowledge that I often make decisions without seeking Your guidance, leading me into unnecessary battles. Today, I […]

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February 20, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Don’t just be a worker

God has called you to be a servant! For this reason, we should be grateful. The gratitude within us must come from the Lord, and it goes beyond being thankful only when we receive a reward after something we have done. Instead, we should truly be grateful for simply being here, even amidst challenging moments. This life style comes from understanding that we are servants first and foremost. Be a servant! “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26 The Word of God encourages us to be servants, not just workers. We can read in various passages that we should labor in the work, but in this context, this word is connected to “getting our hands dirty,” calling us to action, to GO! When we embrace the work, our hearts need to be those of servants. The worker acts thinking about what they will receive. The servant acts knowing that they have already received. The grace of God has already filled us; His mercy reaches us every day! There is no greater reason to be grateful. We should serve because we have been […]

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February 19, 2024·Nicole Leão

Is your heart a fertile soil?

In today’s reflection I want to remember the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13, in this passage Jesus speaks to a crowd in parables and then talks about the fertile soil which is an analogy to our heart: 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:3-8 Explanation of the Parable of the Sower The Lord Jesus himself explained the meaning of the Parable of the Sower to his disciples. Jesus explained that when someone hears the message of the kingdom but doesn’t understand, the evil one comes and snatches away what […]

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February 15, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Consumed by fire

The Bible mentions in several passages that God is a consuming fire and that we must burn for Him. However, for this, we also need discernment. We must constantly seek the Father’s wisdom to distinguish what comes from Him and what is merely burning out of a desire of the flesh. Revive us! “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 When I hear these passages, revival comes to mind. Revival is not merely about gathering people and making noise. There is already plenty of noise that lacks the presence of God. Revival is the life of the Lord breathing life into us, resurrecting what was dead. And this is not about the volume of your voice, but rather the condition of your heart and your true intention. God knows us intimately; a whisper uttered with the spirit carries much more weight than a shout from the mouth. When the intention of our hearts is to seek the Father, His consuming fire surrounds us without any effort on our part. Special portion “And afterward, will pour out […]

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February 14, 2024·Nicole Leão

Have you been humble?

Today we will talk a little bit about humility here, a trait that is so important but sometimes seems so lacking for us. Humility is the opposite of being proud, arrogant, or haughty. As such, this is a trait that is highly praised throughout the Bible and often precedes honor, as is written in Proverbs 15:33, and 18:12. In the eyes of the world, many times being a humble person is a sign of weakness or something bad, but we should not see it this way, because it takes a lot of wisdom and self-control to act this way. There are several biblical passages that emphasize the need to have a humble spirit. Grace is bestowed on the humble He mocks mockers, but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34 True humility is developed by the action and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In this way, humility is not a mere inferiority complex, but rather, a sincere attitude that gives no room for self-sufficiency. He who is truly humble recognizes his total dependence on God; he knows that everything he has comes from the Lord. As it is written in the word above, the Bible says that […]

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February 09, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Unnecessary battles

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

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February 08, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Instruments of Praise

In the previous text, I discussed the daily decision to be someone through whom God is praised. Today, I invite you to pray with me about this, to become available and completely surrendered instruments, allowing God to work in our lives according to His will. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Father, I acknowledge Your worthiness of all praise and worship, for everything in creation is under Your sovereignty, and all belongs to You. I understand that my purpose is to praise You, and I desire to do so each day of my life, leading others to worship You in the same way. You are the source of all love and grace, and Your mercy continues to pour out upon me, even when undeserved. Make me an instrument of praise. Shape my heart according to Your will, and may my hands be ready to carry […]

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February 06, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Who are you?

Every day, we need to make decisions, whether big or small, that can change not just an hour but an entire life. These decisions often unsettle us, especially because we don’t know the impact they will have on various areas. Have you ever wondered what the most significant decision in your life will be? Well, I believe I have the answer for you… Identity and direction “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose… The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:12 and 14 The most significant decision will always be choosing Christ. Without further ado, today I invite you to decide to be the vessel through which God is praised. Regardless of the magnitude of professional, financial, or family decisions… Choosing Christ should always take precedence. When our lives are centered on following Him and worshipping Him, others around us are influenced to do the same, and this stance radically transforms our lives, aiding us in making countless other decisions. A life focused on God provides answers to questions that once seemed insurmountable. Used daily “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special […]

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February 05, 2024·Nicole Leão

Series: What cure do you need? [Emotional Healing]

Today we will continue the series “What healing do you need?”, where through three reflections we will recall biblical stories of physical, emotional and spiritual healing, in which the Lord worked in favor of his children, showing once again his glory and infinite goodness. In the last text we talked about physical healing, and today we will talk about emotional healing, a subject that has become more and more important considering the world we live in. Overwork, polarization, information coming at us all the time, and so many other things, more and more we see people with stress, anxiety, depression, and other bad things that affect even children. Of course, all this has not arisen in our time, and in the Bible you can already find stories of emotional healing, because since there is sin on earth, we human beings have led much more arduous lives. However, fortunately our savior sacrificed himself for us and today we no longer have to carry the weight of sin, for we have been set free. I want to remind you that emotional diseases can have several reasons, not only spiritual ones, and that there are qualified professionals that we can seek to help […]

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January 31, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Boldness to take a stand

I want to invite you to pray together about taking a stand. Just as in times of affliction and wars, Deborah stood up as a mother for the nation of Israel, may we have the authority and boldness to follow the steps that God calls us to take. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their own way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel free to talk to the Lord in your way. But, if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer Father, thank You for Your infinite kindness, even in the midst of the difficulties and wars that I face during these days. I ask for Your guidance and peace today. Make me sensitive to Your voice, following the call You have for me. May I learn from You how to position myself with wisdom and discernment. Make my spirit willing to follow Yours, and may no battle have the power to silence Your voice in my ears. I want to recognize You not only in moments of rest but also […]

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January 29, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Take a stand!

In the book of Judges, we see some challenges and victories recounted, and in the midst of them, a woman emerges as a spiritual mother for the people of Israel. Deborah was a wise leader, but beyond emphasizing that, I want to remind you of one of her actions that made all the difference: rising up. Challenged to act “Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.” Judges 5:7 Deborah stood up as a mother to Israel in a time of need, and her story powerfully tells the transformative impact of standing up and taking action. In Judges 4, we see Israel immersed in times of war, crying out to God for guidance and deliverance. Being a leader in moments like this is very challenging and complicated, but even so, Débora stood up with determination, as a judge and spiritual mother. She decided to act boldly, guiding and inspiring the people, in God. How long has it been since you stood up and truly stood with authority in your life? Acting in fear of the Lord “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the […]

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January 29, 2024·Nicole Leão

The importance of constancy in your life

How important it is to stand firm, to be constant in what we do. We have been living in liquid times, where the word constancy has been losing its meaning, however, the word of God instructs us to be constant. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, it is written: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast and constant, always abundant in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work is not vain in the Lord. Unfortunately, what we have seen out there is exactly the opposite and as a result we have the increase of divorces, constant changes of employment, people giving up on their dreams, and furthermore, many giving up on preaching the gospel. But as we have seen, the words of the apostle Paul exhort us to take a counter-cultural attitude and be firm, just like our God. Without constancy we are not able to build anything, nor to get anywhere. Whoever has tried to learn an instrument knows very well how important daily study is for progress and with our faith, it is no different, we need constantly to be nourished by the word, to be in prayer and to talk about God’s love so that more people can […]

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January 25, 2024·Rapha Abreu

God and sin

Some texts have such a huge impact with certain words that our attention can focus on just one part of the sentence and take away the full meaning of it. I see this detail in some texts in the Bible and also in those that mention faith, where, if we don’t have an open heart, we can focus on just a few parts and forget the context. Aversion to sin “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Certainly, you have heard the phrase “God hates sin, but loves the sinner”. This phrase is not in the Bible, but it has become very famous. The word “hates” becomes something so impactful for us that it steals our attention only on it, but I want to invite you to read the rest of it. The Lord truly abhors sin; He does not accept it, and His desire is for sin to be destroyed. But He loves those who sin because the way God sees us goes far beyond our mistakes. He knows our hearts deep down and knows who we are in Him. The Father gave us the […]

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January 23, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Identity of Jesus

Previously, we talked a little about some of the names by which Jesus is called throughout the biblical texts. There are many others that I did not mention in the previous text, names that are presented in prophecies since the Old Testament until they become palpable in the New Testament. Regardless of the name that catches your attention the most or the one that is most repeated in the Bible, God remains the same and reveals Himself to us with grace and mercy. I want to invite you to pray today about recognizing this God at any time, place, or situation. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Lord God, I recognize Your greatness and majesty. I know that Your name is the clear expression of Your love and grace towards us. I cry out for Your presence in my life. Thank you for revealing to […]

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January 18, 2024·Rapha Abreu

The Names of Jesus

Jesus is described in the Bible in various ways, with different words and names, but these descriptions always reveal His divine character and the profound nature of who He is and was sent to be. God incarnate “He appeared in the flesh…” 1 Timothy 3:16 All those names are beautiful, but the one that captures my attention the most is: “God with us” “Immanuel“! Among all the names by which He is called, this one encapsulates it well. It signifies the greatest miracle and the expression of grace, where God chose to reside among humanity, revealing His love in a personal and accessible manner, close to sinners and the forgotten. Throughout our lives, we strive for luxury, wealth, recognition, and yet, the greatest among us, who could possess all this with a snap of His fingers, remains the most humble and simple, dwelling among us. He loves everyone, even those who don’t deserve that love. The name “Jesus” also carries the meaning of “Savior,” and this is the name we hear most often, embodying the calling of Jesus, the purpose that the heart of the Son yearned for. He came to rescue humanity from sin and the separation from God, […]

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January 15, 2024·Gabriela Angerami

Our breath is in God

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 How good it is to remember how much our existence depends entirely on God. For the human being to live, it was necessary for the Lord to breathe the breath of life. An inexhaustible breath Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 It is He who has the power to give us an inexhaustible breath. So often we are stubborn and try to run the journey of life with our own strengths, but they will always be insufficient. We must learn to our hope in the Lord so that we can fly like eagles and walk without getting tired. To wait on the Lord is to live in union with Him. Even in our humanity we were made to live in communion with God. In Genesis God created us in his image and likeness so that we could […]

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January 15, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: What really matters

Previously, I spoke to you about seizing opportunities and the present. Today, I want to pray about this, so that we don’t waste time and enjoy every detail of life: the places, the people, possibilities, moments, opportunities… Life is a reflection of the One who created it, and we need to enjoy every part of it. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer Father, I express my gratitude for the precious gift of life and for every blessing You bestow upon me, even when undeserved. I acknowledge that You present me with people, places, and opportunities that I can only experience through Your grace and wisdom. Teach me to relish every detail of these gifts. Guide my heart to love others unconditionally and sacrificially, expressing my feelings to make them feel loved by You. May my heart learn to value places, moments, and opportunities, maintaining the […]

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January 11, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Don’t chase the wind

Life goes by so fast. Places are renovated, addresses change, people come and go; We are often forced to say goodbye. At other times, it is necessary to choose wisely who to say “hello” to and who to say “goodbye” to, no matter how much it hurts. Growing up hurts, but it teaches us and matures us. It prepares us for things much greater than anything we dream or plan. Life does not stop “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 My favorite quote has always been that of Saint Teresa of Ávila: “It is fair that much costs what much is worth.“ To reach “tomorrow,” it is fair that it costs our “today.” Some cycles can only begin when others close, when we understand that we need to leave behind what is behind, that life goes on above any situation. The world does not stop as we need or want; each day has the same number of hours, and we need to act wisely in every minute. Do not waste time. I […]

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January 09, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Walking in the light of the Word

I always heard about the Word; I was raised by my parents hearing about its importance in knowing how and where to walk, following Jesus and the kingdom of God above all. It is essential that we read and delve deeper into it at the end of the process as well, as the Word of God always teaches and feeds us, but it is at the beginning of things that it provides paths and directions. From the beginning “If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:16 If we take our own steps when starting our journey and then everything goes wrong, even if we seek God just at that moment, entrusting our path into His hands, the Lord hears us and responds; He corrects our walk. But do you agree that it becomes more difficult this way? Because He will need to undo what we do to actually begin His work. We have to deliver our firstfruits, the beginning when everything is still a dream and project, because He guides us and clarifies our paths. He answers us in the end, […]

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December 22, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer to One God

Our minds, in moments of sadness and turmoil, become weak if they are not established in Christ. Consequently, we begin to try to fill the void within ourselves at any cost, but we can never fill it with anything other than God and His life-giving Word. This prayer is based on the previous text Creating other gods. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Dear God, thank you for being complete. I appreciate that everything we need can be found in You. Please don’t let me create other gods or prioritize dreams and projects over You. I don’t want to seek answers elsewhere. Keep me steadfast in Your word, following Your direction. God, I ask for forgiveness for the times I’ve placed any other subject, place, person, or situation above You. Do not let my eyes stray from You, Father. Grant me discernment to identify and […]

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December 22, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Creating other gods

The Lord instructs us several times that He should be the Only One worshiped, above anything else, because He is the Only God. This is not because He simply desires exclusivity. It goes far beyond that thought. Thinking like this makes it seems like God pleads for attention and needs us. But that is not it. One God for all The Father desires to be first in our lives, but He does not instruct us to worship Him solely out of a desire for exclusivity, as if His power depended on it. He calls us to have Him as the Only God because it is not necessary for us to look for something elsewhere. He is already the true source of everything. He is complete, whole, unique, and incomparable. Why would we worship other gods? Why would we create other gods? Just as the disciple Peter said in John 6:68: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” If He already possesses everything and gives us all these wonders through His grace and love, why would we run to other gods? In the past, it was common to hear about a god for each subject. […]

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December 18, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Aligning Paths

In the last text, I spoke to you about walking. We mus know that the path and steps will often seem messy, but we must follow with a focus on God’s promises and directions. I want to invite you to pray today for the perfect path we find in God. Also for obedience and faith to take each step towards what the Father has for us. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer “Lord, first, I want to thank You. For loving me and guiding me, even though I don’t deserve to follow in Your footsteps. Thank You for speaking to me, even though I’m not worthy of hearing Your voice. Make me sensitive to what You have to speak to me, that I can feel You in every breath always. I ask you for firmness to walk with you. My eyes are limited, and Your […]

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December 18, 2023·Rapha Abreu

A messy organized

In moments when life seems messy, it’s normal to think that God is not with us. But the hardships and confusions of life do not mean the absence of the Lord. I understood this in a beautiful way, even after going through difficulties. Finding your place “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Many times, and I would venture to say that in most of them, God “mess up” the paths to then align them and allow us to understand them. On a trip I took, on the road, I missed an entrance, and the return was far ahead. At the time, the feeling was stress for having made a mistake, that feeling of wasting a lot of time for a small mistake. But before returning, I found an amazing bakery on the way. Big, beautiful, and full of good options. I stopped, bought something to eat, and continued my journey happily. I wouldn’t have known about that stop if I hadn’t missed the entrance. We know the path by walking. Therefore, it is good to allow yourself to miss an entry. Sometimes your place is at the entrance, on the way, at the […]

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December 14, 2023·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Reaching for eternity

I want to use this space to pray with you for clarity and depth so that we can prepare ourselves for eternity with the Father. May we walk and act with this purpose, longing for Him and sharing His love and grace with people along our journey. In this journey, may we love above all, for He loved us first. The love, which is Christ, dwells within us. The Holy Spirit of God resides in me and in you. Therefore, may our response always be one of love and grace. You don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their way of talking to the Father, and it is important that we individually seek intimacy with Him. Therefore, feel comfortable talking to the Lord in your own way. But if you want, I will be happy to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer Father, I come before You today to ask for clarity, not to know all the steps I will take in life and have a false sense of control, but so that I can see You and hear You. I don’t need to understand eternity, but I want to fear […]

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