Despite our unexpected stormy trials, believers are never alone. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Trials, sorrows, and difficulties are designed to give us spiritual growth and increase our dependency on God. We were not created to live without God’s divine intervention. It’s normal for our emotions to intensify when we feel our hardships are drowning us. If we allow our emotions to control us, our faith diminishes and we risk losing our confidence in the love and strength that God provides.
Take the time to separate yourself and pray for help. Pray an honest prayer. “God, I am feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. I need your help. I know that you love me and will bring me victoriously through this situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Praise God and thank Him in advance for His Divine Intervention. Prayer does not take away our trials. Consistent prayer allows us to receive strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Study the Scriptures every day. Include time for quiet meditation. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. As believers, we can hear God’s voice through different means such as our thoughts, reading scriptures, listening to sermons, or hearing another believer’s testimony of victory. Sometimes, God communicates through spiritual dreams or a fellow believer who may not even know our situation. However, it’s important to note that God’s answer always aligns with the Holy Scriptures. Through daily worship, we learn to recognize the voice of God.
When the disciples were in the boat, fearing for their lives, Jesus appeared to them by walking on the water. “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Remember, we are never alone. Jesus is with us in every stormy trial. The human effort of faith and trust along with Divine intervention always ends in victory! During the challenges of the raging storm, Jesus says, “Come to Me.” Take the giant leap of faith and “Go Ahead! Walk on the Water.”
Lord God, we thank You for the blessing of the Sabbath;The Day You designated as Holy, and as a Memorial of Creation, reminding us that You are the Creator and Sustainer of our lives and this universe. We praise You for the 24-hour period of Friday sunset to Saturday sunset that gives us a weekly break from the world’s stress and chaos. Lord, we look forward to the time when we will receive Your gifts of ultimate peace and spiritual rest in Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray this prayer of gratitude, also asking for spiritual renewal and restoration. In faith, we ask for these blessings in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
When three armies came against King Jehoshaphat, his immediate response was to declare a fast in the Kingdom of Judah. and using his faith, he prayed, asking for God’s Help.
“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and Might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You.” (2 Chronicles 7:20, NIV).
King Jehoshaphat Prayer Focuses On God
If we look carefully at the King’s prayer, he honors and revere’s God by acknowledging God’s Sovereign Omnipotence: “You rule…Power and Might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You.”
We were created to depend on Christ. Loving Christ is revealed by using our faith to follow and depend on our Shepherd with a spirit of humility, surrendering daily to follow and obey His will and plans.
Throughout the Bible, we find that God never focuses on human ability or weaknesses. God always redirects our focus to Himself: The Scriptures reveal His Love, Power, and Sovereign Authority.
“Behold I am the God of all flesh, is there anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
“God reminded the Prophet Jeremiah that He holds Absolute Power over all humanity and creation, affirming that nothing is too hard for the Sovereign God.
Reflection: Do we really believe that nothing is impossible for God to resolve? “Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21).
Joshua, Israel’s New Leader: Although Moses mentored Joshua to lead the people, when Moses died, because of the Israelites history of stubbornness and disobedience, Joshua not only feared the people, but he also doubted his ability to lead them.
God’s Response: (Joshua 1:5-6, 9):
“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
“Only be strong and very courageous… Observe to do according to all the Law…Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reflection: Recently I listened to a discussion by a panel of pastors, who stated the reason that most believers are having a difficult time in their spiritual Journey, and their routine duties of life: “We are always focusing on ourselves instead of God.”
Whether we are facing the routine obstacles of life, or overwhelming challenges and hardships, our initial thought should not be, “What am I going to do?”
With humility, King Jehoshaphat acknowledged our human limitations and the fact that we must depend on God: “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
Love and loyalty to God is revealed by our willingness to surrender to His Authority. In faith, we pray for guidance, with the commitment to trust and obey Jesus Christ, our Savior and Shepherd.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” (John 14:6).
The Message of The Cross reveals that Jesus Christ has Redeemed us with His Life: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV).
“From accepting Christ as our Savior, we acknowledge that His blood washes away our sins, which signifies, “New Ownership: Believers belong to God rather than to themselves or the ways of the world.”
God, the Father’s expectation is that we follow, trust, and obey God, Jesus Christ, His Son and our Shepherd by honoring Him with love, loyalty, surrender, faith, and obedience.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “And without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6).
Do our thoughts and decisions reveal that our faith is in Jesus or in our abilities?
If we live from day to day relying on our thoughts and strategies then we have redirected our faith and focus to ourselves, which proves that we do not believe in the Power of God, nor do we trust Him.
A lifestyle of surrender and obedience is demonstrated through daily worship of Prayer, Bible Study, and asking God to reveal His will and plans for our lives.
Faith, trust, and obedience are the keys that prompt God to open the Windows of Heaven, and pour out His Abundant Blessings, especially when we need His Divine Help.
Great is His Faithfulness! God sustains our lives; it is His Ruach breath that flows through our lungs and His mercies that keep us alive.
The Failure to Reverence God is prevalent in today’s Christian Community: Sadly, because we have embraced self-reliance, rarely studying the Bible, we pray with a focus on ourselves, approaching God as if He is our equal. God will not acknowledge prayers that do not honor Him.
Our prayers should always begin with honoring and reverencing God’s Sovereign Authority: Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer to always acknowledge God, the Father’s Holy Name : “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name.”
King David prayed: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11).
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).
We have embraced the worldview of self-governance. Something is not right when Christians use their limited perception, and prior experience to evaluate a challenge, trust their feelings, and with a spirit of overconfidence, develop a strategy, believing that it will work.
Self-Reliance is the intentional decision to exclude God, revealing that we believe our mind is greater than God’s Omniscience, and His Higher Thoughts and Ways.
Not only does self-reliance dishonor God, but it also redirects our faith to trust in misguided human thoughts. “…Do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).
Trusting in ourselves builds an impenetrable wall of resistance against depending on God, placing us in a state of disobedience, which immediately separates us from God.
Trusting in human wisdom compares to driving on a familiar road covered with a thick fog. Because we know every curve in the road, instead of driving with caution, we drive at our normal speed, because we do not anticipate encountering any hazards.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal that God always redirects our faith and focus to His unlimited Power. Jesus created us to depend on His Wisdom, Strength, and Guidance: “Without Me, you can do nothing.”
“We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him.” (John 9:31, ESV).
The Holy Spirit alerts every believer when they have detoured from the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Every day, we decide if we are interested in surrendering and following Jesus Christ.
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10, ESV).
When we live to please ourselves, we have an issue of the heart. God knows who loves Him, and although He knows we are attempting to serve Him with a divided heart, He will never coerce us to love Him.
When our response to John 3:16 is to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength then faithful obedience and surrender is not a burden or an inconvenience.
Receiving Forgiveness and Spiritual Restoration: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
First, we acknowledge that we have sinned against God by not revering and trusting His Love, Faithfulness, and Sovereign Power.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10).
God requires a prayer of confession and asking for forgiveness because we have rebelled against His Sovereign Authority by embracing and practicing self-reliance.
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24, NLT).
When we repent for our wrongdoing and in humility, admit our helplessness, we serve a Loving and Faithful God, who will give us His Divine Help.
We do not have to live a life of hoping for the best to happen. Jesus’ Invitation:
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need” [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16, Amplified Bible).
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12, ESV).
Lord God, You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. We confess that we have trusted in our thoughts and strategies instead of placing our faith and trust in You. And we ask You to forgive us for dishonoring Your Holy Name and Your Sovereignty. We admit that we have reached a dead end in our spiritual journey, and are facing obstacles that we cannot overcome without You. Lord, we ask You to restore us spiritually. We confess that we desperately need Your Help, and we thank You for Your Divine Intervention. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV).
When Jesus approached Matthew, the corrupt tax collector, Jesus extended the invitation: “Follow Me’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him…”
Matthew did not have to respond with spoken words; Jesus has the Divine Power to read what is in every human mind and heart, so He knew that Matthew was tired of his journey of walking down a dead end road.
Every day, Matthew heard the people in the marketplace telling others about Jesus’ Teachings of God’s Love for all people, regardless of their social or economic status.
Although Matthew had never personally listened to Jesus’ Teachings, as he sat at the tax collection table, the people constantly talked about a Powerful Man, named Jesus.
And this Jesus, who was from Nazareth healed lepers, opened blind eyes, gave hearing to the deaf, those who were unable to speak, talked, the crippled got up and walked, and He also have the power to cast out demons.
“Mark 7:36-37: Even though Jesus told them not to tell anyone, the people kept talking about it more and more, saying, ‘He does everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.'”
Yes, Jesus’ Love, Teachings, and His Ministry of Healing was known throughout Syria. “Yet, Dr. Luke records that when Jesus raised the widow’s son—His reputation of healing power spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.”
The Truth is, Matthew knew that he was traveling on a wide path, when he learned that Jesus taught one’s status, wealth, and material possessions were worthless in the kingdom of God.
Jesus refuted the Pharisees’ false doctrines that only wealthy individuals would enter heaven. Deep within his heart, Matthew realized that his lifestyle placed him on the broad road, leading to death and destruction.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).
Today, Jesus is asking you and me to stop giving Him the ritualistic worship of weekly church attendance, and to “Follow Him” with a commitment of total surrender and faithful obedience.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
We must be willing to stop nurturing our habits of self-reliance and disobedience against God; cease following our thoughts and strategies; and stop chasing our desires for this Earth’s temporary treasures, pleasures, and meaningless relationships.
“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV). Jesus knows the true status of every human heart.
Who is sitting on the throne of our heart?
From reflecting on our thoughts, desires, habits, and lifestyle, the truth is revealed; without loving God, and honoring Him with daily surrender and faithful obedience, we are sitting on the throne of our heart.
For Jesus to sit on the throne of our hearts, the Apostle Paul tells us:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
To follow Jesus requires a spirit of humility and a lifelong commitment of daily surrender and obedience.
Through daily personal worship [Prayer, Studying and Obeying the Holy Scriptures], we abide in Christ. Asking for God’s Will to be done in our lives, reveals that we honor and reverence our King’s Sovereign Authority.
When we use our faith to implicitly trust and obey jesus, our Shepherd, the Holy Spirit leads us [day by day] on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
God, the Holy Spirit is responsible for sanctifying and transforming our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous and Divine Character.
When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Guide gives us knowledge, spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength.
When tempted, it is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to recognize Satan’s covert temptations, and the Holy Spirit convicts our conscience if we try to hide secret sins.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”(Romans 12:9, 11-12, NIV).
Walking on the Narrow Path of Righteousness Requires the Human Effort of Total Surrender, Faithful Obedience, and The Divine Intervention of The Holy Spirit
Everyday, we will face the internal conflict of our hearts, driving us to pursue its desires and the external conflict of Satan’s continuous temptations.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22-24).
Although we practice self-control, our willpower can never keep us on the Path of Righteousness. We must walk through life on bended knees, asking the Holy Spirit several times a day to give us Divine Strength.
Following Jesus requires faith, courage, and the desire to live righteously. Prayer keeps us connected to Jesus, and we put on our armor, by studying the Scriptures, our Spiritual Sword.
Because of the Cross, we have Total Access to the Saving Power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). Yes and Amen!
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited….”
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:16-18, NIV).
Lord, we come to You with our stubborn hearts and clenched hands of self-reliance. Yet, we have come to our spiritual senses. Jesus, we love You and desire to follow You. We ask You to forgive us for sitting on the throne of our heart, and excluding You from our lives, by only giving you recognition once a week.
Lord, we are willing to take the leap of faith to trust and obey You. And with trembling hands, we release our character deficits and burdens into Your Holy Hands. As we walk on this New Path of Total Surrender, we ask You to please be our Strength, and to anoint us with the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, Amplified Bible).
True Agape Love is the heart and spirit of religion. We know that our heart is filled with God’s Love when we love and pray for others, despite the way they treat us.
God is Love! God Gives Us The Characteristics of Agape Love
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, NIV).
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7).
Although our hearts are filled with God’s love, the Apostle James tells us to always pray for wisdom.
Our initial morning prayer should include asking God to give us spiritual wisdom. Without wisdom, it is impossible to discern life’s dilemmas through spiritual eyes, resulting in the inappropriate use of our emotions.
2 Corinthians 5:14: “The love of Christ constrains us…” God’s Love acts as a powerful, overwhelming force that directs a believer’s responses.”
Satan is busy, always looking for ways to disturb our peace of mind. But even when offended, we remain silent. Our first response to any given situation is to whisper a prayer for Divine Strength and Guidance.
Praying redirects our carnal mind to the heavenly realm. Praying prevents us from committing the grievous sin of bringing dishonor to God’s Holy Name and His Loving Character.
We may see ourselves as good people, but it takes the right situation to reveal the true spiritual condition of our heart and character. We are not who we think we are!
God reveals that every human heart is filled with the corruption of sin: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Harboring Past Grievances and Unforgiveness
For those who do not study the Bible, Satan easily manipulates their minds to accept his false teachings. The word dislike is not found in the Holy Scriptures. Jesus tells us, either we love or hate others.
We may say, “But you have no idea the trauma, pain, and mistreatment this individual has inflicted on me.” Pray for yourself and for those who mistreat others, because they are eternally lost.
If the person [or people] who harmed you is deceased, then pray a prayer of repentance for the hatred in your heart; and verbally express to Jesus that you forgive the person [people] who harmed you.
“‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NIV).
Because Christ created us and loves us, we reveal our love for Christ by loving ourselves. Consequently, we do not stay in abusive, toxic, and demeaning relationships and marriages.
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 7:15, NIV).
Unforgiveness produces a dark cloud of sin into our minds, gives us an impure heart, prevents the Holy Spirit from residing within, and we lose our inheritance of receiving the Crown of Eternal Life.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” (1 John 4:20, NIV).
Truthfully, without possessing a heart filled with Agape Love, we are in the same spiritual predicament as unbelievers. Are we willing to be lost along with the person/people who mistreated us?
Because God is Omniscient, He knows our entire lifespan and every negative, hurtful situation, we will experience. Yet, there are two promises that God is still fulfilling:
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3).
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Healing is a spiritual journey that requires our active participation: We must love God, love others, including our enemies, quickly forgive, and let go of our past.
The Evolution of the Present Loveless State of Christianity
Ritualistic Loveless Religion: “The Pharisees kept the Sabbath, went to church, ate clean foods, gave their tithe and offerings, but they still crucified Jesus.”
Jesus’ Last Days Prophecy: Matthew 24:12
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold.” Jesus told His disciples that in the Last Days [which is right now], many Believer’s hearts would be void of love.
King Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the Sun; eventually, the negative aspects of history always repeats itself.
“In 2026, We are living in a time when human beings in this world and in the church are becoming cold, unfeeling, and insensitive. Christian believers are quietly nurturing the selfishness in their heart, which has overpowered God’s Love. We simply do not care about our brothers and sisters in Christ.” Pastor Dr. W. Phipps
Reflection: What is the present condition of your heart? Be honest in your self-evaluation! “Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21, ESV).
Because Jesus could read their hearts, He knew that His twelve disciples did not love each other. Jesus’ Command to His disciples is still valid for His followers today:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34).
God’s Agape Love Keeps Us On The Narrow Path
“If we practice self-denial, and manifest kindness, courtesy, and Christian sympathy, [God’s] love will be kept warm in the heart.”
When our hearts are filled with God’s Love, we are not easily annoyed. Yes, the line at the store is filled with anxious, angry, complaining people, yet, we have a calm spirit, because our hearts are filled with Jesus’ Love and Peace.
“Agape Love can endure evil and provocation, without being filled with resentment and revenge. God’s Love gives us power over anger, a quiet spirit, and persevering patience” [The Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23].
Without retaliation, we can overlook a stranger’s rude words, and have an unbothered mind when a resounding car horn is used to curse us.
“For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Amplified Bible).
“True love will give us an esteem of our brethren, and raise our value for them; and this will limit our esteem of ourselves, and prevent the [unrighteousness] of self-conceit and arrogance.”
God’s Agape Love Is Transforming
“God’s Love corrects a sharpness of temper, sweetens and softens the mind, It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge.”
God’s Love makes the mind steadfast, gives us power over our angry passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience…”
Our time on this Earth is slipping fast into eternity. We must kneel before the Throne of Grace, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden sins in our heart.
“We need to understand the Biblical teaching that we were created to sense and feel the presence of God.”
“Our heart can only stay saturated with God’s Love by the continual and consistent sense of God’s Presence in our life.”
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). In these Last Days, we desperately need to be in the presence of God. Evaluate and Rearrange your daily schedule, so you can have personal worship at least twice a day.
Consistent worship invites the Holy Spirit to spiritually transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character, and to permeate our hearts with Agape Love.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). With God’s Love overflowing in our hearts, even when the tests and trials come, we remain faithful, never losing hope, because we believe in Jesus’ Abiding Love and His Promises.
Heaven’s Divine Spiritual Team is dedicated to our spiritual growth and preparing us for an eternity of worshiping our Lord, Savior, and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we come to You in total surrender, seeking to be in Your Holy Presence. We ask You to cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness, and to fill us with Your Agape Love. Lord, teach us how to love You and to love others. We also ask for wisdom, discernment, and the strength to persevere in our spiritual journey. In faith we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'” (Isaiah 41:13, ESV)
Throughout the Bible, we find God’s Abundant Promises to always take care of us. The Scriptures reveal our Heavenly Father’s never-changing love for us, and His desire for us to completely depend on Him, in every aspect of our lives.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
But the truth is, until we face dilemmas that are impossible for us to resolve, we may think or say, “My faith and trust is in God,” but our exclusion of God when making daily decisions reveals that we really trust our human thoughts.
Self-Reliance diminishes our faith in God’s Love and Sovereign Authority. Trusting God in life’s routine duties may appear insignificant, but placing our faith in God, in the small matters demonstrates obedience, and invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen and build our faith.
God’s Command: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Relying on our thoughts, strategies, and abilities redirects our focus from God to ourselves, weakens our faith, and places us in a spiritual state of disobedience.
Every day, We Stand At The Spiritual Crossroads: Will we choose to follow Jesus?
At some point in our lives, God will allow us to face overwhelming changes and challenges that are impossible for human effort to resolve. If our daily choices reveal a history of trusting our thoughts and plans then we will unjustly blame God for not caring about us.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29: 11-12).
We were created to obey God, depend on His Perfect Plans, and then we are rewarded by receiving His Guidance, Strength, and Protection.
“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). By calling Jesus “Lord,” we acknowledge His Supreme Authority, not only with spoken words, but with daily surrender and faithful obedience.
Throughout the Bible, we find that God’s Promises have always been conditional; receiving God’s blessings is only possible when we follow and obey our Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Following Jesus Requires A Life of Self-Denial
Jesus’ Warning and Promise: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
Jesus warns us in advance that our spiritual journey with Him will require suffering, but from relying on His Strength and Power, we are filled with His peace, and with courage and hope, we keep moving forward: “I will never leave you or abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5).
If you have never depended on God, begin today by letting go of the unbeliever’s mindset and lifestyle of Self-Reliance, which produces the consequences of mental and emotional distress.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV).
We should never suffer from the distress of uncertainty, anxiety, worry, and consequences that overwhelms unbelievers, who will never enjoy Jesus’ beautiful gift of Abundant Peace.
Following Jesus with faithful obedience results in receiving His greatest benefits: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7).
Our faith must be living and active! “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8). Yes and Amen!
Our mind’s default setting is, “What am I going to do?” But God desires for us to use our faith and reset our default: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, ESV).
Reflection: Are we spending time with God? Worshiping God includes separating ourselves for the consistent daily personal worship of Consecration, Prayer, and Studying the Holy Scriptures.
“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, Legacy Standard Bible). In this Scripture, Yahweh reminded the Prophet Jeremiah that the “I AM” has no limitations!
Using our faith to trust and obey God is a life-changing decision that invites the Holy Spirit to guide us, and bless us Jesus’ Spiritual Wisdom, Strength, Joy, Peace, and Happiness.
To receive God’s Help, with humility and surrender, we must repent for the sins of self-reliance and living in opposition to God’s Divine Will and Plans for our lives.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
Faithful obedience acknowledges that we worship Jesus, our Lord and Savior with surrender and reverence. True Love for God produces a heart filled with humility, and the willingness to readily acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority over our lives.
The most important relationship is the one that requires us to totally depend on God, using our faith to believe, trust, and obey Jesus, Yahweh Yireh, our Provider, Who is always Faithful.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).
Lord God, we confess and repent for our sins of self-reliance and excluding you from our lives. We desire to live a life of faithful obedience, trusting in Yahweh, our Provider. We realize that we need Your Divine Help in our journey of spiritual growth and transformation. We ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, wisdom, and the strength to keep moving forward. We realize now that following Jesus includes taking up our cross and obeying Him. Lord, teach us how to recognize Your Voice above our thoughts. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] Only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, Amplified Bible).
If a coworker asked you, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” how would you respond?
Our answer is John 3:16: “God, the Father gave His only Son, Jesus Christ…” revealing that we understand that “The Message of the Cross,” always focuses on God, the Father’s, and [Jesus] God, the Son’s Life-Giving Plan of Redemption.
The Apostle Paul explains the difficulty of the human mind comprehending The Message of The Cross: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
“We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19).
When we initially accepted Christ as our Savior, it is God, the Holy Spirit, who gave us the wisdom to understand the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ Love, the Sacrificial Gift of His Life, and His Power to cleanse us from the unrighteousness of sin.
The Blood of Jesus Washes Us and We Are Spiritually Clean: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). What a beautiful and foundational Truth!
“God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14).
“The Message of The Cross [Jesus Christ] is the Core Foundation of the Christian Faith. It is God’s Ultimate Act of Sacrificial Love, the forgiveness of sins, and the Power of Salvation for those who believe!”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…” (Proverbs 2:6, ESV).
Without asking the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and knowledge, our understanding and perception of God’s Saving and Redeeming Grace is severely limited.
Daily worship invites the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and strength we need for our spiritual journey and growth; The Spirit ofTruth also teaches us the deepest meaning of God’s Holy Scriptures [God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways, Isaiah 55:8-9].
Like the Athenians in the Apostle Paul’s era, who had an altar inscribed “To The Unknown God” many of today’s believers do not understand that Jesus is the Foundation of Christianity, or even know how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Bible is our Spiritual Guide. We must study for ourselves. Not knowing who God is and how to apply Christian principles to everyday life, diminishes one’s faith in a Loving God, who gave His all when Jesus went to the Cross to save our souls.
It is God, the Holy Spirit, who gives us the spiritual wisdom and discernment to comprehend the Holy Scriptures, and The Life-Giving and Life-Saving Message of The Cross.
The Answer to Living a Victorious Life Through Jesus Christ: “Pray continuously!” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Jesus’ Promise: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).
God honors us when we consecrate and surrender ourselves daily to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. The Christian Journey requires living a Christ-Centered life of faithful obedience, dedicated to worshiping God through Prayer and Bible Study.
In morning worship, ask for wisdom. And day by day, the Holy Spirit will empower you to see life through spiritual eyes, giving you the Spiritual Discernment to grasp the magnitude of Jesus’ Sacrificial Gift of His Life on Calvary’s Cross.
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13, ESV).
God is Omniscient, perceiving time as Eternal, and His Wisdom is higher than we can ever imagine. The Bible is unequivocally Superior to all human knowledge, strategies, and thoughts, and artificial intelligence.
Our prayer for a deeper understanding of Jesus’ Love and the Message of the Cross is immediately answered by the Holy Spirit. Whether we are new to studying the Bible or have studied for years, we can never exhaust the Wisdom of God.
Our Heavenly Father is Loving, meeting us exactly where we are in our journey with Christ. When we do our part, the Holy Spirit establishes a spiritual foundation, gradually teaching us God’s Higher Thoughts, and how to live righteously.
Sanctification is the Spiritual process of being changed into the likeness of Christ Righteous Character. Study Matthew 11:29 and Galatians 5:22-23.
“For it is written, ‘Be holy, for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
When we pray and study the Holy Scriptures, God, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our minds and hearts, preparing us for a Holy Heavenly Home.
Recognizing Spiritual Transformation: Not only will our desires be different, we will not speak words, or engage in activities that bring shame and dishonor to our Heavenly Father.
Reflection: Does your heart align with the Righteousness of Christ? Our thoughts reflect whether our eyes are on the prize of the Crown of Life, or if we are focusing on the meaningless things of this Earth.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8, NLT).
Everyday we must remind ourselves that we are the blessed recipients of God’s Love, Grace, Mercy, and Salvation. Keep yourself on a high Spiritual Alert! In these Last Days [2 Timothy 3], Satan is busy!
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).
Never let your emotions make decisions for you. Fight uncertainties and temptations by whispering prayers for God’s Guidance and Strength throughout your day!
The Holy Spirit responds by strengthening our faith, giving us directions, and redirecting our focus back to Jesus Christ, our Risen and Triumphant King.
The joy of the Lord is our strength! Because of the magnitude of Jesus’ Gift of Eternal Life, our hearts should overflow with love and gratitude.
Study Revelation Chapters 21-22, memorizing the love and beauty of our future Forever Home.
In John 16:33, Jesus warns us in advance that our Spiritual Journey would be tough, but with His Guidance, Strength, Power, we can face life with courage, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” Pray, trust, and depend on Jesus’ Strength.
From a spiritual perspective, there is no reason for a praying Christian believer not to be full of Jesus’ joy, peace, and happiness. Every minute of the hour of the day, we must fight the good fight of faith!
Immediately Respond to All Temptations With Prayer
Be aware of your thoughts and desires! Without the Holy Spirit converting our heart, the inherited human heart is filled with desires of greed that can never be satisfied!
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19, 21).
Allowing ourselves to be mesmerized by Satan’s temporary material possessions and money spiritually disconnects us from Christ.
Greed changes our hearts from pure to unclean, and evicts the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit no longer resides within us, we lose our spiritual focus, and the ability to think clearly.
Praying for our heart’s desires [success, material possessions, money, and relationships] will receive an answer of “No” from God. Why?
God’s priority is to change our character. We can come to Jesus, Just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. Spiritual Transformation is a slow process, requiring a lifelong journey of little steps of growth.
We cannot change ourselves, nor can we speed up the spiritual rate of growth, our responsibility is to follow, obey Christ, and to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
God gave Jesus to save us from the wages of sin; and He desires to give us His Best Blessings in the New Heaven and New Earth, not on this temporary Earth that has no future.
Trust God, who knows the future and redirect your faith and focus back to Jesus! Change your prayer to, “Lord God, I want what You desire for me.”
“To him who overcomes, I will give the Crown of Life” is Jesus’ promise. It’s time for us to think, act, and live as if we are blessed recipients of Salvation and will soon receive our reward of Eternal Life.
We are Temporary Travelers Living on a Temporary Earth preparing everyday for our Forever Eternal home. Yes and Amen!
When our goals align with Jesus’ Promises in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12, this Earth becomes insignificant. Jesus is Coming! We are waiting for our inheritance of the Crown of Life.
Use your faith to trust God and His Excellent Thoughts and Plans, which are designed to give us hope and a blessed Eternal Future with Jesus, our LORD of Lords and KING of Kings.
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18).
Lord God, we pray for a Spiritual Revival and Reformation in our hearts. We ask You to forgive us for our sins, and to give us clarity and strength when we are uncertain of why we are Christians. We confess that we are not studying Your Holy Scriptures as we should and our prayer life is weak. Lord, today we commit to loving and honoring You as You deserve. Thank You for reminding us that because You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ to save us from the second death, we owe You faithful obedience, and honor, glory, and praise. We know that You love us, forgive us for not returning Your love. Today, we desire to restart our spiritual journey. Lord, teach us how to be holy. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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