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.”
“Let us then approach God’s Throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).
In Philippians 4:6-7, Jesus tells us the answer to alleviating all anxiety, we exchange our worries for peace through the power of prayer. As we bring our requests to God, we use our faith [even if it is weak] to approach the Throne of Grace with confidence because we have received the promise that we can always rely on Jesus.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus compared Himself to the Rock. When we place our faith in Christ, we have the assurance that our lives will remain stable because He never changes. Yes and Amen!
When the Israelites faced an impassable Red Sea ahead of them and Pharaoh’s Army behind them, their response was a total lack of faith in God’s Sovereign Power:
“And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord…” (Exodus 14:10).
The Faith of Moses: “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.'” (Exodus 14:13-14).
We know how Christ, who called Himself the Angel of the Lord in Exodus 14, our Mighty Warrior, resolved the situation with arrogant Pharaoh and his army—they drowned in the Red Sea: “The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.” (Exodus 14:28, NIV).
Studying the Holy Bible gives us knowledge of how God intervened for the righteous who used their faith to cry out for His Help. Knowing God’s Loving and Righteous Character gives us the courage to believe that God loves us and will always give us the victory.
In Psalm 91, angels are assigned by Christ to keep us safe. God is the Source and Sustainer of our lives. It is His Ruach breath that flows through our bodies. Faith propels us to believe without doubt that our Heavenly Father is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! Yes and Amen.
God knows our weaknesses, but He reminds us that He does not have human limitations: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
“Each day, we can choose to trade our anxieties for His peace. Our trials and troubles are opportunities to rely on Him.”
Whether facing routine obstacles or humanly impossible dilemmas, a Prayer of Faith should be our First Response. Making prayer a habit when all is well gives us the courage to immediately pray for God’s Divine Help when facing the tough times of adversity.
We use our Faith to “Trade our real-life anxieties for real-time peace.”When we really believe in God’s Sovereign Power, then Peace should come naturally, because God’s promises always remain the same.
“I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:9-10).
Lord God, we thank You for Your Love and the Holy Scriptures, which remind us that we are never forgotten. We ask for forgiveness for letting anxiety and worry consume us instead of immediately using our faith to bend our knees to ask You for Help. Lord, give us strength and peace, and we thank You in advance for Your Divine Intervention and Resolution. In faith, we pray in the Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.
Jesus’ Faithful Promise of Encouragement: John 14:1-3
“Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (faithfulness).” (Revelation 22:12, Amplified Bible).
A God First commitment is revealed by a Christ-centered, Purpose-driven Lifestyle. Our daily pursuits, habits, and lifestyles reflect our priorities. Distractions, including goals, are a catalyst for minutes quickly evolving into hours of non-productive time. We must take back control of our precious gift of time to include personal worship with Christ.
For those who believe in Jesus’ promise of coming soon, every day, we are: “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13). We do not belong to ourselves—Christ purchased us with the sacrificial offering of His life.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV).
Every believer must grow spiritually and be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ. Sanctification requires the human effort of faithful obedience and the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. Our only opportunity to be transformed spiritually is in our earthly lives.
“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8).
While we can stop sinful habits through behavior modification, we cannot change our hearts. This transformation can only happen through the power of Jesus Christ, who cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
In Jeremiah 17:9, God tells us the condition of the hearts that we inherited [deceitful and desperately wicked]. Every day, we pray and ask Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor and Mediator, for the forgiveness of our sins, and the wisdom and strength to live righteously.
Faithfulness to God is the intentional decision to follow Christ by worshiping God in spirit and truth, to renounce sin, and our internal desires. Through daily surrender and consecration, the Holy Spirit changes our hearts, and we begin to perceive life through spiritual eyes, so that everything we do and say will honor God.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5).
Jesus tells us that to be covered with His Righteousness, we must rely on His Spiritual Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit. Love, Faith, Humility, Surrender, and Obedience are the character traits that Christ possessed in His life on earth.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).
“Jesus humbled himself by voluntarily taking human form, acting as a servant, and submitting to God’s will even unto a shameful, agonizing death by crucifixion. This act of obedience represents the ultimate sacrifice to redeem humanity, leading to His exaltation.”
Reflection: Jesus promises the faithful “an immortal inheritance…you cannot afford to devote your life to the things of this world, but that your concern is to prepare for the [ forever] home that awaits you in the kingdom of God.” God’s Amazing Grace
“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.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Staying connected to Jesus is accomplished through a sacrificial life of self-denial, continuous prayer, and study of the Holy Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out; a clean heart reveals the Love and Righteousness of Christ. As followers of Christ, we have the responsibility of representing Christ’s Love to others through a gentle demeanor and kind words. It is up to us to reveal that choosing Jesus Christ makes a difference in one’s life.
Never feel intimidated when witnessing to others; the most powerful words are: “God [Jesus] loves you!” Today, I told one of my neighbors, “God loves you,” and her response was, “I believe that God loves me because I can feel God’s love from you,” which brought tears to my eyes.
When Jesus comes again,” the work of Redemption will be complete. The Earth…that Satan claims as his, will be exalted by Christ.” This Earth where Jesus came as a human, where the king of glory lived and suffered and died, He will make all things new.” Hallelujah!
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful…'”
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” (Revelation 21:4-7).
King David’s Prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). Amen.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
“Context: God [encourages] Jeremiah while Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonians, demonstrating that even in desperate, seemingly hopeless situations, 24/7, God remains Sovereign.”
“Meaning of ‘All Flesh:’ This phrase refers to all human beings, all living creatures, and emphasizes God’s Authority over every living thing on earth.”
“Significance: It serves as a reminder of God’s Power to save, heal, and deliver, encouraging faith when we face insurmountable obstacles.”
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
We were given a measure of Faith, which Jesus compares to a mustard seed. Although the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, it grows into a powerful tree.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26).
The commitment to having Personal Worship in the morning and evening redirects our faith and focus from ourselves and life’s overwhelming distractions back to God.
Unless we intentionally worship God through much Prayer and Bible Study, learning the attributes of His Loving Character, our faith in His Power will be non-existent.
PRINCIPLE: “The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit.”
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).
When we intentionally focus on Jesus’ Love and Power, our faith, trust, courage, and confidence in Christ will flourish, flowing like the mighty Niagara Falls.
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
Thought for Today: if we cannot use our faith to trust God with every aspect of our lives, then how is it possible for us to use our faith to invite the Holy Spirit to guide us every day in preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming?
Lord God, we confess that our faith has been redirected to ourselves, our focus is driven by our desires, and our attention is on the chaos of our environment. And for our unbelief in Your Sovereignty and Omnipotence, we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we pray for the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes, and to use our precious gift of time wisely to build a steadfast relationship with Jesus Christ, relying totally on your power. In faith, we pray, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will…” (Ephesians 1:3-5).
While having worship this morning, I listened to the powerful words of a song that said, “God chose us.” And with deep reflection, I thought about the spiritual responsibility of being chosen to follow Christ; What does it mean to be chosen by God, the Father?
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus always answers our questions regarding our salvation and spiritual matters. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways, which requires us to separate ourselves from distractions and worship God in solitude and silence when we desire to hear His Voice.
While studying my daily Bible Lesson, Ephesians 1:3-5, a Scriptural reference was the answer to my question. The apostle Paul explains that before Christ created the world, God, the Father, predestined us for adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.
“We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
“Divine Initiative: 1 John 4:19 highlights that God loved humanity first, even before we existed or chose to follow Him.”
“The Cause of Our Love: Our capacity to love God and others is not self-generated; it is a response to His grace and love, which is described as Agape (unconditional/sacrificial love).”
“A Reaction to Redemption: Because Jesus sacrificed Himself for humanity (as mentioned in 1 John 4:10), our love is a response of gratitude.”
Jesus Chooses Matthew as His Disciple: Matthew, the rogue tax collector, was chosen by Christ to be one of His twelve disciples. His response was not one of spoken words: “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9).
Jesus knows our hearts and, through the Holy Spirit, He extends the invitation to accept Him as our personal Savior: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).
“Our work is to open the door of the heart and let Jesus come in. He is knocking for entrance….Will you open the door? Jesus is standing at the door of your heart. Let Him in, the Heavenly Guest.” Our High Calling
“Many have so much rubbish piled up at the door of the heart that they cannot admit Jesus. Some have difficulties between themselves and their brethren to remove; others have evil tempers, pride, covetousness; with others, love of the world bars the entrance. All this must be taken away before they can open the door and welcome the Saviour in.” Our High Calling
For those who have opened the door of their hearts by accepting Christ as their personal Savior have been intentionally chosen by God, the Father, before the world was created, and we have at least one spiritual assignment to fulfill.
Will we accept our Holy Assignment of being chosen? If yes, then our lifestyle and priorities must reflect a “God First, Christ-Centered, Purpose-Driven” commitment to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Daily surrender and faithful obedience are required to live the sacrificial life of a chosen follower of Jesus Christ:
A Living Sacrifice: “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.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
“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 12:2, NIV).
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
The Commitment: “I have decided to follow Jesus, and through His strength, I will move forward to fulfill my Spiritual Assignment!” Yes and Amen.
Lord God, we thank You for Your amazing love and for predestining and choosing us to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Lord, we accept our Spiritual Assignment. As You reveal Your plans to us day by day, we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to recognize Your Voice above other voices, including our own thoughts. You told us in Your word that we will face many distractions designed to turn our focus away from You, and we ask for Spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to fulfill Your plans as we tell others about the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. In faith, we pray in Jesus’ Righteous Name. Amen.
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry…”
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart…”
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:15, 17, 19).
Although God does not cause adversity in our lives, He allows us to experience challenges that we cannot resolve to maintain our dependency on Him.
There is a dual purpose for trials: First, our challenges redirect our faith and focus from our abilities to the love and unlimited power of Jesus Christ. We were created to surrender and depend on God, not ourselves.
Trials are designed to produce the righteous characteristics of steadfast faith and trust in God, courage, and perseverance, producing the spiritual growth and maturity required to receive our reward of Eternal Life.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV).
Lord God, in obedience, we come to You with our challenges and hardships. We believe that You love us and that Your promises are true. While we wait for Your Divine Intervention,we desperately need Your strength. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for giving us the victory. And in faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Jesus Frequently Prayed Alone: “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” (Luke 5:16).
“Looking at the passages where Jesus prays alone, one thing that is evident is that He took action in order to make His quiet (alone time) time happen.”
“The seasons of prayer which the Savior spent in the mountain or in the desert were essential to prepare Him for the trials He must meet in the days to follow….”
Every day, we face many spiritual battles that we cannot resolve without the Divine Intervention and Power of Jesus Christ.
The first step to establishing a consistent prayer life is to set aside a time in the morning before beginning the routine duties of your day.
Separation, Solitude, and Silence invite the Holy Spirit to place us in God’s Holy Presence.
“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend…Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.”
By separating us from distractions and others, the Holy Spirit makes us aware of the reverence required in the majestic presence of Jesus, God, our Heavenly Intercessor.
“And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” (John 11:41-42).
Because Jesus was without sin, He always began his prayers with gratitude to God the Father.
Although the format of our prayers varies, we should always ask for the forgiveness of our sins and then express gratitude to God for His Love, Grace, and Mercies, and the new day of life, as we begin our prayers.
Prayer is our greatest asset! “There is a condition that we must fulfill if we expect God to hear and answer our prayers: We must feel that we need help from Him.”
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). Make prayer your priority!
To live as victorious overcomers, we must stay connected to Jesus, the Source of Divine Power. Whether our prayers are silent or spoken, there is no limit to petitioning the Throne of Grace, which should be done several times a day to receive Jesus’ strength to stand against our desires and Satan’s temptations.
“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray?”
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16). Within ourselves, we are powerless, but fervent prayers are answered and empowered by Jesus Christ, the Source of All Power. Yes and Amen!
For the Christians who pray continuously, Satan can never deceive us. Prayer connects us to Jesus Christ, our High Priest, Intercessor, and Mediator, who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to perceive life through spiritual eyes, and to recognize and resist Satan’s temptations.
The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3, the behaviors of sinful people in the Last Days: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…”
Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the last days of Earth’s history! “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to recognize the Voice of God.
Every day, we must pursue our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, through continuous prayer to receive the spiritual wisdom, strength, guidance, and discernment to fully understand the Truth of the Holy Scriptures, and to prepare for Jesus’ Soon Coming.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:17-18, NIV).
Lord God, we thank You for the privilege of prayer. And we ask You to strengthen us and to give us wisdom as we prepare day by day for the soon coming of Jesus Christ. Lord, teach us how to recognize Your Voice and open our minds so that we can understand the depth of the Holy Scriptures. In faith, we pray in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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