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.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)
Because God is Omniscient, He knew that our lives would include fighting daily battles, making decisions, and overcoming temptations that would leave us mentally and spiritually depleted.
Our Heavenly Father’s Promise: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8).
With great love, God, Jesus, the Son created us to totally depend on His Wisdom and Strength. We acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority by praying for guidance and obeying Him, simply because Jesus is our Creator, Savior, and King, and we are the creation.
To accept Christ as our Savior and Shepherd requires us to follow God’s Higher Thoughts and to resist our inclinations: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).
The failure to pray for and obey God’s Guidance reveals that we have rejected Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Following our thoughts reveals a deeper spiritual issue with our heart; making plans without God reveals a spirit of disobedience, and the failure to revere God’s Sovereign Authority over our lives.
God’s Free Gift of Grace: We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).
“The Transforming Power of Grace: Christ’s Grace does more than forgive past sins; it molds and changes human character to reflect the likeness of Jesus.”
“Grace Is Freely Given: It cannot be bought with money, earned by human works, or commanded by power—it is accepted only through faith and surrender.”
“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.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
God loves us and has a definitive plan for our lives: His priority is to spiritually transform our mind, character, and personality: “Be holy, for I Am Holy” is God’s Command; yet, we cannot change ourselves.
Sanctification [Spiritual Growth and Transformation] requires letting go of the sin of self- reliance. Through daily consecration, we commit to abide in Christ by seeking His guidance through continuous prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures.
The Sacrificial Life: “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. …”
“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).
Sanctification is the daily transforming spiritual work of the Holy Spirit that requires our cooperation and must be accomplished in our earthly lives before we take our last breath.
The Message of The Cross: With Amazing Love that the human mind cannot comprehend [without the Holy Spirit giving us a deeper spiritual understanding], God, the Father gifted us with Jesus, His Divine Son, who died to save our souls.
Jesus willingly gave His life to save us from the wages of sin [the second and final death] with the expectation that we would love, follow, obey, and worship Him as our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King.
God, the Father’s Spiritual Goals: For us to love God, Yeshua, His Son; to possess the Righteous Attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character [The Fruit of The Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23]; and for God, the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, in preparation for an eternity of worshiping Jesus [Revelation 22].
God’s Instructions For Striving To “Be Holy”
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, ESV).
We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV).
Why is it so difficult for us to follow Jesus and to live holy?
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29). Jesus proclaimed that He always obeyed God, the Father.
To be a Christian is to be Christ-like: To Follow Christ Is To Seek His Divine Will and Fulfill God’s Plans.
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, ESV).
The Four Gospels reveal Jesus’ earthly life, and His commitment to teach and transform the 12 disciples. We study the Bible to learn how Jesus lived and overcame sin through continuous prayer.
If we pray for the strength and power to stand down sinful desires and temptations, we will immediately receive Christ’s Divine Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit to overcome.
Jesus’ earthly life reveals that He loved God, the Father; Jesus’ abundant love brought hope, healing, and peace to the multitudes of people, who were rejected by the Jewish leaders.
God, the Father, expects us to have the same Loving and Righteous Character as Christ, which is only possible when we dedicate ourselves to follow Jesus with daily surrender and faithful obedience.
Placing our faith and trust in Jesus and seeking His Guidance through continuous prayer reveals that our heart is overflowing with love for God.
Humility reveals itself through obedience, only then can the Holy Spirit empower us with Jesus’ Divine wisdom and strength to persevere in our earthly spiritual journey.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
Salvation is not Behavior Modification; it is impossible for us to change the condition of our inherited hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
God knows our struggles with sin and selfishness; therefore He gave us written Spiritual Principles and Commands in the Holy Bible, which provide the Divine Guidance to live as righteous overcomers.
Yes, The Bible is our Spiritual Blueprint. The Holy Scriptures teach us how to live holy; still, we require Jesus’ Divine Power every day, given to us through the Holy Spirit to win our spiritual battles.
Letting Go of The Unbelieving Mindset of Self-Reliance
Self-Reliance redirects our faith and focus to ourselves instead of on the Power of God. Following Jesus, our Shepherd requires a spirit of humility and the willingness to obey God.
We actively participate in our Salvation by making choices that honor God: “Do not be conformed to this world.”
Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot overcome our heart’s desires for wealth, material possessions, and sinful people and pleasures.
Every day, our earnest prayer must be King David’s prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV).
When we love God, daily surrender and faithful obedience to His Perfect Plans are not a burden.
Because we love Jesus and appreciate the gift of His Life on Calvary’s Cross, following Him on the Narrow Path of Righteousness is our greatest desire.
Our commitment to follow Jesus is renewed every morning; Personal worship includes the Prayer of Surrender, Praying for God’s Plan for the new day, and studying the Holy Scriptures.
Through continuous prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment to understand the deepest spiritual meaning of the Holy Scriptures, and how we are to live out the Scriptures day by day.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes, teaching us how to “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” The Holy Spirit also warns us of Satan’s covert temptations designed to deceive us.
One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to bring “unbelieving believers” into our lives; with their words they proclaim belief in God, but their lifestyle reveals a heart that is attached to the world.
Separation From Unbelievers and Unbelieving Believers: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV).
We must also separate ourselves from family and friends who do have a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. “You will know them by their fruits;” either we are righteous or worldly, no one can serve God with a divided heart.
“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NLT)
God, the Holy Spirit, guides and empowers us to choose right instead of wrong; to accept and live by God’s Truth instead of false teachings; and to renounce the unbeliever’s godless habits and lifestyles; still, our hearts must desire to willingly follow and obey Jesus.
Satan desires that we see God as a punitive Judge instead of a Loving Heavenly Father, Who desires to give us Eternal Life; but Jesus says that Satan is the “Father of Lies.”
The Hidden Traits of Disobedience: “But why do you call me ‘Lord Lord,’ but not do as I say?” Yes, following Christ requires giving up our desires for His Perfect Plans.
Although God desires for us to love Him with faithful obedience, God’s desires are rarely fulfilled. Because God is Just, we were created with a free will to choose. Sadly, humanity, who are the only beings created in the image of God frequently choose to rebel against His Sovereign Authority.
If we reject Jesus by embracing self-reliance and chasing our desires then we choose the destiny of Malachi 4, instead of God’s Plans to live forever with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Worship Is a Lifestyle Not a Weekly Event
The lifestyle of “Daily Personal Worship” is the only way to abide in Christ, which keeps our faith and focus on His Divine Love, Power, and Promises, building an unbreakable relationship with our Loving Savior.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23, ESV).
Personal worship demonstrates our love and loyalty to Jesus, revealing that we worship the One and Only True God. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him commit to following His directives with unwavering faith, trust, and obedience.
Consistent worship reinforces our love for God, preparing us for an eternity of worshiping Jesus Christ, our Risen and Triumphant King. Yes and Amen!
It is in our earthly lives that we must utilize our gift of time wisely. Spending time in personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus’ glorious presence, filling us with peace, joy, wisdom, and the strength we need to keep following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Followers of Christ will never have an easy life, but it is a privilege to suffer for Jesus. Throughout the Bible, Jesus promises to give us His Strength, which empowers us to persevere and to keep moving forward.
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: Lamentations 3
Lord Jesus, the Creator of this universe, we humbly approach Your Throne of Grace, bowing to your Sovereign Authority. Today, we renew our spiritual commitment to follow You with love and loyalty, and to use our faith to trust Your Perfect Plans for our lives.
Lord, search our hearts and reveal any hidden sins. We ask you to forgive us for our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. Jesus, You are our Faithful Shepherd, and we ask You to guide us in this spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.
As we follow You, give us peace, and the spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength to live as righteous overcomers. We love You because You first loved us. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King. Amen.
Lord God, You Are Holy, Holy, Holy. You are the Sovereign Authority of this universe, and with humility and surrender, we bow before Your Throne of Grace on this Holy Sabbath, worshiping You, because You are the Most-High God. Lord, we ask you to forgive us of our sins against You. We thank You for The Plan of Redemption, which required the death of Your Precious Son, God, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, we thank You for humbling Yourself to come to this earth, in poverty to save our souls. We are in desperate need of the abundant blessings of spiritual renewal and restoration. Lord, we thank You for bringing us safely through this week. We are weary, yet, we look forward to the blessings of strength, peace, joy, and happiness that comes from placing our faith and trust in You. Thank you for giving us 24 hours to forget about the routine duties of life and redirect our focus to worshiping You on the Sabbath that You Sanctified and made Holy. We surrender to Your Sovereignty and look forward to the day when we will see You face to face in all of Your glory. In faith, we praise Your Holy Name and ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” (Matthew 22:37, ESV).
In the Holy Scriptures, God specifies how we are to love, honor, and worship Him: Loving God means that we Him put First; Keeping our Focus, Faith, and Trust in the Power of His Son, Jesus Christ; and establishing and maintaining a spiritual relationship with Jesus through daily Prayer and Bible Study.
“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'” (John 14:23).
Abraham demonstrates that Faithful Obedience is our highest worship to God. (Genesis 22:1-19): When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, Abraham told his servants that he and his son were going to worship God and they would return.
At some point, every believer will stand at the junction of the Spiritual Crossroads:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The Narrow Path of Righteousness requires a deep abiding love for Jesus, a spirit of humility, daily surrender, and faithful obedience. Few believers dedicate themselves to follow Christ by living a sacrificial life of self-denial, as Jesus did in His earthly life.
Jesus Always Obeyed God, the Father in His Earthly Life: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29).
“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).
The Broad Path [ruled by Satan] is traveled on by many people who profess to believe in God, but sadly, this group of Christians reveal that they are ritualistic worshipers.
Yes, they attend church every week, give tithe and offerings; and from their outward appearance they appear to the followers of Christ, but their hearts remain unconverted.
The “unbelieving believers” love themselves more than God and live a lifestyle that demonstrates faith in human abilities. “Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21).
But why do you call me “Lord, Lord” and not do the things I say to do.” (Luke 6:46).
Every day, unsanctified believers eagerly pursue their personal desires, and feel all is well between them and God; yet they do not realize that the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within those who possess a spirit of disobedience, as evidenced by self-reliance, a bitter fruit of sinful pride.
Reflection: “Be holy, for I Am Holy” is God’s command to every believer who accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior. Faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to perform the lifelong spiritual process of Sanctification, required to receive Eternal Life.
Daily surrender and praying for God’s guidance are also required for the Holy Spirit to sanctify us. The Holy Spirit is a Spiritual Catalyst, allowing the faithful to experience the Power of Jesus Christ; through Christ, we receive daily spiritual growth and character transformation.
Humility, Surrender, Faith, Trust, and Obedience are the characteristics of those who love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength. And these are they who will be guided by The Spirit of Truth, God, the Holy Spirit.
“The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28, Amplified Bible).
The gift of each new day gives us the opportunity to choose a Christ-Centered, Faith-based, heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd.
Our Hearts Must Be 100% Committed to Following Our Faithful Shepherd
“Choose this day who you will serve.” The nation of Israel attempted to serve God with a divided heart, but their love of pagan worship practices proved that they did not love God.
“Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.” (Numbers 14:29 BSB).
“In Numbers 20:12, God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Promised Land: “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
From the great number of emancipated Israelites [600,000 men, not counting women and children in the census], there were only two faithful men over the age of 20, Joshua and Caleb, who received their inheritance in Canaan, The Promised Land.
Our thoughts, habits, actions, pursuits, and lifestyle reveal who is priority in our lives, God or Self. Loving Jesus is to worship Him as our Savior, Shepherd, Redeemer, and Triumphant King with daily surrender and faithful obedience.
The commitment of daily surrender is expressed through the Prayerof Humility, “God not my will, but Your Will be done” revealing that we are willing to love and honor King Jesus’ Sovereign Authority.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13).
Because of God’s Divine Grace that flows from Jesus, God, the Son, [The Message of the Cross] to the righteous, we are saved by Grace through faith and covered with the Righteousness of Christ. Yes and Amen!
“Today when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Following our Shepherd compares to sheep following their shepherd.
Dedicating ourselves to be faithful and obedient sheep is not a burden or inconvenience when our hearts are overflowing with love, loyalty, and appreciation of Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross.
Reflection: Do you love God enough to do exactly what He tells you to do?
Luke 11:28: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.”
Lord God, we approach your Throne of Grace with humility and surrender. We commit to following Jesus with faithful obedience, and pray for the anointing, power ,and presence of the Holy Spirit. Please teach us how to be holy. Lord, we also pray for Spiritual Wisdom, Discernment, and the Power to overcome our desires and Satan’s temptations. Jesus, we love You and appreciate the greatest gift that humanity will ever receive, the cleansing Power of Your blood that washes away our sins, and restarts our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
“The elect of God are dear to His heart. They are those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, to show forth His praise, to shine as lights amid the darkness of the world…. God loves His children with infinite love. To Him the dearest object on earth is His church.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 165.
The Decision To Follow Jesus Requires Total Surrender and Faithful Obedience
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).
God, the Father has an elect people, who love Him, and follow and obey God, His Son, Jesus Christ. Yes, we are the sheep, who live a life of surrender and humility, involving Christ in every aspect of our lives, by continuously praying for His guidance, wisdom, and strength.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NLT).
The choices and lifestyle of true worshipers is based on obeying God’s command to live a life of sacrificial self-denial and separation from unbelievers [Romans 12:1-2].
True worshipers engage in personal worship every day, praising God with gratitude, praying, and studying the Holy Scriptures. Because we love Jesus, we seek His Divine guidance instead of thinking our thoughts, and following our inclinations.
Still, every day, we struggle with internal desires and fight against Satan’s external temptations, but we whisper prayers asking for the strength to overcome, and Jesus provides us with the strength to resist the devil.
No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. (1 Corinthians 10:13, Amplified Bible).
We live in a time filled with busyness, and the pursuit of personal desires and goals. Satan, the Ultimate Deceiver presents us with the temptations of seeking wealth, status, and relationships with unbelievers designed to distract and separate us from God.
Faith Triumphs in Trouble!
“In the Bible, Jesus acknowledges that His believers will face trials, teaching that suffering builds endurance, identifies followers with Christ, and is temporary compared to future eternal glory.”
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope…”
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1, 3-5)
Believers who are dedicated to following Jesus will suffer many trials, hardships, and adversities, designed to produce a spirit of humility, and keep our faith, focus, and total dependence on Christ.
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14).
“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be My disciples.” (Luke 14:33).
As dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, we intentionally choose to obey His Commandments, including the command to separate ourselves from worldly activities and unbelievers, who Satan uses to influence us to sin against God.
Seeking God’s Will Through Much Prayer
“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27: 8). Through consistent prayer and daily surrender, we receive the power of the Holy Spirit required to live a life of self-denial and faithful obedience.
We are Temporary Travelers living on a Temporary Earth intentionally preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12).
Our focus is heavenly! Because we love Jesus, we choose to follow and obey our Shepherd, and look forward to seeing Jesus, our Triumphant King, who will reward us with our Eternal Crown of Life.
Every day, through our prayers, Jesus affirms “His Abundant and Always Present Love:” “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
From using our faith to believe that God is Who He says He is, when studying the Holy Scriptures, we know that we can rely on God’s Promises, and the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort and empower us to keep moving forward.
“For YHWH your God is among you, the Mighty One who saves; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will be joyous over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, BLB)
Lord God, as we travel on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, which requires much faith, trust, surrender, and total obedience, we thank You for comforting and encouraging us with Your promise in John 14:1-3. We believe and are preparing for that Great Day when You will come and take us to Heaven. Lord, we look forward to the day when we will sing many songs of gratitude, worshiping You for leading us victoriously through our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven. In faith, we pray in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NRSV).
Personal Testimony: Living on the East Coast of Florida is a wonderful place to live if you do not mind hot, humid weather, and love the ocean. However Florida has one drawback that almost every Floridian has experienced and that is the overgrowth of mold.
On August 10th, 2026, I looked under my bathroom vanity cabinet and could not believe what I was seeing, the wall was covered with black mold. So, I decided to look under the lower kitchen cabinet and that wall was also covered with mold.
At that point, I knew that my calm and peaceful life that God had blessed me with was interrupted. Yet, I did not know that this would be one of the toughest journeys of faith, I have experienced in many years.
What happened next was shocking, the property manager and maintenance supervisor insisted and agreed that it was only mildew.
The Property Manager refused to follow the company’s Mold and Mildew Policy, which required sending a licensed Mold Inspector to assess and perform testing of almost two hours duration.
At this point, I prayed and asked for God’s Divine guidance; “God, should I hire a Mold Inspector?” God revealed His answer of “Yes” in a Supernatural manner that you know that He is God.
Divine Intervention #1: On Wednesday, I called the Mold Inspection company that is located one hour from my home, explained the situation to the receptionist, who said they were booked, but she would speak to the owner. Within 30 minutes, she called telling me that my inspection was scheduled for Friday morning.
Divine Intervention #2: Instead of one of the company’s technicians performing the Mold Inspection, God sent Jared, the owner of the company, who performed extra testing at no charge.
Four days later, I received the Mold Inspection report along with the Lab results: The species of mold that was present is airborne, and from my nursing background, I know that it always attacks the Respiratory System, especially those with a diagnosis of Asthma, which I have.
“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers…” (Psalm 91:3-4).
Divine Intervention #3: Although this mold species is airborne, the test for airborne spores was negative: “No airborne spores present” in my apartment.” Hallelujah!
Further inspection revealed that the bathroom and kitchen subfloors were damaged by the hidden leaky water pipe in the wall leading to the bathroom faucet, and contained a large amount of mold growth.
I emailed the property manager the report and the Management company responded immediately by scheduling three Mold Remediation companies to inspect the apartment, and submit their bids.
The approved company was scheduled to begin the Remediation process today, Friday, September 18th.
Ten days ago, I received the preparation instructions, which required the relocation of all of the bathroom and kitchen items to my living and sleeping areas. I prayed, asking God for the wisdom and strength, and finally, after ten days, the rigorous task was completed.
Every day, I prayed for Divine guidance during the entire process; God answered my prayer by giving me the wisdom and strength to relocate two rooms into the 50% of the remaining areas, like playing with Legos, everything was stacked perfectly.
Because there were no vacant apartments available on the property, I was told that I would have to find temporary housing, during the Remediation process, and Florida State laws do not require the Landlord to cover the expenses.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV).
Divine Intervention #4: Jesus pays attention to the small details. He directed me to book an Airbnb that I thought was an apartment, but it is a separate house, on the owner’s property. I feel as if I am at a Spa; the host is friendly, and her flower garden is phenomenal, including beautiful orchids.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV).
Jesus, our loving Shepherd is also “Yahweh Yireh), which translates to ‘The Lord will provide.'” God provided the finances for a two-week stay, allowing me to have a wonderful vacation while my apartment is remediated and renovated.
“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5, ESV). there was one major concern of the Remediation process that I immediately prayed about when I was informed of the start date of Friday, 9/18/2026.
Still, there was one major concern of the Remediation process that I immediately prayed about when I was informed of the start date of Friday, 9/18/2026.
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:8-9, NIV).
The Remediation crew planned on performing and completing the demolition, working from early Friday morning until late into Friday night, after sunset, which would be the beginning of the Sabbath. God honors and blessed those who honor and obey His Commandments.
Divine Intervention #5: This morning, 9/18, I was notified via email by the Property Manager of the delay to begin Remediation; Their Corporate office was still processing the payment to the Remediation company, and the pending date for the initial Remediation is rescheduled for Monday, September 21st.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” (Psalm 24:1, NLT).
“Behold I am the God of all flesh, is there anything too difficult for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27).
In these Scriptures, God proclaims His Divine, Infinite Power and His Absolute Sovereignty over all creation. God has no limitations. And God will reveal His power to those who put their complete faith and trust in him.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV).
The following are notes from a Sermon entitled “God Is On Your Side,” by Pastor Pavel Goia:
“Trust that God is Faithful! Do not look at your challenges, look to God. God has the necessary means; Pray and ask for His plans to be revealed instead of your own.”
“To know God is life eternal. We only worry when we do not know God’s Loving Character. God is always on our side and if God is for us, who can be against us?”
“When we focus on God, God will focus on us, and fight our battles. We are not supposed to fix our problems, we are supposed to give them to God.”
“Study and Believe in God’s Written Word (His promises in the Bible). Keep praying! God loves us more than we understand. Choose to believe and keep praying.”
“In faith, when we pray and ask Jesus for help, the prayer is answered. We may have to wait, which is a test of our faith. We may not see the answer, but trust God with all your heart.”
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:8-10).
The difference between Christian Believers and unbelievers is that our faith, trust, and focus are directed to God, Who loves us with an Everlasting Love, and promises to take care of us.
Brothers and Sisters, if we love God then why do we continue to distrust His love and countless promises to take care of us? The Sovereign God, who gave His only Son, Jesus to die for us deserves our love and loyalty.
We must let go of the self-reliance that unbelievers practice, revealing that they despise God’s Sovereign Authority.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23, ESV).
This overwhelming situation brought me to a Spiritual Crossroads, requiring me to make a choice: Would I make a covenant with Jesus to surrender myself completely to follow my Shepherd with faithful obedience, trust, and reverence?
When we face impossible situations, we cry out to God for help, but are we willing to live the sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience required to follow Jesus?
“Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21, ESV). God reads human hearts, knowing whether or not our commitment is genuine.
Today, I enjoyed the beauty of Melbourne Beach. Although the warmth of the sun and the warm breeze felt great, as I looked at the ocean, the waves were raging with visible strength, and no one attempted to enter the water, yet the sky was absolutely beautiful.
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that our Christian Journey will be one that includes many hardships and adversities, but to remain faithful and courageous because He has overcome. Hallelujah! Yes, Jesus loves us!
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).
Lord Jesus, we cry out to You, because we cannot live without Your Divine Help. Jesus, we thank You for being our Shepherd, Redeemer, Provider, Protector, Healer, and Risen King. We love You, Lamb of God, and with gratitude, we worship You for relinquishing Your Divinity to come to this earth to live in poverty, and suffer, bleed, and die a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross to save our souls. In Victory, from the grave You arose, proclaiming that You have the keys to hell and death, which will be destroyed when you come again as our Triumphant King. Hallelujah! This Sabbath, we honor You, King Yeshua with love, faith, obedience, and loyalty. This Sabbath, we worship You on the day that You made Holy. Jesus, we thank You, for loving us with an Everlasting Love. In faith and with reverence, we ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
Reflecting on this week reveals that when we invite Christ into our lives through personal worship, Jesus’ Divine Presence provides comfort, peace, and the miraculous proof that His promises are Yes and Amen!
If you haven’t let go of self-reliance then you are missing out on the abundant spiritual blessings and benefits that the righteous receive when they honor God, worshiping Him with love, surrender, and faithful obedience.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for bringing us safely through another week. As we prepare our hearts and minds to worship You for the next 24 hours, we ask for a double portion of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You for loving us so much, that You designated 1/7th of our week for the restoration of our mind, body, and soul. Every week, we look forward to being healed mentally, emotionally, physically, and most importantly spiritually.
As we worship You, Lord, we pray for those who are attempting to restart their lives without their loved ones. We ask You to provide healing, comfort, and strength to the mother at my doctor’s office, who is grieving the loss of her son.
Jesus, we look forward to the day when You will fulfill Your promise to come again, taking us to Heaven, where there will be no more tears, pain, or sorrow. Because of Your sacrificial gift on Calvary’s Cross, we have the opportunity for Eternal Life, and with gratitude and praise, we thank You, Beautiful Triumphant King. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Worthy and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11, ESV)
For several years, I worked full-time, studying one academic course per semester. Finally, my goal of completing the academic courses required for the Registered Nursing program came to fruition.
With much excitement, I began to apply for Nursing programs, only to discover the programs within a 50 mile radius of where I lived in New Jersey, had a two to three year waiting list. Although I was extremely disappointed, God revealed His Divine Providence and Plans for my future.
One day, while sharing my dilemma with one of my closest friends, who was a Registered Nurse in Upstate New York, advised me to apply to the school, in which he completed his nursing education.
I whispered a prayer for God’s guidance, took a giant leap of faith, and God responded by revealing His Supernatural Power; within 5 days, I received my acceptance letter. As I whispered a prayer of gratitude, I immediately recognized this was God’s Divine Providence.
Then ambivalent feelings began to cause an internal war within my heart; relocation to Upstate New York would require walking away from a serious and loving relationship that I was involved in.
Again my nurse friend gave me sound advice, “Nursing is not only what you love to do, you must also consider that the future brings many unexpected hardships, becoming a Registered Nurse and teaching patients how to manage their illnesses and achieve optimal health provides job satisfaction and ensures a secure future.”
“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…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, ESV).
At the age of 40, I was accepted into a rigorous nursing program that was scheduled to start within 3 months. Whether or not my excitement boosted my faith, with God’s Help, and Tee, the love of my life, we drove a UHaul and my car to Upstate New York.
When we arrived at my new home, Tee spoke these words, “Dee, I have thought about it and I just can’t do a long distance relationship.” I quickly replied that I understood, expressed my love for him, but felt no grief, because I knew this was God’s Plan for my life.
Yahweh Yireh, Our Provider Reveals His Love
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” (Ephesians 3:20).
While unpacking, the school’s financial aid officer notified me of another God-given blessing; I received a scholarship that covered tuition, books, and uniforms for the duration of the program.
God’s Expectation: To keep our faith and focus on His Power and Promises, not our circumstances.
“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, Amplified Bible).
The Faith Test: Nursing Clinicals required two years of intense study, and included summer rotations, My scholarship did not cover my living expenses; and the curriculum’s schedule was definitely not one that would allow the student nurse to work Monday through Friday.
Loyalty to God’s Commandments: Because I honor God by obeying the Fourth Commandment to keep the Seventh Day Sabbath holy, I could not work on Sabbath, and studying required 8-12 hours on Sundays.
As a student nurse, I had to totally rely on God for my provisions, placing me on a spiritual journey that required 100% of my faith and trust in God’s Love and Promises. And Yahweh Yireh proved that nothing is too hard for God!
The Reward: As I gave the valedictorian remarks at graduation, with a humble and grateful heart, I thanked God for giving me the courage to trust Him with my life, and the strength and wisdom to maintain a 4.0 GPA.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Matthew 6:31-32, ESV).
“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.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Journey of Faith Requires Total Trust and Obedience To God
“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.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Reflection: Are you following God’s Plan for your life? The majority of today’s Christian Community fail to live a Christ-Centered, Faith-based life, which requires daily self-denial and obedience to God.
Every day, we plan and fulfill our personal agendas, without praying and asking God to reveal His Perfect Will and Plans for our lives. God’s Warning: “Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7).
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Self-Reliance is an unrighteous character trait that demonstrates a heart filled with pride and willful disobedience against God.
The Christian believer, who fails to pray for God’s Guidance has the same mindset as unbelievers, who value human thoughts over God’s Sovereign Thoughts and Ways.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, Amplified Bible).
We can believe in God and attend church, but the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within an “unbelieving believer,” who intentionally refuses to surrender and acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority.
Pursuing our desires and plans reveals that we place our faith and trust in human thoughts and strategies, instead of God’s Promises, but spiritual defiance results in spiritual death.
Self-governance invites Satan to tempt us continuously with the desires of our hearts, which distract us from our relationship with Christ, ultimately giving Satan the power to control our lives.
“But He said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'” (Luke 11:28, ESV).
God lovingly tells us that using our faith to obey His Plans has always been required. When we love God, the Holy Spirit converts our hearts, and obeying our Heavenly Father is never a burden.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning” [for He is perfect and never changes]. (James 1:17, Amplified Bible).
God always rewards His faithful and obedient sons and daughters with spiritual blessings. We may focus on receiving material blessings, yet receiving God’s gifts of an alert and oriented mind, spiritual wisdom, and optimal physical health are examples of the spiritual blessings that money can never provide.
Prayer Connects Us To El Roi, The God Who Sees
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35, ESV). In Jesus’ earthly life, through continuous prayer, He asked God, His Father for wisdom and guidance.
Jesus revealed humility and the willingness to always surrender and faithfully obey His Father, and God, the Father has not changed, to receive the reward of Eternal Life, we must obey God.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). As Sons and Daughters of God, follow and obey Jesus, our Shepherd by seeking His will, plans, and guidance through daily prayer.
The true condition of the human heart is revealed by one’s thoughts, spoken words, habits, and lifestyle. Daily surrender and faithful obedience reveal love, loyalty, and reverence for God’s Sovereign Authority and Divine Providence.
In the Bible, God reveals His Righteous Character; therefore, if we are diligently studying the Holy Scriptures, we learn Who God is: “I Am That I Am!”
Understanding The Purpose of Faith-Builders: Trials, Hardships, and Adversity
In Job chapter 38, Job questioned God; yes, Job felt that he did not deserve the extreme suffering that the Lord God allowed to enter His life.
God’s Response: “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge? Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know and have understanding?'” (Job 38:1-2, 4 Amplified Bible).
Throughout the Bible, God Proclaims His Sovereignty
“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, Amplified Bible).
As Followers of Jesus Christ, Who sacrificed His Life on Calvary’s Cross, when we appreciate Jesus’ Life-Giving and Life-Saving Sacrifice, we will use our faith to love, trust, and obey God.
Believers use their faith to believe. Faith does not have a gray area, nor does faith depend on the presenting circumstances; Steadfast Faith proclaims, God said it! I believe it! It is done!
“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…” (Lamentations 3: 25-26).
Faith praises God, even though the answer to our prayers have not come to fruition. King David tells us to wait on the Lord with courage and prayers of gratitude. In the wait, we thank God for the victory, asking Jesus to give us the strength to persevere. Faith believes that God is Faithful!
Loving God Is The Catalyst For Steadfast Faith
“So He [Jesus] answered and said, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind…'” (Luke 10:27).
Jesus tells us that “God’s Love” is the spiritual foundation of our salvation. We must use our gift of faith to establish and maintain a spiritual love connection to God’s Agape Love, which is manifested through our Savior, God, Jesus Christ, His Son.
“We love because He first loved us.” When we understand that the Message of The Cross reveals God, the Father’s overwhelming love for humanity, gifting us with His Precious Son, God, Jesus Christ, with humility and gratitude, we will reciprocate our love through faithful obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“I will bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless Your Holy Name!”
Faithful obedience and trust are spiritual fruits, revealing that the believer’s heart overflows with love and adoration for God’s Faithfulness, Grace, and continuous Mercies.
Why is our faith strong and anchored in The Rock, Jesus Christ?
From searching and studying the Holy Scriptures, we learn the Loving and Righteous Attributes of God’s Sovereign Character: He is Immanuel, God With Us in the peaceful times and in the raging storms.
God Proclaims: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Like a young child, we use our faith to steadfastly believe that God is: El Roi, “The God, Who Sees me;” and El Ne’eman, “The God, Who is Trustworthy and Reliable.”
In faith, we wait on Yahweh Yireh, our Provider, because His Promises to always take care of us are Yes and Amen [It is so!].
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
Lord Jesus, with humility and surrender, we approach Your Throne of Grace, asking for the forgiveness of our grievous sins of disobedience, doubt, and unbelief in Your Faithfulness and Your Promises. Jesus, we ask for the anointing of Your Power, and to reveal Your Presence, given to us through God, the Holy Spirit. Lord, we ask You to strengthen our faith and to guide us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness that leads from earth to Heaven. In faith, we humbly ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King, Amen.
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