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.”
“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23).
Today, I took time to meditate on God’s Amazing Love and Faithfulness. God gifted me with many blessings this week, and as I reflected on His countless mercies, there were so many that it brought tears to my eyes.
The breath flowing through my Respiratory System is God’s Ruach breath. My heart beats a regular rhythm and my brain ensures that my internal organs maintain homeostasis [the body’s automatic, self-regulating process of maintaining a stable, balanced internal environment despite changing external conditions].
Each new day, I awakened alert and oriented, emotionally stable, and with good physical health. From praying and studying the Bible, with confidence, I know that God loves me, provided my necessities, and protected me from physical danger and spiritual warfare.
As each day progressed, I did not have to worry or wonder if I would have food, clothing, and a safe place to sleep. My home is clean, providing shelter and safety from the changing elements.
If it rains, I look out of my window, never thinking about the need to look for shelter and when the Floridian temperature escalates to 90 degrees, my air conditioner provides an ambient temperature, keeping my home cool and comfy.
And one of my greatest blessings, that I do not take for granted, is Religious Liberty. I have the freedom to worship God without fear of retaliation.
As if all of those blessings are not enough, the greatest blessing I received is the free gift of Salvation. “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
As I continued to reflect on God’s Love, I felt ashamed of the times that I complain, or desire more than God has blessed me with.
Every day, our Heavenly Father gives us countless blessings that we take for granted, never thinking to whisper, God, thank You, yet He remains Loving, Gracious, and 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, NIV).
We only have one gift to give to Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King, and that is our heart filled with love, humility, surrender, faithful obedience, and gratitude.
Lord God, we love You and thank You for Your Abiding Love. We ask for forgiveness for taking your gifts of love for granted. As we enter the Holy Sabbath, we express our love and appreciation for taking care of us this week and keeping us out of harm’s way. We ask for the spiritual blessings of wisdom and strength and with immense gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)
Strive For The Best Spiritual Health: Christ created us to live in harmony with God’s Laws of Health. Our mental, emotional, and physical health impacts our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
The concept “We are what we eat” is a reality, yet healthy intake extends beyond nutrients [food]. Every day, we use our Five Senses [sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch] to either build or tear down our Spiritual Health.
Satan entices us by appealing to our Senses; still, it is our hearts’ desires that propel us to say yes to temptation. “The mind influences the body and the body influences the mind.” We are shaped by what we watch, listen to, the habits we practice, and the people in our inner circle of family and friends.
God’s Standard for Believers: “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
Because we live in a time when Satan has used digital and virtual platforms to covertly present compromising entertainment, many Christians are being deceived and engaging in sinful activities.
For example, I prefer playing logic games, so I chose one that had good reviews. All was well until it wasn’t. As I advanced to higher levels, I noticed an unusual number of words related to the occult, mythology, and criminal activity. And the Ads progressed from family appropriate to covert but suggestive immorality.
Although I diligently pray and study the Bible every day, I was focused on the game, which was challenging, and I had achieved a high score; I gradually became desensitized to the content. I thought, “It’s only a game, I don’t believe in those false teachings.”
Yahweh Nissi—Jesus Christ, Our Mighty Warrior Against Satan’s Deceptions
“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8, BSB).
Jesus loves and protects those who love Him. On the day I dismissed the game’s promotion of false teachings, during evening worship, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Do not love the things of this world.” And yes, I knew that I had a decision to make: Obey God and let go of the game, or continue in disobedience.
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (1 John 2:15, NLT).
In 2026, Blended Christianity, the integration of “soft” worldly activities, has been accepted and is being practiced by many believers:
Hanging out with people who acknowledge that God exists, but do not serve Him, watching programming and playing games with violence, sexual content, or gambling, listening to secular music [Rock, Jazz, R&B, etc.], taking sleep gummies, recreational drugs, alcoholic drinks, using profanity, and the list is endless.
“Moral perfection is required of all believers. We should never lower the standard of Righteousness in order to satisfy our desires. We need to understand that nurturing character imperfections is wilfully sinning against God.”
Christ Is Our Righteous Standard and Role Model
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-17).
If unbelievers love and promote the activities, then we know they are not of God. Aggressive sports [hands-on contact], animal fights, parties with secular music, alcoholic beverages, and recreational use of marijuana, legal or not, are activities that will prevent us from receiving Eternal Life.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). We may not agree, but Jesus loved us unconditionally, paying with His life to save our souls. We cannot afford to let this Earth’s temporary trinkets corrupt our minds, making us apathetic toward receiving our Crown of Life.
The habits and lifestyles that we practice now either allow the Holy Spirit to transform us [Sanctification] to live righteously forever in a loving and peaceful New Heaven and New Earth with God, or they do not.
Every aspect of our being, our thoughts, choices, activities, and friends must reflect God’s Holiness. And yes, it is a tough decision, but we cannot justify socializing with unbelieving family members. It is always the Christian who must compromise when they choose friends who do not follow Christ.
We must ask ourselves, Does this activity or individual represent the Righteousness of Christ? Pray before embracing fun and relaxing activities, and let God choose your friends.
Reflection: We cannot judge ourselves. Our lifestyle reveals if we are following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Still, we should pray and ask God, “Does my heart and lifestyle represent the Righteousness of Christ?
“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).
Lord God, we ask You to reveal the habits, activities, friends, and family members who are preventing us from living holy and receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to create a pure heart within us. As we honor Your Holy Sabbath, Lord, we ask for Your guidance, wisdom, and strength as we strive to live righteously. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Mark 1:35, NIV).
Jesus Christ, born as a human baby, was still the Divine Son of God. Yet born in human flesh, Christ did not have the infinite knowledge or power He had in Heaven before coming to this Earth as a human being.
The Incarnation (John 1:14): “‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” affirms God taking on human form. Made Like Brothers (Hebrews 2:17): He was made ‘like His brothers in every respect’ to understand and go through the human experience.” Jesus willingly depended on God, His Father, through continuous prayer.
Jesus is our perfect example in how to make prayer a priority: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16). Jesus always relied on God, the Father, for the guidance, wisdom, and strength to withstand the harsh vicissitudes of His earthly life.
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2, ESV). We were not created to figure out how to live righteously or to resolve life’s challenges, even the smallest obstacles.
God’s Love and Commitment to Care For the Righteous Never Change
Although sin brought eventual death to every living creation, Jesus never left Adam and Eve alone. Through the sacrificial system and their individual prayers, Adam and Eve had the privilege of worshiping God and connecting to Jesus Christ for help, guidance, and encouragement without restrictions.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1-2). For over 6,000 years, the Bible provides us with historical accounts of Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor, receiving and answering humanity’s prayers when they asked for God’s Help.
What is the spiritual purpose of prayer?
“Prayer is the ‘opening of the heart to God as to a friend,’ designed to bridge the gap between human frailty and Divine Strength…”
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Prayer is Powerful! Prayer connects us to Jesus, our Intercessor and Mediator, who covers us with His Righteousness and represents us before God, the Father, as His redeemed.
Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to give us clarity, wisdom, strength, and peace. We ask for help, and the Holy Spirit instructs, guides, and keeps us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
“Abide in me, and I in you… for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5). “Spiritual dependence [is] a continuous, relational connection with Jesus, and is necessary for producing righteous fruit.” [Galatians 5:22-23].
Jesus’ Life of Prayer and Worship: “Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Every day, the Son of God separated Himself from His disciples to pray and worship God, indicating that His relationship with God, the Father, was His utmost priority.
Jesus’ intentional habit of communicating with God through prayer reveals to every believer that continuous prayer is necessary to keep us spiritually connected to God, the Source of All Life.
Having The Spirit of Christ
The Spirit of Humility: A spirit of humility demonstrates our desire to follow Christ with faithful obedience; only then can we be guided by the Holy Spirit and experience daily spiritual growth.
Acknowledging That We Need Divine Help: Divine Intervention and Human Effort are required for us to follow Christ. Our daily prayer of surrender: Lord, please reveal Your plans for my life today. Always Pray, Wait, and Obey.
Without faithful obedience, we cannot mature spiritually or live righteously. Yes, we can stop habits, but Behavior Modification is not the Holy Spirit’s work of the heart and character transformation of Sanctification, which occurs day by day from the time we accept Christ until we take our last breath.
The Commitment to Be a Prayer Warrior
“Pray without ceasing, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving [gratitude].” (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2). A life dedicated to prayer invites the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live righteously and empower us with the spiritual wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
Prayer Establishes and Maintains Our Connection to Jesus Christ: “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (1 Corinthians 6:17). “This Scripture highlights the deep spiritual union and oneness between a believer and Jesus Christ.”
Prayer is an act of surrender, acknowledging that we cannot obey God’s Commands and Precepts without being joined to Christ and being empowered daily by the Holy Spirit.
“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
Yes, we can easily complete daily tasks using our strength, but without a faith-based spiritual connection to Jesus Christ, our hearts will drive us to fulfill every desire, which opposes God’s Will, resulting in living a life of disobedience and the loss of God’s blessings.
Prayer Acknowledges That Our Existence Is Through Jesus: “For in Him we live and move and exist…’ We are His offspring.'” (Acts 17:28, NLT). Our Salvation and Eternal Life are dependent on establishing and maintaining a personal relationship with Christ. As Jesus’ followers, we must walk through life on bended knees.
Prayer Is Worship and Worship Is a Lifestyle: To remain connected to Jesus, we must have the desire to be in God’s Holy Presence and to make the necessary changes to put God first.
The Spiritual Atmosphere for Effectual Prayer: Separation, Solitude, and Silence are needed for the Holy Spirit to lift us up into the presence of God. The Holy Spirit also teaches us God’s One and Only Truth and empowers us to carry out His plans for the day.
The Habits of Prayer Warriors: Separation, Solitude, Silence, and Time Management: Private worship should be conducted at least twice a day. Jesus gives us the spiritual protocol for being in God’s Holy Presence:
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).
To maintain our connection with Christ, always prioritize personal worship. Eliminating distractions includes saying no to constant interruptions that redirect our focus away from God to the things of this world. Our goals: To receive God’s instructions and to understand the deepest meaning of the Holy Scriptures.
Time Management Is Crucial: We take back the control of our time by designating set times for personal worship. Worship [Prayer, Bible Study, Religious Music, and Singing] should be our first and last activities of each new day.
Daily Worship Keeps Us Spiritually Aware! “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT).
Because we are Satan’s targets, whispering prayers silently throughout our day is a necessity. At noon, pray and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the wisdom to complete challenging work or educational assignments, and the discernment and strength to recognize and overcome temptation.
Living righteously is the toughest assignment that we must complete to receive our reward of Eternal Life. Our earthly journey must be one of prayer and total dependency on God’s wisdom and plans. “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).
Living As Victorious Prayer Warriors – Always Pray, Obey, and Wait On God
Jesus proclaims His Faithful Obedience: “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).
God’s Warning: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Decision-making is a continuous responsibility. Whether facing a routine challenge or life-threatening adversity, always pray, asking for Divine Guidance, patiently waiting for God’s answer before making decisions.
Faithful believers should never experience unwanted surprises and life-changing disappointments. Only God knows the future; we can never guarantee the outcome of a decision. The solution we believed would ensure a positive outcome could lead to unforeseen negative consequences.
By including God in every aspect of life, we can live as faithful and victorious prayer warriors! Yes and Amen!
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you” [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7, Amplified Bible).
Lord God, with humility, we approach the Throne of Grace because we need You in every aspect of our lives. Jesus, we thank You for Your love, faithfulness, and continuous intervention. Thank You for rescuing and protecting us from the consequences that we never realized could happen. In faith, we surrender to Your Sovereignty, dedicating ourselves to live as faithful prayer warriors, depending on Your perfect will and plans. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Separation, Solitude, and Silence invites the Holy Spirit to give us the peace, wisdom, and strength to persevere even in the most devastating circumstances.
Lord God, You have guided and protected us throughout our week, and for Your Amazing Love, we thank You, and we love You. Only You know the challenges we faced this week, and only You know our future challenges. In faith, we ask You for the strength to continue to persevere in our spiritual journeys. And we ask You to give us peace and the courage to involve You in every decision, the patience to wait for your answer, and the determination to totally rely on Your Sovereign Wisdom. We ask for the spiritual blessing of restoration on this Holy Sabbath Day. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in faith, and in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
“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)
The following are Sermon Notes on living a dedicated life of doing God’s Will. Every day, we must ask ourselves this profound question: “Am I really doing God’s Will?”
“Every moment of our lives, either we are living in the Will of God or we are living outside of the Will of God.”
“There is no middle ground. Either we are living a life of obedience to God or a life of disobedience to God.”
“Is this decision consistent and in agreement with the Word of God?
Is it a wise decision? If I do this, what will the consequences be?
Can I honestly ask God to empower me to achieve this decision?
Do I have God’s peace about this decision? Is it the right time?
Is this decision consistent with the way God works? Is it consistent with the Scriptures?
Does this decision or action represent who I am, a follower of Jesus Christ?
Does this decision align God’s overall plan for my life?
Does my action and conversation align with who I claim to be?
Does my decision or action honor God? If you are thinking about doing something and you don’t have peace or cannot sleep, let it go.
Will this decision result in unrest and regret for the rest of my life?
Can I expect God to bless and reward me for making this decision?
God has a purpose and plan for my life and He wants the best for me. Am I going to trust God with my life?”
The Believer’s Prayer of Repentance: “Lord, I have lived my entire life thinking my own thoughts and pleasing myself. And for this sin, I ask for forgiveness. I surrender my will to You and ask You to direct me in all my decisions for the remainder of my life. Lord, I want Your best plans for my life, and I am willing to change whatever needs to be changed. In faith, I ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18, NKJV; NIV)
“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself…” (John 5:26). Contrary to the false doctrine that has permeated Christianity, human beings did not kill Jesus, the Divine Son of God. The creation cannot kill the Creator. Yes and Amen!
“So when Jesus had received the [vinegar], He said, ‘It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.'” (John 19:30).
The “spirit” is the breath of life that Jesus breathed into Adam: “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7).
“Formation (The Physical): God used the dust of the ground (adamah), emphasizing humanity’s physical, earthy origin.”
“Breath (The Spiritual): God breathed directly into the man, representing a direct impartation of life and spirit (Ruach) from God.”
As a student, I studied Greek Mythology, and it is the Greek belief that a separate ghost-like spirit exists in the human body:
“Ancient Greek mythology and popular belief heavily featured spirits, known as eidola or phasmata (shadows or shades).”
“These were considered the lingering souls of the deceased, separate from the gods, which appeared when someone died improperly, prematurely, or violently, often seeking rest or vengeance.” Greek Mythology
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten…never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, NIV).
From using our faith to surrender to God, the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s One and Only Truth contained in the Holy Scriptures: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV).
In His earthly ministry, Jesus Gives Definitive Proof of His Divine status as the Son of God: “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Jesus Raises Lazarus: [John 11:17-18, 23-27]
“So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.” (Verses 17-18)
23 “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.'”
24 “Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.'”
25 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'”
27 “She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'”
Reflection: Do we really believe that Jesus is who He says He is? “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Our religious beliefs reveal whether we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who is God the Son.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, and our Teacher to give us the spiritual discernment to understand God’s higher thoughts and ways revealed in the Scriptures. Our heavenly destiny relies on knowing and practicing God’s Truth.
“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” (John 5:22-23).
Yeshua will judge every believer by the Words of the Living God found in the Holy Scriptures. We must study the Bible for ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do not let human wisdom persuade you to believe erroneous concepts that are not found in the Holy Bible.
True Followers of Christ surrender to Him daily through the commitment of personal worship. Prayer, Bible Study, and Praising God with singing reveal our true love and dedication to our Savior, Redeemer, and Triumphant King.
Up From the Grave He Arose Lyrics
“Up from the grave He arose With a mighty triumph o’er His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain And He lives forever with His saints to reign He arose! (He arose) He arose! (He arose) Hallelujah! Christ arose!” Songwriter: Robert Lowry
Bible Study: John Chapters 10-11
Lord God, we praise Your Holy Name for Your love and the gift of Your Precious and Holy Son, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. We celebrate the Divine Gift of Your Love, Life, and Salvation, not because of a designated Holy Week; Jesus, with gratitude, we celebrate You every day. Thank You for the gift of Your Life, allowing us to be saved from the sin’s devastating consequences. We love, revere, and praise your Holy Name. Thank you, Jesus, for Your Life and Your Love, and ask this prayer in Your Righteous and Holy Name, Amen.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)
When Jesus, our Precious Redeemer and Savior, suffered, lovingly giving His life on Calvary’s Cross, He gave us the power of choice to receive Salvation through His Grace.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV). “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV).
We usually do not consider this amazing aspect of our Savior’s sacrificial gift: God the Father and God the Son are Omniscient [All-Knowing], and knew that the majority of humanity would reject their Free Gift of Salvation.
Jesus On Calvary’s Cross: The Reaction of the Majority
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!'” (Matthew 27:39-40, NIV).
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if He wants him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:41-43, NIV).
It is difficult for the human mind to process giving a valuable gift to a person who would not only despise and reject the gift, but also despise and reject the Giver of the Gift.
Jesus Christ’s Death On The Cross: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (Matthew 27:50).
God, the Father, Reveals Jesus’ Identity As His Son and Acceptance of Jesus’ Sacrificial Offeringof His Life on Calvary
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city [Jerusalem] and appeared to many.” (Matthew 27:51-53).
The Impact of Jesus’ Death on the Centurion and Guards: “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!'” (Matthew 27:54).
How is God’s gift of Jesus impacting our spiritual journey? We were created to honor God by abiding in Christ, which requires us to be in alignment with God’s Will and Perfect Plans.
“Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, [that requires] a life of unreserved surrender to His service.”
Yet, even as dedicated Christians, we struggle with inherited hearts that drive us to practice self-reliance, following our thoughts, and plans. But we must pray for strength and fight daily to overcome our natural tendencies through the Power of Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us, “Do not follow your thoughts…or be wise in your own eyes.” Yes, we love God and Jesus, but our hearts will always lead us against God’s higher thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9].
Our True Spiritual Status: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6-7).
Many Who Mocked and Condemned Christ When He Was On the Cross Repented on the Day of Pentecost:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?'”
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (Acts Chapter 2:36-39, 41).
Yes, once a year, there is a global religious acknowledgment of Jesus’ gift of Salvation on Calvary’s Cross and His resurrection from the tomb, yet true Believers whose hearts are converted by the Holy Spirit celebrate Jesus’ gift of Salvation with a faithful commitment of love, loyalty, obedience, and gratitude every day.
Reflection: Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3). Are you in right-standing with God? Pray and ask Jesus to reveal any obstacles preventing you from receiving your Crown of Life.
“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…” (John 10:27). Through personal worship, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us [through the Holy Spirit] on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
As Believers, every day, we celebrate our freedom from sin’s bondage because God, the Father, gifted us Jesus, His Son, redeeming us, so we would not have to die for our sins. Yes and Amen!
Every day, we celebrate God’s gift of Redemption by living a sacrificial life of obedience, self-denial, and by renouncing all worldly morals, values, and sinful practices [Romans 12:1-2]. Our love, honor, and reverence for the Triune God are revealed through our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyles.
Every day, we celebrate Jesus, our Redeemer, by dedicating ourselves as faithful, obedient followers of our Savior and Shepherd. Our love, loyalty, and faith to God are steadfast because we separate ourselves to commune with Christ, our Intercessor, for daily personal worship, prayer, and Bible Study.
From striving to follow Jesus, yes, we will be severely tempted in various ways by Satan, who desires to redirect our faith and focus from God to ourselves. When facing temptation, conflict, and uncertainty, remind yourself, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13), and immediately pray for Divine Help!
Because it is easy for us to become distracted and forget about Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, and His Role as our Mediator, the Apostle Paul tells us to work on our salvation with fear and trembling [Reverencing and Honoring God with Faithful Obedience].
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11, 16).
Lord God, in faith, we express our love, loyalty, and appreciation for the Plan of Redemption and our Salvation. We commit to honor and revere Jesus Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, with surrender and faithful obedience. Thank You for giving us the choice to be saved from the consequences of sin. In faith, we commit to celebrating Jesus’ Gift of His Life, Resurrection, and the fulfilled Plan of Redemption every day. Thank You, God, for Your Amazing Love, and we ask this prayer in the Righteous and Redeeming Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Remind them…to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men…” (Titus 3:1-2)
Every day, our thoughts, behaviors, habits, and lifestyle reveals if we are living a sanctified life of faithful obedience, preparing for an eternity of worshiping God.
God’s Gift of Salvation and Redemption; Titus 3:4-7:
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done,”
“but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration [rebirth] and renewing of the Holy Spirit…”
“whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Through daily personal worship, we reveal our love, loyalty, faith, and trust in God, demonstrated by a life of daily surrender and obedience to God’s plans.
Self-governance and self-reliance, the bitter fruits of pride, cannot be present in the hearts of Christ’s dedicated followers.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8).
Jesus tells us that we cannot use our thoughts to follow Him on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, which requires a sacrificial life of self-denial and dedication to Christ, our Shepherd.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV).
Preparing One Day At a Time For Eternity With God
The Prayer of Humility: “Lord God, reveal to us everything that is standing in the way of worshiping You in surrender and with faithful obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.”
Life is a wonderful blessing. We can learn to use our talents and spiritual gifts, choose our careers, and use our emotions to smile, laugh, and celebrate our accomplishments.
Yet, at some point in our lives, every human being shares the common experience of the abyss of emotional pain. When loss occurs, we experience disappointment and a sense of helplessness, often wondering if we had done things differently, could the loss have been prevented? The answer is usually no.
Loss happens in various ways: We lose jobs, our homes from the inability to pay the mortgage and from natural disasters, and wars; relationships, engagements, and marriages end; our health deteriorates; but the most devastating is the death of a loved one, which threatens to consume our very existence.
Jesus tells us that our earthly lives will include hardships: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [hardships and adversity]; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
As Christian believers, how are we supposed to respond when we experience loss? True Peace and Rest are Found in Jesus: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
We use our faith to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us, He is faithful, and keeps our hope alive and thriving by always fulfilling His promises in the Holy Scriptures.
Jesus Promise: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3).
Yes, we will cry many tears in our earthly lives, yet if we invite Jesus into our pain, He promises to heal us. Although physical healing is not promised, Jesus always heals our mental and emotional distress because remaining unhealed interferes with our spiritual growth and transformation.
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 30:17). Jesus Christ created us, and He is the One who promises to apply His Healing Balm to soothe our pain and heal our shattered hearts.
Jesus is our Compassionate Shepherd, gently guiding and moving us forward day by day, in little steps; Our Savior never expects us to take giant leaps in our Healing Journey.
Yes, even in our disappointment and despair, we are expected to use our faith to pray daily for strength and believe in Jesus’ infinite love, power, and promises.
Jesus’ Promise of Restoration: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all Grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).
When we use our faith [even if it is weak] to trust Jesus, He promises to restore and strengthen us and to give us New Beginnings.
“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, ESV)
Lord God, we come to you in our sorrow and brokenness, asking you to heal our hearts and to give us the strength to keep moving forward. We thank You for always loving us and Your never-ending faithfulness. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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