Despite our unexpected stormy trials, believers are never alone. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Trials, sorrows, and difficulties are designed to give us spiritual growth and increase our dependency on God. We were not created to live without God’s divine intervention. It’s normal for our emotions to intensify when we feel our hardships are drowning us. If we allow our emotions to control us, our faith diminishes and we risk losing our confidence in the love and strength that God provides.
Take the time to separate yourself and pray for help. Pray an honest prayer. “God, I am feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. I need your help. I know that you love me and will bring me victoriously through this situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Praise God and thank Him in advance for His Divine Intervention. Prayer does not take away our trials. Consistent prayer allows us to receive strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Study the Scriptures every day. Include time for quiet meditation. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. As believers, we can hear God’s voice through different means such as our thoughts, reading scriptures, listening to sermons, or hearing another believer’s testimony of victory. Sometimes, God communicates through spiritual dreams or a fellow believer who may not even know our situation. However, it’s important to note that God’s answer always aligns with the Holy Scriptures. Through daily worship, we learn to recognize the voice of God.
When the disciples were in the boat, fearing for their lives, Jesus appeared to them by walking on the water. “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Remember, we are never alone. Jesus is with us in every stormy trial. The human effort of faith and trust along with Divine intervention always ends in victory! During the challenges of the raging storm, Jesus says, “Come to Me.” Take the giant leap of faith and “Go Ahead! Walk on the Water.”
Lord God, we thank You for loving us so much that You designated 24 hours to focus on Your Love, and worship You in spirit and Truth. We look forward to Eternity, when we will worship King Jesus with the angels. Until that glorious day of Your Second Coming, we ask for the Sabbath Blessings of peace, joy, wisdom, and mental, emotional, and physical rest, renewal, and restoration. As we study your Holy Words of Life, we ask for the Holy Spirit to bless us with the spiritual discernment to understand and apply Your Truth to our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 2:12, NKJV)
When all is well and times are peaceful, those are the times that we should cherish and spend additional time worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Spending time with Jesus is the most valuable way to spend our time. Through worship, we invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and trust in God.
Every day, set a consistent time to commune and be alone with God; Personal worship is only you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Instead of using your cellular device, purchase a Bible; the New King James version is the closest translation to the original Words of God. Many of the other translations have eliminated important aspects of Biblical teachings.
Prayer Connects Us To The Almighty God, The Source of Life: Jesus’ earthly life reveals that He prayed continuously to receive daily guidance, wisdom, and power from God, the Father
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark.” Mark. 1:35; “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16).
Personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to empower us the wisdom and discernment to perceive life through spiritual eyes, which changes our character, habits, and choices to reflect the Righteousness of Christ’s Character.
Through obedience, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform our mind, character, and personality. The Fruit of the Spirit are the righteous attributes of Jesus Christ [Study Galatians 5:22-23.]
“But He said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'” (Luke 11:28, ESV).
Daily Personal Worship includes Prayer and Bible Study. As we study the Holy Scriptures, we learn that every believer’s responsibility is to follow, obey, and depend fully on our Faithful Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
In Proverbs 3:5-7, God commands us to trust and depend on Him. We are not to use our thoughts and understanding to navigate through our spiritual journey.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ESV).
Without praying for God’s guidance, we live the same disrupted lifestyle as unbelievers, who play the Game of Chance every day, because they have rejected God.
Following our own thoughts and strategies often result in life-changing consequences, producing chaos that they cannot cope with, leading them to develop addictions to alcohol, prescription medication, and illicit drugs.
“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).
Jesus tells us that we will suffer challenges and adversities, which are allowed to build our faith and trust in God and to increase our dependency on God’s Promises.
Jesus’ Warning and Promise of Encouragement: “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).
When we stay close to Christ through personal worship, although the rough waves of adversity come crashing into our lives, instead of reacting with an emotional response, or asking ourselves, “What am I going to do?” our First Response is a Prayer of Faith, asking for God’s Divine Help.
The Lifestyle of Those Who Worship God in Spirit and Truth: We pray continuously for Divine guidance and strength!
Always pray and ask for God’s Will to be revealed and wait for His directives; faithful obedience proves that our love and loyalty to God are genuine.
Cain’s Occupation and Offering: Cain was a worker of the soil (farmer) who brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground instead of the lamb that God commanded. (Study Genesis 4:3–7).
Faithful obedience also reveals our reverence for God’s Sovereign Authority, destroying the disobedient spirit of self-reliance as exhibited by Cain, who sacrificed what he desired to give to God.
Pray, Ask, and Expect to Wait on God: “Wait for and confidently expect the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14).
Because God sees time as Eternal and knows our lives from beginning to end, God is never in a hurry. Nothing is an emergency to God. When we pray believing that God’s Sovereign Power will bring us victory, we cease feeling the pressure to make impulsive decisions without His Divine Guidance.
Obedience To God requires waiting on His timing, and Waiting is our Ultimate Test of Faith.
Loving God is revealed by honoring Him with a spirit of humility, surrender, and obedience. Loving God is the catalyst that gives us the internal desire to always put Him First: “Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3, NLT).
Satan’s most effective lie that has permeated the Christian Community is that God’s Ten Commandments were nailed to the tree.
In Colossians 2:13-14, God tells us that Jesus’ Sacrificial Gift of His Life on Calvary’s Cross nailed our sins to the tree:
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
Jesus Proclaims: “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17, Amplified Bible).
Jesus clarifies that obedience is required to receive the reward of Eternal Life: “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).
Jesus specifically clarifies that He did not come to destroy The Ten Commandments; The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are still binding and are required to receive our Crown of Eternal Life.
Sadly, many believers rely on human interpretation of the Holy Scriptures; They never consider studying the Bible for themselves, and asking the Holy Spirit for the wisdom and discernment to understand and obey the Word of God. But it is a decision that has deadly consequences and will cost them their reward of Eternal Life.
The Apostle Paul tells us to work out our salvation with reverence and trembling. Our belief system must be Bible-based, or we cannot expect to know and obey God’s Truth.
Obedience versus Disobedience: Our lifestyle and daily choices reveal the destiny we have chosen [Revelation 22:12, or Malachi 4].
Are we willing to follow and obey human interpretation of the Holy Scriptures instead of asking God, the Holy Spirit to reveal His One and Only Truth?
God’s Warning:”This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.'” (Jeremiah 17:5, NLT).
The Church that my family attended had a loving and wonderful pastor, who used the Bible to preach from; however, as I began to study the Bible, 90% of what he taught could not be found in the Bible, nor were most of his teachings aligned with the Holy Scriptures.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). Study the Bible for yourself! God tells us that He does not change, which means His Truth does not change. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for accurate discernment of the Holy Scriptures.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12, NLT).
The Holy Bible is our Spiritual Blueprint to living righteously, teaching us that we are the recipients of God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies.
In the Bible. God reveals His Righteous Character attributes, Commandments, Promises, and expectations of every believer.
The Holy Bible is the only Book that accurately reveals the presence of the Triune God [God the Father, God, Jesus the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] in Genesis Chapter 1—The Story of Creation.
The Biblical timeline of Creation is approximately a little over 6,000 years ago, not millions and billions of years, which evolution [misguided human thoughts] teaches.
Unless we study the Word of God, we will easily accept Satan’s erroneous lies regarding the Creation of this world, the planet Earth, human beings, and how God intervenes in the lives of the righteous.
Trust and Obey God: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22, ESV).
Our spirit of surrender invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and trust in God, and to perform the daily and lifelong spiritual transformation of our mind and character—Sanctification.
At some point in our spiritual journey, we will experience adversity that no human being can resolve.
Study 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 for the Apostle Paul’s testimony of his many sufferings for Christ. Paul died as a martyr for Christ; Yet before his execution, the Apostle Paul boldly proclaimed:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
The Apostle Paul tells us that when Jesus Comes, he will be raised when the First Trumpet sounds; and that is the goal of every believer, who will close their eyes in death, before the Coming of Jesus Christ.
If we let go of self-reliance and make the covenant promise to follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, the Holy Spirit will empower us with the Divine Strength to persevere and move forward in faith through every trial and adversity.
“When the brutal waves of life beat upon the tender edges of your heart, and the winds of sorrow and disappointment are surging all around you, attacking your weary, breaking heart; Jesus commands us to, ‘Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world’ and this will keep us anchored in Jesus Christ.” Hallelujah!
We serve The Sovereign Power of the universe Who says: “Behold I am the Lord God of All flesh is there anything too hard for me?”
No matter how desperate the situation may appear; even if we are experiencing severe trials and adversities, and feel as if we will never overcome, we must come to our Spiritual Senses by asking God for help!
Stop thinking about your circumstances long enough to get down on bended knees, and pray, “Lord, I need Your help.”
Confess that your faith is weak, but ask Jesus to help you, and believe that He loves you and has the Power to keep His Promises to deliver you.
“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).
When John the Baptist was in prison, Satan used the uncertainty of John’s situation to make him doubt that Jesus was the Messiah.
2 “And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'”
4 “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'” (Matthew 11:2-6).
Never give in to feelings of fear and doubt; Human feelings are unreliable! God tells us that He is not a man that He should lie, His promises are Yes and Amen [It is so]!
“I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Despite our circumstances, if we commit to following Jesus with faithful obedience, Jesus promises that He will always be with us.
Jesus is interested in every aspect of our lives, even the little things. Prayer keeps Jesus close to us. Begin to pray every hour while you are awake.
Whisper a prayer for strength as soon as you begin to experience doubt, anxiety, worry, discouragement, or fear. Stories of Victory: Study the Bible Adversities of Kings Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah.
“We must remember that Jesus, our Shepherd is leading us, especially when things are not going well for us.”
“Whatever [is happening] to us, we can reach out to God in faith, and He will answer us. God has promised us the strength and power to do His will.”
Begin to study the Holy Scriptures, which are designed to strengthen our faith in the Power and Presence of YAHWEH, our Omniscient and Omnipotent God.
Bible Study: Read 2 Chronicles 20 to learn what King Jehoshaphat did when he faced three powerful pagan kings and their armies, who planned to destroy their entire nation.
Sermon Notes:
“‘Be of good cheer!’ These are the Words of our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Creator, our Best Friend, Son of the Living God the Only Begotten of God, the Father, our Triumphant King, the Alpha and Omega, Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting God the Prince of Peace, our Mediator, our Righteous Judge, the Lamb of God, Emmanuel, The Image of the Invisible God, The Great I Am, The Bright and Morning Star. Hallelujah!
To every struggling and persevering believer, These are Jesus’ Words: “Be of good cheer!”
David’s Prayer: “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. …The Lord will hear when I call to Him…Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Put your trust in the LORD. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:1-2, 4-5, 8).
“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, For I am distressed and needy [I long for Your help].”
“Hear, O Lord, my prayer; And listen attentively to the voice of my supplications” (specific requests)!
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.”
“Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name” [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].
“I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86: 1, 6-7, 11-12, Amplified Bible)
The Psalms are songs expressing praise and worship to God, heartfelt distress, remorse, confession, and repentance.
The Psalms also teach us how to seek God for help, guidance, comfort, and protection.
The Psalms are prayers written by David and other appointed musicians, including King Solomon.
Yes, the Psalms are the honest, heartfelt cries of righteous men, who were not ashamed to express the true feelings in their hearts to the Most-High God.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5, Amplified Bible).
Although many believers incorrectly perceive David as suffering from depression, David was not depressed.
“Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house.” (2 Samuel 12:11).
Because of his shameless sins against God of committing adultery with Bathsheba, and ordering for her husband to be killed, David lived under a God-given curse that there would never be peace in his household.
Although two of David’s Sons, Princes Absalom and Adonijah attempted to remove their father as King, God intervened, never allowing harm to come to King David.
“I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86:12).
“The Psalms represent a personal, sincere, and lifelong commitment to worshiping God with one’s entire being (mind, emotions, and will) rather than through empty ritualistic worship practices.”
Through prayer, we have the privilege of expressing our love and gratitude for God’s love, forgiveness, guidance, and protection from spiritual warfare and our enemies.
But most importantly, our prayers should express our recognition of God’s Righteous and Loving Character, His Sovereign Authority, and gratitude for His Abundant Blessings of Grace and Mercies.
Psalm 25:4–5: “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God My Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
Because we cannot foresee the future, nor do we know what will happen in the next few minutes or hours on the given day, we immediately pray, asking God to reveal His plans, and to guide and protect us.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6).
Each new day, we receive the merciful gift of time; and with appreciation, we whisper words of gratitude for God’s Faithfulness.
Love is reciprocal. Yes, as soon as we wake up, our love for God is expressed by the immediate response, “Thank You, God for the gift of today. “
A Christian author expresses the reasons that her daily morning worship with God is vital: “This time alone with God prepares me for what I will need throughout the day. He’s equipping me to handle what is ahead with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.”
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).
God’s Loving Promise: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, NIV). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: Psalm 86
Prayer: “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant…Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm 86:15-17, NKJV).
In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter, His disciple: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you return strengthen your brothers.”
Have you ever asked Jesus to pray for you? Why not? Jesus is our Heavenly Advocate, Intercessor, and High Priest.
From asking Jesus to pray for you, from personal experience, this is the Spiritual Blessings you will receive:
The Holy Spirit will empower you with Jesus’ Divine Peace, Wisdom, Strength, Guidance, and Comfort; and Jesus, The Commander of Angel Armies sends His angels to protect the righteous from all unseen spiritual warfare, physical danger, and scams [Study Ephesians 6].
“Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4, Amplified Bible).
God, Jesus Christ, The Son created us from love, in His image, chose us to be His, and has a personal interest in our well-being and happiness.
“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).
One of the greatest battles we fight [every day] is overcoming the internal desires of our heart, which are always in conflict with God’s best plans for our lives. Throughout your waking hours, Pray for the Mighty Warrior’s Divine Strength!
“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).
Reflection: Do your choices and lifestyle reveal that you believe Jesus desires the best for you? Our internal desires direct our focus and pursuits, revealing always the true spiritual condition of our heart.
When our desires align with God’s Plans, God, The Holy Spirit performs the daily spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality required to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, also preparing us to receive our Eternal Crown of Life.
Total surrender and faithful obedience are the character traits required to follow Christ. When we are guided by the Holy Spirit, our prayers reflect our desperate need for Jesus.
To maintain our connection to Christ, every day, we must approach The Throne of Grace: “Pray continuously.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Why is continuous prayer vital for the Christian Believer? The Believer’s daily fight always involves spiritual warfare; yet, we were not created to fight Satan.
For over 6,000 years, Satan has deceived and manipulated humanity. We must have Divine Help to overcome Satan’s power. Continuous Prayer is our lifeline to Jesus Christ, Heaven’s Mighty Warrior.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [traps] of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13).
Every second of our lives, there is so much going on in the spiritual realm that is unseen by human eyes. Because of God’s Mercies, He protects us by hiding the demonic wickedness that would result in us living in constant fear.
Every believer is Satan’s target. Do not let yourself become distracted, Stay prayerful! Just because we cannot see the invisible war between Good and Evil does not mean it is not happening!
Prayer is a lifestyle! When facing Spiritual Warfare, or life’s continuous challenges our first response should be an immediate Prayer of Faith, asking Jesus for help!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, ESV).
Jesus, the Mighty Warrior told Joshua, “I have given you Jericho.” Because God is Omniscient, All-Knowing, and Omnipotent, Absolute Sovereign Power, Jesus always speaks in future terms regarding His Deliverance from the enemy.
Yes, Jesus promises His Divine Intervention in response to the prayers of the righteous: Believe that Jesus is your Best Friend, always willing to help you. Whisper words that thank Him for His love and the victory He promised in the same prayer. Pray, wait, and obey.
“Wait for and confidently expect the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14, Amplified Bible).
Whether we are facing the routine challenges of life, or the unexpected adversity of incurable disease, loss of employment, persecution, legal matters, dissolution of family ties, or marriage, our death of a loved one; Jesus, our Great Physician and Comforter waits for us to ask for His Divine Help.
“He was despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and pain and acquainted with grief; And like One from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or esteem Him.” (Isaiah 53:3, Amplified Bible).
We have a Loving Savior, who says that He was a Man of Sorrows in His earthly life. Jesus was never unhappy or discouraged; His sorrows were of a spiritual nature; the people that He came to save, continuously rejected Him as Savior and the Son of God [Study Luke 4].
If we desire to have a deeper spiritual relationship, we must commit to following Jesus Christ. Every day, we must choose to rely totally on Christ, our Advocate, Intercessor, Shepherd, and Triumphant King, or we reject Jesus and His Wisdom and Guidance, by following our own thoughts and inclinations.
Our Spiritual Priority: Seek Righteousness
“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” (Matthew 6:33, Amplified Bible).
Worship God in Spirit and Truth: The converted heart overflows with love, loyalty, and appreciation for Jesus Christ, who fulfilled The Plan of Redemption.
Daily Reflection on The Message of The Cross strengthens our relationship with Christ, giving us a greater appreciation for His love and devotion to humanity.
By becoming The Sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus gives us the option to choose and receive Eternal Life instead of suffering the second and final death for our sins.
When our focus is spiritual, we will cease praying, asking, and chasing the temporary material things and wealth that Satan uses to distract us. Satan is relentless and he will do whatever is necessary for us to turn away from following Christ.
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us that earthly treasures and money are meaningless; every believer is in desperate need of Jesus’ Righteous Character Traits; The Fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25).
Our habits, behaviors, and lifestyle reveal our love, loyalty, and appreciation for Jesus’ Love and His willingness to rescue us from the devastation of sin [Romans 6:23].
Although we cannot change ourselves, our decision to surrender to and follow Christ with faithful obedience reveals that we love God and are actively participating in our spiritual transformation performed by the Holy Spirit.
Daily Surrender and Prayer keeps us connected to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor. When we confess and repent of our sins, as our Advocate, Jesus covers us with His Righteousness, presenting us as righteous before God, the Father. Yes and Amen!
Before Jesus was arrested, in John chapters 13-16, He spoke to His disciples, telling them: “Until now you have asked nothing in My Name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
The priority of Prayer is to ask for Spiritual Blessings: We pray and rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us the deeper spiritual meaning of the Holy Scriptures, and we also ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Purpose for our life.
Spiritual Blessings: A heart filled with God’s Truth, Love, Wisdom, Strength, Guidance, the Discernment to recognize false teachings, and the Divine Power to overcome Satan’s deceptive temptations.
We struggle with temptations, because all temptations are based on our heart’s desires. Satan is not All-Knowing, he cannot read our minds, but he observes our behaviors.
The movies, social media scrolling, gaming, and the conversations and activities that we participate in behind closed doors reveal the true condition of our hearts; yet, we must remember that secret sins are never secret.
To overcome our internal desires and external temptations, we must abide in Jesus Christ through continuous prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures.
Worship is a lifestyle that keeps us connected to Jesus Christ. Through Prayer and Bible Study, we invite the Holy Spirit to be an active part of our lives.
Our cooperation with the Holy Spirit is revealed through our faith in the Infinite and Sovereign Power of Jesus Christ. Instead of attempting to navigate through life using our thoughts and strategies, we depend on Jesus for the wisdom and strength to live the Victorious Life of an Overcomer.
“By focusing on the hope of Heaven, we can find strength and joy in our daily struggles, allowing this future promise to inspire our present actions and cultivate a [Christ-Like] righteous character.”
Yes, Jesus, our Savior, Advocate, Great Physician, Comforter, Intercessor, Attorney, Righteous Judge, and King of Kings loves us with an Everlasting Love, and in Hebrews 4:16, our Provider extends this invitation to every believer:
“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, NKJV).
Lord Jesus, we humbly approach your Throne of Grace asking for a spiritual transformation of our hearts. Lord, You are our Savior and King, and we desire to worship You with humility, surrender, and faithful obedience. Teach us how to love as You Love. Jesus, with gratitude, we love You, and acknowledge that we can do nothing without You. In faith, we ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“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, NKJV)
In the Routine Challenges of Life, Unexpected Situations, Lingering Circumstances, and Life-Changing Adversities, we can experience Jesus’ Joy, Peace, and Happiness.
I pray that you are encouraged by this Life-Changing Sermon that teaches us: Jesus is Lord, Jesus Loves us, and Jesus is Omnipotent [All Powerful]! Yes and Amen!
Lord Jesus, please empower us to use our faith to trust in You and to perceive life with You as Victorious, despite our hardships. We ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
When God gives you a miracle it doesn’t go to anyone else, “God, The Giver of All Good Gifts” sends it right to you. And whatever God has blessed, no human can curse or prevent you from receiving.
If you are not receiving God’s Blessings and Miracles then pray 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).
We must strive to worship God with total surrender and faithful obedience, which invites the Holy Spirit to empower us to live righteously: “Be holy, for I Am Holy.”
Unrighteous character traits, especially the disobedience that comes from self-reliance, secret sins that we fail to confess, and asking for material blessings that will prevent our spiritual growth and transformation will always result in God withholding His miraculous blessings.
Our goal is to follow Jesus in our earthly lives, as sheep follow their Shepherd; which invites the Holy Spirit to lead us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness from Earth to Heaven.
“The hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” (Colossians 1:5). As Christian believers, our hope in Christ, who willingly gave His Life, so we can have an eternal future with Him.
Christ, Our Shepherd and Savior desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to think about tomorrow, because today’s troubles are enough for us to rely on Him to help us with.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Receiving God’s Supernatural Strength is a blessing that we should always ask and pray for.
Jesus’ Blessing of His Strength Always Includes His Peace and Joy: Jesus promised to give us His Strength, and His Strength is not limited to only helping us to persevere through fiery trials.
Few Believers consider that receiving Divine Strength is a miracle; yet, our minds would be peaceful, and we would have abundant Joy within our hearts, if we only included Jesus in our routine duties of life.
I can recall leaving the clinical aspect of Nursing to accept a position for United Healthcare as a Quality Nurse reviewing medical records to determine if Medicare Guidelines were being met.
After the first month of receiving resistance from 90% of the doctors, I prayed and asked God, “Is this the right job for me?” I can recall one morning that my mental fatigue was so great that I made the decision to resign.
While sitting in front of my computer, I whispered a prayer asking for God’s Guidance. The Holy Spirit spoke to me [through my thoughts], telling me to take my lunch break alone in my vehicle instead of with my coworkers.
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).
From obeying the Voice of God, I went to my vehicle, turned on Christian music, started singing and praying, and I received mental clarity, wisdom, peace, joy, and the physical strength to complete my work assignment.
“Every good and perfect gift is from the Father above…” Jesus gave me an abundant miracle! My energy level remained supercharged, lasting from 12:00 noon-6:30 p.m., until I arrived home [a 45-minute drive].
Believers, every day, we have the opportunity to receive the Miraculous transfer of Jesus’ Divine Wisdom and Strength, empowering our mind, body, and soul. [Study Luke 8:43-48].
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3). God’s Blessings flow when we love God, asking for His Help, and trusting that He is a Merciful, Heavenly Father, who desires to give us the best.
“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).
In John 16:33, Jesus told us we would have many hardships in life, but to rely on Him by using our faith to ask for His Divine Help. Yes, in faith, we pray, and Jesus will give us the spiritual blessings that are necessary to live as overcomers, despite our challenges.
We cannot navigate through daily challenges and unexpected adversities, using our human thoughts and strength, and maintain our spiritual focus without Jesus’ Divine Intervention. Always stay connected to Jesus Christ!
Every day, our faith and focus should be directed to Christ. From the moment we awaken, we give God praise and gratitude for the gift of a new day, and pray for His Divine Guidance, Wisdom, and Strength.
We are temporary Travelers Living on a Temporary Earth preparing every day for that Great Day when Jesus Comes again. Yes and Amen!
Through Personal Worship [daily Surrender, Prayer, and Bible Study], we express our love and gratitude for God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies. Every day, take the time to meditate on Jesus’ Love, and your Forever Life with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.
It’s time for us to ask for and rely on God’s Abundant Promises to the righteous: Psalm 121:1-8, ESV:
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Lord God, we desperately need your Divine Intervention. The hardships of life can easily overwhelm us when we attempt to navigate without Your Divine Strength, Wisdom, and Guidance. Lord, we commit to a life of worship, seeking Your Will and Plans for our lives. Jesus, You know the blessings and miracles that we need, and we ask You to help us, and to guide us, as we learn to totally depend on You. Jesus, we thank You for the Cross. Thank You for being our Savior, Redeemer, Shepherd, and Triumphant King. We love You, because You first loved us. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, and express our gratitude for loving us with an Everlasting Love. Amen.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” As Christian believers, we should never be burdened with the challenges that consistently happen in our lives.
But, because of our spirit of self-reliance, we miss out on God’s Promises, Blessings, and His Divine Intervention, which always ends in victory.
“Pray continuously.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Through prayer, give God the glory and honor that He deserves by surrendering and asking for His Divine Help. We have access to God’s Sovereign Power 24/7. Pray, ask, wait, and obey.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercies. We ask You to forgive us for the sin of self-reliance, which prevents You from giving us Your Divine Help and receiving our greatest blessings. Jesus, we desperately need Your Intervention. We cannot navigate through this journey of life without Your wisdom, strength, and guidance. King Jesus, we love You and worship Your Holy Name, and in faith, we ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“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).
Those who pray and study the Bible, believing that God’s Promises are “Yes and Amen” will always have the strongest faith and trust in God’s Sovereign Power.
Throughout the Bible, God describes His Righteous, Loving, and Patient Character; The Holy Scriptures reveal His Sovereign Authority over humanity, and proclaim His Promises and Commitment to take care of the righteous.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NIV).
Knowing who God is strengthens our faith. And because we believe that God is who He says He is, we trust in His Power, which is the spiritual catalyst to having courageous faith!
Whether we are facing the routine challenges of life or an impossible adversity, knowing God gives us the courage to respond with an immediate prayer asking for God’s Divine Help.
God’s Response To Our Prayers of Faith: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)
Good News Translation: “Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers.” (Isaiah 65:24).
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we commit to establishing a relationship with Him that requires learning His Character, praying, studying the Bible, and following our Shepherd with a commitment of daily surrender and faithful obedience.
The Holy Spirit inspired four different writers to document The Life of Christ in the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which indicates that it is a spiritual priority [for us] to know who Jesus is.
Jesus Asks His Disciples, “Who do you say I am?”
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?'”
“They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'”
“But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?'”
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'”
“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.'” (Matthew 16:13-17, NIV).
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18).
It is impossible for us to trust Jesus when He is a stranger. Only believing that God exists is not enough to be a faithful Christian; many unbelievers also believe that God exists, yet they will never accept that Jesus is God, the Son, and the Redeemer, Savior, and Sovereign Authority over humanity.
“But why do you call Me, ‘Lord Lord’ and not do as I say?” (Luke 6:46).
To love Jesus is to obey Him. When we love Jesus, we place all of our faith and trust in His Plans and Divine Guidance. Following Jesus always requires obedience, which is the true test of our faith.
Each morning, we have the opportunity to choose to follow Christ. If yes, the Holy Spirit guides and keeps us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, and empowers us with Jesus’ Wisdom, Strength, and Perfect Peace.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4).
When we know and trust Jesus as our Shepherd and Triumphant King, despite our circumstances, we can rely on our Mighty Warrior’s Promises to never leave us or forsake us, and to always fight our battles.
The Followers of Christ Daily Prayer: “Lord, I cannot fight my battles without Your help. Jesus, I am asking You to be with me. Help me to redirect my faith and focus from my circumstances to You. Jesus, I desperately need Your help. I confess that my faith is weak, still, I believe in Your Promises and Your Power. In Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen
When we pray, we are to believe that we have received the victory. Praise and thank God for the victory, even before it comes. Yes and Amen!
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