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.”
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
‘ ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.’ ‘” (Numbers 6: 22-26).
Sabbath Prayer
Lord God, our hearts are filled with gratitude for receiving the daily Mercies of life, health, strength, and a sound mind. Thank You for protecting us from spiritual warfare and keeping us out of harm’s way. Lord, our week included many challenges that we failed to pray and ask for Your Help and Guidance, and for the sin of self-reliance, we ask for forgiveness. On Your Holy Sabbath, we ask for Spiritual Renewal and Restoration, and a deeper understanding of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Lord, please give comfort and strength to the global family of believers, especially those who are being persecuted for Your Name. We pray for the Holy Spirit to empower us with a deeper spiritual insight, so we will recognize distractions that turn our focus away from You. Teach us how to worship You in spirit and Truth. Help us to remain focused on our relationship with Christ as we prepare every day for the Soon Coming of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).
Steadfast Faith, Trust, Peace, Joy, and Courage are enjoyed by followers of Christ who love Him and worship God in spirit and Truth.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13).
Daily Surrender and Obedience is our highest worship to God, and is rewarded with receiving many spiritual benefits and blessings.
Yes, God promises to bless us, but the false prosperity message of wealth building that Satan wants us to believe that we deserve, Jesus tells us that earthly prosperity has no spiritual purpose for His followers.
Jesus teaches that the accumulation of earthly treasures is not aligned with God’s Spiritual Precepts.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…”( Matthew 6:19). Unbelievers feel that living one’s best life includes wealth, social status, material possessions, and a lifestyle of pleasure.
Sadly when those with unbelieving hearts face life-changing circumstances, they realize that their earthly treasures are meaningless, and that reality fills their minds with hopelessness and despair.
In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that our spiritual journey will always include challenges, adversity, loss, and changing circumstances; yet he encourages us, “But, Be of good cheer.”
Good cheer does not refer to the pretense of being happy and overjoyed when experiencing life’s overwhelming hardships; yet, as followers of Christ, praying and knowing He will take care of us, gives us spiritual comfort.
Always pray an honest prayer, “Jesus, I am devastated by this situation.” invites the Holy Spirit to permeate our mind and soul with jesus’s Divine Peace, instead of hopelessness and despair.
Embracing Jesus’ Love and Promises of Peace absorbs the impact of sorrow, disappointment, and loss: “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [sorrows].” (Psalm 147:3).
When tears are flowing from heartbreak, we can maintain a spirit of Hope, because Jesus has promised to give us the strength to overcome our daily battles and to give us beauty from ashes.
“The Divine Exchange: God promises to trade despair and mourning for joy, praise, and restoration.”
Only Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior can give us our best life: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Jesus’ Promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the spiritual catalyst that keeps us connected to Jesus, who empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live victoriously: “You can do nothing without Me.”
The Narrow Way “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. 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).
Daily personal worship must become our lifestyle. Consistent Prayer, Bible Study, and the Commitment to Surrender to God with Faithful Obedience keeps us spiritually anchored to Christ.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). Unless we know and believe that God is Faithful, memorizing His Promises to always be with us throughout our difficulties, then we will experience the same emotional distress as unbelievers.
The Holy Scriptures teach us that God is our Father, and is committed to lovingly taking care of His Sons and Daughters: God’s Character is the definition of Love! Study 1 Corinthians 13.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15).
God’s perspective of giving us “our best life” is spiritually focused; The Father gave Jesus, His Son to save our souls, because His goal is to prepare us for Eternal Life.
Just As I Am: “We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way.”
God’s Love Always Includes Divine Purpose: He allows us to experience only the hardships that are designed to Sanctify our mind and character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23].
Because this Earth is only a temporary home, we must not allow Satan to distract us from cooperating with the Holy Spirit, who performs daily spiritual growth in every faithful believer, who trusts, obeys, and follows Christ.
“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, ESV).
Our Risen and Triumphant King is serving as our Heavenly Intercessor, receiving and answering all of our prayers. Every day we must make the intentional decision to pray, redirecting our faith, focus, and gratitude back to Jesus.
The righteous are receiving their best earthly lives: King Jesus commands His angels to protect us from satanic spiritual warfare and physical danger, and blesses the faithful with all of life’s necessities.
Because we cannot keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, or maintain a consistent spirit of Hope, through prayer, we receive Christ’s abundant Peace, Joy, and Strength needed to endure our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.
Eternity with God in the New Heaven and New Earth is Jesus’ Promise to give us a Perfect Life of Eternal Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness, and Magnificent Beauty.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).
The Holy Scriptures give us the assurance that God is always in control, and changes the way we think and live.
Like young children who believe exactly what they are told, we use our faith to trust that if God said it, then it is so. His Promises are Yes and Amen!
Yes, Living our best life requires a sacrificial life of self-denial. but if we love Jesus and appreciate His Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross then it is a joy to follow our Shepherd and Triumphant King on the Narrow Path that leads from Earth to Heaven.
Every morning, we receive the gift of New Mercies, and with immense love and gratitude, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Jesus, who promises to give us a Victorious Life.
In Proverbs 3:5-8, God teaches us how to live our best life, one with a Spiritual Focus, and complete dependency on His Sovereign Authority:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.”
Lord God, we come to You, asking for Your Help. Please give us the wisdom, guidance, and strength to redirect our faith and focus back to Jesus. We confess that we cannot overcome life’s challenges using our little strength. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness [the Holy Spirit], and teach us how to prepare every day for the Soon Coming of Jesus Christ. We look forward to Eternity in a Perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus, thank You for Your Divine Love and Your Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary. We love You and ask this prayer for Your Divine Help, in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40).
God’s Gift: Eternal life is a free gift from God rather than something earned by human works. Accepting Christ is the only way to receive eternal life:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). Exclusivity in Christ: The spiritual life exists only from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“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).
When our hearts are overflowing with love for God, the Father’s Gift of Jesus, His Son, who suffered on Calvary’s Cross to save our souls, we will reciprocate our love for Christ through daily surrender and faithful obedience to God.
“The Holy Scriptures, they testify of Christ for He is Life Eternal.” To know Jesus requires us to accept His offer of Salvation; confess and repent of our sins; and to maintain a heart to heart relationship with Jesus through the daily Personal Worship of Prayer and Bible Study.
Prayer is our Spiritual Life-Line, connecting us to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Heavenly Intercessor.
Our morning prayer is one of expressing gratitude for the gift of a new day, and asking for God’s Will to be revealed. Our obedience is rewarded by receiving spiritual wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is actively involved in our daily journey with Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
“Prioritize Spiritual Matters: Putting God first in daily prayer, worship, and service ensures that life’s temporal concerns are not a priority over our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.”
We reveal our desire to actively participate in our salvation through daily prayer and Bible Study. Praying for spiritual wisdom invites the Holy Spirit to teach us the One and Only meaning of God’s Truth.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Studying the Bible Is Not Optional: The Holy Scriptures are necessary to learn God’s Righteous Character, His Commandments, and the Precepts that teach us how to be holy.
Human Effort and Divine Intervention are required for us to obey God’s Command, “Be holy, for I am Holy,” which requires a life of self-denial and self-control.
“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).
To live for Christ also requires discipline through a sacrificial life of obedience. As followers of Christ, we must have a God First mindset, which prevents us from pursuing our personal desires instead of following God’s plans.
“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” (Acts 5:9, ESV).
A spirit of humility, daily surrender, and the commitment to follow our Shepherd with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey of spiritual growth and character transformation.
“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. 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).
Because we inherited hearts that naturally gravitate toward pursuing our desires, it is only through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can stay on The Narrow Path of Righteousness.
“The more we search the Bible, the deeper our conviction is that it is the Word of the Living God, and human reason bows before the Majesty of Divine Revelation.” — Steps to Christ
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11).
Lord God, we thank You for the Holy Scriptures, which reveal Jesus Christ is the Only Way to receive Eternal Life. You are a Loving and Merciful Father, who desires for us to live holy. Thank You for giving us the Bible, Your Spiritual Guide that teaches us the difference between righteousness and sinful habits, behaviors, and lifestyles. Through Jesus Christ, we received the power to overcome our desires and temptations. Lord, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the blessings of wisdom, discernment, and divine strength as we continue our journey on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Risen and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
“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).
In our Spiritual Journey with Jesus, we will face disappointment, sorrow, loss, conflict, and uncertainty. Study John 16:33.
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18).
When the intrusive vicissitudes of life threaten to devastate us mentally and emotionally, we must come to our spiritual senses, and use our faith to believe Yeshua, our Loving Shepherd’s promises to always take care of us.
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2).
Jesus Is Our Shepherd; He is The God Who Loves, Sees, and Takes Care of His Sheep. Yes, our Shepherd promises to give us Spiritual Peace and Comfort to soothe our troubled and weary minds. Thank You, Jesus!
“Hebrew Name: El Roi (or El-roi), which translates to “The God Who Sees” or “The God Who Sees Me.”
“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'” (Genesis 16:13, NIV).
“Who Spoke It: Hagar, an Egyptian slave of Sarai (Sarah).”
“Context: Hagar was mistreated by Sarai and fled into the desert, pregnant, and feeling alone, afraid, and overlooked. Jesus, Who is called “The Angel of the Lord” found her by a spring, comforted her, and promised descendants.”
“Significance: Hagar is the only person in the Bible who personally gives God a Name.”
“Related Well: The well where this happened was named Beer Lahai Roi, meaning “Well of The Living One Who Sees Me.”
“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).
The Bible is the Word of God: The Word of God is Alive and Active,” filled with His Infinite Power, and is guaranteed to soothe and comfort us.
God’s Promises keep us anchored to Christ the Solid Rock. When we study and meditate on the Holy Scriptures, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ gift of Spiritual Peace.
God has given the righteous many promises that we should memorize: He will never leave us or forsake us; He will heal our broken hearts, He will provide for us, and He will protect us from our enemies.
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear [reverence] Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love…” (Psalm 33:18, ESV).
What does it mean to surrender to God? Everyday, we pray for His Divine Will and Plans to be revealed to us. And then we pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and the strength to fulfill His Plans.
Because God is Perfect and can never make a mistake, following God’s Plans alleviates all anxiety, worries, and eliminates the chance of suffering from unknown future consequences.
Pray, Wait, and Obey. Our faith is being tested during the wait; will we obey God, or will we rely on our own thoughts when we get tired of waiting?
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26).
God Declares His Sovereign Omnipotence
“Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:10-11).
“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB).
Whether facing the routine challenges of everyday life, the devastation of life-changing adversity, or people who Satan is using to bring chaos and confusion into our lives, our First Response must be a Prayer of Faith.
“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). (Psalm 55:22, Amplified Bible).
In faith, we ask God for His Help, and then we patiently “Wait on God,” whose timing will never match our mindset and lifestyle of rapid response. God sees time as eternal, so He has no need to hurry.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” (Psalm 37:7-8, NIV).
Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God,” reminds us to stop striving and acknowledge God’s Sovereign Authority and Power.
“I Am The God Who Sees. I am the God, Who sees you in your wilderness, in your brokenness, and your empty spaces. My power will bring you to your knees!” And then I will lift you up again with My Righteous Right Hand,” because I Am the God Who Sees.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15).
Lord Jesus, we approach Your Throne of Grace, asking for Your Divine Help and Guidance in our time of need. Lord, we admit that our faith is weak, still we ask for Your guidance, peace, and stability in a time of uncertainty. We have experienced many challenges and disruptions this week; Lord, thank You for giving us the Holy Sabbath to redirect our focus from the tumultuous events in our lives and in this world back to You. Jesus, as we prepare for Your Soon Coming, we pray for every believer to redirect their faith and focus from the natural to the supernatural. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness, the Holy Spirit in our hearts, so we can experience the blessings of the joy and peace of following Christ. Lord, help us to prepare for eternity by teaching us how to place God First in everything we do and say. In faith, we pray this prayer of surrender in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd, and the God Who Sees, Loves, and Cares, Amen.
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