It takes faith, trust, courage, and perseverance to serve God in today's unstable world. Yet, we are never alone. Pray every day and pray often. Study the Bible. The Scriptures are a Love Letter from God to those who accept Jesus as their personal Savior. You will receive comfort, knowledge, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. "I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3. Be blessed in Jesus' name. Amen.
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:27
Jesus’ words remind us that the Sabbath day was meant to be a blessing rather than a burden to those who observe it. While others long for vacations, Sabbath-keepers eagerly look forward to their weekly Spiritual Spa. God honors our obedience by blessing us with spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical renewal and restoration.
The Creation Sabbath is 24 hours of God-focused, intentional worship and communion with our Heavenly Father. Yes, the Sabbath definitely gives us a reason to rejoice. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
The Mystery of the Holy Spirit—Receiving Spiritual Wisdom, Sabbath Devotional July 7, 2023
Jesus Promises to Give Us the Holy Spirit—”If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” —John 14:15-17
Who has access to the Holy Spirit? Jesus’ answer: Everyone who accepts and loves Him as their personal Savior. Yet, there is an additional requirement, obedience as evidenced by keeping His commandments.
The Apostle Paul Speaks of the Holy Spirit Giving Us Spiritual Wisdom and Discernment
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” —1 Corinthians 2:10-12
These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.” —1 Corinthians 2:13-14
Have you prayed for and embraced the power of the Holy Spirit in your daily walk with Christ? Many Christians avoid praying for the anointing of the Holy Spirit who provides us with spiritual guidance in our daily lives. Do I purchase the house, vehicle, change jobs, start the business, marry this person, or relocate? These are life decisions that will never bring negative consequences when we pray for guidance and answers from the Holy Spirit.
When facing the struggles of life-changing events such as major illnesses, divorce, the death of a loved one, or job loss, we cannot use our limited concepts and strategies to resolve these battles. Even in our grief and loss, we must remind ourselves that we do not know our future. Let the Holy Spirit guide you through God’s plan. Pray continuously for comfort and the strength to obey His plan to restart your life.
We cannot avoid catastrophic life events, but the Holy Spirit fulfills various roles in our lives. He is our Comforter and Teacher who is just a prayer away. We always need the Holy Spirit’s Help!
Satan is attacking us every day with spiritual warfare. Many believers fall victim to the temptations of sexual immorality, using substances to calm their nerves, pursuing success, purchasing earthly treasures, and many other forms of compromise. Who can stay on the Path of Righteousness without the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit every day?
Facing the Spiritual Warfare of False Teachings
“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good…” —1 Thessalonians 5:21
Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot discern God’s [One and Only] Truth. We are living in the last days of perilous times. Confusion and strife are rampant in the Christian community due to varied interpretations of the Scriptures. Every day we hear the adulterated version of the Scriptures in which the speaker blends a little truth, their opinions, and many false concepts.
” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9
Whether listening to a sermon online, in church, or viewing a [Christian] social media post, pray and ask the Holy Spirit if the message is Bible-based and an accurate interpretation of God’s Truth. Always search the Bible and compare the message to the Holy Scriptures.
Many speakers make social media reels who never pray for spiritual discernment. Listen carefully, if they fail to quote at least one Scripture and where it is found in the Bible or frequently use the words “I and me” about themselves then Christ is not being glorified.
A speech is not a sermon—Sermons always give glory to the Triune God! Even a personal testimony should glorify God, not ourselves. Without the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom and our effort to diligently study the Bible, we will accept erroneous concepts. Satan makes everything he uses to deceive us look and sound altogether lovely.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” —John 14:26
As believers, we rely on the Holy Spirit to not only warn us of false teachings but also to give us spiritual discernment when studying the Bible. However, we must remember to pray and ask for the gifts of spiritual understanding and discernment every time we delve into God’s Word.
Studying the Bible is teamwork—you and your Teacher, the Holy Spirit. We cannot rely on our cognitive processes alone to understand the Holy Scriptures. Our minds are overexposed to stimuli that influence our perspective of God and the Bible. We are living in a time when human wisdom is valued over godly wisdom. Even so, there can be no suppositions or guesswork when studying the God-breathed Scriptures.
Always pray before you open the Bible. Remember, we are never left to fend for ourselves when we invite the Holy Spirit into our worship and study of the Scriptures.
Testimony: Something phenomenal happens when we awaken and pray daily for the anointing, presence, wisdom, and discernment of the Holy Spirit. Humility and surrender reveals our heart’s desire for God’s continuous guidance. The Holy Spirit provides us with spiritual insight. We see life with open eyes. From the godly wisdom we receive, we honor the Sovereignty of God and value our relationship with Christ. Yes, we place God first and foremost in our lives.
Not only does the Holy Spirit reveal the deepest spiritual things that our human minds cannot normally comprehend, but we also begin to hear the still, small voice of God [through our thoughts and He brings the Scriptures we have studied to our remembrance].
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” —Isaiah 30:21
Every believer has access to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit. At least twice a day, go to your secret place of prayer with the desire and expectation to hear from the Holy Spirit. Wherever we worship, even if in our vehicle, we reverently invite the presence of God into our worship. Get rid of all distractions. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, first part).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” —Matthew 6:33
The manifestation of the Holy Spirit is evident in those who ask for the spiritual attributes of His mysterious power. There is a peace that allows us to know that “It is Well” with our souls. We have the confidence and courage that we can rely on the Divine wisdom and guidance of God’s Spirit to keep us on the Path of Righteousness and to counteract Satan’s deceptive tactics.
Never forget, we are in a Spiritual War! Embrace the need for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can align our priorities with God’s plan and will for our lives. With humility and obedience, we become transformed into a disciple of Christ, one who perseveres and willingly follows their Savior.
Remaining consistent in praying for the Holy Spirit produces spiritual growth. Our focus changes, we no longer desire the foolish things of this world. Seeking righteousness comes from the mindset of, “I want to be transformed into the Character of Christ in preparation to worship God forever in a perfect and sinless world.”
Prayer: Lord, we ask You for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk with You. We need Your Divine Help to prepare us for eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. We thank You for the gift of 24/7 access to our Spiritual Team. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray. Amen.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven, for He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?” Matthew 5:43-47
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
Self-Denial, the Characteristic Blessed by God Devotional Reading July 5, 2023
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ ” —Matthew 19:21
Benevolence: a loving and voluntary contribution, a free gift of time and money in helping others without the expectation of something in return.
At one time there were marked differences in the characters of Christian believers and unbelievers. We helped those in need because we loved Jesus. From the diligent study of Christ’s life, we acknowledged that it was our Christian duty to follow in the footsteps of Christ who ministered by alleviating the sufferings of others. We gave without hesitation! And God blessed us with all of our needs because of our heartfelt compassion to help others who were suffering.
The transition of giving of our time and financial resources has always been a focus of Bible-based churches. Community Outreach ministries had an overabundance of donations, clothing, household items, and non-perishable goods along with church members who willingly and actively participated in meeting the needs of others.
As we have progressed in our walk of life, our focus has turned from Jesus and helping others to ourselves. We have jumped into the worldview pot that started on simmer [not too much extravagance] but is now at a raging boil [buy everything you desire]. And inside the pot is only one ingredient “Me, Me, Me,” and one ultimate purpose, self-gratification.
Sadly, we have developed a spirit of selfishness without feeling any remorse. The line that is used to differentiate between need and greed is blurred. With a sense of entitlement, we keep purchasing earthly treasures. And with every unnecessary purchase to please our desires, we are separated from God and our spiritual reward of eternal life.
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” — 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Reflection: Do I have a heart filled with the pursuit of self-gratification?
Sin’s gift: “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” —Jeremiah 17:9
We were born with a heart [mind] that is out of control. We are driven to think sinful thoughts and easily perform sinful behaviors. Even the apostle Paul who strived to live righteously revealed his struggle, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out (Romans 7:18).
“So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12, BSB).
The habit of Accumulation is a difficult habit to overcome. And we will never have victory without constant prayer. Tell yourself, “Enough is Enough!” Approach life with a spirit of humility always seeking God’s guidance before spending the money that He has blessed you with.
God is aware of the weed of sin and its desires that are always growing rapidly within us. We cannot overcome our sin of greed without God! Do we have the heartfelt desire to change? With the human effort of self-control and the Divine Help of the Holy Spirit, every sinful inclination, inherited tendency, and learned behavior can be eradicated.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12
Satan desires that we never study the Bible. He can present temptations to which we easily succumb when we lack spiritual knowledge! Change your perception of the Bible. God has given us the Scriptures for the protection and edification of our minds, bodies, and souls.
The Holy Bible, our Guide identifies the sinful condition of our hearts. Yet, we have Spiritual Guidance from countless Scriptures on living a victorious life through Jesus Christ. We are promised victory over the battle within when we forsake our inner desires and pray for the Holy Spirit’s intervention.
The Good News: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” —Isaiah 30:21
God has also given us the ability to receive His guidance through our inner voice—our conscience. We have a soul-to-God connection that is never severed until our physical death. Go to your quiet place to pray and meditate when you feel the urge to spend money frivolously. If you are in the store, do not give in to the “Sale” sign. Pray for strength and walk away! Pray constantly for spiritual wisdom and discernment to learn the difference between necessity and want.
Our Heavenly Father’s goal is the spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities in our earthly lives. But He never forces us to change. We must decide to let go of all unrighteousness including wasting God’s resources.
Take immediate action to rid yourself of overage. Pray with conviction! And then look in your closet, storage containers, junk drawers, and garages for items that you have not used for 6 months or more. Donate to churches that have community programs and to non-profit organizations that resell at low prices.
Giving must become a habit to overcome our innate selfishness. Continual giving provides a double blessing, to the giver and the receiver. In giving, we become changed, our selfishness dies and the persons in need are blessed.
Scripture: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” —2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Prayer: God we confess and ask for forgiveness of wasting the financial resources You have blessed us with on the accumulation of earthly treasures. We ask for the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to overcome this sinful habit. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.
The Desire to Receive Your Heavenly Reward of Eternal Life Devotional Reading July 3, 2023
“Not My will, but Thine be done.” —Luke 22:42
Every person who accepts Jesus as their personal Savior must travel the Chosen Path which requires the humility of daily surrender and obedience. Jesus surrendered His will to God, His Father to take the cup of suffering which led to a horrendous death on Calvary’s Cross, and we must surrender our will to Christ to receive our reward of eternal life.
For many, the gift of Jesus’ life for our salvation and redemption from sin has lost its significant meaning. Our earthly desires have overpowered the desire to surrender and walk with Jesus. Our prayers reflect a half-hearted commitment to Christ, we pray, “Lord, bless me with…” as opposed to praying “Lord, I surrender myself to You today.”
Reflection: Am I willing to surrender and travel the tough [but rewarding] path Christ has chosen for me?
“…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:20
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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 Condition: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5
Jesus gave us these precious promises to keep our minds focused on Him. Our Loving Savior desires for us to know “Your earthly journey of following Me cannot be done without receiving My Strength and My Grace.” More than ever, we need spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment from the Holy Spirit to recognize and fight off the daily and continuous attacks of spiritual warfare.
Reflection: How much time do I give to God in daily worship?
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” —Matthew 6:6
Prayer, Bible Study, and Meditation require intentional time with God. The busyness of life prevents us from separating ourselves and having meaningful worship with God.
The Dilemma: Our hearts are filled with earthly desires. And we are continuously overwhelmed by the daily schedules overflowing with distractions [which is Satan’s spiritual warfare]. Every day Satan makes personalized plans of temptation to keep us from having a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. His overall agenda is for us to be lost because his destiny of destruction is certain.
Human Effort: With the concerted effort of praying and studying the Scriptures even the weakest Christian receives strength from the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation. If we do our part by remaining faithful and obedient, we have the promise of Divine Intervention to keep us on our Chosen Path.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” —James 1:5, NIV
Without godly wisdom, we cannot recognize the distractions that steal our time away from God. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal every individual and personal habit that is preventing you from surrendering and obeying God. You will be surprised that your Chosen Path requires letting go of most of the people, places, and things that you enjoy. The spiritual reward of eternal life requires going deeper with Christ.
“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose]…” Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible
Distancing ourselves from the obstacles that prevent us from receiving daily spiritual growth and transformation is necessary to live righteously. Once the Holy Spirit has revealed the obstacles, we pray for the Divine strength, wisdom, and courage to take the earthly steps of surrender and obedience. Letting go is not an easy task. Add spiritual fasting to overcome the desire to keep anything that prevents receiving your crown from King Jesus.
Remember that our Chosen Path is decided by Christ who requires the same surrender and obedience that God required of Him in His earthly journey. Choose a time of seclusion and think deeply about your heavenly reward. Whom do you love more than Christ? What programs and online activities are you willing to give up?
The daily tests proving our commitment to Christ always require us to change our behaviors and lifestyles. We will be tempted to return to the former things that keep us from total surrender. The characteristics of Surrender and Obedience are not innate desires—pleasing our carnal desires is the battle within of good versus evil that we inherited and will face until the day of Jesus’ Second Coming. Yet, we can overcome with prayer, perseverance, and daily spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:7, NLT
Witnessing to others by gently telling them you have decided to spend more time with God may not be received well, but do it anyway. One of the characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit is self-control. The human effort of telling ourselves no is possible because we were born with innate spiritual gifts from God.
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6
God created us to worship Him in our earthly lives which prepares us to worship Him eternally in the New Heaven and New Earth. The sacrificial gift of Jesus was an expression of love that we will never fully understand until we are changed and made perfect when Jesus comes. Yet, we can gain deeper spiritual insight by staying in His presence. Seeing life through spiritual eyes reveals that immediate change is required to walk on the Narrow Path with Jesus.
By our willingness to surrender, obey, and diligently seek God through prayer and study of the Scriptures, we have the promises of God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit’s Divine Intervention to keep us on our Chosen Path that leads to a glorious, eternal life in Heaven.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus’ life, we are the recipients of God’s Grace and Mercies. The Human Effort of Surrender and Obedience is always rewarded by God. We receive spiritual discernment to recognize and resist temptation. From our prayer for Divine Help, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, along with our guardian angels, to fight the spiritual warfare that Satan masterminds to separate us from God.
Scripture Reading: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness…’ “…That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.…” —2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Prayer: Lord, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. We commit to following You by dedicating ourselves to fully surrender and obey Your Will. Thank You for the gift of Salvation and Your grace and mercies. We ask for spiritual insight, strength, godly wisdom, and direction as we travel on the Narrow, Chosen Path of Righteousness. We ask this prayer in Your Worthy Name, Amen.
Pray, Be Still, and Watch the LORD Fight Your Battles! Devotional Reading July 2, 2023
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13
Our Spiritual journey is one of continuous growth and development. We gain spiritual insight, discernment, and wisdom as the Holy Spirit works His transforming power in us. As we reflect on our lives, we are thankful that history is not repeating itself—we are not making the same mistakes that brought disruption and negative consequences into our past life.
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” — Psalm 9:10
Yes, the best feeling ever is to enjoy the calmness of peace and the happiness of joy in our minds and souls that comes from praying, obeying, and studying the Scriptures. Even in our trials, we never lose our peace because we receive spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit and have the utmost confidence that our God will deliver us.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” — Psalm 105:4
Those who worship God several times a day receive spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit. They have unrealistic faith and trust in God because their lives are in alignment with God’s will and plans. “Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him” (Psalm 25:12). The human effort of loving God with faithful obedience results in a thriving relationship with Christ who is the foundation for our salvation and faith. And the righteous always receive God’s benefits!
Reflection: You may think, I wish this was my life. If this is not your story then you are relying on your own strength which is inadequate for life’s journey.
Seeking God only in times of trouble reveals a spirit of self-reliance. Trusting in oneself produces overconfidence and we cease praying [in faith] for God’s daily spiritual blessings. Sporadic worship not only decreases our faith in God, but we also lose courage and the desire to persevere in hardships.
“The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.…” —Psalm 37:23-24, BSB.
Because we have distanced ourselves from God, we see ourselves as alone. The seed of discouragement flourishes and changes our perception of God. We have forgotten God’s promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Still, He is our Loving Heavenly Father who possesses unlimited POWER and is just a prayer away!
“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). When the righteous face adversity [whether from spiritual warfare, a trial, or our disobedience], in humility, we come boldly before the throne of grace for our Father’s Help. With confidence and faith, we rely on the LORD’s promise to intervene and give us a victorious outcome.
The Old Testament has many stories of humanity’s faith, failures, repentance, and victories which give us hope and substantiate that God loves us. And these real-life stories indicate that God is not expecting the impossible from us. God knows our human limitations. He desires that we love Him, and place all of our faith and trust in His love and Power.
King Asa’s Dilemma–2 Chronicles Chapter 14
The Human Effort of Obedience—”2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God, 3 for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. 4 He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. 5 He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him. 6 And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest.” Verses 2-6
The Impossible Dilemma—”And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah who carried shields and spears, and from Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand men who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor. 9 Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah. 10 So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.” —Verses 8-10
King Asa’s Prayer of Faith—”And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” —Verse 11
The Warrior God’s Divine Intervention—”The Lord helped Asa and his army defeat the Ethiopians. The enemy soldiers ran away, 13 but Asa and his troops chased them as far as Gerar. It was a total defeat—the Ethiopians could not even fight back! The soldiers from Judah took everything that had belonged to the Ethiopians. ” —Verses 12-13, Contemporary English Version
King Asa had the confidence to bring his army out for battle. Yet, he prayed and waited for God’s answer before the soldiers moved forward against their enemies who outnumbered them. God always requires the human effort of a prayer of faith before He intervenes. Even if our faith is weak, we can approach God with confidence because He always answers our prayers.
Pray an honest prayer by confessing your fears, doubts, and sin of self-reliance to God—He knows the true condition of our hearts. To know God is to stay in His presence not only during times of private worship but throughout our waking hours.
There are prayers that God answers immediately, but most of the time, He requires us to “Be Still.” The waiting has a purpose—to build our faith. Do not attempt to rush God’s Divine Intervention by thinking of strategies for a quick resolution [that will always fail]. Wait in faith and trust God.
Something wonderful happens when we stop trusting in ourselves. We begin to totally rely on God for help in our adversities and dilemmas and our faith and trust in God increase. Despite the situation, we know that we know God never fails! We receive peace, courage, and strength from the Holy Spirit. No more worries!
Try God! In every aspect of your life including Him, faith will replace fears, anxieties, and worries. Your outlook will change and you will view life through spiritual eyes with confidence. God promises to give us spiritual joy, and peace and to provide us with a victorious outcome that demonstrates His glory and power! His promises are Yes, to which we proclaim in faith, Amen [It is so!].
Scripture: “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” —Deuteronomy 31:8
Prayer: Lord, we confess that we trusted in ourselves and have not included You in our daily lives. Yet, today, we lay our burdens, trials, and hardships at Your feet asking with the meager faith we have for Your Divine Intervention. We thank You with a heart of gratitude for never leaving us or forsaking us. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
God desires dedicated worshippers not warriors. Pray, Praise, and Worship when facing opposition. He is our Warrior God!
The Situation: “It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar’ (which is En Gedi).” —2 Chronicles 20:1-2
The Prayer: 2 Chronicles 20:6-12
“O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.”
“10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
God’s Answer: “And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” —2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Every day, every believer faces spiritual warfare that we cannot win. But we serve a Mighty Warrior God who will always fight for us! God knows every battle that will enter our lives. And He waits for us to invite Him into our situation through prayer. When facing life’s battles, immediately pray for Divine Intervention!
Prayer: Lord, without You, I am nothing and going nowhere. I cannot fight this battle without You. Lord, help me. I am in serious difficulty and do not know what to do. Lord, I am looking to You for Direction, Protection, and Help. In Jesus’ name and in faith, I pray. Amen.
Deliverance From All of Our Troubles, Sabbath Devotional Reading, June 30, 2023
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.” —Psalm 34:4,6
When David wrote the 34th chapter of Psalm, he was a fugitive, living in caves, and on the run from King Saul who planned to kill him. Although we cannot relate to his extreme situation, all of us have experiential knowledge of how it feels to have troubles that we cannot resolve. Yet, David gives us his testimony that God is faithful and will always deliver us when we pray in faith and wait on the Lord.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 34:17,19
“The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 34, verses 17 and 19 reads: “When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. The Lord’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through.”
With confidence, we trust our Heavenly Father to answer our cries for help. The Bible reveals that God is a Loving Father who promises to take care of the righteous by giving us victory over all obstacles. We pray and are ever hopeful for a quick answer to our prayers.
How do we react when we have to wait for God’s Divine Intervention?
David was a fugitive for many years. Bible scholars tell us he became king at the age of 30. He was a young teenager when anointed by the prophet Samuel. A guestimate would be between 15 and 20 years living on the run. Although David tells us that God always keeps His promises and to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14), most believers begin to experience anxiety and worry within 24 hours of praying for God’s Divine Intervention.
Reflection: Why do I have the expectation that God will answer my prayers immediately?
The Waiting Period—When will God answer my prayers? And why hasn’t God answered my prayers?
We begin to overthink and create various reasons why God has not immediately answered our prayers. Sadly, we become discouraged or angry because God is silent. But impatience is a bitter fruit that causes us to lose faith, resulting in us not trusting in God’s promises and His power.
As our emotions escalate, our faith dwindles! Without a biblical foundation and consistent prayer, in troublesome times, our faith is weak or nonexistent. Suffering from spiritual malnutrition, we easily place ourselves under a dark cloud of unbelief and worry consumes our thoughts.
God is Omniscience—All-Knowing. We can have the assurance that God has knowledge of every trial and unexpected life event before they happen. Yes, He allowed us to journey through this tribulation. And He already knows how we will react! Prayer Warriors will keep on praying and believing in faith, but those who are sporadic in praying and studying the Scriptures will falter almost immediately.
It is comforting to know that God is infallible and incapable of making mistakes. Our Heavenly Father knows the level of faith each of us possesses and whether it will remain unwavering. Will we strengthen our faith while waiting or will we attempt to solve the issue on our own?
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31
Jesus asks the question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46
Waiting on God is not only a spiritual test, waiting produces spiritual growth! Our love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience. Never minimize the spiritual importance of obeying God. How crucial is obedience to our righteousness? Obedience to God results in living an earthly life that allows the Holy Spirit to change our character in preparation to receive eternal life.
God expects every believer to have the spiritual qualities that are required for us to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
” ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Mark 12:30
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6
Psalm 34:15: NKJV—”The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.” CEV—”If you obey the Lord, he will watch over you and answer your prayers.”
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. —Psalm 34:18. NIV—”The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
The characteristic of a broken heart is bitter disappointment producing sorrow and grief. “Contrite means ‘penitent,’ humbled by our own sins and failures, seeking after God.” openthebible.org
“…At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” —Isaiah 60:22
Waiting on God requires much faith and a spirit of humility demonstrated by our heart’s desire to reverence and honor God by seeking His will. We can develop the mindset, “I don’t mind waiting on God because His resolution to my challenges is perfect.”
Will we feel discouraged [at times] while waiting? Yes! Never forget that God is transforming us. Waiting on God has a purpose—waiting through troublesome times produces perseverance and a righteous character! The human effort of remaining patient, faithful, and obedient is honored by God. Continue or start having daily worship [praying and studying the Scriptures] to build your faith and endurance. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual strength while waiting for your breakthrough miracle of deliverance.
Waiting is not punishment nor indication that God has forgotten. David waited 15 years before He became king at the age of 30. During the waiting, God is transforming our character and strengthening our faith. Trusting in God is more than verbalizing the spoken words of “God, I trust You.” We are guaranteed a victorious outcome if we remain steadfast until we receive deliverance.
Scripture Reading: “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ ” 13 “I would have lost heart [courage], unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! ” —Psalm 27, Verses 7,8,13, and 14
Prayer: Hear our prayer, O LORD, forgive us of our transgressions, and deliver us from our adversity. We ask for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength to persevere through this trial. Jesus, we need You to help us to remain steadfast during the time of waiting for the promise of deliverance. We pray in faith and in Jesus’ Worthy Name, we ask these things. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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