Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

The Company We Keep Devotional Reading and Podcast

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character…’ ” —1 Corinthians 15:33

The title, “Solo Female Traveler” was an introduction to keeping van lifer’s physical safety as a priority. The most important advice was to beware of strangers, whether they are male or female when living on the road. As I listened to the various strategies for keeping oneself safe, I thought about keeping ourselves safe from the warfare of having relationships with unbelievers.

Is it possible to avoid the danger of bad company by using our mental and intellectual faculties to develop spiritually safe strategies? Does our overconfidence empower us to think we can have social interactions with worldlings and not compromise our relationship with Christ? No, we cannot overcome our natural inclination to sin without Divine Intervention.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2

The New Living Translation explains Romans 12:2 in plain English: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Most often Satan uses the familiar people in our lives to draw us into temptation. Because we have love in our hearts for spouses, significant others, family, and friends, our guard is down. The invitation to attend a social function, dinner date, or a shopping trip as a get-together causes us to assume that our status as Christians will be respected. But Satan has no boundaries in using undercover strategies to pull us into sinful situations.

Can we keep ourselves safe from spiritual warfare when interacting with unbelievers? No. We receive wisdom and discernment only through diligent prayer, studying the Scriptures, and asking for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Total obedience to every Scriptural command and warning demonstrates our love for God and proves that He is first in our lives.

Compromise begins by rationalizing and making excuses to hang out with those living in darkness. Beyond casual interactions or witnessing, we will fall! Although we accept others for who they are, Christians have nothing in common with the unrighteous [even if they are family members]. Using prior life experience, having overconfidence, or relying on self-derived boundaries to maintain an unequal relationship places us in opposition to God’s commands to remain separate.

Prideful strategies are not enough to keep us from falling into temptations that compromise our relationship with Christ. The apostle James tells us “Humility is the Cure for Worldliness.” “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8).

Guard your heart by standing your ground! We must not place ourselves in predicaments where we are being pulled away from our earthly journey on the Path of Righteousness. Our strength is in Christ Jesus, guard your hearts [and your salvation] by staying away from bad company.

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for the strength to overcome the temptation of socializing with unbelievers. Help us to draw close to You as we prepare for Your soon coming. In the Matchless Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

Living the Victorious Life Devotional Reading and Podcast

There is only one way for us to have victory: through Christ Jesus. Winning the battle between self-reliance and dependency on God requires human effort and Divine Intervention. The human effort of surrendering oneself to God is simply declaring your total dependence on your Heavenly Father. But how do we rely totally on God?

“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…” —Proverbs 3:5-6

The practical application of King Solomon’s words of wisdom is for us to pray over every aspect of our lives and as King David admonishes us, “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14).

Living a victorious life is guaranteed when we choose Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords over our lives.

Prayer: God, we surrender our minds and souls to You. We ask You to lead, guide, and direct us in the daily activities of our lives. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.

God Is Always Faithful Devotional Reading and Podcast

Lamentations Chapter 3, Verses: 22 to 26, and 55 to 57

Verses 22-24: “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’ “

Verses 25-26: “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.”

Verses 55-57: “I called on Your name, O Lord, From the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: ‘Do not hide Your ear From my sighing, from my cry for help.’ You drew near on the day I called on You, And said, ‘Do not fear!’ “

Without intentional effort, the human mind easily forgets the greatest blessings our loving and merciful Heavenly Father gives us. Every day, we receive breath in our bodies, our minds function without concerted effort, and we choose the foods that we will eat and enjoy.

Developing a heart filled with gratitude doesn’t come naturally. We tend to focus on our heart’s never-ending desires. Decide to begin your day with prayer and praise to the Most High God for His gifts of mercies.

“What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?” —Psalm 116:12. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: God, we thank You for the mercies of a new day in our lives. And we thank You for all of the blessings that You lovingly give although we do not deserve them. God, we love You. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

Receiving the Reward Not Based on Merit Devotional Reading and Podcast

Cambridge Dictionary defines work-life balance as “the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy.”

If you created a time log for hours spent working, preparing yourself [personal hygiene and dressing], and roundtrip travel would it exceed 60 hours a week? Then you may need to consider other career options. God always requires us to put Him first. He never places us in a situation in which we do not have time to worship and fulfill our spiritual assignment.

What are the chances of your employer rewriting your job description after hiring? The chances are very slim. The job description is specific and outlines the expectations of each employee. Unless specified, no variables or negotiable terms exist in the contractual agreement between the employer and employee. Job descriptions legally protect the employer as well as the employee.

The salary and specific time of merit raises are also included in the job description. Merit raises are based on an employee’s performance. Every employee who has not received disciplinary action can expect to receive a merit raise annually for a job well done.

Certainly, God created us to work and have the provisions for the requirements of everyday life. Yet, we also need sufficient rest for spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical restoration. Spiritually, we require intentional time with God in personal worship that should be part of our morning and evening routines. Love for God, faith, trust, humility, and obedience along with praying, studying the Bible, and witnessing are Christ’s requirements of every Christian believer.

Many Christians feel that the Great Commission of witnessing is optional. Every follower of Christ has a work to do: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). Although we will not personally baptize, we are required to spread the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Like the employer who remains steadfast in their contractual agreement, God also expects that we will obey and complete our daily spiritual task of witnessing. We have limitless options to use our talents. Residents in nursing homes love sing-a-longs, teaching others how to paint or do crafts, joining a church’s outreach ministry, volunteering in a food pantry, or even in the store telling someone “Jesus loves you.” Our love and kindness displayed by a smile, and saying good morning are also nonverbal ways of witnessing.

Contrary to trendy beliefs, it is not enough for us to attend church, give tithe and offerings, and strive to live righteously. The reward of receiving eternal life also requires daily witnessing. Through the advancement of technology, we can witness of Christ’s love and saving power through various platforms. Share Scriptures, make reels, place an ad to do free lawn mowing, or make a meal for an elderly person. Helping others demonstrates our love for God.

There is no middle ground between obedience and disobedience. Either we love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds or not!

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” —James 2:14-17

Although our spiritual gifts and talents vary, every believer has a spiritual assignment with one goal, “To tell others of the love of Christ who died for the redemption of our sins.” Faith allows us to believe in and obey the Triune God. Every Scripture in the Bible applies to us including Jesus’ command to witness and make disciples. Who will tell them, if we don’t?

Faith plus Works shows that our hearts are bursting with love for Jesus. The followers of Christ who pray and surrender themselves every day to the will of God reveal humility, faith, trust, and obedience. Works alone can never save us, yet, works validate our faith and indicate our spiritual status with God.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. —1 Corinthians 15:58

Our spiritual raise will be given when Jesus comes again, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). For our faithful obedience along with fulfilling our commission, we will receive immortality and life in a perfect, sinless, New Heaven and New Earth where the atmosphere is filled with Agape love. Let the redeemed of the Lord, say Amen!

Prayer: God, we ask You to reveal our spiritual gifts and talents so we can further the work of Jesus in these last days. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps2successwithspiritualsolutions