Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

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.

A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor born April 21, 1926, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2022.

Many things can be said of the Queen. But most importantly were her character traits of love, loyalty, conviction, dignity, and strength. Yet, her learned trait of humility often goes unnoticed. It was not public pressure that forced Queen Elizabeth to acquiesce to the public’s outcry of her silence regarding Princess Diana’s death in 1997. The learned behavior of stoicism is still considered a strength in many cultures and does not waver because of varying situations. 

Queen Elizabeth’s heart response was demonstrated by breaching the monarchy’s protocol not once, but three times. Yet her greatest act of humility occurred when, “The next day, the day of the funeral, came the biggest breach of protocol of them all. The queen stood with her family, and as Diana’s funeral cortege passed by, she bowed her head. It was not a quick bow, nor a shallow one. The woman accustomed to being bowed by the world now lowered her head and humbly honored the princess.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/09/10/queen-elizabeth-princess-diana-funeral/

Criticism of the Queen arose in the latter years of her reign because she failed to apologize for the past injustices including slavery and Colonialism, and the present social issue of racism in the UK. Whether we agree or not, she remained focused and steadfast as a leader for 70 years. Queen Elizabeth’s wisdom was not fueled by emotions. Reality caused her to realize that she could not eradicate racism or give financial reparation for past atrocities.

Before we throw stones, we must ask ourselves, “What is my current role in Social Activism?” Are we contributing to the rise of “isms?” Our passiveness or distancing ourselves from the current social injustices clearly reveals that we do not care about others or global issues.

Before we demand an apology, “How many of us are holding on to past hurts from individuals [deceased and living] because they never apologized?” In fact, most people who received an apology are still harboring hatred in their hearts for those who caused them harm. The intentional act of forgiveness [without receiving an apology] provides one with mental and emotional freedom, and the motivation, strength, and perseverance to move forward, resulting in a peaceful and productive life. Our future outlook is dependent on our logic or our uncontrolled emotions.

Although the Elizabethan Era ended on September 8, 2022, and has left feelings of ambivalence among many people, Queen Elizabeth II deserves respect for her undaunting leadership. Yet, we must never forget that the royal family has lost their Queen Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The staff who diligently served the Queen, the people of the UK, and those who loved and respected her tireless perseverance are also grieving.

And our hearts must allow overwhelming compassion for King Charles II, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Yes, many of us will miss the resilience and dignity of a deeply loved Queen. 

Edited to include the names of the Queen’s four children.

Sonya Johnson 09/12/2022

What is the Most Important Thing in Your Life?

Sabbath Devotional–The Struggle of Sanctification–What is the Most Important Thing in Your Life?

“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

A relationship with Christ is the most crucial aspect of a believer’s life. Our covenant vow to become a follower [disciple] of Jesus is demonstrated through the daily surrendering of our desires. Jesus gave us a complete explanation of the requirement to follow Him: “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).

Loving God requires humility and obedience. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23).

We give up independent thought processes and desires by praying daily, “God, not my will, but Your will be done in my life. Holy Spirit, today, I ask for guidance, wisdom, and discernment to recognize distractions from warfare. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Give us this day, our daily bread. Wisdom and discernment are spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit which require us to ask for them daily. We build a relationship with Christ through diligent prayer and by studying the Scriptures. Worship provides us with the spiritual nourishment and strength we need to stay connected to God. And our hearts are prepared to hear the Voice of God through the Holy Spirit.

“Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (Romans 12:3, last part)

All have received the gift of faith. We can compare it to a seed. Faith is a gift that needs to be cultivated and nurtured to produce growth. Our faith grows from completely trusting in God’s promises despite the giants that we face. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him, the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

We fight the battle of trusting our judgment versus having faith in the invisible God. Feeling that we have to act instead of praying and trusting in God places us in the predicament of our will versus God’s will. Many have given up because it’s too hard to wait, trust, and obey. Yet, without faith, we can never have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Faith gives us hope and proclaims that we believe that God knows best, that He never fails, and will provide the perfect solution. Even if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we open our hearts to receive Divine Intervention. Yet, faith has no gray area or middle ground. Either we are all in or completely out.

All relationships require trust including Jesus plus us. Whether it is a miracle, the solution to a hardship, or pursuing a dream, our faith enables us to wait on God. The struggle happens when we allow our fears to override God’s plans. Even if we do not know God’s will for our lives, we pray, ask, and wait. “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

Waiting produces thriving faith, yet, it also requires courage. The waiting period proves if we are really connected to Jesus. Many become discouraged during the silent phase of waiting. Satan uses this time to place doubt in our minds. Has God forgotten my prayer? Where is the miracle? If God doesn’t do something quickly, then…, or we begin to compare ourselves to our peers–everyone else has achieved their dreams, why am I the only one who has nothing?

We usually think of someone performing a life-saving action as courageous. Faith requires all the mental, emotional, and spiritual strength we possess to have 100% trust in God. Our relationship with Jesus is based on our faith that is fueled by courage. Come to Jesus just as you are–He is aware of the little we offer. But little becomes much in the Master’s hands.

Jesus patiently teaches us how to exercise the courage that produces unrealistic faith in Him. Our love relationship with Jesus is based on the human effort of faith. When our faith begins to waver, we need to immediately pray and reinforce our faith with the promises of God. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Being determined in our efforts, and keeping our relationship with Jesus is always our priority. With Divine authority, every day, Jesus takes our frail weaknesses uniting them with His strength and we receive the spiritual empowerment to persevere and run the race in this earthly journey of life.

Prayer: God, we pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We need Your direction and the strength to keep striving despite our obstacles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Needful Things

If human beings do not understand or acknowledge our dependency on plant and animal life then we certainly fail to acknowledge our dependency on God–Sonya Johnson

Before I was six years old, my grandparents and my mother had taught me that if all the green things that grow were taken from the earth, there could be no life. If all the four-legged creatures were taken from the earth, there could be no life. If all the winged creatures were taken from the earth, there could be no life. If all our relatives who crawl and swim and live within the earth were taken away, there could be no life. But if all the human beings were taken away, life on earth would flourish. That is how insignificant we are.
Russell Means, Oglala Lakota Nation (November 10, 1939 – October 22, 2012).

Despite our lack of understanding or acknowledgement of a loving Creator, God gave His Son, Jesus to die for us. With Redemption from our sins, we gain wisdom of our purpose on earth. And then we spread the gospel to others which places us on the highest-ranking of needful things.