steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

The Path Leads to Victory

Shout the Cry of Victory 30 Days of Prayer Day 7

God, I trust you to give me victory. Amen.

Have you experienced loss within the past sixteen months? What are some recent or lingering changes or losses [death and dying are the exceptions]you are still facing? Two losses, which really hit hard during the pandemic are the loss of our jobs and relationships. And yes, our reaction to grief is huge and rightly so because we face financial instability and/or the abrupt change in the status of “us” becoming “me.”

We may view our loss as the end of our dreams or as new beginnings. Our perception of the change determines whether or not we will move forward to pursue new and exciting opportunities for growth. If we view ourselves as having great potential, then we may cry, but we will take baby steps [some individuals can take giant leaps] to pursue another path. Still, we cannot utilize a cookie-cutter approach to rebuilding our lives. Every situation is unique, along with various factors that determine the strategies to move forward.

Identify your resources:

God: Always approach Our Heavenly Father–Jehovah Jireh when the “Restart” button is pushed. Daily we must pray, God, not my will, but Your will be done. When we give God permission to initiate His plans for us, remember that we may endure hardships at any point in our lives. Because God knows the beginning to the end, we must trust His process. Admit in your prayers that you are not feeling your best, yet, you fully trust Him.
Study the biblical stories of victory: When defeat appears to be our only option, trust that God has you in His hands. God delivered the Israelites from enslavement in Egypt, opened and closed the Red Sea, destroying Pharoah and his army [Exodus 14], David, a shepherd boy, took Goliath down with a slingshot [1 Samuel 17], and Joshua marched around Jericho [Joshua 6]. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Spiritual Support: Speaking to your pastor, a prayer warrior, community resources leader, or even joining a support group is vital to prevent depression or hopelessness.
Family and friends: Identify the friends and family who you can trust to provide emotional and/or financial support during the transitional period. Do not isolate. Satan can present our challenges as overwhelming or cause us to see ourselves as victims. Often the break-up or unemployment is not our fault. Someone else made the choice that would change our lives. Still, we must not harbor or allow negative emotions to overtake us, or we will never move forward. Live one day at a time.
Pray for God to reveal your spiritual gifts, talents, and develop hobbies.
Research and identify your community resources.

There is another scenario that I must mention: What if you are without friends or family you can present your situation too, or you do not have a church home? Seek God in prayer, and thank Him for sustaining you. Establish a daily schedule. Get out of the bed or off the sofa. Go outside at least once a day for a walk. We may live alone, but God is always near.

Whether we are the only person in our home, have children, or extended family members living with us, never forget, our Father cares. God says He knows the number of hairs on our head. It is our trials and sorrows that build our faith. No, it does not feel good. Even so, God knows our circumstances before they happen. Trust Him to see you through.

Bible study: Matthew 6

Prayer: God, we are not feeling our best right now and we pray that you will comfort us and reveal your plans for our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

God took Action!

When we decide to serve God, we make a covenant vow to serve Him by putting God first. Often our desires get in the way and we focus on people, places, and things. We fail to put God first. It is then that He begins house-cleaning. The relationship that prevented you from obeying God, He removed the person from your life, God did it for His glory and your good.

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

Prayer: God, thank you for your divine intervention to remove obstacles from our lives. Please help us to always put you first. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sorry, You are Not Dressed Properly

SHOUT the Cry of Victory 30 Days of Prayer Day 6

You Mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy and to live humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 GWT

Prayer: God, please give us the courage to change our clothes and put on the clothing of a servant, as Jesus did. We ask for forgiveness of the sins of pride, selfish desires, and disobedience. We desire to live a purpose-driven life, full of faith and trust in you. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen.

Surround Yourself With Love

Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22

I recently read that we should ask God to reveal the people who really love us and remove those who do not have a genuine love for God. If they love God, then their words, behaviors, and actions reflect their love for us. God reminds us that He has no tolerance for the human mix of love and hate. Either we have a heart full of love or hate. “Whoever claims to love God, yet, hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20

Because I have struggled with separating myself from toxic friends and family, God reached out by allowing me to read a devotional about letting people go. Please know that the “believers” are family members and long-term friendships. Still, I took a leap of faith and prayed this prayer, “Dear God, please reveal to me the family and friends who love you and have love for me. And give me the courage and strength to remove the remaining people from my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1 Corinthians 13 gives us God’s standards for love. When we study the love chapter, please note that love does not include mistreatment nor the lack of compassion. Imagine asking for help and receiving the response of “I will pray for you, but right now I have things to do,” or they give this reason for not answering your phone calls and text messages: “Don’t take it personally, I just haven’t felt like talking [to you].”

Love for God is the determining factor that identifies who we should include in our lives. It is usually easy to eliminate friends that do not have our best interests in mind. But how do you handle the situation when being unequally yoked extends to a spouse or family members? Unhealthy relationships destroy our ability to focus on God. Please know that we have invited a significant problem into our faith-based life when we tolerate toxic people that make life even harder for us.

Having unconditional love in our hearts does not mean that we become victims of emotional abuse.

Our only decision is to Put God first! I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. Isaiah 46:8. People, places, and things can easily become our idols if they interfere with our relationship with God.

Do not be mismatched with unbelievers, for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together or what does light have in common with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 NASB

Run from individuals that are confused as to who they are serving. They have compromised and blended worldly habits into their “sanctified” lifestyle. Also, please stay away from mean people! Spouses, family members, and the people in our social circles always impact our relationship with God in a positive or negative aspect. If you are seeking peace and victory, make certain that the people surrounding you are not stumbling blocks. We cannot have a covenant relationship with God or enjoy peace and inner joy when we allow: lack of support, toxic communication, jealousy, controlling behaviors, resentment, dishonesty, disrespect, and negative financial behaviors.

You Are in the Right Relationship When It Is Helping Your Walk With God, Not Hurting It. God is love! And He desires that we surround ourselves with caring and compassionate people who love God and love us.

Love God, Love Others, and Love Yourself

Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 13

Prayer: God, we desire to have a relationship with you based on love, faith, trust, and obedience. Thank you for loving us first. We ask that you rescue and protect us from the people who would harm us emotionally. Please bring people into our lives who love you and love others. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Disclaimer: This May Offend You!

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Living Pain-free

As a nurse, I have administered thousands of narcotic and non-narcotic medications to alleviate my patient’s physical pain. But I realize, even with all of the advancements in the healthcare arena, we cannot medicate to stop the distress of emotional pain.

Emotional pain damages the psyche leaving scars that not even therapeutic intervention can heal. In 2021, the statistics of those who suffer from mental health conditions surpass the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Even so, God knew we would need His Divine Intervention. Hence, the reason God gave us specific instructions and promises in the Holy Bible to give Him our painful burdens. God lovingly waits for our prayer to release our pain, struggles, and challenges.

One of the names of God is Jehovah Rapha, meaning “The God Who Heals.” God promises to make us completely whole. When God heals, there is no “Emotional Scar Tissue.” Do you believe? Then pray this prayer of faith until you receive His healing touch. Pray for the courage to claim the victory in Jesus’ name, and move forward as a new creature in Christ.

Link to God’s promises for healing. https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/healing-bible-verses/

Prayer is a Partnership

Shout the Cry of Victory 30 Days of Prayer Day 4

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

The reason you are a believer is to build a relationship with God whom you believe in. Prayer is a give and take; you call and God answers.

In John 16:33, “Jesus tells us, 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.” Do you believe that God answers prayers and Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, they help us to live a victorious life even in our most demanding challenges?

Making a renewed covenant with God is just a prayer away. We are not required to do anything strenuous or challenging to serve God. It is a simple commitment to offer ourselves and worship our Creator. God loves us more than we will ever know. Believing (faith) in God requires constant communion with Him. Pray throughout the day and night for spiritual strength.

We cannot live off of yesterday’s worship, praise, or prayers. Diligently seeking God daily places us in a position to build our faith and trust in Him. Whether we are in the mountain highs or the valley lows, God is always here! He is patiently waiting for us to seek Him in prayer.

Bible Study: Matthew 6

Prayer: God, we confess and ask forgiveness for not doing our part in the covenant relationship with you. Please hear our prayer to create a clean heart in us and to teach us the humility of serving you. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Love to Debate?

SHOUT THE CRY OF VICTORY 30 Days of Prayer DAY 3

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Verbal sparring, debating, arguing, spats, and having the mindset, “I am going to say what’s on my mind, or always insisting on having the last word,” is strife. Strife is sin. But there is another category of believers who remain silent, but their thoughts are terrible. Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely. Psalm 139:4. Because God hears our thoughts, unspoken thoughts carry the same weight as spoken words.

Have you noticed throughout the Bible that God provides instruction on the development of a Christ-like character? Yes, we must do our part [human effort] to achieve daily spiritual growth and transformation [Sanctification]. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us of the traits we possess when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual journey is based on Righteousness by Faith.

Most of us have been involved in a conflict; conflict resolution is utilized in most professional environments. But our conflict resolution differs because we answer to God, and He has specific biblical instructions on how to resolve or prevent controversy.

It is easy to become involved in verbal sparring. Some people love to argue, and it only takes one word to push their “Round One” button. Even so, having an argumentative spirit is not from God. Even worse, may God show us mercy if we are arguing over the Holy scriptures. Link for Bible verses on arguing: https://www.openbible.info/topics/arguing

When you are approached by an angry person (family, friend, coworker), simply walk away. We deserve respect even when we are wrong. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you calm down and pray for the individual. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2. If you are the subject of the argument, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your faults. It is a possibility that the other person is telling the truth.

Anger is a powerful emotion that eliminates all rational thought processes.

An angry person is too upset to listen or receive your apology. It is not the time to talk. When the situation allows, ask if the two of you can sit down and talk–do not wait until the next day! It takes a lot of negative energy to stay angry. Hopefully, they will calm down. Begin your conversation with, “You are right. I am sorry for ____________, apologize and ask for forgiveness, then ask God for forgiveness.
If you are approached by someone who is not angry, make sure it is the right time and place to discuss the issue.
What about false accusations? Lies are from the bitter fruits of jealousy and resentment, and anger. “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14

God’s Instruction on asking Him for forgiveness first:

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matthew 5:23-24

We cannot approach God first and ask for forgiveness before asking the other individual to forgive us. What happens when the person is unwilling to speak to you? We can use our cell phones to text, use FB messenger, or leave a voicemail. If you are on a blocked status, then accept that they have ended the relationship. Reconciling with an individual who desires to hold a grudge and remain angry is beyond our control. Still, we must pray for forgiveness and move forward.

Please keep this in mind: Our tone of voice may have conveyed our emotional state of being stressed. Every day we make intentional or unintentional mistakes, praise God for His mercy. Rid yourself of PRIDE! Give an apology even if the other person was wrong. Showing kindness and remaining humble produces the character that is pleasing to God. After all, we did commit to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

For clarification, I believe in zero tolerance for verbal abuse. If you are in an unhealthy and abusive relationship, “get out!” God did not create us in His image to become victims of abuse. What is unhealthy? Put-downs, profanity, sarcasm, being yelled at, and all disrespectful or condescending remarks that attack your self-worth.

Bible study: 2 Timothy 2

Prayer: God, we are often unaware of our displeasing character traits. We ask you to forgive us for having an argumentative spirit and for engaging in or provoking controversy. Please search our hearts and reveal our sins. We pray for the strength to leave situations of abuse. Teach us what true humility is according to your godly standards. We desire to live a peaceful and joyful life and to receive our reward of eternal life. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Can you See Him?

Most of us have experienced hardships involving loss. A few days ago, one of my friend’s daughters, a single parent with four children [girls], home burned quickly. Many of the wooden 2 x 4’s remained standing like charred trees in a wildfire. When I saw the picture, I was filled with overwhelming grief. Memories of my childhood flashed through how I cherished a bedroom full of favorite things that always resulted in complete happiness.

But then, God gently reminded me that His grace and mercy were greater than the loss of tangible items. Because of the loving devotion of the LORD, we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:23-24. My first reaction is that I saw this situation with blinders in my spiritual eyes–focusing on the loss of things.

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:5-6

The mother and her young girls were out of town when the flames of a raging fire consumed their home. Our Omnipotent and loving God extended His never-ending mercies. Not only did God spare their lives, they did not have to watch the destruction of their precious memories.

What is blocking your view from seeing Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Is it the unhealthy relationship or marriage, the scars of your past, financial troubles, guilt, ungodly habits, the idols of material wealth, the fun of worldly pleasures, or disobedient children?

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

Without spiritual reinforcement, we cannot see beyond our circumstances. Jesus Christ paid the price for humanity that no one else was worthy to do. The gift of salvation is priceless. Even so, acknowledging that His sacrifice ranks above and beyond any act known to humanity are subjective. We are not robots. Our free will of choice and gratitude determines whether or not Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our life.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Jesus’ birth is not a Christmas story, nor should it be taken lightly. The wise men traveled a long journey to worship Jesus, the Savior, and King. What did they recognize that many of us cannot? Have we minimized Salvation to the level of a Christmas story? Sin leaves us with a debt that we are incapable of repaying. We would be hopeless without the Divine Jesus agreeing to become Jesus, the human servant, and crucified as payment for our sins.

God does not require us to pay penitence, nor do we earn salvation by our works. We confess, repent, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and live a faith-based life with humility, trust, and obedience. Every day, we travel the road of Righteousness by Faith as we strive to live holy and acceptable lives.

Can you see Jesus for who He truly is? He is still looking beyond our faults and sees our needs. Jesus is still serving humanity. As our Heavenly Intercessor, when we pray for forgiveness, He presents us as faultless to God. Still, Jesus warns us to be ready, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.” Revelation 22:12

Bible Study: Matthew 27–The Crucifixion of Christ

God, we ask for forgiveness for focusing on the distractions of worldly pleasures and our earthly trials and sorrows. We acknowledge that Jesus is our Savior, and He is coming again. Please open our eyes that we may see you in all of your power and glory. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions