steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

The Reasons Christian Believers Experience Discouragement and Disappointment

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV).

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans [unbelievers] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:31-32, NIV).

The primary reason we are discouraged and disappointed is because we do not believe that God loves and cares for us, especially during tough times.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Yes, the spiritual journey is one of trials and challenges, yet, Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. The Bible contains God’s promises, which reveal His desire to take care of us.

We know that God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin, but if we do not have Biblical [and experiential] knowledge of God’s Loving Character and His promises then we feel alone and abandoned.

Secondly, we do not understand the impact of sin on the human heart.

God’s Explains: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV).

Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is easier for us to place our faith in human knowledge and abilities than to surrender, and faithfully obey God.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). The lack of spiritual knowledge and wisdom produces a devastating Domino Effect in the life of a believer.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Jesus, God, the Son, created the angels, humanity, and all animal and plant life. Yet, of all the living creatures, only humanity disobeys His Authority, even the oceans, rivers, and seas stay within their appointed boundaries.

Believers who love God do not intentionally disobey Him, but without prayerfully asking God every day to reveal His will for our lives means that we are living according to our desires instead of God’s Perfect Plans.

Without studying the Scriptures, Satan, our enemy deceives us into believing that because of God’s Grace, our disobedience is tolerated by God.

“…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15, NIV).

Sin is powerful! Because following our own desires drags us away from God, when adversity arises that human effort cannot resolve, we have no other options, but to react with the emotions of discouragement and disappointment.

“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).

“Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, HCS Bible).

Believers who diligently seek God through daily prayer and studying the Bible, learn God’s Loving and Righteous Character, and gain knowledge of His Divine Intervention in the life of the righteous for over 6,000 years.

As a result, when challenges, obstacles, and adversities arise, we place all of our faith in God because we believe that God is Who He says He is, and He is faithful in keeping His promises to help us.

The Struggle Is Real, But Jesus Promises Us Victory!

Because of my self-reliance, for most of my life, I suffered with roller coaster emotions. When all was well, I was happy, when it wasn’t, I was discouraged and disappointed.

My breakthrough came while listening to a sermon on the importance of using our faith to trust and obey God, which is only possible through our commitment to seek God through the daily personal worship of praying and studying the Holy Scriptures.

Now, instead of worrying or responding with emotions, I use my faith to pray and ask God for His Divine help.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NIV).

You are loved by God. Every day, use your faith to surrender, seek God’s plans, and obey His will.

Despite our external hardships, knowing God’s Loving Character and His promises allows us to live with courage and confidence, even when facing tough challenges.

By living a life of surrender and faithful obedience, we invite Christ to lead us, and He rewards us with His gift of Divine Peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV).

Bible Study: Romans 5:6-11

Lord God, we confess and repent of our sins of self-reliance, and disobedience. We desire to reconcile with Jesus, and accept Him as our Shepherd. We are willing to follow His plans for our lives. Lord, we ask for the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and today, we commit ourselves to live a life of surrender and faithful obedience. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

No Coincidences…That Was God Working

One Day (When We All Get to Heaven) presented by Baptist University Choir

“How Do I Know If It My Thoughts, Or God Speaking To Me?”

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

“The Word of the living God is not merely written, but spoken. It is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe we would open God’s Word, and with what earnestness we would search its pages.”

“How do we distinguish it [God’s Voice] from the voice of a false shepherd? God reveals His will to us in His word, the Holy Scriptures. His voice is also revealed in His providential workings…”

God’s Providence is manifested daily in our lives. The impossible situation you faced was not resolved by using your own power, with love, God intervened.

[God’s Providence]…will be recognized if we do not separate our souls from Him by walking in our own ways, doing according to our own wills, and following the promptings of an unsanctified heart…”

The Consequences of Compromise

God’s Warning: “Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7).

Self-reliance always blocks the Holy Spirit from giving us spiritual clarity. Following our thoughts not only distorts our perception, but also prevents us from receiving God’s gifts of wisdom and discernment.

Those who live according to their thoughts will always be in a state of confusion. “…the senses become so confused that eternal things are not discerned, and the voice of Satan is so disguised that it is accepted as the Voice of God.”

Practical Ways to Recognize God’s Voice

How do we know God is speaking and directing us?

“If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (1 John 2:29, ESV).

Reflect on God’s Righteous Character: He is Holy. We recognize God’s Voice because His guidance always brings glory and honor to His Holy Name.

God never blends righteousness with the worldliness of success or prosperity. Because God brings honor to himself, His blessings never exalt human beings.
God never coerces us to make immediate decisions. If we are confronted with, “this deal is only good for today, or do it now,” then we know it is not of God. Instant gratification always reveals that Satan is involved.
We know it is our thoughts if the outcome satisfies our innermost desires, or exalts us, instead of God.

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).

Before making decisions, always pray for God’s direction. Pray and Wait! Patience is a righteous characteristic that reveals faith in God and our willingness to obey.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

Do not follow your anxious thoughts, which will only bring unwanted consequences to your life, and result in the separation of your life-sustaining relationship with Christ.

If we wait on the Lord then we can expect God to perform supernatural miracles that reveal His overwhelming Love and Sovereign Power.

From spending intentional time with Christ in personal worship, we learn to recognize God’s Voice speaking to us. The Holy Spirit conveys God’s will and plans through the Holy Scriptures and our thoughts.

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (James 4:17, NIV).

“In this verse, James gives an example of a sin of omission. When believers know the right thing to do yet fail to do it, God holds them accountable for not doing it. So, it is not only what we do that matters to God; it is also what we fail to do.”

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, our lives are not our own. With humility and surrender, we pray, ask, and acquiesce to God’s perfect plans for our lives.

Our prayers should always focus on asking God what we need to do to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Placing ourselves in alignment with God requires total obedience to His will and plans.

We are living in the last days of Earth’s history, our priorities must align with God’s priorities of receiving daily spiritual growth, character transformation, and godly wisdom.

“Pray continuously.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Everyday pray, ask God to search your heart, and reveal anything that would prevent you from hearing His Voice.

The Holy Spirit guides us in our daily decisions, and keeps us on the Path of Righteousness when we consecrate ourselves to serve God through surrender and faithful obedience.

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ “(1 Samuel 3:10).

Bible Study: 1 Samuel 3

Lord God, teach us how to recognize Your Voice. We ask for the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to do Your will. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sabbath Sermon – Go Down Broken, Come Up Blessed- September 13, 2025

Be Thou My Vision – Kings Return Hymn

Sabbath Peace and Blessings

Lord God, with gratitude, we thank You for the Victory of a safe passage through another week. Lord, we approach Your Throne of Grace because we are always in need of the spiritual blessings of strength, wisdom, and discernment. Jesus, as we reflect on Your love and faithfulness, we consecrate ourselves to follow You because You are Worthy and deserve all honor, glory, and praise. We ask for forgiveness of our sins of rebellion. Thank You for giving us the Sabbath, a time to rest from our cares, and a time to redirect our faith and focus to worship You in Spirit and Truth. In faith, and with joyful expectancy, we pray in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

“Christ Went Low, So You Could Go Higher – Sermon Pastor Wintley Phipps

Jesus, Our Loving Shepherd

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:6-7).

With deep reflection, I began to think about the relationship between sheep and their shepherd. We can learn from the animals who consistently demonstrate love, loyalty, and obedience to their shepherd.

“Sheep behave with loyalty, recognition, and trust toward their shepherd, responding to their voice, scent, and presence, which signals food, safety, and care.”

“Their behavior includes following the shepherd, calming in their presence, recognizing their unique traits, and learning routines associated with their herder.”

“This bond is built on the shepherd’s consistent provision of resources and protection.”

Following and Guidance:
“Sheep will follow their shepherd willingly, knowing that the shepherd provides food, water, and guidance for their well-being.”

I began to think about our relationship with Jesus, our Loving Shepherd who desires to provide for us and protect us from Satan, our enemy. Yet, we must willingly choose to follow Jesus.

Our Greatest Challenge: We inherited hearts overflowing with desires that rebel against God’s plans for our lives.

It is easier to pursue our desires than to surrender in faithful obedience and follow our Shepherd.

Ask yourself, “What is keeping me from following Jesus, my Shepherd?”

Set aside some alone time to think about the desires, habits, and pursuits preventing you from making the commitment to become a faithful follower.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…” (John 10:14).

Jesus reminds us that He knows the pure motives of His sheep. They are the Believers who abide in Him by maintaining a heart-to-heart relationship through daily surrender.

The Characteristics of Faithful Sheep

Through daily personal worship, we consecrate ourselves utilizing Jesus’ prayer to His Father, Not my will, but Your will be done.” (Luke 22:42).

When our hearts are converted, we readily surrender ourselves to worship God in Spirit and Truth. Love and loyalty for our Shepherd is demonstrated by intentional obedience, which is our highest act of worship to God.

As time slips rapidly into eternity, we are confronted with the choice, Who will I follow? Jesus, or myself?

Our Triumphant King’s promise: “…Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the Crown of life. (Revelation 2:10).

The behaviors of the righteous: Follow Jesus, renounce sin, relinquish your desires, and prepare daily for His Soon Coming.

“Commit everything you do to the Lord [YAHWEH]. Trust Him, and He will help you.” (Psalm 37:5, NLT).

Lord God, thank You for giving us freedom from a sin debt that left us spiritually bankrupt. Jesus, You are our Shepherd, we give ourselves to You. Lead us, correct us, protect us, and cleanse us from the unrighteousness of our heart’s desires. With praise and faithful obedience, we thank You, God, and lift Your Name on High for the gift of Jesus. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

The Willingness to Live a Sacrificial Life

“I will guide you with my eye” (Psalm 32:8).

“God will provide intimate, personal, and watchful guidance to those who trust Him. This refers to God’s attentive, loving oversight rather than distant instruction, emphasizing a close, personal relationship where He leads us with His wisdom,” according to his perfect will.

We were not created to be self-reliant. Sadly, many believers have embraced autonomy by never praying and asking God to reveal His perfect will for their lives.

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

The ocean stays within its boundaries, and the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West, but human beings created in the image of God have consistently fought against the Creator by following the rebellious desires of their hearts.

Although, we were created with free will of choice, and inherited hearts that naturally rebel against total submission to God, total dependency on Jesus Christ is necessary to stay on the Path of Righteousness, and to receive our Crown of Life.

After many failures, with humility, I had to admit that it was impossible for me to live righteously using my strength. No, I could not walk through this earthly journey victoriously without God’s direction, protection, and correction.

Tired of feeling defeated, one day, I decided to fully surrender to God through the lifestyle changes of daily prayer, fasting, and Bible Study.

The hardships still happen, but my outlook changed as my heart embraced Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Filled with hope, I began to understood the necessity of faithful obedience to God’s Sovereign Authority.

“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).

Only Christ can give us the spiritual strength to live righteously. If we are willing to live a sacrificial life of following our Shepherd with faithful obedience then Jesus promises to transform us from the inside out.

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT)

When we humble ourselves and live a consecrated, obedient life, Yeshua promises to complete the spiritual work of Sanctification in our minds, characters, and personalities.

Preparing for Kingdom Life One Day at a Time: With each passing day, we are closer to Jesus fulfilling His promise of John 14:1-3. Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Revelation 21-22

Lord God, we ask You to reveal any hidden desires, habits, and disobedience that would prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We pray for the strength to overcome our internal desires and the external temptations designed to make us fall. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.