steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

All or Nothing

Many in our day seem to believe that all humans are automatically children of God–that God is the Father of all people. Not so. He may be their Creator, but that does not mean that He is their Father. The Bible is clear on this point. It is only those born of the Spirit and who have responded in faith who belong to the family of God. Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus, George R. Knight

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. John 3:6

Our careers and jobs rank highly in the scheme of our lives. But financial gain, the acquisition of wealth provides only the tangible–those things that we can see, feel, and touch. The desire for financial stability has paved the way for a disconnect from God, our Provider. God has to be first! If money has such a high level of importance, then we would not have the mental health issues or suicide rate that reached pandemic levels before our worst health problem, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Globally, we are overwhelmed by the emotionally challenging diseases of anxiety, depression, and worries. Frustration and lack of perseverance have infiltrated many individuals, including those who say, “God is first in my life.” Even believers are using mind-altering substances to ease their turmoil, a glass of wine every night to provide peace to a stressful day. Alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, and prescription medications are readily accepted to ease the pain of life and have led to addictions that are destroying many individuals along with their families.

I’ve told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33

Jesus warned us of the environment we would live in, full of heartaches. Even so, He says that we can have peace, which is only available through Him. Our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior, requires total commitment every day. It takes faith, trust, much prayer, fasting, and diligent studying of the Bible, the Word of God for spiritual growth. Without God, we cannot have peace or inner joy. Substances do not provide mental, and emotional stability. Just ask those who are in recovery.

And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. John 14:16

Jesus is aware of the fragile hearts and wavering mindsets that plague humanity. He knew that we would react to our tests and trials with an emotional response that would separate us from God. So, He sent us the third person of the Trinity Godhead, the Holy Spirit who fulfills the roles of Comforter, Guide, Teacher, and Revelator–One who reveals the will of God. We do not have to understand, all we need to do is to believe. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

God created us with finite minds, with limited understanding, so we would depend on Him.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts then your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9

God is not asking us to try to figure out the challenges of life. All He desires is that we give “our all” by exercising faith, completely trusting in Him, praying, and being still [having peace and patience] while we wait for His solution, which always leads to a victorious outcome.

Jesus is coming soon! Time is against us. We must live with the determination and persevere in loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds. God only accepts “our all,” which is giving our best in serving Him. God has to be number one; He will accept nothing less.

Bible Study: John 3

Prayer: God, we confess that we are not giving you our best, and for that sin against you, we humbly ask for forgiveness. Please fill us with your Holy Spirit. We pray for spiritual wisdom to eliminate the distractions that prevent us from loving you and faithfully obeying your will. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Singing a New Song–The Benefit of Change

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Relationships are hard work! Still, against all odds with the people, places, and things that distract us, we can enter into a forever relationship with God. The decision is a freewill choice. God will never coerce us to serve him. But if we choose to have a relationship, we must do our part to grow our seed of faith. Faith requires giant leaps. Letting go of worldly influences that instill doubts and fears is a godly requirement. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

Human Effort + Divine Intervention = Victory

To serve God requires perseverance. Human effort is continuous action on our part in the Plan of Salvation. We must possess:

1. Conviction
2. Courage
3. Commitment

Have you ever tried a new recipe and didn’t have the exact ingredients? You decided to substitute with items you had, and then your completed dish did not turn out as expected. With God, there are no substitutions. He tells us, “For I am the Lord, I change not….” Malachi 3:6.

Reflect on your lifestyle. Are you giving your all to God?

I can recall changing the ingredients in the way that I served God. My love for secular music outweighed my commitment to God. The genre did not matter. I loved everything from Jazz to Classical to Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Reggae, and Country. If the words conveyed a message and the beat was in sync with the rhythm of my heart, I embraced the music with open arms.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

But God had other plans. A close sister-friend asked me a life-changing question, “Do you listen to gospel music?” My response was weak, “Yes, sometimes I do, but mainly on the Sabbath.” We were going for a girl’s day out, and before I started driving, she handed me a cassette tape. Yes, this was many moons ago. I remember the last song caused me to pull over because I had a “Day of Pentecost” experience.

From that day forward, I prayed for God to overcome the addiction that I had to secular music. Sin always has consequences. Although, I do not listen to secular music at home, it is impossible to avoid hearing songs that bring back memories. Still, it remains a struggle to resist the urge to sway to the worldly melodic sounds that used to be a significant part of my lifestyle. Because of my desire to have a deeper spiritual relationship, I was convicted to give up all music that does not honor God.

Many of the current songs that are under the label of Gospel/Christian, I cannot embrace. No, I cannot “Stomp” my way to heaven, nor will the feeble attempt of a gospel artist changing the lyrics to Prince’s song, “Purple Rain,” make me think of serving God. Music is so powerful that it can lift us out of hopelessness, soothe our emotional hurts, and decrease physical pain. But music can also influence us to turn away from God.

We can thank God for the gift of music which enhances our praise and worship to him. Certainly, music will be a part of our heavenly existence. Serving God requires continuous conviction, courage, and commitment. When the trials and sorrows are raging, or past losses consume our thoughts, the Holy Spirit will cause us to remember a song that reflects God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. Using our voice to sing praises and prayers is an act of worship that God will always honor.

Our desperation for a closer relationship with God and the desire to receive the gift of eternal life is worth every change we make. I invite you to change your life by getting rid of everything that does not glorify and honor God. You will be able to sing a new song that encourages you to love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.

Holy, Holy, Holy

I Love you, Lord

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Bow Down and Worship Him

Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary

Draw Me Nearer

My Soul Says Yes

Oh, Friend, Do you, Love Jesus?

Peace Be Still

Encourage Yourself

It is Well With My Soul

No More Night

His Eye Is On the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Bible Reading: John 14

Prayer: God, we ask you to give us a new song in our hearts, so we never forget your love and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Letting Go of the DIY Mindset

Documentaries that tell the stories of the way of life outside of modern cities are fascinating. The villages in the most remote areas of a country portray the resilience of the human spirit and the unlimited capabilities of the mind. Although the people survive with minimal resources and life is harsh, one crucial factor stands out. They realize their dependency on each other.

When studying the Creation, we become aware that God never intended for us to be alone, functioning in isolation. “Then the Lord God said, it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18. The DIY, do-it-yourself mindset produces a lot of burdens and stress that are self-inflicted. God’s plan was not the current trend of looking out for number one. We were never meant to endure loneliness, which is the root of depression, anxiety, and worries that have escalated to pandemic levels.

Challenge the current trend of being self-contained, and totally independent of others. Isolating yourself or your family does not lead to a spiritual self-actualization (because that status is not achievable).

In other words, self-actualization can generally be thought of as the full realization of one’s creative, intellectual, and social potential through internal drive (versus for external rewards like money, status, or power). Since self-actualization is based on leveraging one’s abilities to reach their potential, it is a very individual process and will probably vary significantly from person to person. https://positivepsychology.com/self-actualization/

We defeat God’s purpose for our lives when we follow our thoughts and ways.“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8. Please know that self-seeking behaviors and the pursuit of independence are not the keys to having a success story. Financial gain is useless when you are alone without human companionship, which should be limited to those who can have healthy relationships. Having a spirit of selfishness wreaks havoc on our happiness and peace of mind. But we can rid ourselves of the empty lives that result from the DIY Mindset.

We have many God-given gifts. The family extends beyond the biological barriers. Look for a food co-op, volunteer for churches and non-profits, attend virtual church services, or learn a new hobby or craft. People need each other. Recently, I located in a new city in Florida where everything is within walking distance. On my daily walk, I always get the chance to speak to someone. Although I have an outgoing personality, I do not have a social circle yet. So, technology is helping with that issue. Joining a couple of local FB pages keeps me informed of events and the needs of others in my community.

Jesus was human, yet, divine. His best friends were Mary, Martha, and Lazurus. When Jesus arrived at the home of his friends after Lazarus’ death, we are told, “Jesus wept.” John 11:35. This verse is profound because it provides us with biblical proof that Christ possessed human emotions. Despite the persecuting circumstances, He did not isolate from others. Jesus’ heart was tender and full of love for everyone. Still, Jesus did not stay in areas where rejection and hostility were prevalent. The scriptures tell us that He and the disciples left cities that refused to accept his ministry.

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture Psalm 100:3

From a spiritual perspective, the scriptures compare us to sheep. Were you aware that sheep cannot live without the shepherd? They are entirely dependent on the shepherd for everything. They require constant care and watching over. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11. Jesus paid a high price for us that we can live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me… John 10:14. Allow Jesus, our Shepherd, to lead your life. He knows what it feels like to be alone. Yes, when you dedicate your life to serve and please God, you may have to experience some “alone” times. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16.

Pray for a change of your current DIY mindset. Allow God to provide you with a new life, which includes bonding with people who love Him, others, and themselves and, who help those in need.

Bible Study: John 11

God, you know our emotional needs. Yet, we come, asking for the fulfilling life that you created us to have. Please reveal your divine purpose, and open the doors for the opportunities to help others. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

Stop! Do Not Cut the Cord!

In 1999, I was a student nurse preparing for a four-week clinical rotation in Labor and Delivery. The hospital recently incorporated two birthing rooms to which I was assigned under my nurse preceptor. My first patient was a young woman who was a runner and in peak condition. Her labor was under two hours, which caused expedited action from the nursing staff.

As I witnessed the birth of a baby, I felt like falling to my knees and praising God. But reality kept me from performing an action that would have expelled me from the nursing program. The infant cried loudly without any human assistance, and the umbilical cord was tied and cut. The life-line that provided oxygen, nutrients, and the removal of waste was no longer required. The baby’s internal organs immediately kick-started as she continued to exercise her lungs by crying loudly.

The expectation from my preceptor was that I would ask many questions regarding the labor and delivery process. But I was quiet. I could not speak. Through intense study, I was fully aware of the theoretical knowledge of pregnancy, labor, and the birthing process. What I was not prepared for was the awe that I felt inside for the mighty power of God. The birth of a baby is still the most supernatural miracle that I have ever witnessed. The beginning of a new life touches humanity deep into the core of our souls. King David proclaimed, “I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.” Psalm 139:14.

Human effort is required to stay connected to God. Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. …” Genesis 1:26. “To be like us” is often misunderstood. Our Heavenly Father never intended for us to feel alone or to live with a survival instinct. We have an example. Three persons of the Godhead, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who are always unified and connected. The angels, heavenly messengers, know their purpose, and that is to serve God and humanity. It is unfortunate that humans created in the image of God readily cut the spiritual cord that connects us to our source of love, grace, mercies, and power.

How do we place ourselves in the predicament of being cut-off?

We cut off our spiritual source when we fail to pray, study the Bible, and spend time in praise and worship. We sever the cord by seeking to fulfill our selfish desires and ambitions. Without the strength and power from Jesus Christ, we easily fall into temptation. Because of sinful desires hidden deep within our hearts (the desires that we do not share with anyone) we disconnect from our Heavenly Father.

Unlike the infant, whose internal organs kick in to sustain life outside of the mother, our attempt to live outside of God brings anxiety, worry, depression, and hopelessness. Sin leads to complete separation from the Trinity Godhead. Jesus tells us the solution: Stay connected, or else we are empty and powerless!

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing.… John 15:4-5

Never forget: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

God did not speak us into existence. If God, in all of His majesty, bent down and created Adam from the dust of the ground, then we should praise, worship, and never cut our spiritual cords to God, the source of life. Only God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit can provide us with the spiritual nutrients that flow continuously to keep us connected. Claim your victorious life by never cutting the cord!

Bible Study: John 15

God, we desire to connect to You, our source who loves and cares for us. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Watch “Oh My Soul – Rebekah Dawn Feat. Mary Monari (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) on YouTube

GOD will take care of you

Happy Sabbath!

What are the chances of a bee flying into the one flower that you chose to take a picture of? But much to our surprise, the unbelievable happened.

We read biblical stories of the many miracles performed by God. Yet, we doubt that He is still performing miracles. “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6. We have become so distracted that we miss seeing our daily blessings and miracles of God’s grace and mercies. Remember, when we have complete faith and trust in God, then our blessings are guaranteed.

The bee in the flower reminds me of the promise found in Matthew chapter 6.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:31-34

The bee did his part by flying around to find the flower. God promises if we pray, study the Bible, and have faith and trust in Him, then He will give us “everything we need, including His perfect peace.” Perfect peace means no worries whether we are in the valley lows or the darkest storms of trials and sorrows. Seek God first! God’s promises include emotional healing, financial stability (not wealth), and most importantly spiritual growth.

Seek God first!

Bible Study: Isaiah 26

Prayer: God, we admit that we are not feeling our best. Please provide us with comfort from the Holy Spirit and give us the strength to endure our trials and sorrows. We thank you for the Sabbath and your never-ending grace and mercies. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Seeking New Opportunities?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Our desires and how we pursue those goals indicate our priorities and relationship with God. When we seek God first, He opens up doors of opportunities that we could never open for ourselves.

I could not find a clinical program in New Jersey without a two-year waiting list when pursuing my nursing degree. I presented the problem to God, and He provided above and beyond my expectations. Acceptance into a nursing program in Upstate NY included a scholarship along with full-time status as a student. I did not work for two years. God provided scholarships and money for all of my necessities of rent, utilities, food, and car maintenance.

As I share this testimony of what happens when we seek God first, I have to ask myself, why isn’t my faith in God stronger? God has supernatural power that we are unaware of because we fail to seek Him first. Align your desires and plans with God’s plans for your life by praying and asking Him to reveal his plans for your life.

Seeking God includes loving and obeying Him with all of our hearts.

1. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
2. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
3. Bring all the tithes (10% of all income or increase) into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. “If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in. Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10

Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.… Matthew 22:37

Seeking God means loving Him with all of our hearts, soul, and mind. Giving of our love, time, and money are tremendous opportunities that we may have on the bottom of our to-do lists. When we put God first, the blessings of peace, contentment, and inner joy will change our lives immensely. Please know that our finite minds can never imagine what God is ready to do to transform our lives.

Bible Study: Malachi 3

God, we admit that we are chasing our desires. We acknowledge that we can do nothing compared to the blessings you are ready to give to us. We desire to seek you first and wait for the plans you have for our lives. Thank you for hearing and answering this prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Will you give your best?

Sharing this morning’s daily devotional from another author. Pray that you will be blessed.

He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed. MARK 14:35

Some Christians are satisfied to have only a surface relationship with Christ. Others desire to share the holiest moments with Him. On the night Jesus spent in sacred prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the people responded to Him in various ways. There were those who were so indifferent to Jesus that they were unaware He was even in the garden. Then there was Judas, who knew where Jesus was but was too busy with his own schemes to join Him. The rest of the disciples joined Jesus in the garden, but they were distracted by sleep.

Jesus told them the urgency of the hour, but they did not comprehend it. There was the inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John. They initially prayed with Jesus, yet even they could not grasp the significance of the moment. Ultimately, Jesus prayed alone. He went father than His disciples and prayed longer. At the greatest moment of intercession in human history, there was no one willing to go with Jesus and watch with Him.

God is calling you to go deeper in your prayer life with Him. If you are willing to be that person Jesus can take with Him into the most sacred moments, you will experience things only the angels shared with Jesus in the garden that night.

From Today’s Devotional-Experiencing God Day-by-Day

Bible Reading: Mark 14

God, we pray for a deeper relationship with you. We commit to increasing our communication with you through prayer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Running in Times of Distress?

Living Victoriously!

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have. 1 Samuel 8:4-5

Samuel presented the demands of the people to God and prayed for guidance. In verses 10-18, God spoke through Samuel to tell the Nation of Israel the consequences of having a king. They still insisted on doing things their way. But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:19-20

We know how the story ends. Saul was a ruthless, disobedient, and jealous king. He desired to kill David even after God used him to kill Goliath, their worst enemy.

As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?”…1 Samuel 18:6-8

Then David got up and ran that day from Saul. 1 Samuel 21:10. David, the young shepherd boy that God gave strength to kill lions and bears to protect his sheep and kill Goliath, forgot that God was powerful enough to save him from King Saul.

In times of distress, due to disobedience, trials, or facing our enemies, where or who do we run to? God is our only Deliverer! We easily forget when we face our worst situations that God says, “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.” Malachi 3:6. Our gratitude for God’s infinite grace and mercies is not expressed enough through our prayers, praise, and worship. Run to God!

For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and Saul. He sang: I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

Having complete faith and trust in God enables us to run to God. Never run from the enemy! Have you been confronted by a person who is ready to argue? Are you being victimized in a seemingly hopeless situation? Begin to pray out loud and ask God to reign down His mighty power and take care of your problems. “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14. Stop running from your enemies, and start running to God!

Bible Study: Psalm 18

God, we ask forgiveness for not running to you. We realize that you are the only ones who can fight our battles. Please rescue us from our enemies who desire to harm us. Thank you for fighting for us. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Guaranteed Mood Stabilizer

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Our minds are distracted by our circumstances and events that are happening around us. Many of us have forgotten about the reward of eternal life and the Second Coming of Jesus.

The Contemporary English Version says “and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:” Philippians 2:5. Jesus always thought of pleasing God, and He knew how to please God because He loved God. He made it his purpose to worship His Father and to think, speak, and act to please God.

We can have complete peace whether we are in the valley lows or mountain highs. But we have to choose God and think about life from a spiritual perspective. Our moods and emotions should represent that we serve a loving and merciful God who provides for our every need.

I continue to travel throughout the world virtually. A documentary featured a country where there is great wealth. The narrator asked the wealthy stockbroker, “If you have accomplished everything that life could provide why do you worship an unseen God?” His response, “All of these things can disappear at any time. I cannot imagine my life without doing my part to have peace, which is only available on a spiritual level.”

Do not get caught up in thinking about what you do not have! When our thoughts are in sync with God, we praise and thank Him for all the things that God has blessed us with.

Other people know how to respond to their God. So it’s what you know that makes you worship. Sometimes you’re not feeling anything. So it’s what you know about the One Who bought you back from sin that governs your behavior. So worship is knowing Who God is, learning about God. And the more you learn Him and obey Him is the more you yield to Him. You want to respond to Him a certain way, in singing, in praying and in clapping, in meditating, in dancing, in having devotion. Those are the types of things you do unto your God. Every religion has some form of worship. So when we say lift your hands, we mean to give God what He desires and deserves. – Bishop Jackie McCullough

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

Bible Study: Philippians 4

God, we have lost our focus and purpose for serving you. We have allowed ourselves to become fixated on the circumstances surrounding us. Please help us to redirect our focus on you as we prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.