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.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV
Imagine never being disappointed by broken promises or events that change the course of our lives. The reality is even with careful planning, we can never fully be in control of our lives. As long as we have breath, we will endure many unexpected changes that can be so devastating that we feel as if life is not worth living.
What happens when we experience a crisis? Most of us seek outside help or we rely on our previous problem-solving skills. We begin to focus on options that will alleviate or resolve our present challenges. Feeling hopeful, we apply our solutions, praying that our circumstances will be short-term and end with a quick resolve. As we begin to lose hope because our solutions failed, it is at that point that we are forced to acknowledge our limitations.
Unless we have a history of possessing rock-solid faith in God, Satan the greatest enemy of humanity attempts to make us his victim. We lose our focus on God’s Omnipotence and His promises, and we become gripped by fear. Our emotions escalate, and the bitter fruits of doubt, anxiety, and worry take over as we desperately seek options outside of God our Jehovah-jireh.
There was another option, as soon as the challenge arose, we take it to God in prayer.
Have you reached the point in your spiritual life where you have complete faith and trust in God? Do you thank Him for the troubles of trials and tribulations in your life? These are undoubtedly thought-provoking questions that allow us to evaluate the strength or weakness of our relationship with God. The definition of faith is knowing that the situation is impossible, yet, still trusting in God to intervene and provide a victorious outcome. Without suffering, we cannot attain spiritual growth.
Although hard times leave us feeling overwhelmed and alone, it is not true, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. Self-reliance is enmity against God. We cannot say that we trust in God when we attempt to help him by taking steps to resolve our challenges. The hardships of life that place us in a helpless situation build our faith and deepen our relationship with our Creator.
Be strong and courageous…Deuteronomy 31:6. The path that leads to Righteousness is bumpy with many twists and turns. We have a spiritual guide that knows our journey, and He will guide us according to His plan for our lives. No matter how difficult our situation is; Be Steadfast, and Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Bible Reading: Psalm 27
God, in our humanness, we consistently fail to recognize your great power that can bring resolution to every trial and tribulation that we face in our lives. We give you our burdens and will wait for your intervention. Amen. –SJR
At some point in our lives, we will come to a spiritual crossroads. If we choose to follow God, then we will have to change the way we think, discard the things that we are chasing after, and we may have to give up the relationships that interfere with our faith-walk with God. Because God has given us free will, these decisions are not mandatory. We can live as we choose to live.
Although many believers do not make it a habit to disobey God blatantly, often we fall into the deadly web of compromise. God is aware and has identified that humanity has a weakness: There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12. If you refer to the Devotional reading, “Letting Go,” published November 21, 2020, I attempted to place an Offer of Compromise before God. I convinced myself that I could stay in an unequally yoked relationship in which we would just remain friends.
Even though I was in a fierce battle between good and evil, God knew that I have always loved Him. God did not leave me alone to struggle. He took my mustard seed faith combined with the resilience of a Spiritual Mentor who was a dedicated Prayer Warrior, and our Omnipotent God broke my chains of bondage for that individual.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
From that experience, I realized that the limited plans and strategies that I developed could not provide hope or a future. I acknowledge that God is my all-and-all. Yes, God is El Shaddai, Jehovah-Jireh, and the Creator of all humanity. He is unconditional love, and from that love flows His blessings of grace and mercies. God has promised, Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24. Therefore, I acknowledge His greatness by humbly serving Him and walking through life on bended knees.
There is a song that I love, Bow Down and Worship Him. The writer of this song gives us the solution to prevent separation from God (due to so many earthly distractions) by staying in constant communion with Him. Through diligent study of the Bible and never-ceasing prayer, our worship acknowledges His Deity. Still, we must establish and build an up-close and personal relationship with God, which allows us to fully receive His abundant blessings of love, grace, and mercies. Spiritual growth is only possible from our desire to stay attached to our Heavenly Father.
Our love and adoration for God are expressed through praise, prayer, faith, trust, and obedience that keep us connected to our Creator, who is the source of our strength. Preparation time is now! We must praise and worship God on earth to prepare for worshiping Him in the New Heaven and New Earth. Your opportunity to accept God’s offer to choose Him is on the way. When He brings you to the spiritual crossroads in your life, it is that turning point where Jesus is standing with His arms open wide, saying gently, “Come to me.” Never forget, Jesus Christ is coming again! Soon, we will be in His presence to worship the “I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, forever and ever. Amen.
Bible Readings: Revelation 21-22
God, we thank you for loving us so much that you bring each of us to the crossroads where we must decide to wholeheartedly serve you or turn and walk away. We ask you to give us strength as we persevere in our spiritual journey. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Do you remember playing the game, Hide and Seek? The child assigned to find the others would close their eyes or at least pretend to close their eyes and count to 20. It was a simple but exciting game that would make us giggle when the seeker quickly found the others before us. But we didn’t realize that our laughter gave the seeker the exact location where we were hiding. There was always one child, Jimmy, who we could never find. Jimmy was never found because he didn’t mind getting his clothes dirty, nor did he laugh when his playmates were found in their hiding places. And when it was Jimmy’s turn to seek, he quickly found all of us and won the game. Jimmy knew something that we failed to realize, finding places to hide required going above and beyond what we were willing to do.
Then with a humble heart, you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13.
When God tells us to seek Him, it’s not because He is hidden. Seeking God allows us to have an up-close and intimate relationship with Him. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. Romans 12:11-12
Serving God should bring excitement. We have access to God at all times, and in every circumstance, we can approach God in prayer. Our desperation to remain close to God reveals that we possess the love, faith, trust, and obedience, (which are fruits of humility), to obey His will. Loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind proclaims that we honor His Deity-He is our Creator and Supreme God. We also acknowledge that we are incapable of living without His presence in our lives.
God never requires more of us than we are capable of doing. He knows that His Divine Intervention is needed for us to be victorious overcomers. Serving God on His terms reassures us that He will resolve our challenges according to His will. 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
We have many tangible desires and devise strategies and develop plans to pursue our wants. But are we zealous for God? “Zeal is dedication or enthusiasm for something. If you have zeal, you’re willing, energized, and motivated.” (vocabulary.com). How often do we possess the desire to desperately seek God? Do we maintain zeal when we are enjoying excellent or great times, or do we become discouraged and seek God only when our circumstances change and harsh struggles overwhelm us?
God never leaves us to guess or self-determine what is required to seek and serve Him. Love for our Heavenly Father keeps us motivated to be in His presence continually. We are to go above and beyond in our prayer, praise, and worship to our Most-High God every day and throughout our day and night.
Making the habit of keeping a song on our lips and speaking praises of thanksgiving allows us to stay in the presence of God. Abiding love, abundant grace, and never-ending mercies are freely given to us. Not because we can ever do anything to deserve those gifts, it is a testament of God’s love for humanity. Often it is the distractions of our everyday lives that separate us from seeking God and staying in God’s presence.
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
If you are having difficulty staying in contact with God, then I encourage one change in your life. Satan loves individuals who live a disorganized lifestyle. Make a much-needed change by structuring your life. Pray, commit, and ask God to help you break the nonproductive habit of disorganization. Take a moment to write goals for the next three days and include worship sessions to begin and end your day. With prayer and diligence, chaos will turn into calm, and your lifestyle will reflect that all is well. With a peaceful mind, and organized environment, you can meditate on the Word of God and worship freely without distractions. Present your plans to God in prayer, asking for His blessing.
Ask God to give you wisdom. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV. Do not fret if your plans worked out differently. If it was not because of a distraction that kept you from fulfilling your goal, then know that Divine intervention kept you in the direction that God desired for you.
Approach God with humility and practice the powerful habit of diligent prayer. Seek Him in the joyful, good times and in the stormy, sorrowful times. God is waiting for us to faithfully come to Him. God’s Promise: Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
Bible Reading: Isaiah 65
God, we thank you for giving us the answers on how we can live according to your will. We pray for the zeal, and the love to serve you with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. God, we need your help to change the obstacles that are keeping us from desperately seeking you. We love you and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
We are in difficult times, yet many continue to live lavish lifestyles while others are homeless and hungry. The great divide between “those who have and those who have not” continues to grow.
Black Friday (2020) hit a new record with consumers spending $9.0 billion, an increase of 21.6% year over year (online sales hit $7.4 billion on Black Friday in 2019), according to Adobe Analytics data. It was the second-largest online spending day in U.S. history, coming in behind Cyber Monday 2019. abcnews.go.com
The spending will continue throughout the holiday season while many families wonder how long they will have housing and live off minimal food.
As believers, we have a responsibility to take care of those in need.
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
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 1 John 3:17
If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? James 2:16
To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). If you have heard that line of wisdom, you know it means we are held responsible for what we have. If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we benefit others. https://law.utk.edu/
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16, Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. Matthew 14: 13-17
It is difficult to grasp the concept that Jesus’ disciples were selfish and faithless. Although Jesus was the perfect role model who consistently helped others, they still maintained the “looking out for number one” mindset. Remember, the disciples possessed the power to perform miracles, yet their true character was revealed when they told Jesus to send the people away to fend for themselves. Their response to Jesus’ command to feed the multitude, “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. Matthew 14:17.
The root of the problem is simple: We do not love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind, so it is impossible to love others. Nor can we build our faith in God through self-reliance. We may give the 10% that God requires, Malachi 3:8-15, but God requires more from those He has blessed with wealth. Our definition of wealth is not God’s definition of wealth. When we have all of our necessities, our abundance of money is to provide for others.
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:9-11 NLT
Make a change this holiday season. All believers have a divine purpose to bless others. Our unselfish giving to those in need results in an increase of love for God and others. The innate selfish spirit and hardened heart begins to melt away as we become full of compassion and the desire to minister to those who are unable to provide for themselves. Decide to be content with what you have and commit to sharing your financial resources.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25: 34-40
God, we confess that we have hardened hearts and clenched fists concerning our money. We ask forgiveness for the selfish spirit that has controlled us for a long time. We desire to change and fulfill our purpose in life to alleviate the burdens of those in need. We pray for your blessings as we continue to do your will. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
When relocating from the Northeast to a small town in Texas, I had to make a significant adjustment, and that was to transition from tactless to tactful. In the southern regions, if something needs to be said to another individual that is not pleasant but truthful, there is an art form of using analogies or comparing one situation to another to relay the truth. Granted, it wasn’t easy for me to learn how to be less direct in expressing myself. But as I began studying the Bible diligently, I realized that God required me to say truthful words but wrapped in kindness. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6
Because of God’s grace and long-suffering, He always reveals the character traits, behaviors, and habits that are not in harmony with His will. When we study how Jesus exposed sin, He often used parables. So there would be no misunderstandings; Jesus always thoroughly explained the meaning of the story. Luke 18:9-14 tells us of “The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Tax Collector).
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The Bible is our spiritual mirror.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Study the Bible, and look deeply into the spiritual mirror. God reveals our every thought, word, or action that is sinful. Not only does the Word of God expose our sins, but we are also told the cost of sin, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23. Because sin leads to destruction, God is straight-forward: 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
Establish a relationship with God that is up-close and personal. Only you and God know the thoughts, words, and actions that result in separation from Him. God loves us so much that although He is plainspoken, as our Father, He patiently waits for us to acknowledge, confess, and repent of our sins. Still, serving God requires a humble heart and a “do-right” mind.
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9. Because we are naturally drawn to sin, it takes human effort and Divine intervention to overcome sin. No temptation has overtaken you, except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV.
Do not be offended by the Word of God. Humbly, receive correction and discipline. The exposure of our wrongdoings is required for us to experience a spiritual transformation. Sanctification is a life-long journey. Make a personal decision to love and serve God with all of your heart, soul, and mind. God would never ask us to do the impossible. We have a Heavenly Father who readily extends His unconditional love, grace, and mercy. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Saints of God, we are nearing home!
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.…1 Corinthians 15:51-53 BSB
Happy Sabbath! Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!
God, we thank you for revealing our faults and allowing us to change. We ask forgiveness for our sins. We pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to have a deeper understanding of the scriptures. Thank you for the Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual renewal. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears are attentive to every prayer made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Good Morning. It is a new day, and we have received our gift of abundant new mercies. As I continue to think about peace and why there is a shortage of peace among believers, the Holy Spirit provided an answer: we are not thinking or preparing for Eternal life. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
As I searched for sermons on Eternal life, there were no up-to-date, 2020 sermons. From 2013-2019, there were a few brief sermons on Heaven and Eternal life. How is this possible? Are we so distracted or content with our present lives that we have lost our desire to live forever with God?
One of the posts even included a message entitled, “The Crippling Fear of Everlasting Life,” known as apeirophobia. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12. Remember that Satan boldly spreads false information, which is why we must boldly witness to others regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The most precious promise for a believer is if we are faithful, obedient, and strive to live righteously, then the ultimate reward is immortality in the New Heaven and New Earth. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13
Yes, our lives are like boats on the ocean that fluctuate between fearful storms that bring strong tumultuous waves and the soothing calm of tiny ripples. But we must always remember that we have the Captain and His Crew. God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and countless angels are always available who will never leave us, nor will our boats capsize and sink to the bottom of the ocean. “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.” John 16:33
I share the answer to my prayer on how to have perfect peace every day. Despite our circumstances, we must always believe in the power of God and acknowledge that He gave Jesus, His Son, for the redemption of my sins. Make the decision not to let your circumstances prevent you from grasping the peace that flows from God. Ask yourself, “How often do I think about the promise of life in the New Heaven and New Earth?”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. God always fulfills His promises! All He asks of us is to have faith. From today forward, believe that all things are possible with God, and obey His command, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
There is great joy that comes from knowing the vacation you planned will happen soon. Begin to look forward to the promise of eternal life. We know how the story of this earthly journey ends. For the faithful, God has promised to change our bodies from mortal to immortal, from trials and sorrows to forever possessing joy. We will be able to laugh, never to shed tears for any reason, and be surrounded by the glory of God. Yes, we must look forward to speaking with Jesus, the one who died for us, and now serves as our Heavenly Intercessor. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5
The Apostle John describes his vision:
18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 22:18-27. Amen!
God, we thank you for the great sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. We ask for forgiveness of not claiming your promises of peace and eternal life. It is our desire to live forever with you in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus who is coming soon. Amen!
The difference between a good book and a great book is that the writer could completely pull-in and immerse the readers into the plot. Yes, reading a great book produces anticipation, excitement, and eagerness to know how the story will end. An exceptional book will cause the reader to rearrange their priorities and to have many sleepless nights.
There are many genres of books categorized under Fiction or Nonfiction. With an endless array of books available, even the most discriminating reader can remain devoted to their endless choices of page-turners. Even so, there is a significant difference between reading and studying. Unless you desire to know an individual’s life story or learn alternate ways to live, or seek to improve yourself by gaining new skills, you are most likely reading for entertainment.
Peace-breakers:
The category of Fiction causes us to embrace, “Something invented by the imagination or feigned-pretense” – Merriam-Webster. Fiction goes beyond the reality of pain, sorrows, and harshness in our lives. Prose is a form of written language that usually exhibits a natural flow of speech and grammatical structure. Fictional prose provides comfort by appearing to give the option of possessing a spectacular life. And many times, this is where we get in trouble. With the continual reading of make-believe stories, the line becomes blurred, and our desires soon escalate to chase after a fantasy lifestyle or tangible things based on desire.
Books are not the only venue that offers a fantasy side of life: Mind-altering substances, night-clubs, casinos, the party life, the failure to desire a job, extreme risk-taking, addiction to games, and doing absolutely nothing but living to have fun and good times, are out of sync with reality. This list is not all-inclusive but includes popular activities and lifestyles that prevail in 2020. Because these behaviors and habits have the potential for addiction, they are dangerous and destructive. In a short time, the individual ends up with a burned-out mind and body. Focusing on pleasure-seeking activities never has and never will give one the ability to live a peaceful and productive life.
Do we give up on having fun? We are supposed to incorporate fun into our lives. Even so, we should choose activities that enhance our level of optimal wellness. There is nothing better than having a good laugh or enjoying our favorite hobby, watching our sports team, and spending good times with friends and family, etc. God gifted us with the ability to have well-balanced lives. A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22.
Who among us loves to struggle? I would love for every day to be a peaceful day. And, I am still striving to reach this point in my spiritual walk with God: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, … James 1:2 NIV. Yes, I will be the first to admit, when the tsunami of trials and tribulations hits, I feel my optimism taking a downward turn. Then I begin to pray, but it is also the time that I begin to cry. I had to do some real soul-searching. Am I crying because of the hardship, or am I crying because I am overjoyed that Jehovah-Jireh will work it all out for His glory and His good?
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28.
From yesterday’s Devotional, The Decision to Have Peace, we realize that we must endure the process of change to have peace. And we do not get to choose which character trait, behavior, or habit that needs to change. Our character should reflect the Character of Christ. Relationships are based on God’s command to separate ourselves from unbelievers for a very good reason. It is the believer that will always have to compromise when we are unequally yoked. Unbelievers have no desire to have eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. If the birthday celebration is held in the club, it does not matter that you will drink a non-alcoholic beverage. Does this scripture describe who we are? “‘Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV. Only the Lord of peace can provide us with the ability to live a faith-based and peaceful life, free from all burdens, anxieties, and worries. Our love, faith, trust, and obedience to God take us to a higher level in our spiritual walk. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:11.
The pursuit of peace requires active participation. The Bible is not a fictional book that we can casually read. The diligent study, commitment to memory, and applying the scriptures to our lives along with faith and obedience provides the foundation for spiritual transformation. Pursuing peace is getting rid of our worldly desires, and people, places, and things. Make a December resolution by developing a list of the who, what, and where you are willing to give up for God. Petition God to bless you with the gift of peace. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Loving God with everything we have enables us to enjoy the perfect peace that only God can give. Petitioning God by praying and asking Him to grant peace in your life (Human effort) gives God the “go-ahead” to unleash His power (Divine Intervention).
God’s Promise
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you, says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3
God, we present our list of the people, places, and things that prevent us from obeying you and receiving the abundant gift of peace. We desire to serve you completely because we love you and acknowledge there is no other God but You. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer of petition for peace. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The desire to have peace continues to be an ongoing struggle in most of our lives. To achieve peace is challenging because it always involves change. If you are willing to commit to rid yourself of all chaos, you are ready to move forward.
The first step to embracing peace is identifying the people, places, and things that directly cause chaos in your life. Since many factors contribute to the lack of peace, we will begin with two categories:
Structure and Self-Control
The Interpersonal Skills of Relationships
The chaos in our lives most often falls within these two areas. From embracing counterproductive behaviors and habits to inviting people into our lives who lack the knowledge and skills to nurture healthy relationships, we will never enjoy our gift of peace without the intentional elimination of the root of the problem.
For those of us who have lawns to maintain, we have an ongoing battle with eliminating weeds. There is a characteristic that all weeds share; they have the strength to grow aggressively with the intent to destroy.
Weeds are harmful in many ways. The damages caused by them are as under: 1. Reduction in crop yield:- Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients, and light. Being hardy and vigorous in growth habits, they grow faster than crops and consume a large amount of water and nutrients, thus causing heavy losses in yields. http://oer.nios.ac.in/wiki/index.php/Damages_caused_by_Weeds
Like weeds, there are non-productive behaviors that grow deep roots within us. We do not understand why we are overwhelmed, nor can we determine why we cannot accomplish our goals. Our relationship problems worsen because one or both individuals lack the necessary character traits to unconditionally love each other. We usually acknowledge that there is a problem, but we tend to blame external factors or other people.
Self-Control and Structure require:
Discipline-defined as training oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way, which produces positive outcomes.
Organizational skills-Being organized means you manage your time and energy well and accomplish all your assigned tasks.
Relationships require the Healthy Characteristics of :
Trust, Communication, Patience, Empathy, Affection and Interest, Flexibility, Appreciation, Room for Growth, Respect, Reciprocity, Healthy Conflict Resolution, Individuality and Boundaries, and Openness and Honesty. https://www.psychologytoday.com
Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Excerpt from, Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life
There is an app that promotes itself as “The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep.” So, what happens if there is an outage or blackout? And for only $14.99 a month or $69.99 annual payment, you can “Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety.” Please know that I have nothing against relaxing music, which I listen to all of the time.
But if we only pull out the top of the weed, the root remains buried deep into the ground. Peace requires active participation. We need to identify the source that prevents us from having inner peace and institute the process of change. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3. To enjoy true peace requires that we acknowledge and accept that peace is a gift from God. Therefore God becomes a vital part of our spiritual growth and development.
Changing our habits requires Divine intervention, structure, self-control, and learning new interpersonal skills. Nothing is impossible with God. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV.
Human Effort + Divine Intervention = Living as a Victorious Overcomer.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
God, we have tried many ways to get rid of our anxieties and our worries. We admit that we need your help. Please forgive us of our sins, and give us peace. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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