Our Beliefs: Biblical or Not

In my distress, I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:6

Good Morning, Thank you, God, for the new mercies of a new day. Amen.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to witness on social media. Understanding that I am simply a messenger, before I responded to the comment, I prayed and asked for the Holy Spirit’s Divine intervention. But before sharing the story, I would like to provide just a snippet of my background. Although I pursued Nursing and Business Management pathways, for a reason unknown to me at the time, I chose Eastern and Western religions as elective courses. God revealed the answer to His guidance in choosing my electives a decade later.

The author of the post asked this question, “How often do you think about heaven?” to which most of the responses affirmed that thoughts of heaven were always on their minds, except one individual. She stated, “Heaven is not a place, it is a state of mind, and starvation, homelessness, and other conditions are hell on earth.” Usually it is a natural response to use the Holy Bible as the authority and basis for our beliefs. However, the individual stated her views according to the “Bible” used in their denomination. (Disclaimer: I do not judge the religious beliefs of others.) 

So what do you think happened next? The intent to persuade others, mostly on the part of the person who believes that “Heaven is not a place…” actually made several follow-up posts with the concepts that she believed in. But I was surprised when the comments included racist remarks. The words were too harsh and projected an angry tone. I decided to keep scrolling, but then the Holy Spirit told me to write. I felt like Moses when he asked God, “Who shall I say sent me?” I sat and reread the comments but did not move my fingers. I said, “God, do you want me to get involved in this online debate?” Not only was this a religion that I was very familiar with, but I also did not wish to be part of a biblical debate, which involved “two different Bibles from two separate religious systems.”

Again, I heard, “Write!” So, I prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and began to type. The answer given to me was as follows:

(Name intentionally deleted) What if you are wrong? Then what? You see, the thing that I have learned about humanity is that when one rejects the truth, according to God, is that they never really think about the consequences. We were created with free will that always gives us a choice. But our spiritual choices determine whether we will receive eternal life or destruction. I have studied many religions and denominations. But I decided to accept the Plan of Salvation because it guarantees eternal life in a perfect New Heaven and New Earth, and I am willing to stake my life on it, that I am not wrong with my decision.

It is not our role to convince others of the truth. Even so, there are times that God directs us to be His mouthpiece. But He does it in a manner where He always receives the glory.

We must understand that Satan has the upper hand when we participate in religious debates. If the response of non-acceptance is verbalized or the tone of the conversation becomes hostile, retreat immediately. When we share the truth, and it is not accepted, how does God expect us to respond? Whoever does not receive you or does not listen to what you say, as you leave that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Matthew 10:14. 

We live in a time where we are bombarded with misinformation. Reflect on your current beliefs. Are they biblically based? Since there are numerous bibles and various doctrinal beliefs, you may ask which Bible are you referring to? And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14.

 1. The Holy Bible that contains both the Old and New Testaments and is written under the inspiration of God.
2. The Holy Bible that validates all 10 commandments, including the Seventh-day Sabbath.
3. The Holy Bible that identifies The Trinity as God the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit, which are 3-in- 1.
4. The Holy Bible that reflects Jesus Christ is the Son of God that He was crucified and died for the redemption of our sins, that He arose, and is currently in heaven fulfilling the role as our Heavenly Intercessor.
5. The Holy Bible that explains the Plan of Salvation is only available through Jesus and reiterates that confessions, repentance, and forgiveness of our sins are only granted through God.
6. The Bible that documents baptism by immersion (if physically possible), the Communion service, and foot washing–the Ordinance of Humility are part of our worship to God.
7. The Bible that promises the anointing of the Holy Spirit when we ask in prayer.
8. The Bible that refutes human beings receive immortality immediately following death and are presently in heaven looking down on us.
For the Lord, himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV. The Bible does not support the concept of disembodied spirits, which is a pagan practice. The scriptures provide proof of only three men who did not see physical death and were translated: Enoch, Elijah, and Moses who are the only human beings currently in heaven.
9. The Bible proclaims, Yes, the Second Coming of Jesus is the most significant event for humanity where the faithful will receive their reward of immortality and life in the presence of God in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

This list is not all-inclusive of the fundamental beliefs that God has provided for us through His Holy Word, the Bible. However, it is what I have been directed to identify as truths that Satan has interjected false teachings into like he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden. Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” Genesis 3:4

Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 2 Corinthians 6:17 NLT.

When God tells us to turn away from all immoral, sinful things and activities, He has a valid reason. Our five senses gather information, and once we are exposed, our brain processes the information and stores it as memory. Yes, you can try to disregard what you saw, read, heard, ate, or touched, but it is too late. We cannot take back our actions. Strive to make wise and godly choices because we cannot erase our experiences.

Please reflect on your current belief system. It is easy to follow traditions, doctrines, cultural guidelines, and accept trendy information such as the prosperity message. God has never promised that we would be wealthy. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Galatians 3:2.

If there is a fundamental belief that you are confused about, or you cannot accept it because it does not appear to be rational. Pray for revelation. Even so, we must accept that there are mysteries in the Bible that God will explain to us when we received immortality and life in the New Heaven and New Earth. 

The Apostle Paul explains: Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Please do not let anything become a stumbling-block that causes you to lose out on Eternal life. Pray and fast for the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about any belief that has you bound. The same Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost who enabled those present to speak other tongues (languages) to witness to the multitude gathered outside is the Holy Spirit that will guide you to discard the beliefs that are not from God. (Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded because every man heard them speak in his own language. Acts 2:6 KJV)

God, we pray for Divine intervention and blessings upon your people who are striving to serve you. We are in the valley of decision and turmoil because we have heard many different and conflicting doctrines. Therefore, we humbly call on you Father God to anoint us with your Holy Spirit. We ask for you to reveal all truth whereby we must be saved. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

Be Encouraged

Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:13-14 BSB

Good Morning! We have received the gift of another day. Great is God’s faithfulness. He is always proving that His love is unconditional and has no boundaries. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Yes, the year 2020 has brought the most challenges that many of us have ever endured. Even so, God has allowed the distractions that would prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal life to be removed. When feeling overwhelmed, make Jesus’ great sacrifice personal, verbalize: “Jesus died for me.” Have you considered the suffering that Jesus went through for the redemption of our sins? Great athletes do not achieve their abilities overnight. They have the mindset that they are willing to overcome every obstacle in their journey to receive the reward of being the best.

The Apostle Paul, who endured stoning, beaten with whips, ship-wrecked, bitten by a poisonous snake, and imprisoned with heavy chains, still used every opportunity to rejoice and praise God. How did Paul get through his severe trials and suffering? He possessed the only mindset that all who believe in God should have: Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 3:3-5 ESV

Peter, Jesus’ disciple, proclaims:

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

James defines suffering as joy:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.… James 1:2-4 BSB

Without trials, we would fall into the abyss of self-reliance. It is our faith in God that keeps us spiritually grounded. We live a purpose-driven life to serve God! To receive our reward of Eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth, we must be holy and acceptable to God. Not judging ourselves by our standards, but possessing and reflecting the character of Jesus Christ. 

I am very thankful that my trials have a purpose, to get rid of the debris from sin. When I compare myself to Galatians 5:22-23 and Hebrews 12:14, I realize that God is giving me time to change. Please know that we are never alone in our spiritual transformation. It is the teamwork of Human Effort + Divine Intervention that produces victorious outcomes. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

God is giving us time to confess, repent, and Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14. Even so, live with the urgency that Jesus is coming soon!

Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.…2 Peter 3:8-10 BSB

Believers in the Most-High God, we have our greatest hope in Jesus Christ. Know that our present lives, which have trials and sorrows, is merely part of our earthly journey. But this is not how the story ends! “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:12

God, we thank you for loving us. Your grace and mercies flow freely to us day-after-day. We ask you to forgive us for desiring an easier path to travel as we strive for holiness. We know that your plans are perfect. Please give us your strength today as we begin to view life through spiritual eyes. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

The Seed of Faith-Sabbath Devotional

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!… Isaiah 65:24

We can rejoice that God is Omnipotent, and His power has no limits. By God’s Word, we know this to be true. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Although we may possess rock-solid faith in God, many believers are feeling desperate because of their circumstances. I am aware of this growing issue because I blog on several Christian sites and read the heart-wrenching pleas for help. Many are asking, “I am trying so hard. How can I have faith in God? or “How can I get off of the roller-coaster ride of anxiety and worries?” Spiritual maturity comes with the responsibility of helping others learn who God is and identifying the stumbling blocks that prevent the peace and joy that comes from having a personal relationship with God.

Our perception of God either propels us forward to believe and live a faith-based life, or we live a life full of fear and uncertainty based on our abilities. Fear and doubt escalate when we become fixated on the challenges. And that fixation paves the way for a more significant problem; fear cancels out faith. Without faith, we lose sight of who God is, and we become players in the Game of Chance. The mindset of “whatever happens, happens, this is impossible” causes us to take risks to find solutions.

Let’s take a look at doing things God’s way.

Consider a golf ball, tennis ball, and basketball. Which ball would you select to represent God? Which ball would you choose to represent your faith in God? Because we know that God is our Creator, we may view Him as the basketball. If our Faith in God only measures the size of the golf or tennis balls then we have identified the reason for our emotional ups and downs. God requires that our faith and trust in Him are also the size of the basketball.

First, let’s define Faith: Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. Remember asking for a toy, gaming console, cell-phone, or computer, and you were told not now, but maybe on your birthday or Christmas if you met certain conditions. You wholeheartedly completed all of the assigned tasks because if you did your part, you believed and trusted your parents 100% to keep their promise. 

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6. God is saying that we must possess that same child-like faith (belief) and trust that He always keeps His promises. Let’s use another example: When we accept a job, we take for granted that the employer will fulfill all of their contractual commitments, including paying the agreed-upon salary. We have complete faith and trust that we will receive a paycheck weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

For those who think that an employer has a legal responsibility to pay their employees, I will share this story: I worked for a healthcare facility with financial problems, and it was rumored they did not have the money for payroll. We laughed as we verbalized our confidence that not getting paid would never happen. On the Thursday before payday Friday, we were notified that a mandatory staff meeting was held at 9 am on Friday. I can still remember the butterflies in my stomach. Times were rough. Were the rumors true?

On that Friday, all of the Administrative staff was present, and as we received our checks (this was before direct deposit), we smiled as we breathed a sigh of relief. The announcement was then made, “Unfortunately, the checks that we have given you cannot be cashed. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to meet payroll. However, we have applied for a bank loan which should be disbursed in a few days.” We waited until the following Friday before our checks could be cashed. The facility was being investigated for fraudulent billing practices, and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement was being withheld until the completion of the investigation. Regardless of that incident, I never lost faith and trust in the employer that they would pay me as agreed on future jobs.

Let’s identify a few of the thoughts and actions that block our faith and trust in the power of God.

    1.  Holding onto negative past experiences.
    2. Using previous techniques to resolve the present issue.
    3. Seeking advice from multiple friends.
    4. Attempting to help God by using our strategies.
    5. Impatience within hours or days of asking for God’s Divine intervention.
    6. Half-hearted faith (belief) in the power and promises of God.

Self-reliance is a sour fruit from the tree of pride. We must make the life-changing decision to trust in God, or we will continue to use our limited abilities. The requirements for having an in-depth knowledge of who God is to possess the characteristics of love, faith, trust, obedience, and patience. Only then will our anxieties and worries be replaced by God’s soothing peace and wonderful joy, which are not affected by our challenges.

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

God has given each of us a seed of faith. God is already aware that your circumstances are distressing and that you are feeling hopeless. He knows that you need His help.

Pray, Believe, Trust, and Wait. 

Yes, the problem is impossible for you to solve. Even so, the next step is crucial! Now is not the time to panic. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:14. Please know that God has heard your plea for help. We do not have to beg God or perform acts of contrition. Pray for His intervention and Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14.

While we wait, we should develop the habits for living a faith-based lifestyle. Maintain a spirit of calmness by studying the Bible, praying prayers of thanksgiving, and singing songs that glorify God through joyful praise and worship. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10. God deserves our worship. He freely extends His love, grace, and mercies every day.

Search your heart to make sure that your motives are to build a relationship with God for who He is, not because of what He can do. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” Matthew 5:8. Our thoughts and behaviors must be in alignment with God for us to know God. Daily praise and worship not only glorifies God, but we also experience a transformation, and our faith grows more in-depth as we begin to see God through spiritual eyes and realize that He is our all and all. Remember that placing ourselves in God’s hands guarantees a victorious outcome.

“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

Bible Readings: Psalm 27

God, we desire to have basketball size faith. We place our lives and situations in your hands, and ask for your Divine intervention. It is our desire to have an up-close and personal relationship with you. Please forgive us for our doubt and unbelief. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.  

Happy Sabbath!

The human effort for living a peaceful and joyful life is to possess unwavering faith in God. Serving God is a dynamic process, always expanding. Spiritual growth and development require that we give our all to God every day. Like worker ants, we busy ourselves by striving to achieve a closer and deeper relationship with God. We have never prayed enough, studied the Bible enough, or praised and worshiped God enough to rely on what we did yesterday.

Jesus is coming soon! Use your time wisely to build a foundation on Christ the Solid Rock. And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrew 11:6

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11

God, we worship you and praise your Holy Name. We thank you for our life, health, and strength. We ask for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit. As we prepare for Eternal life, please give us wisdom as we seek knowledge of your Holy Word. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

The Answer to Living a Peaceful and Joyful Life

Happy Sabbath!

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalm 119:36-37

There is a trend in which many sermons and inspirational writings focus on everything that God will do for those who serve Him. The topics range from deliverance from your circumstances to receiving the prosperity of material wealth. Yes, the Bible is full of stories that portray God’s great love, grace, and mercies for humanity. And who does not feel a soothing and peaceful relief from reading and faithfully believing in God’s promises? We can experience God’s love and receive hope from His declaration that He is our Heavenly Father. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Matthew 6:30

Human Effort + Divine Intervention = Victory

The lack of Human Effort is the part that keeps us on the roller-coaster ride of spiritual highs and lows. In addition to God’s promises, the Bible also tells us of God’s commands, which require strict obedience. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33. How do we break the cycle of feeling victorious and then defeated? What do we need to do to possess inner peace and joy despite our circumstances? 

King David provides the answer: Devout obedience to God

I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever. 45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Psalm 119:44-45

In our quest for learning what we need to do to have a stable relationship with Christ, we must look outside of ourselves. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27. Do you know someone that serves God and is always joyful even though they are going through hard times? Have a conversation with them and find out their secret for living a faith-based life. We can also read inspirational books or listen to sermons, and testimonies found on social media.

My answer to living a faith-based life is to have complete trust in God, and to obey. I have two spiritual mentors who are in agreement with faithfully trusting and obeying God for a peaceful and joyful life. Still, I decided to do an online search, and surprisingly, I found this answer:

A Christian is one who accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and baptized for the remission of sins and lives every day, surrendering his life to Jesus. … But a truly devout Christian is someone who is quietly devoted to God in every aspect of their life. They are in constant connection with Him throughout the day. (unknown) http://www.quora.com

A Devout Christian (Christ-like) is one who is quietly devoted to God in every aspect of their life. Devotion to God requires faith, trust, and strict obedience to His precepts and commands.

I will leave you with David’s answer to possessing inner joy: 

1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Psalm 119:1-4

During these Sabbath hours, I invite you to perform some extensive soul-searching and identify the areas of your life in which you are not obeying God. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:6. 

Be intentional in your preparation to receive the Holy Spirit. Place yourself on a “Do not Disturb” status. Create an atmosphere by maintaining a quiet and humble spirit. “Be still, and know that I am God! “Psalm 46:10. In solitude, listen to inspirational music with your Bible in hand, and pray a prayer of confession and repentance, also asking for God’s blessings upon your life. I have included a link to some excellent piano worship: https://youtu.be/m_1HEYFRqxY

It is time that we experience the full benefits of serving God, our Heavenly Father: Living a Peaceful and Joyful Life!

Bible Reading: Psalm 119

God, we thank you for the gift of the Sabbath. We are on a roller-coaster ride of spiritual highs and lows, and we need a breakthrough from this cycle of being bound. Please forgive us for not doing our part by completely obeying you. We pray for healing and a change of mind to follow faithfully, trust, obey, and believe like never before. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.  

Blessed Beyond Measure!

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Psalm 34:1-2

God is so good! In our moments of weakness, He provides and protects us from future consequences by telling us, “No or Not Now.”

Submission is not a trait that we are born with, nor is it a natural tendency. If you are a parent or had younger siblings, then you have first-hand knowledge of the developmental stage affectionately known as the “terrible twos.” And most remember going through the stage of raging rebellion, the “teen-age nightmare.” But suppose the child’s behavior is modified by initiating boundaries and disciplinary measures during these two defiant stages. In that case, they will develop into adults that not only accept and respect the answer of “No,” they also possess the character trait of self-control.

Our Heavenly Father knew that we would need individual spiritual gifts to maintain our connection with Him and to avoid falling into the temptation of sin. 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Despite our diverse backgrounds, a change happens when we commit ourselves to God. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17. As new persons-in-Christ, we cease the natural inclinations to follow our selfish desires or maintain a spirit of disobedience. Nor do we sulk or go outside of the will of God when we do not receive what we think is the best option.

When God created humanity, He gave us everything that we needed to serve Him: Free-will of choice, biblical instructions, prayer, a seed of faith, a sound mind, self-control, and the desire to stay connected to Him. But then we discovered that we could use our free-will to chase after our desires. Yes, we still believe in God. It’s just that we have developed the same condition that Cain possessed. We place our disobedient desires over what God requires for our sacrificial offering. 

Yesterday, I heard a sermon excerpt from Dr. Tony Evans (this is paraphrased).

Parents used to buy their children a piggy-bank to teach them the concept of saving money. The piggy-bank was cute, pink and had a large body with a slot at the top. The bank was designed to receive money, not to give it back. Once the money went into the bank, there were two options to retrieve the money; turn the bank upside down and shake it until a few coins fell out or break open the bank. End of Excerpt

There are two types of Believers, those who almost always obey God and those who make it a habit to disobey and misuse repentance and forgiveness frequently. For the most obedient group, God disciplines by shaking us. We experience the unexpected consequences of our disobedience. We recognize that we went against the will of God; so, we repent and return to our previous state of having a sound mind, and self-control. Because we love God with all of our hearts, after the shaking, we humble ourselves. From that experience of shaking, we make the commitment to pray for direction and wait on God. 

The second group also loves God, but they suffer inner turmoil because they continue to disobey God by pursuing their selfish desires. They are feeling great that they can serve God and still do as they please. But then the unthinkable happens, God opens His hands, the life-changing situation occurs, and they fall hard and break. All because they half-heartedly loved and served God by repeatedly disobeying. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving wrongdoing, and rebellion. But He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He visits the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation. Numbers 14:18

In the evening, reflect on your day. How many blessings have you received? The big blessings are probably very obvious. Even so, remember to include the little things that worked out in your favor. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

With all that we receive from our loving Heavenly Father, He only requires the sacrifice to faithfully trust and obey Him. We must use our sound mind and self-control to stay within the will of God. “If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15. Loving God and placing Him first is the foundation for seeking His will. Obedience is such a small sacrifice compared to the incredible love, grace, and mercies from God, our Father.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

We can never protect or provide for ourselves as God does. Some never think about the dangers, seen and unseen, that the angels, God’s messengers, defend us from every day. Nor do we realize the terrible consequences that God prevents when he says, “No, my child.” Today, begin to let praises of thanksgiving and gratitude openly flow from your mouth. Commit your free-will to always trust and obey God. 

We are truly Blessed Beyond Measure!

Bible Reading: Psalm 34

God, we want to say thank you for all that you lovingly and freely bless us with day-after-day. We pray this prayer of thanksgiving in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission. 

Living in the Light

This morning I studied Ephesians 6:10-20 on “The Whole Armor of God” but as I bowed to pray, the Holy Spirit instructed me to read Ephesians chapter 5. To put on the whole armor of God, first and foremost, I had to know precisely what was required to be a soldier in the Army of God.

    1. Imitate God in every aspect of your life.
    2. Live a life filled with love.
    3. Follow the example of Christ.
    4. Get rid of immorality, impurity, and greed.
    5. Do not engage in listening to or speaking obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes.
    6. Do not pursue the material things of this world. Greed is the worship of false idols.
    7. Do not talk about the evil things that ungodly people do.

It is my utmost desire to be a soldier in the Army of God. The first area that I self-evaluated was the choice of words that I use in casual conversation. Deciding to change how I express myself verbally means deleting all coarse words and comments from my vocabulary.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Although my list of coarse words is not lengthy, they still need to be eliminated because they do not indicate that I serve God.

    1. That is not my preference will replace: “I don’t like.”
    2. Ungodly or unholy will replace: “ridiculous, crazy, craziness, and stupid.”
    3. Lack of knowledge will replace: “ignorance.”

It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 12 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible… Ephesians 6:10-13

Ouch! This is a tough challenge. Not to discuss the political chaos and civil unrest prevalent in today’s society or talk about the people whose words and actions destroy peace and unity. What is the role of a Believer? 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It is difficult to rejoice, stay prayerful, and possess a spirit of gratitude if we speak on negativity most of the time. We should not let our conversations be filled with discussing the evil-deeds of others.  If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26. By all means, we should acknowledge the situations that are shameful, unhealthy, illegal, and not conducive to maintaining a peaceful existence. Even so, we must pray for God’s Divine intervention for the condition of this world. 

Unwholesome talk is a challenging habit to break. There is a billion-dollar industry based on gossip. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 2 Corinthians 6:17. To break free of this habit, you will have to change the people, places, and things that encourage and promote sinful conversations.

Does God want us to live to the fullest and enjoy life? Yes!

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

To “Put on the Whole Armor of God,” we have to strive for spiritual perfection. A soldier is much more than the uniform they wear. The mindset of those who enlist in the Army of God must align with the Word of God. Suppose our thoughts, words, and actions are contrary to God’s precepts? In that case, it indicates that we are sinful in our behaviors. The domino effect is we will also cause others to fall by sending out mixed messages that God tolerates unrighteous behaviors.

Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:13-15

Attention! Soldiers of the Most High God. Prepare yourselves for Eternal life in the New Heaven and the New Earth. 

For once, you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9

Bible Readings: Ephesians chapters 5-6

God, we thank you for the guidance of your Holy Word and the Holy Spirit that reveals the things we must change to live holy and acceptable lives. Please give us the strength to break habits that cause harm to ourselves and others. We ask forgiveness for the times that we spoke words of bitter fruits. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.