Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

In Friday’s blog, Watch and Pray, I expressed that God does not require us to place ourselves in harm’s way to serve Him. Finally, we have someone who is not yielding to the political pressure of reopening our churches prematurely.

So, why are healthcare professionals so fixated on the practice of Stay-at-Home when we are in an Economic Recession?

Currently, in the US, there is a practice of Ventilator Rationing in which the patient is evaluated for the probability of a full recovery. If the indicators point to yes, then Intubation and placement on the Ventilator are initiated along with pharmacological intervention.  If not then the patient is treated with comfort measures, supplemental oxygen, and medications to manage their symptoms and the course of the disease plays out that may lead to death.

The average recovery time for the Coronavirus infection is 11-15 days. For an Upper Respiratory Infection, that is a long time to suffer, especially if you did not qualify for Ventilator placement.

COVID-19 attacks the lungs by creating secretions that block the normal mechanisms of the Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange of the Respiratory system. The virus also attacks the cells that are responsible for fighting against viral and bacterial invaders. Also, the Immune system may or may not be strong enough to fight the virus, even in those deemed by Medical providers to have the chance for a complete recovery. This is a simplified explanation of the complexity of the havoc that the Coronavirus causes on the body.

There are also residual effects that many people are suffering post-recovery. The lungs are easily damaged by diseases that attack the Respiratory system. Our cells, tissues, and organs depend on the nourishment that oxygen supplies and the effective removal of Carbon Dioxide to function.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Be proactive and protect yourself. Trust in God and do not be deceived by the pressure to choose, “Wealth over your Health.” God has promised to care for you.

Pray for guidance and Stay Safe.

Sonya RN

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

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/22/opinions/churches-reopening-trump-covid-19-beck/index.html

The History of Memorial Day
It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. During that first national commemoration, former Union Gen. http://www.pbs.org

Reflect on those who willingly dedicated themselves and gave their lives that we could enjoy the freedom that many have never experienced.

This Memorial Day, we must also acknowledge the pain and suffering of the families of 345, 467 individuals who lost the battle to the most devastating attack on humanity: The Coronavirus!

COVID-19 continues its battle against our most effective defense, our Immune system, by attacking our Soldier cells by infiltrating and changing the DNA, rendering it powerless.

These words were part of a Memorial service of an individual who succumbed to the Coronavirus; its purpose is to remind those of us who are still alive that we must do our part in protecting our health by making sacrifices.

The current Death toll of 345,467 is one that will sear our minds as one of the most tragic events that humanity has faced from a global perspective. Not that suffering throughout the centuries can be minimized; however, we anticipate that others will say their final goodbyes during this pandemic.

As the flowers differ in physical beauty, we also vary externally; even so, we share the same physiological framework and psychological characteristics that define us as the human race, and that will always be our common thread. Reflecting on the loss of others empowers us to extend ourselves for the good of humanity.

We extend heartfelt condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones.

So prepare your mind for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13

Goodbye always leaves us with pain, but it never takes away our hope that the best is yet to come.

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

https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-meatloaf/

There are many things that we wish for and will never have.

Peace is a gift that God gives freely to those who take their problems and give them to Him.

Just Pray and Wait on God Deliverance is on the Way!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

Amid the pandemic, there are many different schools of thought that have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. Who can we trust to give us sound guidance? With over 5 million global confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, even with the recommended measures of wearing facemasks, social distancing, and reopening at reduced capacity, the numbers of cases and deaths continue to escalate. Due to the ongoing chaos, many individuals have given up and are disregarding all health precautions by resuming the habits of their prior lifestyles.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus, the debate between Health versus Wealth has ignited the conflict between health prevention/ maintenance and reopening to preserve the economy. The Centers for Disease Control, a national agency that has the responsibility for the control and prevention of infectious diseases created a safe reopening plan that was ignored. The Coronavirus pandemic has pitted politicians against the physicians and scientists, along with political leaders continually debasing each other. But the most prevalent disputes are among ordinary people based on political party preferences and complaints of the violation of their civil rights.

Political socialization is the “process by which individuals learn and frequently internalize a political lens framing their perceptions of how power is arranged and how the world around them is (and should be) organized; those perceptions, in turn, shape and define individuals’ definitions of who they are and how they should behave in the political and economic institutions in which they live.

Pledging allegiance to a political party or politician supersedes the boundaries of free will by redefining who you are and molding your mind to overlook the infractions. The change does not happen overnight. It is a process where you are in agreement with one thing that the politician stands for, and that is how the journey of compromise begins.

Because of political loyalty, Satan is swaying many believers to go against Biblical teachings. The merge of church and state is before us. A building is not essential for us to worship God. If our focus is on attending a church (building) collectively for only 1-2 days per week, then how are we worshipping God on the remaining days of the week?

In Exodus 3, Moses was appointed by God to lead the Israelites, and he was so faithful that he met with God on Mount Sinai to commune and receive the Ten Commandments. In modern times, no one individual has been appointed or anointed as a Spiritual Leader by God. Political status does not qualify an Unbeliever to represent God, nor can he or she speak for a Holy and Righteous God.

There is no biblical basis to substantiate a man-made Christian holiday–Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter and is false teaching. Satan will even use the name of God to deceive those who are not led by the Holy Spirit. God does not require us to compromise our health to serve him. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 1 Corinthians 6:19

In fact, if we study the book of Leviticus, God gave strict guidelines to preserve the health and well-being of the Israelites. To persuade the individuals who believe in God, but have been staying at home for the safety of their health, Satan has used manipulation to attempt to compromise their safety by encouraging large gatherings in the name of God. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 2:2

When reading Hebrews 10:19-39, there is a verse that many believers use during this pandemic: And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25. There are many who accept Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation but have always refused to attend church. With the constant interaction that believers have on a day-to-day basis with unbelievers, the Apostle Paul admonished those who accepted Christ to attend church. We do require the strength of other believers; however, in a time where an uncontrollable virus is still causing havoc on the world, we must use technology to preach the Word of God which can be accomplished without face-to-face contact during this pandemic.

Dissension is expected among unbelievers because they do not acknowledge or serve God. Satan is the author of confusion. Satan seeks to cause chaos, disorder, death, and destruction, and if we evaluate the condition that our world is in, he is doing his job well.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace–as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33. 

Watching includes praying! Our lives are dependent on God, who is faithful in His promise to protect us from all schemes, plots, and lies that originate from evil. We cannot afford to lose out on our reward of Eternal Life by succumbing to Satan’s plots to separate us from God.

Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Proverbs 4:6 NLT

Every situation in our lives must be presented to God in prayer. We must ask for wisdom, do not rely on feelings, judgment, or past experiences; do not act prematurely, if you truly desire God’s divine intervention, then we must wait for His answer.

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; Psalm 34:19 NIV.

Bible Verse: Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NIV

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask you to forgive us of our sins, our shortcomings, and to fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask you to protect us from all of the schemes, the hurt, the harm, and the dangers in this world. We acknowledge that we are powerless against Satan and the forces of evil. God, we know that the temptations that we face every day are meant to separate us from you. We need you, and we ask for wisdom, we pray for the desire to obey your will for our lives. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, 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.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

In life, we have days where things just don’t seem to go right. People treat us poorly, and we don’t know where to go and who to turn to. But there is one person that is always there! You can always lean on Him, you can always count on Him, and He will never leave you! His name is Jesus, and you always have a friend in Him! May God bless you and stay safe! D. Ferguson. This message was posted on FB and is from my cousin, who is blessed with the spiritual gift to encourage others through spoken words and as a musician.

Tough times are here, and they will be with us for a long time. More than 20 million individuals have filed for unemployment as we continue to plunge further into our recession. When we do not have enough to make ends meet, it is difficult to maintain our inner peace and happiness. Still, we must think outside of ourselves during this pandemic. The COVID-19 virus has brought dire conditions on a global basis.

When the stressors of life hit the crisis level, human behavior is strained, and the reactions from others can be hurtful. Yes, people often displace their emotions on innocent victims when times get tough. Not many people have sustained a life-changing pandemic that has impacted every aspect of their existence; therefore, they do not have the coping skills to effectively deal with the abrupt halt to their usual way of life.

Now, that is the logical way of justifying hurtful behaviors. As believers, we should always have a smile on our faces, and treat others with kindness and dignity, despite our circumstances, because God is love. When we experience poor treatment from those who are close to us, immediately forgive them, and remember that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

Experiencing trials and tribulations are beneficial in that we can realize our weaknesses and limitations, which direct us to God. Therefore, we grow spiritually by becoming entirely dependent on His strength and power. “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

Believe in the love that God has for those who are suffering; He sees every tear and hears every prayer. We must travel this journey with complete faith, hope, and trust in God.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 43:2-3

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

Heavenly Father, we come to you as broken vessels who often forget that we need you, especially when we experience trials and tribulations. We pray for unwavering faith, obedience, and the ability to always trust in you despite our circumstances. Amen. –SJR

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

When God created us in His image, we received a highly complex nervous system that is not fully understood. Still, our brains possess the highest level of cognitive abilities of all living creatures. Our amazing brain has the unlimited potential to learn, process knowledge and has a storage capacity that outranks a computer’s RAM and ROM. We utilize our five senses to gather the stimuli from the surrounding environment, and based on what we see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, our brain immediately identifies, and processes whether we are safe or in danger, and the appropriate action required.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female, he created them. Genesis 1:27

This morning, as I prepared to write, my eyes rested on the money pic posted on yesterday’s blog, I was surprised to see that it still reads, “In God we trust.” And that was the catalyst that prompted me to look in my wallet and examine the coins and paper bills; yes, on every denomination of money that the United States of America produces, we proclaim that as a Nation, we trust in God.

Amid a terrible airborne virus, we have reached a level of discord and strife as if we are engaged in a physical war. The individuals who we have entrusted to make sound decisions on our behalf in political, spiritual, and familial leadership positions are acting on animalistic instinct as opposed to using their higher powers of intellect and reasoning abilities. Because of their priorities to keep the economy from falling, our current environment is unsafe to our physical well-being, and detrimental to our peace of mind.

The battle between the politicians and the medical professionals to re-open the United States has finally abated; even so, the American people are reaping the consequences. The dispute has exacerbated discrimination based on age, medical diagnosis, social standing, and economic status. The elected leaders and mainstream society have diverted their attention to saving the economy as we struggle to win the war with our most powerful enemy, the COVID-19 virus. The individuals who are infected and the fatalities are viewed as casualties of war. However, we continue in our march to move forward and reopen with the “New Normals.” It is a desperate attempt to halt the Economic Recession from spiraling downward into another Great Depression.

When we thought our situation could not possibly worsen, we have spiritual leaders who are double-minded and are engaging in diabolical and misleading actions for financial gain. The Holy Spirit tells us in plain words that in the last days, some people will turn away from the faith. 1 Timothy 4:1

1. The FDA has shut-down the operations and false claims of a Pastor in Florida who bottled sulfur water mixed with household bleach and sold it from his church’s website for $49.95.
2. A Pentecostal Pastor used his church, which represents God’s house, to sing and practice secular-worldly music to compete and eventually win the televised program, “The Voice.”

In four months, worldwide, we have suffered a significant impact on our health and economic systems. Many are struggling to make sense of the wave of disease and poverty on a global level, especially the countries that struggle with the severe shortages of basic necessities as a usual way of life. Now, many of the spiritual leaders we have trusted are distracted and concerned about maintaining their lifestyles, and/or the demise of their church buildings.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.…while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is right. Titus 2:11-14

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

Is it possible to stay close to God in the current turmoil? Yes, it is! To maintain our peace of mind, we must be determined to follow God all the way. If you have never really taken the time to study the Bible, establish a new habit, and begin to explore daily. Your life will never be the same. Read the words aloud. All of the chaos and confusion from our current environment of disorderly conduct have been prophesied as events from the last days of earth’s history.

Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. The peace that comes from praying compares to no other feeling. Separate yourselves and pray often. We can open up and be truthful in our talks with God. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Is their hope for the future? “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

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

With the convenience of digital files and folders, my file cabinets are nearly empty. I opened the top drawer out of curiosity and retrieved a stuffed and forgotten folder that contained printed copies of many Devotionals. Much to my surprise, there was a copy of a completed assignment from one of my Business Management courses regarding money as the most powerful motivator for humanity. The paper was written in 2010.

The Professor of the course always posed three thought-provoking questions that demanded self-evaluation along with the research of the mindsets of the status quo, and mainstream society. During our first class, he gave a demonstration to prove what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears is usually tainted with deception. As he stood there clothed in a navy jacket, button-down shirt, beige khaki pants, and expensive loafers, he asked the class if he was dressed appropriately for a job interview, and if we were the hiring manager would we consider him as an appropriate candidate to fill the job vacancy based on his appearance, to which our response was yes.

His next action was to remove his jacket and shirt, and as we looked at tatted arms, a t-shirt, and a biker’s vest, we laughed. He then held up his biker boots and helmet, which were concealed behind the desk, and asked, “Would you hire me now?” A life-changing event caused our perspective to change as we embraced the reality that what you see and hear may not be the whole truth and is not necessarily beneficial for your life.

I am sharing an excerpt from the assignment in my response to the question, “Money is the most important form of motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?”

Considering the prevailing standards for today’s society, money is promoted as the most crucial factor in life. As far as actually being the most important motivating factor that is based on individual preferences. When money is the driving force, negative consequences occur due to the compromise that is required to sustain its importance. What is there to lose? Decline in work ethics, moral and ethical values, and disloyalty are the detrimental consequences in the pursuit of money.

I am not referring to the desire for decent monetary compensation, which is always an essential factor for job consideration. After all, it takes money for the provision of life’s basic needs; food, clothing, shelter, etc. However, the basic needs of safety from “a predictable world with consistency, fairness, routine, a sense of stability, and security” (Maslow, 1943) can never be attained by the pursuit of unpredictable and unstable tangible rewards. Sonya Johnson Ruiz, 2010

The love of money cripples even the sharpest minds. The status of the economy has always been at the forefront even though we face the worst global pandemic in our lifetime. And the numbers continue to grow!

For those who are in love with their bank accounts, stocks, and investments; they are unable to think rational thoughts. Enter the Coronavirus, and the love of money reflects inappropriate responses to re-open the Nation and let the sick, and those with weak Immune systems Stay-at-Home. The economy must be preserved by any means necessary, and they are willing to risk anyone who stands in their way.

They speak words of deception and proclaim that the number of cases is higher because of the increase in testing. The number of cases and deaths are higher because people are still spreading the infectious COVID-19 organism–asymptomatic carriers who refuse to be tested, those who are symptomatic but are forced to work. After all, they need their health benefits, along with other possibilities that facilitate the continued spread of the disease.

How many of us have been sick in the past and purchased Over-the-Counter medications to alleviate or mask the symptoms because we had to go to our jobs? On Mother’s Day, 5/10/2020, a member attended her Church’s service and exposed 180 individuals to the Coronavirus because she did not wait for her test results, which she would receive the next day, 5/11/2020. Beware of over-confidence, continue to practice Social Distancing and Stay-at-Home, it is infected people who are spreading the COVID-19 virus.

The known cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not reflect the unreported positive cases.

January of 2020: Total Cases: 4,226 and Total Deaths: 45

May 15, 2020: Total Cases: 1,480,349 and Total Deaths: 89,407 cdc.gov

Historically, every country has experienced abject adversities; war, famine, bigotry, discrimination, diseases, and social injustices. The desire to abate these atrocities resulted in the development of relevant strategies to resolve or lessen the impact.

Because of the love of money, our political leaders have struck down the very measures that would curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The preservation of human lives was never a priority in the United States of America. The love of money has also infiltrated the religious community along with many Pastors who God has entrusted to “Feed his sheep.”

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

We must choose God or Money.

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