Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

For I was hungry and you gave me food…Matthew 25:35

Yesterday we went to Costco’s to obtain a membership and pick up a few items to complete our menu for Thanksgiving dinner. As we waited in line in the Customer Service area, I looked around the warehouse and acknowledged to my husband, that I had never seen so many people inside a store. The customer service rep was very friendly and we chatted as she completed our membership. I mentioned to her that I was retired and she asked me what did I do with my time. I shared with her that I was a writer of Christian devotionals and had a dedicated weblog, along with my favorite hobby of crocheting and spending time with my husband and family. She told us to have a blessed day as we parted.

The most interesting part of our conversation involved Costco’s doing an hourly count of individuals entering the warehouse and shopping on Sundays. The range is usually from 150-200 with holiday peak times reaching 250 per hour. If I had to give a numerical estimate of the individuals who were shopping when we were there, I would guess 400-500 including children. The massive parking lot was filled to capacity along with supersized carts overrun with food and decorative items. When we completed our meager shopping of seven items, I felt relief as we were walking toward the exit. In response to the door employee’s question of “how we were doing,” I replied, “I am just glad to see the front door.”

As we celebrate the bountiful blessings from God during this season, please remember those who are experiencing famine in their lives. There are many ways in which we can become actively involved with alleviating the suffering of others. The giving of our time and/or money as a volunteer in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and community centers is an excellent way to give back. In addition, many churches have weekly or monthly programs to provide for the underserved in their communities. There is always a shortage of willing individuals to make the sacrifice and serve others.

I realize that God allowed the customer rep to ask me the question regarding my time because I need to go above and beyond donating monies. The next time that someone asks, “What do you do with your time?”, I will be able to include the answer that I help those in need by________________________. We need to fill in the blank by leaving the comfort of our homes through active participation. It is the only way that we can truly celebrate thanksgiving to God for all that He has provided us with.

Let us set a new goal from this day forward: Give, give, give.

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for the blessing of provisions. I have not extended myself in helping those who are in need. Please help me to look beyond myself and become actively involved in alleviating the suffering of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2

If there were two roads: Road to Suffering and Road to a Peaceful Life, I wonder how many of us would select the latter road, only to find that the Road to a Peaceful Life merged into the Road to Suffering. There is a benefit to experiencing trials and tribulations: Refinement and Perfection of our Character. We become one with Christ when we surrender our total selves to Him as we become transformed into His likeness.

Our character must align with God’s character. The first attribute we must possess is “Unconditional love” for God and others. This characteristic alone may be the one that has extended your journey on the Road to Suffering.

How are you doing with obtaining the Fruit of the Spirit?

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

The reality is that Sanctification is a lifelong process. We must continue our journey every day until we fall asleep in death. Even so, God has promised to raise His believers:

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: 1Thessalonians 4:16

Some of us may be alive when God sends His Son Jesus for His Second Coming. He has provided the greatest reward if we are faithful: Eternal life in a New Heaven and New Earth with Him forever and ever. Amen!

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down at the feet of Jesus.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

Prayer for today: Dear God, Please help me to be faithful and joyful, as I travel the Road of Suffering. Thank you for also traveling this road which led to your death for me. I ask you for the strength to align my character with yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV

There are many who possess wonderful memories from past holiday seasons. The aromas of deliciously prepared food, times of laughter with family and friends, gift giving, and conversations catching up on things that have occurred during the year. While this is a wonderful season with many foods, gifts, and delightful decorations, there are many individuals who are overwhelmed by grief, and sadness.

The tradition of living for a holiday season does not prepare us to cope with the hard times that will inevitably arise during various times of our lives. If we fail to establish a strong relationship with God and strengthen the bond through daily studying of His Word and prayer, then we are unable to know and count on His promises.

“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 your God…” Isaiah 43:2,3

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1

I encourage you to take the time and write down these two promises daily until you have them memorized. When we know who God really is, the vicissitudes of life will not overwhelm us. If we say that we know God, then we know that His promises remain steadfast and immovable.

If you are in a time of tribulation, God is with you; however, you must take the journey. Do not become overwhelmed by constantly reflecting on the circumstances or past memories. God always delivers on His promises: He will always guide you through and the result is that you will become aligned with His character.

Prayer for today: Dear God, I am going through a tough time. I need to really get to know who you are by believing and applying your promises to my life. Please help me to have a steadfast and faithful relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Winter is upon us…the earth and many animals transition into their hibernation phase. It is a personal choice to continue in our hurried pace of life or slow down and take advantage of this wonderful season.

Makeover your home into a peaceful habitat by turning off electronic devices, dimming bright lighting, enjoying the calming aromas of woodsy or spicy scented candles, playing nice relaxing music, and reading an interesting book or magazine at least once a week.

If you bring work activities into your home life, make a decision to value and cherish your personal time.

Have a Happy and Peaceful Holiday Season

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

“concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own.”

For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. Matthew 25:42

I just read a very interesting blog from one of my followers that touched on a character trait that has rapidly disappeared from mainstream society: Selflessness, placing the needs of others above your own.

We are born with and comprised of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellness. Who is responsible for the growth and development of these components? More importantly, who is responsible for the development of our character?

If you are familiar with a toddler interacting with their peers, it is a natural instinct for them to selfishly protect their toys. I have seen many children use the “grab and snatch” method while loudly saying “Mine.” If the child’s character is not molded at a very young age and continually refined, then society reflects the result: the maturity of selfish children into selfish adults.

Yes, we live in a society of individuals who possess the “grab and snatch” character. We are unable to place blame on the parents or caregivers for character deficits. Peer pressure affects every age and stage in a person’s life, and when we succumb, the result is the compromise of learned values.

Yesterday, I made two separate purchases involving two separate cashiers at one of our major thrift stores for craft supplies. The first cashier asked me if I would round up my change to the next dollar to help supply Thanksgiving dinner to those in need. Interestingly, the second cashier did not ask any of her customers, including me, to round up to help others. Should I have taken the next step and reported her to management? Obviously, she does not honor the mission or vision of the non-profit organization. But, the real problem cannot and will not be rectified by reporting her behavior; she is one of society’s many individuals who possess “grab and snatch” characteristics.

I was saddened by her actions; however, it is not my place to criticize the actions of others. The concern is only to focus on my behaviors and whether or not I am doing what is right. Fortunately, I was molded as a young child by a loving and selfless Mother, to serve others. It was her ministry to always provide for those in need, and at 85 years of age, she is still blessed and highly favored, and assisting others.

In spite of my upbringing and career as a nurse, there was a period in my life when I utilized my abundance of resources only for myself. I am unable to provide an explanation for the loss of my “selflessness” and the gain of the characteristic of “selfishness”. I can truthfully say that it happened so fast that when I assessed the situation, I had 18 bags of clothing to give away.

From the act of giving my excess clothing away, God caused me to reach a crossroad in my life. I vowed to never place my selfish desires above those who are in need. If not me, then who?

The good great (intended emphasis) news is that there are still many individuals who are committed to and march in God’s “Army of Selflessness”. You can become a soldier at any point and at any time in your life.

Prayer for today: Dear God, I ask you to give me the desire and courage to change my selfish ways. It is my desire for a total makeover of my character. I need to assume the responsibility of giving myself to serve others. Please help me change from selfish to selfless. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

“You shall have no other gods before me”. Exodus 20:3

At the end of each day, reflect on your accomplishments. Were you able to achieve everything on your “to do list”? In fact, you may have completed all tasks and tackled a few other things with the additional free time for the day. Certainly, that would bring a sense of satisfaction along with a smile and proclamation of “Yes, I did it.”

There is an important order of priorities in the life of a believer:

1. God

2. Family

3. Job

4. The et cetera…

No matter what is on our daily list of things we need to accomplish, God must be first and last on our list. Morning worship includes a Prayer of Thanksgiving for another day of life; God’s grace and mercy require honoring Him prior to starting any other tasks.

When we fail to honor God, the decisions that we make and the subsequent tasks that we strive to accomplish do not reflect His guidance. Even with God as our Pilot, it does not mean that your day will move forward without obstacles; however, with God leading the way, you can rest assured things are moving in the direction that He has chosen for you.

Evening worship must include every member in your household. It is a time that spouses, children, and other family members have the opportunity to share their daily testimonies for the blessings of the day. This is also a time for spiritual growth and strengthening the family ties. It is the perfect strategy for preventing ungodly behaviors from forming and becoming a permanent part of your children’s character. Satan strives to deceive through the enticement of worldly pleasures.

Incorporate the Spiritual “to-do list” in your home: In addition to your personal worship, have Morning family prayer thanking God for a new day, and asking for His protection, and guidance.

God created us for the primary purpose of worshipping Him. He is just and fair, always ready to assist us in every aspect of our lives.

Go ahead, invite Him into the Busy, Busy, Busy aspect of your life and you will feel the greatest sense of accomplishment that is humanly possible.

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for this day. I ask you to forgive me for not placing you at the top of my list. I desperately need you in my life. I love you and thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

With God, victory is mine!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Winter in Finland

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26 NIV

A milestone is an event or action that makes a significant impact. I can remember as a student nurse witnessing my first birth of a baby. I was in awe as I watched a strong and healthy baby girl enter the world loudly crying the sweet song of freedom. Even the physician laughed and commented that she had a strong set of lungs. We were elated as we congratulated the young mother on the birth of her precious baby. As we documented our nurse’s notes, the nurse who was my preceptor explained that she would never get tired of the beautiful blessing of life.

For anyone that views life as a precious gift will agree that death delivers a terrible sting. This week our family is saddened by the loss of two of our family members due to natural causes. For me it is the passing of my Cousin and my Aunt; however, for their immediate families, it is the loss of a Father/Husband and a Wife/Mother. They were faithful in their roles as loving spouses, parents, nurturers, providers, and role models.

Nothing in life prepares us for the death of a loved one. Death is always personal; it signifies a finality that we are never emotionally prepared for. With every death, there is a loss which produces grief. There is an abyss connected with the impact of death, and if we are not spiritually connected to God, we will be plummeted deeper and deeper into its void.

The process of grieving is God’s gift to restore us to a place of wholeness. We must endure the journey of grieving in order to receive Restoration and Healing. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us, “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” The period of mourning involves acknowledging our loss, reflecting on the beautiful memories, crying endless tears, praying, and studying the Word of God. Reaching out to a spiritual mentor that God has granted the gift to provide grief support is highly recommended.

It is comfort in hearing the words, “I am sorry for your loss.” Last night, my beautiful cousin (who lost her husband) shared some very humorous memories about his card playing techniques. Who would think that we would be able to have a hearty laugh during our time of grief?

It is God who will guide us through the journey as we push forward to function in our daily lives. It is from the kindness and thoughtfulness of others who share their words and time to aid the healing of our wounds of emptiness.

We will never lose hope. God has promised us better days and a perfect life in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old Order of Things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

The Lord is close to the Brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Prayer for today: Dear God, We call on you to grant us comfort, to grant us hope in the time of our travailing journey to restoration and healing from the loss of our loved ones. We believe that you know the pain of death; after all, it was your only Son, Jesus who died for the remission of sin. Please, God, we need your love, your grace, your mercy, and the blessing of HOPE showered upon us right now. These blessings we ask in the Wonderful name of Jesus. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Mount Moran Sunrise

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

“The Lord can be depended upon, and He desires for us to be just as reliable, determined, and stable. This is simply the meaning of faith.” Today’s Devotional–Streams in the Desert–by L. B. Cowman

There have been many advances in the technological and medical arenas in the United States. And yes, I welcome change, if the change results in positive outcomes. My career allowed exposure to many situations that have led me to the conclusion that society no longer places the value on human life that we once possessed.

When is the last time that you had a great conversation as opposed to sending and receiving text messages? Have you invited friends or family for dinner outside of holiday gatherings? Measure the time spent on your desires with that of helping others. I asked myself these questions and was not pleased with my answers. I tried to blame “time” as my enemy who prevented me from showing others that I care. Hmmm! The truth is that it is the easiest option to distance myself and only get involved by praying.

No, I am not discounting the power of Intercessory prayer. It’s just that Galatians 6:2 tells me that I have to do more than pray; I have to share the burdens of my brothers and Sisters. We listen to the testimonies by other individuals at the church that I attend on a weekly basis. There are many miracles that God has performed, and we readily offer praise and thanksgiving for His wonderful blessings. However, there are also individuals who share their struggles and ask for prayer. For those of you who prefer to take your burdens to the Lord in prayer, please be aware that it takes a lot of courage to share your personal burdens in a corporate/communal environment.

God knew that the human touch would be required in most situations. In fact, He strongly emphasizes our duty to one another as obedience to “the law of Christ.” Perform a self-evaluation: What have I done to alleviate the burdens of others? Did I go beyond offering a prayer? Did I call the individual and ask if I could do anything for them?

Life events can become very overwhelming; we are the tangible reflection of God’s love. He expects us to say, “Here I am, send me.” If we love God, then we must obey His law, and love and care for others. We must strive to be “reliable, determined, and stable.” It is time to change our status as “fade away friends,” who hear and do little to comfort others.

Prayer for today: Dear God, Please forgive me for being a fade away friend. Direct me to those who need the human touch which reflects your love for humanity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

“I love you, I love you, I love you, Lord, today because you cared for me in such a special way.”

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Japanese Maple Leaves

I had to share this Devotional again; when we wait for God, the blessing of His approval is upon our lives.

Today’s Devotional–Experiencing GOD Day-by-Day–by Henry T. and Richard Blackaby

New Strength

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. ISAIAH 40:31

At times you may feel so worn out and stressed that you are not sure you can take another step. You may seem to spend all your time running from crisis to crisis and to be constantly giving your time and energy to others. Your Lord wants to renew your strength and enable you to enjoy the abundant life He intends for you. The key is to wait upon Him to do so.

Our generation dos not enjoy waiting. We are harried by all the commitments we have made and the many responsibilities we hold. We rush through our lives without stopping to evaluate our activities. Sometimes in our haste to get on with our work, we race ahead of God. Part of God’s restorative process is to slow us down and make us listen to Him. As we wait on Him, God will remind us of our utter dependence upon His strength. When we slow down and seek His will, He will reveal His plans.

Biblically, waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active. Waiting requires us to cease our own pursuits and give God our complete attention. We may have to give up some of the activities we have allowed to inundate our lives. We may need to take an entire day to sit quietly before the Lord. If we ask Him, God will show us the resources He has provided to help with the work we have been attempting on our own. God may address feelings of guilt that have motivated us to do things that He has not asked us to do.

Jesus carried more responsibility than you do. More people needed Him than will ever need you. Yet He was never overwhelmed or inadequate for the task. Now Christ offers to guide you so that you will fulfill your heavenly Father’s will and gain the strength necessary for each day (Matt. 11:28).

Prayer for today: Dear God, Please teach me to always wait for your guidance. I need your strength to be an overcomer and achieve victory in my daily life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

Good Morning!

I have decided that my Sunday blogs will be dedicated to Rest & Relaxation. It will be my “Mental Health” day to have fun, and to focus on gratitude and thanksgiving.

Since we have experienced a 30 degree drop in temperature for the month of November, we can anticipate a bone-chilling Texas winter. I really wish for a log cabin, and the heat from a fireplace with the smell and sounds of crackling wood. Well at least I can fulfill my wish visually by online (as reflected in this pic) depictions while my cinnamon spice candles carry me away to log cabin dreams.

My plan for today is to relax and make my cinnamon dried flower arrangement.

Have a blessed day and enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for another day of life. Please guide my thoughts, my actions, and my behaviors. May I reflect your love and be a blessing to someone today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz