Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

Practical Messages for Impractical Times
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. John 10:28

Anxieties and worries should never enter the mind of those who believe in God. The Bible records that Jesus always met the physical needs of those He encountered. The miraculous account of five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14) used to feed a hungry multitude demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and love.

The same Jesus who performed countless miracles in biblical times is still available to supply all of our needs. He possesses the only hand that will never let go of our hand. When we hold onto anxieties or worries, it is because we are not holding on to the hand of Jesus. We have placed a burden upon ourselves that God never intended for us to have.

Contemplate on the promise in Matthew 6: 24-34. If one of your friends told you not to worry about paying your rent for the next two months while you are unemployed, you would feel relieved. Would disbelief cloud your mind regarding your friend’s promise? Yet, we let anxiety and worry which stem from unbelief in God, destroy our faith and peace.

God always keeps His promises. His Son-Jesus is our advocate, our Intercessor, our Savior, and our Provider. Place your anxieties, worries, and disbelief into His hands and be transformed into a faithful follower of the only one who will always provide.

Dear God, Please help me to always hold on to the hands of your Son-Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Yet, Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.” Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has born? But, even if that were possible, I would not forget you. Isaiah 49:13-15 NLT

Keep your life free from the Love of Money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 CSB

Reflection on the goodness of God is the only way to prevent discouragement from taking a stronghold in our lives. It is so easy to forget to be thankful when trials and tribulations are hitting us with full force. As believers, we fail to do our part by praying without ceasing, studying the Word of God, and applying the Word to our lives. It is evident why we cannot grow spiritually and be overcomers.

It is God who allows the trials to enter our life. There is a purpose (Study the book of Job) to every hardship we endure. We gain character building, an increase of our faith in God, and loss of pride and self-sufficiency.

We are never alone. God says that although a mother may forget her child, He will never forget us or leave us. We are unable to believe in God’s promises when we are unaware of His commitment. It is imperative that we study on a daily basis. The Bible is nonfiction; it contains historical documentation of the struggles of life and the miraculous deliverance from God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

If we say we love God, then we must believe that He is always there. We are truly-never alone.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (NIV) 1 Corinthians 13:6-8

In our sinful natures, we are unable to meet the criteria for love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13:6-8. It is the always and the never that we are unable to fulfill. There are a lot of acts that I have made a conscious decision to do or not to do; but, truthfully, I have not reached the goal of loving others, as God requires.

The first step to possessing unconditional love is to pray for the understanding of God’s love. Even the Apostle Paul in his writings emphasized the depth of God’s love.

“I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18 NIV

The agape love described in Corinthians can only be found (and attained) through God and received through Jesus Christ. Loving, as God requires is not an impossible dream. When our relationship with God is rock solid, our character is changed and we begin to act, think, and love deeply as our Heavenly Father intended.

Prayer for Today: Dear God, Please help me to understand the depth of your love so that I may love you and others as you command. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]” 1 John 4:18 (AMPC).

Children learn to trust or distrust their parents or caregivers based on their experience. If lovingly raised, they will grow and develop-mentally and emotionally-with the capacity to have healthy relationships with God and others. When the environment involves violence, neglect, or abuse the child matures into an adult with low self-esteem and the inability to trust. There is always an underlying suspicious mindset toward others, in spite of the love they receive.

Unfortunately, the impact of a dysfunctional upbringing impacts our ability to trust God. We are never able to fully give Him our problems, or our hopes and dreams. We attempt to make plans for our lives without asking or waiting for Divine intervention. We live in fear. Fear is the breeding ground for mistrust. Mistrust is the gateway to discouragement and depression.

Talking to God through prayer is the only viable solution. An honest confession of admitting that we do not know how to trust God is the first step to victory. Verbalizing our desire to trust God, naming our fears, sharing our hopes and dreams invites our Heavenly Father to work in our lives. Letting go of discouragement allows us to see life from a spiritual perspective and to hold on to the promises in the Word of God.

Let go of the burdens that have weighed heavily on you since childhood. Trusting God has perks; He is never defeated and you are guaranteed victory when you give all to Him.

Prayer for Today: Dear God, Please teach me to trust you. I am tired of failure, mistrust, and discouragement. Please deliver me from my past, I am ready to trust you with my life. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Thought for today….

Having a secret stillness before God means deliberately shutting the door on our emotions and remembering Him. God is in secret, and He sees us from “the secret place”— He does not see us as other people do, or as we see ourselves. When we truly live in “the secret place,” it becomes impossible for us to doubt God. We become more sure of Him than of anyone or anything else. Enter into “the secret place,” and you will find that God was right in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless you learn to open the door of your life completely and let God in from your first waking moment of each new day, you will be working on the wrong level throughout the day. But if you will swing the door of your life fully open and “pray to your Father who is in the secret place,” every public thing in your life will be marked with the lasting imprint of the presence of God.

My Utmost for His Highest Oswald Chambers

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Nonmaleficence means “to do no harm.” Physicians and Nurses take an oath prior to prescribing and administering treatment and care. To do no harm can also be applied to our daily lives.

I have several outdoor plants which require large daily doses of water, especially during the blistering extended summers in Texas. If I focused on the monthly water bill, my plants would wither and die. It was a choice to plant in the spring and make the commitment to care for the plants regardless of the time and effort. As I watered my plants this morning, I reflected on their beauty and growth. Since the soil is high in nutrients, most of the plants only require sunshine and water. However, the additional step of pruning is required for others to flourish.

It was also a choice to commit my life to God. Because of that choice, I am required to study God’s Word, pray, and accept guidance and correction from the Holy Spirit. Spending time with God is causing my mindset to change. I desire spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Him. God has promised to never withhold good (spiritual) gifts from His children.

To do no harm to my spiritual life requires study, prayer, witnessing, turning away from sin, attending church, and participating in Christian fellowship. Without commitment, I would wither and die.

Prayer for Today: Dear God, Please give me the desire to do what is necessary for my spiritual growth. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

Television game shows have remained popular throughout the decades because we love the opportunity to win. In fact, state lotteries and casinos collect hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from individuals who believe in the “Dollar and a Dream” concept. However, the number of individuals who win is minuscule compared to the monies collected by these entities. So, why do we participate in meaningless activities that promise nothing? Unfortunately, we will never give up hope that acquiring wealth is the solution to everything that we could ever want and need.

In John 14:1-3, Jesus promised us that He would return one day and give us a mansion. Our reward is based on faith and obedience. We do not have to spend money or hold on to a hopeless dream that will never be fulfilled. In fact, Jesus has promised us immortality-eternal life; a beautiful life that is free of problems. Consider the price that has been paid for us to live forever in a new earth that will be more beautiful than our finite minds can imagine. Believe and receive the promise-it is a win-win.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

The most difficult part of change is constantly losing sight of the end result-your goal. There is no easy way to make the journey. Utilize your resource for strength: God is able and willing to be your personal guide and trainer when we make the right choices. So go ahead, change those eating habits, pursue continuing education, walk daily, pay off debt, stop smoking and drinking. Whatever you need to do, you are never alone!

E-Ever Changing (life is not static)

L-Let go (of harmful past behaviors)

I-Information (seek credible facts)

M-Mindset (change your thoughts)

I-Ignorance (replace the unknown)

N-New (acquire healthy behaviors)

A-Action (make a conscious choice)

T-Time (Do it now!)

I-Initiative (you must be motivated)

O-Omnipotent (tap into power from God)

N-Never Negotiate (stick to the plan)

Prayer for Today: Dear God, Please help me to make the major changes in my life that will benefit my relationship with you by becoming the best that I can be. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

As a child, I lived in the Northeast city environment with our home facing a busy street. I never had the opportunity to learn to ride a bicycle until we relocated to Houston, Tx at the age of 12. It was out of necessity that I had to acquire a skill that most children learn at an early age. The difficult task of balancing on a moving object resulted in numerous falls along with sore arms and legs. I can still remember the first time I rode without a fall. The feeling of accomplishment gave me the courage to keep riding on a daily basis. I wish that I could say that I never sustained another fall. Learning how to maneuver the bicycle to avoid objects or cycle over uneven pavement and streets required additional skills. It was a rough year; however, I still possess great cycling skills in mid-age.

As we endure the vicissitudes of life, more often failures exceed our accomplishments. We become discouraged and overwhelmed with disappointment when the expected result is not achieved. Perseverance appears to be a waste of time and we often throw in the towel by giving up. Rethink through self-evaluation; acquiring a new skill is a realistic goal when we have a plan. Our mindset of making giant leaps has to be tweaked to accepting baby step progress. Have you thought about the qualities that you will achieve when you overcome the failures? Endurance boosted self-esteem, and a positive attitude of “I can” are just a few of the characteristics that you will possess along with your new accomplishment.

1. Journaling provides a method for documenting your short-term and long-term goals, the plan for achievement, and a tangible history of your victories along with the defeats. Remember to evaluate and modify your original plan when the steps do not produce the desired outcome.

2. Never forget to seek God in prayer. Asking for Divine intervention gives us an increase in faith and acknowledges our dependency on God.

So, go ahead, and learn to ride the bicycle, anticipate the falls; but, get up and keep going.

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Prayer for Today: Dear God, Please help me to seek you when I fall. I know that you will give me the strength to keep moving forward. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz