Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

It takes faith, trust, courage, and perseverance to serve God in today's unstable world. Yet, we are never alone. Pray every day and pray often. Study the Bible. The Scriptures are a Love Letter from God to those who accept Jesus as their personal Savior. You will receive comfort, knowledge, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. "I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3. Be blessed in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Journey to Self-Denial

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel 1:12

My struggle to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle has always been a daunting task. Failure after failure resulted in a “Pre-Diabetic” diagnosis in mid-life. With a maternal and paternal family history of Cardiac Disease, Diabetes and Hypertension, it was inevitable that I would suffer from these conditions. I was fatigued, moody, and experienced daily chronic pain in my lower joints.

During a visit to my Primary Care MD, he recommended a daily medication used for Diabetes with the side effect of decreased appetite. I reluctantly agreed to take the medication; however, it kickstarted my weight loss. The old saying is true-All good things come to an end. The side effect of decreased gastric motility caused me to stop the medication after one month. I was disappointed because I had lost 12lbs in 4 weeks.

God knew my desire and had another plan for the transition to a healthy lifestyle. I was reading the story of Daniel and the Hebrew boys who asked to eat a diet as opposed to the food offered by King Nebuchadnezzar. The previous knowledge of following a Vegan diet from 2007-2009 allowed me to reflect on past eating habits. In desperation, I admitted that I was weak and undisciplined, and asked God for His Divine intervention.

Fast forward one year later, I have lost 40lbs and 10 inches from my waist. I no longer suffer from chronic pain. My mood has stabilized, and I am full of energy. The most incredible changes are the loss of desiring unhealthy foods and a new body image. I am eating a plant-based diet, and have incorporated a daily walking plan which has resulted in a normal HgA1c blood level–no more Pre-Diabetes.

I have only made these changes because of my dependency on God. Being an overcomer involves praying when I am faced with the temptation of appetite. I thank God for always providing a way out when I desire foods that are harmful. It is a choice to deny what I desire. My testimony is that it is worth following God’s victorious plan for my life.

Prayer for Today: Dear God, Thank you for intervening on my behalf, in my journey for living a healthy lifestyle. As I continue on this path of self-denial, I ask for the strength to choose healthy foods. I realize the dietary instructions that you provide in the Bible are for my benefit. Please help me to overcome my unhealthy eating habits. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Beautiful Nature

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet, I say unto you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29

The many stressors that exist in each of our lives can be alleviated by taking the time to simply enjoy the beauties of nature. God created an earth which is still full of splendor and breath-taking scenes of tranquillity.

Many individuals have become addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, and other temporary and expensive fixes to provide a false serenity. It is unnecessary to spend hundreds of dollars on exclusive spa treatments when the beauty of nature is free of cost.

Challenge yourself to discover the glorious things of nature which reflect the love of our Creator, and point to the treasures of an eternal life.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Christ Our Example

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

Christ never murmured, never uttered discontent, displeasure, or resentment. He was never disheartened, discouraged, ruffled, or fretted. He was patient, calm, and self-possessed under the most exciting and trying circumstances. All His works were performed with a quiet dignity and ease, whatever commotion was around Him.

Applause did not elate Him. He feared not the threats of His enemies. He moved amid the world of excitement, of violence and crime, as the sun moves above the clouds. Human passions and commotions and trials were beneath Him. He sailed like the sun above them all. Yet He was not indifferent to the woes of men. His heart was ever touched with the sufferings and necessities of His brethren, as though He Himself was the one afflicted. He had a calm inward joy, a peace which was serene. His will was ever swallowed up in the will of His Father. Not My will but Thine be done, was heard from His quivering lips.

Ellen G White

Our Only Savior

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

God is here. He has provided us with the reassurance that He loves us and will always be with us, leading and guiding through every situation.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are MINE!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One your Savior.

Do not be afraid for I am with you! Isaiah 43: 1-3, 5

Dear God, There are times that I do not remember that you are always with me. In every situation, you have promised to take care of me. Please help me to acknowledge that you are my only Savior and Deliverer. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Pleasing God or Pleasing Others

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Galatians 1:10 NLT

At times you will have to make a choice between pleasing God and pleasing those around you, for God’s ways are not man’s ways (Isa. 55:8-9). As important as it is to strive for good relations with others, it is even more important to maintain a steadfast and obedient relationship with Christ. Disobeying God to keep peace with other people is never wise. Peace with God is always paramount.

Jesus warned that obeying Him might cause division in your relationships (Matt. 10:35-36). At times obedience to God sets family members at odds with each other (Matt. 10:35-36). When you follow Jesus’ Lordship, your family may misunderstand, or even oppose you, yet your obedience to God reflects your identity as His child. Jesus said that those who obey His will are His brothers and sisters (Luke 8:21). God does not intend to divide the home, but He places obedience before domestic harmony.

It is important to get alone in quietness with God so that you understand what pleases Him. The world’s thinking will mislead you more easily when you are not clear about what God desires. Determine that you will please your Lord regardless of the opinion of others.

Excerpt from Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry T. and Richard Blackaby

Receiving Greater Benefits

Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38 NLT

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT

The liberal Soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered. Proverbs 11:25 KJV

Excerpts from Amazing Facts Daily Devotional Helping Others

If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we shall have something to tell. . . .

The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated. There is no room for sloth or selfishness. Those who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow, and will become strong to work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions, a steady, growing faith, and an increased power in prayer. The Spirit of God, moving upon their spirit, calls forth the sacred harmonies of the soul, in answer to the divine touch.

Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the good of others, are most surely working out their own salvation. The only way to grow in grace is . . . to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give them. Ellen G, White

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

The benefits of helping others reap blessings on the giver. You will never experience depression, anxiety, or hopelessness when you are sharing Christ’s love, your time, and your resources. The blessings will run over; and remember, God always keeps His promises.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz