Author: steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment. You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

As many of you are aware, I have been gifted with the talent of writing. In 2016, I transitioned from writing poetry to writing inspirational devotionals. In 2017, the Holy Spirit instructed me to create a weblog to share messages of hope for living in the last days. I also share on my FB page.

Yesterday, Satan attempted to discourage me by using two individuals to attack the devotional that God had given me. I realize that I was not prepared for a rebuttal against God’s Word. I rationalized that it was not about me, they were attacking the Word of God. However, this morning, I realize what occurred, is about me; it is about my personal relationship with God.

Nothing can happen in my life without God’s permission. I am being tried and tested to strengthen my faith. By trusting in God, I become reliant on His power in every situation. I must continue to study His Word and pray without ceasing. I need to remember that God has me in His loving arms; but, I am required to do my part in building my relationship with Him.

If you are preparing for eternal life, then you can expect trials and tribulations. Do not become weary in well doing. ” I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) The promises of God hold true–He will always take care of His children.

Dear God, thank you for the trials in life. Please help me to realize that I must endure to become more like you. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV

If you are angry with someone that you are close to (spouse or family) then you lack the ability to give and receive unconditional love!

People are not and never will do or say the right things all the time. Forgive and move forward.

Life is about spiritual and personal growth.

FREE your Mind!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Anger Management
Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Anger is the most misused emotion in present society. We use anger to physically, mentally, and emotionally abuse those who are closest to us. In the family, wives/mothers rank the highest as recipients of inappropriate anger.

Anger always produces negative behavior. The problem with misguided anger is that we always say and do things that are extremely hurtful. It eventually replaces the love for others with hostility for others. Biblically, there is no basis for love producing hurt. The phrase “Love Hurts” is from a satanic perspective of God’s love.

Will there be anger in the New Heaven and New Earth? What does God say about anger?
Ephesians 4:26 tells us when we are angry do not sin, and to not let the sun go down while we are still angry.

If you are struggling with inappropriate anger, studying God’s Word and praying are daily necessities to overcome the sin of anger. Prepare your character for Kingdom life one day at a time.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/anger-bible-verses/

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Make your relationship with God a personal one. Dear God, Help me to be desperate for you. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Have you noticed that when you walk up an incline it takes much more effort than walking on a flat surface? Your brain signals the cardiovascular system to supply the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems with additional blood enriched with molecules of oxygen.

The same concept applies to our spiritual life. We are on a upward journey in preparation for eternal life. The oxygen enriched blood is the Word of God. Prayer connects us to our spiritual commander/leader-Jesus Christ.

The body pumps the correct amount of blood to sustain life for that given day. Daily prayer and study of God’s Word is the required sustenance to strengthen us to achieve our upward climb.

Dear God, please give me the desire to sustain my spiritual climb through diligent prayer and study of you Word. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

We the created beings, loved by God, were never an after-thought. The omnipotent God knew that Adam and Eve would fall. If Lucifer developed the sinful characteristic of pride, and we were created lower than the angels, then is makes the plan of salvation intact prior to creation. I am sharing another author’s discernment of the plan.

Before Creation

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. 1: 9.

The purpose and plan of grace existed from all eternity. Before the foundation of the world it was according to the determinate counsel of God that man should be created, endowed with power to do the divine will. But the defection of man, with all its consequences, was not hidden from the Omnipotent, and yet it did not deter Him from carrying out His eternal purpose; for the Lord would establish His throne in righteousness. God knows the end from the beginning. . . . Therefore redemption was not an afterthought . . . but an eternal purpose to be wrought out for the blessing not only of this atom of a world but for the good of all the worlds which God has created.

Ellen G. White Devotional-God’s Amazing Grace

Have a blessed and prayerful day.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19

Oh Lord, how excellent is your name; Jesus your name is above all other names. Please give us the strength to wait in faith for deliverance from our troubles. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

No weapon formed against you will succeed…Isaiah 54:17

I always pray for a great day, which I define as free of any problems. This morning, I received a text message which reminded me of God’s promise that when I trust in Him, the weapon (event) that I am facing will not overpower my life.

I have now revised my prayer to thank God for a great day because I am alive. Trusting God and reading His Word ensures me of a victorious life that only He can provide.

Dear God, thank you for revealing to me that I can have victory over the vicissitudes of life through you. Amen.

This is love: not that we loved God, but, that he loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 NIV

Often, I browse on Buy, Trade, Sell sites and there are several items listed as “free”. While the offer may seem generous, the items usually are worn and have irreparable damage. The thought would often cross my mind, as to who would be so desperate to desire damaged goods. Then I learned about the concept of repurposing; the recipient of the free item has a vision for transformation.

The desire to take what appears to be damaged beyond repair is exactly what Jesus did for us. He knew that we would be tattered and broken from sin. However, He had a purpose that would transform us from our damaged state into the newness of life. By His death, we are entitled to salvation-the only free gift that all can receive.

Thank you God for giving your Son that we may be transformed by accepting your free gift of salvation.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land. NUMBERS 14:38

The decisions and disobedience of others will not cancel God’s will for you. Other people’s actions will affect you, but no one can prevent what God wants to do in and through you. Joshua and Caleb trusted God and yet were forced to wander in a wilderness for forty years because of the fear and disbelief of others.

Have you ever felt that someone was thwarting God’s will for you? Perhaps someone kept you from getting a job or earning a promotion. Perhaps the government would not approve your application or a committee disagreed with your recommendation. Do you believe that mere man can stop God from accomplishing His purpose in your life?

God did everything He intended to do in the lives of Joshua and Caleb. His primary assignment for them had not been to enter the Promised Land but rather to serve as godly leaders of their people. Joshua and Caleb could not lead the people if they were in the Promised Land by themselves while the people were still wandering in the wilderness! God kept these leaders in a position where they could exert a godly influence upon their nation, and, as a result, they became models of spiritual leadership for generations to come. Even so, God ultimately brought Caleb and Joshua into the Promised Land just as He had said. They had been delayed but not thwarted. Be assured of this: No one can hinder God from carrying out His plans for your life. Once God sets something in motion, no one can stop it (Isa. 46:11).

From Today’s Devotional Experiencing God Day-by-Day

It is a common belief that other individuals prevent us from receiving blessings. No weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Your desire was not in God’s plan for your life. Have a blessed day. Sonya Johnson Ruiz