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.

“God, I Give You My Heart”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – January 3-4, 2025

“Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37

In 2025, we have the opportunity to live differently by fully dedicating ourselves to God. Love for God is the foundation of our appreciation for Christ’s sacrificial gift of His life to redeem us from sin. True love for God and Jesus Christ reveals a believer who practices the spiritual commitment to honor and revere God. When we choose to possess humility and a teachable spirit, God, the Holy Spirit converts our hearts and begins the lifelong work of spiritual transformation.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —1 John 2:15

“Give us this day” equates to a daily test of our love, faith, and trust in God. From the moment we open our eyes to the new day, we are the recipients of God’s love, grace, and mercy, how will we respond? The [always present] conflict within our hearts forces us to choose between pleasing ourselves or surrendering in humility to God. Our choice reflects the true status of our heart—either I give my heart to God, or it belongs to me.

“O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” —Proverbs 23:26

The earnest cry of “God, not my will, but Your will be done” or “Lord, reveal to me Your plan for today” reveals our desire to surrender to God for the new day of mercies. Giving our heart to God acknowledges that we understand our plight with sin, we cannot gain victory over sin without Divine Help.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ” —Matthew 16:24

Can you recall a school exam that required one essay answer or fill-in-the-blank instead of multiple choice with various answers? Jesus tells us if we desire to follow Him there is only one way, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Salvation has one path. The only way for us to inherit eternal life is to surrender our heart and its never-ending desires. Taking up our cross involves no human deviations, we must obey God.

Galatians 5:22-23, The Fruit of the Spirit identifies the attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character. In addition, “Love, humility, surrender, faith, trust, and obedience” are the additional package of spiritual characteristics that we must have to remain in right standing with God, only then are we covered with Christ’s Righteousness. Our God-given gifts are love, faith, and a sound mind [Romans 12:3 and 2 Timothy 1:7], we pray for Divine strength and use our gifts to overcome sin and its consequences.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” —1 John 5:3

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). God’s commandments extend beyond the Ten Commandments, the Scriptures give us His Righteous Precepts which guide our thoughts, spoken words, behaviors, and lifestyles. Receiving the reward of the Crown of Life mandates a mindset and the perseverance to live a life of no compromise.

“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

Giving our hearts to God is a free-will choice. Righteousness is God’s standard of spiritual excellence that requires our cooperation of daily surrender and obedience empowered by Jesus’ strength. Heart conversion, daily spiritual growth, and character transformation [Sanctification] are performed by the power of the Holy Spirit in our earthly lives to prepare us for the spiritual perfection of eternal life.

Lord God, in humility, we give our hearts to You. We ask You to speak to our hearts and lead us in our earthly journey as we prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray in faith, Amen.

© 2024 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Living Under God’s Divine Protection

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 1, 2025

“So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.” —Luke 4:28-30

Throughout Jesus’ earthly life, the Jewish leaders used various deceptions to attempt to discredit Christ including schemes to kill him, yet they never accomplished their evil desires. Before His fulfillment on Calvary’s Cross, God protected His Son from spiritual warfare and physical harm and danger. Can you imagine enjoying a life filled with peace and no worries despite your challenges from the adversary?

Our natural tendency to embrace self-reliance may give us a feeling of satisfaction, but we set ourselves up for suffering consequences. Perhaps your decision brought the desired outcome, but self-governance separates us from God. Not only do we lose our desire to pray for Divine guidance, but we also detour from the Path of Righteousness to a path of disobedience.

We cannot make a split decision of only trusting God with life’s impossible challenges, our commitment to fully rely on Him also includes praying for guidance in the mundane routine duties of life. From our decision to let go of self-reliance and surrender to God’s will and plans, God rewards us with His Divine blessings of spiritual peace and protection from the adversary.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” —Isaiah 59:19.

Our greatest battle involves the external opposition of spiritual warfare. Satan attacks us through temptations that appeal to our inner desires. God promises to always protect those who love [and obey] Him. John 8:29 is one of my favorite Scriptures. Jesus gives us the answer to living a victorious life—Jesus prayed about everything and stated that He was never alone because He always obeyed His Father’s commands.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27.

As Christ received wisdom and strength from God, the Father to overcome temptation and maintain a calm demeanor despite continual opposition, we can also receive spiritual empowerment. When facing opposition, if our first response is prayer then our surrender immediately places us under God’s Divine Protection. Jesus is our Role Model. His life teaches us that trusting God supplies us with continuous joy, peace, strength, and protection, and gives us the courage to live as victorious overcomers.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you” (Isaiah 43:2). We never suffer from apprehension and anxiety when God is involved. Not only does God have a perfect record of resolving humanity’s challenges and protecting us above and beyond our expectations, but our Father always gives completion and total victory over adversity.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14

Pray, Wait, and “Be still.” Asking for God’s intervention is also a test of our faith, God’s timing is never our timing. We patiently wait and thank Him in advance for the victory. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” —Psalm 32:8

How do we recognize the difference between our thoughts versus the Holy Spirit speaking? Our thoughts of resolution can never give us peace. Even with careful planning, we have feelings of doubt because we have no control over the outcome. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways, through the Scriptures, our prayers, and also our thoughts.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” —John 14:27, NLT

When God, the Holy Spirit speaks, receiving Divine answers of wisdom is like a cool breeze that permeates our mind, body, and soul. Just as a parent reassures a fearful child, Divine peace is a God-given spiritual refreshment that exceeds our understanding. You will know God is speaking because the burden is lifted from your spirit and all is well even before the resolution comes.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17, NIV

The decision to include God in every aspect of your life reaps wonderful blessings. Jesus, Enoch, Noah, Elijah, and Daniel lived extraordinary lives because they understood that love for God is evidenced by steadfast faith, trust, and perseverance. But most importantly, obedience is our highest form of worship.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” —Ephesians 6:10

When we decide to walk with God as Enoch did, whispering prayers throughout our day, we immediately receive God’s Shield of Protection against all spiritual warfare of temptations, deceptions, and physical harm. Beginning our day with prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom, strength, and courage to keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Stop Taking Risks! In 2025, before making decisions whether in routine activities or facing life-changing vicissitudes, commit to always seeking God’s guidance through prayer. Peace and blessings. Happy New Year!

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…” —1 Timothy 6:12

Lord God, for this New Year, and the abundant blessings of Your love, grace, mercies, and protection, we thank You. We desire to live differently by committing to a spirit of humility, surrender, and obedience. Thank You for Your guidance, wisdom, and protection as we face life’s adversities. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Lord, We Thank You

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – December 27, 2024

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” —John 3:16-17

“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will…” —Ephesians 1:4-5

The Plan to Redeem humanity was in place before the world was created—God’s Sovereign Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought of Divine Rescue! The Triune God knew that Adam and Eve would fall, but Agape love committed to creating humanity and carrying out the Plan to save our souls. Although God’s Original Plan for humanity was thwarted, Jesus remained steadfast and fulfilled His Father’s requisite of giving His life so we can escape the penalty of sin.

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” —Revelation 14:12

It was on Calvary’s Cross, that Jesus shouted, “It is Finished!” indicating His victory over sin and death. “Through the Incarnation, Christ’s Divinity embraced our humanity, and the eternal God clothed His Divine Essence in human flesh.” Our gratitude must extend beyond spoken words, will we commit ourselves to surrender daily to God?

The spiritual criteria of surrender and faithful obedience to God have always been required to receive Eternal life. Enoch and Elijah demonstrate that with the human effort of seeking God and remaining obedient to His will and plans, we receive the undeniable power of God to live righteously in our earthly lives.

Because of one fallen angel’s rebellion, “sin has brought to this earth unimaginable pain and sorrow. Sin has wreaked indescribable torment and havoc on humanity.” Still, all of heaven remains committed to helping us win the war over sin: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6). Yes and Amen!

Jesus, we thank You for fulfilling the Plan of Redemption. Because of You, we have been rescued from the tragedy of sin, redeemed by Your blood, and received the invitation to be restored through Your infinite righteousness. Thank You, our Triumphant King for serving as our Heavenly Intercessor and presenting us as faultless before God, the Father. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

© 2024 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry