Daily Devotional Reading – Page 3 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Speaking Words of Gratitude Is Life-Changing

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 27, 2024

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” —Psalm 34:1

From a shepherd boy to the King whose bloodline Jesus was born, David is our ultimate example of praising God even when adversity seeks to take your life. Although the prophet Samuel anointed David as God’s Chosen King as a teen, David remained a fugitive [Approx. 15 years] fleeing from King Saul whose jealousy and rage produced the desire to take David’s life.

During his time on the run, David, hid in caves, navigated through mountainous terrain, experienced nature’s changing climates, often lacked food, was under the constant threat of spies, and had to provide for himself and the men who banded together as warriors like him. The one time he was caught, David pretended to be deranged in front of the foreign king Abimelech [Psalm 34] who quickly released him.

God developed righteous character traits [including humility and obedience] and a warrior spirit in David during his years of adversity. Once David became king, the palace was always tumultuous due to the ongoing animosity from his advisors and subordinates, who could not openly disrespect the king; however, their eyes revealed the covert hostility hidden deep within their hearts. Anarchy emerged from two of his sons, Princes Absalom and Adonijah who attempted to overthrow David, but God intervened, and who can win a battle against God?

“This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.” —Psalm 34:6

As a boy, David tended sheep and played the harp, yet, he was born with a courageous warrior spirit. God empowered [the boy] David to kill a lion and bear with his hands. As a young man, he led King Saul’s armies, defeating countless pagan armies. As King, the command to annihilate his enemies required only a few spoken words, yet, he humbled himself in obedience to God and withstood his grievous trials.

The book of Psalms reveals the King’s constant cries for God’s help and strength, yet, the Psalms are prayers of adoration, gratitude, and trust in the Lord. David, a gifted musician and writer loved God, his praises of gratitude comprise 150 chapters. God called David, “a man after His own heart.” Throughout his life, God reassured David that he was loved and protected—King Saul and David’s sons never had the opportunity to kill David.

“I, the LORD, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” —Jeremiah 17:10

Would our praises, prayers, and songs fill a book? When our love and loyalty are genuine, we readily honor God with much gratitude expressed through praise, prayers, and diligent study of His Holy Scriptures. Praise and worship are also reflected through daily surrender and obedience.

Many believers have conflicted feelings toward God as demonstrated by the failure to surrender and obey. It is easy for our worship to become ritualistic. Without loyalty and obedience, we cannot experience spiritual growth. Praise extends beyond church services. When we are in the right standing with God, our praise flows like a boundless waterfall—Abundant love for God produces endless praise!

“Yet I have this against you—that you no longer love Me as you did at first.” —Revelation 2:4

Where do we stand in our love relationship with Jesus Christ who is the Truth, the Life, and the Way? God is Love! We were created to love, praise, and worship God with our hearts, souls, and minds. Whether our sins are unintentional or from the refusal to surrender ourselves completely to the will of God, His love and faithfulness remain steadfast.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” —Ezekiel 36:26

God never abandons us! Great is His Faithfulness! Our Heavenly Father always extends mercies and gives us hope by admonishing us to repent, receive His mercies of forgiveness, and begin again. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). All praises to our Loving Father. Amen.

We are the recipients of Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross. Even in adversity, God is Good. Praise in our earthly lives prepares us for the reward of our forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Love for God is revealed in consistent praise—adoration is a righteous character trait. True Christianity consists of a heart filled with gratitude to God expressed through spoken and written words, prayers, and singing.

El Shaddai is one of the ways that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) is referred to in the Jewish Bible. The phrase is Hebrew. It can be understood as “God Almighty or All-Sufficient God the Sustainer/Provider.”

Only El Shaddai can bless us with the breath flowing through our lungs. The song, “Count your blessings, see what the Lord has done” reminds us of God’s Sovereignty and awakens us from our spiritual sleep. God is our only Source of Life. Today was another day of life, personally gift-wrapped by El Shaddai. Expressing gratitude to God redirects our focus from the receiver (ourselves) to God, the Giver of all good things.

Anxiety, worry, frustration, and defeat cannot exist in those whose hearts are overflowing with gratitude for their daily blessings. David is our example of expressing real love for God through praise and thanksgiving. Every day speak affirmative words, sing songs, and lift your hands in surrender to our Heavenly Father who deserves love, joy, honor, and adoration! Yes and Amen!

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear [reverence] the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” —Psalm 34:8-9

Lord God, we lift Your Holy Name in praise by giving You the honor and glory that is rightfully yours. Lord, we love You and thank You for the continuous blessings of breath in our bodies, health, strength, and our necessities of life. Thank You for Your Divine Intervention when facing adversity and for the peaceful times. Thank You for Your faithfulness, love, grace, and mercies. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Live As One Who Is Forgiven

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 25, 2024

“This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and rescued you from Saul. 8 I gave you your master Saul’s house and his wives. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if this weren’t enough, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise my word by doing what I considered evil? You had Uriah the Hittite killed in battle. You took his wife as your wife. You used the Ammonites to kill him. 10 So warfare will never leave your house because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” —2 Samuel 12:7-10, GNT

King David’s Prayer of Repentance for the Sin Against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah: Psalm 51

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight— Verses, 1-4

With a Father’s love, God granted King David mercy following his sinful actions. Although he suffered the lifelong consequences of his decisions, God continuously protected David from his enemies [including his sons, Absalom and Adonijah]. David proves that with God, we can strive to live as one who is forgiven by renouncing sin and staying before the Throne of Grace.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11

Because we acknowledge that our God is Sovereign and His thoughts and plans for our lives are perfect, we would think trusting and obeying Him would be easy. But the reality is that we fight an internal battle every day to overcome the desires of our hearts. Many believers fail to pray for God’s will. Every day they pursue their desires never perceiving their actions as disobedience against God.

Satan deceives us into believing that God measures sins as great or insignificant, big or little, yet, God declares that all sin is the transgression of His law. Wilful disobedience challenges God’s Authority and signifies overt rebellion against His Righteous Character. From the history of the Israelites, we learn the sins we choose to commit occur because the desire for the particular sin is hidden in our hearts.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” —James 1:14-15

Every sin arises from our inherited heart filled with the desire for self-gratification. None of us are exempt from seeking sinful pleasures. Even, the Apostle Paul confessed, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing (Romans 7:19). Truthfully, we do not understand our hearts, it is easier to do wrong than to live righteously.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).

We need the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom to perceive sin for what it really is—any thought or action we commit outside of God’s will [for us] is sin. Every morning, we receive the gift of new mercies of another day of life. Either we choose the path of disobedience—rebellion against God by choosing our plans or the path of faithful obedience through our initial prayer: “Lord, I surrender myself and ask You to reveal Your plans for my life today.”

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). The failure to surrender reveals the heart issue of loving ourselves more than we love God and the desire to live according to our earthly plans. If God required His only Son to live a life of poverty, and rejection, and to die a criminal’s death then with heartfelt love for Jesus, we reveal our appreciation for the gift of salvation through obedience to God’s Divine plans.

Christ’s Testimonial of Obedience: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” —John 8:29

Jesus’ Internal Struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane: ” ‘Abba, Father,’ He said, ‘all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.'” —Luke 22:42-43

Even if we have little knowledge of the Scriptures, reflecting on the life of Christ and His inner struggle in the Garden reflects God’s unchangeable requirement of Faithful Obedience. The Father honored His Son for His obedience. God intervened in Jesus’ struggle to fulfill the Plan of Redemption for us.”…an angel appeared, strengthening Him.” Thank You Jesus for Your unfailing obedience!

All praises to God, the Father for giving Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb the supernatural strength to complete the Plan of Redemption to save our souls. Through prayer, we receive Jesus’ strength to empower us to overcome all temptation and live dedicated and obedient lives.

Still, God’s gift of Grace does not give us the leeway to follow our thoughts and inclinations. Every believer who desires the Crown of Life must seek God daily for His will to be revealed by the Holy Spirit and fulfill His Divine plans for the given day. Love propels us to obey!

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” —Matthew 22:37

To love God is to know His Righteous and Loving Character and follow in Jesus’ steps through surrender and obedience. The Holy Bible is our Guidebook for traveling the spiritual journey from earth to heaven. Because it is an immediate response for us to follow our desires, God, the Father sent His Spirit—the Holy Spirit also known as the Spirit of Truth to teach, reveal, and guide our steps in our wilderness journey.

In our daily activities, adherence and obedience to laws are essential, extending from governmental regulations to county and city ordinances that govern human behavior and delineate criminal activity. Employers have policies that coincide with labor laws, enforce nondiscriminatory treatment, and define productivity guidelines, and appropriate behaviors. Termination is the standard penalty for character deficits and infractions of established policies.

Reflection: If we obey human laws what prevents us from obeying God’s Sovereign Laws and Precepts?

Like Eve, we have been deceived by Satan who tells us, “You will not surely die” from our acts of disobedience. So we attend church, give tithe and offerings, treat others respectfully, and do not commit outrageous sins. To compensate for our failure to obey God through surrender and faithful obedience, like Cain who offered God his idea of the sacrificial offering, we try to please God with our actions, believing He is satisfied.

Worldviews are built on sinful habits. Whether we chase success, spend money frivolously (the love of money is the root of all evil), engage in friendships and romantic liaisons with unbelievers (Do not make mismatched alliances with them, it is inconsistent with your faith), or practice sexual immorality (the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body), our sin is against God.

The violation of God’s Righteous Precepts and Moral Law is a matter of life or death, they are the Standards for receiving the reward of Eternal Life. God says He does not change. There is no leniency as Satan desires for us to believe. “Middle of the Road or Compromised Christianity” is still a sin. If we truly love God, we do His will. Pray, listen, and obey. We cannot overcome the innate desires of our hearts without surrendering to God and asking for His Divine Help which we receive through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Daniel, and Job lived sinless lives. With determination, and the desire to live holy and acceptable lives, they prayed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, dedicated human beings overcame sin by the power of Jesus’ strength. God gifted us with the power of self-control and the privilege of praying for help when tempted.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” —2 Timothy 1:7, AMP Bible

The human effort of total surrender to God invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine strength to say No to sin. We are soldiers in the Army of God. We prepare for spiritual war daily through prayer, consecration, and surrender. In our battle with evil, we always need God’s help. Angels fight spiritual warfare that we cannot see. Still, we must be courageous in standing down invitations designed to separate us from God.

God is Love! When we fall, in humility, we repent. God’s Promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Yes, and Amen! We Can Live as One Who Is Forgiven by stepping into our role as surrendered and faithful warriors anointed with the Matchless Strength of Jesus Christ.

“I call heaven and earth to witness this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—that you and your offspring shall live.” —Deuteronomy 30:19

“Choosing life involves: Loving God, Walking in God’s Ways, Keeping God’s Commandments, and Having a Radical Change of Heart.” Yes, and Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for the precious gift of Jesus Christ. We ask for forgiveness of the sin of rebellion against Your Sovereign Authority. We desire to live as one who is forgiven and pray for direction and protection from the evil one. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Preparing for Kingdom Life One Day at a Time

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – November 23, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

To receive eternal life, our agenda must be God’s agenda. “I can come to Jesus, just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.”

Sanctification is a lifelong journey of the transformation of our character, mind, and personality into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. God says, “Be holy for I am Holy (1 Peter 1:16). The prayer of surrender and the life of obedience is reflected in the daily prayer, Not my will, but Your will be done. From our willingness to completely obey God, we invite the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts, give us spiritual wisdom, and to begin the spiritual process of transformation.

We cannot judge ourselves. Like King David, we pray, “Search my heart God and reveal any wicked thing within Me.” Christ, our Triumphant King is our Spiritual Role Model who humbled himself to come to Earth, live in poverty, and die a criminal’s death for us. If we possess any other attitude besides humility then it does not reflect the Righteousness of Christ. He was humble even to death on the cross. Peace and blessings.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of your life on Calvary. Amen.

Because of God’s Loving Kindness, Always Rejoice!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 19, 2024

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness, I have drawn you.” —Jeremiah 31:3

To understand God’s love, we must diligently search the Scriptures. From tolerating the rebellion of the Israelites for 40 years to His intervention of giving them victory over enemy armies to the gift of Redemption through Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross, we have infallible proof that God’s love for humanity is steadfast.

Yet intellectual knowledge does not affirm or give us confidence in God’s love. Worship must evolve into a lifestyle in which we consistently reflect on God’s Loving and Righteous Character and His faithfulness. From our many challenges, deep within our hearts, we know with conviction that God has given us victory.

“I will never leave you or forsake you is Christ’s promise. God is the Sustainer of our lives. “The Hebrew word ruach (רוּחַ) refers to the breath of God in the Bible and is translated as ‘spirit’ or ‘wind.’ It is a representation of God’s essence, which sustains life and animates all living things.”

God’s Love Revealed in Adversity: “As long as my breath is in me, And the breath of God in my nostrils, My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.” —Job 27:3-4

Although Job did not understand the severe adversity in his life, he maintained his integrity and the goodness of God by proclaiming his life was sustained by the breath of God. Something is not right when we receive our Heavenly Father’s blessings beyond measure and our temperament reveals unhappiness, anxiety, worry, and fear. Do we believe that God desires our happiness?

Scripture Validates God’s Desire for Our Happiness: The Story of Creation reveals a perfect and breathtaking world that Christ created for Adam and Eve. The planet we live on was made for humanity. Even with Earth’s rapid decline, through actual or virtual traveling, nature still gives us evidence of Jesus, the Master Artist’s love of resplendent beauty.

The apostle Paul tells us to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). If God promised to give us all of our provisions, Jesus died to redeem us from our sins, protects us from the enemy’s spiritual war, sustains our lives, and is waiting to provide us with a forever home in the New Heaven and New Earth, why aren’t we praising God for His goodness?

King Solomon Identifies Our Source of Unhappiness: Everything Has Its Time: “To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

1. God’s timing never coincides with our desire for instant gratification. God rarely fast-tracks. With faith, we must “Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

2. Our goals do not align with God’s plans to prepare us for Eternal life. We desire total fulfillment in our earthly lives instead of focusing on John 14:1-3.

3. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Our heart desires self-governance and self-reliance which opposes God’s requisites to surrender and obey.

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” —John 8:29

Obedience to God is the gateway to living happy, peaceful lives. Every morning, with thanksgiving, we proclaim our love to our Heavenly Father through our vow of surrender and faithful obedience. Our prayer for God’s will to be done demonstrates our love, reverence, and honor to His Sovereignty because we owe our very existence to Him.

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” —Genesis 2:7

We rejoice because we are alive! Yes and Amen to receiving God’s mercies of this new day. We show our appreciation of God’s Agape love with praise and singing. Our Heavenly Father is the Supreme Source of Life. Each breath represents God’s breath flowing in and out of our lungs. Thank You, God. Amen.

“In the Bible, there are many benefits to living a faithful and obedient life, including Protection: The Lord saves and protects the righteous from trouble and the wicked. “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience], And He rescues [each of] them.” —Psalm 34:7, Amplified Bible

“…When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). Despite facing adversity and temptation, Job Chapter 1 shows that our Loving Savior, Jesus Christ protects us by restricting the harm Satan wishes to inflict on righteous believers. Thank You, Triumphant King!

Another gift we seldom acknowledge as a blessing is our careers and jobs. King Solomon reminds us that work is designed to be a blessing and a source of happiness and satisfaction. “What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” —Ecclesiastes 3:9-11, NIV

Career/Job Dissatisfaction: According to TeamStage statistics, “globally almost half of the employees love their job.” So let’s place a guestimate of 48% of those who love their jobs and the majority, 52% are dissatisfied with their present career choice. Not one Christian believer should fall into the majority of individuals who are dissatisfied with their jobs.

After creating Adam, Christ gave the first man the responsibility of naming every living animal and caring for his home, the Garden of Eden. When we seek God and ask Him to reveal His plans for our lives, it also includes His choice of our career path. If we obey, we receive His blessing and the empowerment to use our innate gifts and talents for His honor and glory.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” —Colossians 3:23

When we commit and surrender to God’s will, we enjoy His plans for our lives. With a spirit of humility, we gain satisfaction from our daily work because our priority is to please God. The promotion you hoped for that did not come to fruition was not God’s plan for your life. We may never receive human validation, yet, the true believer does not require praise from others.

The Overwhelming Root of Dissatisfaction: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” —Hebrews 13:5

Nothing should motivate us and create happiness more than a job well done. Money is not a motivator! Many individuals receive less compensation than their qualifications, yet, they enjoy peace, joy, and happiness because they obediently fulfill their God-given purpose. Self-sufficiency separates us from God who created us to depend on His plans and power.

Tests, Trials, and Adversity: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” —1 Peter 4:12

Fiery trials are God’s method of saving our souls. Many believers’ characters and personalities do not align with Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 4:32], therefore God allows hardships to test and strengthen their faith and obedience and purge their character defects. Still, we must admit our faults and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for spiritual transformation.

The Prophet Jeremiah Reminds Us of God’s Loving Kindness: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” —John 17:24

Missing Out On God’s Blessings? Do Not Settle for Less!

Practical Messages for Impractical Times — Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 13, 2024

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.’ ” —Genesis 12:1-2

Devout Christians love God and others, pray, study the Bible, and do not commit wilful sin against God, still, many do not enjoy the peace and victory and often miss out on God’s greatest blessings. How is this possible? Let’s reflect on God’s command to Abram: He told him to leave his country, relatives, and friends.

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” —Genesis 12:4-5

Yet, Abram did not obey God’s command. Abram’s Disobedience: Why did he take his nephew Lot?

To understand the context of this story, we must think of Biblical times, walking, tending to animals, and setting up and taking down camp until one reaches their destination. Although relocation requires major adjustments, because Abram did not possess the inner peace that comes from total obedience to God, he had apprehensions and fear within his heart.

The Result of Disobedience: When arriving in Egypt, he lied that Sarai, his wife was his sister, and Pharoah attempted to take Sarai to be his wife. God immediately intervened [Study Genesis 12:10-20]. However disobedience produces continuous consequences, and once Abram and Lot settle into the promised country, a conflict arises between Abram and Lot’s workers.

“Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s.” —Genesis 13:5-7

Human Resolution: “So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” —Genesis 13:8-9

“Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company…” —Genesis 13:10-11

Not only was Lot, Abram’s nephew disrespectful by choosing the best land, but the hidden pride and greed in Lot’s heart was exposed. Because we live in perilous times, many individuals would not understand the issue of a younger person choosing the best for themselves. “Well, he told me to choose and I did” is not justifiable in following God’s commands in honoring our elders.

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” —Leviticus 19:32

In Leviticus 19:32, God commands the people to “stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God.” For believers, respect for older individuals is connected to honoring God. Yes, the elderly may be wrong in many circumstances, but still, we cannot respond verbally. We have to remain silent and pray for them. God will intervene through the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts.

Lot’s Greed Results in Cohabitation with Pagans: “Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” —Genesis 13:12-13

God’s promise to Abram, ‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing’ ” did not include his nephew. Not only did Abram have to settle for the second best of the land, but Lot’s choice and disrespect produced tragic results in his life that also impacted Abram and Sarai.

Genesis 14: Lot, his family, and their possessions were taken by enemy kings. Abram intervened with armed servants to free Lot. Genesis 19: Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed, Lot loses all possessions, his wife dies, and his depraved daughters plan a diabolical scheme to commit incest with their drunken father and produce children that produce a nation of idolaters.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46

Disobedience is an innate trait that lies within every human heart. Our greatest enemy is ourselves! Because of inherited sin, we can never satisfy the innate desires of our hearts nor do we remain content even when we receive the things that we desire. Impatience, relationships, and the love of material things and money have caused many believers to make counterproductive decisions.

We may not face immediate consequences, but the passing of time reveals our misguided choices, and we will ultimately regret choosing the temptation of “Second Best.” God is not a God of Instant Gratification. Because we know that God waits to bless us, we can spiritually discern the presenting situation as one of Satan’s temptations if we are being coerced to make an immediate decision.

Relationships [often leading to marriage] with those whom God has not chosen for us rank as the highest act of disobedience. Also high on the list are choosing the wrong friends, careers, jobs, relocation, and practicing worldly behaviors and habits that place us in opposition to God. Because “we want what we want when we want it,” we nurture a spirit of disobedience resulting in chaos and missing out on the many wonderful blessings God desires to give us.

“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

To receive God’s promised and abundant blessings, we must obey His exact commands without adding or taking away from His instructions. Standing down our wayward desires is the hardest battle we face. Every day, we are presented with Satan’s schemes to make us fall. Yet, we are not helpless. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus knows our weaknesses and promises to give us strength. Pray out loud when tempted, physically walk away, and learn to say No! Tell yourself, I love God and will not sin against Him!

Reflection: What or Who do you need to let go of to escape the Land of Disobedience and step into a life of freedom with God? When emotions and personal preferences are involved, we need Divine Help! We pray continuously and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any lifestyle choices that prevent us from total surrender and obedience to God, and for the supernatural strength to let go of those choices.

“…Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.” —Jeremiah 11:4

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

God’s Ultimate Goal: “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” —John 14:1-3

Every believer’s ultimate goal should align with God’s goal of saving their souls. No earthly relationship, job, or material blessing can compare with Jesus’ Greatest Blessing of giving us Eternal Life! Jesus created us with natural desires and dreams, yet, we honor Him by not following our thoughts and inclinations [Proverbs 3:5-6].

Nowhere in the Bible can we find that God gave the righteous second best. Allow God to fulfill His promises by making a covenant to Obey and Wait on the Lord. Yes, it is difficult to make the right choice and live it out from day to day but to be in the right standing with God by obeying Him gives us His best blessings and inner peace, joy, and happiness. Obedience, Patience, and Perseverance prepare us for a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sin of self-gratification and disobedience. We ask You to give us the strength to overcome our inner desires. Today, we make a covenant to faithfully trust and obey Your Divine choices that always bring completion and victory to our lives. Thank You for loving and caring for us. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Practical Messages for Impractical Times is a series that addresses the gap between hearing and studying the Scriptures and their application to the Christian Believer’s life. Peace and Blessings as we strive to “Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Keeping Ourselves Before the Throne of Grace

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 11, 2024

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” —1 Peter 5: 7

This morning, I began a season of prayer for a situation I cannot resolve without Divine Help. As I was praying, the Holy Spirit spoke to me [through my thoughts] with instructions to begin fasting at that moment. During, my worship, I also studied Joshua chapter 6 which gives us the story of God’s exact instructions to Joshua on marching around Jericho.

God desires to give us a victorious life, but we must depend on Him by dedicating ourselves to setting aside uninterrupted time through prayer and fasting. When the disciples could not cast out the child’s demons they asked Jesus, “Why not?” Jesus’ answer: “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’ ” (Mark 9:28-29).

The disciple’s lack of faith prevented them from performing the miracle. We can never reach the point of having too much faith. Building steadfast faith requires more than our daily routine of 20 to 30 minutes of prayer and Bible study. To live as an overcomer means we must deny ourselves by dedicating more of our time to God and learning to hear His Voice.

As of today, I am a witness that obedience is the gateway to victory. I no longer carry the burden from last week that disrupted my peace of mind night and day. During my fast, from much prayer and studying the story of Jericho’s walls falling from the people marching around the city, I have a deeper understanding of God’s faithfulness. Still, I had to use faith to acknowledge His Sovereign Power and yes, I thanked Him for the victory in advance.

Excerpt from “The Privilege of Prayer” by EGW

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).”

“His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice.”

“There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest.”

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.” —Psalm 147:3-5

“The relationship between God and each soul is as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watch care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.” [End of Quote]

“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” —Romans 8:26-28

Through Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and Mediator, we are given complete access to God’s Divine Power and Presence through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only imparts Jesus’ strength in our weaknesses but He [God, the Holy Spirit] also takes our prayers that ascend as sweet incense to God, Jesus Christ, our High Priest in the Heavenly Holy of Holies.

Committing to surrender and faithfully obeying God is a sign that we love and honor Him. God also honors us by intervening against our enemies and resolving life’s challenges. We have a Loving Father who grants us spiritual blessings beyond measure. Yes, we have the assurance that the Triune God will intervene on our behalf when we keep ourselves before His Throne of Grace. Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for loving us and the privilege of seeking Your help without constraint in our time of need. We give you the honor and glory that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Sin Is a Bully!

Sin Is a Bully Devotional Reading

The young man told the story of his family being missionaries for 20 years in a rural village in Peru. He had three brothers who along with their parents were content with the routine of everyday life. But he confessed that he was the adventurous one who was always eager to accompany anyone who was taking a trip into the mountains to forage for berries or medicinal herbs.

One of the men started a business as a tour guide in the mountains. This particular hike was one into unfamiliar territory and with his father’s permission, he joined the large group for the day trip. All was well until he had to use the bathroom. Instead of notifying the guide that he needed to stop, he felt confident with his prior hiking knowledge and left the group.

Veering off the trail he paid attention to his surroundings, but the attempt to return the same way posed a major problem. He had walked deeper into the thick forest than he realized. All of the trees and foliage looked the same. His mind became filled with questions, Did I walk straight into the bush? Where are the broken twigs that I stepped on? As he walked straight ahead toward his perception of where the trail was, he knew that he was lost.

At the age of 15, he felt embarrassed and ashamed. He failed to follow the safety protocol by notifying the guide that he needed to stop. Since he grew up in this mountainous area, what would the other hikers think of him for becoming lost? Those thoughts prevented him from calling out for help. Yet, he had to make a decision, the group was going on without him.

Finally, he began to pray for forgiveness for his wilful disobedience and then he asked God to show him the way back to the trail. After what seemed like forever, the teenager begin to hear the voices of the other hikers. His prayer was answered! God in His mercy led him safely out. There were so many hikers that no one was aware that he had ever left the group.

As he ended the testimonial, the young man, now 22, advises every Christian believer to obey God and never make decisions without praying and waiting for an answer from God.

For us to surrender ourselves to God, we must have a spiritual understanding of the dilemma within ourselves–we were born with a heart filled with carnal [sinful] desires.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin, my mother conceived me.” —Psalm 51:5
“The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9

Is David saying that we are born with sinful hearts? We can look at this spiritual fact from a practical perspective. Whether or not a child has siblings or is an only child who was taught to share, and eagerly shared, as they continue to develop they become self-centered in the toddler stage of their lives.

The psychological perspective: “Sharing is hard for toddlers because it involves thinking about someone else’s feelings, wants, and needs and they haven’t developed the ability to do that yet. Self-centeredness in toddlerhood is a normal part of development, and not a reflection of parenting or caregiving.” https://babysparks.com/2019/03/07/

Proof that we are born with sinful hearts is exhibited in the behaviors of innocent, young children. Sin is innate and impacts every human being who was ever born on the planet Earth! Even the Apostle Paul, a godly man whom God used to write 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament struggled with sin.

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” —Romans 7:15, NLT
“For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.” —Romans 7:19
“For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other so that you do not do what you want.” —Galatians 5:17
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12

We cannot fight the Sin Bully without Divine Intervention! Jesus gave His life for us to be saved from the consequences of losing the battle against sin. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” —Luke 22:42, ESV

Jesus is our Role Model. Not only was He tempted by Satan after He fasted for 40 days, but Jesus was also continuously tested by the unbelieving Pharisees. It was the decision to totally surrender His will to God, the Father along with fervent praying that gave Jesus the strength to overcome sin’s every temptation and to die on the Cross to redeem us from death, sin’s consequences.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

We will have an internal battle of the heart with sin that will never cease until Jesus comes again. Without our Spiritual Team, we are as helpless as newborn babies against the temptations of sin. Every day we must be intentional in our commitment to surrendering our will and upholding our vow of total obedience to God.

With a heart filled with gratitude, we can thank God for the gift of His Son, Jesus. Because of His love, grace, and mercy, we never have to fight the Sin Bully alone! Divine Help is just a prayer away!

Pray for help when tempted. Proclaim, “Get, behind me Satan!” The Holy Spirit gives us strength and angels intervene for us when we refuse to let sin knock us down! Divine Intervention, Obedience, Prayer, Bible Study, and deciding to remain steadfast [and immovable] is the only way we can overcome the Sin Bully.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. —1 Corinthians 15:50-53

Brothers and Sisters, Never give up your reward! We are soldiers in God’s Army, serving under a Fearless Leader—Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, who is a Warrior and will always fight for us against the Sin Bully. Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so! Yes and Amen.

Faith Triumphs In Trouble

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us of the life His disciples will face: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Faith takes effort! Remembering our former blessings and supernatural miracles from the Giver of Life waters the seed of our ever-growing faith. A heart filled with gratitude expressed through prayer is the only way to strengthen our faith.

This verse represents the hardships of our tribulations: “If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people…” (2 Chronicles 7:13)

Yes, the trials and sorrows are too great for us to resolve. Victory is impossible without unrealistic faith, trust, hope, and confidence in God. We do not have to analyze or try to figure it out. A prayer based on belief in a Loving and Omnipotent Father God never escapes the ears of God.

God tells us what is required to receive His Divine Intervention: “…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

Faith is the response of our hearts to God’s gracious appeals for our fellowship with Him. It is the healing relationship with the One who is the Source of all life, health, and happiness. Faith restores us to our rightful state, to the condition in which we were created to live: union with our Creator. His Healing Love, D. Winn

Lord, I Believe, Please Help My Unbelief!

Prayer: God, please forgive us for the sin of self-reliance. We desire to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Lord, we desperately need You in times of peace and afflictions. Hear our prayer, and give us the direction and the strength to live as one who is faithful. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

God’s GPS-Global Positioning and Protection System

Life is full of learning opportunities, but it also has many risks. Whether good or bad, most often we learn from experience. Truthfully, my preferences are to take the challenges to God and wait for guidance.

Even so, God also provides us with the opportunities to learn from other individuals who have “been there, done that” and will share how to avoid the negative outcome of consequences.

When the GPS directional system first became popular, my mom was in the hospital. While the nurses were in her room, her Pastor and I were in the visitor’s lobby chatting about different things. And then, we started talking about the benefits of the GPS-Navigation, which provided the ease of putting in an address and simply following the directions versus maps. We laughed as we spoke about the wonders of human innovation and embracing progress.

But then the conversation changed regarding the downside–yes, the cons of using a GPS. The system operates and is dependent on satellites–Satellite Navigation is based on a global network of satellites that transmit radio signals in medium-earth orbit. faa.gov.

Pastor Brown proceeded to warn me against total dependency on the step-by-step directions, especially to a place you are traveling to for the first time. Your endpoint destination may differ from your desired destination, and inclement weather may interfere with or render the GPS useless.

His parting words, “God has given us a sound mind and common sense, technology cannot replace our ability to adapt to any given situation.”

In February, when traveling from Texas to Florida for relocation, I remembered and embraced the wise advice from Pastor Brown. The journey was 1400 miles in uncharted territory. I used Google Maps to plug in five destination points for my four-day journey and printed out several pages of directions. Several times during my trip, thunderstorms and heavy rain rendered my GPS Navigation useless.

We face a life-long journey of unexpected challenges and dangers during our time on earth. Truthfully, humanity has a rough and rugged path to travel on from the day of our birth. “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33, BSB). Isn’t this the reason we serve God?

Surrender and commitment to God, the Father, God, Jesus Christ, His Son, and God, the Holy Spirit is the essence of true Christianity. God has positioned us in the 21st century [yes, we are living in the Last Days], and liberally provided us with the Scriptures, which give definitive instructions on how to live holy.

The Bible is Life! We have total access to the history of planet Earth’s beginning, and the end of the controversy of Good and Evil, God’s never failing Love and Divine Intervention, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and His gift of Redemption, which every believer is expected to tell others about.

Through the power of God, we receive strength, wisdom, and guidance. Our responsibility is to persevere with faith, trust, and obedience, preparing every day for the Soon Coming of our Triumphant King.

From worshiping God in Spirit and Truth, we can live a victorious life, and reach our final destination. God’s Instructions and Spiritual Road Maps are neatly packaged in the Holy Bible, God’s Positioning and Protection System.

For us to be under God’s GPS, we must accept these doctrines:

Jesus Christ is the only one way to God. [Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6]. Fact: Every religion with the exception of Christianity negates Jesus as the only Way to Salvation.

Love: “‘Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

Faith: God has given each of us a measure of faith. Faith is action, we must believe without doubts.

“And without faith [believing that God will always fulfill His promises] it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

Prayer and Bible Study connects us to God and gives us the power to overcome. The Bible is our Roadmap to living righteously, and empowers us to choose right doing which leads to God giving us victorious outcomes.

Prayer-“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.” Ellen G. White

Human Effort + Divine Intervention = A Victorious Outcome and the Reward of Eternal Life

Human Effort: Maintaining our relationship with Jesus is the only way to live as an overcomer. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
Human Effort: Prayer is our life-line. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Human Effort: Diligently study the Bible. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Human Effort: We need godly wisdom. Having knowledge is not enough. “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5).
Human Effort: Total surrender and obedience to God is required. “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12).
Human Effort: Pray daily for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26).
Human Effort: The Great Commission is to witness. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20, first part).
Divine Intervention: We are never alone! “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, last part).
Divine Intervention: God-given instructions on how to overcome Satan’s temptations. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41).
Divine Intervention: God promises that He would always take care of us by fighting our battles. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
(Exodus 14:14).
Divine Intervention: Jesus promised that our sorrows, trials, and hardships will not crush us. “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.” (Isaiah 43:2).

God’s Protection

Truth: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

There is a false belief expressed on Social Media: Evil spirits can invade us [as in demon possession], our families, and our homes, although we are doing our best to serve God. Not true!

Yes, we can expect attacks from the evil one. Satan enjoys placing fear, discouragement, doubt, and unbelief in our minds with many false beliefs and teachings. Do not believe the lies that the fallen angel is more powerful than the Sovereign Triune God. Hallelujah!

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Satan and his evil angels are present on this earth. But in the next verse God gives us detailed instructions on what we need to do.

Human Effort: “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”(Ephesians 6:14-19).

Divine Intervention: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up [hold you up], Lest you dash your foot against a stone [so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone].” (Psalm 91:11-12, Amplified Bible).

Everyday, our angels are protecting us from the evil ones [spiritual warfare]. If Satan had unrestricted power, he would have killed Job [read Job chapter 1] and every present believer in the Omnipotent and Omniscient God would be dead.

Do not fear! God loves us, and He has us. Even in our darkest storms, God will never let Satan beat us down. We are always protected by our Heavenly Father!

God’s Spiritual Positioning and Protection System works 24/7, especially during our storms. Let God direct you in every aspect of your life. Jesus loves us, died, and was resurrected for humanity. Stay under the protection God!

Do not look to the left or to the right. Keep your spiritual eyes focused on Jesus. Despite the last-day events and hardships we face, God’s directions are leading us home.

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1

Bible reading: Psalm 91, a Song of God’s Protection

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for placing us under the safety of your Divine GPS. We desire to receive our reward of eternal life. Please give us strength to continue our earthly journey. We ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Give us understanding, and wisdom as we study the Scriptures. Thank you for loving us and the gifts of Your Grace and Mercies of a new day. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

Biblical Truths and Fake News

My testimony is that I have lived through many life-changing events. Not only did 2020 and 2021 bring a ruthless pathogen to humanity, at 62 y/o, my status changed from married to single. And in January of this year, God told me to move to a city in Florida where I have no friends or family. Did God forsake me? No!

The events that happened in my life resulted in a much closer relationship with God. The peace that God gives is priceless. I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24. God always answers our prayers. And His answer will always be above and beyond our expectations.

“Lord, I want my faith in you to increase” was my prayer. Not only can I enjoy my new life, but I also have time to have an in-depth study of the Bible every day. I am truly amazed by the treasure map that God has given to us. If you desire a complete understanding of who God is and how we can transform into becoming holy and acceptable to God, pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and diligently study the Word of God.

Fact: Through consistent prayer and studying, Satan is defeated. We also gain the confidence of knowing who we are [children of God], and learn to completely depend on God. Our Heavenly Father has promised to never forsake us. Even when we fall deep into sin, all we have to do is confess, repent, and ask for forgiveness. God’s grace and mercies provide us with new beginnings.

Truth: We have the hope and assurance that God will always be faithful. It is up to us to obey. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Truth: God forgives all of our sins and throws them into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19

Fake News: Satan will be forgiven if he only asks God for forgiveness. Revelation 20:9

Truth: God can heal you from all past emotional, mental, and physical abuse. Jeremiah 32:27, Psalm 147:3

Fake News: You will need therapy for the rest of your life. Mark 9:29, Psalm 147:3, Luke 17:11-19

Truth: Satan easily deceives us when we do not pray and study the Bible.

Truth: A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Bible Study: Ephesians 6:10-18

God, we thank you for giving us the Bible. Please forgive our sins and fill us with your Holy Spirit. We desire to know who you are and to live righteously. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.