“Fear not, 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 through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” -Isaiah 43:1-3
“God often allows us to experience a crisis to reveal our limitations and weaknesses. The adversity that no human effort can resolve points us to God, the Only True Source of Strength.” Sermon Notes
As I read a few of my sermon notes, one caught my attention, causing me to reflect for quite a while. The only thought that repeated itself over and over again was the question, “Why do we exclude our Heavenly Father from our daily lives until we face a major dilemma?”
How are we different from the unbelievers who reject God by practicing the learned behavior of self-reliance, and suffering never-ending consequences, which creates an atmosphere fueled by anxieties, worries, and hopelessness?
The Apostle Paul answers the question: “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1, NLT).
“The word ‘carnal’ (Greek: sarkikos) is often used to describe a state of being dominated by the flesh and worldly desires, rather than the Spirit of God. It suggests a focus on physical needs, earthly pleasures, and a lack of spiritual maturity.”
Prayer, fasting, consecration, and renewing our vow to follow Christ through daily surrender and faithful obedience is the only spiritual remedy to regain our right standing with God. We must worship God with love, loyalty, and commitment if we truly desire the reward of Eternal life.
Lord God, we approach your Throne of Grace asking for forgiveness for a spirit of disobedience as manifested by a mindset of self-reliance and lifestyles of self-governance. We ask you to, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a contrite spirit within me.” Lord, we thank you for your love, grace, and mercies, and ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17, NIV
Yes, God desires for us to come to Him based on His loving character but He never violates our Free Will of choice. Our lifestyle reveals whom we serve. True heart conversion is spiritually deeper than attending church once a week. We cannot only be churchgoers but must have a deep abiding love for God, only then can we worship Him in spirit and truth.
Second hand knowledge as a result of not studying the Bible for oneself will not prepare us to stand with steadfast faith [in the power of Christ] when tempted, or in times of persecution. We cannot use our strength to overcome temptations designed to separate us from God.
It is the willingness to consecrate and commit ourselves to God demonstrated by daily personal worship that strengthens our relationship with Jesus Christ. Winning the war against sin and our desires requires consistent praying for the Holy Spirit to empower us with Christ’s wisdom and strength, only then can we live as Victorious Overcomers in Christ Jesus.
“…are we not all in danger, especially the longer we are here, of setting ‘aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles’ for the pomp, power, accolades, and temptations of the world? If we think we’re not, we are fooling ourselves.” ssnet.org
Lord God, we pray for the desire to look beyond this present Earth, and its promises of prosperity and pleasures designed to separate us from You. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“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
We can agree that successful personal relationships require love, forgiveness, quality time, creating goals, and working together to achieve them. For a relationship to thrive, the individuals must align their morals and values, agree to become interdependent, and communicate using loving, compassionate, and respectful responses, which are the primary building blocks for bonding with each other.
“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
The Scriptures teach us that we were created to depend on God. Every day, our Heavenly Father desires that we approach Him in prayer to seek His will and plans for the day. How do we describe our relationship with Christ? Strong and thriving, or weak and wavering? Many believers do not have a personal relationship with Christ because of the character trait of self-reliance.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9:9, NASB
“Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and Matthew immediately leaves everything and follows.” Although our Christian experience differs, accepting Jesus as our Savior is comparable to sheep following their Shepherd. Dependency on God requires us to redirect our faith from ourselves to God and to relinquish our desires in exchange for His Divine plans for our lives.
“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28). One of Satan’s most effective deceptions in the Christian Community is for us to believe the Holy Scriptures [God’s Spoken Word] are optional suggestions. Jesus refutes this false doctrine of having the privilege to decide whether or not to obey and practice God’s Righteous Commands.
Consider this: Every employer has policies and procedures that comply with State, Federal, or National Labor laws. Upon hire, the legal contractual agreement between an employer and an employee is presented and accepted based on a written agreement between both to adhere to the existing policies.
“Corporate Compliance and Human Resources departments ensure their organizations adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards.” All employer/employee infractions are immediately dealt with and resolved with disciplinary measures, and may escalate to legal action.
The Bible, spoken to righteous men by God, is our Spiritual Guide and Blueprint, teaching us how to live holy and acceptable lives pleasing to God. Without studying the Scriptures, we are relying on our thoughts, which will never coincide with God’s command to “…Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46, ESV
Something is not right when we can pledge faithfulness to obey employers who can only offer us salaried compensation, but we practice disregard for God’s Righteous Precepts. The acceptance and daily practice of the worldviews of self-governance have caused many believers to reject seeking God’s guidance, resulting in a life of disobedience.
Before Jesus took on humanity, His mind was one with God the Father, perfectly synchronized to His Father’s thoughts and desires. Although it is a mystery, Jesus always knew exactly what His Father was thinking. In Jesus’ earthly life, He did not have the privilege of knowing God’s thoughts and plans as He did in the Heavenly Courts.
Born as a human, Jesus had many limitations. Without prayer, He could not know God’s will. Jesus spent countless hours praying, which empowered Him to live a sinless life. He knew the importance of communing with God in personal worship. With humility and surrender, our Savior always asked for His Father’s will to be revealed. If Jesus required spiritual guidance, may God have mercy on us, we desperately need God’s Divine Help!
Jesus, Our Role Model: “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).
In John 17, Jesus prayed, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (verse 4). To love God is to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. King David reminds us, “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)
The Plan to Reconnect to Christ: What steps can we take to align ourselves with God’s will and plans?
Every morning, we consecrate ourselves as followers of Christ through personal worship. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before making all decisions. Invite God in every aspect of your life, and you will learn to hear His voice. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, and the Scriptures [Study Romans 12, Galatians 5:22-23, and Ephesians 6].
Do not believe everything you think! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and teach you what God requires to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Learn to whisper prayers for Divine strength throughout your waking hours.
Humility Cures Worldliness: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we commit to following and obeying Christ, we face the spiritual warfare of temptations on a greater level. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remain prayerful, and study the Scriptures every day.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7). We were given spiritual gifts meant to be used with prayer. We need Jesus’ Divine strength to renounce sinful temptations that Satan creates based on our personal desires. Still, we cannot be coerced into sin against God. It is a free will choice to say yes to temptation.
Will we accept God’s mandate for the righteous? “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” ( Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). If yes, we will receive the spiritual power from the Holy Spirit to live as victorious overcomers.
Trusting in God is the willingness to let go of one’s thoughts, inclinations, and desires. We use our faith to honor and reverence God because He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. When we accept our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God, we begin to think differently, and our choices reflect holiness.
Last week, I consecrated myself to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Honestly, it is the toughest journey I have ever encountered. Our battle against Satan is one of External Opposition. We have the power to resist temptations with Divine strength. Thankfully, Christ sets limits on Satan; if it were Satan’s choice, he would aggressively pursue and intimidate believers, leaving us worn out and hopeless.
Still, our greatest battle is the battle of the mind! We inherited carnal hearts that are driven to pursue prosperity and pleasure. The Internal Conflict of renouncing our heart’s desires is one in which we must have Divine help. Not all temptations are easily discerned, especially after an 8 -12 hour, busy day.
After work, we are tired and just want to relax, so one of our favorite podcasts or programs just happens to be on, so we choose screen time instead of worship. If exhausted, pray for strength and spiritual clarity, listen to the audio Bible of one of the Psalms, and pray again before falling asleep.
Prayer is Power! When we pray continuously for Divine strength and guidance, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities daily into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Sanctification is the lifelong process of spiritual growth and transformation performed by the Holy Spirit when we strive to live faithful and obedient lives.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26, Amplified Bible
Faithful obedience is our highest worship. As time draws closer to Christ’s Second Coming, we must decide whether we will surrender and faithfully obey God or continue to operate with a mindset of self-governance. Nothing on this present Earth is worth giving up our reward of the Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10
Lord God, we ask forgiveness for living according to our thoughts and plans. We seek Your guidance because we love you, and desire to live a faithful and obedient life that we may receive our reward of eternal life, and meet our Triumphant King who willingly gave His life for us. We pray for the strength to live as faithful overcomers awaiting Your soon return. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…” -2 Chronicles 20:17
Often we forget that God is Omniscient and He knows every aspect of our lives from beginning to the end. The hardships, adversities, and spiritual warfare we face, God is already aware of, and He waits for us to ask for help.
The LORD is on our side! Who can stand against our Warrior God? Use your faith to believe in His Sovereign Power! Pray for help. Remain silent. Be patient. And watch God give you victory that honors His Holy Name. He is a God Who protects the righteous. Yes and Amen!
LORD God, our world is in turmoil, and we are facing obstacles that we cannot eliminate, and problems we cannot resolve. You commanded us to come to the Throne of Grace, and ask for Your help in the times of need. Jesus, we always need You. Thank You in advance for a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ Powerful Name we pray, Amen.
Jesus, God, the Son is the Second Person of the Triune Godhead, and our Triumphant King. The King of kings stepped away from His throne, leaving His Magnificent Heavenly Home where the Angels bow in obedience and cry Holy, Holy, Holy to the Lamb of God.
Before the creation of humanity, Christ volunteered to die a heinous death on Calvary’s Cross, so we would not have to pay the wages of sin [Romans 6:23]. Yeshua willingly condescended to live as a Man of Sorrows and endure rejection and hatred to save our souls. Thank You, Jesus!
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31
The only thing we can do that is worthy of His Love and Excellence is consecrating ourselves daily to live a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyle reflect our dedication, appreciation, love, and loyalty to our Triumphant King, who will soon take the righteous home with Him. Yes and Amen!
Thank You, Jesus, for the shame and spilling of Your precious blood. We honor You with surrender and faithful obedience as we wait with joyful anticipation for Your soon return. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 18, 2025
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9, NIV
Believing that we are loved by God increases our faith. Yes, our God is Faithful, even so, how well do we know His Character? We cannot love and trust a stranger. Learning God’s Character can only be accomplished by diligently studying the Holy Scriptures.
An attribute of God that we can appreciate is that He never changes—His yes is yes and His no is no. We do not have to guess who God is; from Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His love and the attributes of His Righteous Character: Lover of our Souls, Savior, Deliverer, Rescuer, Healer, Mighty Warrior, and so much more.
The Bible is God’s Spoken Words given to righteous men through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the only historically accurate book documenting His continuous intervention in the lives of the righteous. God desires to guide us victoriously through our journey of life, but we must decide if we will accept and trust Him with our lives.
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ ” —1 Samuel 17:45
David’s young life as a shepherd required dedication and the courage to place himself in jeopardy to protect the sheep from predators. David’s father, Jesse, taught his son to trust in God, which prepared him to use his faith when he fought vicious animals and volunteered to courageously slay Goliath, the Philistine giant.
Still, David’s greatest faith test of trusting God with his life occurred when King Saul’s jealousy and rage grew into a killer instinct against David, causing him to flee for his life. Bible scholars estimate that David lived as a fugitive in the wilderness for approximately 10 years.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). From studying the book of Psalms, we learn that David never forgot that God was His Protector and Deliverer.
Although every believer understands that we are saved by Jesus’ sacrificial offering of His life on Calvary, from the failure to study the Holy Scriptures, many do not have knowledge of the history of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy, and how He has consistently intervened in human life for 6,000 years.
From performing the first animal sacrifice to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness [Genesis 3:21] to protecting the Apostle Paul from many accounts of physical danger [2 Corinthians 11:22-29], Jesus Christ—YAHWEH Mephalti is committed to saving us from sin, rescuing us from the temptations of Satan’s spiritual warfare [1 Corinthians 10:13], protecting the righteous with guardian angels, and giving us His strength to persevere through life’s adversities.
What more can Christ do for us? Our Creator God desires that we invite Him daily [through prayer] to live a victorious life empowered by His wisdom and strength given to us by the Holy Spirit. Are we willing to comply with the Spiritual Conditions of Participation that require the human effort of daily surrender and faithful obedience?
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9
We were created to have a relationship with Christ based on faith, obedience, and complete dependency. Although God desires to give us the best, sadly, many believers are using their free will of choice to live in a state of rebellion against God. Many decades ago, Frank Sinatra wrote a song entitled “My Way.” The lyrics included, “I can continue until the end my way.” This is the unbeliever’s bold proclamation of rejecting God.
Satan deceives us into believing we can live according to our desires as long as we attend church once a week. Faithful obedience keeps us in right standing with God. Beware of embracing and practicing Satan’s deceptions that persuade us to live according to our thoughts and strategies to gain wealth and success.
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) highlights the importance of actions aligning with words, emphasizing that true discipleship involves not just professing faith but also obeying God’s commands. This rhetorical question challenges those who outwardly acknowledge Jesus as Lord but fail to live according to His teachings.”
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23
The Christian journey is one in which we desperately need Christ, our Deliverer, to keep us on the Path of Righteousness. Without seeking and obeying God’s will, we are practicing self-governance that always includes risks and consequences. Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us not to use our limited human wisdom to make decisions, as we can never see beyond the present day. Regret is painful!
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” -Psalm 34:17
Every day, we face Satan’s covert, intricate schemes of temptation, not only designed to separate us from God but also to cause instability and financial loss. The financial investment, starting the new business, purchasing a house or vehicle because of a low interest rate, or relocating for a new job may sound promising, but “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Pray, asking God if the presenting situation is a blessing or a temptation, and wait for His answer.
God’s Providence: When we pray for clarity in our lives, we will not understand “the why” of God’s thoughts, ways, and plans. Without questioning or analyzing, we acquiesce to God’s will with a mindset of reverence and total obedience because He loves us, has the best plans, and knows the future.
We can only be tempted by the things we desire, and this is when the struggle of internal opposition begins, between God’s will and our desires. Always trust and obey God. If His answer is Wait or No, then He is saving us from devastating consequences. Learning to rely on God in everything leads to a rewarding life of peace and blessings.
When we include God in the small things that seem insignificant, our perspective of our Heavenly Father changes. The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual wisdom, and we develop a heart filled with love and loyalty for Christ. As time continues, our bond with Christ grows deeper, and Jesus becomes our All and All.
It is the heart-to-heart relationship with Christ that gives experiential knowledge and a personal testimony that our Lord and Savior is “יהוה מְפַלְתִי (YAHWEH Mephalti)… the God who rescues, delivers, and saves.” Yes and Amen!
Jesus, our Savior, Rescuer, Deliverer, and Triumphant King, we love You, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 17, 2025
“Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has proceeded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” Job 41:10-11
Facing opposition? Use your faith to pray and ask for God’s Divine Intervention. Thank Him in advance for resolving your challenges. Remain Silent. Be patient. And wait on the Lord!
Lord God, we come to You asking for Your Divine help with the challenges we currently face and cannot resolve ourselves. We thank you for the victory, and ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 13, 2025
We often pray for things that we usually do not need. But I learned a couple of days ago when we pray differently, especially for obstacles that impact our mental and emotional health, God responds immediately to our prayers.
My prayer was simple, “God, please give me the things that I need to improve the quality of my life. I have an obstacle that is overwhelming, affecting my peace, and causing me stress that I cannot resolve. Jesus, I need your help. Thank you. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.”
God answered my prayer later that day. Peace and Blessings
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 10, 2025
Luke 15:17-24, NLT. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “
During an intense and eye opening Bible study, a perplexing question came to mind: What is it on this Earth that is keeping us from surrendering daily to God through faithful obedience, engaging in personal worship with much prayer, studying the Bible, renouncing sin, and using our spiritual gifts to witness to others which is required to receive Eternal life?
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:1-2
From a love that we cannot understand, God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ who willingly sacrificed His life to fulfill the Plan of Redemption to save us from the wages of sin which is death. Jesus died for our sins, so we do not have to die for our sins.
The natural disasters and perilous times described in Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3 are occurring now. “The Great Falling Away” indicating the End of Time which Jesus told His disciples about has not been fulfilled.
For many believers, sadly our priorities and lifestyles indicate that we are comfortable in our temporary existence on this Earth which Jesus says He will destroy [2 Peter 3:10] along with the wicked [Malachi 4].
“Be holy, for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:16
Preparing for Christ’s Second Coming is not based on a scare tactic to incite fear into our hearts, it is based on a heart filled with love and the desire and determination to serve God.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” -Ezekiel 36:26
Jesus gave his life for us. Like the prodigal son, if we truly desire to live forever in the New Heaven and New Earth, we must come to our senses and return to living a sacrificial life fully dedicated to God. Yes and Amen!
Lord Jesus, we are returning to You, our First Love, and ask You to reveal through Your Holy Spirit all habits, behaviors, and pursuits that will prevent us from receiving our reward of the Crown of Life. Teach us how to live righteously, as we prepare one day at a time for Your soon coming. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Obedience Is Worship: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” -Philippians 2:8
Yes, being aligned in God’s will gives us an abundance of peace, but we cannot expect to be in control of our lives. God is Sovereign! And God knows best! Because we love, honor, and reverence Him, we willingly pray and surrender daily to our Father’s plans.
There can only be one decision-maker. God is never against us, but if we choose our steps then we are against God. Human knowledge, strategies, and life experience are very limited. Truthfully, what appears to be perfect is not. We can never give ourselves the best or predict the outcome of our decisions.
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Proverbs 4:23). The believer who does not trust God participates in the Game of Chance. We cannot anticipate or reverse consequences. Regret is long lasting mental and emotional distress that can be avoided by placing our complete faith and trust in God.
“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).
When we perceive God as a Loving Heavenly Father whose desire is to protect us from hidden danger, covert temptations, and people not meant to be in our lives, we will rely on His perfect decisions.
True peace is never having to worry about the outcome. With God, we always receive victory!
Lord God, thank you for loving us so much that You desire to protect us from emotional hurt, physical harm, and the regret from pursuing our rebellious inclinations. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
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