“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).
The best decision I made in 2025 was to stop thinking my own thoughts and go to God in Prayer regarding every aspect of my life. At first, I experienced ambivalent feelings that I really had to pray through, but as I started studying the Bible more, and verbalized every day, “God loves me, and I began really trusting Him with my life!” Yes and Amen!
Because we face so many distractions, we may not take the time to engage daily in personal worship with God. But praying and studying the Bible invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen us. Not only does our knowledge increase, we also learn God’s Loving Character and Sovereign Power, and Christ showers us with his comfort and peace.
We will never regret becoming fully dependent on God who tells us, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Give God the opportunity to reveal His love as your Heavenly Father. Peace and Blessings
Bible Study: The Book of Exodus, which reveals God Ultimate Authority, and Miraculous Power.
“But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps…”
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 1:20-23).
The Incident In the Synagogue on Sabbath: Anger Incites the Congregation to Become a Mob
Luke 4:14-30 records Jesus’ Rejection in Nazareth: “He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him.” (Luke 4:16-17, NIV).
“…And they said, ‘Is this not Joseph’s son?’ ” (Luke 4:22, NIV).
The Outcome of Unleashed Anger
“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove Him out of the town, and took Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him off the cliff.” (Luke 4:28-29, NIV).
It’s hard to believe that religious men who proclaim to serve God would transition from worshiping God to an angry mob [in the Synagogue] from hearing the spoken words of God’s Truth.
Truthfully, Jesus endured much suffering including the constant barrage of angry, hostile words from those who refused to accept Him as anything other than Joseph’s, the poor carpenter’s, son.
Understanding Spiritual Warfare [Ephesians 6]
Satan’s most effective tool is to use people, especially familiar people to antagonize us with the goal of enticing us to commit grievous sins against God by speaking, or messaging sinful words of retaliation.
” ‘In your anger do not sin:’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold [a stronghold].” (Luke 4:26-27, NIV).
Yes, anger is a God-given emotion that prevents us from accepting injustices, corruption, and heinous crimes that plague our world. However, the problem is that many believers cannot control their anger, easily responding with harsh words against the offender.
Righteous Anger only applies to God who tells us, “…There is none righteous, no, not one…”(Romans 3:10). We are sinners saved by Grace who must guard our words [and thoughts] to remain covered by the Righteousness of Christ.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline [self control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).
From embracing the Spirit of Offense, we place ourselves in extreme danger spiritually; uncontrolled anger crosses all righteous boundaries, separating us from God, and prevents the Holy Spirit from dwelling within us.
We desperately need spiritual reinforcement everyday. To rise above offensive words is only possible when we surrender daily to live a Faith-based, Christ-centered life reflected by the daily personal worship of prayer and Bible Study.
Jesus did not attempt to use His personal strength to overcome aggression, but prayed continuously for God’s strength and wisdom, receiving the Divine Power to overcome, and remain victorious when facing adversity.
From studying the life of Christ, we learn how He responded to hostility with the Holy Scriptures: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52, NIV).
Jesus possessed godly wisdom and discernment, answering direct questions with Holy Writ. Still, He also used silence when facing His accusers. If our goal is to be like Christ then we will pray and control our emotional responses when facing the War of Words.
Reflection: Are you willing to suffer the necessary hardships and challenges required of every believer?
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18).
The Apostle Paul also teaches us that the believer’s life is one of continuous suffering for Christ, yet, if we remain faithful, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit through daily surrender, we will receive the reward of Eternal Life.
The Struggle to Control Our Anger Is Real: The Reasons We Are Easily Offended
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We do not understand the true condition of our inherited sinful hearts; it is easier to become angry than to remain calm and unbothered.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9). We become angry when we do not understand our true identity and value found in Christ Jesus.
None of us are perfect. Every human being possesses character weaknesses, still, God knows the true condition of our hearts.
If we hear, or read words defaming our character, and the accusations are not true in the sight of God then we have the assurance that we are facing spiritual warfare, pray, and God will intervene.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Through daily personal worship, we commit ourselves to a life of humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, which invites the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, giving us the strength to remain silent when interacting with angry individuals.
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (Proverbs 18:2, NIV).
The person who delivers angry words is not interested in maintaining peace, or participating in conflict resolution, but waiting for a response that will always result in escalation.
When facing conflict, if we control our anger, the Holy Spirit will speak to us, “Remain silent.” If we obey then He empowers us to use our gift of self-control. We must decide if we will obey the commands of the Holy Spirit, or to rant, and sin against God.
Excerpt from ” In Contact With Others” Devotional, EGW
“We cannot afford to let our spirits chafe over any real or supposed wrong done to ourselves…”
“Self is the enemy we most need to fear. No form of vice has a more [devastating] effect upon the character than has human passion not under the control of the Holy Spirit. No other victory we can gain will be so precious as the victory gained over self…”
“We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As we become interested in the salvation of souls we cease to mind the little differences that so often arise in our association with one another.”
Jesus’ Disciples Reveal Their Lack of Self-control
Two of Jesus’ disciples, the brothers, James, and John were called “the Sons of Thunder” because of their fiery tempers. When the people of Samaria sent a messenger to Jesus telling Him not to come to their town, the brothers responded with this question to Jesus:
“And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’ ” (Luke 9:54).
Jesus’ Response: “But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.’ ” (Luke 9:55).
Christ’s Righteous Character: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).
“It takes the right situation to reveal our real character.” When Christians become offended by harsh, hateful words, the true [unconverted] condition of our hearts is revealed.
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24-25, KJV).
Jesus Christ is our Perfect Role Model
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual journey of growth and transformation of our sinful hearts into the Righteous Character of Christ. The Christian Journey is the toughest one we will ever face!
“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” (2 Timothy 2:23).
A Christian believer should never become involved in arguments, or debates. Even when discussing the Bible, if dissension begins, we should pray, and end the conversation with, “God, bless you.”
With humility, we must strive every day to be a faithful and disciplined follower of Christ. From cooperating with the Holy Spirit, we receive the spiritual discernment to recognize the enemy’s spiritual warfare of covert attacks.
When a situation includes emotional escalation, we implement the Best Spiritual Practice, Prayer. If we form the habit of whispering prayers throughout our day when facing opposition, our immediate response is a prayer for Divine help!
Our True Identity Is Found in Christ: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9).
We are chosen by God to be a representative of Christ. Our responsibility is to always represent the humility of Christ, even when offensive, undeserving words are unleashed against us.
” ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’ is found in Romans 12:19 and is also quoted in Deuteronomy 32:35. “This verse is a command for believers not to seek their own revenge but to leave retribution to God who alone has the authority to judge and repay.”
Our Response to Offensive Words: Whether face to face, or text messaging, we whisper a prayer for Divine strength and remain silent. Do not respond!
Workplace Conflict: We should not tolerate conflict in the workplace. Follow the company’s policies for reporting incidents to your Supervisor and Human Resources.
Abuse in the Home: God does not require us to stay in abusive marriages and relationships, which impair our ability to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Living in an environment of aggression and conflict prevents us from enjoying God’s gift of spiritual peace, which is needed for the spiritual growth and transformation required to receive Eternal Life.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31, NIV).
Yes, like Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, at some point in our lives, most believers will face hostile words cutting like a sword, but we must never forget that our goal is Heavenly.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV).
We are sojourners, temporary travelers living on a temporary Earth. Included in our Life Journey are many trials and hardships including Satan’s Spiritual Warfare designed to make us react using our inherited sinful tendencies.
Our lives will not always be like this! Whatever adversities we face, we should memorize and remind ourselves daily of Jesus’ promise in John 14: 1-3.
We are sons and daughters of the Most-High God, preparing every day to receive our reward of the Crown of Life in the New Heaven and New Earth where the atmosphere will be saturated with eternal love, peace, joy, and happiness. Yes and Amen!
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV).
Bible Study: Luke 4:14-30
Lord God, we thank you for speaking to our hearts and reminding us of our spiritual status as a royal priesthood who will receive our Crown of Life, if we are faithful and obedient to Your Righteous Precepts and Commands. Lord, we ask for forgiveness for the times that we have failed to represent You by responding with anger and sinful words of retaliation. We ask for the Divine Strength, Wisdom, and the Discernment to recognize and overcome spiritual warfare. We look forward to the day when we will live in a world of love, peace, and harmony, and Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your life that makes it possible for us to live forever with You. We ask this prayer in the Powerful Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, CSB).
One of the worst kept secrets in the Christian Community is that no one tells us this, “Once you accept Christ as your personal Savior, you will begin a journey of hardships.
“The Christian life can be marked by seasons of excruciating difficulty and hardships of many kinds.”
“And without faith 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, NIV).
Faith requires Active Participation: Despite our extenuating circumstances, we must believe in the Unlimited Power of God.
The growth of our faith and relationship with Christ depends on our willingness to consistently communicate with God through prayer, and studying the Bible to learn God’s Character, and His promises to help us.
At least one hour a day should be dedicated to having personal worship, in the morning and in the evening. Intentional time spent with God builds our faith, trust, and confidence in our Heavenly Father.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
The believer who diligently studies the Word of God, learning His promises can live a Christ-centered, Faith-based, courageous life, knowing they can always depend on God’s Faithfulness. Yes and Amen!
God’s Steadfast Promise to Always Be With Us
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
We can be confident that every hardship has two spiritual purposes, to develop our faith, and transform our character into the righteousness of Christ’s Character [Galatians 5:22-23].
Jesus Christ, Our Shepherd will never allow Satan to crush us with adversity. Our proof of God setting boundaries on our greatest enemy is documented in the Book of Job.
When Facing Unexpected Hardships, Immediately Pray for Divine Help!
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” (Hebrews 4:16, Amplified Bible).
Redirect Your Faith and Focus From Your Circumstances to Believing In the Power of God!
“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).
Fact: God’s Timing Will Never Align With Our Speedy Expectations
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
Since God views time from an Eternal perspective, and knows the end from the beginning, He has no need to hurry up. To receive victory, do not attempt to resolve your challenge. Be patient, and wait, God is always on time!
Lord God, we come to You asking for Your Divine Help. We confess that our faith is weak, still, we believe that You are faithful, always keeping Your promises to give us a perfect outcome. We ask for the strength to endure our trials and hardships, and persevere, as we navigate through this journey of life. We ask this prayer in the Worthy and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I’ve called you by your name you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; for I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you…” (Jeremiah31:3; Isaiah 43:1-4).
Righteous believers have many benefits from placing ourr faith and trust in God whose Ruach breath is flowing through our bodies. God is bigger than every challenge we face in our journey of life. Our Loving God is always Faithful. Even in our weakest times, if we pray in faith, He promises to intervene. Only trust Him. Yes and Amen!
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12).
Why has God delayed the Second Coming of Jesus for so long?
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9-10, NIV).
From studying the Scriptures, one thing is certain: God always keeps His promises. We know the promise of His Triumphant Son, Jesus Christ Coming Soon is Yes and Amen!
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14).
The Bible teaches that we need to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Yes, the Bible is our Spiritual Roadmap, teaching and guiding our lives according to God’s Precepts and Commandments, so we can inherit Jesus’ promise to give us our Crown of Life.
Despite the many hours we spend studying the Scriptures, we cannot overcome our hearts’ desires and temptations without asking for Divine wisdom and strength.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). Daily Surrender is our winning move! Every Christian requires daily guidance and spiritual strength from God, the Holy Spirit, to live as Overcomers.
Using only human effort places us in a lose-lose cycle of failure, producing discouragement and disappointment. God never expects us to navigate this tough journey alone; He knows that without His Divine strength, we will continuously fall into temptation. Why is it so hard to be a Christian?
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, NIV).
We think that because we live in 2025 that our challenges are more taxing than the Christians who lived in Biblical times. Why did the emancipated Israelites travel 40 years in the wilderness, when the Promised Land was only an eleven-day journey from Egypt?
From studying the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, God reveals that their lack of heartfelt love, loyalty, and obedience to God, and their love of pagan practices, were their chosen obstacles. And sadly, only two faithful men of God, Joshua and Caleb, from that generation, and those 20 years of age and under, entered the Promised Land.
Most countries have Religious Liberty laws, which give us the freedom and the right to choose to become Christians and serve God. But sadly, Religious history reveals the massacre of countless Christians who suffered physical harm, torture, and most often execution for not renouncing God.
“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 1:13, ESV).
No one can force us to engage in the world’s pleasures; if we sin, it is a willful choice. Historically, we learn that it is easier for today’s Christian Community to be loyal to God by simply saying no to the temptations of worldly practices without suffering retaliation or coercion.
What does God require of us to live a Sanctified life representing Christ’s Righteousness?
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11).
“Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:73).
Yes, we come from different cultures, denominations, and various life experiences, but from studying the Holy Bible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we receive the wisdom and discernment needed to learn God’s Loving Character, His Precepts and Commandments, and the One and Only interpretation of God’s Truth.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).
There are heavenly mysteries that we will never understand, but Jesus has given us the Spiritual guidance [The Bible] we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to experience daily spiritual growth and character transformation.
We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just as we are. Our minds, characters, and personalities must be changed into the likeness of Christ’s Righteousness for us to live forever with the Holy God.
With Jesus’ Divine Power, We Can Overcome Sinful Desires!
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV).
The moment we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we face spiritual warfare from Satan, our enemy [Study Ephesians 6]. Prayer is our greatest weapon. Not only do we receive the Spiritual Strength to say no to temptation, but Satan has to flee from the Christian who prays for Divine Help.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).
Although the enemy’s schemes of temptations, distractions, and our innate desires to seek prosperity and success have enticed many Christian Believers to practice Compromised Christianity, the Apostle John tells us that God has faithful, surrendered, and obedient believers who are seeking God’s will every day on bended knees.
“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” (Revelation 15:2).
Live As An Overcomer! Those who are waiting with joyful anticipation for the Second Coming of Jesus, with humility, we consecrate ourselves daily to God, proclaiming, “I have decided to follow My Shepherd and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ!”
Preparation for Jesus’ Second Coming requires the daily commitment to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based, Holy Life consecrated to God.
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Our decision to remain a faithful soldier in God’s Army usually leaves us separated from our closest family and friends, but when we memorize and believe Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3, we keep moving forward in the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Every Day, Remind Yourself of God’s Gift of Redemption: “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV).
Sharing My Daily Proclamation of Victory: “I believe Jesus’ promise that He is coming again, and because I love God, and desire my reward of Eternal Life, I will not sin against God by following my thoughts, desires, or engaging in the world’s pleasures.”
Lord God, we offer heartfelt gratitude for gifting us Your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, we thank You for paying the death price required to redeem us from our sins, allowing us to live righteously through Your Strength and Power. We look forward to the Great Day when King Jesus will come again. Until then, we ask for guidance, correction, and protection. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.’ ” (Matthew 6:31-32).
When all is well, it is easy for us to think that our faith and trust is in God. But, the daily challenges we face always reveal the truth of whether our faith is in God, or in ourselves.
If we never take our routine obstacles and minor issues to God, asking for His Divine help then we easily develop a spirit of self-reliance.
The Truth of “Where Is Your Faith?” is revealed when adversity barges into our lives. If our initial response is, “What am I going to do?,” then our faith is displaced, which comes from relying and trusting in our human thoughts and wisdom.
Excerpt from Today’s Devotional: Embracing His Assurance – Elizabeth Viera Talbot
“Our senior pastor, Jon Cicarelli, preached a sermon entitled Fearless. To help the congregation visualize fear, he introduced his talk by showing several underwater photos of people cautiously swimming next to large whales and sharks.”
“As he developed the topic, he asked the congregation to repeat aloud: “Do not be afraid, only believe.” He reminded us that God is competent to handle our lives and that He loves us.”
“Fear is like a giant shadow lurking in the deep waters of our minds.”
“Yet most of what we fear never happens, and the rest is not within our control. This is not the ‘fight or flight’ type of fear but a restlessanxiety that takes over our lives.
“But what if we are actually facing our worst fears?”
“This is what happened to Jairus. He came to Jesus, asking Him to heal his only daughter, who was twelve years old and was dying. On the way to his house, Jesus healed a hemorrhaging woman, who had been sick for twelve years (Luke 8:48).”
Then Jairus’ worst nightmare came true: “While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, ‘Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore’ (verse 49).”
“Jairus must have been very much afraid at that point, because Jesus had to tell him: ‘Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well’ (verse 50). Then Jesus proceeded to raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead (verse 54).”
“The treatment Jesus prescribes for fear has always been to choose Faith over fear.”
At some point, in our Christian Journey, every believer has experienced a challenge so overwhelming that fear was our first response. And maybe, you are currently facing a hardship that has revealed your faith in God is weak.
Prayer Is Our Lifeline to Divine Help!
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” (Hebrews 4:16, Amplified Bible).
With humility, we ask for forgiveness [for focusing our faith on ourselves], for God’s Divine Help, and thank Him for His Intervention in the same prayer.
Through prayer, we admit our inability to resolve the vicissitudes of life, and invite God to use His Sovereign Power to intervene.
From studying the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus, and 2 Chronicles 20, we learn that only God can give us the victory!
God never refuses to answer our prayers for His help, yet, His timing will never synchronize with our expectations.
Despite how lengthy the hardships last, we must overcome the desire to step outside God’s will while in the time of waiting.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14).
Because God sees time as Eternal, He knows our lifespan, and every challenge we will endure in our earthly lives. So, God who governs this world has no need to immediately answer our prayers.
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).
Because the Triune God is Omniscient [All-knowing], when we pray for Divine Help, Heavenly Intervention begins immediately.
The Heavenly Chain Reaction for Helping the Righteous
God, the Holy Spirit takes our prayers to God, Jesus, the Son, our Intercessor, Who receives every prayer from the Holy Spirit, and sends His answers through the Holy Spirit.
Not only does Jesus send His Divine strength through the Holy Spirit, but He also sends messenger angels to give us the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical strength to persevere through the daily struggle. Yes and Amen!
We always receive spiritual strength before we receive God’s resolution. By waiting on God, our faith strengthens, and we reveal our desire to faithfully obey and depend on God.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.” (Jeremiah 31:3, BSB).
Lord God, we thank you for Your amazing love. We admit that we have not been faithful, and for this we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we desperately need Your help to overcome these challenges, and to stay on the Path of Righteousness. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
When we think of pride, our first thought is usually of the people who always think they are right. But the Biblical definition of pride goes even deeper; God defines Pride as Self-exaltation.
“In the Bible, pride is a sinful, excessive self-love and arrogance that exalts oneself above God and others, often involving rebellion against God’s authority and taking credit for accomplishments that belong to Him.”
Most Believers would never admit to having a spirit of pride, but unless we are surrendering ourselves in humility to God every day to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, God tells us that we have prideful hearts.
“True humility is the evidence that we behold God and that we are in union with Jesus Christ. Unless we are meek and lowly, we cannot claim that we have any true conception of the character of God.”
God Promises Joshua Prosperity
“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7).
In Joshua 1:7, God promises to make Joshua prosperous. Fast forward to 2025, and we immediately associate prosperity with financial gain and increased material possessions.
God clarifies that material prosperity was not His promise to Joshua because we are warned throughout the Holy Bible not to pursue the Pride of Life.
The Pride of Life: “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:16, NLT).
Satan’s Deception of Prosperity
“Prosperity teachers focus primarily on the here and now, seeking wealth as ‘proof’ of God’s blessing. They attach a couple of out-of-context Bible verses to their hype and call it Biblical teaching. However, God’s desire for us to prosper [usually] does not include material wealth at all.”
“First Timothy 6:9 warns, ‘Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.’ “
When Jesus Christ came to this Earth as a baby, He was born in a barn full of animals, and His first bed was a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals.
Because of the worldviews of material acquisition, we cannot comprehend the surrender, faithful obedience, and humility required for Jesus to leave His Heavenly Throne, and come to Earth to be hated, and crucified.
Yet, He did it to save our souls. Unless we serve God in Spirit and Truth with humility, surrender, and obedience, our only reward will be the things we are pursuing on this Earth.
Jesus’ Warning to Believers
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
The human heart naturally gravitates toward fulfilling Jesus’ promise of “and all these things will be added to you” by rewarding ourselves.
“Jesus said, ‘How difficult it is for the rich to inherit the kingdom of God’ ” (Luke 18:24). Wealth quickly takes hold of us and promises a security it cannot deliver.”
“Prosperity can become a substitute for the real goal of pursuing God and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33).”
“As a Good Father, God withholds what we clamor for, choosing instead to give us what we truly need. He has our eternal benefit in mind, not our short-term comfort (Luke 12:33–34).”
Using our spiritual weapons of Prayer, diligent study of the Scriptures, and praying for Jesus’ strength, which is given to us by the Holy Spirit is required to”Put on the Whole Armor of God.” (Ephesians Chapter 6).
Sanctification also requires the human effort of cooperating with the Holy Spirit is required to receive daily spiritual growth, development, and transformation required by God to receive our reward of Eternal Life.
We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just as we are. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity, we have for our minds, characters, and personalities to be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character (Galatians 5:22-23).
Everyday, we decide whether, or not we will live a sacrificial life as Christ did. More than spoken words are required to live holy. Our thoughts, pursuits, and lifestyle truly reveal if we are preparing for Eternal Life, or chasing the Pride of Life.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
Lord God, we confess that we are not living the sacrificial life required to receive spiritual transformation, and our reward of Eternal Life. We ask for forgiveness for chasing the pride of life, and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and give us a renewed heart baptized with the Holy Spirit. We surrender, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14).
Although our spiritual journey is unique, every believer has experienced the disappointment of God saying, “No,” to our heartfelt prayers requesting the things we desire.
God immediately denies requests that He knows are guaranteed to prevent our spiritual growth, development, and transformation, which is required for Eternal Life.
Everything God does brings honor and glory to His Name; therefore, He does not bless us if we do not possess the spiritual maturity to focus on the Giver instead of the gift.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV).
With love, God agreed to Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice to die on Calvary to save us from the penalty of sin, which is the final death. God’s ultimate goal has always been to save our souls.
Sadly, many Christians disagree with God’s greatest desire for us to live with Him throughout eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Wait! Who would accept Christ as their personal Savior and not desire His promise to give us the reward of Eternal Life?
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible).
When we ask God to bless us with a specific request and His answer is No, many of us are upset, especially when we see others with an abundance of money and material possessions.
God’s future plan of giving us a Crown of Life is steadfast, yet it is conditional. From the time we awaken, with a prayer of faith, we seek God’s plans, asking for the spiritual strength to obey, persevere, and complete His plans.
“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 reveals that the character trait of faithful obedience is required to stay aligned with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives.
The Believer’s Struggle is not only against the daily External Opposition of temptations, but we also must fight against the never-ending Internal Conflict of our desires.
It is easier to desire financial and material abundance instead of living a Christ-centered, faith-based life of self-denial. Because we inherited sinful hearts, enough is never enough. In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, The human heart is never satisfied!
When God says, No, we often feel that He is not a Loving and Gracious God. Regardless, God reminds us that He will not change His decision.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God does not perceive time as we perceive time; His Omniscient perspective of time is Eternal. Since He knows how long we will live, there is no reason for God to hurry up and bless us. Abraham was 100 years of age when Isaac was born.
There are 8 billion plus people on the planet Earth, and God knows every hardship, setback, disappointment, acts of obedience, and willful disobedience, along with every temptation, and victory we will experience in our lives from conception to birth to death.
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” (James 4:14, CSB).
We can pray for and receive spiritual wisdom, but God tells us that we cannot look beyond today, so focus on the responsibilities and blessings of the given day. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).
We feel slighted when God says “No,” because we have been deceived by Satan to think that we have the time and the right to pursue whatever makes us happy.
Signs of Living in the Last Days
In America, Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, two Constitutional Rights, are gradually being withdrawn. Many individuals have lost their employment for posting personal opinions regarding current global events on Social Media.
If the Christian Community began diligently studying the Bible, we would understand God’s refusal to give us what we are asking for. According to Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, we learn that Bible Prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled, and we are currently living in the Last Days.
Although we do not know the exact time, those who are praying and preparing every day for Revelation 22:12, we recognize that Jesus, our Triumphant King, is coming sooner than we think.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). We need Scriptural knowledge to fully understand our Heavenly Father’s Love and His desire to keep us from losing our spiritual focus, so the Holy Spirit can perform the work of Sanctification in our lives.
Misalignment with God’s Will and Plans
In 2016, I was employed as a Quality Nurse reviewing medical documentation for a national Home Healthcare Company. I imagined a very long career, possibly leading to retirement.
In my 8th month of employment, we received notification from the Corporate office that the branch would be relocated to a beautiful business park 45 minutes away from our current location.
I was very excited, but also realized that my high-mileage vehicle was not reliable for traveling 2.5 hours per day. Without praying for God’s approval, I went to the Nissan dealership and purchased a new vehicle.
God’s Warning Was Not Perceived!
Just before my purchase, I had a very interesting conversation with the office secretary. We became friends, and when I shared my plan to purchase a new vehicle, the answer she gave me was very disconcerting.
“Sonya, how do you know that everyone in this location will be relocated to the business park?” I simply did not respond because to me, it did not matter.
I rationalized that the office could not meet healthcare regulations without a quality nurse who reviewed and approved all medical documentation before submission for Medicare reimbursement.
Two months later, following our conversation, I met with the Director, who informed me that Corporate had made the decision to eliminate the position of all branch office Quality nurses. All quality reviews would be sourced to the Corporate office, which was located five hours from our branch office.
Because of my desire to have a new vehicle, I did not recognize that God was speaking to me through our office secretary, who was aware of the Corporate plan before the nursing staff was informed.
Sadly, three of the staff nurses were also unable to travel the additional distance, but were not eligible for unemployment because they were offered additional compensation to work from the new location, but could not travel due to school-age children.
Although I immediately found a 35-week contract assignment that paid well, I was not prepared for a change in my health status. I began to experience severe pain in both knees, which indicated the progression of my diagnosis of Osteoarthritis.
I can recall the shock of leaving my Orthopedic Doctor’s office with a mid-thigh to mid-calf brace on my left leg. Yet, from listening to the Doctor’s treatment plan, I knew my nursing career had ended. His recommendation to immediately apply for Social Security Disability [SSD] made me realize that we should never plan our lives according to our thoughts.
Because I did not pray for guidance before purchasing a new vehicle, instead of keeping my vehicle that was paid for, I was facing the consequences of making a decision outside of the will of God.
The new monthly note, along with sustaining the vehicle’s insurance and routine maintenance costs, consumed 100% of my unemployment compensation and was draining my savings.
Not only did the constant worry keep me mentally and spiritually drained, but the stress from not having internal peace also exacerbated my physical level of pain,
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
God is still merciful and does not leave us stranded when we genuinely repent of our wrongdoing. Although there was a 3-year waiting list for SSD applications, God rerouted my disability packet to another state, and my disability was approved in a record time of two months.
Fast forward to 2025, and from studying the Bible, I have learned that the human heart never loses its desire to acquire material possessions [the non-essentials], but we must practice our God-given gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7] with the commitment to live a sacrificial, obedient life, holy and acceptable to God.
“God, reveal Your will to me and I will obey,” is the daily prayer of surrender that honors God’s Sovereignty, and is not an easy prayer! But to love God is to honor Him with faithful obedience, which reveals our desire to be aligned with His perfect will.
Pray, Wait, and Obey!
God’s Love never changes. And His answers of No are not punitive, but demonstrate His immense love for us. We should never compare ourselves to others, often wondering why God is blessing them, but not us. Many believers step outside of God’s will by blessing themselves [like I did]; not every material acquisition is a gift from God
When God says “No,” our response should be, “Thank you, God for loving and protecting me from the future consequences that are impossible for me to anticipate.”
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17, Amplified Bible). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: James 1, Revelation chapters 21-22.
Lord God, we thank You for being a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who knows every temptation we will endure in our lives. Lord, please give us the strength and the courage to overcome the internal conflict in our hearts of choosing loyalty and obedience to Your plans versus pursuing our desires without Your Divine blessing. In faith, we accept Your perfect will for our lives. We love You, thank You, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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