“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-20).
From studying the Scriptures, we find that although we have wasted many years, and most likely suffered devastating consequences, God commands us to repent and move forward in His Divine Strength.
God’s forgiveness also includes the gift of Restoration. Not only are we commanded to stop looking behind us, but we must also let go of regret, remorse, and guilt.
God’s Promise: “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)
Because God is Omniscient and perceives time as Eternal, He knows the number of days in our earthly lives, and is prepared to move us forward in our spiritual journey.
The Power of Redemption
Saul was not only responsible for Stephen’s death, but he also initiated the persecution and death of many of the early Christians.
“Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'” (Acts 9:4).
On the road to Damascus, Saul accepted Christ as His Savior, changed his name to Paul, and through the power of the Holy Spirit started the early churches.
Through Paul’s life, God reveals that His power is unlimited. From Saul, the Christian killer to Paul, a messenger of Truth, giving hope to the Gentiles, Jesus Christ saves!
Paul matured to become one of Jesus’ greatest disciples of Jesus Christ, writing the majority of the New Testament.
For his dedication to God, Paul was given the deepest spiritual meaning of Righteousness By Faith,Sanctification, and Christ’s Role as our Intercessor in the Heavenly Sanctuary.
Paul’s Epistles are spiritually challenging. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the Divine wisdom and discernment before we can understand the depth of his writings.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me…”
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” (Philippians 2:12-13).
The Apostle Paul speaks from personal experience; we are forgiven, and expected to fulfill our new spiritual assignment, which requires that we forget our past because God has great plans for us.
Reflection: What is your Spiritual Assignment that God has chosen for you to do?
Lord God, thank You for redeeming us and being a God who restores. We ask You to reveal the spiritual work that we are called to fulfill. Empower us with the Holy Spirit, and give us the wisdom to understand Your plans for our lives. We pray for the guidance and strength to keep moving forward, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
David’s Prayer of Praise and Gratitude: “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1-5, NIV).
God is the Source and Sustainer of Life, and the Giver of All Good Gifts: Yes, we love blessings! Yet when we think of God’s blessings, it usually produces thoughts of receiving money and tangible possessions.
But King David reminds us that the Spiritual blessings of God’s Love, Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace, Mercies, Patience, and Divine Strength are crucial to our spiritual walk with Christ because they empower us to live righteously.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16). We value our daily gift of another day because the Scriptures remind us, “…For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”(James 4:14).
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV).
Every modality that is purchased with money, promising peace, is a counterfeit. Satan can mimic many things, but he will never be able to reproduce Jesus’ gift of Divine Peace.
To every believer, Jesus’ gift of peace is freely given, but only a few Christians actually experience the joy and happiness that come from having continuous spiritual peace.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).
A key obstacle to receiving Jesus’ peace is our failure to study the Bible, leaving us unaware of God’s expectations. The only alternative is to follow our thoughts and inclinations, which prevents the Holy Spirit from guiding us in our earthly journey.
No Peace From Traveling on the Highway of Self-Governance: Let’s face it, we live in an environment where the prevailing worldview is to rely on one’s thoughts and emotions.
Although the pursuit of happiness is the goal, traveling the world’s Expressway requires a lifestyle of self-reliance, which keeps the mind in overdrive. Relying on our thoughts to navigate this tumultuous journey comes at a high price; we have no time to commune with God in personal worship.
Without relying on Divine wisdom and discernment, the brain is overwhelmed by constant overthinking every day. Self-reliance demands payment that leads to spiritual and emotional bankruptcy. Self-gratification requires the continuous development of strategies that must be reevaluated and quickly restructured when failure occurs.
Enough is never enough! King Solomon tells us the human heart can never be satisfied: “Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8, NLT).
The decision to exclude God produces a state of “Emotional Exhaustion Leading to Spiritual Confusion that Separates Us From God.” Sadly, like the prodigal son, it usually takes a crisis to return to God on bended knees before we come to our senses.
The Spiritual Steps to Restoration and Receiving Jesus’ Peace
Changing Lanes: “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).
God’s perspective is always spiritual. Jesus reminds us that we cannot save our souls. Staying on the Path of Righteousness has always required Divine Help. When Christ, our Shepherd, tells us that we were created without the ability to guide ourselves, we believe Him without question.
The Plan of Redemption includes the gift of Salvation, which is freely given to those who believe and accept Jesus as their Savior. But certainly it was not free for Jesus Christ, who was required to die a heinous death on Calvary’s Cross.
When we truly love God, we are grateful that through Christ, we have received the option of not paying the wages of sin. Loving God is demonstrated by seeking His will through daily personal worship, which should not be a burden.
Gratitude is Obedience: Daily personal worship [Prayer and Bible study] is a lifestyle that reveals a converted and sanctified heart willing to acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority.
The Standing Invitation: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16, NLT).
Jesus is Still Interceding for the Righteous
Jesus Christ, Yeshua, our Heavenly Intercessor, receives our prayers, forgives our sins, covers us with His Righteousness, gives us our daily provisions, heals our minds and bodies, and sends angels to constantly protect us from unseen spiritual warfare and physical danger [Psalm 91].
We have a relentless enemy who desires our souls! Yes, believers, we are the target in The Great Controversy of Good and Evil! Our fight is not against flesh and blood.
Jesus’ Warning: “…He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44, NIV).
Satan, our greatest enemy, has deceived many to believe that we can live as we please and still inherit our Crown of Life. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).
Through daily Consecration, we realign ourselves with God’s Divine Purpose by choosing to exit from the Road of Self-Governance back to the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
The Sacrificial Life Is the Only Life Acceptable to God
“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 12:2, NIV).
A couple of years ago, I watched a documentary filmed in Japan on the reinvented life of a retired college professor who practiced the concept of “Need Over Greed.”
Although she developed a mindset of gratitude from the practice of “enough is enough and zero waste,” she denied any religious affiliation with her lifestyle.
Need Over Greed and Minimalism are lifestyle changes that require continuous discipline, practiced by unbelievers who never acknowledge God, which should raise a Red Flag for believers.
“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 have 24/7 access to Jesus, who promises to give us the Divine Strength to live a disciplined, righteous life. The Apostle Paul tells us that we were created with spiritual gifts, so when tempted, we pray for Jesus’ supernatural strength to overcome; still, God expects us to use self-control.
Throughout the Bible, we learn that God is Love, and He has always fulfilled His promises to “never leave us.” We have Jesus Christ, the Mighty Warrior, who promises to fight our battles, giving us hope and peace: “No weapon formed against you will prosper.”
Gratitude for God goes beyond spoken words. Every day, our gratitude is reflected through a lifestyle of surrender and faithful obedience. We love Him because He first loved us. Yes and Amen!
The Pathway to Peace is Paved With Gratitude
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Bible Study: Galatians 5; Ephesians 6
Prayer: Thank You, Most Gracious, Heavenly Father, for Your Amazing and Continuous Love. Forgive us for nurturing a spirit of self-reliance. We acknowledge that we can do nothing without You. Lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us as we navigate through our spiritual journey. We commit to living a life that reveals our desire to give You the honor, glory, and praise that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray this prayer of gratitude, Amen.
“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).
The Fruit of the Spirit describes the attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character, which God expects us to also possess. Because we inherited hearts filled with the desire to sin, we cannot change ourselves without the power of the Holy Spirit.
“…I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.” (Romans 16:19, NLT).
“In…Romans, the apostle Paul speaks about two antagonistic forces trying to shape our lives.”
“On the one hand, the surrounding world, with its various influences, tries to force us daily into its own mold, effecting a conformation in us that works from the outside in.”
Satan’s goal is to manipulate the righteous into sinning against God by any means necessary.
Everyday, we face Satan’s customized temptations that strongly appeal to the desires of our hearts. And he uses people to provoke our emotions, so we react with the bitter fruit of words that do not represent the Righteousness of Christ.
“To counteract this impact, the Holy Spirit is able to transform us inside out in a manner similar to the way a caterpillar metamorphoses into a beautiful butterfly.”
But we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit for our character to be transformed into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Are we willing to honor and revere God with daily surrender and faithful obedience?
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” (Matthew 22:37).
Love is the catalyst that motivates us to live as Christ did, always seeking the will of God, His Father.
Without loving God more than ourselves, we will never see our need to acquiesce to His Sovereign Authority by living a life of self-denial and obedience.
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24).
Human Effort: Our lifestyle must be one of daily worship, faithful obedience, and self-control. We choose to let go of worldly affections, pursuits, habits, and behaviors because we love God, and desire to follow Jesus.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
We were never created to navigate through the Christian Journey using only human effort. Throughout the Bible, Jesus promises to help us to overcome every hardship and temptation:
“No temptation has overtaken 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, NIV).
From striving to live righteously, we can depend on Christ to send the Spiritual Reinforcements of Divine Strength, the Wisdom to discern covert deception, and the Power to strengthen our faith.
God expects us to live courageously and with a mindset of total dependency on God. It is with holy boldness that we consistently pray in faith, “Lord, I need Your help to overcome my self-reliancee.”
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
In His earthly life, Christ continually separated Himself from others to pray and ask God, the Father for strength and guidance.
Whether we are at work, driving, or relaxing, we can pray silently, or audibly at any time of the day or night. Staying connected to Christ allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes, and to receive the strength to obey God.
With humility, we acknowledge that we cannot fight Satan without Divine help. We must live as Prayer Warriors!
“No weapon formed against me will prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17).
Forming the habit of much prayer invites Christ, our Mighty Warrior to send angels to fight Satan’s unseen spiritual warfare, and to protect us from physical harm.
Unlike unbelievers who are constantly deceived, the believer who consistently prays will never fall victim to scams of covert deception.
Prayer allows us to stay connected to Jesus’ Divine Power. Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to keep us on the Path of Righteousness. Only Divinity can empower us to live as victorious overcomers!
A life of surrender and self-denial is the only way for us to be empowered by the Holy Spirit who keeps us on the Path of Righteousness.
God requires us to put Him first. Love for God produces loyalty and the desire to obey Him instead of pursuing our desires.
It is an issue of the heart when we find it difficult to obey God. Self-Reliance is the result of us redirecting our love and faith from God to ourselves.
To overcome self-reliance, from the moment we awaken, we make a covenant vow to put our faith and trust in God by including God in every decision and challenge.
From praying for His will to be done, we are rewarded with the spiritual wisdom and strength to live a sacrificial life dedicated to God. Pray, wait, and obey!
The willingness to surrender with faithful obedience not only keeps us in right standing with God, but we are also rewarded with the spiritual blessings of peace, joy, and happiness.
To emulate Christ, we must know who He is. Studying the Life of Christ in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] is a life-changing experience: “Looking unto Jesus we obtain brighter and more distinct views of God, and by beholding we become changed.”
“Goodness, love for our fellow men, becomes our natural instinct. We develop a character which is the counterpart of the Divine Character. Growing into His likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God.”
“But for that process to happen, we need to consecrate ourselves to God and ask Him to continue the good work that He has started in us (Philippians 1:6).”
“[Every day] we have to make the conscious choice, moment by moment, to walk in the Spirit.”
Powerful Message of Truth. It was my mother who told me that I would never grow spiritually, or have the desire to follow Christ until I began studying the Scriptures to learn His Loving Character.
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). The Scriptures are God’s Spoken Words revealing His Loving Character.
From our willingness to receive Spiritual Nourishment, the Holy Spirit deepens our understanding of our Heavenly Father’s Love.
Under the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit, search the Scriptures daily to learn who God says He is: “I Am Who I Am.”
“In the beginning God created…” Studying the Book of Genesis gives us insight into Jesus’ history of intervening in the lives of the righteous to give them victory.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18).
From the Holy Writ, we learn that Jesus, God, the Son is Elohim Shomri, God, Our Protector who dispatches angelic protection to shield us from the evil one’s diabolical schemes.
As we come into the knowledge of the Truth, we no longer perceive God’s Commandments and Righteous Precepts as being restrictive.
Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the spiritual wisdom to understand that God’s Directives were given to shield us from evil, and to guide our steps.
We require Biblical knowledge for the Holy Spirit to speak to us when temptation threatens to detour us from the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
We strive to honor God with love and loyalty because every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God empowers us in our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.
Prayer and Bible Study are Faith-builders!
The Scriptures give us knowledge of Christ’s Righteousness and instruct us on how to live a sacrificial life of worship and obedience.
In the strength of Jesus Christ, while we are overcoming the trials and temptations in our earthly journey, the Holy Spirit is performing the daily transformation of our character into the likeness of our Lord and Savior’s Righteousness.
Preparing for Eternity One Day At a Time in the Strength of Our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ. Peace and Blessings!
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, Both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25).
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV).
Jesus’ “profound act of obedience and self-emptying, where He willingly gave up His Divine glory to become a human, a servant, and ultimately, to die on a cross for the sake of others” is not understood and appreciated.
Before Adam and Eve were created, God the Father and Jesus, God the Son, had a Father and Son discussion regarding Adam and Eve’s fall, due to disobedience.
John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Because of God’s love for humanity, the Father gave His Divine approval for His One and Only Son to come to Earth, only live for 33 years, and experience rejection, hatred, and die a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” (1 John 3:1, NLT).
The Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought. Jesus said, “Father, I am willing to die for humanity,” even though He knew that most would still reject Him as Lord and Savior. We can’t even begin to imagine the depth of the Agape Love that was the catalyst for Jesus’ great sacrifice.
Jesus’ Gentle, Humble Spirit
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ ” (Luke 9:58).
“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).
No human being can ever make the proclamation that our Savior made, “I always obey my Father.” But we can certainly strive from today forward to love God more than ourselves by embracing the Righteous Spirit of Humility, and making a Covenant to faithfully obey God.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Satan has deceived the Christian Community into thinking that Heaven is cheap, that we can live as we please, not study the Bible, and fail to pray for guidance before we make decisions.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that we must live an obedient life of self-sacrifice and renounce the practices of unbelievers to please God.
“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 easiest way for us to know if pride is ruling our hearts is to pray and ask God if our lives represent faithful obedience. If we awaken each morning with pre-planned agendas, never praying for God to reveal His plans, then we are following our own thoughts.
Excluding God from our daily decisions reveals that we have redirected our faith from God to ourselves, for which there is no reward of Eternal Life.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” (Colossians 3:12, ESV).
Reflection: Are we willing to invite Jesus to change our naturally selfish hearts to hearts overflowing with surrender and humility?
Jesus’ Promise to those who use their faith to embrace a spirit of humility: “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).
A heart of stone symbolizes stubbornness, resistance, and insensitivity to God’s will and commands. The people of Israel had become hard-hearted due to their idolatry and disobedience.
A heart of flesh contrasts with this, representing a tender, responsive, and obedient heart that is sensitive to God’s guidance.
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4).
Lord God, we ask that You forgive us for our spirit of pride, which leads to a lifestyle of self-reliance. We confess that we often fail to think of praying and asking for Your Divine guidance before we begin our daily agendas. Lord, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and anoint us with Your Holy Spirit. Today, we make the commitment to serve you with love, humility, and faithful obedience. Jesus, we thank You for loving us with an everlasting love that prompted You to give Your all for us, and ask this prayer in Your Righteous and Loving Name, Amen.
“Behold, I am the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me. (Jeremiah 32:27).
Brothers and sisters when we surrender ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, His power is unlimited! Preparing for eternal life one day at a time. Peace and Blessings.
Redirecting our faith and focus from our challenges to God’s Sovereign and Unlimited Power proves that we believe God is who He says He is, “I Am that I Am!”
Elisha Prays, “Lord, Open His Eyes”
“Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, ‘I will set up my camp in such and such a place.'”
9 “The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: ‘Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.’ 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.”
11 “This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, ‘Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?'”
12 “‘None of us, my lord the king,’ said one of his officers, ‘but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.'”
13 “Go, find out where he is,’ the king ordered, ‘so I can send men and capture him.’ The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’ 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.”
15 “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.”
16 “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'”
17 “And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
18 “As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, ‘Strike this army with blindness.’ So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.” (2 Kings 6:8-18, NIV).
This morning at 3 am, God awakened me to speak to my heart, and reminded me, that He is the God of all flesh, and nothing is too hard for Him.
God’s primary method of speaking to us is through the Holy Scriptures. Sadly, we have become too comfortable with only attending church once a week, and hearing second hand knowledge of who God is from others who dedicate their time and effort to studying God’s Holy Word.
Elisha was a great prophet, and in Biblical times, servants lived with their masters. Servitude was not like the atrocious enslavement that the Israelites suffered in Egypt.
Although Elisha’s servant had witnessed God perform countless miracles through His faithful and dedicated prophet, Elisha’s servant remained faithless.
How is it possible for someone to witness the power of God and still not believe?
“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).
To believe in God requires that our hearts are converted and we place 100% of our faith in God.
When challenges arise, instead of us thinking, What am I going to do? We immediately fall to our knees and pray for Divine Help, and in the same prayer, thank God for giving us the victory.
Why? Because we believe that God loves us, and we have a Heavenly Father Who is Sovereign and Omnipotent.
To have the faith and courage that God requires us to completely trust Him with our life. We relinquish self-reliance through daily surrender.
Whether we are facing dilemmas, or the routine duties of life, when we include God, we reveal that our love, loyalty, and trust is completely in Him.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 6:8).
It is wonderful to awaken with a mind filled with peace, joy, and happiness. Involving God in every aspect of our lives is a faith-building activity that removes all doubts, fears, anxieties, and worries.
From our willingness to trust and obey God, Christ promises to shower us with His greatest spiritual blessings of steadfast faith, courage, wisdom, discernment, endurance, and perseverance, which is required to run the Christian race and win.
Steadfast faith in God redirects our focus to God’s power instead of the circumstances. We can only live as Victorious Overcomers, if we stop trusting in our limited abilities.
How important is faith in God? Faith in God is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith, or the lack of faith also determines our destiny.
Reflection: If we did not honor and revere God with steadfast faith in our earthly lives, can we expect to spend eternity with God?
If we did not trust God on Earth, it would also be impossible to trust Him in Heaven.
The character that we develop on Earth must reveal steadfast Faith and the attributes of the Character of Christ, written in Galatians 5:22-23 to receive Eternal Life.
Yes, we were given a mustard seed size faith, but God expects our faith to strengthen and experience growth based on our belief in His Sovereign Power, which requires knowledge of His Divine Character.
Our daily personal worship should consist of prayer and studying the Bible. The Scriptures feed our faith. The same God who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River says, “I do not change! Trust Me.”
Those who trust in God are empowered with the Divine Strength of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
Trusting God with your life produces spiritual growth and development. Not only will you begin to perceive life through spiritual eyes, but your character will also change to reflect the Righteousness of Christ.
David’s prayer reveals that humility, surrender, and obedience is worship: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34:4, 6).
Preparing for Eternal Life One Day At a Time
Lord God, we come to You on bended knees, seeking Your forgiveness for redirecting our faith and trust from You to ourselves, and for not studying your Holy Scriptures. Lord, we confess that our faith is weak because we have failed to worship you in Spirit and Truth. We ask you for strength, wisdom, and discernment. And we thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Practical Solutions for Impractical Times – Devotional – November 17, 2025
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NIV).
My siblings and I were raised by Christian parents who obeyed God’s command “to separate ourselves from unbelievers.” Our friends were the children of Christian parents who also had a relationship with our parents. And yes, we attended Christian schools, where we were taught Biblical Principles, with emphasis on loving and obeying God.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Mathew 7:21).
Disobedience always demands payment! Sadly, as I matured, although I attended church, I did not continue to practice the godly principles that our parents, schools, and church taught us. I formed relationships with unbelievers, and gradually, I transitioned from striving to live righteously to living a compromised life of sin.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?”(1 Corinthians 6:9). “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NLT).
From Genesis to Revelation, God repeatedly commands us to separate ourselves from unbelievers, which includes romantic liaisons and socializing with family members and coworkers who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior.
“…The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT).
Because we are living in the Last Days, many Christians feel lonely and often meet individuals [Satan’s temptation] who appear to be believers. The initial conversation captures their interest, and yes, they may attend church, [which is not an indicator of love and loyalty to God], so we assume the person is God-sent.
Satan’s schemes include placing people in our path who appear righteous, often verbalizing that God is good, but the Apostle Paul says, they are pretenders “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5).
Without praying and asking God to reveal whether or not He sent the person, the only other choice is to follow our emotions. If we exchange numbers and quickly begin a relationship with an unbeliever who has no real relationship with Jesus Christ, then time will reveal their true nature. From excluding God, either we choose a life of compromise, or end up suffering from a broken heart.
Satan’s Playground: There is no need to elaborate on the Online Chat and Dating sites because a Holy and Righteous God would never condescend Himself to bless sites where sin is masked behind fake characters that are easily masterminded to deceive others.
Never Place the Familiar Over the Divine!
Satan knows the believers who worship God with dedication and obedience are usually tough as nails in their love and loyalty to God, so he uses another covert strategy, “the path of least resistance.” The roaring lion uses his strongest tactic: Satan uses our family members to entice us.
The Invitation: Yes, our unbelieving family members know we are Christians, but they cannot think on a spiritual level. The invite to the baby shower, birthday party, or a night out is genuine because it has been a long time since they have seen us. Without praying for Divine guidance, even the strongest Christian is subject to embracing temptations when family ties are part of the temptation.
The Compromise: You said yes, and it was wonderful being around your family. Yes, they served alcoholic drinks, and profanities filled the atmosphere, but we justify their behaviors because that is their lifestyle.
The Fall: We are excited; it feels good to be around our family. As we leave, with hugs and smiles, we decide to interact with our relatives by attending future get-togethers.
Satan Wins: Inclusion boosts our self-worth, so we tell ourselves, I need to be more involved with my family, and at that moment, our life of compromise begins. We follow our thoughts in every aspect of our lives instead of praying for Divine Wisdom.
The Spiritual Decline of Disobedience: When a believer forms relationships with unbelievers, the believer has denied loyalty to Christ by choosing wilful disobedience to God’s command to separate ourselves from those who are walking in spiritual darkness.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV). Disobedience to God is the spiritual indicator that the believer’s heart has already changed. The decision to compromise and socialize with “bad company,” without repentance, places the believer on equal ground with the unbeliever—from a spiritual perspective, the believer is also lost.
“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13). Compromise requires that we begin a life of pretense, appearing godly to others, but God knows our hearts.
“The Narrow and Wide Gates: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV).
Leaving the Path of Righteousness begins with the one disobedient choice that places us on the detour exit leading to the Path of Disobedience. Satan is happy; he feels that he has taken another believer away from Christ.
Disobedience is a Catalyst for a Domino Effect: From disobeying one of God’s Commands, we lose our spiritual connection to Christ, which predisposes us to committing multiple sins against God.
Satan continues to tempt us in other areas because distractions keep our focus on ourselves, which is required to keep us traveling on the Broad Road. Sin not only separates us from God, but it also impairs our judgment and desensitizes us to the point that we can no longer discern truth from error.
Christ Knocks On the Door of Our Hearts: Our Loving Shepherd attempts to bring His lost sheep back into His arms. The Holy Spirit begins speaking to our conscience, so we can never say that we didn’t know that we were living outside of the will of God.
Because we were created with the free will of choice, God will never coerce us to return to His safety. There is no middle road. Either we will continue in our rebellion against God, or, like the prodigal son, come to our senses and repent.
We Are the Generation of Believers Living In the Last Days: “…In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 1:18-19, NIV).
Satan does not care about the unrighteous or half-committed Christians; they are already serving him. Since Lucifer was cast out of Heaven, now known as Satan, he is in a spiritual battle with Jesus Christ, vying for the souls of believers who are striving to faithfully follow Christ.
Yes, that is you and me! Our enemy’s goal is to manipulate the righteous heirs of Christ into abandoning God by tempting us to engage in spiritually incompatible relationships. And many have fallen into his trap, exchanging their Crown of Life for short-lived pleasure.
God’s Character and Ways remain the same. Nowhere in the Bible do we find where a stranger suddenly enters someone’s life and they become romantically involved with each other.
God Requires That We Put Him First: To receive his promise, God instructed Abram to leave his family and relocate to the land that He promised him.
When Our Relationships Lead to Either Choosing Them or God, Then the Circumstances Demand An Immediate Goodbye!
Reflect on your relationships; if they do not lead you closer to God, then the people you have given access to your life are pulling you away from God. Let them go!
If you are thinking it’s too late, I have been in this relationship for a long time. Unless you are married, you have already crossed the line of living a pure and holy life. Living together or engaging in sexual immorality indicates you have chosen to relinquish your reward of Eternal Life [Revelation 22:15].
If children are involved, they must be taken care of emotionally and financially. Pray for God’s guidance. He has the answers to all of our dilemmas. But we cannot continue to live in sin and be saved.
The Road to Restoration: What does God require of us? Our Father is Love! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:9).
Pray and repent, asking God to forgive you for the sins against Him. Establish a New Covenant with Christ by ceasing all relationships that do not honor God, whether romantic or with unbelieving family and friends.
“Let us then approach God’s Throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 14:6, NIV).
Establish a time for morning and evening worship. We must honor God with Faithful Obedience, which is our highest worship. Pray and ask God to direct you in all of your decision-making, including future relationships.
The Road to Restoration Also Requires Spiritual and Emotional Healing: God knows that letting go of relationships causes deep heart wounds. We may feel as if our breath has ceased to exist. Expressing our sorrow is healthy as long as we are not embracing anger or bitterness.
New Beginnings require a lot of prayer. We can ask our Loving Savior a thousand times a day for comfort and strength. Christ experienced immense grief and sorrow at a level that no human could tolerate, and live.
Establish a time for morning and evening worship. Begin to study the Bible: Genesis 1-3; Psalm 23; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 12; and Revelation 21-22 are good for starters.
Listen to Christian music that honors God. David tells us to praise God with our voice. Praise God with singing; Inspirational music reaches deep into the depths of our souls, soothing our emotional pain.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Today’s believers face many challenges in our Christian Journey, but living righteously should not be one of our hardships. Through prayer, we have 24/7 unlimited access to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor and Triumphant King, who promises to heal our broken hearts and strengthen us in times of weakness.
Keep Your Eyes Focused on Christ: Our Primary Goal Is To Experience the Daily Spiritual Growth and Transformation Required to Receive Our Reward of Eternal Life
Our relationship with Christ is a priority! We are the generation of believers who are living in the Last Days described in 2 Timothy 3. Considering the current conditions, we do not have time to waste being involved in meaningless relationships. There is an old spiritual song that says, “If you don’t want to go [to heaven], don’t hinder me.”
The King is Coming Sooner Than We Think: “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.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Lord God, we love You and desire to renew our covenant vow to worship You with faith, loyalty, and obedience. We ask the Holy Spirit to reveal all relationships in our lives that do not honor and glorify You. Lord, we ask for the strength to persevere through this journey of life as we prepare for eternity. We ask this prayer in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
In the Four Gospels of the New Testament, we find that Jesus reiterates the command for us to love God, the Father with all that we have.
Loving God is a personal desire and requires a daily commitment to put Him first. Heartfelt love for God is the catalyst required to serve Him with honor and reverence.
How is this accomplished when we face countless distractions, crammed schedules, and great responsibilities?
Loving God motivates us to modify our lifestyle by establishing boundaries. We do not let people, or pleasure seeking activities interfere with obeying God, which is our highest worship.
Christian Believers Are Followers of Christ
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6).
Jesus Christ, God, the Son is not only our Savior and Redeemer, but He is also our Intercessor receiving every prayer, and our Mediator bridging the spiritual chasm between God, the Father and ourselves.
The commitment to follow Christ requires living a sacrificial life. Since God’s goal is to give us Eternal Life, we do not waste our daily gift of time to pursue wealth, success, and material possessions [Study Matthew 6].
Separating ourselves to reflect on our daily blessings and our lives reveals that God has faithfully kept His promises to sustain us.
Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth
When our hearts are converted, we are loyal to God, continuously fighting against the spiritual warfare of distractions and the internal drive of self-seeking gratification.
Loving God requires our time. We should not try to squeeze God into a busy schedule, but from the moment we awaken, God receives the first fruits of our time.
Worship Is a Lifestyle: Recently, I did a big chop eliminating activities that contributed nothing to my spiritual and personal growth.
In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul tells us that we face many unseen dangers and the Great Controversy of Good and Evil.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Whisper short prayers silently, or audibly throughout the day. Prayer keeps us connected to Christ whose guidance, wisdom, and strength, we desperately need.
Active participation in our journey of spiritual transformation requires at least one hour every day in personal worship.
The ideal way to stay close to Christ is through morning and evening worship.
In the morning, we come to the Throne of Grace to pray for God’s plans to be revealed and to receive the Divine strength to fulfill His plans.
Evening worship gives us the opportunity to reflect on the given day, and express gratitude for the many victories, including the safe-keeping of ourselves and our family.
We should not limit expressing gratitude for God’s never-ending love, faithfulness, and the blessing of keeping us safe from spiritual and physical harm to only twice-a-day.
To live as Overcomers, we must stay connected to Christ. We ask God for the wisdom to distinguish His voice from the countless voices including our thoughts that would deter us from fulfilling His will.
The Holy Spirit keeps us on the Path of Righteousness by speaking to us through our thoughts, conscience, and the Holy Scriptures.
By any means necessary, put God first! Preparation for worshiping God eternally requires forming a lifestyle of worship in our earthly lives.
We serve a Loving, Protective, and Faithful Heavenly Father who deserves our honor, glory, and praise.
In the Book of Psalms, King David teaches us to praise God continuously for His many blessings. Our praise keeps us connected to Christ who gives us the strength to persevere.
Lord God, for guiding, protecting, and correcting us, we thank You. For giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ who redeemed and rescued us from sin’s outcome, we thank You. And for revealing your Ultimate Plan in Revelation to give us Eternal Life, we thank You. With praise and gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).
A few years ago, I watched a YouTube documentary on adopting a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle. The Japanese professor shared her amazing story of changing her lifestyle, which included relocating to a rural setting and strictly practicing the concept of “Need Over Greed.”
Although the professor said she was not religious, she verbalized that her entire psyche changed, and she felt peace within. Because of her commitment to making positive lifestyle changes, including healthy boundaries, she indicated that she was caring for her mind and body with love and respect.
Yes, every living creature has basic physiological and psychological needs that must be fulfilled; if not, healthy growth and development cannot occur. Yet that is not our dilemma; many believers have excessive tangible goods and wealth beyond their basic needs, yet we still desire more.
Need Over Greed Is a Spiritual Concept
“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.” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Jesus is not teaching us the world’s concept of frugal living—Minimalism, which does not promote obedience to God, or give the principles to transform one’s character into the Righteousness of Christ.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).
Jesus is teaching us to have our priorities straight, so we can actively participate in the transformation of our characters, minds, and personalities required to receive our reward of Eternal Life. It is impossible to pursue wealth and success and actively participate in the journey of spiritual growth and transformation.
The Current Plight of Christianity: We are too distracted by our desires to have the daily personal worship that keeps us anchored in Christ. Prayer and Bible Study invite the Holy Spirit to give us clarity, wisdom, discernment, and Jesus’ strength to fight against our internal desires.
“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.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Without setting aside daily time for personal worship, not only are we excluding ourselves from the presence of God, but we are also living a life of self-direction.
King David’s Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV). David admitted that we cannot judge ourselves; therefore, he continually asked God to search his heart.
Redirecting Our Faith and Focus to God: Every day, we have the opportunity to communicate with God in prayer to learn His perfect will for that day, obey, fulfill His plans, and receive the Divine wisdom, discernment, and strength to overcome our desires.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV). Without a heart-to-heart connection with Christ, we instinctively rely on our human wisdom, which never aligns with God’s Divine Will and Plans.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Not having Scriptural knowledge and the desire to obey God redirects our faith and focus from God to ourselves. From thinking our own thoughts, our lifestyle of self-gratification reveals that we are living in opposition to God’s Righteous Principles.
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” (Luke 12:15, ESV).
God is not surprised that we have not obeyed His command to deny ourselves. Every human heart is driven to please self, which we cannot overcome without the Divine strength of Jesus Christ.
The Onset Begins After Birth: “Babies are naturally self-centered during early development, a stage often beginning around 18 months when they develop a sense of self and possessiveness.”
As we mature through the lifespan, the joy of self-gratification is reinforced through learned behavior, the media, and the assimilation of a materialistic mindset.
For a short time, we are happy, but happiness based on materialism is short-lived, so we must continue to participate in the cycle to maintain our contentment through the acquisition of wealth and possessions.
God’s Command: “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 12:2, NIV).
The Scriptures should not be viewed as unyielding restraints. God is a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who has given us the Spiritual Boundaries [in the Bible] to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.
Chapter 2
Although the Apostle Paul [who was anointed by the Holy Spirit to write most of the New Testament] was a very spiritual and dedicated Christian man of God, he also experienced the battle within: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, NIV).
We were not created to fight the good fight of faith alone. God’s perception of time is Eternal. God knew that in 2025, we would be inundated by the concept of “Pursue Your Desires, More Reveals Power and Prosperity.” The temptations of material acquisition appear overwhelming, but still, we were not created to be helpless.
“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, Amplified Bible).
The Christian Journey will always include the struggles of internal conflict that arise from the inheritance of a self-gratifying heart, and the external opposition of Satan’s personalized schemes and temptations.
But through the sacrificial offering of Jesus, the Lamb of God’s life, we are freed from the bondage of an insatiable, greedy heart. Divine Help is always a prayer away.
“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).
We have all of Heaven—The Triune God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit], along with a countless number of angelic armies who are dedicated to protecting us from spiritual warfare, physical harm, scams, identity theft, and the rest of Satan’s schemes. Yet God’s promises and protection are conditional, and receiving His blessings depends on our willingness to obey our Heavenly Father.
Brothers and Sisters, consider the unbelieving Japanese professor who used discipline and self-control to change her life. Something is not right when unbelievers can successfully use their strength to exercise restraint, and we who accepted Christ as our personal Savior, who promises to give us Divine Help available 24/7, so easily give in to our desires.
Chapter 3
The Sacrificial Life Is the Only Way to Obey God’s Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will
“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)
By choosing to love God, we instinctively desire to obey Him. Personal worship expresses our gratitude to God, our Father, for His Love and the gift of His Only Son, Jesus Christ.
Our morning worship begins with the commitment to living a holy and acceptable life of self-denial. We surrender to God because He deserves our loyalty and faithful obedience; therefore, we use the discipline of self-control to renounce our desires.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Yes, we approach God in prayer for help to resist temptation, still there are times when we give in to our weaknesses. Our Father is still gracious. Through prayer, we have total access to ask for His Divine Help and forgiveness.
God’s love and mercy are always extended when we repent. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father never changes. Not only does Christ promise to never leave or forsake us, He tells us to move forward and continue to fight against our internal desires and external temptations using His strength: “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”
From engaging in consistent Bible Study, we learn God’s Loving Character and His history of intervening when the righteous run to Him for help, which strengthens our faith. We can never pray too much. Continuous Prayer connects us to Christ, who gives us His Spiritual strength to live day by day as Victorious Overcomers!
God knows that we cannot fight this Spiritual War alone! Heaven responds immediately to our cries for help. Still, we must put forth the human effort to choose to use our spiritual gifts of power and self-control to courageously renounce our desires by remaining steadfast to the conviction, “I will not sin against God!”
Throughout the Bible, we have examples of dedicated worshipers who did not sin against God. Their lifestyle reveals the habit of consistent communication with God. Daniel prayed three times a day, and for his faithfulness, he was chosen to receive prophetic visions of the future, which he did not understand.
“And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.” (Daniel 10:11).
Because of Daniel’s love, faith, and loyalty, Jesus Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel the interpretation of his visions. Yes, Daniel admits he was terrified, but Gabriel’s words, “Daniel, man greatly beloved…” were a message directly from Christ.
When we choose to live a sacrificial life, determined to faithfully obey God, dedicating ourselves to a life of prayer is easily accomplished. Prayer is our Spiritual Lifeline to Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor; there is no other way for us to receive spiritual nourishment and strength.
Prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures not only keep us anchored in Christ, but we also recognize our identity as royal heirs who will inherit our Eternal Crown of Life, which consistently reminds us of who our allegiance is to.
Sanctification is the gradual [daily] spiritual process of growth and transformation required for every believer to, yet character transformation depends on our willingness to obey God.
If we are participating with the Holy Spirit, then we will begin to notice changes in our behaviors. Not only do we stop desiring the things we used to pursue, but we also receive wisdom and the discernment to perceive life through the eyes of Christ.
“You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 11:27, NLT).”
The Nation of Israel struggled to obey God because they were mesmerized by the practices of pagan worship. If we expect to be blessed, which includes receiving our Crown of Life, we must cease pursuing our desires.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).
The continuous challenge for every believer is to remain loyal to God by staying connected to Christ; only then can we win the battle of Obedience versus Disobedience to God. Without surrendering ourselves in faith and humility to God, we are driven by our internal desires that we cannot control.
How do we win? We choose to have a “God First” mindset that only comes from loving the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. A spirit of humility invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine Strength to overcome and win the battles within and externally.
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). All of Heaven is dedicated to helping us overcome our innate character traits of a selfish heart. Preparing for Eternal Life One Day At a Time.
Lord God, we desperately need Your help. You know our hearts and the consequences of embracing and pursuing greed. Lord, we confess that we have followed our hearts instead of obeying Your command to not seek earthly treasures, and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We ask You for guidance and strength. Teach us how to hear Your Voice speaking to us instead of following our wayward thoughts leading to self-gratification. We look forward to the day when Your Son, Jesus, and our Triumphant King will come again. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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