Following Jesus Christ – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Pavel Goia: Communism Couldn’t Stop Me From Keeping the Sabbath

“My Grace Is Sufficient For You”

“A Free, Undeserved Gift: Grace cannot be earned through human merit, good works, or costly offerings. Our deep need and unworthiness qualify us to receive it simply by asking.”

“God’s Grace is defined as an unearned, free gift of Divine favor and power given to undeserving human beings to save, transform, and empower them to obey God’s Moral Law [Exodus 20] out of love.

“If you love me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, ESV).

“Harmony with the Law: Grace does not replace or nullify God’s Moral law. Instead, Grace and the Law work in perfect harmony, with Grace giving believers the spiritual power to align their lives with God’s Commandments.”

For it is written, Be holy, for I Am Holy. (1 Peter 1:16). “God’s Grace Is A Catalyst for Transformation: Sanctifying Grace actively works within a believer to renew the heart, quicken the conscience, and purify thoughts.”

The converted heart perceives Jesus as a Loving Savior, who redeemed humanity from the second and final death [the price of sin], with His death on Calvary’s Cross.

The mind and commitment of Jesus’ dedicated followers is to honor and worship Him with daily surrender and faithful obedience, always acknowledging Christ as their Resurrected and Triumphant King!

Yeshua is our Loving and Faithful Shepherd, who is steadfastly committed to protecting and providing for His sheep.

Jesus Christ is Heaven’s Mighty Warrior and Commander of Angel Armies, who are commissioned to protect the righteous from Satan, our greatest enemy.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). To follow Jesus, we must love Him, learn His Righteous Character and Attributes, and study to learn how He lived in His earthly life.

To know Jesus requires knowing His Life and the Truth of His Righteous Principles. The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John document The Life of Christ in the Holy Bible.

God’s Grace is freely given to those who actively desire to receive its Life-Giving Power.

Every day, our gratitude for the gift of God’s Grace is revealed by spending time in personal worship, expressing gratitude for His Steadfast Love and Faithfulness, and asking God to reveal His Will and Plans.

Loving God is the spiritual catalyst that produces humility and the willingness to surrender to God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways [Isaiah 55:8-9].

Faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the Holy Scriptures and our thoughts. God, the Holy Spirit communicates God’s Divine Plan to every believer, who uses their faith to surrender with the commitment to follow Jesus.

Active participation in our Salvation includes learning to hear Jesus’ Voice. When facing challenges, it is best not to involve other people, which facilitates the astute recognition of Divine Guidance.

We can differentiate Jesus’ Voice from our thoughts because Divine Thoughts and Instructions always reveal that God is Holy; and God always gives Glory and Honor to Himself, because He is The Sovereign Authority of this universe.

Obedience To God Is True Worship: Remaining Covered By God’s Grace

God’s Grace: We were Justified [forgiven of our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness] when we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). From obeying Jesus’ Voice [His plans for our lives], we remain covered by His Righteousness, which is required for our Salvation and Sanctification.

Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of our mind, character, and personality being changed from carnal unholiness into Christ’s Righteous Character.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25). Prayer keeps us connected to Christ.

Through daily surrender, we proclaim that Jesus is the Lord of our life; yet, it is continuous faithful obedience that reveals if Jesus is sitting on the throne of our heart as our Lord, Shepherd, and King.

Remaining Under The Spiritual Umbrella of God’s Grace

“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).

Spiritual growth and character transformation require the human effort of daily total surrender and cooperation with God. To remain anchored In Christ, we cease making decisions without spiritual guidance.

Surrender is revealed by letting go of our desires and plans in exchange for seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures.

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

To remain covered by Grace, our lifestyle is one of continuous worship; Praying, Waiting for God’s answer, and Obeying His instructions, keeps us in Right Standing with God.

Through God’s Grace, the Journey of Spiritual Transformation is performed by the Holy Spirit, yet, we must actively participate in our Salvation.

The Fruit of The Spirit Describes Christ’s Righteous Character

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

We cannot change ourselves. The Fruit of the Spirit are Divine Attributes, which require the intervention of the Holy Spirit and our commitment to follow and obey God, and to live righteously.

To remain covered by God’s Grace, we let go of all behaviors, habits, lifestyle choices, and relationships that do not represent the Pure Righteousness of Jesus Christ.

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24-25).

From our commitment to put our faith and trust in the Strength of Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live a sacrificial life of self-denial. Every day, we will be tempted and our faith will be tested, Prayer is our Spiritual Weapon!

Through prayer, we have immediate access to Divine Help. Whisper prayers continuously throughout your day, always asking for the Spiritual Wisdom to recognize temptation and the Spiritual Strength to renounce sin in all of its devious forms.

Our Christian Journey requires faith, trust, courage, obedience, perseverance, and endurance. The psalmist, King David assures us, “When the righteous cry out for help, the Lord delivers them.” Yes and Amen!

Like the great Niagara Falls, God’s Grace, Mercies, and Power flows continuously to the heart of every surrendered believer; Jesus, our Loving Shepherd is always ready to give us Divine Help.

“Give us our daily bread” has a physical and spiritual meaning: To remain connected to Christ, we must receive the spiritual food of supernatural wisdom, strength, and power from the Holy Spirit to navigate in our spiritual journey.

Reflection: God’s Grace is the undeserving, free gift of His Divine Love, Favor and Power.

Jesus, our Shepherd leads us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness; and the Holy Spirit gives us the instructions and wisdom to live righteously, preparing us for an eternity in the presence of a Holy and Righteous God.

As time rapidly progresses toward the Second Coming of Jesus, we cannot afford to be separated spiritually from our Shepherd. A steadfast relationship with Jesus is required to be covered by His Grace.

To navigate through this tumultuous spiritual journey, we must stay under the Cover of Jesus’ Divine Grace, which invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the supernatural wisdom and strength to “fight the good fight of faith.” Yes and Amen.

Lord God, we approach the Throne of Grace, realizing that we are powerless without Your Divine Presence, Guidance, and Power. We ask You to cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness, and to give us the strength to keep persevering through our earthly spiritual journey. In faith, we commit to following Jesus, to establishing a life of worship filled with prayer, gratitude, and praise for Your continual faithfulness. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Refining Fiery Process of Spiritual Growth and Maturity

“You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.” (Psalm 66:10, NLT).

“The Refining Process of Silver: Heating in a Crucible: Impure silver is placed in a heat-resistant container called a crucible along with a flux, such as borax.”

“The Refiner’s Watch: The artisan must closely monitor the fire and keep watch over the molten silver the entire time, removing it right when the surface becomes completely clear and reflective.”

“Characters that have not endured fiery trials are not spiritually reliable.”

Jesus accepts us just like we are, but we cannot stay that way. Sanctification is a lifetime process that requires us to renounce sin; live a sacrificial life of self-denial, and make the daily commitment to use our faith to obey and follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

Today, I reflected deeply on how easy it is for us, even as Christians, to say that we love God, but every day, we disobey our Heavenly Father.

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

In John 14:1-3, Jesus tells us that He has future plans for us; and how many of us wake up everyday with an agenda already in our minds, without ever inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us?

God is extremely Loving; He gave His Only Son, Jesus to save us from the penalty of sin. Too many of us are guilty of pursuing our desires instead of pursuing Jesus.

Because God loves us, He will allow trials to come into our lives; God’s desire is that we will respond with surrender and obedience.

Romans 8:18 states: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

“Current Pain: The Apostle Paul acknowledges that life involves real hardship, pain, and trials.

Future Hope: He teaches that the future joy and glory given by God are much greater than any current struggle.

Perspective: This verse helps people look past today’s hard times and trust in a better future.”

God has done all that is possible to empower us in our spiritual journey. “You shall have no other gods before me” is His command.

We cannot serve God with a divided heart; there is no middle ground, either we are all in through surrender and obedience, or we are completely out as demonstrated by following our thoughts, plans, and strategies.

God’s Attempt To Redirect Us Back To Jesus Christ

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12, NIV).

Being in the spiritual fire doesn’t feel good, but the Apostle Peter tells us that every believer who has accepted Christ as their Savior will suffer.

“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Jesus promised to empower us with His strength to keep moving forward. Our responsibility is to live a life of worship; praying, studying the Bible, meditating on God’s Promises, and obeying His directives and plans for our lives.

“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).

Desire Heaven? The character traits that we must possess and develop are steadfast faith, love, loyalty, and the willingness to surrender and obey God.

Reflection: Evaluate your heart, if the grievous weed of pride is present, it is demonstrated by a spirit and lifestyle of self-reliance.

A prideful heart resulted in the highest archangel Lucifer losing all of his senses; in Isaiah Chapter 14, Lucifer challenged God’s Sovereign Authority:

“For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Pride sits on the throne of the human heart, making us unresponsive to Jesus’ Love. The invasive root of pride controls the human mind, and like unbelievers, we will never bow to God’s Sovereign Authority.

Every day, pray for the Holy Spirit to give you stronger faith. It is humility that invites the Holy Spirit to redirect our focus, giving us the insight to perceive life through spiritual eyes, which strengthens our faith.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5, ESV).

And praying for God to reveal His perfect will, is the only way we can be sanctified by the Holy Spirit and covered with the Righteousness of Christ.

We must be tried by temptations in order to learn to depend totally on Christ. Develop the habits of praying for spiritual wisdom and walking through life on bended knees.

From day to day, we have no idea the vicissitudes of life that will come rushing in like an earthquake.

If we stay connected to Christ in the peaceful times, our faith will push us to pray, and we will anchor ourselves to Jesus, our Rock and Stronghold in times of trouble.

Even spiritually mature believers, who use their faith to always trust and obey Christ must endure the tests, trials, hardships, and adversities designed to remove the impurities in our hearts and minds.

We can only be successful in resisting our hearts desires and Satan’s temptations from continuously seeking and praying for God’s Divine Help and the Oil of Grace [The Holy Spirit] to be poured on us.

Our Daily Prayer: Lord, I surrender to You and I want You to be the King on the throne of my heart, and I ask You to, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10). In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25).

Only the blood of Jesus can completely cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and through the Holy Spirit, He gives us the supernatural strength to persevere in this tough spiritual journey of life.

“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” (Romans 8:34, NLT).

We have King Jesus functioning as our Heavenly High Priest and Intercessor receiving every prayer. All of Heaven including the messenger angels are dedicated to preparing us for living a Forever Righteous Life with the Holy Triune God.

When having personal worship, ask Jesus to pray for you, and He will empower you with the peace, wisdom, and strength to endure and persevere through hardships that words are inadequate to describe.

Jesus told Peter that He was praying for him because Satan was trying to sift him like wheat, hoping that Peter would walk away from Jesus like Judas did.

We know that Peter denied Christ three times, yet he repented, and Jesus fully restored him. During the day of Pentecost, it was the apostle Peter, who the Holy Spirit anointed to preach to the multitude, and over 3,000 people accepted Jesus as their Savior and were baptized.

Following Jesus requires a life filled with challenges, yet Jesus never crushes us. It would be pointless for our trials to produce a State of Mind overflowing with hopelessness and despair; still, we must remain steadfast and follow Jesus with faithful obedience, conviction, and courage.

Like silver that is purified in the fire, we will receive the strength to endure the sufferings that are designed to get rid of the impure thoughts, habits, and carnal behaviors that we inherited.

Jesus tells us it is impossible for us to change ourselves. Through self-denial, we invite the Holy Spirit to empower us to let go of the world’s declining morals, values, and the relationships with sinful people, and their “filthy” practices.

Instead of feeling sad, helpless, or that God is punishing you, “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you a partner with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

Lord God, for Your abundant Love, Grace, and countless Mercies, we bow to Your Sovereign Authority. We thank You for the Cross. We owe You our lives for fulfilling the Plan of Redemption. Jesus, we thank You for paying the price of Your life to save our souls. Thank You for allowing us to suffer the fiery trials and hardships designed to change us. Lord, we know that we will appreciate Your correction on the day when You come again to receive the faithful and obedient righteous to take us to our Forever Home in the New Heaven and New Earth. Thank You Jesus, we love You, and ask this prayer in faith, and in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

Our Life Matters To God

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

2 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it is not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

3 “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3).

God desires the best for us; He wants us to have a relationship with His Son, God, Jesus Christ; to know and do what is right; to live righteously, and to know and obey His One and Only Truth in the Holy Bible.

Because of the hardships in our spiritual journey with Jesus, we may become discouraged or disappointed, but if we feel that our life does not matter to God, then we are in a Spiritual Crisis.

To understand God, the Father, and God, Jesus, the Son’s phenomenal love requires that we maintain a heart-to-Heart relationship with Jesus Christ through daily personal worship.

“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).

“The Vine: Jesus represents the Source of Life, Strength, and Power.” “The Branches: Believers must stay attached to the Source.” “Bearing Fruit: Doing good works and living a faithful life happens naturally only when staying close to Jesus.”

“Staying Connected: To “abide” means to keep a close, daily relationship with Him through faith, trust, obedience, prayer, and Bible Study.”

To abide in Christ requires using our faith to follow Him and live a sacrificial life of self-denial. Study Romans 12:1-2.

Put God First: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” To stay connected to God, we must love God and dedicate ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd, with surrender and obedience.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…It will be health to your flesh [mind and body], And strength to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

Becoming weary and feeling as if we are carrying the weight of the world reveals that we have excluded God.

By attempting to use our thoughts and strategies to navigate through life, we have separated ourselves from the Divine Source of All Knowledge, Wisdom, and Strength.

Jesus tells us, “…you can do nothing without me.” Our spiritual journey of growth and transformation cannot be accomplished without Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).

We desperately need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us with wisdom and strength. Because we must eat physical food every day, we must also pray daily, asking for wisdom and strength.

Nothing creates discouragement and despair like a decision that leads to facing unnecessary consequences. Yet we do not have to live the chaotic life of unbelievers, who will never enjoy Jesus’ Gifts of Peace and Contentment.

Resolution To Our Spiritual Crisis: We Make The Commitment to Redirect Our Faith and Focus Back To El Roi

El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי), translates to “The God Who sees me” or “The God Who sees.” Jesus knows every challenge and every adversity that will happen in our lifespan.

“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Jesus is committed to resolving life’s routine challenges and the unexpected hardships, but we must choose to include Him. Accepting Jesus as our Savior also means the commitment to follow Him; we pray, ask for help, and obey His instructions, waiting patiently for His resolution.

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you” [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7, Amplified Bible).

The Prayer: ” Lord God, today guide me in my decision-making and give me the strength to keep moving forward.”

Faith, Trust, Courage, and Internal Joy and Peace are Spiritual gifts available to every dedicated follower of Christ. Imagine being in a one-sided relationship: you give your all, and the other person receives but never reciprocates.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1, NIV).

Jesus has given us above and beyond what we deserve. It’s time for us to lavish our love on our Loving and Compassionate Shepherd, Savior, and Triumphant King.

By dedicating personal time with Jesus, we can whisper words expressing our love and gratitude to Him for sustaining our lives with the daily blessings that we take for granted. God is the Sustainer of all life: Our greatest blessing is God’s Ruach Breath that flows through our bodies.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Each day brings its own obstacles. We were never created to figure things out. The answer to building our faith and escaping the Spiritual Crisis is to restore our relationship with Jesus Christ by maintaining constant communication with Him through prayer.

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27, NIV). Victorious faith requires that Jesus is actively involved in our lives, teaching and guiding us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Worshiping the King of Kings with consistent prayer and diligent study of the Holy Scriptures invites the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to see life through spiritual eyes.

The Holy Spirit empowers us with the wisdom and strength to persevere, keeps us spiritually connected to Jesus, and guides us to move forward and stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

The Message of the Cross reveals the Plan of Redemption, which God, the Father, and Jesus Christ had in place before the world and before Adam and Eve were created. We have been rescued from the wages of sin [Romans 6:23]. Thank You, God!

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, Amplified Bible).

All of Heaven, the Triune Godhead [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] and the host of angels are dedicated to guiding and giving us the spiritual wisdom and strength to persevere in our journey with Jesus from Earth to Heaven.

Does our life matter to God? The Cross answers with a resounding Yes! We are greatly loved! Through our faith, we are saved by God’s Grace, and we are alive because of Jesus’ Love and Mercies. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

God Validates Our Worth – The Spiritual Status of the Righteous: “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).

The Holy Bible reveals God’s Love, His Righteous Character, and is filled with countless stories of His Divine Intervention, which always produces victorious outcomes!

Does our life matter to God? We have 24/7 angelic protection! “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14, NIV). The righteous have guardian angels assigned by their Commander, Jesus Christ, to protect and guide us 24/7. (Study Psalm 91).

Not only do our invisible angels fight Satan’s invisible evil angels, but they also help us to recognize covert temptations [spiritual warfare] that the human mind cannot discern. The dedicated believer, who prays and relies on Christ, will never be scammed or suffer from financial loss due to deception.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).

The Bible Is Our Spiritual Guide and Mirror

God has given us Commandments [His Moral Law] and Righteous Precepts that teach us the difference between His Truth and false doctrines, sin and righteousness, providing us with His never-changing expectations on how we are to think and live.

The righteous who remain faithful and persevere will be rewarded: “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). 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). It is just a matter of time, and He that shall come will come. Jesus asks, “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John gives us a limited description of the New Heaven and New Earth; Jesus reveals how sin and evil on this Earth will end; and His Ultimate and Definitive Plan to destroy the wicked and reward the righteous with our Eternal Crown of Life.

The Holy Scriptures reiterate that we are Sons and Daughters of the Sovereign God of this universe, who will inherit the Kingdom of God if we participate with the Holy Spirit by living righteously. Guarding our gift of time is crucial to progressing in our spiritual journey.

Busyness does not produce spiritual growth! “…making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” (Ephesians 5:15, Amplified Bible).

There is only one reason why Christian believers become despondent in their Spiritual Journey, questioning if their life matters to God: They are spiritually disconnected from Jesus Christ.

Too busy to spend time with God? We are drawn away by our digital devices, ChatGPT, wealth-building, pleasure-seeking activities, insatiable desires, and unholy relationships. “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT).

“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He [Jesus] is righteous. He who sins is of the devil for the devil has sinned from the beginning…” (1 John 3:7-8).

We cannot follow Christ with a divided heart. Without being anchored in Christ, Satan easily uses distractions to entice us. Many former Christians have drifted so far from God that they have lost their sense of direction.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Believers who spend time with God in Prayer and Study of the Holy Scriptures are anchored spiritually, mentally, and emotionally to Christ.

The Christian Community has changed—We cannot look for validation from those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, which also includes many church members who only practice ritualistic worship. Attending church does not indicate that we are spiritually connected to Christ.

“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” God desires that we live a pure and holy life, made possible through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Transformation and Maturity require a lifetime of steadfast determination to live holy, revealing our desire to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

“I can come to Jesus just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.” Our earthly lives are a time of probation. We only have the here and now to actively participate in our spiritual journey. Make your relationship with Jesus your priority!

The Bible Is Our Guide to Eternal Life: We must study the Scriptures for ourselves. We cannot grow spiritually from listening to someone else’s Biblical knowledge. God never instructed us to only study part of the Bible—this false doctrine has pervaded today’s Christian Community.

No, animal sacrifice in the Old Testament does not apply to today’s Christians, but learning the Sanctuary Service helps us understand the magnitude of the Plan of Redemption and the Sacredness of the Sacrificial Offering of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

The perfect lambs that were brought to the temple and sacrificed pointed to Jesus, whose death was required on Calvary’s Cross. Yes, only Jesus, the perfect Lamb’s blood had the Power to wash away our sins and to save our souls.

According to Bible Scholars, the New Testament contains 70% of the Old Testament. We live in extremely evil times; believers are confused [My people perish for the lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6] and desperately need the power of God that comes from knowing and obeying the entire Bible [Genesis to Revelation].

The Bible identifies and teaches us how to differentiate between what is Holy and what is “filthy unrighteousness.” Always ask yourself before speaking, watching, or participating in an activity: Does this honor a Holy and Righteous God?

Studying the Bible teaches us God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways, and invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom to understand the Message of the Cross, and God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies.

The Bible teaches us how we should honor and worship God. While on earth, Jesus lived a sacrificial life of self-denial, and He gave us instructions on how to live righteously and renounce sin in every form. The Holy Scriptures build our faith and trust in God, and teach us how to surrender, obey, and follow Jesus.

When God matters to us, we will stay connected to Jesus through prayer; we will abide in Christ by diligently studying the Bible; we will ask the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live a righteous life that honors, reveres, and glorifies God.

When our love for God is genuine, and our worship is revealed by a lifestyle of consecration, only then will the Holy Spirit begin and continue the Spiritual Process of Sanctifying and preparing us for Eternity.

Sanctification: Through the Holy Spirit, day by day, we will experience continuous spiritual growth and transformation, becoming more and more like the Righteous Character of our Triumphant King. Yes and Amen!

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).

Lord God, with humble hearts, we approach Your Throne of Grace, surrendering ourselves to follow Jesus with love and loyalty. We ask for forgiveness for the sins of self-reliance and following our thoughts, instead of asking for Your perfect plans for our lives. Lord, we have hit the wall and can go no further without Your Divine Help. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, we are Your sheep, teach us how to recognize Your Voice. Today we renew our covenant to follow and obey our Shepherd. Lord God, we look forward to the day when we will see Jesus and receive our Eternal Crown of Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Courage to Step into the Unknown | Pastor Dr Wintley Phipps

The Walk of Faith Is A Lifelong Journey

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21).

Praying for God’s direction before making decisions reveals if our faith and trust is in God’s Faithfulness and His Promises.

Last week, I had a conversation with the maintenance supervisor in our complex and he shared with me that he is teaching his 9-year-old daughter to think carefully and slowly about the decisions that she makes.

Every decision, either produces good results or negative consequences. The consequences take away our happiness and peace, leaving in our minds a dark cloud of misery and regret. This is the surprising part, he is an unbeliever.

The Scriptures teach us to Always Rely On God! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean [rely] on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).

Reflection: In John 3:16, God proclaims absolute proof of His love for humanity. Our love relationship with Jesus Christ requires reciprocity; Jesus loves us and we love Him by being faithful and obedient.

Unless we love God and practice our spiritual gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7], our desires will force us to compromise and disobey every directive that God has given us in the Holy Bible.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2: ESV).

The Believer’s Walk of Faith is a lifelong journey of daily self-denial, surrender, and faithful obedience to God.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.'” (Jeremiah 17:5, NLT).

King Solomon learned from experience, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). From studying the Bible, we find that God is doing all He can to keep us from being lost.

We have a Heavenly Father, who cares about the smallest details in our lives, and expects us to pray for His guidance and obey, by doing exactly what He tells us to do.

Adam, Eve, Cain, and Samson’s decisions teach us that relying on human wisdom is always a deadly choice, producing unwanted consequences. All repented, except Cain, who embraced pagan customs.

We cannot know what is going to happen from one minute to the next minute, or guarantee the outcomes of our decisions. If we love God, then we Rely on God.

The Apostle Paul wrote this to Timothy, who he was training to become a Pastor: “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2:7).

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12).

Self-Reliance reveals that the bitter fruit of Pride has taken root in our heart, preventing our Spiritual Teacher and Guide, the Holy Spirit, from giving us the wisdom to make the right decisions, according to God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways [Isaiah 55:8-9].

“Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, MTB).

We Pray, Wait for God’s Answer, and the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our thoughts, and the Holy Scriptures.

Not only do we receive God’s Answer, but the Holy Spirit also gives us clear and concise directions to do exactly what God has commanded.

When God emancipated the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, the journey to the Promised Land was only 11 days. Because of their continuous disobedience of doing as they pleased, they wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years.

The Final Outcome: “Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.” (Numbers 14:29).

“God declared that everyone 20 years and older would perish in the wilderness—due to the people’s disobedience and lack of faith after the spies returned from Canaan.”

Joshua and Caleb were the only two faithful and obedient men from the generation freed from Egyptian slavery, who received their reward of entering the Promised Land.

Canaan, the Promised Land in the Old Testament symbolizes The New Heaven and New Earth in Revelation chapters 21-22.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). On the Day of Judgment, what possible answer can we provide to Jesus’ question?

The Walk of Faith requires a sacrificial life of seeking God’s Guidance through continuous Prayer, Bible Study, Faith, Surrender, and Obedience.

Are we willing to faithfully obey God for the remainder of our lives, which is required to receive Jesus’ Promise in John 14:1-3?

Lord God, we ask You to forgive us for our sins of disobedience and self-reliance. We also ask You to give us wisdom and strength, and to guide us in our daily lives as we prepare for Jesus’ Second Advent. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Jesus’ Love Gift

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” (John 10:17)

“What love, what wonderful love, was displayed by the Son of God!” The death we deserved, Jesus suffered, so we can receive a Forever Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Reflection: What is our daily response to Jesus’ Love gift of Salvation? Our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are grateful and willing to surrender and live as Jesus’ Faithful, Obedient Followers.

The story of Matthew, the tax collector reveals the power of faith and the commitment to say, Yes to following Jesus when nothing is promised to you.

“As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be My disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, NLT).

Matthew was a wealthy, but corrupt tax collector, who decided to let go of his sinful habits to follow Jesus on an unknown spiritual journey.

Jesus knows every heart, and who is willing to follow Him from Earth to Heaven, despite the turbulent journey. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus leads and guides us on the Narrow Path. Yes, the believers who follow Him like Matthew will be transformed day by day into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). “Jesus died as our sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God, taking on the penalty for sin.”

Reflection: Although nothing of earthly value or elevated status was promised to Jesus’ twelve disciples, they used their faith to follow and obey Him. Judas followed, but always had a hidden agenda of greed in his heart.

In John 17, Jesus prayer reveals that eleven of His original twelve disciples will receive their reward of Eternal Life when He comes again.

Every Christian knows and accepts that Jesus died to redeem them from their sins. But following Christ on earth is only the beginning of our spiritual journey. We must use our faith and time to prepare for eternity.

Jesus promised in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12 that if we follow Him by living a sacrificial life of self- denial, surrender, and faithful obedience, we will receive our reward of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21).

Sadly, like Judas, the majority of the Christian Community are living in opposition to Jesus’ command of self-denial. Their only reward will be what they have collected on this Earth.

But if we obey, our eyes will remain focused on Jesus: “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.” (John 14:15, Amplified Bible).

Our Sacrificial Life: Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:1-2, and Ephesians 6.

A heart overflowing with real love for God and Jesus Christ is the catalyst that propels us to willingly live a sacrificial life of self-denial.

When we value our ultimate gift of Redemption, it is not a burden to let go of our heart’s desires and follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17).

Do not be deceived! All Satan can offer is distractions, busyness, and temporary treasures, pleasures, and relationships on a temporary Earth.

Jesus’ Steadfast Promise: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We must decide whether we are going to chase Satan’s temporary earthly trinkets and pleasures, or follow Jesus on the Narrow Path, which gives us the reward of our Forever Gift of Eternal Life.

God loves us and desires that we learn and obey His Truth. The Bible is God’s Spiritual Treasure Map that clearly tells us what is required to live righteously, guiding and keeping us on the Straight and Narrow.

The Scriptures are designed to bring us to Spiritual Senses. Without taking the time to pray and study the Bible everyday, we will embrace Satan’s deceptions and lies.

From Genesis to Revelation, not one Scripture substantiates Satan’s lie: Satan says, Go ahead, do as you please, you will go to Heaven.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: Both groups are Christian believers, yet the goats are living as they please. Study Matthew 25:31-46.

It’s time for us to dismiss the foolishness of this world and take the stand of faithfulness required to follow Jesus from Earth to heaven.

The True Follower’s Credo: “Salvation is a priceless gift. Jesus loves me, died for me, and because I love and honor Him, I can live the sacrificial life of self-denial that is required to follow Him with faithful obedience.”

The True Follower’s Commitment: “Every day I will pray for the wisdom and strength to live as an Overcomer. I will not exchange my reward of Eternal Life for Satan’s temporary wealth, success, and pleasure.”

When our hearts are converted, our thoughts, spoken words, habits, and lifestyles reveal that we are following Jesus Christ.

To remain loyal to Christ requires courage, yet, we must always depend on His Power and Strength to live a life of “No Compromise!”

Yes, we were given the gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7], but Human Effort is never enough to keep us on the Straight and Narrow Path.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

From praying and asking for Jesus’ Divine Wisdom and Strength, the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome all obstacles, including our desires, and Satan’s continuous temptations.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). When love is overflowing in our hearts for Christ, it is not a burden to surrender to Him.

Through the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study, we stay anchored to Christ, the Rock, revealing that our love, faith, and loyalty is unrelenting.

“‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.'” (John 14:1-4).

Brothers and Sisters, it’s just a matter of time and Yeshua, our King will be riding a white horse, in the clouds with His legions of angels, and we will witness all of His Magnificent Glory! Yes and Amen!

The trumpet will sound and those who died following Him will be raised from their graves. And those who are alive will be lifted up in the air to meet our Savior and King! Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!

“For, ‘In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.'”(Hebrews 10:37, NIV).

Lord God, we thank You for the greatest gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly suffered the worst death to save our souls. We are grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice that gives us freedom from the chains of sin. Lord, we ask King David’s prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” We also ask for the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize Satan’s deceptions and temptations, and the Strength to persevere, and live with the joy and hope that comes from preparing for the Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Represent God’s Righteous Integrity In Everything You Do

Last week, I was chatting with the maintenance supervisor in our complex, who stated that he finally has a crew of people who care, have high standards, and do quality work; yes, they refuse to compromise by taking shortcuts.

In Genesis Chapter 1, The Story of Creation, every day, God, Jesus Christ, who made all things [John Chapter 1] critiques the results of His spoken words: “Then God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;’ and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:9-10).

Integrity: In the beginning, Christ established a guiding principle for everyday Christian living; He emphasizes that our beliefs, thoughts, words, and actions must completely align with His Perfect Righteousness:

“It is written, ‘Be holy, for I am Holy.'” (1 Peter 1:16). When Jesus looks at our heart and mind, examining our thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions, He should be able to say, “It is good.”

The Apostle Paul taught his new believers in the early churches: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17).

“As followers of Christ, righteous integrity must be practiced in everything we do, even the ordinary, daily tasks. Yes, every action should be done as an act of worship to honor God.”

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8).

God reminds us that His Righteous thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and strategies, which requires us to pray, asking for His plans to be revealed.

God tells us that He does not change. If we rely on His thoughts and ways, learning His Character and how He intervenes, then we will remain spiritually stable, despite the planet Earth’s declined morals, values, and ever-changing beliefs and practices.

Because we were created with free will, we must choose to do what is right. And that is increasingly more difficult, not only due to corrupt societies, but also because we inherited sinful hearts that easily compromise [Jeremiah 17:9].

Yet, God gave us the Holy Scriptures to learn how He defines what is right and wrong. And through daily personal worship, we pray for Divine Guidance, which is given to us by God, the Holy Spirit.

We study, commit to memory, obey, and live a life that reflects God’s Righteous Principles. To love God is to put Him first! The Holy Spirit teaches us how to live holy and guides in our daily spiritual journey on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV).

Always doing what is right is the choice that invites the Holy Spirit to convert our heart, guide our decisions, and transform our mind, character, and personality to reflect Christ’s Righteousness [Sanctification].

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

From obeying God’s Commands, our hearts are spiritually connected to Jesus’ Pure and Holy Heart. The Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out, empowering us to let go of old habits, behaviors, unbelieving friends, and former lifestyles.

When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we begin to think differently, perceiving life through spiritual eyes. Not only do our habits and lifestyles reflect Christ Righteousness, but day by day, we prepare ourselves to receive our Triumphant King’s Promises in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12.

The pure heart is filled with Righteous Integrity and is a powerful witness of God’s Holy Standards of “Perfect Love, Obedience, and a Mindset of No Compromise.” These values constitute acts of worship, revealing that loving and obeying Christ does make a difference in one’s life.

Overcoming Satan’s Covert Deceptions

Satan is very devious and subtle with his temptations. Because we were created a little lower than the angels, we must remember that Satan is still a fallen angel; and his intellect and wisdom supersedes our intellect.

Divine Command: “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).

Covert Deceptions: When a temptation is presented that fulfills one of our heart’s desires, if we fail to pray, it is impossible for us to discern Satan’s diabolical schemes.

Without prayer, we will fall! Yes, we can repent, receive forgiveness, and apologize to those who were impacted, but Sin always leaves its Mark, and often irreversible consequences.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). We must never cooperate with Satan, by letting our feelings override our sound mind [self-control and discipline].

Always pray and wait for God’s answer before making a decision that will easily compromise your integrity and right standing with God: Pray, Wait, and Obey!

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake…” (Philippians 1:29, ESV).

Always doing what is right eventually requires a cost: To say No to an “Offer of Compromise” may result in the loss of our jobs, friends, family, a marriage, and what appears to be the world’s best solutions and greatest financial rewards.

When a situation arises, demanding that we compromise our integrity, or even if we are unsure and have a conflict within our mind, we immediately breathe a prayer for strength and ask God, “Will a decision of Yes, honor You?”

Do not let your feelings overwhelm or control you! There is no reason to be upset, Offers of Compromise are part of Satan’s continuous Spiritual Warfare [Ephesians 6].

From placing our faith and trust in God and His Saving Power, we remain calm and courageous by maintaining our faith and trust in God, by simply stating, “No, I cannot do that,” and walk away.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV).

We should never say, “I am sorry that I cannot do that.” We leave the door open for Satan to present the same compromise, using a more devious strategy. Never apologize for upholding God’s Righteous Standards.

God’s Action Plan To Honor The Faithful

“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.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV).

If your decision results in loss, remain steadfast in your faith. Always trust God! We can only see life through natural eyes, but God tells us to redirect our focus to the Heavenly Realm, where the concept of impossible has never existed!

“Behold, I am YAHWEH, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB).

God is Omniscient [All-Knowing], so, He already knows every trial and temptation, we will face. Remain loyal to God by using your faith to pray, believe, and trust in His Promises and Mighty Power.

We Must Walk Through Life On Bended Knees – Build Your Life On Prayers of Faith

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

God, the Father has promised to give us our needs through God, His Son, Jesus Christ. Pray, Prayers of Faith and Gratitude, thanking God in advance for giving you the victory and supplying your needs.

Keep your faith and focus on God and His Promises by not looking at the circumstances. Even in the time of waiting, remain steadfast with prayers and praises of gratitude!

Remain courageous: “Wait on the Lord.” Place your confidence in Jesus Christ, Who is Yahweh Yireh, The God Who Provides. He has already designed your personal Plan of Victory!

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind” [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes]…(Romans 12:2, Amplified Bible).

Yes, shortcuts, and hidden practices requiring the compromise of one’s integrity is the world’s standard, but our allegiance to God requires that we uphold God’s Holy Principles.

We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the decision to uphold the Righteous Standards of a Righteous God demonstrates our love and loyalty to Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, for which we will be greatly rewarded.

Brothers and Sisters, it’s just a matter of time! Sooner than we think, “He that shall come will come” and one day, we will hear King Jesus say to us, “Well done,” and He will give us our Crown of Life. Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Your Promises in the Holy Scriptures, and the open invitation to come to Your Throne of Grace in time of need. Lord, we realize that we are always in need, so we ask You to bless us spiritually, and to increase our faith that we may remain steadfast when facing temptations. We ask for the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize Satan schemes, and the strength to overcome. And Lord, we also ask You to please be our Strength. In love and faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Yahweh Yireh, our Provider, Amen.

Practical Messages For Living In Impractical Times

Follow Jesus – Your Life Will End In Triumph!

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

A pastor shared this testimony: When I was 15 years old, my church hosted a mountain hike for the community and it was a great turnout. The guides reviewed the rules with everyone, and we agreed to follow our guides and the rules.

But as we walked along the trail, everyone was excited, except for me. I had hiked this mountain with my dad, and knew the trail, so I became bored. I listened to my feelings, and decided to deviate from the trail.

The thought of exploring new territory made me excited, but as the group kept walking, I waited by a tree for five minutes to see if anyone missed me, but no one called my name, so I decided to keep moving forward.

Yes, I knew the rules, if you’re navigating an unknown path, you mark the trees, which will guide you on the return trip. But with overconfidence, I told myself, you don’t need to do that, you have an excellent memory.

After walking for about 10 minutes, I decided to return to the group. Being alone, and no one knowing where you are did not bring the excitement that I anticipated, but when I turned around, I became disoriented.

All the trees were identical and I knew there weren’t any straight paths on a mountain. Still, I reassured myself that I could get back, so I just started walking forward, hoping to see the familiar trail. But after walking for what seemed to be forever, I realized that I was lost.

Immediately I reached for my cell phone, but there was no signal. I can still remember the fear and panic consuming my mind, and my body reacted. My heart began to beat faster and I started hyperventilating, at that point, I knew that if someone didn’t find me, I would die.

Because my heart was filled with pride, I thought, If I call out for help, others will laugh at me, knowing that I was raised in this area, and still got lost, so I suppressed the desire to call out.

But as my vision became blurred from the tears of fear, I realized that I needed God’s help. I prayed, confessing that I had been disobedient, and I begged God to show me how to get back to the trail.

My legs felt weak, but the Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus’ Promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you;” peace replaced the fear in my mind, and step by step, I slowly moved forward.

The Holy Spirit gave me the courage and wisdom to walk through the unknown. God revealed His Never-Changing Love, Mercy, and Faithfulness: Although at least 20 minutes had passed, when I returned to the trail, I was right behind the crowd of hikers.

No one knew that I was missing, except for my Shepherd, Jesus Christ. I never shared this experience until I became an adult because it was only then that I fully understood the love of Jesus Christ.

The Decision To Follow Jesus Christ

Jesus had just performed the miracle of healing the paralytic: “Now when the multitude saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” (Matthew 9:8)

Matthew’s Decision To Follow Jesus: “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9, NIV).

Can you remember the joy and excitement that was in your heart when you said, “Yes, I repent of my sins and accept Jesus as my Savior?”

Do you still have the joy, happiness, and peace that comes from following Jesus?

“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).

If you are navigating through life following your own thoughts and strategies, repent and renew your commitment with Jesus Christ to be His Forever Follower.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:14, 27-28).

To Follow Jesus, Surrender, Repent, Forget the Past, and Keep Moving Forward

Every day, use your faith to pray and ask for God’s guidance before making plans and decisions. Make the commitment to following Jesus on the Narrow Path, wherever He leads you. No, it will not be easy, but Jesus promises:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8, NIV). Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we are following the prideful thoughts of our hearts. And today, we come to You in humility, with repentance, asking for the forgiveness for the sin of disobedience. Although we have been like sheep, who stopped listening to their Shepherd’s Voice, following the Wide Path, You continued to search for us. Thank You for loving and protecting us. Jesus, You are our Shepherd, we love You, and commit to following You with faithful obedience. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Practical Messages For Impractical Times