Knowing God – Page 3 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

A Time for Celebration!

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Devotional Reading – April 4, 2025

Celebrations occur every day. We celebrate a baby’s birth, birthdays, marriages, adoptions, anniversaries, educational and career achievements, and even in death, we can memorialize and honor the person’s life through a Celebration of Life service. Most countries celebrate national holidays. Yes, we can freely designate any event as a special occasion giving us infinite reasons for a celebration.

Many Christian believers actively participate in secular celebrations to express joy and happiness; however, we often neglect to celebrate God’s love, that we are created in His image, and His greatest gift to humanity, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Reasons for Daily Spiritual Celebrations

God Confirms His Love for Humanity: “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.” —John 3:16

God Confirms Our Identity: “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:26-28). We are who God says we are, therefore, we dismiss the world’s hierarchy of importance based on financial wealth, career positions, and social status.

Because God is Omniscient and His knowledge is eternal, the Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought. The Triune God knew Adam and Eve would disobey His command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Although they sinned and had to leave their Garden of Eden home, Christ did not abandon them, “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NLT). Death entered the planet Earth when Adam and Eve sinned, not only did they lose access to the Tree of Life [losing immortality] innocent animals had to die to clothe the wayward couple, and lambs were required for a sacrificial offering.

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 1:9-10

Until Jesus came to this earth, the ceremonial law of animal sacrifice was performed for the remission of sin. Thankfully, Jesus’ death on Calvary’s Cross fulfilled the Plan of Redemption eliminating animal sacrifice. On deep reflection of Jesus’ Ultimate gift of Salvation, we have the option not to die for our sins because Christ became the Sacrificial Lamb.

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a High Priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:25-26). We can celebrate with gratitude because Yeshua is still serving humanity as our High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary:

We Have a Compassionate High Priest Who Invites Us to Ask Him for Help: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15).

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:8-9

“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

By praying for help, we can receive the Divine wisdom and strength to recognize and resist temptation. Our God is All-Inclusive! We are not limited to seeking Divine Intervention for the forgiveness of sin and the strength to overcome sin, Christ also gives us comfort and peace in times of distress. We can live without worries because Jesus promises to provide for all our needs.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans [unbelievers] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:31-34). Yahweh Yireh always provides the necessities required to sustain our lives.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17

When we strive to live faithful and obedient lives, our blessings of good gifts come from God. In contrast, Satan manipulates unbelievers by fulfilling their desires while leading them to chase wealth and accumulate debt. Yes, we may have mismanaged our financial blessings, and now face consequences that usually result in the loss of our tangible purchases, still, God does not abandon us when we come to Him with a contrite heart asking for forgiveness.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding]. —John 16:33, Amplified Bible

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory…” —1 Peter 4:12-13

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus warned us that following Him would result in a tumultuous journey. But we place our faith in His promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Prayer is our connection to Divine Power. We pray for help and the Holy Spirit gives us Jesus’ Strength to endure and persevere through our sufferings.

Sanctification can only occur through trials and hardships that God allows to produce unwavering faith, spiritual growth, and the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities.

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

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). Through daily personal worship, we redirect our focus from this temporary earthly life by dedicating ourselves to following Christ. To the faithful, Jesus promises to reward us with Eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” —Revelation 21:4

Every believer who is faithful and obedient to the will of God is guaranteed Divine Intervention, strength, wisdom, provisions, and the heavenly reward of a life filled with forever love, peace, joy, and happiness. These promises are a reason for celebrations of joyful praise! Our Father God deserves daily celebratory praise for giving us His only Son.

Unwavering faith honors the Triune God and acknowledges His steadfast love and faithfulness. The Holy Spirit is responsible for guiding us and performing our spiritual transformation, also known as the Spirit of Truth, we receive spiritual wisdom when studying the Holy Scriptures, and the discernment to recognize truth from the error of false teachings and doctrines.

With loving kindness, Jesus, God, the Son forgives our sins, covers us with His Righteousness, and presents us as faultless to God, His Father. Our King, the Lion of Judah is the Commander of angel armies whose primary role is to protect us from spiritual warfare and physical harm. Study 2 Kings 6 and Psalm 91.

Through the Holy Spirit, Christ intervenes in our earthly lives to save us from making devastating mistakes. What more can Jesus do for us? Taking the time to separate ourselves for personal worship is how we celebrate and manifest our love and appreciation for a More than Wonderful God!

If He said it then He will fulfill it! One day we will say goodbye to this present Earth and its sinful existence. Until then, we must keep our focus on Jesus by proclaiming faith and not fixating on our circumstances. Let’s make the daily Celebration of Worshiping our Amazing God our lifetime priority! Yes and Amen!

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:)

Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your precious life required to redeem us from our sins and to save our souls. We pray for the strength and perseverance to overcome the sorrows of this life by keeping our focus on You. We celebrate You as our Triumphant King soon to come. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Your Holy Name, Amen.

The Heartache of Disappointment

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional- April 1, 2025

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world…” —John 16:33, Amplified Bible

There is nothing tougher than the Christian journey, which is designed to transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ. Although we may have many differences based on culture, social and economic status, belief systems, morals, and values, one thing that all humanity shares is experiencing the grief of disappointment.

The job termination, the friendship that didn’t work out, the marriage that never happened, the planned relocation, or the purchase of the house or vehicle that fell through, yes, failure hurts! Although we gave our best, circumstances beyond our control produced a devastating outcome.

Without believing that God knows best and placing our complete faith in Him, disappointment can rapidly decline into feelings of defeat or escalate into anger and resentment. Depending on the situation, even our self-worth and value may be negatively impacted by the thorny briers of disappointment that deeply pierce and wound our hearts.

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

God waits for us to come to Him. Disappointment brings us to a Spiritual Crossroads, “What do we really think about God?” Do we believe that God truly loves us and doesn’t desire for us to be in harm’s way? Is our perspective one of faith, believing that God is with us and will take care of us?

We may think, How can this great loss be for my good and God’s glory? Unless we are disobedient, nothing happens in the life of a believer without Christ’s permission. With faith, we accept our loss as God’s perfect will because we trust Him, and honor and revere His Sovereignty.

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU…’ ” —Hebrews 13:5, NASB

The disappointment from loss not only tests our faith in God [Who promises to provide and heal our brokenness] but also reveals our willingness to surrender, faithfully obey, and follow Christ. “…you will not understand what God is doing, and one thing is for certain, God never explains His Divine plans and intervention.”

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). “Our God is a loving Father who cares for us, who wants to bless us, who wants to answer our prayers.” Yes and Amen!

How do we move forward through the emotional pain with an optimistic outlook of a brighter future? Redirect your focus from your loss to God’s love and Scriptural promises that reveal our Father God rescues the righteous and gives us victory. Pray, Believe, and Wait on the Lord!

“…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

When facing overwhelming circumstances, and not knowing how to move forward, pray an honest prayer expressing your true feelings of disappointment and grief, asking God to give you peace and comfort. Pray and wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

“Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

While waiting on God, we can study the Biblical stories of those who prayed for God’s Divine help and received victory. Our faith moves the arms of our Warrior God who reminds us to believe in His Power and “Stand still!”

From studying the Bible, we learn God’s Loving and Righteous Character. Throughout the Scriptures, God reminds us that He is never the Source of loss or disappointment. God has one goal in mind and that is to save our souls and give us Eternal life.

Yes, the apostle Peter tells us it’s the fiery trials that human effort cannot resolve that produce steadfast faith in God. Still, we can be assured that God desires us to live contented, peaceful, and happy lives.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Even when our decisions bring consequences, if we repent, God will interrupt and rescue us from Satan’s schemes designed to make us fall and fail. It would serve no purpose for our Heavenly Father to allow consequences to crush our hopes. Trust God with all of your heart! Embrace God’s Providence and wait on His Divine resolution. Our Heavenly Father knows and cares, and promises to give us a hope-filled future.

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]” —Isaiah 41:10, Amplified Bible

Lord God, we pray this Intercessory prayer for all of the children of God who are grieving from loss of income, relationships, and failed dreams and plans. We ask You to reveal Your perfect will and to give them peace, comfort, and joy as they wait for Your victorious resolution. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Morning Manna – Giving Back to God – March 26, 2025

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

Time, spiritual gifts, and talents are given to us to be used for God’s honor and glory. 10% of our day is 2.4 hours and 5% is 1.2 hours [72 minutes], yet most do not even spend 30 minutes a day in the personal worship of prayer, Bible Study, and reflection on God’s love faithfulness, grace, and mercies.

“Is it too much to give ourselves to Him who has sacrificed all for us?”

Time is the most precious commodity that we can use to express our love and appreciation for God. Our commitment to live a sacrificial lifestyle in a world that focuses on self-achievement and self-gratification indicates our desire to actively participate in the daily spiritual process of Sanctification, and will be greatly rewarded when Jesus comes again.

Lord God, we dedicate ourselves and our time to You and ask for a spiritual renewal in our lives. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray Amen.

Whose Side Are We On?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 24, 2025

Can you imagine being an employee not fully trained to perform a crucial part of your job description?

I was a nurse case manager at a company that provided home health care for seniors. The week payroll was due, the Vice President was on a cruise out of the country. The accounting clerk received a call from corporate inquiring why she was late submitting payroll which was due by noon that day. And that is when the big secret was revealed.

The VP not only failed to train the accounting clerk on processing payroll, an essential part of her job, but also informed the accounting clerk during her initial training that the job description had changed. As the young woman wrote the incident report tears were in her eyes and her hands trembled. Jobs were extremely hard to find and she feared termination.

At this point, our Nursing Manager informed us that she would handle all nonclinical calls until the young woman was trained by the corporate office via phone to process the payroll. Since this was the era before direct deposit, processing payroll was a lengthy endeavor. The training was successful and we received our paychecks on time the following week. Although the Vice President had a tenure of 20 years with the company, she was immediately terminated on her return.

“Your eyes will see it, and your ears will hear it: ‘This is the way; walk in it…” ” (Isaiah 30:21). From our prayers and study of the Scriptures, “God promises to give us clear guidance, leading us on the right path and helping us to discern His will.”

We have a loving Heavenly Father who is very protective and has made a loving and sacrificial investment in our lives including the future of eternal life. Through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, we receive guidance, spiritual wisdom and discernment, correction, and protection through the Holy Spirit.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12

God who knows the beginning from the end has given us the Bible so we can learn His Righteous Standards and Precepts, discern Truth from error, and recognize and renounce sinful temptations. We were not created to govern ourselves. Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is impossible to judge oneself. To know and practice what God expects of us requires the diligent study of His Holy Words.

“Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). What is holiness? God defines holiness in the Scriptures.

“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

Every day we must fight the good fight of faith to prevent practicing Compromised Christianity. Our spiritual journey of Sanctification is a lifelong journey on the Path of Righteousness which requires our faith, obedience, consent, and cooperation with Christ.

God has one goal and that is for every believer to receive their reward of a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth [Revelation 21-22], yet, He never forces us to choose salvation. From the moment we awaken, we choose to commit ourselves to God or not.

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” —Romans 6:16, NIV

2 Timothy 3 identifies that we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. We must choose who we will serve in this great controversy of Good and Evil. “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).

“Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements…Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor Him.”

Consider this, Jesus died to save us from death, the costly price of sin, what possible reasons could substantiate sinning against God and dying for our sins? There is no guesswork with God. We receive clarity of Righteousness through the Holy Spirit.

“…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). Reflect on the reason you chose Jesus Christ as your Savior. Everything we possess is temporary including this earthly home. Choosing Christ requires doing our part in the spiritual journey of Sanctification—Daily surrender, faithful obedience, and seeking God’s will and plans through prayer and Bible Study.

Heaven is waiting for us! Reach for the highest goals of living holy and receiving eternal life with God in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, the struggle is real! Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit and using self-control, we can renounce the temporary pleasures and profits of this world for which we will be greatly rewarded. Choose Christ! Choose Life!

“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

Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3

Prayer: “Into my heart, Into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Lord God, we ask you to reveal any hidden sins that are within our hearts and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Teach us Your Righteous ways and how to live holy. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Fueled By Faith

God Is Always Faithful!

In this testimony, God reminds us that He is love and when we use our faith to approach the Throne of Grace, He will hear and answer our prayers. After reading this story, it came to mind, that God sent an angel in human form to assist this faithful woman of God. As we live from day to day, let us live with faith. It is not a secret what God can do, and what He has done for others, He will certainly do for us. Peace and Blessings!

The story is a repost from the United in Prayer website.

Fueled by Faith
By Frida de Bruyn

My husband, two children, and I attended a prayer conference in Canberra, New South Wales, Australia, this past month. We cherished the fellowship with hundreds of people, the music, the inspiring speakers, and the powerful prayers shared with like-minded souls. But all too soon, it was time to head home.

As I was driving my small car, I noticed the fuel was running low. However, it was still the Sabbath. I turned to my family and said, “Let’s pray that God will stretch our petrol until we reach the town halfway home. By then, the Sabbath will be over, and we can refuel.” We prayed together and continued driving, praising God as the kilometers passed.

As the sun set, signaling the end of the Sabbath, we arrived at the next petrol station—just in time, as the fuel light came on. But when we pulled up, we discovered the station had already closed at 6pm. It was well after 8pm when we arrived. Not knowing what to do, we prayed again, and then I decided to go into a nearby pub to see if anyone there might have spare fuel they’d be willing to sell.

The bartender refused, explaining that I’d have to go to the nearest town, nearly 30 kilometers away. But with my tank empty, I knew I would not make it the hour and a half on lonely roads to get home. As I turned to leave, a customer stopped me.

“Excuse me, what’s the trouble? Can I help?” he asked. I explained my situation. “I think I have a few liters,” he said. “It won’t be much, but it should get you to the next town.” He followed me outside and got a can from his utility vehicle.

“There’s only a few liters, but you can have it all!” he said, emptying every drop into my tank. We thanked him, gave him some money, then got back in the car, ready to head to the next town where we could refuel properly.

I started the car and checked the fuel gauge. Stunned, I stopped and stared. The tank was full. We had only added a few liters to a completely empty 40-liter tank, yet it was completely full!

Overwhelmed with joy, we praised God for His incredible miracle as we continued our journey home from the prayer conference. Frida de Bruyn

Yes and Amen. Lord God, we thank you for being a God of love. Help us to realize that steadfast faith is necessary to please You, and honors and reveres your Sovereignty and Majesty. Although we have been faithless, you are always Faithful. We thank you for taking care of us in our times of need. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

What Does God Require of Us?

“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

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35

“It is no secret what God desires and requires of those who would claim to love and obey Him. He specifies very clearly in Micah 6:8 (and in similar passages elsewhere): ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?’ ” (NKJV).

The two greatest sins are both tied to love. The failure to love God and to love everyone else results in the loss of receiving our reward of eternal life. Many believers feel that loving God is easy, but add qualifiers and conditions for loving others.

“Loving Everyone” includes those who have despitefully used you, attempted to defame your character, and abandoned, or abused you. Everyone is the 8 billion plus people that live on the planet Earth. Loving others unconditionally reveals that our hearts are overflowing with Agape love.

Our role model is Jesus. In His earthly life, Jesus was hated by the majority of the Jewish leaders who not only schemed everyday to kill Him, but also attempted to entrap Him by asking questions which appeared to have no correct or acceptable answer. Jesus proved that loving others despite their hatred is possible.

God is Love! Yes, God, the Father knew the majority of people would reject the gifts of His precious Son and Salvation, still, Jesus humbly, lovingly, and willingly gave His life for us. Are we willing to walk in the Loving footsteps of Christ by asking God to teach us how to love?

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” -1 John 4:11

Lord God, we ask you to teach us how to love as You love us. And we ask for forgiveness for not loving others as you love. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

What More Could He Do?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional — March 16, 2025

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

“What more could He do? The Father loved us so much ‘that He gave His beloved Son’ (John 3:16).” Because of Redemption, we demonstrate our love for God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, God, the Son for their plan to save our souls through daily personal worship, surrender, and faithful obedience.

Prayer is our connection to Jesus who is still serving humanity as our Heavenly Intercessor [Jesus receives our prayers], Forgives our sins, and Mediates for us. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” (John 14:6).

Daily worship includes consecrating oneself to a sacrificial life—living a Christ-centered, faith-based life. Surrendering our desires in exchange for God’s plans is the greatest challenge in our Journey with Jesus. Although we are gifted with self-control, we must pray for the Divine Strength to overcome temptation.

Worship invites the Holy Spirit to convict our hearts when pursuing our desires and allows us to receive in-depth wisdom to understand and appreciate God’s greatest gift to humanity, The Plan of Redemption. Humility is the spiritual catalyst required to actively participate with the Holy Spirit to receive spiritual wisdom and character transformation.

“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12

Christianity is much more than attending church every week. Our salvation requires continuous cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We cannot change ourselves! Heart conversion begins our spiritual journey. Sanctification is the spiritual lifelong process of daily spiritual growth and character transformation.

Yes, the Holy Spirit performs our transformation, but God also requires the human effort of faith, obedience, and works: “Those who have genuine love for God will manifest an earnest desire to know His will and to do it.” Personal worship demonstrates our love for God which is revealed by separating ourselves from life’s distractions to enter into His presence [at least twice a day].

“We have the responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith with humility and reverence, recognizing that God is the Source of our salvation and ability to live a life pleasing to Him.” Without the commitment to faithfully seek God through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, the depth of Christ’s amazing love for humanity cannot be understood, nor will we desire to seek and fulfill God’s plans.

“Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” — John 15:4 (Good News Translation)

We desperately need Jesus to live as overcomers. It is the transforming power of God’s Spoken Words that keeps us grounded and faithful in our relationship with Christ. Scriptural knowledge must include the Life of Christ with an emphasis on His Righteous Character. Still, knowledge alone cannot save us, discipline, self-control, surrender, and obedience demonstrate our willingness to live as faithful followers [disciples] of Christ.

“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion]” (Luke 5:16). Christ revealed the importance of solitude to maintain His connection to God through prayer. Many believers do not feel that Jesus lived as a human being with limitations as we have, the Scriptures prove that Jesus did not possess the same Divine power on earth as He possessed in heaven.

Jesus’ question to Peter at the time of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals that Christ was 100% human and had to depend on God, the Father for the strength to live Holy and to perform miracles: “Or Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

We have the same access to God’s Divine Power as Jesus did in His earthly life. How do we accomplish this? “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ ” (Matthew 22:37).

Loving God is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We study the Bible to know who He is and maintain our earth-to-heaven connection to Him through much prayer. From studying “The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John” we gain an intimate, heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. Heartfelt love and faith combined with Biblical knowledge allows us to fall in love with Yeshua and our response will be to do His will.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Yes, without fail, Jesus loves us, but He also clarifies that He must be our first love. Without committing John chapters 16-21 to memory and reflecting on Jesus’ sacrificial gift every day, Calvary’s Cross will not have a life-transforming impact on our hearts. Jesus’ greatest gift to you and me will only be perceived as a historical event. What more could He do?

A Time to Reflect: When we first accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we were excited and readily shared our decision and commitment to becoming a Christian. As time passed, the journey became tough. We had to choose right over wrong, truth instead of worldviews, and we succumbed to the busyness of life. The believer’s lifestyle involves a daily decision to resist the temptations that interfere with the personal worship required to strengthen our relationship with Christ.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8

What more can we do? For Christ to remain our First Love requires intentionality, courage, and time management. Our spiritual perception must be highly sensitized to recognize the desires, interruptions, distractions, and screen time that threaten to keep us from inviting the presence of God into our lives. Consistent worship invites the Holy Spirit to shower us with the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength that we desperately need to renounce sin.

From the Earth’s beauty that is still intact and the progression of technology, we know that God desires us to be well-rounded—possessing a diverse set of skills, experiences, and interests. Even so, our highest priority is to remain a steadfast Christian amidst the constant presence of evil. Without hesitation, we learn to say No to time-wasting activities that do not enhance our spiritual and personal growth.

“Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.” —Isaiah 5:1-2

“What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it?
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?” —Isaiah 5:4

The parable identifies our spiritual status of whether we are good grapes or wild grapes. Every day our decisions, habits, and lifestyles demonstrate love for Christ or love for ourselves. Only the good grapes seek to do more for Christ through a sacrificial life of faithful dedication.

God gave His beloved Son, Jesus to save our souls by giving us the option of choosing Redemption and living forever in the New Heaven and New Earth. Now Jesus asks, “What more can I do for humanity?” “It is finished!”

Lord God, we surrender ourselves to Your perfect will. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and dying on Calvary. Thank You for giving us the option to overcome sin and choose a life of righteousness. We realize that You have given Your all. Lord, we pray for the desire and strength to love You by faithfully doing our part through daily consecration. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

God’s Relentless Love

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional – February 28, 2025

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” —Matthew 5:17

The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20], God’s Moral Law not only gives us the attributes of a righteous character but also reveals God’s boundaries for our behaviors and lifestyles. The Fruit of the Spirit is the Character of Christ: “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).

Although our nation’s laws were originally developed from the Ten Commandments, compromised values have introduced plea bargaining, and loopholes, yet, God’s Commandments and Righteous Precepts are valid [only the ceremonial sacrificial law of animals has been abolished]. With love, God reminds us, “I do not change” so we are not deceived by false teachings that His Law was done away with or nailed to the cross.

“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6: 20

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 4:9-10

Many Christians do not understand the relentless love required of God to give His Only Son, Jesus, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead to become human and suffer on this earth to save our souls. And we certainly do not understand our active role in our salvation, or we would faithfully seek and obey God’s will and plans every day.

“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). With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Living sacrificial lives is revealed through the spoken words, Lord, I surrender myself to You, I ask You to reveal your plans for today. And then we actively work on our salvation by obeying God instead of fulfilling our desires.

“Abraham said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ ” —Genesis 22:5

Abraham teaches us that faithful obedience is our highest worship to God. Putting God first is essential for living a life of faith-driven obedience. Our response to the mercies of a new day in a morning prayer of consecration reveals that we love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

” ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” —Luke 22: 42-44

Although Abraham’s obedience to sacrifice Isaac, his only son [whom he loved with all of his heart] is perceived as the most difficult test of faith, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of faithful obedience when He died on Calvary’s Cross to fulfill the Plan of Redemption.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV

Saved by grace is a privilege, graciously gifted to us by God. Our salvation is based on faith in Christ and obedience to God. “If you love me keep my Commandments.” Disobedience has devastating consequences on our character. Living outside of God’s will changes our mindset, we lose our spiritual perception and easily choose sinful compromise over righteousness.

“…Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

Throughout the Bible, we have evidence that God has always required the human effort of faith and obedience. Living holy is impossible without Christ’s strength. We need help to overcome our thoughts, choices, and lifestyles that reflect the carnal desires of our hearts. Think of your life as a Spiritual Journey with Jesus Christ. Pray for help! “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

“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

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” —2 Timothy 1:7

God developed the battle plan to overcome our sinful tendencies. We are not helpless in the fight between good and evil. Satan cannot coerce or force us to disobey God. From the moment we are tempted, the Holy Spirit alerts us through our thoughts we are facing a sinful situation. We begin to feel uneasy within our spirit. At that moment, we pray for strength and use our self-control by proclaiming, I will not sin against God, or we ignore the warning and choose to sin.

God’s Love is Relentless! Loving God produces appreciation for His faithfulness and propels us to consecrate ourselves daily to live holy, obedient, and sacrificial lives. From our willingness to obey, Jesus empowers us with His supernatural strength. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the guidance to live as Victorious Overcomers preparing for the Second Coming of our Triumphant King.

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

Lord God, we thank You for Your relentless love and ask for the strength to overcome our internal desires and fight against the external opposition to separate us from You. We love You and consecrate ourselves to strive for righteousness as we prepare daily for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’Holy Name, Amen.

Waiting On the Lord Is the Test

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 26, 2025

Waiting isn’t just a passive attitude about life, rather it is active stillness. To wait on the Lord means to use one’s faith to pause and expect further instructions. It means to remain in your present circumstances doing whatever you are doing until God gives you a word of instruction to do otherwise.

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” —Psalm 27:13-14

Waiting on God is intentional, focused, and fully believing in His desire to grant us victory. Waiting requires that we posture ourselves to hear God’s Voice and surrender through obedience. There is no such thing as waiting on God without praying for His guidance and obeying His plans. Often, the duration of a lengthy wait causes us to lose hope and we begin to worry and strategize.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

We must remember that God is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! Faith requires Courage and Dependency on our Loving and Omniscient Father. God uses time to accomplish His goal of strengthening our weak and wavering faith. Faith is believing that God’s covenant promises are steadfast regardless of how we perceive our circumstances. Pray, Praise, and Wait!

“But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” —Isaiah 40:31

Lord God, even though it doesn’t feel good, we thank You for the wait because Your thoughts and plans always end in victory. We ask for a change of heart due to our habits of self-reliance to one that desires to honor and reverence You through faithful obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray for increased faith and the strength to wait despite the length of time. Amen.

The Mother Bird Knows Where to Go for Safety. Jesus is our Rock Who Shelters Us In Every Storm.

Facing Job Loss? Our God Is Faithful

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 24, 2025

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” —Matthew 6:26

Recently, after sunrise, I heard a bird singing to the top of its voice to which I responded, “Sing little one, sing!” As I started singing, I reflected deeply on God’s blessings to His creations, human beings continuously receive showers of blessings that we often forget to thank God for. Like the birds, we should sing praises of gratitude every day because we are blessed and highly favored.

The Dilemma: Within the past three years, thousands of individuals have lost their primary source of income due to job loss. “Financial hardship due to job loss refers to a difficult financial situation that arises when someone loses their job, leading to a sudden drop in income and making it challenging to cover essential expenses like housing, food, utilities, and debt payments.”

Jesus’ Response to Our Dilemma: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:31-33

Do not worry! We cannot possess a heart filled with faith and gratitude if we are anxious and worried [seeds of fear] about tomorrow, next week, or next month. Live one day at a time! Limit your conversation regarding your loss of income with everyone but God. This is the time to establish a season of prayer and learning to recognize when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV

“While many people believe that God must always get what He wants, the Bible tells a quite different story. Over and over, Scripture depicts God as experiencing unfulfilled desires. In many instances, God explicitly declares that what is happening is the opposite of what He wants.” SSNet.org

Redirecting Our Faith and Focus: Yes, it is extremely heartbreaking and painful to face financial loss, yet as believers, we should not possess a spirit of hopelessness nor should we think that our loss is due to God punishing us. Do we believe that our Heavenly Father cares and His promises are a binding covenant to provide for us? When chaos disrupts our stable lives, we use our faith [weak or strong] to believe in God’s love and pray for Divine Help!

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ” —Isaiah 46:10

God is Omniscient—He knows the end from the beginning. Yes, He knows that you have not been faithful in serving Him. Move forward by confessing your sins with genuine repentance, and renew your covenant of surrender and faithful obedience. With joyful expectation, ask God for help and thank Him in the same prayer for sustaining you in your time of need. Faith proclaims, I believe God has a plan for taking care of me [and my family]. Yes and Amen!

When faith-based prayer is our first response and the Bible is our spiritual compass, we receive the Divine wisdom that allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes. The spiritual path we travel leads to victory because it is paved by the footsteps of Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit. True worship is giving ourselves daily through the covenant of total surrender and consecrating oneself to follow and obey Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

God testifies of His Righteous Character and Unlimited Power. The Lord is capable of anything and can overcome any obstacle! Both converted [depend on God and obey His will] and unconverted believers [self-reliance is their roadblock to faithfully trusting God] acknowledge that God exists. The believers with converted hearts know that God is always Faithful, so they acknowledge His Sovereignty by coming daily to the Throne of Grace to ask for help every day.

“So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). It is only by trusting in God’s promises and immutable power that keep us faithful when facing life’s extreme challenges. From establishing and maintaining a lifestyle of devout prayer, consistent Bible Study, and thanking God daily for our provisions, our faith strengthens.

“I the LORD do not change…” (Malachi 3:6). The righteous know their only option for victory is to constantly depend on their Heavenly Father. Financial loss is a storm that is not easily resolved. To persevere through the storm, we must put forth the human effort of faith in God which is reinforced by studying the Scriptures, where God reveals who He is and how He intervenes in our lives.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:25-26

God is never in a hurry. The wait is testing our faith. Jesus promises to always be with us. Even if the waves are crashing against the boat [Mark 4], He asks, “Where is your faith?” Our Father does not want us to strategize or ask others to help us financially. He will reveal His Divine plan and send dedicated believers who give without expecting repayment to help in your time of need. Do not think or speak words of doubt or discouragement that reveal distrust in God’s Love and Sovereignty.

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

Spending time with God at least twice a day in personal worship is imperative to receive His guidance and strength. In the season of waiting, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of downsizing to decrease your financial expenses. God promises to supply our necessities, and we use our faith to depend on our Heavenly Father’s promises, still, we must become good stewards of our finances by eliminating unnecessary expenditures.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” —Ecclesiastes 3:1

Yes, at times, the storm lasts longer than we expected, still, the storm cannot last forever. Do not let the flashing lightning of circumstances [Bills due] become a diversion! The loud thunder [Satan presenting high-interest loans] is designed to weaken our faith. The blessings of God are never in deceptive tactics that promise quick resolutions of fast money.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:34

In Isaiah 65:24, Jesus says, “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Calculate your necessary expenses for the month. Pray and present the monetary amount to Jesus who is our Intercessor and thank God in advance for His blessings of the financial provisions. We do not have to beg continuously asking God to help us. Pray in faith and believe that God will provide.

“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” —Psalm 4:8

When we trust Jesus, we can sleep in peace. By praying and proclaiming steadfast faith in God, we remain focused on Yahweh Yireh, The LORD will Provide. Not only will we receive our provisions, but Jesus navigates us safely through the tumultuous waves and empowers us with His Divine strength to persevere through the duration of the storm.

“But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.” —Luke 8:23

Unlike Jesus’ disciples, we must not wait until our situation is out of control before we ask for Divine help. From the moment the storm begins, pray! The storm not only tests and strengthens our faith but also reminds us that human effort has its limits. “God, Your will be done in my life” is our daily request. Believe, Pray, Praise, and Wait.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). Yes, it is in the raging storms that we learn to depend on our Triumphant King Jesus who is in the storm with us and promises to always give us peace. Thank You, Jesus!

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2, NLT

Lord God, we admit that our faith is weak. Still, we approach Your Throne of Grace in faith, asking You to supply all of our provisions in a time of devastating loss. We pray for the strength to endure and the wisdom to identify the things we need to let go of. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.