“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).
“Human nature is always struggling to fulfill the internal desires for happiness, pleasure, status, success, and wealth. “…but those who learn of Christ are emptied of self, of pride, of the love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Self is yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
“We look to Jesus, waiting for His hand to lead, listening for His voice to guide.” In John 14:1-3, Jesus promises to return for us, and we wholeheartedly believe Him!
To love Christ is to know and obey Him. Consistent Prayer and Bible study are the foundation of a lifestyle of worship. The Word of God breathes transforming power into our minds and characters, and changes our perception of life.
Christ as our First Love is evidenced by a spirit of humility, surrender, daily consecration, steadfast faith, and obedience to His Commandments and Righteous Principles.
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
The believers who persevered to live obedient and sacrificial lives will soon receive their Crown of Eternal Life from Jesus Christ the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of Judah, and our Savior, and First Love. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we pray for strength, guidance, correction, and protection from the evil one whose strategy is to distract us with temporary earthly pleasures. God, we desire to serve You with faithful obedience. Reveal Your Holy will and plans for our lives. Give us the wisdom and discernment to hear Your voice over the many voices that threaten to disrupt our relationship with Jesus Christ. We ask this prayer in faith and in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28).
Unexpected challenges do not knock, waiting for us to open the door so they can enter. No, hardships and adversities are unwelcome intruders who have master keys and enter with unpredictability. Even believers often find it difficult to agree on most subjects, but there is a strong consensus that suffering is always challenging and leads to discouragement.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
Although I followed God’s plans, this week, I faced two extremely difficult challenges that discouraged me. Obedience to God should always bring a deep sense of inner peace. So, what happened? I forgot Jesus’ warning that even when we obey God, unexpected adversity can arise, causing us to feel defeated.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Truthfully, because we serve God, we feel that our lives should be easier, but an easy life is not Biblical. No Bible hero, and certainly not Jesus, the Son of God, was exempt from harsh trials.
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” (Psalm 42:6). David was a skillful musician and singer, but many do not understand “the man after God’s own heart.” He never pretended that all was well when it wasn’t. The Psalms are songs of prayer, and the longest book in the Bible. Prayer is a spiritual lifesaver, keeping us connected to the Source of Life.
God knows that our response to trials and troubles will not be positive. Through prayer, we receive answers from Scripture, making it essential for our spiritual well-being. Studying the Bible is not optional. Like David, I prayed, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to study Psalm 42.
Daily personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts. While writing this devotional, the Holy Spirit reminded me that “The Christian’s Journey on the Path of Righteousness Always Involves Suffering.”
“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. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just like we are.” Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality, building our faith, and molding us into the righteous character of Christ are required to receive Eternal Life, and can only be accomplished through trials and adversities.
The hard times of suffering are a part of Christianity that we fail to embrace or appreciate. I am not a new believer, and throughout my journey, I have heard so few sermons on the suffering required to follow Jesus. Who is teaching or preaching the sermons telling us that the journey on the Path of Righteousness is tough, so when adversity comes in like a tsunami, we immediately fall to our knees in prayer, asking for help?
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”(Revelation 3:21).
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot rely on anyone else to teach us the Gospel Truth of the Bible. Too many believers are giving up on God because they do not know the Truth. The book of Job reveals that Job lived a sinless life, still he endured extreme suffering, but overcame, and received many blessings.
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ESV).
Sanctification requires humility, long-suffering [patience], and the teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention. Spiritual transformation requires our entire [earthly] life. If we use our faith and obedience to cooperate with God, then every day the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us. Spiritual growth never happens in leaps and bounds; it is the little steps that keep us moving forward.
God’s thoughts, ways, and plans always take time. God is Eternal. He views our lives from beginning to end. Because God knows our lifespan, there is no need for Him to rush in giving us His blessings or fulfilling His promises.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
Still, God always fulfills His promises. We know that from the story of Abraham and Sarah who were 100 and 90 years of age when Isaac was born. One thing is for certain, God’s timing will never align with our timing.
The worldview of “Do it now” strongly opposes the righteous characteristic of patience, which is a Fruit of the Spirit. Instant gratification is the downfall of any Christian who embraces the mindset of “I have to have it now!”
Not all adversity or roadblocks are related to the faith journey of spiritual growth. We must also consider if we became impatient and attempted to expedite the process by following our thoughts.
Our Plans: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (James 4:13-15, NIV).
Our God-given gift of Free Will of Choice allows us to choose following our thoughts and desires, or surrendering to and obeying God’s Perfect Plans, which always end in Victory.
God’s Plans: “O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]” (Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible).
Does God honor those who faithfully obey Him? The three Hebrew young men were not destroyed in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Daniel slept with the lions in their den, and yes, Peter lost faith when walking on the water, but he was the only one of the disciples who was courageous enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus saved Peter. And when the Apostle Paul was bitten by the venomous snake, the people waited for him to die, but he lived [Acts 28:3-6].
The same Christ who intervened in the Old and New Testaments is still waiting for the righteous to approach Him in prayer. Who else can help us but God?
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Trust Jesus with your life! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have a very patient and loving Shepherd who knows that our hearts, faith, and courage are weak. Still, our Loving Jesus, who is our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor, waits for us to ask for His help.
“The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer, specifically in conveying our prayers to Christ. The Holy Spirit acts as a Divine Intercessor, bringing our sincere, faith-filled prayers to the Father through Christ.” (EGW)
The lessons I learned: When we faithfully follow and obey God’s Directives, yes, we may still face adversity; even so, when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by committing ourselves to a life of prayer, asking for Divine Help and Strength, we immediately receive the ability to make it through our challenges. Not only did I learn more about God’s Loving Character and humanity’s weaknesses from studying the Psalms, but I also received Jesus’ strength, comfort, and a victorious outcome [a miracle]. Yes and Amen.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Jesus Christ is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!
Lord God, we thank You for creating us, loving us, intervening for us, and taking care of us. We love You, and worship Your Holy Name. Lord, teach us to pray that we can depend on You instead of ourselves. We also pray for a Divine blessing during the Holy Sabbath, and ask this prayer, in the Righteous and Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17
All praises and glory to Jesus, our Savior, who redeemed us from the ravages of sin. Because of Christ’s great devotion, love, and loyalty to humanity, as evidenced by the sacrificial gift of His life, every day, we are covered with Grace and receive abundant Mercies.
God’s love did not stop at Redemption. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus reveals that faithful and obedient believers will receive the reward of Eternal Life. Yes, we know how the Amazing Story ends: a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Our God-given Gifts: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible).
Winning The Fight to Stay Free
“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).
To follow Christ requires total sacrifice. More than human effort is needed to live as Victorious Overcomers. It is the Holy Spirit, AKA The Spirit of Truth, who empowers us to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Our role in the Plan of Redemption is to dedicate ourselves each morning with the prayer to do God’s will.
“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:17).
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14). Yes, we inherited hearts always gravitating toward wrongdoing, still, Jesus created us with the ability to fight for our spiritual freedom from the chains of sin by praying for Divine strength and using self-control.
Satan cannot use coercion to make us sin; it is always a willing choice to sin against God. Every day, we face the external opposition of temptations, but our greatest battle is the internal conflict between following our heart’s desires and staying loyal to Christ.
Not only do we have the power to say “No” to all temptations, but when Satan attempts to deceive us with stealth moves, the Holy Spirit warns us that we are facing covert deception. The hesitation and the uncomfortable feeling inside are from the Holy Spirit. Immediately remove yourself from the temptation.
When tempted by another person, immediately cease the conversation by stating, I love and serve God. The longer we listen to deception, we become weakened, and our chances of saying no become impossible. If fighting an internal desire, immediately get on your knees and pray. It doesn’t matter who sees us, pray!
Many people feel, based on their personal experience, that it’s too hard to be a Christian, so they return to a life of sin. So let’s look at Christianity from God’s Perspective using Biblical God’s Truth.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (John 6:46 ). The Christian journey is one of humility, surrender, and faithful obedience. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us He has predetermined plans for our lives.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:2). Our mind is divided, we attend church, but the majority of our thoughts are on fulfilling our desires, so we chase success and prosperity.
Truthfully, I have never heard of an unbeliever complaining by saying, It’s hard being an unbeliever. Their minds are not divided. Unbelievers are focused on their goals and will do whatever is necessary to achieve them. Yes, Sin is enticing, but the bondage is devastating!
The reason we cannot devote ourselves fully to Christ is that we also want what we want. But a believer who does not follow God’s plans reveals that their heart is unconverted. To receive spiritual growth and transformation requires humility, faith, and obedience.
Loving God means fulfilling His desires. This is our greatest obstacle to enjoying spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ. We must love God more than ourselves. God defines truth and error, and right and wrong.
Without Biblical knowledge of the Scriptures, Satan easily manipulates our minds to feel that God is withholding the best from us. It is Satan who has introduced the erroneous beliefs of the middle road, an imaginary gray area in serving God.
“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).
We embrace spiritual freedom by letting go of worldviews and secularism by renouncing the darkness of sinful pleasures. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Every day, we practice boundaries against breaking governmental and state laws, and adhere to the employer’s policies. If we can use self-control to live as law-abiding citizens, then through the power of Jesus Christ, we can live righteously. Salvation is free, but Jesus paid our sin debt, so God, the Father, requires that we follow and obey our Shepherd.
“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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Yes, we are warriors in the relentless battle against sin that will last until Jesus comes. Staying on the Path of Righteousness is the toughest challenge we will ever face in our lives! Prayer is our weapon, use it frequently!
“The fear [reverence] of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble” (Proverbs 19:23, NIV). Consecrating our minds and bodies to serve God is the only way we can live righteously in this continuous fight against Satan and his evil angels.
From possessing the mindset, “I will not sin against God,” all of heaven engages to help us in our fight against all temptations.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
Jesus Christ is a Mighty Warrior! We are never alone. Through the Holy Spirit, we have total access to Jesus’ Divine Power, 24/7. Help is only a prayer away. Jesus promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’ ” (Psalm 91:2)
The Prayer of Consecration: “Lord God, I want what You want for me. And I desperately need Your help to think and live a holy life pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”
Prayers of humility and surrender asking for help are answered immediately! Through studying the Scriptures and praying, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us with powerful words of Divine guidance and encouragement. We can never become entangled in the bondage of sin when we maintain our connection with Christ through personal worship.
Live one day at a time. If we continue striving with courage and in the power of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, we have the guarantee of receiving our Greatest Reward of a Forever Life when our Triumphant King Jesus comes again. Hallelujah, Yes, and Amen!
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to become faithful followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. We pray for strength, guidance, wisdom, and the steadfast faith to overcome internal desires and the external opposition of temptation. We claim the victory in the Powerful Name of Jesus, and ask this prayer in our Mighty Warrior’s Name, Amen.
“Through all our trials, we have a never-failing Helper who says, ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.I love you with an everlasting love…'” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“He [Jesus] does not leave us alone to struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with burdens and sorrow.”
“The griefs that lie too deep to be breathed into any human ear, I know. Think not that you are desolate and forsaken.”
“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 filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
Lord God, we desperately need Your strength as we travel through this journey of life. There are many believers who feel that You don’t love us, yet, You are who You say You are, a Righteous Refuge that we can run too, and receive help. Thank You for Your Abiding Love. We ask this prayer for help in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
One of my favorite chapters is Romans 12, in which the Apostle Paul explains to the members of the church in Rome how to live righteously.
The Christian Journey is tough! We must renounce sin, let go of our desires, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit who produces daily spiritual transformation when we are in agreement with God’s will.
Active Participation Is Required for Spiritual Growth and Transformation! Many believers think because we are covered by God’s Grace, all we need to do is to attend church once a week.
But passivity is dangerous to our spiritual journey. It is the intentional decision to follow Christ that keeps us in right standing with God. Using our faith to obey God results in experiential spiritual growth and character transformation.
Active participation reveals our love for God, and the desire to receive our inheritance of Eternal Life.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NIV),
To “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” does not mean we attempt to earn salvation or to be afraid. “Instead, it encourages believers to live out their salvation with reverence and awe, recognizing God’s work within them.”
Participating in our salvation: “It is a call to live in obedience, and possess gratitude for the gift of salvation with the understanding that God empowers us to do so.”
What does active participation look like in the converted believer’s life?
Our love for God is revealed by surrender to God’s Sovereignty. We seek His will and plans daily through prayer, and studying the Bible.
Worshiping God with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment.
Maintaining a clean and pure heart invites the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
Asking God for His Divine help when facing small obstacles creates a spirit of dependency, so when the raging storms of trials and tribulations come, our First Response is to pray in faith with the confidence that God will help us.
Eliminating distractions, not listening to the many voices, and managing our time wisely are behaviors that indicate God is first in our lives.
Before making decisions based on following our thoughts, we pray for Divine guidance. Whether God tells us to wait and be still, or to follow His directives, in faith, we obey.
Finally, we renounce our heart’s desires in exchange for God’s plans. Our lifestyle including relationships represent that we serve a Righteous and Holy God, and we are striving to live a consecrated and obedient life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The bottom line is that God loves us. God, the Father has revealed His Perfect Love by giving His only Son, Jesus Christ to save our souls.
With unfailing love, Jesus, God, the Son fulfilled The Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross revealing that it is possible to live a faithful, holy, and obedient life.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship…”
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
Lord God, we ask You for guidance, wisdom, and the strength and courage to obey Your Divine will. Teach us how to live righteously. We ask for the Holy Spirit to permeate our minds that we may hear Your voice and faithfully obey Your will. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord…and said: ‘O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? ‘” (2 Chronicles 20:5-6).
God’s Answer: “And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! 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'” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
“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 20:17).
Yesterday, God revealed that He is Faithful, Sovereign, Powerful, and His promise to resolve, and bring completion to impossible situations is exactly what He does for the righteous who put their faith in Him.
God resolved a complex situation yesterday that brought me to my knees in awe and reverence of His Love and Power! When we place our faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and Warrior God, He gives us victory!
God brought me to a Spiritual Crossroads in which I had to decide whether or not, I would place my life, faith, and trust in His hands. I chose God by renewing my covenant of consecration to faithfully obey and trust Him.
Only trust Him! His Banner Over Us Is Love!
Yahweh Nissi “This name…signifies God’s presence and guidance as a banner, ensuring protection and victory in times of conflict.”
Lord God, Great is your Faithfulness. Thank you for being the Warrior God of today, tomorrow, and forever, who promises to protect and fight for us when we place our faith in You. Thank you for revealing your love and protection for those who run to You for help. With love and surrender, we bow our knees to your Sovereign Authority. In Jesus’ Righteous and Powerful Name, we pray, Amen.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” —1 Corinthians 15:33
“You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, ESV).
The roaring lion [Satan] is using various methods of temptation to lure us into the trap of meeting “Unbelieving Believers.” What? Many people believe that God exists, but they have not consecrated their lives to follow The Shepherd, Jesus Christ, with surrender and faithful obedience.
In the area of relationships, the Chasm of Compromise has grown wider and deeper in the Christian Community. Let’s face it, the life of a believer often involves traveling on the journey with Jesus without close friends, romance, or marriage. Wait on the Lord!
The Enticement: Online chats and Christian dating sites are not God’s ways to meet friends, nor are these God’s methods for finding husbands and wives. And today’s Christians can no longer assume that those attending church have surrendered their hearts to Christ. The churches are filled with ritualistic worshipers who practice sin seven days a week.
If you are thinking, “Times have changed,” then you do not understand Satan’s powerful and effective methods to separate us from God. The enemy exploits vulnerable individuals to execute his malicious schemes. We are often approached by unbelievers who appear to fulfill our desires to have close friends, dating partners, and marriages that are not God approved.
Like Eve, we are being deceived. Why is it so easy for Satan to deceive us? God’s Answer: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
The fallen angel has 6,000-plus years of experience dealing with human nature. King Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the Sun. Our senses, especially our eyes and ears, are the channels that Satan uses to successfully deceive us.
“And Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me, for she pleases me well’ ” (Judges 14:3). The Bait: If the individual is pleasing to our eyes, and their words sound like music to our ears, then Satan has us hooked.
“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).
We are so accustomed to using our senses and emotions to make decisions that very few Christians use their rational thought processes (sound mind) when meeting new people who spark an internal desire. Keep your spiritual guard up!
Met someone at the Mall, Supermarket, or Library? Immediately focus your conversation on God. Verbalize this statement: “Jesus Christ is number one in my life.” I attend (Name of your church). Where do you attend church?
Observe their spoken words, habits, behaviors, clothing, and social circle, especially if they are with friends. Worldliness cannot be hidden! If they practice the world views of pleasure, prosperity, and success, then you know their character is unholy.
“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” —1 Samuel 16:7
Do not make hasty decisions! Stop, Pray, and Ask God if He sent the person. Do not exchange cell numbers! Desperation is the precursor to downfalls. If God is involved, be patient; He will direct the individual to your life again. The Bible reveals that one of God’s Characteristics is that He is never in a hurry.
Studying the Bible gives us God’s instructions and a spiritual point of reference before engaging in relationships. Samson and King Solomon are profound examples of suffering the consequences of having liaisons with unbelievers. Do not trust your feelings!
“Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7). Unless God chooses our friends and spouses, we will choose the wrong person [people] who will lead us away from God.
Never follow your heart! Always pray and wait before choosing friends and romantic relationships. The Holy Spirit always reveals when people are not part of God’s plans for your life.
“Be Holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
A True Believer has nothing in common with those who do not put God first. We often assume that the unbeliever or uncommitted believer will eventually change, but it is the believer who changes by embracing worldly habits.
“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).
What can we do when we have already exchanged numbers, started dating, or engaged, but the internal Red Flag of “Something Isn’t Right” creates a spiritual unrest in our hearts?
We have a protective Heavenly Father who does not desire that we fall into temptation, or remain in a relationship that separates us from Him.
The Holy Spirit warns us that we are in a Spiritually Incompatible relationship, regardless of the stage of dating. Yet, God respects our free will choice to ignore His warning.
Beginning Stages: Chatting but never met. Or, 1-2 dates, still an uncommitted status.
Agreed Commitment: Dating exclusively only with each other, without engaging in sexual immorality. This is the ideal situation if God has placed the person in your life. But eventually, if seeking romance online, it will end in disaster.
Consensual Commitment with Physical involvement: Fornication immediately separates us from God. The believer has forfeited their relationship with Christ and holds the same spiritual status as the unbeliever—both are lost.
Long-term with Regret: Not married. You know this person is not a gift from God, but you feel that you are too deep into the relationship to get out. Sexually involved, may have children with the partner, or be living together.
Scenarios 1-2 Guidelines: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, ESV).
Searching online for romance demonstrates a lack of faith in God or disobedience to God’s answer of No! It is too easy for Satan to use people who create a fake persona. A Holy and Righteous God is Not found in Chat Rooms and on Dating Sites.
Scenario 3-4 Guidelines: “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5, ESV).
Sexual immorality places us in a lose-lose situation. Not married, move out. Children? Financial support is required. Yes, it’s a tough decision and may involve legal issues, but if marriage is not an option, save your soul by living a celibate life alone.
Sin always has serious consequences. Pray, fast, and seek Divine guidance and strength.
“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
For diehard pro online romance seekers who listen to others praise their current relationships and marriages, and the true love they found on dating sites, are in the honeymoon stage, when secrets are still secrets. Some are paid to promote the sites, and others have had to compromise God’s righteous values for their relationships to work out. Go with God!
Certain sins place us in bondage to Satan: Sexual immorality, drug and alcohol use, gambling, pornography, stealing, and overeating. Sexual immorality comes with heavy-duty chains; it weakens our resolve and causes us to compromise in every area of our lives. Yet, if we repent and exercise self-control, the power of God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. God restores!
“For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight…”—Psalm 51:3-4
The goal of restoration is to recommit one’s life to live holy, and reconnect us to Christ. God honors our willingness to live a pure, obedient life. Yes, we can receive Jesus’ supernatural strength to overcome all temptation, still, we must put forth the human effort to renounce and walk away from the demonic activities that bind us to Satan.
We must never forget that we inherited sinful hearts. Our greatest daily battle is the internal conflict of choosing right over wrong. From searching the Scriptures, we learn why God’s Righteous Standards for separating from unbelievers are life-saving commands.
Reflection: “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).
We will never fall into temptations and suffer consequences if we live a sacrificial life of trusting God’s plans. God is Omniscient—All-knowing. Yes, God knows who will finish the Spiritual Race and receive eternal life. He also knows who will follow the desires of their hearts and leave their relationship with Jesus Christ for the temporary gratification of relationships with unbelievers.
Certainly, God was disappointed when Adam and Eve chose to sin against Him. Our Heavenly Father’s original plan was not for us to be alone, but because of sin, we live in a fallen world.
Not every believer will have the opportunity to enjoy marriage or close friendships. We accept our Father’s will, consecrate ourselves to God, and trust His perfect plans.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28
Jesus described Himself as a Man of Sorrows. Yes, loneliness is a valid feeling. Forming relationships with immoral individuals is not the solution. Do we have too much empty time with nothing to do but focus on ourselves?
Every believer has received spiritual gifts and talents that God expects us to use to witness. If we do nothing for God, then our hearts will drive us to sin against God.
“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).
Not one relationship on this Earth is worth losing our reward of eternal life over. Satan, our enemy, knows his time is short, so he uses people to distract us from fully dedicating ourselves to Christ.
We must decide between choosing sinful relationships or aligning ourselves with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives. God, the Father, and God, Jesus Christ, the Son, have fulfilled their roles in offering humanity the Plan of Redemption, which frees us from the curse of sin.
Keep your eyes on the Eternal prize of inheriting a forever 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)
Our present lives are temporary. If we just hold on, Jesus has promised the faithful and obedient believers a Crown of life in the New Heaven and New Earth, where we will never be alone or lonely.
Wait on God, and with faith accept His Perfect Plans for your life. The King Is Coming! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we ask you to comfort the hearts of your sons and daughters who are experiencing loneliness and discouragement. Give them the strength to redirect their focus to fulfilling their spiritual assignments, and to look forward to receiving Your wonderful reward of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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