“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, NLT).
Overwhelming daily to-do lists combined with the unknown obstacles that occur throughout our day places a taxing effort on our mental, emotional, and physical health.
In fact, the busyness and distractions are preventing us from worshiping God every day through prayer and Bible Study, but God’s expectations have not changed. We were created to worship God seven days a week.
God’s Call to Worship and Obedience
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).
Without daily personal worship, we are disconnected from Christ, which forces us to live according to our own thoughts, resulting in a state of disobedience.
Cain, and Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, and the men in Athens who only expressed belief in “The Unknown God” reveal that God rejects worship from those with disobedient hearts, and those who worship false pagan deities.
Disobedience is rebellion against God, and separates us from a Holy and Righteous God. Disobeying God places the believer on the same spiritual status as an unbeliever.
Obedience to God Is Worship
Because of God’s love and His desire for us to spend intentional time with Him, our Heavenly Father blessed us with 24 hours to redirect our focus from the vicissitudes of life to focus on His Faithfulness.
Yes, God has provided a Spiritual Sabbatical of 24 hours to escape life’s relentless schedules and responsibilities, and to receive a complete Spiritual Restoration of our mind, body, and soul.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work…” (Exodus 20:8-10).
Because we honor God’s Commandment of not taking care of routine matters on the Sabbath, God blesses us with peace, joy, happiness, knowledge, wisdom, restoration, and spiritual healing.
The Sabbath protects us from the devastating impact on one’s health from life’s continuous stressors, still, we enjoy another benefit, a worry-free mind.
David reiterates God’s faithfulness to the righteous: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:5).
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, and from our obedience, we have the assurance that Jesus is Faithful: He promises to provide for us, and He does.
Yes, for our obedience, we also receive many rewards for honoring God’s Moral Law. From spending time in His presence every day, and engaging in Sabbath worship, our faith and confidence in God strengthens.
The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual wisdom to receive a deeper understanding of the Holy Scriptures, which empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of growth and transformation.
Because our focus is spiritual, during the Sabbath hours, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit works on molding our characters into the Righteous Character of Christ [Study Galatians 5:22-23].
Not only are we blessed with an optimal level of spiritual health and wellness, studies prove that Sabbath keepers enjoy a higher level of mental, emotional, and physical wellness, do not experience premature aging, and enjoy longevity.
Obedience to God is rewarded by God, who blesses those who keep His Commandments with continuous spiritual prosperity, guidance, protection, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Creation Sabbath was established by God for humanity [Genesis, Chapters 1-2]. Adam and Eve were the first human beings who enjoyed the first Sabbath hours of worship with God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and the angels.
The Bible does not explain to us how the joint Sabbath worship occurred between Adam and Eve, God, Jesus, and the angels. We can only imagine the beauty of worshiping God face-to-face as Adam and Eve did before they sinned.
Jesus Says: “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).
“And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:23).
Throughout eternity, God will continue the observance of the Holy Sabbath, a time of rejoicing because the righteous will be home at last.
And after the 1,000 years following Jesus’ Second Coming, our Triumphant King will destroy Satan, those who chose to follow The Great Deceiver, and this present Earth.
“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.'” (revelation 21:5).
Our Lord, Savior, and King will create the New Heaven and New Earth for the faithful, obedient believers who [in their earthly lives] followed Christ, and lived a sacrificial life of self-denial, guided by the Holy Spirit. Yes and Amen!
Lord God we thank You for Your amazing love and faithfulness. And we thank You for the blessing of the Holy Sabbath, a time of worship, spiritual enlightenment, and the renewal of our mental, emotional, and physical health. We look forward to the time when we will praise and worship You face-to-face for eternity. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Set aside personal time with God every day. Solitude and Silence are necessary to hear the Voice of God. Prayer invites God, the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts, our conscience, and the Holy Scriptures.
It is God’s will for us to depend on Him in every aspect of our lives. We desperately seek His intervention when facing dilemmas, but our Heavenly Father also desires to give us guidance in the routine matters of life.
Dependency on God alleviates anxiety, worries, and prevents suffering the guaranteed consequences from relying on our thoughts and human wisdom.
Make the commitment to trust God with your life. Faith, even if it is weak, is strengthened by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us with the wisdom to view life through spiritual eyes.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27).
Facing battles? Put your faith and trust in Yahweh! He is a Mighty Warrior who always wins. Believers, it’s time for us to depend on God, and live as Victorious Overcomers! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, You are so awesome. We thank You for all of the love and attention that You give to us, everyday of our lives. We repent for having a spirit of ingratitude. Lord, we commit to spending more time with you in personal worship. We are facing battles that we cannot win without your Divine Help. And we thank You in advance for giving us the victory. Thank you for the Sabbath. As we worship You, we pray for the spiritual blessing of strength to persevere in our earthly journey. We ask this prayer in faith and in the Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Jesus’ Prayer: “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I know that You always hear Me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent me.'” (John 11:41-42, NIV).
Prayers of gratitude acknowledge our heartfelt appreciation for God, the Sustainer of our lives. What do we mean when we refer to God as our Sustainer?
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). We may think of housing, clothing, and food [provisions] needed to support the healthy function of the mind and body, but literally, God is the Giver of life.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7).
We easily accept the scientific explanation for breathing—human beings inhale the perfect mixture of gases [nitrogen, oxygen, and more] and exhale carbon dioxide, a waste product, yet as believers, we must perceive life through spiritual eyes—the breath that flows through our Respiratory System is God’s Ruach breath.
Yes, we acknowledge that God is the Source of life, yet most of us struggle with expressing love for our Heavenly Father through heartfelt prayers and praises of gratitude. How often do we say, Thank You, God?
David proclaimed, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1). When David wrote this Psalm, he was a fugitive living in the caves. King Saul possessed a spirit of jealousy and desired to kill David, who was only in his teenage years, but had God’s anointing of protection on his life.
The Psalms, Songs of Prayer and Praise, are the longest book in the Bible. David’s life, once he became King, was plagued with continuous strife because of his two heinous sins [adultery and murder], yet he continued to write Psalms and play beautiful music on his harp that always honored God.
So, I paused writing this devotional reading to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the roadblock preventing us from praising God like David did.
“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). Brothers and Sisters, you and I have an issue of the heart; our love is divided, we love God, but we love ourselves more.
Truthfully, from the moment we awaken, we may whisper a quick prayer, but our focus is on our personal agendas. How will we manage our time effectively to accomplish our goals for the day?
By excluding God, we have not only nurtured a spirit of self-reliance, but we have also adopted a worldview centered on the greed of acquisition. We are inundated by advertisements of lifestyles that promote two concepts: 1. “Enough is Never Enough!” 2. A strong character is revealed by the constant pursuit of assets: wealth, material possessions, success, and social status.
We must remember that although Adam and Eve received God’s best, including immortality, Satan convinced Eve that God’s command of “Do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” was because God did not desire for them to possess the knowledge that He had.
Not only has the majority of the Christian Community accepted the Prosperity Message, but Satan also offers distractions that fill our minds with ingratitude for God’s continuous Love, Grace, and Mercies, and His blessings of Sustenance. We love God, but why is our desire for earthly possessions and pleasures so overpowering?
Our Inheritance: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This verse highlights the inherent tendency of human nature to be corrupt and unreliable, needing God’s intervention for true understanding and guidance.”
The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are involved in an unseen Spiritual War. The Great Controversy of Good and Evil is between Christ and Satan. Believers, we are Satan’s target!
Satan is determined to separate us from God by preying on our innate weaknesses. His goal is to manipulate our minds into believing that God is punitive, the Bible is filled with restrictive “Do Nots,” and that our Heavenly Father is selfish.
The Highly Effective Deception: Desire is fueled by our five senses, our eyes see, and our brains process Satan’s deceptive mirages of [what appears to be] magnificent lifestyles filled with the happiness, laughter, and contentment that only comes from status, wealth, material possessions, and pleasure.
How do we fight against our human nature of always desiring more than we have? The Path to Freedom Requires Human Effort and Divine Intervention.
We need Jesus’ Divine Strength to break the Stronghold of giving in to our desires, and we must exercise the Human Effort of Discipline and Self-Control.
Our spiritual breakthrough requires using our faith to consecrate ourselves daily to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Personal Worship must become our priority. Our prayers should always begin with “God, I thank you for…” Every day, thank God for 5 blessings—Gratitude is Worship.
From whispering prayers of gratitude throughout our day, our faith strengthens because telling God, “Thank You,” invites the Holy Spirit to bring us into the presence of God, and give us the Divine Strength to say No to our desires.
“The manifestation of God’s love, His mercy and His goodness, and the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart to enlighten and renew it, place us, through faith, in so close connection with Christ that, having a clear conception of His character, we are able to discern the [masterful] deceptions of Satan.”
“And in view of the great things which Christ has done for us, we are ready to exclaim: ‘Behold what manner of love the Father has given to 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, BSB).
Gratitude List: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Love and Faithfulness!
God’s Agape Love: “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’s Agape Love: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, with loving kindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).
God’s Faithfulness: “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, NIV).
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, made the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross to save you and me from the wages of sin, which is death. What more can Christ do for us?
Yet there is more! This Earth is not our Forever Home! Yes and Amen!
Jesus’ Loving Promise: “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).
We cannot let the desire for earthly trinkets and success overpower our desire for receiving our reward of Eternal 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).
“Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is…” (1 John 3:2).
Continuously thanking God for His blessings keeps our hearts attached to Jesus’ heart. Instead of looking at life through eyes focused on desire, we develop a spirit of praise and worship from our gratitude and appreciation for all that God has given to us.
Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Steadfast Faithfulness, and Continuous Blessings. Even though we have repaid you with selfishness, we have come to our senses, asking for forgiveness. Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. We ask for Your strength to resist Satan’s temptations. Lord, help us to move forward as we persevere with faith in this journey of life. All glory, honor, and praise to Your Holy Name. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].” (Matthew 10:34, Amplified Bible).
Today, while studying my Bible lesson, the author asked, “How well do you know the Life and Character of Christ?”
God, the Father, Required Faithful Obedience from Christ
“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:28-29).
Jesus’ life demonstrates that He always prayed for guidance and always obeyed God, the Father. Unless we have studied Genesis and the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], then we do not have the foundational knowledge necessary to intimately know who Christ is.
But memorizing the Life and Character of Christ only gives us theoretical knowledge; without loving Him, our hearts will remain empty.
“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).
Without a response, Matthew left a position of status with the Roman government, which provided great wealth, to follow Christ. From hearing others speak of Jesus’ Love and His Ministry of Healing, Matthew had already decided to follow Jesus if He extended the invitation.
Reflecting on why we accepted Christ as our personal Savior only has one answer: God is Love: “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). “Our capacity to love is a response to the love God has already shown us.”
Christ’s Love differs greatly from human love. For us to love is a lengthy process of learning who the person is. Yes, their morals, values, temperament, and goals reveal critical aspects of their character, but many have been disappointed when they learn the person is incapable of reciprocating love.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Christ created us with the spiritual gift of love, which connects our hearts to His Righteous Heart.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, Amplified Bible).
Spiritual Love is far greater and deeper than human love. Without the Holy Spirit giving us spiritual wisdom, we cannot comprehend God’s Agape Love. Yet, without making Christ’s Love personal, we will never fully understand the height and depth of His Love, nor can we appreciate His Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross.
Separating ourselves from family members and distractions is vital to appreciating and personalizing Jesus’ Sacrificial Offering. From studying the Book of John, Chapters 17-21, we realize that Christ’s Overwhelming Love for us gave Him the courage to fulfill the Plan of Redemption. What more can Jesus do for us?
To Be a Christian Is to Be Like Christ: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV).
To abide in Christ requires us to pray continuously and study the Bible daily. Foundational knowledge of our Creator, Jesus, God, the Son, begins with the study of the Creation Story in Genesis Chapters 1-3, and His earthly life in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].
Christ was a Prayer Warrior: “But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:16). From studying the Life of Christ, we learn that Jesus often chose hours of solitude to spend time in worship with God, the Father.
To follow Christ, we must have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him, which requires that we know His Righteous Character.
How do we know if we are true followers of Christ? “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24).
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). “Not my will God, but Your will be done in my life.” A daily prayer of surrender reveals our desire to obey God and to involve Him in every aspect of our lives.
“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; Fear [Revere] the Lord and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Satan has deceived us into believing this Command is optional. As Christ lived, we must also live. Loving God requires letting go of our plans and obeying and fulfilling His plans for our lives.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8, ESV)
The Life of Christ is our example of how to spend time in the Presence of God: Through worship, we learn God’s Perfect Plans for the given day. Daily morning and evening personal worship is when we receive spiritual nourishment, wisdom, and strength from the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live as overcomers.
Praying and studying the Scriptures gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to live righteously. Day by day, the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out, transforming our hearts and characters—Sanctification, the lifetime spiritual process of growth and transformation.
Christ is our Spiritual Role Model
From studying the Life and Character of Christ, when facing temptations, we choose to pray for strength and use our gift of self-control to say No to sin.
“Knowing the beauty of Christ’s Character is foundational to knowing what our daily walk with Christ should be.”
“This is why time in the Word, every day, is so important. This is why, we should also spend time dwelling on the Life, Character and Teachings of Jesus. By beholding, yes, we do become changed.”
“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).
Bible Study: The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to You. We thank You for Your love and the sacrificial gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life to save our souls. We love You, and because of our love, we have decided to follow Jesus with faithful obedience. Lord, we cannot do this in our own strength, so we ask for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit on our lives. We look forward to the day that we will see Jesus, our Triumphant King, and receive our gift of the Crown of Eternal Life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we ask this prayer, Amen.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, KJV).
There are many who embrace and follow human wisdom, but in love, God warns us against following our thoughts. All will be judged against His Righteous Standard, The Holy Bible.
The righteous always seek God through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, and respond with obedience. Peace comes from staying aligned with God’s will and plans.
God honors those who worship Him with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience. The Holy Spirit rewards us with the daily blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, strength, and Divine guidance.
And on the day of Jesus’ Second Coming, we can joyfully expect to receive our reward of the Crown of Life. Amen.
Lord God, we ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our lives. As we seek knowledge from your Words of Life, we ask for the wisdom to understand the depth of Your Love. Teach us how to worship You in spirit and truth. We honor You on Your Holy Sabbath, and ask for the blessings of Spiritual renewal, restoration, strength, peace, and joy. With faith, we ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
From establishing a relationship with Christ through daily surrender and faithful obedience, when the raging storms of unexpected challenges enter our lives, our first response is a prayer of faith. Yes, we are confident that our Faithful Shepherd is with us.
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).
A few years ago, I watched a YouTube documentary on adopting a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle. The Japanese professor shared her amazing story of changing her lifestyle, which included relocating to a rural setting and strictly practicing the concept of “Need Over Greed.”
Although the professor said she was not religious, she verbalized that her entire psyche changed, and she felt peace within. Because of her commitment to making positive lifestyle changes, including healthy boundaries, she indicated that she was caring for her mind and body with love and respect.
Yes, every living creature has basic physiological and psychological needs that must be fulfilled; if not, healthy growth and development cannot occur. Yet that is not our dilemma; many believers have excessive tangible goods and wealth beyond their basic needs, yet we still desire more.
Need Over Greed Is a Spiritual Concept
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Jesus is not teaching us the world’s concept of frugal living—Minimalism, which does not promote obedience to God, or give the principles to transform one’s character into the Righteousness of Christ.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).
Jesus is teaching us to have our priorities straight, so we can actively participate in the transformation of our characters, minds, and personalities required to receive our reward of Eternal Life. It is impossible to pursue wealth and success and actively participate in the journey of spiritual growth and transformation.
The Current Plight of Christianity: We are too distracted by our desires to have the daily personal worship that keeps us anchored in Christ. Prayer and Bible Study invite the Holy Spirit to give us clarity, wisdom, discernment, and Jesus’ strength to fight against our internal desires.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Without setting aside daily time for personal worship, not only are we excluding ourselves from the presence of God, but we are also living a life of self-direction.
King David’s Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV). David admitted that we cannot judge ourselves; therefore, he continually asked God to search his heart.
Redirecting Our Faith and Focus to God: Every day, we have the opportunity to communicate with God in prayer to learn His perfect will for that day, obey, fulfill His plans, and receive the Divine wisdom, discernment, and strength to overcome our desires.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV). Without a heart-to-heart connection with Christ, we instinctively rely on our human wisdom, which never aligns with God’s Divine Will and Plans.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Not having Scriptural knowledge and the desire to obey God redirects our faith and focus from God to ourselves. From thinking our own thoughts, our lifestyle of self-gratification reveals that we are living in opposition to God’s Righteous Principles.
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” (Luke 12:15, ESV).
God is not surprised that we have not obeyed His command to deny ourselves. Every human heart is driven to please self, which we cannot overcome without the Divine strength of Jesus Christ.
The Onset Begins After Birth: “Babies are naturally self-centered during early development, a stage often beginning around 18 months when they develop a sense of self and possessiveness.”
As we mature through the lifespan, the joy of self-gratification is reinforced through learned behavior, the media, and the assimilation of a materialistic mindset.
For a short time, we are happy, but happiness based on materialism is short-lived, so we must continue to participate in the cycle to maintain our contentment through the acquisition of wealth and possessions.
God’s Command: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV).
The Scriptures should not be viewed as unyielding restraints. God is a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who has given us the Spiritual Boundaries [in the Bible] to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.
Chapter 2
Although the Apostle Paul [who was anointed by the Holy Spirit to write most of the New Testament] was a very spiritual and dedicated Christian man of God, he also experienced the battle within: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, NIV).
We were not created to fight the good fight of faith alone. God’s perception of time is Eternal. God knew that in 2025, we would be inundated by the concept of “Pursue Your Desires, More Reveals Power and Prosperity.” The temptations of material acquisition appear overwhelming, but still, we were not created to be helpless.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible).
The Christian Journey will always include the struggles of internal conflict that arise from the inheritance of a self-gratifying heart, and the external opposition of Satan’s personalized schemes and temptations.
But through the sacrificial offering of Jesus, the Lamb of God’s life, we are freed from the bondage of an insatiable, greedy heart. Divine Help is always a prayer away.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
We have all of Heaven—The Triune God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit], along with a countless number of angelic armies who are dedicated to protecting us from spiritual warfare, physical harm, scams, identity theft, and the rest of Satan’s schemes. Yet God’s promises and protection are conditional, and receiving His blessings depends on our willingness to obey our Heavenly Father.
Brothers and Sisters, consider the unbelieving Japanese professor who used discipline and self-control to change her life. Something is not right when unbelievers can successfully use their strength to exercise restraint, and we who accepted Christ as our personal Savior, who promises to give us Divine Help available 24/7, so easily give in to our desires.
Chapter 3
The Sacrificial Life Is the Only Way to Obey God’s Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)
By choosing to love God, we instinctively desire to obey Him. Personal worship expresses our gratitude to God, our Father, for His Love and the gift of His Only Son, Jesus Christ.
Our morning worship begins with the commitment to living a holy and acceptable life of self-denial. We surrender to God because He deserves our loyalty and faithful obedience; therefore, we use the discipline of self-control to renounce our desires.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Yes, we approach God in prayer for help to resist temptation, still there are times when we give in to our weaknesses. Our Father is still gracious. Through prayer, we have total access to ask for His Divine Help and forgiveness.
God’s love and mercy are always extended when we repent. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father never changes. Not only does Christ promise to never leave or forsake us, He tells us to move forward and continue to fight against our internal desires and external temptations using His strength: “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”
From engaging in consistent Bible Study, we learn God’s Loving Character and His history of intervening when the righteous run to Him for help, which strengthens our faith. We can never pray too much. Continuous Prayer connects us to Christ, who gives us His Spiritual strength to live day by day as Victorious Overcomers!
God knows that we cannot fight this Spiritual War alone! Heaven responds immediately to our cries for help. Still, we must put forth the human effort to choose to use our spiritual gifts of power and self-control to courageously renounce our desires by remaining steadfast to the conviction, “I will not sin against God!”
Throughout the Bible, we have examples of dedicated worshipers who did not sin against God. Their lifestyle reveals the habit of consistent communication with God. Daniel prayed three times a day, and for his faithfulness, he was chosen to receive prophetic visions of the future, which he did not understand.
“And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.” (Daniel 10:11).
Because of Daniel’s love, faith, and loyalty, Jesus Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel the interpretation of his visions. Yes, Daniel admits he was terrified, but Gabriel’s words, “Daniel, man greatly beloved…” were a message directly from Christ.
When we choose to live a sacrificial life, determined to faithfully obey God, dedicating ourselves to a life of prayer is easily accomplished. Prayer is our Spiritual Lifeline to Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor; there is no other way for us to receive spiritual nourishment and strength.
Prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures not only keep us anchored in Christ, but we also recognize our identity as royal heirs who will inherit our Eternal Crown of Life, which consistently reminds us of who our allegiance is to.
Sanctification is the gradual [daily] spiritual process of growth and transformation required for every believer to, yet character transformation depends on our willingness to obey God.
If we are participating with the Holy Spirit, then we will begin to notice changes in our behaviors. Not only do we stop desiring the things we used to pursue, but we also receive wisdom and the discernment to perceive life through the eyes of Christ.
“You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 11:27, NLT).”
The Nation of Israel struggled to obey God because they were mesmerized by the practices of pagan worship. If we expect to be blessed, which includes receiving our Crown of Life, we must cease pursuing our desires.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).
The continuous challenge for every believer is to remain loyal to God by staying connected to Christ; only then can we win the battle of Obedience versus Disobedience to God. Without surrendering ourselves in faith and humility to God, we are driven by our internal desires that we cannot control.
How do we win? We choose to have a “God First” mindset that only comes from loving the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. A spirit of humility invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine Strength to overcome and win the battles within and externally.
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). All of Heaven is dedicated to helping us overcome our innate character traits of a selfish heart. Preparing for Eternal Life One Day At a Time.
Lord God, we desperately need Your help. You know our hearts and the consequences of embracing and pursuing greed. Lord, we confess that we have followed our hearts instead of obeying Your command to not seek earthly treasures, and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We ask You for guidance and strength. Teach us how to hear Your Voice speaking to us instead of following our wayward thoughts leading to self-gratification. We look forward to the day when Your Son, Jesus, and our Triumphant King will come again. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
23 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ “
24 Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin? ‘ “
“They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, From heaven, He will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ “
27 “So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ “
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
The commitment to follow Christ has always required surrender and faithful obedience to His authority, which was given to Him by God, the Father.
When we fail to consecrate and commit ourselves to God through daily personal worship, our thoughts and actions supersede our spoken words.
But what we do not understand is that we are questioning God’s Authority, which places us in wilful rebellion against God’s Sovereignty.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Jesus’s earthly life reveals that obedience to God is non-negotiable.
Remain Faithful to God
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4).
Never Trust Your Own Thoughts
“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).
Reverence God Through a Spirit of Humility
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7).
Embrace God’s Promise of His Faithfulness
“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).
Honor God’s Sovereignty, Because He Is God
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Our Allegiance and Loyalty Is To God, or To Ourselves
Reflection: By whose authority are you living your life? Every day, we choose our destiny, our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are obeying God, or not.
If we live according to our thoughts and desires, then we choose to forfeit our reward of The Crown of Life. Our only reward will be whatever we pursued and accomplished in our earthly lives.
Jesus’ Promise To the Faithful
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV).
Bible Study: Revelation 19, 21-22
Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sins of self-reliance and disobedience. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and remove the stubbornness in our hearts. We desperately need Your Holy Spirit to baptize our hearts, and minds, so we can see life through spiritual eyes, and live a sacrificial life of obedience. Lord, we consecrate our lives to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, and ask for the daily Spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment required to live as overcomers. God, we acknowledge that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus, Amen.
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11).
Recently, I listened to a sermon that taught us how we should pray for God’s help. For us to pray a prayer of faith with the confidence and assurance that God will intervene, we must know the attributes of God’s Righteous Character.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Since the Bible reveals God’s Loving and Faithful Character, the Holy Scriptures are the Resource we depend on to learn Who God says He is.
God’s Righteous Character: God Is Faithful to His Never-Changing Character: “I do not change.”
“God describes Himself as The Living God. He is Eternal and He is Powerful.”
“…Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23).
“God is a God of Love, God is Trustworthy, and He is Faithful. God is able to do miracles that no one else can accomplish.”
Effectual Prayers Focus on the Power of God Not the Problem
The Child’s Prayer: “God, You are Powerful. I am afraid and need Your help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
King Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
“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? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 12).
King David’s Prayer
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; For You are my hope, O Lord God; O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me. But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.” (Psalm 71:1, 3, 5, 12, 14).
Jesus’ Consistent Prayers
“In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.” (Hebrews 5:7).
Affirming God’s Attributes, Commands, and Promises in Our Prayers
When Facing Enemies: “Lord God, You said that I should stand still, hold my peace, and you would fight my battle…” Exodus 14:14; 2 Chronicles 20:17.
When Facing Uncertainty: “Lord God, You are All-knowing, and have the answers to my dilemma, I do not know what to do…” Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7.
God Proclaims His Sovereignty
” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God is Holy, God is our Creator, and God is The Sovereign Ruler and Authority of this universe. Angels bow before Him, all Heaven loves, adores, and worships Him with humility, awe, and reverence.
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4, NIV).
We are privileged to be created in the image of God, redeemed by the blood of God’s Precious Son, Jesus, and to have God’s Ruach breath flow through our bodies. Truly, God is the Sustainer of our lives.
We cannot remember “…the most important provision, most costly provision, YahwehYireh has given us. He provided the perfect Lamb of God.” How can we forget?
In 2025, because we are practicing the worldviews of self-reliance, pursuing our goals, and worshiping God only by attending weekly church services, we have distanced ourselves from God.
Truthfully, we do not have time for God. Satan has deceived us with the busyness of distractions, and we are following our desires for earthly prosperity and success.
The Christian Journey is tough! We cannot make it without receiving Jesus’ strength to remain faithful and to persevere through our many trials and adversities.
Daily worship God keeps us connected to Jesus, our Shepherd. To abide in Christ is accomplished through prayer, fasting, and studying the Bible.
We must learn God’s Righteous Character and His Promises to respond with faith and trust in God during hardships.
It is in the quiet times of personal worship that we receive the blessings of peace and the assurance that we are loved by God, who promises to always take care of us.
” ‘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).
Without Scriptural knowledge, and wisdom received from the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand God’s Majesty and Authority, or the need for His continuous Presence and Power in our lives.
Certainly, as the creation, we should possess a spirit of humility and reverence for our Creator. We should not wait until adversity enters our lives [that human effort cannot resolve] to pray for Divine Intervention.
To love God with all of our hearts is to acknowledge His Sovereignty through surrender, reverence, and to worship Him every day in Spirit and Truth with faithful obedience.
Only then can we approach the Throne of God with confidence, knowing that He will help us in our time of need, which is every minute of our days.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
Lord God, we desperately need Your help to overcome in this journey of life. We ask for forgiveness for not reverencing You as the Sovereign Creator of this universe who sustains our lives. Lord, You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and we approach your Throne of Grace because we desperately need Your help in resolving our challenges. We love You, and thank You for giving us the victory. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
For the next 24 hours, immerse yourself in the Holy Scriptures, asking the Holy Spirit to empower you with wisdom, discernment, and the strength to apply God’s Righteous Principles to your life.
In 2 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul described the time we are living in, The Last Days. To keep moving forward in our spiritual journey with Christ, we must be anchored to Christ through the study of the Bible, and much prayer.
Lord God, we pray and ask for the wisdom to see life through spiritual eyes. We know that You are coming soon, and Lord, we ask You to give us direction, so we stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask for a double blessing on this Holy Sabbath. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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