Sabbath Devotional – Page 4 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Internal Peace that Comes from Following Jesus

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -John 14:27

This week, the postal worker delivered my package to the wrong mailbox, and whoever received it kept it. I contacted the seller, whose response was surprising: “We have no control over the package once we mail it.” Yet, I reminded the manager of the company’s policy to assign tracking numbers and insurance, which requires filing a claim if the buyer did not receive the merchandise.

Although I filed the missing package claim, the postal email reminded me that it was the seller’s responsibility to file a claim for the missing package, and they closed my case without resolution. I prayed for Divine intervention and guidance, and the Holy Spirit reminded me I had another option.

Thankfully, I paid for the purchase with my credit card [that I rarely use], so I had the option to file a dispute, which I did. The next day, I received an email from the seller stating they filed a claim for the missing package, and the post office sent an email informing me they reopened my claim.

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

Prayer, Bible Study, Faithful Obedience, and total dependency on God are the habits of a converted and consecrated Christian. Prayer is a privilege. Although we have unlimited access to a Sovereign God, seeking His help is usually not our first response to adversity.

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” -Psalm 4:8

Not using human wisdom to resolve our challenges changes the trajectory of our lives. With God involved, who can challenge His Authority? Honoring God by praying for His intervention means never suffering consequences or losing our peace. We can sleep like newborn babies when God is involved. No worries because we know that our God is always faithful.

“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” -2 Chronicles 14:11

A prayer of faith moves the arms of Jesus Christ, our Mighty Warrior, who commands angel armies to fight the spiritual warfare that threatens to discourage and overpower us. Pray, wait, and be still.

“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” -Matthew 6:6

We must learn to distinguish God’s voice from the voices of human opinions; therefore, do not involve family and friends in developing resolutions, for God’s thoughts and ways never coincide with human strategies. If human intervention is needed, then God will speak to the hearts of the individuals He chooses, and they will help us.

Have you ever misplaced something important, searched, and just couldn’t find it? Say a prayer. God desires to be involved in the routine duties of our lives. Even when we think we can resolve the issue, if we choose to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), not only will we develop the habit of immediately praying, but our faith will be redirected from ourselves to God who rightfully deserves our faith.

Adversity has a spiritual purpose; God requires that 100% of our faith is in Him. To save our souls, eventually, He allows a trial that human effort cannot resolve. Yes, standing at the Crossroads of decision reveals our limitations, still, God does not infringe on our free will. He knows the true feelings of our hearts, and many believers have chosen the path of least resistance by rejecting God’s help.

Obedience gives us confidence and courage, and our faith, hope, and peace are renewed.”I will never leave you or forsake you.” Surrender invites the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength to persevere. Divine guidance empowers us with spiritual perception and wisdom.

When our faith is weak, God reminds us of His Omnipotence: “Who then is able to stand against Me?…Everything under heaven is Mine” (Job 41:10-11).

The Holy Bible is our Spiritual Guide. Spending time in the Scriptures is life-changing. In Jesus’ humanity, He no longer knew the thoughts of God, His Father, as He did in heaven. Mary, His mother, had the responsibility to teach Jesus the Old Testament Scriptures, but at the age of 12, the Holy Spirit empowered the child Jesus to discuss the Holy Scriptures with the formally educated Rabbis.

One of my favorite Scriptures is John 8:29, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” Obedience is Jesus’ answer to enjoying His ever-present gift of internal peace. If God expected obedience from Christ, then His expectations are the same for every believer.

Consider Jesus’ tumultuous earthly journey of living in poverty and being despised by the Jewish leaders who consistently schemed to trick Him with never-ending questions that appeared to have no right answer. In the Four Gospels, the writers reveal that Jesus always relied on God, the Father for His spiritual strength and wisdom.

Jesus knew his human limitations. With humility and surrender, the Scriptures reveal that our Savior spent hours in prayer with His Father. Prayer is our only channel for receiving the Divine wisdom and strength to overcome the continuous challenges of spiritual warfare. We cannot guide ourselves on the Path of Righteousness; we desperately need Divine guidance and resolution to receive victory!

Jesus, Our High Priest: “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).

Prayers of Faith asking for Divine help are immediately answered by Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor. Our reward for approaching the throne of Grace is received through the Holy Spirit, who gives us Spiritual Wisdom, Strength, and Peace. Yes, the ways of the Triune Godhead are a mystery, but we do not have to understand, we just need to pray and believe.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” -Psalm 121:1-2

King David reminds us that in every challenge, we are just a prayer away from receiving help from our Loving Creator, Jesus Christ, who is always Faithful. In faith [even when weakened] like a trusting child, we simply believe God’s promises to resolve our challenges.

Faith is a spiritual muscle, we must exercise our faith to believer that God loves us and knows what is best. The decision to include God in every aspect of our lives requires that we let go of the disobedient spirit of self-reliance.

“Trusting and obeying God” is our greatest challenge, yet it is the key to living a peaceful and victorious life that is perfectly aligned with God’s Will and plans for which we will receive our reward of the Crown of Life.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” -Isaiah 26:3

Lord God, we thank you for Your faithfulness even when we are unfaithful, for which we ask forgiveness. We pray for the desire and strength to overcome our habit of self-reliance that opposes Your Perfect Plans for our lives. With this prayer, we renew our covenant to be faithful, obedient, and to depend on You by seeking Your guidance every day. We ask You to shower us with Your Divine Peace, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Commitment

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17, NIV

Yes, God desires for us to come to Him based on His loving character but He never violates our Free Will of choice. Our lifestyle reveals whom we serve. True heart conversion is spiritually deeper than attending church once a week. We cannot only be churchgoers but must have a deep abiding love for God, only then can we worship Him in spirit and truth.

Second hand knowledge as a result of not studying the Bible for oneself will not prepare us to stand with steadfast faith [in the power of Christ] when tempted, or in times of persecution. We cannot use our strength to overcome temptations designed to separate us from God.

It is the willingness to consecrate and commit ourselves to God demonstrated by daily personal worship that strengthens our relationship with Jesus Christ. Winning the war against sin and our desires requires consistent praying for the Holy Spirit to empower us with Christ’s wisdom and strength, only then can we live as Victorious Overcomers in Christ Jesus.

“…are we not all in danger, especially the longer we are here, of setting ‘aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles’ for the pomp, power, accolades, and temptations of the world? If we think we’re not, we are fooling ourselves.” ssnet.org

Lord God, we pray for the desire to look beyond this present Earth, and its promises of prosperity and pleasures designed to separate us from You. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Maintaining Our Connection to the Source of Life

“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…” —Proverbs 3:5-7

We can agree that successful personal relationships require love, forgiveness, quality time, creating goals, and working together to achieve them. For a relationship to thrive, the individuals must align their morals and values, agree to become interdependent, and communicate using loving, compassionate, and respectful responses, which are the primary building blocks for bonding with each other.

“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

The Scriptures teach us that we were created to depend on God. Every day, our Heavenly Father desires that we approach Him in prayer to seek His will and plans for the day. How do we describe our relationship with Christ? Strong and thriving, or weak and wavering? Many believers do not have a personal relationship with Christ because of the character trait of self-reliance.

“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9:9, NASB

“Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and Matthew immediately leaves everything and follows.” Although our Christian experience differs, accepting Jesus as our Savior is comparable to sheep following their Shepherd. Dependency on God requires us to redirect our faith from ourselves to God and to relinquish our desires in exchange for His Divine plans for our lives.

“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28). One of Satan’s most effective deceptions in the Christian Community is for us to believe the Holy Scriptures [God’s Spoken Word] are optional suggestions. Jesus refutes this false doctrine of having the privilege to decide whether or not to obey and practice God’s Righteous Commands.

Consider this: Every employer has policies and procedures that comply with State, Federal, or National Labor laws. Upon hire, the legal contractual agreement between an employer and an employee is presented and accepted based on a written agreement between both to adhere to the existing policies.

“Corporate Compliance and Human Resources departments ensure their organizations adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards.” All employer/employee infractions are immediately dealt with and resolved with disciplinary measures, and may escalate to legal action.

The Bible, spoken to righteous men by God, is our Spiritual Guide and Blueprint, teaching us how to live holy and acceptable lives pleasing to God. Without studying the Scriptures, we are relying on our thoughts, which will never coincide with God’s command to “…Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46, ESV

Something is not right when we can pledge faithfulness to obey employers who can only offer us salaried compensation, but we practice disregard for God’s Righteous Precepts. The acceptance and daily practice of the worldviews of self-governance have caused many believers to reject seeking God’s guidance, resulting in a life of disobedience.

Before Jesus took on humanity, His mind was one with God the Father, perfectly synchronized to His Father’s thoughts and desires. Although it is a mystery, Jesus always knew exactly what His Father was thinking. In Jesus’ earthly life, He did not have the privilege of knowing God’s thoughts and plans as He did in the Heavenly Courts.

Born as a human, Jesus had many limitations. Without prayer, He could not know God’s will. Jesus spent countless hours praying, which empowered Him to live a sinless life. He knew the importance of communing with God in personal worship. With humility and surrender, our Savior always asked for His Father’s will to be revealed. If Jesus required spiritual guidance, may God have mercy on us, we desperately need God’s Divine Help!

Jesus, Our Role Model: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

In John 17, Jesus prayed, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (verse 4). To love God is to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. King David reminds us, “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

The Plan to Reconnect to Christ: What steps can we take to align ourselves with God’s will and plans?

Every morning, we consecrate ourselves as followers of Christ through personal worship. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before making all decisions. Invite God in every aspect of your life, and you will learn to hear His voice. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, and the Scriptures [Study Romans 12, Galatians 5:22-23, and Ephesians 6].
Do not believe everything you think! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and teach you what God requires to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Learn to whisper prayers for Divine strength throughout your waking hours.
Humility Cures Worldliness: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we commit to following and obeying Christ, we face the spiritual warfare of temptations on a greater level. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remain prayerful, and study the Scriptures every day.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7). We were given spiritual gifts meant to be used with prayer. We need Jesus’ Divine strength to renounce sinful temptations that Satan creates based on our personal desires. Still, we cannot be coerced into sin against God. It is a free will choice to say yes to temptation.

Will we accept God’s mandate for the righteous? “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” ( Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). If yes, we will receive the spiritual power from the Holy Spirit to live as victorious overcomers.

Trusting in God is the willingness to let go of one’s thoughts, inclinations, and desires. We use our faith to honor and reverence God because He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. When we accept our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God, we begin to think differently, and our choices reflect holiness.

Last week, I consecrated myself to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Honestly, it is the toughest journey I have ever encountered. Our battle against Satan is one of External Opposition. We have the power to resist temptations with Divine strength. Thankfully, Christ sets limits on Satan; if it were Satan’s choice, he would aggressively pursue and intimidate believers, leaving us worn out and hopeless.

Still, our greatest battle is the battle of the mind! We inherited carnal hearts that are driven to pursue prosperity and pleasure. The Internal Conflict of renouncing our heart’s desires is one in which we must have Divine help. Not all temptations are easily discerned, especially after an 8 -12 hour, busy day.

After work, we are tired and just want to relax, so one of our favorite podcasts or programs just happens to be on, so we choose screen time instead of worship. If exhausted, pray for strength and spiritual clarity, listen to the audio Bible of one of the Psalms, and pray again before falling asleep.

Prayer is Power! When we pray continuously for Divine strength and guidance, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities daily into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Sanctification is the lifelong process of spiritual growth and transformation performed by the Holy Spirit when we strive to live faithful and obedient lives.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26, Amplified Bible

Faithful obedience is our highest worship. As time draws closer to Christ’s Second Coming, we must decide whether we will surrender and faithfully obey God or continue to operate with a mindset of self-governance. Nothing on this present Earth is worth giving up our reward of the Crown of Life. 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

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for living according to our thoughts and plans. We seek Your guidance because we love you, and desire to live a faithful and obedient life that we may receive our reward of eternal life, and meet our Triumphant King who willingly gave His life for us. We pray for the strength to live as faithful overcomers awaiting Your soon return. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.

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.

Morning Manna – Victory Comes from Seeking God

Sabbath Devotional – March 29,2025

Glorifying and honoring God is demonstrated by putting Him first. Being aware of God’s Presence requires that we separate ourselves and meditate daily on His Goodness through meaningful worship. When our gift of time is used to spend quality time in prayer and Bible study, we view life through spiritual eyes with wisdom and discernment.

The believer’s life is one of purpose, to be spiritually transformed which requires a journey of trials and hardships. Despite our circumstances, from placing our faith and trust in God, we receive Christ’s strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of anxiety and worry, we possess the courage and perseverance to keep moving forward.

Although each believer’s earthly journey is unique, every path is God-designed to produce the spiritual growth and transformation required to receive the reward of eternal life. Our confidence is based on God’s Faithfulness and His promises.

Faith is believing God’s love never ceases and He always knows what is best! Through surrender and obedience, each day, we consecrate ourselves to God. The willingness to place our lives in our Heavenly Father’s hands gives us the joyful expectation of always receiving the blessings of victorious outcomes. Peace and Blessings.

Thank You God for your ever-present love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Holy Name, 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.

The Serenity of the Holy Sabbath

“Just forget about yourself, concentrate on Him, and worship, Christ, the Lord, Worship Him, Christ, the Lord.”

The separation of oneself from all routine activities on the Sabbath invites the Holy Spirit to impart Jesus’ Divine gift of peace which provides a spiritual calm and assurance deep within our hearts and souls.

The Sabbath is a time of reflection on God’s love, faithfulness, goodness, and mercies. It is a time to express gratitude for His Love gift of Jesus Christ. We place our faith and trust in His promises because we are confident that our Father’s plans always work for the good of those who love the Lord.

The Sabbath is 24 hours of focused attention on worshiping God and receiving the shower of blessings of spiritual knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and strength. To commune with God in spirit and truth provides overwhelming joy and happiness.

Thank You God for providing a time of spiritual recovery and restoration from the vicissitudes of life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Yahweh Shammah—Overcome Fear, Anxiety, Doubt, and Discouragement

Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 21, 2025

“Yahweh Shammah,” a name for God found in Ezekiel 48:35, means “The Lord is there,” God promises His continuous presence and to be with His people [righteous believers] at all times. Yes and Amen.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ ” —Genesis 1:26, NLT

When God, the Father had the conversation with Jesus, God, the Son regarding the creation of humanity, they knew the intense daily struggles we would suffer from being dedicated followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In God’s infinite wisdom, we were perfectly created with intellect, the ability to learn, mental acuity, the power to reason, and a heart filled with love.

“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 were not spoken into existence, with Agape love, Jesus bent down and picked up clay in His hands, formed Adam into His likeness, and breathed the Ruach breath into him, and the man was alive. Recognizing our significance to God allows us to transcend worldly perspectives and societal judgments on the hierarchy of importance according to wealth.

The human body’s anatomy and physiology cannot be cloned by scientific means. Our soul is connected to God. Our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected dimensions of well-being. The body systems are intertwined and interdependent on each other to maintain a healthy mind-body equilibrium. Because we love God, we strive to live the healthiest lifestyle.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” —1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV

Still, it gets better! By accepting Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, giving us spiritual strength and guidance, and directing us through our thoughts and conscience [Yes, it’s a mystery]. All of creation reveals that God loves beauty and diversity, we have received various innate and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and honor.

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

We were gifted with the power to choose right over wrong and Truth over error as defined by God’s Holy Standards. Not only did we receive free will of choice, but we can accept or reject the gift of Salvation and live righteously or not.

“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

God to the rescue! In protecting us, God has left no stone unturned. Although we fight Satan’s temptations every day, and our circumstances make us feel that we do not have a choice, we are not helpless!

We always have a choice even when it is not in plain sight. Despite the temptation, when we are grounded in Christ, we cannot be coerced into choosing sin. We use our sound minds and prayer to disregard every manipulative tactic designed to persuade us to sin against God.

The Onset of the Spirit of Defeat and Its Bitter Fruits

“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…” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes, we have followed our thoughts, inclinations, and strategies that may or may not have produced successful outcomes, even so, our exclusion of God has resulted in the displacement of our gift of faith. Using our limited human wisdom and strategies not only excludes God but challenges and dishonors His Infinite knowledge and wisdom.

God’s plan includes active participation in our spiritual journey which produces the growth, maturity, and mind-character transformation necessary to receive Eternal life. Self-reliance displaces our faith from God to ourselves. When we detour from the Path of Righteousness, our Father God allows us to experience hardships that human effort can never resolve.

Focusing on our problems instead of God’s unlimited power is the Red Flag that reveals lost faith. The habit of using our knowledge, prior experience, and strategies to resolve our challenges excluded God. Now we face the reality of our human limitations and our emotions of fear, doubt, anxiety, and discouragement have overpowered us. Yet, the root of the problem is that we do not know who God is and the attributes of His Righteous Character.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). In the Christian Community, not enough emphasis is placed on the life-saving, faith-building importance of studying the Bible. The Bible contains the Holy Scriptures and is our Spiritual Guide to living righteously. In great detail, God defines the attributes of His Righteous Character so we will know the difference between Him speaking to us and Satan’s attempts to mislead us.

We are truly loved! The Bible gives us the history of God’s Loving Intervention in fighting the enemies threatening to overtake the righteous and the continuous forgiveness of our intentional rebellion of sinning against Him.

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).” Even when Adam and Eve chose to disobey which resulted in the loss of their home in the Garden of Eden, Christ had to shed blood by killing animals to clothe them. Sadly, even when forgiven, sin always creates a heart-wrenching payment.

God’s Original Plan for humanity included immortality. Adam and Eve were not created to die. Although many individuals blame God for the death of their loved ones, death is the result of sin and sin originated in Lucifer’s heart. God tells us “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). When Christ comes again, God’s Holy Name will be vindicated! Yes and Amen!

For many years, my Christian journey did not include Bible Study. The spirit of self-reliance produced a roller-coaster of spiritual and emotional highs and lows. If all was well, I was overjoyed. Eventually, a major life event caused me to stand at the Crossroads of Faith. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in many ways to study the Scriptures. Much prayer and daily Bible study have strengthened my faith in God and enabled me to live a Faith-based life dependent on God. The Spirit of Defeat was replaced with a Spirit of Gratitude.

Faith Building Activities

Praise and Worship is our greatest defense against the spirit of defeat. God’s decision to create humanity included 24/7 access to heaven. Praying once or twice a day is not enough to remain focused on the love and power of God. We are living in the last days [2 Timothy 3] and desperately need Divine wisdom and strength to overcome.

When King Jehoshaphat prayed for God’s help when the three pagan armies came against him this was God’s answer:

“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

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

Including God in life’s routine duties builds our faith, trust, and dependency on our Heavenly Father. When unexpected adversity enters our lives, we will immediately fall to our knees and seek God. Pray for God to reveal His perfect will and ask for the strength to persevere through the trial. God is never in a hurry. His Divine help requires that we maintain our faith while waiting on His perfect timing.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT

In the season of waiting, pray prayers of gratitude thanking Him for the victory. We do not have to plead and beg our Heavenly Father to help us. God never forgets our prayers for help. Stand still [do not attempt to help God by using human strategies], all God asks of us is to honor and reverence Him with our unwavering faith.

Study 2 Chronicles chapter 20. The Bible reinforces our faith in God. To remain faithful and steadfast in our relationship with Christ requires Biblical knowledge. The spiritual understanding we receive converts our hearts and we willingly desire to serve God because we love Him.

Establish consistent study by dedicating alone time with God every day. Use 15 minutes of your lunchtime to pray and memorize at least one Scripture. Develop a 4-6 month schedule to study and learn Genesis 1-3 [The Beginning], the Four Gospels [The Life of Christ—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], and Revelation chapters 21-22 [Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth].

The Spiritual Journey of living a victorious Christ-centered life is dependent on daily surrender, faithful obedience, much prayer, and focused study of the Holy Scriptures. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and a deeper understanding of the word of God. You will lose the Spirit of Defeat and enjoy the courage, peace, and happiness that God desires us to possess and your perception and desires will change as you begin to see life through spiritual eyes.

“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

The journey of Faith will never be easy. Still, Yahweh Shammah promises to always be there. By embracing God’s love, we can live by faith and rely on God which gives us peace, hope, and a mindset of victory!

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4

Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the sin of embracing self-reliance instead of totally depending on Your promises to give us victory. We commit to using our faith to believe that You are always here and will deliver us despite our circumstances. Thank you for your love and steadfast commitment to humanity. We pray for showers of blessings on this Holy Sabbath and ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Speaking Words Of Gratitude

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.” —Romans 8:18

One aspect of life that every Christian believer experiences is disappointment. Yet, with tears and words of gratitude, we thank God for His ever-loving care. Our struggles encourage us to seek comfort through Christ and prepare us for an eternal life filled with love, peace, joy, and happiness.

Jesus says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” which is our Heavenly Father’s encouragement to remind us that He is always with us.

Praying for comfort and peace is a prayer that is immediately answered by our Savior and Intercessor, Jesus Christ. Thanking God for His amazing love always soothes our emotions. Words of gratitude invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen us with Jesus’ healing power, and our hopelessness transitions to hope. God will not allow our circumstances to remain unresolved. Yes and Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us. We ask for the blessings of comfort, peace, and strength in our times of suffering and distress. Thank You for our Spiritual Respite of the Sabbath. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray in faith, 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.”

“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.