The Christian Life – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Why Doesn’t God Intervene and Stop the Cruelty and Chaos On This Earth?

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

“In Revelation, Jesus, God, the Son, identifies Himself as the ‘Alpha and Omega,’ the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing that He is the beginning and the end, the Initiator, and the Sustainer of all creation.”

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” is a foundational biblical declaration from Psalm 24:1 (NIV), affirming that God is the Owner, Creator, and Sovereign Ruler of the world and all its inhabitants. And God has placed extensive boundaries on the devastation that humanity and Satan can cause on His Planet Earth.

Still, we wonder, is God in control of this earth? The answer is an unequivocal Yes! 2 Timothy 3 describes the behaviors that would be prevalent in the Last Days, which exist now. We are temporary travelers living on a temporary Earth that is not our Forever Home. Every day, we should be preparing for John 14:1-3.

Evidence of God Intervening and Correcting Out-of-Control Human Beings

The Tower of Babel: Humanity Thinking They Are Above God

“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth…”

“But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.'”

So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there, the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4-8, NIV).

Evidence of God’s Loving Intervention for Humanity: “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21).

Adam and Eve’s disobedience not only resulted in their eviction from the Garden of Eden, but their sin required the first death in the universe, as they needed animal skins to protect their bodies from the changing seasons.

We do not give much thought to the death of animals because death is a part of our fallen existence, but immortality always existed; one can only imagine the angels must have been horrified at the presence of blood and the process required to make animal skins for Adam and Eve.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).

Adam and Eve’s disobedience also required the death of Jesus on Calvary’s Cross. Sin always requires the payment of death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NIV).

Divine Intervention: Because Jesus fulfilled the Plan of Redemption, dying for our sins, we do not have to die for our sins unless we choose to reject Christ. Jesus offers us the option of not experiencing the only possible solution to being born in sin and shaped in iniquity, the second and final death.

The Bible provides indisputable evidence that God has always intervened for the righteous, even in the worst possible situation: facing death at the hands of their enemies.

The Exodus through the Red Sea; the Tower of Babel; Job’s extreme suffering; the three Hebrew young men in the fiery furnace; Daniel in the lion’s den; the angel delivering the apostle Peter from prison; and the earthquake in the jail where Paul and Silas’ chains fell off are just a few of the examples of God’s Divine Mercies intervening, protecting, and enforcing His Power and established boundaries over Satan’s schemes against the righteous on the planet Earth.

Reflecting on our lives reveals that God blesses us with miracles every day that we have never even thanked Him for: Breath, strength, provisions, protection from physical harm, scams, and most importantly, Satan’s Schemes.

The Great Controversy between Good and Evil has raged for over 6,000 years. Without studying the Bible, many are unaware of the invisible Spiritual War that every believer is involved in, every moment of our earthly lives [Ephesians 6].

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the Heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

Another Bible translation, GWT, states: “This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.” (Ephesians 6:12).

Satan and his angels, who were cast out of heaven, are the powers who govern darkness. Yet they are angels [created beings] who have no power over the Triune GOD: God the Father, Jesus, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.

One of the spiritual benefits for the faithful, obedient believers who dedicate themselves to surrender and follow Christ is that Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, has given us the assurance in Psalm 91 that we are protected from Satan by Jesus’ legions of Heavenly angels.

Those who refuse to obey God have forfeited their angelic protection. Satan is so evil that he even punishes the unbelievers who are following him, which is evidenced by the terrible catastrophes and incurable diseases they suffer from.

Temptations, scams, physical danger, terminal illnesses, violence, sexual immorality, human trafficking, pornography, abuse, natural disasters, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, civil and international wars, and the uncontrollable desires to pursue material possessions and wealth are just a few of Satan’s diabolical schemes to persuade humanity to distrust God’s Love, Sovereignty, and Omnipotence.

False Teaching: Satan has convinced many believers that God is punishing the world by unleashing His wrath with disasters and terminal illnesses, but it is Satan who is responsible for death, plagues, famines, hatred, and violence.

Commentary: “We do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every man, good and evil angels strive. This is no make believe conflict.”

Commentary: The Invisible Spiritual War is over the souls of Believers: “It does not mimic [earthly] battles in which we are engaged. Satan is the prince of demons. The evil angels over whom he rules [obey and carry out all of his diabolical schemes]. Through them he…instigates all the evil that exists in our world.”

The condition of our world reveals the true nature of the human heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” [Jeremiah 17:9].

Satan knows that the human heart is never satisfied. Eve had everything, including immortality, yet she desired more. We inherited hearts filled with greed, so Satan uses the temptations of earthly treasures and pleasures to distract and persuade us to believe that God does not want us to have the best in life.

God’s Promises to the Righteous

“The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8, ESV).

But the believers who pray, study the Holy Scriptures, and are committed to follow Christ with faithful obedience, we cannot be persuaded; we know that God is a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father.

God’s Promise to Keep Us Safe: “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High…no evil shall be allowed to befall you…” (Psalm 91:9-10, NIV); “For He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11).

If you [and your family] awakened this morning and returned home safe without any emotional or physical harm, it is Michael [Jesus Christ], our Triumphant King and Commander of Angel Armies, who assigned angels to keep you [and them] safe.

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7, ESV). If our faith and trust are in God, then we should never doubt God’s Sovereign Authority by asking, Is God still in control of this world?

“For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Brothers and Sisters, do we think that the credit agencies protect our identity from being stolen, or do the banking regulators have the power to prevent hackers [who serve Satan] from draining the money in our bank accounts?

It is God’s Divine Protection keeping our material possessions intact, including the deed of our houses from being duplicated, and sold while we are still living in the house. And it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the wisdom to discern when people are lying to us.

And for all of God’s goodness, have we given Him our reverence, love, loyalty, and gratitude in return?

God’s Answer: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, each one, to his own way; But the LORD has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] To fall on Him [instead of us].” (Isaiah 53:6, Amplified Bible).

Truthfully, we have doubted God’s Love and Power; disobeyed Him by following our thoughts and ways; and still living a life of self-reliance by placing our faith and trust in human abilities and wisdom.

Today, God is asking those who doubt His Sovereignty: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4).

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

God, the Father, knows the exact date that He will tell Jesus Christ the time is now to bring the faithful to their Heavenly Home: Go, awaken the faithful, the martyrs, and the children from their graves who faithfully served You, and gather the living who followed and obeyed You by living a sacrificial, faithful, and obedient life.

“I Am Coming Quickly: He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly…'” (Revelation 22:20).

The Great Day of the LORD: “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16).

Prayer: “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Living a Sin-Free Life Is Possible

God’s Perfect Love: The Creation of Humanity: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…'” (Genesis 1:26).

“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).

God’s Perfect Love: The Plan of Redemption: “He [Jesus] said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30).

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). In John 3:16, God reminds us that it was love that prompted Him to give us Yeshua, His only Son, to save us from experiencing the second and final death [Malachi 4].

“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).

God’s Perfect Love: Not only were we created in God’s likeness, but every human being has also received spiritual gifts. The development of our gifts requires faith in God. 1 Corinthians 13 differentiates the characteristics of Agape Love from the conditional, wavering love that unbelievers practice.

Jesus reminds us, “Without Me, you can do nothing.” Even believers must have converted hearts and be empowered by the Holy Spirit for us to love unconditionally, or disunity occurs.

Our Identity in Christ: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).

When Jesus, God, the Son, created us, we received spiritual gifts: Love, Faith, Power, Self-control, Cognitive Reasoning, Recognition of Danger, and a Free Will to Choose. And this list is incomplete.

From Redemption Flows God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies

If we never received anything else, our love and appreciation for God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit, should result in the commitment to follow Christ and obey His perfect will and plans for our lives.

Each New Day, We Stand at The Spiritual Crossroads: Either we use our faith to follow Christ, or we will follow our thoughts and desires.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, ESV). God gifted us with a Free Will to choose to live holy or not.

Unfortunately, Satan has deceived the majority of today’s believers with his false teachings of Compromised Christianity, based on the idea that we can do as we please because we are covered by God’s Grace.

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15). Our habits and lifestyle reveal if we are living as we desire. Yet to think that God disregards our intentional sins because of His Grace opposes God’s requirements of total obedience to His command of living righteously.

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

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15). Righteousness has no Middle Road. Either we have pledged our allegiance and love to God, or to Satan. We can sing, pray, and study the Bible, but Faithful Obedience is the worship that honors and reveres God.

God also gifted us with Five Senses: Sight, Smell, Hearing, Taste, and Touch. Without the commitment to consecrate ourselves to God daily, our Senses lead us to commit heinous sins against God, the Sustainer of Life.

Sin is always the easy choice. Only with the Holy Spirit’s Divine Power and Strength can we fight against the internal conflict in our hearts and the external opposition of Satan’s temptations.

Although we are tempted, Satan’s power is limited; The devil can never force us to rebel against God. If we do not pray for the strength to overcome, then the only possible outcome is to dishonor God.

The Gradual Process of Rebellion

Desire Leads to a Fall: Satan deceived Eve because she desired more than “everything” God had given them. Eve desired to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, or else Satan’s Temptation would have failed.

“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15).

The transition from being a faithful, obedient follower of Christ to becoming an unbelieving believer is gradual; separation from God begins with thinking about that one compromising sin. We ask ourselves, “Where in the Bible does it say that we can’t?”

The Christian believer does not awaken one morning and say, Today, I will sin against God. No, following one’s sinful desires begins with constantly thinking about the pleasure of the particular sin.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The Warning: When our thoughts are unholy, the Holy Spirit makes us aware that we are sinning against God by troubling our conscience. We can never say, I didn’t know.

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41, ESV).

Either we will come to our senses, asking God for forgiveness, ceasing our thoughts, or we will not care and decide to move forward in fulfilling our desires.

“An uncontrolled imagination is the catalyst for our thoughts becoming actions.” Sadly, it is the lack of self-control that detours us from the Path of Righteousness, resulting in the once faithful believer transitioning to an Unbelieving Believer.

The Definition of Unbelieving Believers: “…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:4-5).

Ironically, many Believers who no longer follow Christ on the Path of Righteousness still attend Church [demonstrating their misunderstanding that works do not save us]; God does not practice the human-made theory of “Absolution.”

Sin is deadly because sin separates us from God, who reveals that He will not listen to the unrepentant believer’s prayers: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2).

Sin strips us of our spiritual senses and leaves us in darkness. We cannot think wrong and do right! Not only does God know our hearts, but He also knows every thought and action of our entire lives before we think about or do them.

“Would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21, ESV). We may hide our secret lifestyles from others, but God sees our lifestyles, which reveal the inclusion of worldly activities and bad company.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV). Bad company extends beyond worldly unbelievers: Bad company also includes family members and uncommitted believers who follow their thoughts instead of obeying God’s plans for their lives.

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18). A Common Trait of Fallen Believers: Those who are in a state of rebellion against God are offended by the Sword of God’s Truth—The Holy Scriptures.

The Path of Repentance and Restoration: Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Life, and the Only Way, Who commands us to: “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Although we like to think of our hearts as being good, we must believe what God says about the condition of the human heart.
Only Christ through His Righteousness can cleanse our hearts; using our faith to surrender and obey God, day by day, the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and characters [the lifelong spiritual process of Sanctification, John 17:17].
Repentance is a covenant vow in which one promises God to never commit sins of willful disobedience against Him again. Repentance is always required to be restored righteously [1 John 1:9].
We surrender ourselves every day to Christ. Sin appears pleasurable when our God-given gifts of Love and Faith have been redirected from God to ourselves [Matthew 22:37].
We need to reconnect with God, the Source of Life, through daily personal worship by praying and studying the Bible. [Hosea 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17].
Pray for wisdom and understanding before studying the Bible. We study with the intention of understanding and following God’s commands.
The Holy Scriptures are God’s instructions, giving us the spiritual knowledge and wisdom to remain faithful and obedient. [Psalm 119:105, 111]
To overcome self-gratification, our focus must remain on Christ. Let go of all secular habits that fail to honor God, including music and streaming.
Friendships with unbelievers are one of Satan’s most effective strategies. The unbeliever has no intention of changing. It is always the believer who changes. “What does light have to do with the Darkness of Sin?

Heaven is not cheap! And God says that He never changes. Jesus promises us that sin, sinners, and this present Earth will be destroyed!

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,’ says the LORD of Hosts. ‘Not a root or branch will be left to them.'” (Malachi 4:1).

We are temporary travelers living in a temporary earthly home. We must come to our spiritual senses; there is no logical reason for us to lose our reward of Eternal Life for this temporary Earth overflowing with Satan’s treasures and pleasures designed to make us rebel against God.

Following Jesus will be rewarded: “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). Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Romans 12; Revelation 19-22

Lord God, instead of following You with faithful obedience, our lives reflect compromised spiritual morals and values. We come to the Throne of Grace asking for the forgiveness of following our sinful desires. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to give us a new heart, a heart filled with love. Lord, we love You! Thank You for Your great sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross. Today, we choose Jesus, and we ask for the Power, Strength, and Presence of the Holy Spirit to guide and keep us on the Narrow Path leading to Eternal Life. Yes, in faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

“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).

God Never Sees a Situation As Impossible

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

We use our faith to believe that God is who He says He is: Loving and Omnipotent [All-Powerful], and YAHWEH Yireh [Our Provider]. Trusting God is easy when we are confident that He loves us and desires the best for 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.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Unbelieving Believers: Believing only that God exists in Heaven happens when we redirect our faith and trust from God to ourselves. Sadly, many feel unloved by God because they trust their limited abilities to resolve life’s challenges.

When we doubt God’s Love, Power, and Promises, we place ourselves on the same spiritual status as unbelievers, who consistently play The Game of Chance with their lives, always experiencing consequences, and never having peace.

Although God created us to depend totally on His thoughts, plans, and help, He never forces us to love, obey, and trust Him. We are free to choose the course of our lives and whether or not we desire Eternal Life.

Self-Reliance Is The Weed that Produces Discouragement and Consequences

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26, ESV). Wisdom is a blessing that only comes from obeying God.

Ouch! Although God’s words sound harsh, because we have placed our thoughts above God’s higher thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9], we need a spiritual reality check to come to our senses.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).

God is not punitive. Satan is the evil one who brings chaos and confusion into our lives. Every day, Satan mistreats unbelievers according to his diabolical schemes.

“The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8, ESV).

But for the believer’s striving to follow Christ with faithful obedience, Elohim Shomri places protective boundaries around us. Study Psalm 91.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that we will face overwhelming trials that only He can resolve. Every day, we can build our faith by praying for guidance in resolving our small obstacles, so when the tsunami trial hits, our first response is a prayer of Faith: Lord, You promised that if I come to You in faith, You will help me.

We never have to perceive challenges and adversity as impossible if we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is our Shepherd and follow Him with faith, surrender, and obedience.

“We are the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3) reveals that “Christ is our Creator and Shepherd, who leads, provides, and protects His people (us) with abundant blessings and care of His presence, calling us to joyful worship and gratitude for His unending love and faithfulness. It emphasizes our belonging to Him, acknowledging our dependence on Him for guidance and provision in life.”

To remain in right standing with God, we are required to love God by putting Him first; No one, including ourselves, should come before God. Our highest worship is faithful obedience.

Returning to God Is a Life-Saving Decision: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Prayer of Confession: “God, my faith is weak because I have been trusting in myself instead of You, and for my self-reliance, and not trusting You, I ask for forgiveness.”

God’s Response: “I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24, NLT).

“It is possible for us to do our best and still not see the light at the end of the tunnel. But that is because we have limited human ability.”

The Journey of Faith requires the courage to completely trust God with everything. Humility is the Key that Opens the Door of Faith: Even when we think that we can resolve our challenges, we redirect our faith, asking God to intervene.

Pray and involve God in every decision! Our Daily Prayer: LORD, I don’t know what I will face today, but You know. I believe that Your Power is Unlimited, and I desperately need Your Help. In Jesus’ Powerful Name, Amen.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). “God’s power is most evident when we admit our own inadequacy; embracing weakness opens the door for the Holy Spirit to empower us with Jesus’ Divine Strength.”

“God specializes in situations that human eyes [our minds] perceive as impossible. God is the God Who reveals that impossibilities are His specialty; He makes a way where there seems to be no way!”

“For the individuals who hold on to their faith in God, believing in His Unlimited Power, are the people who receive God’s greatest blessings and miracles.” Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we come to You confessing and repenting for using our gift of faith to trust in ourselves. We admit that we have embraced a stubborn spirit of self-reliance. Lord, we have tried every option, but our solutions have failed. We stand at the crossroads, knowing that we are helpless; Lord, we desperately need Your Help! We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer of need that we ask in faith and in the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bible Study: Mark 9:14-29.

Jesus’ Promise: “I will come again”

“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. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-3).

Sojourner: Biblical Context: Refers to God’s people as temporary residents in this world.

“A sojourner is a person who stays temporarily in a place, a traveler or temporary resident, not a permanent inhabitant…a spiritual pilgrimage, viewing oneself as a stranger or pilgrim passing through.”

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

“I Am Coming Quickly: He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

“Are we following Christ with persistent faithfulness, trusting in God, and ready for His return?”

2 Timothy 3 describes the condition of most believers in the Last Days. But ready or not, Jesus is Coming! Yes and Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for the gift of Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ, who redeemed us from the wages of sin. We ask you to reveal any thoughts, habits, and lifestyles that will prevent us from inheriting Eternal Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

The Power of Consistent Worship

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8, ESV).

How important is Consistency in the Christian believer’s life? Consistent Worship is the essential foundation for us to receive the Spiritual Strength needed to live sacrificial lives of faithful obedience. It is Christ’s Strength that empowers us to remain steadfast, avoiding the practices of worldly habits and behaviors.

Yesterday, I was chatting with the maintenance worker in our complex who shared with me the downside of impulsive behaviors, decisions, and purchases.

As I listened, the memories of my past impulsive behaviors, mostly purchases, flashed through my mind. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that God delivered me from the stronghold of that terrible habit.

The Sovereign God is our Spiritual Point of Reference for Consistency

Throughout the Bible, God reveals the consistency of His Righteous Character. In Malachi 3:6, God declares His unchanging Nature: “For I the LORD do not change…” “God’s [Divine] Nature is characterized by consistency (Psalm 102:27).”

Consistent Worship reveals our love, faith, loyalty, and commitment to put God First! The most important area of consistency is the practice of daily [morning and evening] Personal Worship, which acknowledges God’s Sovereignty, keeping us connected to Christ, who gives us the strength to live righteously.

Consistent Worship reveals our love and desire to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, wherever He leads.

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; 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: 2, 6-7).

Consistent Worship reveals the desire to consecrate one’s mind, body, and soul to God because we appreciate His Love, Grace, and Mercies.

“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).

Consistent Worship reveals that our hearts are converted, and we are willing to honor Christ with our time, humility, total surrender, and obedience.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLT).

Consistent Worship is a lifestyle that reveals our willingness to give 100% of ourselves to Jesus Christ. Yes, surrender is our priority when we trust Christ’s promises to give us peace [John 14:27], to help us when facing challenges [Isaiah 65:24] and temptations [1 Corinthians 10:13], and to give us a Forever Home when He comes again [John 14:1-3 and Revelation 21-22].

Consistent Worship demonstrates our desire to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who transforms us and guides us in our spiritual journey to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).

Consistent Worship invites Christ to empower us with His Divine strength to persevere in faith when facing unexpected health and financial challenges, suffering from life-changing events, and enduring the trials required to produce Christian maturity.

Brothers and Sisters, a Spiritual War, “The Great Controversy of Good and Evil,” has been raging since the fall of Adam and Eve.

On Calvary’s Cross, when Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” Jesus Christ won the war against Satan’s diabolical desire for all of humanity to be destroyed! Satan does not care about unbelievers and disobedient believers; they are already worshiping him.

“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). The roaring lion is He is currently targeting Jesus’ faithful Believers who worship God in spirit and truth.

Consistent Worship keeps us Spiritually Alert. One of the enemy’s most effective strategies is to use familiar family members and friends to suggest activities in places that Christ would never enter. Yes, it is your cousin’s birthday party, but it’s being held in a Pub that serves alcoholic drinks.

One thing is for certain: Satan is always consistent and persistent! He has been deceiving humanity for over 6,000 years. Yet those who stay close to Christ through persistent prayer for spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength cannot be manipulated or deceived.

“As Christians, we are engaged in a life-and-death spiritual battle, and it is crucial not to misjudge Satan’s power or be ignorant of his schemes.” Never minimize Satan’s power over the human mind, which is evident in the rapid decline of integrity and morality in our societies.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV). In the Christian Community, many are afraid of Satan. Even unbelievers do not fear Satan, so what is the reason that Christ’s followers would fear Satan?

To understand God’s Higher thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9], studying the Scriptures requires praying and asking the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and a deeper understanding of the Bible.

From using only human wisdom to study, many erroneous and false interpretations of the Bible lead us to believe that God’s Commands are restrictive, yet we cannot see the invisible spiritual war being fought by Jesus’ angels to protect our souls.

“Elohim Shomri (אֱלֹהִים שׁוֹמְרִי) means ‘God is my Guardian/Keeper.'”

Christ, our Mighty Warrior, places limits on Satan’s attacks against Christians. Christ must approve every satanic plan against the faithful. Satan’s demons cannot possess Christ’s followers, nor can he kill us, or coerce us to disobey God.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). With humility, we must recognize our human limitations; we cannot use our intellect to fight the schemes of Satan, the Master Deceiver, who is still successfully scamming many Christians because we exclude God from decision-making.

Make Consistent Worship a Spiritual Priority! Always include God by praying and waiting for His answer before making major purchases, starting a business, changing jobs, and especially before beginning a relationship or entering into marriage.

Yes, we will always face many temptations, yet the apostle Paul tells us how to fight spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18. Every believer should follow the spiritual strategy in these Scriptures by doing their part to receive strength and guidance through Consistent Worship.

Jesus’ devoted followers are not exempt from the internal desires that make us prey to the roaring lion. But it is not the obvious sinful activities that Satan can tempt true worshipers with.

Consistent worshipers are on the alert against the enemy’s typical schemes of materialism, wealth, success, relationships with unbelievers, secular music, and lifestyles filled with worldly pleasures.

In Ephesians 5:16, God tells us to “Redeem the time, because the days are evil.” We must make good use of our gift of time, not wasting precious hours on the distractions of time-wasting activities, but preparing ourselves every day to receive Revelation 22:12.

Time Wasters: The roaring lion devises covert temptations to manipulate us into wasting valuable time on the things that we like: streaming, social media, sports, gaming, cellular devices, excessive time at the gym, shopping leading to impulsive purchases, and the unhealthy habits of overeating and consuming junk foods that also impact our mental, physical, and spiritual health.

The Christian life is not a boring, mundane life; it is one of spiritual purpose, self-denial, and intentionality. We were created to worship God and to enjoy life. But without setting boundaries, Time Wasters can easily escalate into 3-6 hours of having fun.

The human heart always desires pleasurable activities instead of Consistent Worship. Activities that prevent us from giving God time in Personal Worship will leave us weak and vulnerable to Satan’s Schemes.

“In a world filled with evil, spiritual preparation means making the most of every chance for spiritual growth, service, and glorifying God. It means actively choosing God’s will over foolishness and worldly distractions, recognizing time as a gift to be managed for eternal purpose.”

The emphasis on “Consistent Worship” is not overstated; to remain steadfast in a spiritual war where we are Satan’s targets, we desperately require Jesus’ Supernatural Power and Protection to live as Overcomers.

Remain consistent! Devote yourself to live a Christ-Centered, Sacrificial Life of Consistent Worship, ensuring that you remain connected to Elohim, our Protector, and the Source of All Power and Might! Yes and Amen!

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Bible Study: Ephesians 6

Lord God, we desire to honor You through Consistent Worship, surrender, and faithful obedience. We acknowledge Your love and thank You for being our Protector against the schemes of the enemy. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.

God Is Always Good!

“The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7).

This morning, I read a Devotional on how easy it is for us to react negatively to the darkness of trials and hardships. But the author reminded us that God is Always Good, and the dark times are allowed for our spiritual transformation and redirecting us to depend on our Heavenly Father.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV). From a perfect love that we cannot understand, God gave His only Son, Jesus, who sacrificed His life on Calvary’s Cross to redeem us from sin and to save our souls.

Yes, God’s priority is to give us Eternal Life, but we choose our destiny. Receiving immortality in our Forever Home requires us to actively participate with the Holy Spirit in our spiritual journey by obediently following Christ, our King, Savior, and Shepherd.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). We abide in Christ through daily personal worship. With a spirit of surrender, we commit to faithfully obey our Shepherd. Our Daily Prayer: Lord, what do You want me to do?

Although we desire our heavenly reward, there is an obstacle that each of us must overcome: We have become too attached to this earthly home. Our lifestyles reveal that we are making future plans that have nothing to do with living righteously now and in our Forever Home.

Scenario: You purchased a house, and the closing date is 30 days away, but today the company announced immediate layoffs, and your supervisor informed you that you would also be impacted.

Feeling disappointed, you reach out to the seller to explain your situation. To your surprise, they respond by stating that they will not accept other offers. Instead, they give you a timeline of 3 to 4 months to find another job because they genuinely want you to purchase the house.

Your prayers of gratitude would include joy, happiness, and excitement, you know that God has given you a miraculous blessing.

Jesus’ 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).

Jesus’ promise of life in the New Heaven and New Earth that He gave to His disciples is for all believers. From Adam and Eve to every faithful believer who has lived on the planet Earth will receive their reward of immortality when Jesus comes again [Revelation 22:12].

In Revelation, the Apostle John describes the righteous as a number like the grains of sand. Every day, with joyful anticipation, we should reflect on Jesus’ love, preparing ourselves spiritually for Heaven through daily prayer and Bible study.

Jesus’ Warning: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV).

According to 2 Timothy 3, we are the generation of Christians who are living in the Last Days on this present earth. We cannot afford to waste our gift of time. Our lifetime is the only opportunity we have for the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19, 21).

Success and prosperity have the power to change us from the outside in, which opposes the spiritual process of Sanctification. We cannot experience spiritual growth if the majority of our time and efforts are spent fulfilling our hearts’ desires and pursuing personal and professional success.

To clear out excess inventory, many stores offer reduced prices for “As Is” items. We purchase these items because we have the vision and skills to modify them. When we come to Jesus, He accepts us “As Is: “I can come to Jesus, just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.” We must be changed into the likeness of Christ by the Holy Spirit in our earthly lives.

Perform a spiritual self-assessment. Do your behaviors, habits, and lifestyle demonstrate a God First or a Me First mindset? If we desire to live an obedient life, surrendering to God’s plans, then we have given access to the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts. Faithful obedience reveals that our hearts are filled with love and loyalty to Christ.

God Is Always Good: “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). God honors and rewards those who obey Him.

God Is Always Faithful: Jesus knows that our spiritual transformation requires His Divine Help and Strength, so He allows the “Chisels of Trials and Hardships” to enter our lives.

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

“We must overcome through His Strength and Grace, that we may be partakers of [His] Divine Nature…Our pride, selfishness…passions, and love of worldly pleasure must all be overcome; therefore God sends us afflictions [adversity] to test and prove us, and show us that these evils exist in our characters.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Fruit of the Spirit describes the attributes of Jesus’ Righteous Character that we must also have.

“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).

One thing is for certain: Self-discipline and self-denial are within our power to exercise under all circumstances. But overcoming our internal desires requires the willingness to live a sacrificial life of saying no to the world’s treasures and pleasures. Sadly, this is the turning point for many believers who decide to detour from the Path of Righteousness.

Loving God motivates us to agree to become Spiritual Works-in-Progress. Every day, the Holy Spirit gradually performs the work of our spiritual transformation from the inside out [heart conversion]. Through daily personal worship, we ask God to reveal His plans, and we obey, without doubting His Divine Wisdom.

“This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). God reveals His promise to provide guidance and direction for His people.” Faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live righteously. We are never alone. The Holy Spirit guides us day by day in our rugged journey on the Path of Righteousness.

The Life of Self-denial: “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 12:2, NIV).

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

Yes, the Christian journey is tough! Although human effort is required, we cannot save ourselves. Every day we pray, asking the Holy Spirit to empower us with Jesus’ Divine Strength to overcome the internal conflict of our heart’s desires, and the external opposition of temptations.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3, NIV).

God Is Always Good! We have 24/7 access to Christ, who gives us His strength to persevere through our trials and hardships. Pray for guidance, wisdom, and strength throughout your day. Jesus lived on this earth, and He knows that daily self-denial is a tough journey.

God’s Divine Intervention: “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, NIV).

Human Effort: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NLT).

Live With the Mindset: “I will not disobey God!” Our enemy, Satan, the roaring lion, knows our weaknesses, developing personalized temptations that are temporary and worthless. Still, we can never be coerced into sinning against God; we choose to sin.

When tempted, immediately pray with audible words that you can hear, asking Jesus, our Mighty Warrior, for His Help. Every prayer asking for Jesus’ Strength to overcome temptations and challenges is immediately answered by Jesus, our High Priest.

God is Always Good! Before we can blink our eyes, Psalm 91 tells us Michael [Jesus], the Commander of Angel Armies, sends His angels to strengthen us and to fight the unseen spiritual warfare of Satan’s evil angels. Hallelujah and Amen!

The days we live in are filled with evil. Become a prayer warrior! Prayer keeps us connected to Jesus, who receives every prayer. The Holy Spirit empowers us with Divine wisdom and supernatural strength to live righteously.

God is Always Good! The Triune God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] is doing all that is possible to ensure that every believer receives their Crown of Life. The decision to choose life is up to us.

Human Effort plus Divine Intervention Always Ends in Victory!

Lord God, we thank you for your Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercies. We desire to change and ask You to reveal the traits in our characters that prevent us from living a sacrificial, faithful, and obedient life. We ask for forgiveness for wasting our gift of time, chasing after worthless desires. Lord God, thank You for Your love, faithfulness, and for always being Good. Teach us how to worship you in Spirit and Truth, and guide us in our journey so we can receive our reward of Eternal Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Beauty of Solitude: Time Alone In God’s Presence

On my first day of orientation as a Nursing Supervisor, I recall an unusual job training method conducted by Allison, the Regional Director, who informed me that for the next three days, I would spend time alone studying and learning the organization’s policies and nursing protocols.

When I entered the conference room, half of the table was covered with 4-inch binders bursting at the seams. From Monday to Wednesday, I studied for eight hours each day, absorbing all of the information my frontal lobe could manage.

On Thursday, Allison entered the conference room and stated, “I know that you do not understand why I instructed you to spend alone learning these policies and procedures, but in time, you will.”

Much to my surprise, I learned that although healthcare professionals must abide by the state’s licensure regulations for delivering care, regardless of their professional status, personal morals and values significantly impact a person’s judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.

It was disappointing to address the numerous policy violations during my tenure, which required staff remediation and additional training due to their knowledge deficits. The plan of correction included changes in the initial orientation and continuous education for the staff.

As I reflected on this past experience, I thought about Allison’s productive and effective training strategy of learning in solitude. From not spending time alone with God in personal worship, many believers have a knowledge deficit of God’s Righteous Character and how to live righteously because of the failure to study the Holy Scriptures.

Reflection: How are we managing our God-given gift of Time? “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV).

Each new day, we stand at the Spiritual Crossroads: We must choose, will we put God first, or ourselves? Do we have a God-First mindset? Our initial morning thoughts reveal who our priority is: God or ourselves. If our default is reflecting on the busy day ahead, then sadly, we are number one.

Loving God requires the sacrificial gift of using our time to worship Him every day. We should not try to squeeze God into a busy schedule, but from the moment we awaken, our gratitude for another day of life is expressed by asking God to reveal His plans for the new day. Because God is God, He deserves the First Fruits of our gift of time in morning worship.

Evening worship is our opportunity to reflect on and to thank our Heavenly Father for the many blessings of provisions and protection from unseen spiritual warfare, physical harm, and the strength to complete our daily activities.

Which activities are covertly consuming our time? Are we spending more time at the gym than in worship? Or working countless hours of overtime in the pursuit of success and financial stability? Is Social Media, or watching the World News and Politics, our way of relaxing instead of praying? If we have a family, are the children’s schedules packed with numerous extracurricular activities that prevent daily family worship?

How do we put God first when we face countless distractions, crammed schedules, and overwhelming responsibilities? Managing our time not only requires the Big Chop, but we must also ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that nothing comes before our God-First commitment and our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Over 6,000 years ago, Jesus revealed The Perfect Time Management Plan: “He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while’—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat.” (Mark 16:31, Amplified Bible).

“Following Christ’s Example: Jesus often withdrew for solitary prayer, demonstrating that even He needed this time for wisdom and strength, [from God, the Father] a vital example for His followers.”

“Solitude isn’t loneliness; it’s a purposeful withdrawal for spiritual connection, allowing one to enjoy God’s presence and power, transforming moments of being alone into encounters with the Divine.”

One of Satan’s greatest deceptions that many believers have embraced is that we do not have to study the Bible. In fact, a most recent study finds that only “11-15% of Christians study the Bible daily.” But to remain committed, faithful, and obedient to God requires that we study the Holy Scriptures for ourselves.

“My people perish because of the lack of knowledge.”(Hosea 4:6). The Bible is our Spiritual Roadmap: Staying on the Narrow Path of Righteousness Requires Divine Intervention and Human Effort.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals God’s Love, the attributes of His Righteous Character, Jesus’ earthly ministry, Promises, Prophecies, and teaches us how to live righteously. Before studying the Scriptures, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom, discernment, and clarity of God’s Word.

Isaiah 55:8-9: “‘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.'”

In faith, we ask for Divine Strength, and put forth the human effort to learn God’s Righteous Character, and obey His Commands, Precepts, and Principles. It is the Holy Scriptures that teach us how to prepare ourselves daily to receive our reward of Christ’s promise to take the righteous to Heaven when He comes again [Revelation 21-22].

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

In the quiet stillness of solitude, through prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures, Jesus gives us the Living Water and the Bread of Life necessary for our Spiritual Nourishment, and the Holy Spirit instructs us to do our part [obeying God], guiding us moment by moment as we strive to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

From dedicating time to be in the presence of God, we are changed into the likeness of Christ’s Beautiful Character, and as the Apostle Paul did, in the strength of Christ, we can also proclaim:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Lord God, we commit our time that You have gifted us with to worship You in Spirit and Truth. We thank You for Your faithfulness even when we are not, and for our unfaithfulness, we ask for forgiveness. We look forward to the day when Jesus will come again and take us to Heaven. Until then, we ask You to empower us with Your strength to persevere through this journey of life. In Jesus’ Loving and Powerful Name, we pray, Amen.

Category: The Christian Life