Category: Uncategorized

The Game of Chance

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on Earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Within six months, we have witnessed an airborne pathogen wreak havoc on our world; yet, many continue to rebel against sound reasoning and continue to play the Game of Chance. Historically, there have been many players in this game; Adam and Eve, the Israelites who were delivered from enslavement, the people who watched Noah build the ark for 120 years, the sons of Eli, the priest, and King Nebuchadnezzar to name a few. The most recent tragedy occurred in North Texas to a family of 18 who gathered in their home for a birthday celebration, which resulted in 18 cases of the Coronavirus. Because of disregard for a deadly disease, their elderly grandfather is hospitalized as his weakened Immune system attempts to fight the superpowers of the COVID-19 virus. 

While the numbers of Coronavirus escalate, many individuals are still focusing on pleasure-seeking activities and saving the economy. So far, many have beaten the odds, which reinforces their current mindset of “look at me, I am doing as I please, and I am not sick.” Engaging in high-risk behaviors without suffering little to no consequences provides a sense of power. The individual’s perception becomes twisted as they begin to view themselves as one that possesses god-like qualities. Taking risks is based on emotional responses and produces self-reliance, a change in one’s morals and values, and gives a false sense of security.

Living as we desire without the thoughts of devastating outcomes reinforces the sin of pride and arrogance. A proud heart is blind and never sees the possibility of suffering negative consequences. Before we can say what we would never do, remember that each Game of Chance only has one player. The Game is based on disobedience and the desires of our hearts. Misaligned habits reveal our innermost yearnings and are used to construct the Game of Chance which is built on deception.

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9. Eve had the desire to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil before her encounter with Satan; the Israelites disobeyed by participating in pagan rituals while enslaved; the people watched Noah and laughed at the concept of rain, and the priest Eli overlooked his son’s diabolical habits by never administering discipline. King Nebuchadnezzar was so defiant that he built a selfie golden statue as an object of worship to demand that his subordinates defy God’s command not to worship idols. 

If you are playing the Game of Chance, there is an escape route leading to complete deliverance. Hosea 4:6 reveals the basis for our disobedience. God says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Every sin that we commit brings consequences! Yes, there are times when God spares us from the full impact of our sinfulness; even so, sin separates us from God. Sin entices and numbs us until we lose all awareness of God’s commands.

It is not a struggle to sin. The fight is the daily battle to choose good over evil, and right over wrong. We require God to overcome the sinful nature that interferes with the diligent study of the Bible, to pray without ceasing, and to live faithfully always seeking God’s will for our lives. Each of us can make the decision to refuse to be a player in the lose-lose game created by Satan. We cannot accomplish this feat on our own. The Bible is the source of knowledge that replaces our wayward thoughts by encouraging us to stop thinking and doing as we please and to follow God.  

Study the Book of Proverbs, which reveals every trait exposes every sinful action and warns of the consequences when we refuse to seek knowledge and pray for wisdom. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2. 

Recently, we listened to the testimony of a young man whose father taught him the illegal drug activity that he engaged in for most of his adult life. Although he made numerous attempts to change and failed, God sent a messenger who told him that change was possible if he prayed and studied the Word of God every day. He revealed that it took six times of reading the entire Bible for his spiritual transformation to happen.

We have a loving God who is waiting to give us Eternal life in a New Heaven and New Earth–Revelation 21-22. It is a simple act to confess and repent of our sins. Acceptance of Jesus Christ places us in a win-win situation. When we read God’s Word and pray for guidance, we replace former thoughts with sound knowledge. The Holy Spirit reveals the understanding of the Scriptures by opening our spiritual eyes and giving us the discernment to recognize truth over error and right versus wrong. 

Time is winding down, and we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. Walk away from the Game of Chance and into God’s loving arms. He has promised to take care of us when we are determined to live by faith, obedience, and place our complete trust in Him.

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

Bible Reading: John 14

God, we thank you for your love, grace, and mercies. Please forgive us for our sins of pride and self-reliance. It is our desire to place our lives in your hands. We pray for the peace of mind that only you can provide. We ask for wisdom and spiritual discernment as we seek knowledge. Please lead us and give us strength in our journey. We ask these things in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Stay Aware and Stay Safe by practicing Social Distancing!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

Proverbs 16-9 _ O Lord my God, I humbly come…

Pray for Peace and Power

Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

If you don’t know what to do, pray. If you don’t know where to turn, pray. If you need direction, pray. If you need answers, pray. Whatever it is that you need, pray. God hears your prayers and will get you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it! So, don’t stress, don’t worry and, keep the faith! And, whatever you do always pray! It always helps! It has helped me in many situations and, will do the same for you! God bless you and have a wonderful evening! Donell Ferguson

With the surge in the COVID-19 virus, joblessness, civil unrest, political dissension, war, and death, our world is in a state of constant turmoil. Although we have no control over these events we do have control over the time that we spend with God. Prayer is our opportunity to talk with God about our concerns, release them and enjoy the peace that only God can provide. Prayer indicates our willingness to include God into our lives, prayer acknowledges our dependence on His power, and prayer renews and builds our faith and trust in God who is our Heavenly Father. God is love and He is ready to hear and help us through every crisis.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Bible Reading: Psalms 27

God, we thank you for the gift of a new day full of grace and mercy. We give our worries and our problems to you and ask that you give us strength and peace during these tumultuous times. It is our desire to place our lives in your hands. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Stay Aware! Stay Safe!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

“If only I had more ________”

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1

At the age of five, I learned a powerful prayer: God is great, God is good, and I thank Him for my food. Amen

As I matured through the lifespan, I decided the prayer was for children, and I exchanged the simple prayer for prayers that contain more elaborate words. One certainty that we can have is that the journey of life always brings change. I started a new job located in the next state, which required 3 hours of travel every day. The essential responsibilities consumed most of my waking hours, and with the exhaustion at the end of the day, I would mumble a quick prayer before retiring for the night.

Soon my focus changed, I began to search for a work-life balance; but could not find the time to study the Bible, pray, and have meaningful worship more than once a week when I attended church. Yes, on Sabbath, during the service, I would feel guilty for not praising and worshiping God during the week. But my weekly commitment to do better only resulted in making empty and unfulfilled promises from week-to-week.

Then my life changed, the new job had excellent perks, it was laid back, which left me with a high energy level and a lot of extra time. I focused on my achievements of a nursing career progressing well, and savings account that was flourishing due to newly acquired financial management skills. Eventually, traveling became a hobby, and to make things even better, I met a travel partner (it was a platonic relationship) who lived for the weekend. Life was wonderful! Not a week passed that we didn’t have activities that consumed every weekend from Friday-Sunday.

I was happy and told myself that this was a good life, and I deserved it for all of my hard work. With the responsibilities of work and the time spent on leisure activities, I placed my educational goal on hold. To make matters worse, I began to make excuses, “If I only had more time, then I could attend church every week, but I am too tired.” My focus was on self-gratification, and I didn’t even have time to say the simple prayer of “God is great, God is good…”

“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Although I had forsaken God, He is always faithful and remembered me. After enjoying two years of fun in the sun, during a phone call, my best friend reminded me of my commitment to further my education. I half-heartedly agreed to apply so that I could tell myself (and him) that I took the final step to become a Registered Nurse.

Although I had completed all of the academic courses required for nursing, the RN program in the State of New Jersey was in high demand, and I was placed on a 2-year waiting list by three colleges. Again God intervened, and the same friend that reminded me of my educational goal recommended that I apply to the program that he attended. Two weeks later, I received my acceptance letter, which required me to leave my former life behind and relocate to Upstate New York. God allowed me to achieve my goal to become a Registered Nurse, where I had many fruitful years to minister to those who were physically ill and mentally dejected.

When we possess the mindset of, “If only I had more ____________________” whether we fill in the blank with time or money, we exclude God from our lives. Through self-reliance, we begin to think of our desires and the methods in which we can achieve everything we want. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Deciding to place our lives in God’s hands prevents us from carrying the unnecessary burdens of our future, even during the pandemic and civil unrest. God’s promises are not dependent on present circumstances. He only requires that we acknowledge Him and accept His Plan of Salvation. God’s decision to create humanity despite our decision to forsake his loving-kindness has not influenced the extension of His grace and mercies. Jesus Christ, His only Son, agreed to die for our redemption to save us from a sin-filled life, and the destruction of the second and final death.

When we perceive God as our Heavenly Father, we become as little children filled with love and trust. Only then can we believe, speak, and live by the simplicity of the child’s prayer: God is great, God is good, and we thank you for our food. Amen.

Bible Reading: Matthew 6

God, we thank you for your love, your power, and for the provisions that you have blessed us with. We desire to include you in our lives and ask for your Divine intervention and blessings. Thank you for giving your Son to die for our sins, who rose from death to serve as our Heavenly Intercessor. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

༺♡༻ FABULOUS ༺♡༻