“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19
Yehovah Yireh who supplies all of our needs is also Yehovah Rapha—a Healer. After 3 years of uncontrolled Asthma with two inhalers and round-the-clock nebulizer treatments, in May, God healed me. No more medication. God, I owe You my life. Amen. ©2024—SDJ—Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions
Jesus is the only Name that saves, heals the mind, body, and soul, changes situations, sets the captive free, and loves us with everlasting love. All praises and glory to our Redeemer and Triumphant King! Jesus, we love You! Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 10, 2024
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” —John 14:6
When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we acquiesce to His Supreme Authority. To come to Christ is a definitive choice to let go of your thoughts, your will, and your ways. The cost of discipleship is to live a sacrificial life of self-denial. God requires that we surrender our mind, body, and soul—Christ must be the Lord of all three.
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” —Romans 5:18-19
Only two classifications of believers exist—Abel who diligently obeyed God and remained steadfast even though it cost his life. He will receive the Crown of Life when Jesus comes again. Cain believed but never surrendered to God, his disobedience resulted in making an audacious and irreverent sacrifice to God which was rejected. Cain’s disobedience escalated into unstoppable hatred that provoked the act of murdering Abel, his brother.
“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15, NLT). We can never control sin! We lose the mind of Christ and harbor desires that reveal the true status of our hearts. A compromised heart of sin always follows its own course.
“I, the LORD, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” —Jeremiah 17:10
New Age religion says, No worries, Grace covers our intentional sins. “So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound?” Paul replies with a resounding “God forbid” (Romans 6:2). We are the only created beings who refuse to obey the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe. Ask the Holy Spirit, “Right now, where do I stand with God?”
“…You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Just As I Am, I came to Jesus, but I cannot stay Just As I Am. In Romans 6:22, the apostle Paul describes Christians as slaves to God, and uses the metaphor of slavery to describe the Christian life. Either we are slaves to Christ or slaves to sin. We must climb out of the valley of indecision by choosing who we will give our love and loyalty to, God or ourselves.
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ ” —Matthew 26:39, ESV
Surrender and Obedience are the only daily sacrifices God has ever accepted. If Jesus, God, the Son in His earthly life had to live an impoverished life and suffer death from crucifixion to save our souls then as the recipients of the Plan of Redemption, we are expected to give ourselves fully to God. We are running out of time! Nothing in this fleeting world is worth sacrificing our Crown of Life for.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” —Revelation 22:12-14
God, we desperately need Your Divine strength to return to a life of righteousness. We confess and repent of our wayward and wilful sins against You. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, Your only Son. We ask You to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so we may be transformed into the image of Christ. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus. Amen.
© 2024 SDJ—Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” —Revelation 22:16-17
Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – June 8, 2024
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” —Revelation 14:12
God has a remnant of surrendered, obedient, commandment-keeping saints who pray daily for the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit. They live a Christ-centered, sacrificial life, diligently praying, and studying the Scriptures. They also have “the faith of Jesus. “The faith of Jesus” refers to Christ’s Righteousness and His love for the world.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). We choose to have the Mind of Christ by renouncing sin and refusing to give in to our desires. The Righteousness of Christ includes loving God, loving others, and loving ourselves. Pray to see others through the loving and compassionate eyes of Christ who died for all. “Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Although our lives are filled with various temptations, we do not have to sin. Striving to be a saint on earth allows Christ to fulfill His Role in our spiritual transformation (Philippians 1:6). With a made-up mind, we choose to be part of the remnant who the apostle John saw standing on the Sea of Glass. With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit and the angels work 24/7 to transform our minds and characters.
“The character of Christ is an infinitely perfect character, and He must be lifted up, He must be brought prominently into view, for He is the power, the might, the sanctification and righteousness of all who believe in Him.”—Manuscript 27, 1889.
The Fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23] is the Righteous Attribute of Christ and evidence that our characters are changing. From the willingness to follow Christ, the righteous receive many promises: The Holy Spirit’s guidance, courage for their daily journey, empowerment to overcome temptation, strength to persevere in character-molding trials and mental and emotional healing [these conditions impede spiritual growth].
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” —Isaiah 58:11
To be led by the Holy Spirit is the reward for a lifestyle of worshiping God through faithful obedience. The “Beginning of Sorrows” [Jesus described in Matthew 24], and Perilous Times [2 Timothy 3] are right now. In times like these, we desperately need Jesus. Our salvation calls for a steadfast rejection of sin and lifting up the Name of Jesus! Tell yourself every day, “I am going to heaven!”
God’s remnant saints are not fearful nor overconfident, their faith and trust is in Christ who promises victory even through times of persecution. Brothers and Sisters, we are nearing Home! Yes! We are nearing Home! Amen.
“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
Lord God, Thank You for Your unfailing loving-kindness. Teach us how to love. We ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this Sabbath Holy Day. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
© 2024 SDJ-Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 6, 2024
“This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” —Psalm 118:24
Have we embraced today with joy and gratitude? We received the mercies of a new day to rejoice and proclaim God’s faithfulness. Praising God with a grateful heart is spontaneous when we believe we are loved by Christ and He abides in our hearts. Focusing on the given day results in a mindset of praise, peace, joy, and happiness.
The worldview of planning for the future has affected many Christian believers. Jesus forewarned us never to let tomorrow consume our thoughts. Thinking about a day that is not promised steals our blessings of joy and peace for the given day. In the Scriptures, Jesus redirects our focus to the given day: “Give us this day our daily bread” and “Take no thought for tomorrow” which teaches us to appreciate the abundant mercies of today.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:33-34
A recent survey revealed that 80% of individuals aged 50 years and under are worried about the future and how they will bring their plans to fruition. We rarely find psychologists and sociologists in agreement with Biblical principles—do not think about tomorrow. Both disciplines agree that focusing on the future is counterproductive because the individual has imaginary thoughts that reveal problematic thought processes.
“So when they came together, they asked Him, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ Jesus replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.’ ” —Acts 1:6-7
Even after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples focused on deliverance from Roman oppression. From the onset of following Christ, they envisioned Jesus overthrowing the government and ruling with Him as He sat on an earthly throne. The better life the disciples hoped for is only promised when Jesus comes with our reward of immortality. Focusing on the future should be limited to the joy and preparation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“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
We were created to depend on God. Trusting in God requires a giant leap of faith and the commitment to surrender fully to His will. If we pray without ceasing when all is well, prayer is our immediate response to things gone wrong. Including God in the little things creates the mindset and habit of total dependency on God. Living with divine peace is the most wonderful blessing of our Christian experience.
We rejoice because we serve an Omniscient Father. God knows our lives from beginning to end including the routine activities of daily living, and every obstacle, sorrow, disappointment, and temptation we will face. Even when our emotions threaten to override our faith, the Holy Spirit reminds us that God promises to give us victory. Yes, we can rejoice in times of overwhelming perplexities because our confidence is in Jesus who reminds us, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘ ” —2 Corinthians 12:9
Suffering is part of the believer’s life, yet, our hope is in Christ who answers our prayers of faith. Christ is our All and All! Our King, Savior, and Heavenly Intercessor gives us comfort and His Divine strength to accomplish our daily tasks, empowers us to overcome temptation, and provides solutions for our challenges, big or small. Great is His Faithfulness!
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” —Revelation 3:20
Daily, Christ knocks on the door of our hearts. Our response determines whether or not we desire God’s Divine Intervention. From Genesis to Revelation, faith, surrender, and obedience are emphasized as the only way to please God and inherit eternal life. Will we yield every day to Christ’s Divine Authority? The refusal to relinquish our will and obey is to reject Christ’s invitation.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 7:21
Historically the Gospel has always been about Christ. Yet in the 21st century, prosperity messages and focus on self-achievements supersede our desire to focus on our relationship with Christ. The promised reward of eternal life appears fictional to those with unconverted hearts. God’s Grace does not relieve us of our duty to commit to an obedient and sacrificial life. Sadly, our earthly lives with all of the accomplishments we place so much emphasis on are temporary and have nothing to do with our salvation.
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” —2 Corinthians 10:5
We must let go of thoughts, plans, and strategies for a better future that conflict with God’s Divine will. Obedience requires sacrifice! By refusing to surrender to God’s will and precepts, we grieve the Holy Spirit. But we do not have to remain outside of the will of God. Our gifts of power, love, and sound mind [self-control] enable us to turn from self-seeking pleasures, repent, and consecrate ourselves to true discipleship. “Then the Holy Spirit will begin the spiritual transformation necessary to be conformed to the image of his Son to receive eternal life.” EGW
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
We were predestined by God to live eternally. Still, we must choose to follow Christ. The converted heart desires to obey God’s will. From our daily prayer of consecration to follow Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s plans. “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine…” —Exodus 19:5
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” —John 10:27
Surrendered believers know obedience reaps many blessings. The Holy Spirit gives us the discernment to recognize God’s Voice and prepares and equips us with the strength and endurance to persevere and stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Because we are commanded to “Be holy, ” God’s transforming power aligns our desires with His Divine plans and empowers us with the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
We rejoice because we feel the internal change. Our focus is intentional! We look to Christ who leads us victoriously through our spiritual journey. We are still silver in the fire. The Holy Spirit convicts us by revealing our selfish desires and exposes Satan’s covert warfare designed to make us sin against God. With determination and prayer for Divine power, we receive the spiritual reinforcement to overcome.
As our journey with Christ continues, our faith, courage, and perseverance are strengthened. We remain steadfast because God’s faithfulness and power are experiential. To continue walking with Christ transforms us into courageous soldiers in the Army of God. Our faith is in God whose intervention always brings honor and victory. Yes, we have reason to continually rejoice, all of heaven is involved in our spiritual quest for righteousness!
“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” —Hebrews 11:5
“Enoch walked faithfully with God…” (Genesis 5:24). The life of Enoch is one that we should reflect on. Like us, he lived in times filled with abject wickedness. Yet, he walked with God in obedience. We desperately need the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we prepare for the fulfillment of Revelation prophecies and Jesus’ Second Coming.
“O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (Psalm 8:1).
Sanctification, being transformed into the likeness of Christ must occur in the here and now. Turning our lives over to Jesus is the answer to living a holy, sacrificial life as Enoch lived. From our willingness to honor and reverence God, the Holy Spirit molds our characters like clay to resemble, reveal, and reflect the Light of Christ’s Loving Character.
Our relationship with Christ grows sweeter by the day when we invite Christ to be the Lord and Sovereign Ruler of our lives. Yes, we can praise and rejoice in the goodness of God because we are in the right standing with God and covered by the Righteousness of Christ! Amen.
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season…” —Psalm 1:1-3
Lord, we commit to serve You for the rest of our lives. Thank You for Your Great love, faithfulness, and mercies. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
© 2024 SDJ—Steps to Success with Spiritual Solutions
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 4, 2024
“The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.…” —Psalm 19:7-8
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ ” —Psalm 27:7-8
Recently, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand Agape love. In the stillness of the approaching sunset, the Holy Spirit led me to study verses on the Law—the Testimony in the Psalms. As I reflected deeply on these Scriptures, I felt an overwhelming appreciation for the love of God and His Role as our Heavenly Father.
“The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.” —Psalm 119:57-58
David was a true worshiper. He knew the Testimonies expressed God’s love for humanity. We exist because of an Agape love so phenomenal that our Heavenly Father gave us His Law to protect us from the destruction of our moral character and guide us on the Path of Righteousness from earth to heaven.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world.” —1 John 5:3-4
God is Truth and His Law is Truth. Our faith is the catalyst for accepting and obeying God’s Laws without doubting or questioning their validity. We have been deceived into believing that Grace abolished the Law. Obeying the Testimonies of God is our Spiritual Surety to receiving daily victory over temptation and self-gratification and ensures that we hear and obey the Voice of God.
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.” —Psalm 119:2
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul…” Faithful obedience is the response that demonstrates an appreciation of God’s Law and love. Once we grasp the magnitude of God’s love and His purpose for our lives, our worship is intentional—seeking God and doing His will is our priority. “The path of obedience to God is the path of safety and happiness.” Every day God desires to shower down much-needed blessings of spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment.
Our love and loyalty are the gateway to the Holy Spirit opening our understanding of “great and mighty things that we do not know.” If we say, yes, to God then we receive the spiritual benefits of the gift of Redemption—Divine Help is freely given. From our willingness to surrender, we have the assurance the Holy Spirit will convert our hearts, minds, and characters in preparation for Eternal life.
Even with Divine Help, our spiritual journey is tumultuous, we face spiritual warfare every day. Still, we must stand firm in our conviction to live holy. Thankfully, Christ limits Satan’s attacks, he cannot strive against the righteous continuously. Because our natural eyes cannot perceive the unseen, every believer has a guardian angel whose mission is to protect.
Jesus knows every temptation we face and commands the heavenly messenger angels to fight Satan’s evil angels, protecting us from the perdition of spiritual warfare and physical harm. Satan’s power is greater than ever imagined! Yes, we have angels who fight against spiritual warfare, yet, we must fulfill our role as fighting soldiers who renounce sin—we will always be the target of the enemy.
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael [Jesus]…came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” —Daniel 10:13
In Daniel, chapter 10, the angel sent to reveal the interpretation of Daniel’s dream explains he was delayed in Persia. King Cyrus was appointed by God to give the decree to emancipate the Nation of Israel when their 70 years of captivity came to fruition. “The prince of the kingdom of Persia” is Satan who easily influences unbelievers. Satan’s plan was to convince King Cyrus not to end the Jew’s Babylonian enslavement.
God asks, “…Who then is able to stand against Me? …” —Job 41:10
For 21 days, Satan fought against Christ’s angel over Cyrus’ mind to prevent him from fulfilling God’s command. Michael represents Jesus who came to earth to intervene and stand down Satan’s power over Cyrus’ mind. From this revelation of Scripture, we understand God’s Omnipotence, satanic power, and our role in overcoming sin.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:10-11
The apostle Paul compares our earthly lives to a battle, and it is! Every day, we face spiritual warfare. Satan’s power is evident by the rapid moral decline and the escalation of corruption and natural disasters. Yet, his goal is to gain control of the believer’s mind. The controversy between good and evil is not physical. It is a spiritual battle of the mind. When tempted, whether or not we succumb is the result of a conscious decision to choose right or wrong.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” —Psalm 37:23
The tug of war in our conscience arises when our minds are conflicted—temptation reveals our moral weaknesses. We are not tempted by the things we do not desire. Still, none can be compelled by Satan to sin. If we are not grounded in Christ and live a life guided by the Testimonies then Satan’s minuscule efforts easily make us fall. If we cooperate with the Heavenly agencies then we receive God’s Power to overcome sin.
“I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.…” —Psalm 119:59
The Law of God guides our thoughts and behaviors to align with the Righteousness of Christ, still, we must choose to obey. Sanctification is the daily process of being restored into the image of Christ and is orchestrated by the power of the Holy Spirit. Daily we cooperate with Divinity in the transformation of our characters. Loving and obeying God’s Law, loving others, and possessing the Fruit of the Spirit, are must-haves to receive our Crown of Life.
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.…” —Psalm 119:97-98, BSB
To understand Agape love requires hearts that reciprocate God’s love. Our sacrificial offering of self-denial is love for God. To perceive life through natural eyes is to choose destruction. Spiritual wisdom empowers us to discern life through God’s eyes. Our pursuit of Christ’s Righteousness must be relentless. In Christ’s name, our love propels us to stand for God despite the circumstances.
Understanding the plan of Salvation and the purpose of the Testimonies motivates us to give our all to Christ through surrender and faithful obedience. Human effort and Divine Intervention are required to save our souls. God is faithful and we must vow to also be faithful.
When we think of God’s love and goodness our only possible response is to whisper prayers of surrender and sing praises of gratitude for Jesus’ Amazing Love and His Righteous Precepts. Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” —Revelation 3:21, NIV
© 2024 SDJ-Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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