Category: Uncategorized

Most importantly, I want to remind you than in the last day’s scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. they will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 NLT

From 2007-2008, I worked in a locked hospital inpatient psychiatric unit on the night shift; it was a tough job staying awake on a busy unit rendering care to patients who were mentally ill and addicted to illicit substances. In addition, we had a 6’6′ supervisor with a bad attitude who detested the arrival of cultural diversity in the unit and was always intent on finding an infraction among the staff so that he could administer disciplinary action. In spite of our challenges, there were two reasons why “Big Tee” never did get the opportunity to fulfill his desire to write up or terminate the night shift staff: We were a dedicated and skilled team who believed that we could make a difference in the lives of a difficult population and secondly, there was a secret among the nursing staff; we had the administrative backing of the Chief Psychiatrist who applauded the 11-7 shift for our compassionate care and maintaining an incident-free record on the unit.

Needless to say that I was not accustomed to this type of undercover harassment from a supervisor and I begin to express to a couple of my nurses–we had become close friends– that I was going to transfer to another department. Instead of agreeing with my decision, they provided strong emotional support and shared some very humorous solutions to effectively dealing with “Big Tee.” I readily accepted their advice and as my perspective changed, I no longer dreaded the individual who disliked us for personal reasons. We developed a plan to greet our supervisor with a smile and conduct positive conversations in spite of the feeling that we were under surveillance. After a week of smiles and happy interactions, Big Tee still maintained a grouchy disposition, but he stopped making hourly rounds on the unit and began to make the standard twice a shift supervisory rounds. We were pleasantly surprised when we invited our supervisor to join us for our monthly night shift potluck dinner and he accepted; during the meal, he shared his background as a Chef in an exclusive restaurant prior to changing careers and becoming a nurse. The ice was broken; Big Tee complimented us for preparing delicious food and also thanked us for our hard work. Following the meal and the laughter that we shared, our supervisor’s attitude changed toward the staff, and after a couple of weeks, we gave him the benefit of the doubt and stopped asking each other, “Can you believe it?”

It was one of those rare nights when all the patients were sleeping soundly; as we begin to chat, one of the nurses who helped to change my perspective of dealing with a difficult supervisor began to share the events of her life; she was raised in a religious-based orphanage where she was physically and emotionally abused by the caregivers. As I listened to the mixed emotions of anger and hurt toward God for letting her childhood be filled with turmoil and abuse, I began to pray silently and ask the Holy Spirit to give me words of encouragement and for God to heal her pain. As I shared God’s perfect plan for humanity and the basis for all of the suffering that we endure, she stopped talking about her traumatic childhood and asked me to explain the future that God has for us if He really loves us the way that you believe. I can remember praying another silent prayer, “Holy Spirit, please help me.”

As I shared the scriptures with her–yes, I always took my Bible to work and read it during our downtime–I began to tell her about the Creation of humanity, the Fall of humanity, God’s plan of Redemption, Love, Faith, Trust, Obedience, the Second Coming of Christ, and the promise of immortality for those who accept Righteousness by Faith to live in a New Heaven and New Earth. It may appear as if I bombarded her with a lot of information; however, I followed her lead by providing answers to question after question regarding who God really was. After three hours of witnessing, I asked if she had any additional questions and I can recall her response as if I just heard it today: “I believe and will accept everything that you have shared with me with one exception, even though I just read it in the Bible, I do not believe that the Second Coming of Jesus is possible.”

Her statement may seem astounding but the expression of true feelings is exactly what God honors–confession; it was not my job to convince her that Jesus is coming again. I was obedient to God and witnessed, sharing the Plan of Salvation and my faith in God. I asked her if she would like a Bible to continue studying, and before we prayed, I asked her to think about this question, “Are you willing to take the chance that the Second Coming of Jesus is not going to happen?” It was not a rhetorical question; however, she chose to give me this answer: “It is just to much pressure to try to maintain the responsibilities of daily life and prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus.”

Many of us who believe in God would challenge the fact that she accepted the plan of Salvation based on her statement that it was too overwhelming to serve God and to live our daily lives. But consider this, does your lifestyle reflect that God is first and foremost to you? Even though we may never verbalize that we are experiencing conflict between what we desire and what God’s will is for our lives, our lifestyle reflects the priorities that we have chosen. When we continue to pursue our goals without asking for God’s Divine Intervention; our behaviors and actions reveal that we are not preparing for Eternal life. If we are wishing for 26 hour days, then we are consumed by the struggle to maintain the daily responsibilities of life. Whether it is intentional or unintentional busyness, because we have excluded God (by praying for His will to be revealed for our lives), it is that very exclusion that prevents us from preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus.

For, as the scripture says, “Just a little while longer, and He who is coming will come; He will not delay. Hebrews 10:37 Good News Translation

Remember that God does not desire that even one of us should perish; God created us and He loves us so much that He has delayed the Second Coming of His Son, Jesus, so that we may have Eternal life. Believe it or not!

Bible Verse: 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

Prayer for today: Dear God, Our lifestyle is full of distractions and priorities that reflect that we are not placing you first in our lives and that we are not preparing for Eternal life. We ask you to forgive us for the sins of omission; we have excluded you from our lives. It is our desire to live forever in the New Heaven and New Earth. We ask you to reveal your perfect plan for our lives as we commit to fully trusting and faithfully obeying your will from this day forward. We thank you for your love, your mercy, and most of all your patience toward us. As we strive for change, we ask for your strength to face the opposition and to always put you first. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:20 NIV

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV

Have you reached the point in your spiritual life that you have complete faith and trust in God? Do you thank Him for the troubles of trials and tribulations in your life? Those are certainly thought-provoking questions that allow our blinded eyes to open and give us a reality check as to where we really are in our relationship with God.

God allows us to “see troubles.” Although we are facing some hard times that leave us feeling overwhelmed and alone; it simply is not true. Our self-reliance is enmity against God who is our Heavenly Father. Faith and trust in God cannot be strengthened by words only, it takes the trials of life that place us in a helpless situation to deepen our relationship with our Creator.

There will be many twists and turns that we will experience traveling down the Path of Salvation; even so, God will guide us through and we will have victorious outcomes, according to His will and plan for our lives. No matter how difficult our situation is, Be Steadfast, God will bring resolution; it is up to us to trust in Him in spite of the valley lows in our lives.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NLT

We must redirect our focus when our lives present overwhelming challenges: God’s power is only limited by our perception, we must believe that He can and will do exactly what He has promised.

Be strong and courageous;…Deuteronomy 31:6 …I will never leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Bible Reading: Psalm 27

Prayer for today: Dear God, In our humanness we consistently fail to recognize your great power that can bring resolution to every trial and tribulation that we face in our lives. We ask forgiveness for minimizing your greatness to the level of our limited understanding. We pray for spiritual growth; we pray for unwavering faith and trust in you, no matter how devastating our circumstances are. We pray for complete confidence to fully see your goodness and your mercy. We lay our burdens at your feet and we commit to patiently waiting no matter what we are experiencing in our lives. We thank you for loving us, for caring for us, for the sacrifice of your Son that we may have eternal life if we so choose. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen.

©Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7 NLT

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works: and that my soul knoweth it right well. Psalm 139:14

When I made the decision to pursue nursing as a career, I prayed for God to reveal His plan for my life. I was laid off from my job, on unemployment compensation actively seeking full-time work which prevented me from becoming a matriculated student. I did not have the monies to pay for one campus class nor did I qualify for financial aid unless I enrolled as a part-time or full-time student. In spite of my circumstances, I continued to rely on God.

I can recall browsing through the college catalog for what seemed like a daily habit, but this time my eyes focused on information about alternatives for receiving college credit. There was an exam known as CLEP which enabled you to receive college credit from prior knowledge; I noticed that the grading system for the science courses was based on the criteria of either Pass or Fail. With much prayer and further exploration regarding the exam, I made the decision to take the CLEP exam for Anatomy and Physiology I and II. God allowed me to find a current textbook in like-new condition and I studied diligently for 6 months. I was aware that my funds were severely limited, and the cost of the exam was out of my reach. I made the decision to sell my jazz collection of CDs which enabled me to pay for the exam and have extra income.

Prior to the scheduled date of the exam, I stopped all social activities; and began praying continuously because my mind kept wavering between faith and doubt. Was I really prepared to challenge a two-semester course based on self-study and the CLEP study guide? On the morning of the exam, I arrived feeling quite anxious with “butterflies in my stomach.” Each individual who was present was assigned a number and when the verification process was announced, I realized that I was the only test-taker for the subject of Anatomy & Physiology. I was given 4 hours to take the examination which had a fill-in-the-bubble format with number 2 pencils. When the booklet and answer sheet was placed in front of me with the time stamp to begin immediately, I prayed for God’s will to be done.

I successfully passed the CLEP exam and that was the beginning of a 12-year journey on a part-time basis to obtain my degree and become a Registered Professional Nurse.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it. Psalm 139:14 NLT

When we read the account of Creation in Genesis chapters 1 and 2; there is a detailed description for each of the six days that God used to form the world. On Days 1-5, God spoke–He used his voice and everything came into existence; however, on Day 6 something wonderful and unique occurred: God lovingly picked up the dust from the ground with his hands and formed man in His image. This is love!

We may never fully understand (with our finite minds) the love that God truly has for us; we have been created in his image, with a body of intricate systems working together to enable us to fully function, and the only responsibilities that we have are to care for God’s workmanship.

1. Make the right and healthy choices to reach and maintain an optimal level of health.
2. Change your busy schedules, and get the proper amount of rest, sleep, and recreation on a daily basis.
3. Is the environment that you live in conducive to appreciate nature, peaceful surroundings, and quiet relaxation? If not, get your body in motion and find that place!
4. Are you breathing in the clean, unpolluted fresh air that was meant to nourish your cells and tissues? Take a daily escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and refresh your internal organs.
5. Rate your trust in God on a scale of 1-5; there is room for improvement. We should possess complete faith and trust in God in all situations.
6. Learn the definition of a healthy-nurturing relationship; establish a closer and deeper connection with God and with others who share your belief in God.
7. Make a commitment to let all negativity cease; begin to thank God and praise Him for his grace, mercy, and above all for his love; your positive outlook will begin to provide a greater sense of appreciation for God and give the motivation to seek out the beauty that we are blessed with.
8. Embrace new habits of eating and cooking green vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes. When we purposely choose healthier foods, our body responds in wonderful ways: loss of excess body fat, a higher level of energy, an increase in mental acuity, and a stronger immune system.

If God bent down to pick up the dirt from the ground to form us in His image and to give His only Son, Jesus to die for our Redemption; certainly the little that He expects from us should give us the motivation to do our best by acknowledging His marvelous works and truly worshipping the One who used His hands to transform dirt into a masterpiece.

Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 1 & 2

Prayer for today: Dear Lord and Creator of all mankind, We thank you for taking the time to pick up dirt and to lovingly make us in your image. We thank you for the breath of life, we thank you for our bodies which are fearfully and wonderfully made. We love you, we worship you, and we praise your Holy name. Please forgive us for the mistreatment and abuse of our bodies. We pray for the temperance to change unhealthy habits into choices that reflect that our bodies belong to the Holy Spirit. Please impart your strength as we make the decision to eliminate the things that are destroying our body, soul, and mind. We thank you for your unconditional, and never-ending love, and we ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus, Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you have received it, it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NLT

When J. Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary first went to China in a sailing vessel, the ship was in calm waters near some cannibal islands. Slowly it drifted toward the shore, where savages eagerly anticipated a feast. The Captain approached Mr. Taylor and begged him to pray to God for help. Mr. Taylor replied, “I will pray, provided, you set the sail to catch the breeze.” But the Captain did not want to become a laughingstock in front of his crew by unfurling his sail in calm waters. However, Mr. Taylor refused to pray until the sails were up. As they drifted nearer to the shore, the Captain became desperate and gave the command to raise the sails.

While Mr. Taylor was engaged in prayer, the Captain knocked on his stateroom door; he asked Mr. Taylor to stop praying. The Captain explained that when the vessel was within one hundred yards of the shore a strong gust of wind caused the ship’s sails to expand and the vessel was guided toward safety. However, the wind continued and the Captain feared that he would lose control of the ship.

The same God that delivered J. Hudson Taylor and every person aboard that vessel is the same God who delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace and the same God who will deliver us today if we only ask in faith. It is fear due to wavering faith and self-reliance that prevents God from unleashing His mighty power to resolve every problem that we face in our lives.

Ask, believe, and receive! God has not changed; He is the same God today, yesterday, and forever. When challenges arise, Faith is required if we are to see our Heavenly Helpers; if not, our doubt will blind us and we will see nothing but defeat from the enemy.

This Sabbath, as we turn our focus on the power of the Almighty God, release all limitations and believe that our God is still performing miracles in 2019. We can always call on the name of Jesus, that name, that wonderful name; Jesus, the one who suffered, bled and died for you and me has promised to lead us safely through every trial and tribulation.

Bible Reading: Matthew 21:1-22

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus that we may ask in HIs name for everything that we need in our lives. We admit that our faith is weak and because we do not fully trust in you that we limit your power upon our lives. God, we ask you to forgive us for our unbelief. We ask you to erase all of our fears and the doubt that we possess because we are trusting in ourselves. We need you, God. Please have mercy on us and grant us peace. Thank you for hearing and answering this prayer that we ask in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

 

 

 

 

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 NLT

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning…Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13 NLT

It is a challenge in modern-day society to discern the difference between truth and error; hence the reason for successful scams, identity theft, and great financial loss. What you see and hear about is not necessarily what you will receive.

What makes it so easy to deceive others? Discontent leads to the desire to acquire more than one possesses and that is the key to opening the door for all sorts of schemes. When we are in pursuit of dreams that are based on financial gain or material possessions the result is a never-ending restlessness. We develop the mindset that there will never be enough and eventually we are caught up in an endless cycle of gaining wealth by any means necessary.

The pursuit of material goods is the basis for Capitalism; but as we follow those dreams, the road splits, and we are distracted from the pursuit of Righteousness by Faith which leads to Eternal life.

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths, sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9 NLT

God has given us a guaranteed way to prevent all deception in our lives; Study His Word–the Bible, and to call on His name in prayer. We are not required to guess or reflect on hindsight from our many mistakes, He lets us know in advance that the path we choose to walk on will either lead to what is true and right or traveling down the wayward path will cause us to stumble and fall.

We must take advantage of all that God has blessed us with! Cease the pursuit of whatever has you distracted from studying the Word of God and calling on His Holy Name; we are promised “Healing for the Repentant!”

Make the Call!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Human effort + Obedience + Divine Intervention= A Victorious Outcome

Bible Reading: Hosea 14

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for giving us your Holy Word which is a lamp for our feet and a light to travel the only path that leads to Eternal life. We ask forgiveness of our pursuits that distract us from you. We thank you for the promise of healing us from the unrighteousness that leads to destruction. Thank you for loving us so much that you have provided us with a book, your Holy Word that prevents us from being deceived. God, we call on your Holy Name today and we ask you to show us the way that you would have for us to live. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

…This is what the Lord says, “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.” Jeremiah 3:12 NLT

When we read the history of the Israelites in the Bible, it seems as if they were always involved in pagan idol worship; they willfully and shamelessly rebelled and sinned against God who delivered them time after time through His love, and mercy. By the time Jeremiah the Prophet was anointed by God to act as an Intercessor, Israel had abandoned the same God who delivered them from captivity and enjoyed giving homage to idols made from wood and stone.

Was it intentional to become so distracted that the true God was forgotten and what He had done for them?

Have you ever tried something that you normally would never consider doing? If your answer is yes, then there are only two possible outcomes; either you made the decision to never venture into that area of compromise again or you experienced enjoyment from the forbidden pleasure and are still presently involved in the activity.

I grew up hearing a phrase, “Don’t dance with the Devil!” Of course, the phrase points to the hazards of saying yes to the sinful pleasures of this world. So you may comfort yourself by making a list of things that you would never do; however, the temptation that you will face is custom made with your name on it. Remember that Satan will never tempt you with something that you can easily turn away from.

There is a very interesting documentary on the historical development of the Las Vegas Strip aka Sin City with the primary focus on the Casino industry. The ongoing meeting and melding of the minds of the top strategists, architects, psychologists, mathematicians, and financial wizards are necessary to develop and execute their plans to encourage gambling. Visually the casinos are spectacular masterpieces that incite the neurological system to produce endorphins and increase the level of adrenaline in the body. The lighting is developed to produce a calming, comforting, and nurturing environment with the sole purpose of eliminating all fears of losing your money. Once you have entered, you are pampered by friendly, smiling faces who provide all of the alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages that your money can buy. As you sip your drink, your head begins to turn to choose the slot machine or the table that will make you a millionaire; and just as you prepare to leave your seat, you hear the excitement and resounding applause because there is another winner who turned quarters into dollars. You are hooked by the environment that satisfies all of the five senses and promises an incomparable experience; and for those fleeting moments of excitement, you are willing to empty your bank account.

If Satan was unleashed without God’s restraining power, he would have us filled with hopelessness and despair, we would throw in the towel because we would feel that Righteousness by Faith is not attainable. When we sin there is a normal reaction to feel isolated and abandoned by God, and Satan escalates those feelings by always presenting God as unjust in all of His ways. Although Israel was wayward and full of faithless people, God still proclaimed His mercy by telling them that He would not be angry forever.

God loves us more than we realize! It is by God’s mercy that we are not left for dead or tortured by Satan until we wished for death. “Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord, “for I am your master.” “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:14, 22 NLT

Hope for Restoration: Even with a history of wrongdoing, God never shuns us. In fact, Long ago the Lord said to Israel: I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. Yes, we will fall into sin more often than we desire; even so, it is God who accepts our confession and repentance of those grievous sins. Because of God’s love, grace, and mercy we should readily and humbly thank Him for being our Heavenly Father, renounce sin, and strive to move forward in His Holy Name.

Bible Readings: Jeremiah Chapters 3 and 31

Prayer for today: Dear God, We confess and repent of our sins and shortcomings. We are thankful that you love us and that your anger ceases even though we repeat the same sinful acts against you. As we strive to give up the habits that are enmity against you, we ask for your strength to live a holy life. Thank you for the ability to return to you and to move forward. These blessings we ask in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

A couple of days ago we attended the last day of a 75% off estate sale for the sole purpose of purchasing cleaning products; when we arrived the house was packed with so many individuals that I can only compare it to sardines in their container. Even so, I am originally an East Coast girl who utilized crowded public transportation on subways and buses when I commuted from New Jersey to New York City for employment which gave me the determination that our mission would not abort due to overcrowded conditions. And yes, my faithful husband navigated his way through the crowd with the mindset that our mission would be accomplished. We waited patiently in line to pay for our items along with other determined individuals who knew it was well worth the wait for the huge discount we were receiving. When we paid $7 for a bucket full of regularly priced quality cleaning items that would last us well into the next year, we left with a great sense of accomplishment. We chose to accept the challenges of patiently waiting and our mission was successfully completed.

I am unable to take credit for attending estate sales on their final days; in fact, earlier this year, I was given the suggestion–to wait by an individual that facilitates estate sales for a living. As we chatted about the 75% discount, she let me in on a trade secret: If you are middle-aged or older, you probably have all of the decorative items that one needs for a home; however, it is the practical items that you run out of or the necessary items that have worn out and have been discarded that you require to run your home smoothly on a day-to-day basis and those are the overlooked items that you will pay pennies on the dollar for if you just wait for the final day of the sale.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

I must confess that I possess a character trait based on “the early bird catches the worm” concept; I have always been highly motivated to aggressively pursue what was necessary for my career, and my life. Living on the East Coast reinforced my perception that waiting was a weakness and not a strength if you are to accomplish and fulfill your dreams. Based on learned behavior from my environment–you must think outside of the box to get ahead–my employers were satisfied with my business savvy and assertiveness as I assisted them in reaching their productivity goals.

The conflict arose when I placed my desires and ambitions above what God required. I was a determined self-starter whose focus was to meet or exceed company goals; however, I was also worn out, stressed, plagued with insomnia, and in poor health. Spending most of my time and energy constantly giving to others resulted in Spiritual Blindness, a condition that rapidly progressed as I failed to recognize that my relationship with God was non-existent. Don’t get me wrong, I never gave up my belief in the Trinity Godhead–God the Father, Jesus his Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I always prayed (even though the prayers were quick) therefore they were ineffectual prayers; however, the spiritual dependency as the fruit on the vine requires to thrive and grow was not present, and so I transitioned from a grape into a raisin, still useful but not from a spiritual perspective. I was not meeting the requirements that God had given to Believers in his Holy Word because I had no time or energy left to study the Bible.

As my spiritual and physical health declined, God never left me to plummet into the abyss of sin and further distress. Our God is full of love, grace, and mercies, not wanting any of us to perish, but He is also a jealous God. My nursing career came to an abrupt end with a diagnosis of endstage Osteoarthritis in both of my knees; I had no cartilage left to render patient care in a clinical environment and suffered from chronic pain which prevented me from achieving productivity standards in auditing medical records.

When I realized that my plans were not God’s plans, I prayed for a new purpose and direction for my life. God answered my prayer in stages; first, I had to recognize that the body he had blessed me with was not my own, and I had to develop and live a healthy lifestyle. When I begin to change my nutritional intake and make healthy choices, my body began to respond by losing weight, and I noticed an increase in mental clarity and a level of physical energy that I was not accustomed to. In fact, the insomnia that I suffered with for many years was replaced by a peaceful sleep.

God used a family member to emphasize that studying the Bible was foremost in the life of a Believer, and as I began to study and pray, God revealed the purpose that He had for my life, and that is to become a vessel to witness to others by writing Devotionals that address the practical challenges that Believers face on a daily basis.

Thou shall have no other gods before me…Exodus 20:3

We must slow down! So many of us are busy with all of the commitments we have made and we burden ourselves with overwhelming responsibilities that prevent us from having a close relationship with God. In our haste to get on with our desires, we rush through our lives without stopping to ask God if this is His will for our lives. In His infinite mercy, God intervenes on our behalf; part of God’s restorative process is to slow our busyness so we can listen to Him. And from a personal perspective, I can attest to the process of praying and waiting, waiting, and waiting for God’s response.

God does all things well and He requires us to wait: Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NLT

Waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active. When we truly wait on God, we are required to give up our own pursuits and to give our full attention to God, the attention that He rightfully deserves. Take a day to spiritually fast, and pray with a focus on asking God to reveal the commitments and responsibilities that you need to let go of; the self-inflicted burdens that God never intended for you to have. All we have to do is ask God and Wait for His answer; God is waiting to reveal the perfect plan for your life.

Human Effort + Obedience to Divine Intervention=Victory for the Overcomer!

Bible Reading: “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 NLT

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask forgiveness for the busyness of the numerous commitments and responsibilities that we have taken on without asking for your approval or your blessing upon them. We realize that our lives are out of control, yet we continue in pursuits that are destroying our relationship with you. We ask you to reveal to us the plan that you have for our lives and to help us to patiently wait for your answer. We pray for obedience to your way and your will for our lives. We acknowledge that we can do nothing without your Divine Intervention. Thank you for bringing to our attention that your plans are what we must focus on. As we strive to grow closer to you by making the necessary changes to slow down and wait, we pray for your blessing and the strength we need to always obediently follow you. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37 NIV

Are you a gambler? Do you love the thrill of taking risks? What about the “let’s just wait and see what happens” mindset? Many of us would emphatically say a resounding “No” to those questions, yet we fail to prepare for the greatest event foretold to humanity: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ! Throughout the Bible, the theme is about Redemption; Jesus was born, lived a short 33 years on the earth, and died on the cross for all humanity to save us from our sins. His sacrifice was necessary because He was sinless and the only one worthy to fulfill the Plan of Salvation, which was in place prior to the creation of human life.

And if the Plan of Salvation is not enough to have you excited and making daily preparation by seeking after righteousness, then the promise made by Jesus: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going. John 14:1-3 NLT; should jumpstart a fervency to prepare for the perfect life that is described in Revelation 21-22. In studying the Bible we become aware of another biblical promise–Jesus’ Second Coming-His return to this earth, for those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior; we are promised the gift of immortality–Eternal life in a New Heaven and New Earth.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. revelation 21:4 NIV. This promise alone should be a catalyst to jumpstart a commitment to give your All and obediently serve God!

God knew that Adam and Eve would fall into temptation, disobey, and commit a grievous sin because they desired much more than God had already given to them. The consequences of their disobedience were severe; evicted from their home–the Garden of Eden–paradise, the loss of immortality, physical and emotional pain, hard work, the murder of their son-Abel by his brother Cain, the aging of their bodies leading to the physical death, and the inability to communicate with Jesus face-to-face. They gambled their entire lives away for the cunning deception of a worthless promise that they would be as “gods” if they ate from the forbidden tree.

Are we falling into the same behaviors as Adam and Eve? What are we gambling away our promise of Eternal Life for? It is guaranteed that the worldly pleasures that will soon cease to exist. Or do we feel that what we give to God is our interpretation of sacrifice?

Although there are no biblical references to validate the holidays of Christmas and Easter–many individuals celebrate these two manmade holidays with zeal and believe there is a religious significance that reflects the birth and death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Is this all that is needed for righteousness by faith? Is this all we must do to be followers of Christ? Is the promise of Eternal life based on the observation of two holidays per year?

The giving of “All” includes the acceptance of Jesus as your personal Savior; daily confession and repentance of sin; dutifully studying the Bible; praying continuously; obedience to God’s commandments; praying for the influx and guidance of the Holy Spirit; casting aside worldly pleasures; possessing unwavering faith and trust in God, and witnessing to others by sharing the Word of God, and providing for those in need.

If you think it is overwhelming to give your all to God, then reflect on your current job description or your daily lifestyle, you are probably burning the candle on both ends without an endpoint. Is it worth it to gamble and practice risky behaviors regarding your salvation that will only place you in a lose-lose situation?

As sinners saved by grace, we have absolutely nothing that we can give to God that constitutes a sacrifice–every good gift, including our life, is given to us by God. Let go of the unhealthy relationships, the pleasurable habits, chasing after the dream, and the pursuit of anything that interferes with placing God first in your life. Because God did not even spare His own Son who died, who suffered shame and spilled His precious blood on the cross; God requires us to give up our idols and to give our very best and our “All” to Him.

Believe that Jesus is alive and well in heaven acting as our Intercessor; He is the reason that God extends His love, grace, and mercy to us even when we are giving nothing. Thank you, Jesus!

Bible Reading: John 14, Revelation 21

Prayer for today: Dear Lord and Father of all mankind, We come to you today simply and humbly asking for you to forgive us for thinking more of ourselves because we have convinced ourselves that we are making sacrifices to follow you. We confess that we are unworthy, and we repent of giving you, what we feel is necessary. It is our desire to follow your plans for our lives and to give to you, our all and all from this day forward. We ask this prayer of confession and repentance in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Good Morning

I had to share these words of encouragement from one of my favorite Christian authors, Sister Ellen G. White.

When your life is filled with tests and trials…just remember…We are almost home; we shall soon hear the voice of the Savior richer than any music, saying, Your warfare is accomplished. Enter into the joy of thy Lord. Blessed, blessed benediction; I want to hear it from His immortal lips. I want to praise Him; I want to honor Him that sits on the throne. I want my voice to echo and re-echo through the courts of heaven. Will you be there? . . . God help us, and fill us with all fullness and power, and then we can taste of the joys of the world to come. Ellen G. White

For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37

Praise the Lord! We are nearing Home!

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask you to forgive us of our sins and shortcomings and we ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to fill us with your Holy Spirit. We pray for comfort for all who are discouraged and saddened by their circumstances. Please help us to always have the joy and peace that comes from knowing that you are our Heavenly Father. Oh God, we acknowledge that you love us and that you are great, your love and your mercies endure forever and ever. Amen!

Be encouraged! Prepare by Praying, Singing, and Studying the Word of God!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019