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

Living the life of a Believer will never compare to sailing on a calm body of water. The tumultuous trials, tribulations, and temptations of life will cause our boat to consistently sail in troubled waters. Even so, Fear not! God is with us, and he will never let our boats capsize or overturn in spite of the stormy seas.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2,3 first part

Jesus Christ is the Captain of our boats even when we feel as if we are drifting further and further away from the shore or cannot see dry land. He is leading us to the point in our lives that allows us to have a closer relationship with Him. Jesus is leading us to deeper waters without our self-made life jacket because He wants us to become fully dependent upon Him.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Our duty is to cast all of our cares which means that we must pray, pray, pray! He already knows of the brokenness in your heart, the tears that stream from your eyes, and the overwhelming situations that have you feeling as if you cannot bear one more burden.

Consider the man named Job who was a righteous man; Job was a man who feared God and was blameless; yet, he lost everything he owned including the death of all of his children. If you have never thought about the long time-frame of Job’s trial then read all 42 chapters of the Book of Job. In spite of his continuous suffering, Job never blamed God and in the midst of his great tribulation, he proclaimed:

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and He will stand upon the earth at last…I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” Job 19:25, 27 NLT

Job was human with all of the emotions that we possess; yes, he was greatly overwhelmed and even attempted to proclaim his innocence several times during his great tribulation. Nonetheless, he did not follow the advice of his wife who told him to “Curse God and die,” nor did he throw in the towel when the friends who he counted on for support, turned their backs on him by accusing him of committing grievous sins against God, which could have left him devastated.

As we continue to study the life of a man who withstood extreme suffering, we know how the story ends: God blessed Job above and beyond (read chapter 42) all he could ever imagine. He lived a long, full life with the blessing of prosperity and four generations of children and grandchildren.

Whether we are sailing on calm waters or raging seas, we must always completely place our faith, trust, and obedience in God. It is only through constant prayer, and dutiful study of the Word of God, that we can remain steadfast in the vicissitudes of life. God promises that if we do our part in keeping our relationship strong with Him, then He will do his part in giving us victory as overcomers.

Bible Reading: Job chapters 1-42

Prayer for today: Dear God, There are times in our lives that we feel as if we cannot endure the hardships and we become despondent. We forget that you know exactly what we are going through and that you are just waiting for us to approach you through prayer. We ask you to forgive us for our lack of faith, our self-reliance, and our intermittent study of your Word. O God, we need you to guide us through our storms in life and we need you, even more, when we are experiencing peace so that we do not think that we are sustaining our lives. We ask you to give us strength as we endure the hardest trials of loss from the death of our loved ones, from the dissolution of our marriages, from financial devastation, from the decline of our health, and from the overwhelming feelings of being alone. You have promised to never leave us or forsake us and you have promised to never let us drown in the waters of tribulation. We thank you for your love, your grace, and your endless mercy. God, we need you now, and we ask you to heal our brokenness. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

 White Mountains, New Hampshire

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

How can we learn to fully trust in God in spite of our circumstances?

There is no problem that we face that is bigger than our Omnipotent God.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Do you believe that sin always has consequences? Sin is very expensive; sin chips away at your character; sin changes your perspective, your morals, and your values; sin desensitizes and blinds your spiritual eyes as the line between right and wrong is blurred and you willingly cross over, but most importantly sin diminishes your ability to sustain a relationship with God. Oh yes, sin has the power to produce rebellion and as a result, your connection to God is severed and spiritual death occurs.

But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars–their fate is in the fiery lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

Whether the sin is premeditated, spontaneous, or unintentional the liability of the debt is above and beyond your means to make payment; you have insufficient assets to cover the cost of sin. Remember that sin places us into spiritual bankruptcy; we are left with nothing!

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. a man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

There is no gray area of compromise with God!

So, because you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:16 NLT

We have a choice to make: What is it that I really want, Eternal life or the pleasures that life has to offer? Your relationship with God requires faith, trust, obedience, studying the Bible, constant prayer, witnessing to others, helping those in need, and the renunciation of sin.

As we live in the present, we must also prepare for our future; the future that includes immortality, and living forever in the New Heaven and the New Earth with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:52-54

Jesus is coming again whether we choose to believe and prepare or we continue in our present state of seeking after the things of the world. It is a personal choice and a commitment to seek after righteousness.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22: 7, 11-12

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:13-14

Keep God’s commandments; refrain from sinning; confess and repent for unforgiven sins from the past, and present, pray when tempted, faithfully obey and follow the Plan of Salvation. It will be the most wonderful day when Jesus returns for us and we receive the greatest gift: Eternal life in a perfect and sinless world.

Bible Reading: Revelation 21, 22

Prayer for today: Dear God, We humbly come to you and ask forgiveness of our sins, past, and present. We ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to fill us with your Holy Spirit. As we strive to grow closer to you, we ask you for the desire to live a purpose-driven life; a life that includes letting go of sinful pleasures, faithful obedience to your commandments and preparation for your soon return. We thank you for your love, your grace, and your mercies. And we ask these things in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

 

 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

One of my favorite past times is watching vintage criminal mysteries; their intricate details and attempt to distract you from the real perpetrator is cunning and skillful without the addition of excessive violence and profanity. It is easy to find a television series, but rarely a full-length movie that fits the criteria for suitable watching. When I found a full-length mystery movie, I put on my sleuth hat and excitedly began to pay close attention to the plot. But there was something very different about the overall tone of the movie, the initial 20 minutes was full of bitter and sarcastic words with continuous conflict among the main characters. I proceeded to crochet in order to circumvent my disappointment and waited for the plot to take a different direction. The movie did take a drastic turn, the next sentence out of the main character’s mouth was filled with so much profanity that I felt as if arrows had pierced my heart. I had to repent by accepting responsibility for ignoring the prompting of the Holy Spirit when I recognized the initial tone of the movie was waywardly compared to my usual selection of programs. Yes, I was fully aware of the inappropriateness of the movie, but hoped for the best, because I focused on what I desired.

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them! Romans 16:17 NLT

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

It is my belief that temptation is custom made for each of us; the things and people that Satan will use to tempt us always appeal to our individual desires. It is a trap based on subtlety with cunning and complex details that are designed to lead us to commit sin.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

As long as we have breath in our bodies, we will have to endure temptation; even so, believe that God has a way of escape for each of us. We must stay in tune with the Holy Spirit who will appeal to our conscience and provide the knowledge and the wisdom to resist temptation and be an overcomer!

When you are tempted, immediately begin to pray and ask for help! Say very little and walk away from the situation by taking action to change the channel, or to politely end the conversation in order to avoid entering into conflict. Your temptation will never be my temptation, sin is like having a tailor-made suit designed for each of us on a daily basis.

Remember, we must perform spring cleaning in our lives every day; we must rid ourselves of people, places, and the things that we desire that are enmity against God.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NLT

Bible Reading: James 1

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for your love by giving us the Holy Spirit who will provide us with the knowledge, wisdom, and the strength that we need to resist the temptation that causes us to commit sin. We pray for forgiveness of our sinful desires. We pray for a change of heart that we may be obedient and faithful to your commands. Thank you for the Bible that you have given to us to study and to learn of you and to teach us how we are to live as believers. As we perform spring cleaning in our lives to rid ourselves of intentional wrongdoing, we ask for wisdom and the ability to listen and recognize when you speak to us. We love you, we worship you, and we praise your Holy Name. We ask these things in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you. Don’t you remember, my people…? Micah 6:3-5 NLT

Each of us has a story to write about the blessings, the miracles, our spiritual journey, God’s custom-designed plans for our lives, and how He has delivered us through His grace, and mercies as a result of His everlasting love for us. And if given the opportunity we may testify or share His goodness toward us; however, are we really living a faith-based life filled with gratitude for God?

What causes our forgetfulness? The moment we awaken to a new day, Satan has a personalized plan for distractions to keep us from being focused on God. This is a personal attack on every believing saint of God; it is Satan’s goal to bring us to the point that we are fixated on everything and anything that makes us forget the goodness of God.

The forgetfulness, wayward behaviors and ingratitude that we as Believers so frequently possess have history. In Micah chapter 6, we read of the questions that God asks of Israel: “…What have I done to make you tired of me…?” “Don’t you remember, my people…?” Micah 6:3,5. Yes, it is easy to think and ask the question–What was wrong with the Israelites? God delivered them from slavery, brought them through the Red Sea on dry land and sent his spiritual team-Moses, Aaron, and Miriam-to help them. What more could they desire?

Make the questions personal that God asked Israel: Why am I tired of God? Why can’t I remember what He has done for me, and what He has delivered me from? What is preventing me from possessing an ongoing spirit of gratitude for the answered prayers, and His continual love, grace, and mercies?

We must repent for our state of “Intentional forgetfulness.” God deserves so much more than we are willing to give. Even so, in His mercies, He forgives us and provides complete restoration; if we choose to obey, trust, and live faithfully with a thankful heart.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with me. Psalm 51:10

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face. Psalm 11:7

Bible Readings: Micah 6, Psalm 51

Prayer for today: Dear God, We have grown tired of you and have forgotten what you have done for us. And for these intentional sins against you and you alone, we repent and ask you to forgive us. You are great! Your love, grace, and mercies endure, you have blessed us, and delivered us. You keep us safe, you have provided your Holy Word that provides guidance for us to live righteously as you have commanded. How much more can you do for us? As we commit our lives to you, one more time, we ask you to give us the desire to study the Bible, to walk through life on our knees, and to praise you and worship you for your unconditional love. You have not asked the impossible from us and as we strive to live for you, please help us to never forget all that you have done, help us to never forget your promises, and help us to never forget 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 your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

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

Yesterday, my husband and I were playing an online word game similar to Scrabble which has ongoing ads in the free version of the game. Much to my surprise, one of the ads offered a game with the options to select the adjective that described your present emotional state; the individual chose Depression and a psychological analysis with suggested remedies appeared.

We are living in a time when the Ds are prevalent: Depression, Despondency, and Desperation. Individuals seeking professional therapeutic intervention is at an all-time high along with pharmaceuticals being prescribed to modify behaviors and balance emotional dysfunction. For those who are unable to afford therapy, online counseling is offered by those who are often not qualified to intervene. Therapeutic intervention cannot be based on a cookie-cutter or a one size fits all approach; a client-centered treatment plan with short-term and long-term goals are required with face-to-face communication. However, the premise is that “Desperate times call for Desperate Measures.”

Most individuals will agree that life is hard and has many struggles. But the division occurs on the method we choose to cope with our emotional dysfunction due to hard times.

Believers Coping Strategies

1. Begin to talk to God through prayer…real talk…let Him know how you are feeling, and ask for His help in every aspect of your life.

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

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me…” Psalm 27:8 (first part) NLT

2. Put the electronic gadget down and Buy the Book! Purchase a Bible in the translation that you can understand and begin to study. Psalms 23 and 27 are reminders of the Omnipresence of God and the love that He has for each of us.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Psalm 23:4 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation–so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

3. We must acknowledge God as our Creator.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NLT

4. God is love.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

5. Validate Who you belong to Every day!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

6. Wait and Rely on God’s Divine Intervention!

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Human Effort + Divine Intervention= Living a Victorious Life as an Overcomer!

Although our beliefs and life experiences differ, all individuals possess a belief system. It is the disparity in our beliefs that determine whether we are connected to or disconnected from God. Just as an embryo grows into a fetus and is connected to its Mother inside of her uterus by an umbilical cord, following its birth the umbilical cord loses its purpose and is severed. Not so with our connection to God!

God has created us with an everlasting spiritual umbilical cord in that we can always stay connected to Him. It is a personal choice to receive the spiritual nourishment that God lovingly offers to us. As long as we have breath in our bodies, we can make a personal decision to discard belief systems that leave us feeling worthless, hopeless, and full of despair.

Believe and Receive the Love of God

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

Even when we make it hard for others to love us, God is still there, just waiting for us to say: And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 (last part) NLT

Bible Readings: Psalms 23 and 27

Prayer for today: Dear Lord and Father of all mankind, We thank you for creating us. We thank you for never severing the umbilical cord that keeps us connected to you if we so choose. We ask forgiveness of our many sins, shortcomings, and our refusal to pray without ceasing, and failure to diligently study your Word. We have placed ourselves in an emotionally dysfunctional state by not taking the time to know who you really are. God, we commit our lives, our thoughts, our behaviors, and our actions to you that we may strive to live a holy life. Thank you for the Bible and thank you for the ability to connect with you at any moment in the day or night through prayer. God, you are so awesome and we thank you for creating us in your image. We love you, and we worship your Holy name. As we move forward, we will serve you until we breathe our last breath. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

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 heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Human Effort + Divine Power = Victory Over Sin

We must acknowledge the fact that we must have a close relationship with God in order to be an Overcomer.

God’s promises indicate that human effort must accompany Divine power; God always requires us to do our part!

Humility is the Antagonist to Pride

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17

As Believers, we cannot stand on stubbornness which is the outward display of a hardened heart/mind and is enmity against God.

God requires a broken spirit–recall the way you felt after a major disappointment–feeling as if you had no other alternatives; that is exactly where we need to place our mindset when we serve God: We must live like God is our all and all, and our only choice.

Confession is Mandatory and Repentance is Required!

A Contrite (Repentant) Heart?

Contrite: To possess sincere remorse, filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement.

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 ESV

How difficult is it for you to admit when you were wrong? If we are unable to admit wrongdoings to others, then our ability to repent to God is also affected. We are unable to bypass humanity and approach God with a haughty spirit and excuses for our wayward behaviors against others.

Are you puffed up with PRIDE? Do you need to apologize and ask someone for forgiveness? Have you refused to forgive someone for their actions? Remember, your salvation is not dependent upon the individual accepting your heartfelt plea for forgiveness; however, our salvation is dependent on our acceptance of every plea of forgiveness in spite of the circumstances. We must do what is necessary for our human relationships prior to approaching God and asking His forgiveness for our sins.

Seek God through Prayer and Study of His Word

Losing one’s house or vehicle keys usually causes an immediate sense of loss, panic, and desperation. We should possess similar feelings when we fail to seek God through prayer and the studying of the Bible.

The human effort involves possessing the knowledge that we are required to actively participate in the Plan of Salvation. There is no chance for us to change, or to have a healthy and thriving relationship with God if we do not receive our spiritual food from God’s Word and maintain constant communication with God through prayer.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. Isaiah 55:8 NLT

Eventually, we will reach a crossroads in our lives where we must make this decision; to seek God, to obey and faithfully trust in him or to live as we determine. Oh yes, salvation is a choice, but we cannot pick and choose the sacrifices, or the lifestyle that we are willing to give to God. Genesis 4:2-8 recounts Cain’s disobedience to God, and God’s rejection of his sacrifice. Obedience to God is not an option in the Plan of Salvation!

Thankfully, God has made salvation so simple that children can understand what is necessary to follow God and live for him. With God, we can receive victory over and over again. Establish an upfront and personal relationship with God; His love and his character are revealed in the Bible and through prayer, and His will for our lives is always revealed by the Holy Spirit.

“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

Bible Reading: Genesis 4

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for the Plan of Salvation which included the ultimate sacrifice of the death of your Son, Jesus. We know that He is alive and interceding on our behalf in heaven. We confess and repent by asking forgiveness of our sins. We ask you to remove all hardness from our hearts. We commit our lives to you through the study of your Word, praying without ceasing, obedience, faith and wholeheartedly trusting that your plans are perfect and we commit to obediently following you. Thank you for your love, your mercies, and your grace. thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. We ask these blessings in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all that you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:4-5 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

Life is dynamic, evolving, and ever-changing; especially in a capitalistic nation–we are never satisfied with our present status–always seeking and pursuing after something greater. As a result, we are always dissatisfied, and we never achieve true peace or happiness because we are never content with the blessings of today.

We desire the highest paying jobs, the most expensive clothing and accessories, luxury vehicles and homes with mortgages that leave us in massive debt. The rate of depression, sadness, and apathy has increased among Believers resulting in the inability to even praise God for His blessings of our necessities in life.

The Apostle Paul tells us, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” Philippians 4:12 NLT

There is an immediate change that is possible in your life: Begin to diligently study the Bible.

Make your study personal: Do not read with just your eyes, speak the words out loud, and reflect on the message that God has for you.

Do not run a race in your study of the Bible: It is of little importance to complete a “Read the Bible in one year” plan if a transformation does not occur in your life.

Read the passages over and over again: Pray for revelation and the ability to memorize. Give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to bring the Word of God to your remembrance when the storms of life are raging or when your emotions are slipping into a unhealthy state.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

Bible Reading: Philippians 4

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you, thank you, thank you! For all that you have done and will continue to do, we thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help. Psalm 27:14 (ERV)

The old adage-good things come to those who wait-is often laughed at in today’s societies. Our mindset is to beat the clock, or to be ahead of the game; waiting is viewed as a waste of time. We complain about the bureaucratic “red tape” processes or the slow pace of change. Our paychecks are received via direct deposit, and the use of debit/credit card usage exceeds cash purchases to the point that most cashiers are feeble in their attempts to count change.

Most companies measure the worth of employees by their ability to reach or exceed productivity standards. We are encouraged to pursue instant gratification by going after our desires at top speeds: Automated systems, cellular phones, social media sites, instant messages, texting, email, e-books, e-cards, and internet on the go; sorry, no time to communicate face-to-face or to visit friends or family.

We feel revitalized and empowered by technology, considering ourselves fortunate enough to be part of a dynamically evolving high-tech lifestyle. Our daily lives are moving twice as fast, and we are desperately attempting to keep up with the current pace of life.

Stop for a moment. For those of us who can reflect on the lifestyles of our grandparents or great grandparents, pursuits of personal desires were placed very low on their lists of priorities. I can remember when maintaining the stability of the family was considered to be the most precious commodity in life. I can also remember when dinner was a time when the family enjoyed a meal, shared their thoughts, and had a good laugh or a loving spat.

Our present lifestyle did not come as a surprise to God; therefore, the family was designed to withstand the storms of life.

God knew the challenges that we would face in the 21st century. He has given us instructions to just wait, and utilize his perfect plans for our lives. It is worth the effort to re-prioritize your activities for at least one weekend per month. Make calls to set up face-to-face visits, and plan a mid-afternoon brunch or dinner with your immediate, extended, or adopted family. God did not intend for us to feel lonely, or adapt to isolation. We do not have to compromise our values to endure meaningless relationships.

Be strong, be brave and pick up the telephone, or make the visit. The sound of the human voice or a loving hug from our family supersedes all messaging or postings on social sites. Technology has its place; however, God never intended for us to change his original plan for the family and develop a lifestyle that breaks down family ties.

Pray and ask for the Lord’s help in making family the precious commodity it was intended to be in your life.

Challenge for today: Extend yourself to include others in your family circle.

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:4

Prayer for today: Dear God, We are thankful for another day of life. We ask you to help us to return to your original plan for family life. We have become distracted by meaningless things that add no value to developing and maintaining healthy relationships. We ask forgiveness for straying and not doing your will. As we extend ourselves to others who are broken, we pray that we can show your love and provide encouragement. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer. We ask these blessings upon our lives in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

“I have loved you with an everlasting love…” Jeremiah 31:3