Category: Uncategorized

In May of 2017, my nursing career came to an abrupt end due to a progressive disability. I was aware that statistics pointed to unplanned career loss as a high risk for becoming depressed. In addition, I was on the younger end of the “Senior Citizen” age range. Many questions came to mind; but, the most pressing involved managing time. What would I do with the seconds, minutes, and hours on a day-to-day basis? I begin to pray for answers.

Within one week of my prayer, I was on my Facebook feed and there was a request from a church, that anyone with crocheting or knitting skills, to volunteer and make hats for the homeless in my local community. I learned as a young girl how to crochet and knit, but had not practiced those skills for about three decades. I prayed as I sent a personal message volunteering for the cause. Since that initial yes, I have been involved in two more projects which involved crocheting for others in need. I thank God that I was obedient. My creativity has expanded and now I am taking another giant step forward and will teach free crocheting classes in my home.

God is truly concerned about every aspect of our lives. I encourage you to take that giant leap of faith and involve our Heavenly Father in every aspect of your life. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16). God’s Word says we can have confidence that when we pray, He hears our every petition. Thank you, God, for your unconditional love. Help me to be fully dependent upon you in every aspect of my life. Amen!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

 

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

And God said, Let us make man in our image…Genesis 1:26

Have you ever questioned your purpose in life? Your purpose was included when God designed you in His image. We are a total and complete package. Nothing needs to be added or taken away.

In fact, God was excited when He created us. The proof is that we were lovingly created in His image. We possess the ability to think and make good decisions that will produce positive outcomes. Our bodies have the ability to withstand many disease processes; and yet, we are still alive.

So, what is our purpose?

1. To worship God through prayer and praise.

2. To possess a spirit of gratitude on a daily basis.

2. To thank our wonderful Father for His unconditional love, our life, our health, our strength, our spiritual gifts, and our talents. The list is endless.

3. To engage in discipleship by helping those in need. Smile, and say a kind and encouraging word. Share your financial abundance by alleviating hunger, homelessness, and poverty.

Our spiritually-based activities may differ; yet, we are one in Christ. Our human design included a purpose driven life. Ask God what His personalized plan is, for your life.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

As a nurse, one of the most important assessments for us to perform on our patients is the Pain Assessment. We ask the patient if they are experiencing pain; if yes, then to rate the pain on the numeric scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least and 10 being the worst. The goal of decreasing the level of pain varies with each individual according to their condition.

As I read Psalm 27 and several verses from the 119th chapter, I realized that King David experienced many emotional highs and lows during his life. There were times when his songs reflected a strong trust in God alternating with insecurities as he pleaded for God to protect him from his enemies. If you were asked to rate your trust in God on a Trust Scale, would your numeric rating be dependent on whether you are faced with the fiery trials of life or if you experienced a peaceful day?

Building our trust in God requires action on our part, on a daily basis. It is an act of faith to believe that God will bring us through according to His plan. Regardless of our circumstances, God is available 24 hours a day-7 days a week. The goal of a Trust Assessment is a numeric rating of 1 which reflects that you trust God with every aspect of your life. Diligent study of the Word of God and heartfelt prayer provides us with the reassurance that God will keep His promises to take care of us.

Dear God, please help me to build my level of trust in you-knowing that you will never fail. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment. You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

As many of you are aware, I have been gifted with the talent of writing. In 2016, I transitioned from writing poetry to writing inspirational devotionals. In 2017, the Holy Spirit instructed me to create a weblog to share messages of hope for living in the last days. I also share on my FB page.

Yesterday, Satan attempted to discourage me by using two individuals to attack the devotional that God had given me. I realize that I was not prepared for a rebuttal against God’s Word. I rationalized that it was not about me, they were attacking the Word of God. However, this morning, I realize what occurred, is about me; it is about my personal relationship with God.

Nothing can happen in my life without God’s permission. I am being tried and tested to strengthen my faith. By trusting in God, I become reliant on His power in every situation. I must continue to study His Word and pray without ceasing. I need to remember that God has me in His loving arms; but, I am required to do my part in building my relationship with Him.

If you are preparing for eternal life, then you can expect trials and tribulations. Do not become weary in well doing. ” I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) The promises of God hold true–He will always take care of His children.

Dear God, thank you for the trials in life. Please help me to realize that I must endure to become more like you. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV

If you are angry with someone that you are close to (spouse or family) then you lack the ability to give and receive unconditional love!

People are not and never will do or say the right things all the time. Forgive and move forward.

Life is about spiritual and personal growth.

FREE your Mind!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Anger Management
Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Anger is the most misused emotion in present society. We use anger to physically, mentally, and emotionally abuse those who are closest to us. In the family, wives/mothers rank the highest as recipients of inappropriate anger.

Anger always produces negative behavior. The problem with misguided anger is that we always say and do things that are extremely hurtful. It eventually replaces the love for others with hostility for others. Biblically, there is no basis for love producing hurt. The phrase “Love Hurts” is from a satanic perspective of God’s love.

Will there be anger in the New Heaven and New Earth? What does God say about anger?
Ephesians 4:26 tells us when we are angry do not sin, and to not let the sun go down while we are still angry.

If you are struggling with inappropriate anger, studying God’s Word and praying are daily necessities to overcome the sin of anger. Prepare your character for Kingdom life one day at a time.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/anger-bible-verses/

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Make your relationship with God a personal one. Dear God, Help me to be desperate for you. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Have you noticed that when you walk up an incline it takes much more effort than walking on a flat surface? Your brain signals the cardiovascular system to supply the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems with additional blood enriched with molecules of oxygen.

The same concept applies to our spiritual life. We are on a upward journey in preparation for eternal life. The oxygen enriched blood is the Word of God. Prayer connects us to our spiritual commander/leader-Jesus Christ.

The body pumps the correct amount of blood to sustain life for that given day. Daily prayer and study of God’s Word is the required sustenance to strengthen us to achieve our upward climb.

Dear God, please give me the desire to sustain my spiritual climb through diligent prayer and study of you Word. Amen

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

We the created beings, loved by God, were never an after-thought. The omnipotent God knew that Adam and Eve would fall. If Lucifer developed the sinful characteristic of pride, and we were created lower than the angels, then is makes the plan of salvation intact prior to creation. I am sharing another author’s discernment of the plan.

Before Creation

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. 1: 9.

The purpose and plan of grace existed from all eternity. Before the foundation of the world it was according to the determinate counsel of God that man should be created, endowed with power to do the divine will. But the defection of man, with all its consequences, was not hidden from the Omnipotent, and yet it did not deter Him from carrying out His eternal purpose; for the Lord would establish His throne in righteousness. God knows the end from the beginning. . . . Therefore redemption was not an afterthought . . . but an eternal purpose to be wrought out for the blessing not only of this atom of a world but for the good of all the worlds which God has created.

Ellen G. White Devotional-God’s Amazing Grace

Have a blessed and prayerful day.