Uncategorized – Page 59 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Reflecting On Your Life with Joy

Reflecting On Your Life with Joy Devotional Reading, June 28, 2023

In the first year of my academic studies, I majored in Psychology. The concepts and theories explaining human behavior were fascinating. But as I progressed in the program’s core theories, my mind became troubled as conflict arose between psychological views and the Bible. I observed that therapeutic intervention tends to focus excessively on the past and also justifies a person’s wrong choices by attributing them to being a victim of life’s circumstances.

From pursuing my desires, I was torn between the psychological and biblical viewpoints. I found myself in a state of confusion. Seeking guidance, I prayed for God’s direction in my academic pursuits. Jesus always answers our prayers. I was blessed with a scholarship for nursing studies.

This opportunity not only equipped me with the necessary knowledge of human behavior to comprehend mental and emotional disorders, but also enabled me to teach patients personal health strategies that would aid in their mental, emotional, and physical healing. My nursing career has been a source of gratitude, as it has allowed me to inspire hope and facilitate new beginnings for others.

As I reflect on God’s Intervention, I am thankful to God for protecting me from the spiritual consequences of not seeking His guidance when following my dreams and transitioning me to this very fulfilling profession.

All of us can share a memory of the bitter disappointment that comes from making mistakes. Whether life-changing or mere obstacles, our mistakes usually occur as a result of a decision-making process that excluded God. We relied on our human wisdom and strategies to choose what appeared to be the best choice. When our plans failed, the discouragement we felt was overwhelming.

Not every consequence of a negative outcome happens because of our decisions!

Many children have been raised in abusive homes without the love and nurture from their parents that they rightfully deserve. Spouses [especially husbands] have made decisions that have train-wrecked their family’s financial status or the fidelity of their marriages. And children who are raised without structure and discipline because the parental focus is to establish a friendship mature into self-centered adults who do not know how to love others and break the hearts of those who fall in love with them.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” —Galatians 6:7

Because of the sinful condition that permeates our hearts and the worldviews that encourage us to “Just Do It!” we easily gravitate toward making counterproductive decisions [without godly guidance] and end up suffering negative consequences. Whether we messed up by thinking our own thoughts or someone else [including parents and caregivers] made decisions that compromised our life, God is a Heavenly Father who specializes in giving New Beginnings.

Reflection: Are you stuck in the past? What are you thinking about? Are you traveling on the road of life with the baggage of shame and guilt? Do you harbor feelings of bitterness and anger because of someone else’s mistakes impacting your life? Then God has a message for you. The Contemporary English Version of Isaiah 43 says, “Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Don’t you see it?” (Verses 18 and 19).

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:18-19, NKJV

God’s promises never fail! Are you ready to live a God-given joyous life? There is a mandate for every one of us to fulfill before we can move forward: A Prayer of Confession, Repentance, and Forgiveness. Before we can receive a new and joyous life through Christ Jesus, we must confess and repent for excluding God from our lives.

Confession and Repentance: “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:2-4).

Forgiveness: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions” (Mark 11:25).

And we must forgive those who sinned against us by making poor decisions. The worldview, “I will forgive, but will never forget,” is not biblical. Unforgiveness is hatred! Without forgiveness, God will not bless us with the new life that He promises to give in Isaiah chapter 43. Nor can we hope to receive eternal life.

Feelings of Shame and Guilt? Forgive yourself! Do not beat yourself down or allow others to weigh you down with the burdens of never-ending shame and guilt for past mistakes because they are unwilling to forgive. Having a relationship with someone who fails to forgive will rob you of your God-given right to live a peaceful and joyful life. Pray for guidance and sever the relationship if no other options are available.

Confession and Repentance are not to be misused by thinking one can commit intentional repetitive sins of wilful disobedience. Our hearts reveal their true condition. When we approach God with humility, [a broken heart and contrite spirit], He forgives us. “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).

God forgave King David for his heinous sins involving Bathsheba. Yes, there were consequences for His sins, the first child died and David’s family would always have internal chaos. Still, after David’s confession in Psalm chapter 51, our loving God restarted David’s life and blessed him with a son. King Solomon the wisest man ever to live on this earth was the son of King David and Bathsheba.

Because of sinful desires, we have the innate tendency to act impulsively and exclude God. We sin, repent, and God forgives. Jesus selflessly sacrificed His life for us, which makes us the recipients of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy. We receive God’s gifts without asking for them. Yet, there are spiritual gifts that we must pray and ask for—wisdom and spiritual discernment.

Include God by Praying for Wisdom: “To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instructions of wisdom…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” —Proverbs 1:2-3, 7

The human effort of confession, repentance, and forgiveness allows the Holy Spirit to create a new heart within us and gives us spiritual insight, wisdom, and discernment. We begin to view life through spiritual eyes. Our desires align with the will of God. Before making decisions, we humbly pray and wait for God’s answers before moving forward.

Despite our shortcomings, God makes all things new when we are faithful and obedient. Can we live a joyous and peaceful life on this earth? Yes, we can! God’s promises always produce blessings. Therapeutic advice says to reflect on the past, God says, Let go of the past! Trust Me! I am doing something new in your life that will make you reflect on Me and rejoice with gladness! Amen.

Scripture: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3; NIV).

Prayer: God, we confess that we have messed up and stopped Your perfect plans for our lives by our disobedience. And for this grievous sin against You, we repent. We forgive everyone who has harmed us mentally, emotionally, and physically. We ask You to remove all feelings of shame and guilt from making past mistakes. Lord, we ask You to start our lives over today. We surrender and commit to bringing everything to You in prayer and will wait for Your answer. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Worthy name, Amen.

Overcoming the Pressures of Life

Overcoming the Pressures of Life Devotional Reading June 26, 2023

When we feel our lives are out of control and can’t see a way out or we try to live up to unrealistic expectations, either from ourselves or others, it’s common to experience pressure—which is just another word for stress. Change, even if it will give us future rewards also causes pressure in our lives, especially if it is unplanned or mandated by an employer.

As time goes on and our situation remains unresolved, this pressure can build up and take a toll on our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Prolonged stress is not sustainable for the mind, and it can even start to affect our physical health, leaving us feeling exhausted and weighed down.

“Expectations in and of themselves are not bad. And we all have them – for ourselves and others. But there definitely can be a problem when too much emphasis is placed on the expectations others hold for us.” Better Help

There are many sources of internal and external pressure, but we will focus on three:

Family Dysfunction
Cultural Traditions
Personal Learning and Development

Family Dysfunction: Most psychologists agree the family dynamics in today’s homes are dysfunctional. With the increasing number of children and adults with mental health conditions, something is awry in the home. Family dysfunction causes one to mature without the internal coping mechanisms to handle the uncertainties of life. Living in an environment of external chaos results in family members who perceive life as overwhelming. Even the normal ups and downs of life which require minimal decision-making skills produce pressure.

Cultural traditions are one of the greatest sources of pressure. We seek external validation from others because of an innate sense of belonging. Everyone desires to be appreciated and accepted by their families, neighbors, and society. Societies with prevalent cultural traditions expect that members will naturally accept the beliefs and lifestyles passed from generation to generation. Acceptance is based on the condition that one honor and obeys the morals, values, and social norms of said culture. The conflict arises when the individual seeks to live outside of the parameters of tradition, leaving them feeling pressured by the battle within—tradition or Biblical Truth.

Personal Learning results from the decision to acquire a higher level of knowledge that produces positive change by improving the quality of one’s life. Academic and on-the-job learning usually creates pressure! Academia and company policies cause us to modify our knowledge base through acceptance of “proven” theoretical information and promote discarding our morals and values, and belief systems. Since the pursuit of a degree and the business culture are long-term, we must carefully consider the secular information we choose to embrace—not every discipline of study or company that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their policies coincides with the Bible. There is internal pressure when we are mandated to learn the knowledge required to obtain our degree and an employer’s worldly inclusion policies that oppose the Scriptures.

Because we have embraced the worldview that pressure is a normal occurrence in life, many Christians assume that God desires us to live and cope with unnecessary pressure.

Yesterday, I was listening to a motivational podcast by one of my favorite speakers on “Separation is God’s Protection.” As I reread my notes during morning worship today, the thought “something is wrong” resonated from within my soul. She gave various reasons for God separating us which were in alignment with the Scriptures. Yet, this statement “God is preparing you for the intense pressure of additional responsibilities when He fulfills your dreams” set off the “Not Biblical” alarm.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17

From the daily study of the Bible and praying for the anointing, discernment, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we will recognize the attributes of God’s Character. God’s blessings do not create or result in internal or external pressure within our lives. Still, I prayed asking for a revelation of the Truth. The Holy Spirit spoke to me through my thoughts and said, “No, God’s blessings do not include pressure.”

The countless times that God has intervened in our lives does not keep us from accepting erroneous beliefs, we easily forget the miracles and blessings of yesteryear. Definitive knowledge of the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit who brings the Bible to our remembrance keeps us from the warfare of deception.

It is unimaginable that our Heavenly Father would give us the Spiritual Blessing of fulfilling our dreams and then cause us to be discouraged by the negativity of pressure. The God who reveals His love for us throughout the Bible is consistent and reiterates, “I change not!”

Although it feels as if “Trials and Tribulations” cause excessive stress and pressure in the Christian life, they are spiritual in nature and given to us to save our souls! There is nothing negative about character transformation.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33.

Jesus promised us that we would have hard times in life. Yet, we are not crushed by our tribulations. The Apostles Peter and James refer to tribulations as fiery trials which are necessary to transform our carnal characters into Christ-like Characters. We can come to Jesus just like we are, but we cannot stay just like we are. To receive eternal life, we must travel the Path of Sanctification which is the daily spiritual growth that comes from faith, surrender, obedience, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

We were created as free, moral agents. God never pressures us to accept His will for our lives. Even so, if we desire to go all the way, our prayer must be, Lord, whatever it takes for me to be like You do what is necessary to save my soul and give me the strength to endure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What about studying the Bible? Doesn’t God requiring us to study the Scriptures create pressure in our lives?

Testimony: For most of my life, I lived under internal and external pressure. The external pressure was from working as a nurse when the work ethic of overworking nurses was the standard. But the internal pressure was the result of not having a foundation of biblical knowledge. I prayed twice a day, but, no one including my pastor or Christian friends emphasized that worship included the daily and diligent study of the Scriptures. The word of God provides stability in one’s life and gives us wisdom to avoid situations that produce unnecessary pressures.

In 2019, the internal pressure manifested itself physically, and I began to suffer from migraine headaches and insomnia. But our God loves us with a love that we will never understand. I attended a Wednesday night Prayer Meeting and the sermon was on studying the Bible. In 2020, God instructed me to take steps [Prayer, Fasting, and Bible Study] that would give me the courage to have faith in Him. In 2021, God restarted my life by relocating me 1400 miles from the state I lived in for seven years.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. —Psalm 34:17-19

God’s promises are true: “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” —Numbers 23:19

Overcoming the pressures of life requires experiential knowledge of our Omniscient, Omnipotent, Loving, Heavenly Father! We can always rely on God to give us victory over the vicissitudes of life!

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14:27

The Bible is our Spiritual Guide—Holy Words breathed by the mouth of God! Remain faithful and obedient to God, and He will intervene to rid us of every pressure that prevents us from receiving the blessing of His peace. Yet, we have to take the giant leap of faith by presenting our pressures to Christ and then obeying His commands. Moving forward in obedience requires courage!

Do not expect family and friends to respect your decision to go all the way with God. And I am speaking from experience, keeping the seventh-day Sabbath caused me to lose 99% of my friends. After three decades, my family has finally accepted that my commitment to God is first and foremost. If we remain steadfast and persevere, God always gives us a victorious outcome!

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:29-30

Living a faithful life in obedience to God replaces the need to be validated by others. Yes, at times, we feel discouraged. Do not nurture those feelings! Begin praying out loud for the Holy Spirit to give you comfort and strength. Choose a praise song and begin singing to the top of your voice! Listen to praise and worship music, and study God’s promises. Remember we can whisper a prayer to Jesus any time of the day or night. Memorize Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:18-19

The Righteous have the blessing of God’s Grace—unmerited favor on their lives. When nothing in your life is working out and you feel the pressure that threatens to make you break, Pray, Surrender, and Seek God’s Presence.

God desires that we live joyful, healthy, and productive lives. Every pressure will be alleviated when we worship God through surrender and obedience. With much prayer and diligent study, we will see our lives as blessed and highly favored. The Holy Spirit will reveal the necessary life changes required to remove all obstacles that prevent us from living a pressure-free, Hallelujah! life. Amen.

Prayer: Lord God, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We pray for a spiritual makeover of our complex lives full of pressure from every angle. God, we thank You in advance for Your Divine Intervention. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

Following Christ in Challenging Times

Following Christ in Challenging Times Devotional Reading June 25, 2023

The Battle Within Can Be Won!

“…but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, I do.” —Romans 7:14-15

The Apostle Paul tells us that we were born with a carnal heart desiring the things that bring pleasure to our sinful hearts. Sin always appeals to our five “classical” senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch! In verse 15, Paul stated that he does what he hates. A major contrast between modern Christianity and the Apostle Paul is that we enjoy the sins we engage in.

Spiritual warfare had its beginning in heaven. Pagan concepts and idol worship have always threatened to sway Christians who are striving to live holy. Technological advances have bombarded us with pagan themes and concepts through advertising, online games, and social media. Unless one is viewing a Church’s Live Stream, the recording contains many ads which distract you from remaining focused on the worship service.

Reflection: Have I embraced pagan concepts and incorporated them into my lifestyle?

We cannot fight the battle of good versus evil and overcome our natural cravings for sinful pleasure because we have adopted gateway habits. Listening to secular music and watching programs with profanity and sexual overtures result in the inability to control one’s physical passions. Worldly activities change our thought processes and eliminate our desire to live righteously.

Even online games can pose an issue—demonic images, fantasy themes, and violence influence our minds and propel our senses into driving us to think and do unimaginable things–that believers should never engage in.

Why are Christian gambling in casinos or dancing in clubs? Why are Christians on the Internet Chats and Online Dating Sites? Why are we mean-spirited and readily use profanity when angry? Why are we drinking alcoholic beverages or using the gateway drug—marijuana? Why are we hanging out with unbelieving family members and friends?

When our hearts are not fully dedicated to God, we embrace and practice worldliness. Yes, we seek the people, places, and activities things that give us pleasurable entertainment.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12

Satan uses two false concepts to make us doubt God. First, that his power is equal to or greater than God’s Omnipotence. Secondly, God created human beings as a race of weaklings who cannot resist his ongoing temptations of spiritual warfare. Yet, we have Divine Intervention on our side! We can pray for Spiritual help 24/7.

“The LORD saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble. He helps them and rescues them; he saves them from the wicked, because they go to him for protection.” —Psalm 37:39-40

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” —2 Thessalonians 3:3

Read Job Chapter 1—God placed limitations on Satan that he could cause devastation in Job’s life, but he could not cause Job’s death. God reveals His Love and Omnipotence throughout the Bible, most notably, in parting the Red Sea to save the Nation of Israel and Jesus demonstrating His Divinity [while on this earth] by raising Lazarus four days post-mortem.

God’s Gifts to Humanity: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

God’s Promise to Help Us Against Satan: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” —1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

God’s Grace: “Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost.” We are saved from sin by the Grace of Jesus Christ. Trusting in Christ as our personal Savior, we may be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Every prayer of repentance is received by Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor who readily forgives us without limitations. Still, our part is to exhibit gratitude for Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross by putting forth the effort to shun sin.

Victory Over Temptation and Sin Requires Human Effort and Divine Intervention: The Apostle Paul proclaims, “Put on The Whole Armor of God!”

Human Effort: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:10-11, 13

Perspectives that keep us bound by Sin

We do not understand Grace and Mercy, Holiness, Righteousness, or Sanctification.
We do not understand the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
We view ourselves as helpless and do not exercise our God-given gifts of the power to say No or we fail to utilize self-control.
We love our habits, family, and friends more than we love Jesus!
We do not desire the reward of Eternal Life.

Because we exclude the Holy Spirit from our lives and attempt to define God’s precepts and standards with our perception of righteousness, we do not see our sinful condition as God does. ” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).

The Primary Obstacle Preventing Our Spiritual Transformation and Loyalty to God—” ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.’ ” —Mark 12:30

We cannot surrender our will to God if we do not love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Covered by the Umbrella of Surrender to God are the human characteristics of steadfast faith, trust, obedience, much prayer, and diligent study of the Scriptures.

God’s Call to Righteousness: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” —1 Peter 1:15-16

God’s Answer to Keeping Him First: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” —1 John 2:15-17

Although the innate desire to sin produces a continuous internal battle, through unceasing prayer to overcome temptation and a deliberate change of worldly habits, and changing the status of our relationships with unbelieving family and friends, God will not fail us!

Family and friends can be a challenge when your relationships are close and socialize with each other frequently. Pray for strength!

There is a strategy that always works when separating yourself and severing close ties with unbelieving family members and friends, inviting them to church and Bible study. Either they will separate themselves from you or they have recognized a change in your behavior and will accept your invitation.

From our prayers for Divine Help, the Holy Spirit responds immediately and gives us the spiritual strength to say, “No” to our feelings” or “No thank you” to the people whom Satan is using to trap us. An interesting concept is that unbelievers are unaware that Satan is using them to tempt you to sin. Do not become upset or annoyed when your family and friends know that you are a Christian, but they ask you to go to worldly social activities.

To be tempted is not a sin! Even Jesus was tempted. Our response to the temptations reveals whether or not we will sin. Jesus died for us to have another option to the wages of sin. It takes courage along with the desire to live holy and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to live as an Overcomer.

Throughout the ages, we have men and women who have walked closely with God. Even the Scriptures reveal biblical characters who remained faithful and never sinned against God: Joseph, Enoch, Elijah, and Job lived sinless lives.

If they lived holy by exercising courage and making the decision to renounce sin along with continuous prayers for Divine strength then we can live holy in these challenging times. Use your God-given gift of a sound mind to make the decisions necessary to receive Eternal Life.

God is aware of the plight of humanity! His love and compassion are evident in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible and most importantly, He demonstrated His Perfect Love by giving Jesus to die for us. Embrace and express thankfulness for God’s never-ending grace and mercy every day.

When Elijah ran from a death threat, thinking he was the only one left serving God, our loving Father reminded him that He had many faithful worshipers. “So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” God’s Reply: “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him’ ” (1 Kings 19:10, 14, and 18).

For Elijah’s faithfulness, He was translated—God sent a heavenly chariot for His weary prophet that took Elijah to heaven without seeing death! [2 Kings Chapter 2].

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Brothers and Sisters, we need to view our lives from a spiritual perspective. If we die in Christ, we will be raised first! Many will be alive when Jesus comes again! But only those who have renounced sin in their earthly lives will be translated and receive eternal life.

Following Christ in these perilous times (2 Timothy 3) requires that we give up every sinful habit and distraction. We must continue to love everyone, yet, any person who prevents us from receiving our golden crowns, linen robes, and immortality in a perfect world has to be distanced.

God is calling us to be holy. Will you answer His call?

Scripture: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” —1 Corinthians 6:20

Prayer: Lord God, we come as we are before You asking for forgiveness of our hidden sins and overt habits. We desire to follow Jesus in these challenging times. Lord, we need the strength, wisdom, and discernment from the Holy Spirit to renounce sin. Hear our prayer, Lord, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and we will give You the honor and the glory that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Matchless name, we pray. Amen.

God’s Spirit is Withdrawing From the Earth–Preparing for Eternal Life

The following quote from John Bradshaw summarizes our world’s spiritual and moral decline.

In recent times, the world has witnessed events that just a few years ago might have seemed unbelievable. Flooding, record temperatures, and devastating fires have given evidence that our planet is fragile. Traditional moral values have been turned upside down, while defenders of biblical standards have been ridiculed. Social media has become an ocean of unbridled anger and malice. Cancel culture ruins lives, careers, and reputations.

Politics has become openly hostile, seemingly devoid of the collegiality that once characterized political discourse. The lingering COVID-19 crisis revealed that in no time at all, the attention of the entire world can be fixed on a single, polarizing issue. John Bradshaw, It is Written

“And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” Genesis 6:3

“So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” Genesis 6:12

There are 8 billion people on this earth. Can you imagine that only a few would be saved and receive eternal life? Humanity is on a rapid and progressive journey toward the time of Noah. Many who were steadfastly serving God have fallen because of their carnal desires. Biblical prophecies are being fulfilled, yet, we continue to live casual, carefree lives.

Satan has introduced the noise of entertainment, the sports arena, politics, social unrest, violence, and addiction to social media to distract the people of God. Yet, the greatest entry into a believer’s life is from unequal relationships between believers and unbelievers. “Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

We have become mesmerized by the intentional deception of preaching false interpretations of the Scriptures. How is the prosperity message being tolerated and accepted in many of our churches? The reason for the popularity of false prosperity messages is our desire for earthly treasure. The line separating need from greed is blurred. We desire tangible things that we can see with our eyes.

A recent survey among Christians reveals that only one in nine studies the Bible every day. Our interest in fulfilling our heart”s desires has resulted in a disinterest in studying and obeying God’s commands in the Bible.

Baptism by immersion is only practiced by a few Bible-based churches. Witnessing to others and community outreach participation by members are almost non-existent. Most Prayer meetings and Bible studies are virtual because of the low attendance in-house. Weekly church attendance is not indicative of a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ.

The time is now for an honest, self-reflection and praying the prayer of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Human Effort: Serving God requires an intentional mindset of striving to be holy. “…Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus lived as a man who was tempted like we are, yet, He did not sin. It is impossible to live holy without praying for the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. Our commitment involves putting God first and seeking His guidance in every area of our lives.

Divine Intervention: “I will send you the Helper from the Father. The Helper is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me. And you will tell people about me too because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27, ERV)

The human effort of daily surrender, faith, obedience, perseverance, prayer, and Bible study prepares us for the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In these last days of earth’s history, we need God’s Divine Intervention to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Although the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth, from the whisper of a prayer, we can have the Spirit of God within us to lead, teach, and give us spiritual wisdom and discernment.

Bible Study: Acts 3, The Day of Pentecost

Prayer: God, we desperately need Your help. We commit our hearts to you and ask to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. Thank You for your Divine Intervention. We pray for knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray, Amen.

Watch “How to Pray Like Jesus (Impact Others Now!) | Mark Finley – Sermon” on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/live/Ae-20kLOyOs?feature=share

Jesus, The Lamb of God

Jesus, The Lamb of God Sabbath Devotional Reading, June 23-24, 2023

For most of my life, I have possessed a sense of dread when thinking about the prophetic visions that the Apostle John was given in Revelation. Thankfully, in January, God intervened and allowed me to enroll in a free six-month spiritually intensive, online guided study of the Book of Revelation by Pastor Mark Finley. My dread has turned into joyful anticipation!

The Book of Revelation identifies that Jesus Wins and Satan Loses the Spiritual Battle of God versus Evil. Sin and evil will be abolished. The Bible leaves no room for doubt: God will destroy the wicked! “Though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed” (Psalm 92). There is no eternally burning hell [ Read Malachi 4:1 and Revelation 20:7-9]. The battle was won on the Cross when Jesus, the Lamb said, “It is Finished!” Hallelujah! Amen!

Revelation is filled with heavenly promises for the righteous!

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ “—1 Corinthians 2:9

The purpose of the book of Revelation and the prophecies are for our spiritual preparation while on this earth. In John chapter 14, Jesus promises to prepare a forever home for us and that He would come to give the faithful their reward [Revelation 22:12]. Yes, those who have loved Jesus and renounced sin by seeking and obeying “God’s Will” receive immortality and live in the New Heaven and New Earth forever and ever with Jesus, the Lamb of God.

All Things Made New—Revelation 21:1-5

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ “

Revelation fills us with hope! Jesus knows that our earthly journey is tough! Still, He has revealed the most wonderful visions of the New Heaven and New Earth so we will not become discouraged and hopeless. All Christians should be excited about the heavenly future. Our spiritual goal is to see and live with King Jesus.

The Lamb of God

Throughout the book of Revelation, many verses are referring to the Lamb. Who or what does the Lamb represent?

John the apostle who wrote the book of Revelation is the same disciple who wrote the Gospel of John [He refers to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved] answers our question in John chapter 1, verse 29: “The next day John [this is John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” —John 1:29.

From reading the Four Gospels, we have documentation from two of Jesus’ disciples and two of Jesus’ followers who witnessed John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, the Lamb of God. The record of John the Baptist and his baptism of Jesus occurs not only in Matthew 3:13–17 but in Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22, and John 1:29–34.

John the Disciple Also Describes Jesus as the Eternal Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” —John 1:1-5

End Time Events

John, the Apostle while exiled on the Isle of Patmos was taken into vision and shown the events that will happen at the end of time [before Jesus comes] including the rise of a counterfeit religious system represented by the Beast, the Second Coming of Jesus, Destruction of Satan and the wicked, and the beautiful New Heaven and New Earth.

After Jesus comes and the righteous live in heaven for one thousand literal years: Despite the false teaching of an eternal hell and our lack of understanding of God’s definition of “forever when referring to wickedness”, Revelation chapter 20, verses 13-15 describes the Second Death which is the annihilation of all sin. Satan, his angels, and the wicked will be literally destroyed.

Life for the Redeemed!

In Revelation chapter 19, verse 11, John writes, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, He judges and makes war.” But Jesus also allowed John to see the Holy City and the New Heaven and the New Earth.

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” —Revelation 19:16

“They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ ” —Revelation 15:3

Who are “They?” The Apostle John provides us with the answer in verse 2. “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” —Revelation 15:2. [Fire is a symbol of the Presence of God. See Exodus 13:21.]

“They” are the redeemed saints who overcame all of Satan’s temptations and upheld God’s Truth in their hearts [minds] despite the false doctrines that flood the earth right before Jesus comes again. Yes, the righteous saints who were faithful and obedient to God’s commandments, and loyal to God even if it meant dying for their beliefs are “standing on the sea of glass having the harps of God.”

Jesus, the Lamb of God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords is the heart and soul of the entire Bible, not only in the Four Gospels and the book of Revelation.

The Bible provides us with a spiritual foundation of the Love, Grace, Mercy, and Character of Jesus, the Lamb, our Lord, and Savior. A starting point for studying the life of Christ—the Books of Genesis and the Four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We cannot be faithful to Christ or fulfill our calling and service of discipleship without a firm knowledge of who Christ is and the Scriptural promises. When we are indecisive about surrendering our total mind, body, and soul to Christ, we view Revelation as condemnation.

Revelation Causes the Righteous to Rejoice!

“Fear God, give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” — Revelation 14:7

When our lives are in alignment with the will of God, the book of Revelation provides the blessed hope of eternal life for the righteous who strived to be faithful and obedient in their earthly lives. Even though we have failed in our obedience to God, we can begin a new life in Christ by repenting of our sins right now and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.

“My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” —Isaiah 26:9

The Bible is a Treasury of God’s Love, Redemption, Promises, and Power

As humans, we have a lot of responsibilities to attend to, but it’s important to prioritize our salvation. Eliminate any distractions that hinder your ability to worship and honor God every day. Dedicate yourself to studying the Bible and gaining knowledge about Jesus, the Lamb of God. Our ultimate spiritual objectives should be to develop a loving relationship with Christ and secure our place in His Eternal Kingdom.

Make a definitive plan to begin studying Genesis and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Consistent Bible study is a matter of the heart. We get rid of distractions and set aside time to begin and build our spiritual relationship with Jesus because our heart is filled with love for the Lamb of God.
The timeline for studying these five books of the Bible should be at least six months. Do not rush through your journey of learning! Studying the Bible produces spiritual transformation. As an infant matures into a child and then an adult, we grow daily according to the Holy Spirit’s determination.
Narrow your focus by getting rid of distractions and choose a secluded place to study. “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6). Although this verse refers to praying when studying the Bible, one needs solitude to receive spiritual clarity from the Holy Spirit.
Always pray and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher to give you wisdom and discernment of the Truth. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” —John 14:26
Do not be intimidated by the complexity of the Scriptures. Use your measure of faith to believe that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit will give you spiritual discernment of every Scripture you study. The Holy Spirit never overwhelms us. Pray if you do not understand the Scriptures. You may or may not receive your answer immediately. The Holy Spirit is creative and has many ways to reveal the wisdom of the Bible. Use your faith to trust Him!
Recommendation: From personal experience, Do not discuss your studies with other individuals until you have a firm knowledge of the Scriptures. Forget traditional beliefs and avoid erroneous ideas! Satan will use others to give you their interpretation of the Scriptures to discourage you and fill your mind with doubt and confusion. Rely totally on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We are guaranteed that the Spirit of God will reveal all truth to us.
Always acquiesce and let the Spirit of God lead and direct you: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Studying the Scriptures transforms your mind, heart, and life!

King David proclaimed: “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.” —Psalm 119:10-12

Brothers and Sisters, We Are Nearing Home!

For us to accept Righteousness by Faith which serves as a foundation of our salvation and spiritual growth, we must know more about Jesus Christ. Diligently studying the Bible, much praying, along with the desire to surrender, obey, and give our hearts to Jesus is the only way we will be standing on the Sea of Glass worshiping King Jesus, the Most Precious Lamb of God!

Scripture Reading: “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

Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for giving the apostle John the visions that reveal Your Victory over hell, death, and the grave. We also thank You for Your great sacrifice so that we may be saved from the wages of sin and have the opportunity if we choose to live with You forever and ever. Lord, we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We ask for strength, wisdom, and the discernment of the Holy Scriptures. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.

Happy Sabbath—All Glory and Honor to the Lamb of God!

The Hidden Spiritual Sins of Christian Believers

The Hidden Spiritual Sins of Christian Believers Devotional Reading, June 22, 2023

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…” Romans 8:5, (first part)

We are in a continuous daily and intense spiritual battle against our carnal desires. With so few Christians studying the Bible, either Christian believers do not have knowledge of God’s expectations, or they possess biblical knowledge and are committing prevalent spiritual sins against God that are hidden from others, yet, they are not hidden from God.

Our Hidden Sins

Failure to live Holy and Righteous lives as evidenced by our lifestyles.
Failure to worship God every day through prayer and Bible Study.
Failure to pray for wisdom and discernment before studying the Holy Scriptures.
Failure to repent of one’s sins [intentional and unknown sins] every day.
Failure to seek God’s guidance in every aspect of life.
Failure to seek God’s will and plans through prayer.
Failure to forgive or ask forgiveness for wronging others.
Failure to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.
Failure to use one’s spiritual gifts and talents.
Failure to live according to God’s Righteous Standards.
Failure to acknowledge that time is a precious gift from God.
Failure to attend church if physically able.
Failure to give tithe and offerings.
Failure to use God-given financial resources to help those in need.
Failure to live a healthy lifestyle—taking care of your mind and body which are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Failure to believe in the Triune God, God, the Father, God, Jesus the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.
Failure to believe in the Supernatural and Divine Healing and Delivering Power of God.
Failure to believe that God breathed the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit spoke to righteous men to write the Holy Words of God.
Failure to believe in the entire Bible—the Old and New Testaments.
Failure to obey and acknowledge the Ten Commandments were never invalidated by God.
Failure to honor the Creation Seventh-Day Sabbath—Friday sunset to Saturday sunset due to tradition, fear, or disobedience.
Failure to accept the Creation biblical theology as the basis for this world and for all life.
Failure to reverence and honor the Sovereignty of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Failure to live a Bible-based, Christ-Centered life.
Failure to do one’s part in changing their character—seeking to possess the Fruit of the Spirit.
Failure to acknowledge Jesus’ Second Coming by not actively preparing —striving to live righteously every day.

“Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” —Leviticus 20:7

If your thoughts are “then who can be saved?” Jesus’ answer: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” —Matthew 5:8

We can never make our hearts pure. The concept of self-government is a false belief and is unachievable! Because we inherited sinful minds, [our hearts] always gravitate toward wrongdoing. Yet, our situation is not hopeless! The human effort of praying and striving to possess a spirit of humility, obedience, and total surrender of our hearts and will to God every day demonstrates our willingness to do our part in the Plan of Salvation.

” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

Our habits of impatience, having a mean spirit, a sharp tongue that speaks angry, hurtful words, telling the truth with the intent to hurt the other person, or becoming angry when another driver speeds up to cut in front of us may appear to be minor, but they are evidence of an unrighteous character. We humbly accept that we cannot judge ourselves by our innate unrighteousness.

The Bible is our Spiritual Mirror!

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Hebrew 4:12

The Bible is the only Good Book that gives us God’s perspective of sin and righteousness. The Holy Scriptures not only give us the spiritual knowledge of God’s character but also His expectations of Christ’s followers. The false belief that we do not have to study the Bible originated from Satan.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22

Every employer, even the self-employed have and enforce structure and policy guidelines. We choose to accept Christ as our personal Savior. And with that choice, we do not get to live according to our desires or our version of God’s Truth. With Scriptural knowledge, faith, trust, and obedience, we proclaim our love and loyalty to God.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…” —Hosea 4:6, [first part]

We will not have the desire to faithfully serve and obey a God who we do not know. Those who have access to the Bible and chose not to study will be held accountable by God at the time of Judgment.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

With so many requirements who can be saved? Everyone who is willing to surrender and commit themselves to God. We need to pray several times a day to overcome the sinful habits which prevent our spiritual transformation from having the righteous characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we receive daily the overwhelming love, grace, and mercy to live righteously. Our works alone can never achieve righteousness living and Sanctification—daily spiritual transformation. It is through God’s grace that we receive the Mighty Transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change our character!

To live righteously without Divine Intervention every day is impossible. But why are we attempting to live without God’s help when He has promised to never leave us or forsake us?

Reflection: Do I desire to obediently travel the journey [leading to the spiritual transformation] required to receive my reward of eternal life in Revelation 22:12?

From love, Jesus created us as free moral agents. And He will never intrude or coerce us to change. But, if we make the decision to renounce sin and go all the way with our Savior, Jesus Christ then we have Scriptural Promises that Divine Help is available for us 24/7 when we pray and ask.

God’s Gifts to Humanity: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

God knows that we cannot save ourselves. The Human Effort of obedience, surrender, praying, diligently studying the Bible, asking for wisdom and discernment, and intentionally avoiding sinful activities are not above and beyond our God-given capabilities.

Scripture Readings

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” —Matthew 7:7

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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 4:15-16

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” —Hebrews 13:5-6

Prayer: God, we come to You in prayer because we are weak and are in desperate need of Your Divine Intervention to save our souls. We ask for the forgiveness of living according to our sinful standards. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, reveal the changes that we need to make in our lives so that we may serve You in humility and obedience. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

The Gift of a Sound Mind

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 1 Timothy 1:7

A baby is born with the ability to thrive. In fact, the first twelve months produce an accelerated rate of growth and development. The only fear that develops is the innate “stranger danger” between six and nine months. Many children are exposed to counterproductive stimuli during maturity which prevents healthy spiritual, mental, and emotional development. The unhealthy atmosphere of a home void of love produces fear, unhappiness, and the failure to thrive.

Let me tell you a personal story. Many years ago, we had the privilege of our three grandchildren, ages 4, 6, and 9, living with us for one year. They were fearful, had insomnia, and constantly argued with each other. One day, I watched a few of their programs and was shocked at the physical violence and derogatory words in a children’s anime. We met to discuss a simple but effective performance improvement plan the next day.

We did a store run to purchase crayons, coloring books, scissors, markers, glue, construction paper, children’s books, balls, dolls, and containers of blowing bubbles. Since I had an extra laptop, they were taught the simple basics of navigating to Youtube to watch nonviolent programs. But their favorite activities were learning to swim and visiting the park to run and play. The complex had a pond with ducks where they lost their fear of animals by feeding them bread scraps. Watching and playing with electronic gadgets had a limit of two hours a day.

The change was immediate. Two of the children possessed an advanced level of artistic drawing. Spats and bickering became nonexistent, except for the struggle over specific colors of pencils, markers, and crayons. Yes, I could have purchased separate drawing utensils, but they needed to learn the values of cooperation and sharing. The refrigerator was covered with their art. Daily simple tasks were given to teach and assist their young minds in understanding gratification from a job well done. The reward of receiving hugs, kisses, and frequently hearing “I love you” changed little warriors into happy and loving children who respected each other.

Now, we focus on refuting the belief that our past defines our present and future. Your childhood determines your adult life because you do not know who God is. He is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnibenevolent, and our loving Heavenly Father.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:7. Focusing on our limited abilities [because God gave us a finite mind] prevents spiritual, mental, and emotional growth.

1 Timothy 1:7 is a scripture that reminds us of the innate qualities that God created us with. A sound mind requires ongoing learning by seeking credible knowledge, discovering and developing your natural talents, and learning new skills. Biblical knowledge from studying the scriptures results in faith, trust, and confidence that God is in control. Power is courage! We are not afraid of life or the challenges that we face.

Satan desires to minimize God’s power and attempts to deceive us to believe that he is all-powerful. In reading Job chapter 1, it is evident that our archenemy has God-given limits: “‘All right, you may test him,’ the Lord said to Satan. ‘Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.’ So Satan left the Lord’s presence.” Job 1:12.

Just a side note: God can destroy Satan now if He desires. And Satan is aware of this and functions inside of God’s boundaries. Satan obeys God’s limits, yet the human beings created in God’s image have the irreverence and boldness fed from pride to openly and continuously disobey our Creator.

The Apostle Paul was young Timothy’s spiritual mentor. In 1 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds and reprimands his protege for the fear he possessed, afraid to suffer for Jesus.

Fear is like a tornado producing destruction in all areas of our lives. Fear’s bitter, rotten fruits are anxiety, worry, nervousness, timidness, depression, sadness, and pessimistic thoughts. Fear impedes progress! Do not embrace this destructive emotion that is based on nonexistent realities!

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” “Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

Created from God’s Ultimate Love, we were born with everything required to live productive, happy lives. God is aware of the dysfunction that sin causes in our maturity from children to adults. How is retraining our minds and leaving the past behind possible? With God, ALL things are possible!

“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now, it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.….” Isaiah 43:18-19

Learning and reminding ourselves of these scriptures

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14)
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7)
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)
“No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:10-12)

We are in a new season of our lives. It is time for us to become the soldiers God created us to be. Discover your hidden talents and spiritual gifts by praying and asking God to reveal your purpose. Disciples are fearless because we believe that God loves us and will always sustain us. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24). In Jesus’ name. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Steps2successwithsolutions.com and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Faith in Inspired History [The Battle of Accepting the False Concepts of Evolution]

Good morning, I am sharing a daily Devotional today because many Christians are accepting concepts of evolution over the written word of God regarding creation. Have a blessed day.