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Traveling in Safety

Traveling in Safety Devotional Reading and Podcast

Yesterday, I watched an interesting story of a woman [age 40 +] who restarted her life after a divorce. Her desire was always to travel. But could she live a rugged life with the uncertainties of which direction am I going in and where will I stay overnight? What about the finances? She weighed her life experience against the fear of the unknown and move forward by converting a cargo van [without windows] into a tiny home that revealed amazing creativity and functionality.

As she spoke about planning the van’s conversion, her primary goal in designing was to ensure her safety. A solo woman living the van life must always be on the alert. One of her never will do this–boondocking in isolated places. The best advice for those thinking about living full-time in a traveling home is to always be highly observant of your surroundings and join an online community of travelers eager to share their knowledge, wisdom, and experience to maintain a peaceful and safe lifestyle on the road.

As I thought about the intentional steps this van lifer took to ensure her physical safety and overall well-being, I reflected on the believer’s life. Is spiritual safety a priority for us? We know that Satan is our greatest enemy, yet, we have another enemy within. ” But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14).

Ensuring our spiritual safety requires prayer, self-denial, and self-control.

Even the most disciplined person has a point of weakness. Learning and practicing self-denial and self-control is a joint effort and requires the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. Even the apostle Paul had to admit that he was a slave to sin, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15, NIV).

Can you imagine a godly man who wrote most of the New Testament confessing that he also struggled with sin? Yet that same godly man also gave us the answer to staying safe in our spiritual journey, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Maintaining the Highest Level of Spiritual Safety in Our Journey of Life

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Human Effort: Our safety foundation begins with a steadfast relationship with Christ. We must possess faith, trust, and obedience as core spiritual traits. Praying, Studying the Scriptures, Asking for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit, and Evaluating our thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyle are daily responsibilities in keeping us spiritually safe. With a strong determination, we strive for the character traits of the Fruit of the Spirit.

What do you watch and listen to? What is on your enjoyment list? Who is in your social circle? “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Paul advises us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves with the community of believers. Maintaining spiritual safety includes having friends and mentors who help us stay on the Path of Righteousness through their prayers, joyful conversations, and godly advice.

Divine Intervention: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it”(John 14:14). “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).

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

An intentional sin is an act of wilful disobedience. And that is a heart problem of disloyalty against God. Even if we do not commit intentional sins, we face spiritual warfare every day that places us in danger of compromising our relationship with God. “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 6:13).

One of Satan’s best tactics is to deceive us by using our friends and family. Never say yes when asked to participate in any social function that does not glorify God. The best response is, “I have to pray about it” or “No, I am unable to do that.” And never apologize for turning down the invitation to engage in sinful activities.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Our Value to God: There is another aspect of maintaining our spiritual safety that many of us never think about, we forget that our worth was determined by Christ before humanity was created. When we pray and meditate on whom we belong to and the price that Jesus paid for our redemption, we realize that we are recipients of the greatest gift given to humanity by our loving Savior.

And Jesus tells us, “…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).

Although we can never anticipate the time or type of temptation, the Holy Spirit will make us aware it is Satan’s entrapment that has a dangerous outcome. To maintain our spiritual safety, every day we must stay spiritually alert by staying connected to the Source and Sustainer of our lives. Renounce every enticement of sin and learn to “Just say, No!” even if it originates from the desires of your heart.

Prayer: God, we confess the desires of our hearts are not in alignment with your will and plans for our lives. Lord, forgive us for placing ourselves in danger of sinning against You. We pray for Divine strength as we travel through this earthly journey. Thank you, for the Holy Spirit and the angels who protect us from spiritual warfare and physical harm. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.

© 2023 Steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

Come Back to God

Come Back to God Devotional Reading and Podcast

“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, ‘You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.’ Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.” 1 Kings 11:1-2

Within the past two years have you grown closer to God? The answer to the question appears to be a simple yes or no, but an in-depth reflection of the time we spend in daily worship and our lifestyle choices reveals the love in our hearts for God and the status of our relationship with Christ.

We live in a culture where people have a lot to say, but they rarely listen unless it is for financial gain or enjoyment. There are more discussions on relationships, politics, social injustices, travel, food, and the pursuit of [our] happiness than the Plan of Salvation, Righteousness by Faith, and the Second Coming of Jesus. Even in most Christian social functions, we rarely discuss God.

There was a time when Christians prayed and diligently studied the Bible, but the lack of scriptural knowledge is rapidly increasing because we are distracted. Like King Solomon, we have interacted and formed deadly relationships with those without desire for eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

We have allowed earthly pleasures and our agendas to separate us from God. Yet, this is not without a price. The disruptions that disturb our peace have left us weary and disoriented. Because God is no longer first our first response to resolve challenges and hardships is to rely on ourselves, or to contact family and friends for answers.

Sadly, at a time when biblical prophecies are being fulfilled, our primary focus is no longer on God. The natural disasters, nuclear weapon preparation, threats of war retaliation, and those appearing godly are the signs of last-day prophecies being fulfilled. Since 2020, we have had an uncontrollable global virus with a history of developing new variants that are still wreaking havoc globally and causing a burden on the healthcare arena.

King Solomon was blessed with wisdom and wealth but he gave into his carnal desires of lustful pleasures. Satan has 6,00o years of experience deceiving people on the planet Earth. There was a time that Christians were dedicated to Christ and appreciated His sacrificial gift to redeem us from our sins. Sadly like King Solomon, we have chosen the temporary pleasures of sin to tear us away from God.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV).

We have made ourselves an idol. Self-worship is demonstrated by our decision to put God on hold by pursuing whatever is desirable to our hearts. Even so, satisfying our desires and actions comes with a price resulting in spiritual bankruptcy! We now have a generation of Christians who are apathetic and unaware of the time we are living in.

The people who claim that we serve God under His Banner of Truth are fragmented more than ever. Instead of proclaiming Jesus as a Loving Savior who died and rose again for the salvation of humanity, we are pursuing our agendas. Many are beyond feeling remorseful for turning away from God. We feel that we are living our best lives and are happily satisfied with our decisions.

The Call to Repentance: “Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 1:3

Because we serve a Loving and Merciful God, Jesus is pleading with us to repent and come back to God. We are no match for spiritual warfare! All of heaven is concerned for humanity. God, the Father, and the angels watched Jesus, the Commander of Heaven and Earth die a gruesome and humiliating death on the cross that He did not deserve.

With love, Jesus gave His life for the redemption of people who would never love Him back or lose their love for Him because they are pursuing the desires of the heart. We are losing the race against time. It’s time that we return to our first love, Jesus Christ. Our decision to renounce sin is a matter of life and death! God requires loyal, faithful, obedient men and women of God. And those character traits are only possible if we possess a heart filled with love for God.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8).

Prayer: God, we ask for the forgiveness of our sins. We pray an Intercessory prayer for those who have lost their first love. We ask for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts and remind them of the matchless love of Christ and His plans for them to live eternally with Him. We also pray they will choose life by returning to God and dedicating their lives to His service. In Jesus’ worthy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

Wanted: Disciples Who Will “Follow Me”

Wanted: Disciples Who Will “Follow Me” Devotional Reading and Podcast

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)

Matthew was of Jewish descent but worked for the Roman government as a tax collector. He was despised by the other Jews because of his habit of overcharging and oppressing those whom he collected taxes from. Yet, Jesus knew there was something in Matthew’s heart that yearned to know the truth. Jesus gave the command, “Follow me” [that has the option to say no] to Matthew and he followed.

Matthew walked away from his life to obey Christ and become a disciple including his financially lucrative position. He chose the Kingdom of God over money. Yes, Matthew gave up everything to follow Christ.

In the Scriptures, there are examples of others that Jesus called, the rich, young ruler, and the man who was in mourning for the death of a family member who chose not to follow Jesus. They were unable to become disciples because of their love for traditional beliefs and worldly possessions. Denial reveals their earthly priorities. Like many today who desire to serve God, yet, they are unwilling to give up all that is required to become one of Christ’s disciples.

Jesus says, “Follow Me” but the unspoken words “Not by Force” is understood by the fact that we were created with the free will of choice. Many will accept Christ as their personal Savior, but they do not desire to be a faithful and obedient disciple. Satan has deceived many Christians into thinking that we can develop the description of discipleship.

When an individual applies for a position the company’s advertisement must include a job description. The interviewer provides a breakdown of the duties required for the position. An experienced job-seeker is aware that the flexibility of the position is minimal. Usually, there are only a couple of negotiable areas, the starting salary and the work hours.

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ” (Mark 8:34)

Every person who accepts Christ as their personal Savior has the job description of being a full-time disciple. The difference between the employer’s job description and Jesus’ disciple, we are accountable to God 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Christians follow Christ–we move in the same direction and obey God’s will and plans.

Disciple’s Job Description: We are called to love and lead people to Christ. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Mindset and Behaviors of a Disciple–

True Disciples Follow Jesus, the Leader
Faithful, Obedient, and Live a Sacrificial Life
Called to leave everyone and everything
Prioritize by always having Jesus first

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

We receive the discernment and power to use our spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit. Not everyone has the same gifts. Whether we are part of an Outreach Ministry in our church or have been directed to use our gifts in other ways, God never leaves us guessing about our role in discipleship. Praying and studying the Bible are the ways that we receive spiritual nourishment and God’s guidance.

God knows that most have secular jobs that require at least 40 hours a week. Even so, we are always required to put God first. Our godly lifestyle, our behaviors of demonstrating love and kindness, and the gentle tone of our spoken words portray the love of Christ which are non-verbal ways of witnessing.

God has allowed humanity to make advancements in technology for the advancement of the Gospel of Salvation. We can use our time to post an encouraging Scripture or make a video witnessing the love of Jesus every day on social media. Yet, we also have the responsibility to “Go!” We can volunteer at a food pantry or homeless shelter once a week. When at the store, we can easily say, God loves you. The diverse ways to use our gifts are endless.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

We are accountable to God for how we used or wasted our talents [spiritual gifts] and our time. In reading Matthew chapter 25, verses 31 to 46, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. The goats are also Christians who did not perform their duties of discipleship during their lifetime on earth.

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:44-46).

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work (Revelation 22:12).

When Jesus comes, His reward is not based on weekly church attendance or tithe and offerings. Daily study of the Bible is to be utilized for spiritual growth and for sharing Scriptures with others. We have neighbors who know nothing about Jesus. It is our work as a disciple, the time we spent witnessing and caring for others that Jesus will reward.

Who will tell them? We are called to lead people to Jesus, the Savior of the world. Our commitment to Christ is all or nothing. Remember, it is the non-negotiable duty of all disciples to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

Prayer: God, we pray for forgiveness for not fulfilling our role as a disciple. We ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the boldness to tell others about Jesus. Give us guidance and direction to use our spiritual gifts for Your honor and glory. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2023 Steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

Where is Your Loyalty?

Where is Your Loyalty? Devotional Reading and Podcast

Where is your allegiance? If you are unsure, measure yourself with these Spiritual Traits.

My Heart belongs to Christ

I am Praying without ceasing
I am Studying the Scriptures
I am Redeemed by His Grace
I am Committed to His Purposes
I am Empowered by His Holy Spirit
I am Faithfully Trusting His Plans
I am Obedient to His Commands
I am Traveling on the Path of Righteousness
I am Willing to Face Death for His Cause

We were created to live eternally with God. The Plan of Salvation was not an afterthought. The All-knowing [Omniscient] God accepted Jesus’ sacrificial gift to willingly die for us before humanity was created. The unequaled love that redeems us from sin also immediately forgives us of our sins when we repent.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

The righteous can expect a life of struggle. Yes, we will suffer from hardships and sorrows. There is no other way to build our faith and change our character to have the attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23].

Preparation for eternal life begins in our earthly journey. Spiritual transformation is lifelong and requires human effort and Divine Intervention. Our relationship with Christ enables us to receive His Agape love throughout our lives. Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and empower us to stay on the Path of Righteousness.

God has provided us with the Holy Spirit to teach, direct, and give us spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment. Our guardian angels protect us from physical harm and unseen spiritual warfare every moment. In the Holy Scriptures, God has revealed signs of the last days and the end time.

But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

According to Matthew chapter 24 and the book of Revelation, we are living in the last days. The union of state [government] and the [false] church is the fulfillment of one of the prophecies in Revelation that indicates the end of time. Although the prophecy has not occurred yet, we must pray for discernment of the Scriptures as we diligently prepare for eternal life.

As long as we are faithful, loyal, and obedient, we are guaranteed that Jesus is committed to saving us. “…Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6).

“He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:8)

“For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3).

You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay (Hebrews 10:36-37).

Where is your loyalty?

Prayer: God, we pray for those who are in the valley of indecision that they will give up their earthly pursuits and wholeheartedly serve You. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.