Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Answered Prayer: And whatever you ask in My name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14).

Corporate prayers [in church or other religious events] differ from individual prayers. We are to pray with humility revealing every unrighteous thought and action to God. And we are to pray a specific prayer asking God for our needs [which He promises to supply] and our desires [within His will].

Throughout the Bible, there is a common occurrence: praying specific prayers.

Moses prays for water: …For three days, they walked through the desert, but found no water. 23 Then they came to a place called Marah, but the water there was so bitter that they could not drink it. That is why it was named Marah. 24 The people complained to Moses and asked, “What are we going to drink?” 25 Moses prayed earnestly to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the water; and the water became fit to drink. (Exodus 15:22-25)

David’s prayer of confession for adultery and premeditated murder: “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…” (Psalm 51:3-4)

Elisha’s prayer for his fearful servant: “Then Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!’ The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.’ (2 Kings 6:17)

Jesus’ prayer for the unbelievers: “And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!'” (John 11:41-43)

Recently, I heard a testimony of someone who said, “It is the secret sins that we have a problem with naming and confessing to God.” Why? “Because pride or shame keeps us from confronting [by verbalizing] our specific sins that no one else knows but God.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Our secret closet prayers reflect the desire to have intimacy with God. We are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who calls us His “friend.” And it is a relationship that has no equal on this earth. Yet, we are disciples–followers of Jesus Christ. Be intentional with your prayers of confession and repentance, and for God to reveal His plans for your life. Make a covenant with God to overcome and live a faithful and obedient life with His help. Our goal is to hear, “Well-done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Prayer: God, our secret sins of pride and disobedience causes us not to outwardly confess to You. Still, you know every thought and action we think and do every day. Forgive us for the sin of deception and the pretense of living double lives. We pray for the strength to tell Satan “to get behind us” when tempted. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

Yesterday, I visited Melbourne Beach and noticed two things that the other beaches do not have, parking meters and a lifeguard. A good time at the beach would cost 25 cents for every six minutes of fun in the sun. Yet, something was quite unusual. The swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers had area and distance boundaries set by the lifeguard. I imagine for safety reasons.

At 76 degrees, the clouds were a beautiful contrast against the blue sky. Yet, something was out of sync. The same cooling, gentle breeze I enjoyed had a different effect on the water. Within minutes of my arrival, the water became boisterous–choppy with large waves. The force was so strong that even those standing knee-deep were knocked down. All but two surfers left the water.

I can only imagine the defeat of those who dared to challenge the force of the water. Even so, after being knocked down a couple of times or realizing you’re fatigued from swimming against the current is when you give in and get out of the merciless ocean. Yes, enough is enough. Unfortunately, the battle of human versus nature is a losing battle.

Then I watched nature change her mood. The puffy clouds disappeared as an ombre [white, grey, and black] angry cloud blanket with lightning covered the sky. It was time to retreat to another area far from the ocean. Within a few minutes of leaving, the torrential downpour started and continued until three to five inches of water accumulated as evidence of the power of nature.

Although the lifeguard was on the beach, he gathered his things and left when the storm came. The storm reminded me of how quickly our lives can change from all-is-well to being bombarded with challenges beyond our ability to resolve them. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)

After the joyous time of Jesus teaching, healing the sick, and feeding the 5,000 plus people, the disciples never expected to face a raging storm. “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.” (Matthew 14:24). Even the experienced fishermen among the disciples realized that a storm of this magnitude was a death sentence. Yet, this was a test of their [non-existent] faith. Were these the same men that just watched Jesus pray and multiply a boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish?

“And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear.'” (Matthew 14:26)

Jesus’ disciples, who just witnessed one of His greatest miracles, were tainted by the pagan belief of ghosts cried out in fear. Even with walking close to Him daily, they were distracted by having their own agenda, the desire for Jesus to become King. But Jesus, the Lifeguard of their lives and our lives, gave comfort and hope during a raging storm.

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.'” (Matthew 14:27)

We can never anticipate or prepare ourselves mentally or emotionally for future hardships. When we feel as if we will drown in life’s stormy trials and sorrows, we have a loving, merciful Lifeguard who walks on the water. Jesus always responds to the SOS [Save Our Souls] cry for help. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Do not be afraid. Jesus is telling us to “Come.” He will save us. Go Ahead! Walk on the Water!

Prayer: God, please help us to believe in Your Omnipotence. We pray for an increase in faith. As we call on You for deliverance, open our spiritual eyes and give us strength that we can respond to Your call, telling us to come. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Dear friend, I pray that you enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 1:2 NIV)

Imagine receiving a card in the mail from someone that you haven’t heard from in a long time, praying that all is well with your life. It would definitely boost your spirits and make you have a warm fuzzy feeling.

When John [the disciple loved by Jesus] wrote this letter to Elder Gaius, he expressed encouragement and spiritual congratulations. “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 3:3-4). Yes, John witnessed to Gaius who not only embraced the truth when he heard it but was also faithful to the truth in his daily walk with God.

With humility and obedience, Gaius actively helped others–“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church.” (3 John 3:5-6). Obviously, John received word from others regarding the Elder’s activity because verses 5-6 commend Gaius’ generosity to those in need.

Dear Friend: I pray that all is well with you. Our lives are not our own. We agreed to become His disciple when we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Live by the truth, be a witness of Jesus’ love and saving power. Do justly, and help those in need. Live in expectation. Our destination is Heaven! And above all, put God first! Love always, your Sister-in-Christ.

NEW COATS FOR OLD WOUNDS–His Healing Love by D. Winn

He provided each of them with a change of clothing. Gen. 45:22, N.E.B.

It is human nature for us to retaliate when we feel that we have been mistreated. Even as Christians, we might find our hearts struggling against “forbidden” emotions such as anger and defensiveness. To withdraw from the offender provides, at best, only temporary relief. And it leaves us to deal with the guilt we experience at having felt such negative emotions in the first place.

Does God understand? Or does He merely “keep score”–grimly noting when we fail or stoically approving our stiff-upper-lip “successes”? After all, He’s God! What can He know of our miseries? Plenty! Acted out in the life of His Son, we behold our mistreated, misunderstood, and maligned God not just telling us how we should behave, but showing us Himself.

Another portrayal was through Jacob’s son Joseph. Joseph had a beautiful coat of many colors. That coat was taken from him by his brothers, who callously sold him as a slave. Later they dipped his coat in blood and presented it to his father as proof of his demise. Far from dead, however, Joseph grew to be second only to Pharaoh in the land of Egypt. Years later famine forced his brothers to unwittingly seek sustenance from the very one they had so mercilessly mistreated. Joseph held no grudge against them. He not only gave them the food for which they asked, but he arranged for all their needs to be supplied in the coming years. And he “provided each of them with a change of clothing.”

For the beautiful coat that had been taken from Joseph and dipped in blood, those brothers received coats, as it were, for themselves. Joseph could have supplied them with funds to purchase their own garments. Instead, in a gesture of sublime forgiveness, he himself clothed them. It was more than they had asked for, more than they expected or deserved. But by doing so, Joseph demonstrated his unconditional acceptance of them. They did not have to deal with his offended feelings. And so their relationship was healed.

What wondrous love! What inspiring sensitivity displayed in service of restored friendship! When I realize that this is exactly how God relates to me, my heart is tempered toward those who do me wrong. In them I see myself; and in me, I can only desire that they might see God.

Prayer: God, we ask for help not to take offense to every wrongdoing inflicted by the things that people say or do. Thank you for your overwhelming grace and mercies. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

“And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

Since January of 2020, many are worn down from the rapidly evolving effects of the pandemic, which acted as a catalyst to produce catastrophic events. Just when we said, “No more!” a senseless war has our hearts torn apart. What happens when you are emotionally beaten down by the vicissitudes of life?

In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus gives us the events of the Great Tribulation prior to His Second Coming. Still, we are commanded to have faith in Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. How can we have the unwavering faith that God requires of us? By following the example of our role model, Jesus Christ.

Born to Die

Never forget! Jesus was born [as a human] for the purpose of dying. And not just a natural death. He was beaten, tortured with piercing thorns, and spikes through His wrists and feet. It was for humanity that our Savior suffered, bled, and died. But Hallejuah and Amen! He Arose! Still, Jesus is serving humanity as our Heavenly Intercessor, presenting us as faultless before God, when we pray the prayers of confession and repentance of our sins.

The Faith of Jesus

How did Jesus maintain constant, unwavering faith? What was Jesus’ faith? He depended upon the Word of God, His Father. When He was tempted by Satan, our archenemy, Jesus responded with, “It is written…” Throughout Jesus’ life on earth, He prayed. And what an exemplary prayer life! Jesus constantly prayed to God, His Father. ” After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23).

The Baptism and God’s Acknowledgment of Jesus

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'” (Matthew 3:16 NKJV).

Jesus’ Rigorous Trial in the Wilderness

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2)

Imagine that you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and following your baptism you were told “Now you will have to retreat to a wilderness area for 40 days and nights and fast from food.” Yes, there are individuals who would readily agree to be obedient to God’s command because they have the faith that God would take care of them. Even so, that is not the typical faith that the majority of Christians possess, especially new believers. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is not extreme in His requirements for humanity. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17).

Jesus’ Emotional Distress from Pending Death

“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.'” (Matthew 26:39).

Jesus’ Emotional Distress from God’s Apparent Abandonment

“And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father’s acceptance heretofore given Him. He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor. Ellen G. White

The Cross was not something that happened to Jesus— He came to die; the Cross was His purpose in coming. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning without the Cross. The purpose of the incarnation was redemption. God came in the flesh to take sin away, not to accomplish something for Himself. The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both. Oswald Chambers

Endurance is a Characteristic of God’s People

1. For through the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (Romans 6:23).
2. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…(Hebrews 10:35-36).

The Often Forgotten in the Faith Hall of Fame [The Early Chruch Christians]

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrew 11:35-38)

It takes constant prayer and a reminder that “God is BIGGER than all of our circumstances. Never forget that we are created in the image of God. Not just our physical attributes, we have the highest intellect of living creatures. Ever-learning, we process life through cognitive abilities not acting on instinct as animals. Yes, God has gifted us with freewill of choice and the ability to express our emotions, whether in happiness or despair.

The Holy Spirit was sent as a Helper to humanity because Jesus requested: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (John 14:16). Through prayer and supplication, only human beings have access to the Holy Spirit and the opportunity to live a mistake-free life. We have spiritual guidance available 24/7. And messenger angels serve as our guardians [Psalm 91]. 

Is God love? Yes, His very Name defines LOVE. What can supersede our gift of love from God? 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).

Destination: Heaven! Faith, trust, and walking in obedience. In Jesus’ Worthy Name. Amen!

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:22-24)

Before the storm, the disciples witnessed the miracle of Jesus feeding 5,000 men [Bible scholars estimate a total of 20,000 people, including women and children] from a young boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish. Yet, it took the possibility of the disciples losing their lives from the raging storm to acknowledge that Jesus was who He said He was. “Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.'” (Matthew 14:33).

We receive a daily outpouring of grace and mercy and have witnessed or heard many testimonies proclaiming God’s miracles like the disciples. Where do we stand in our acknowledgment of Jesus’ deity? Our lifestyle choices reflect our love and commitment to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Daily we strive for a close relationship with Jesus fueled by faith. Read Hebrews chapter 11 for the “Faith Hall of Fame.”

Because of sin, it is human nature to have a spirit of discontent, which produces mental restlessness and emotional distress. We seek answers and contentment outside of God. Jesus desires that we have peace. “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 NKJV)

Many Christians are plagued with worry, anxiety, and unhappiness. Yes, attending church and knowing the scriptures demonstrate dutiful service to God. Still, without complete surrender, commitment, and obedience, we exclude ourselves from true discipleship. Our primary need is to have a nurturing love relationship with Jesus Christ based on faith. Jesus must be our focus. He is our Intercessor, presenting us as righteous to God.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” (John 14:6).

Jesus has provided us with the answer to possessing peace, joy, and happiness. Daily we recommit ourselves to remain in Him! Our relationship with Jesus is before our spouses, children, family, and friends. There is no middle ground. Faith is believing in the unseen God and trusting Him with the unknown. Steadfast faith results from knowing the Scriptures, always believing in God’s promises [that God will always do exactly as He says], and living as His chosen.

“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:15).

Faith matures from individual worship–spending quiet time in solitude to hear the Holy Spirit as well as collective worship at church. Faith in Jesus propels us to leave the familiar, opt-out of a survival mindset, and believe in God on a higher level. “…I believe, but help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24).

“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” (Daniel 7:18)

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. We are rapidly progressing to the end of time on this earth. Come to Jesus! Step out of the familiar by taking a leap of faith. Develop a heart-to-heart relationship with the Savior. Connect with Jesus every day through praise, prayer, and gratitude. Every day proclaim with thanksgiving, “Jesus, Truly You are the Son of God!”

“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.” (Revelation 22:12-13)

Prayer: God, we pray for an increase in faith. We desire to step out of the familiar into the unknown because you promised never to leave us or forsake us. Please give us an anointing of the Holy Spirit and wisdom as we seek knowledge through the Scriptures and to have a closer relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.