Our Father God–Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy

Today, I took a giant leap into the abyss of my mind to think about God’s love for humanity. I made it personal. Did I really comprehend the depth of God’s love for me? Sadly, I came to the conclusion that I did not understand God’s love. Because if I did, I would have rock-solid faith and trust in Him 100% of the time. Doubts or worries would not appear as dark clouds when I faced life’s challenges. I was perplexed as I prayed for God to give me knowledge, wisdom, and discernment of the complexities of love.

He called a little child and set him before them, and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-3, Amplified Bible.

As I read Matthew 18, verses 2-3, I breathed, “Thank you, God.” God’s love is not complex or complicated, He is my Father, and I am His daughter. Peace and joy entered my heart because that’s the relationship that He always intended for me to have with Him. The human effort of bonding with my Heavenly Father is one that requires daily commitment. Now, it’s up to me.

Prayer: God, please help us to realize that your love is within our reach. Thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, redemption, and the opportunity for eternal life. As we focus our attention on you for the next 24 hours, please accept our praise and worship. Yes, God, we love you. We pray this prayer in Jesus’ Worthy name. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

Choose the Best Option

Most of us can agree that since January 2020, we have faced adversities as never before. Even if we did not sustain a direct impact, we have family members and friends who are in an ongoing recovery phase of their lives. Still, God is in control of His world. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27

The adversities that we face are known to God before they impact our lives. Many have made a commitment to serve God. Yet, they continue to serve God according to their own thought processes. Serving God is a lifetime covenant vow and requires total surrender. How does surrender apply to our lives? We include God in every aspect of our lives. We pray, give our challenges, worries, and anxieties to God, and wait for His answers. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7.

Humility is the key to approaching God. And that is when the battle begins to rage within our minds. The wheels begin to turn. Yes, we can solve this challenge! Using prior life experience, educational achievements, critical thinking skills, and astute judgment, we develop fail-proof strategies [from our perspective]. But self-reliance is a bitter fruit of pride. When our feeble attempts continue to fail, leaving us discouraged, we may feel that God has failed or forgotten about our circumstances. God knows! God cares!

Yes, God knows that we need His divine intervention. And He patiently waits for us to exhaust all of our options. God waits for us to realize that we cannot live without Him. We do not have to wait and approach God in desperation. There is a better way to serve God. Admitting that He is our only option is a result of our faith and trust. When our challenges arise, all we need to do is immediately pray a prayer of faith [having the mindset of total belief in God] and ask God for help. 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

Even Jesus was humble and obedient until death. He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39

Often God will use trials and hardships to reveal the character traits that expose our lack of faith and trust in Him. Throughout the Bible, we read accounts of individuals who disobeyed God because they did not seek His will first. Serving God requires us to put Him first. How do we know that we are putting God first? The utilization of our time is an indication of whether or not God is first and foremost. We have 24 hours. How much time do we worship, study, and pray?

Remember that our covenant vow with God is life-long. We are disciples–followers who must possess the mindset of “Not my will, But your will be done in my life.” Will you trust God to bring complete restoration to your life? Only God can give us the best options. “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Prayer: God, we come to you weary and worn out from our efforts to resolve our challenges. We ask forgiveness of the sin of self-reliance. Yes, God, we need your Divine intervention. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercies. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

Receive Your Sabbath Blessings

God, we thank you for the blessing of the Sabbath day. We pray to receive peace as we extend agape Love to others. We pray for each individual that is in conflict regarding the 7th day Sabbath. We love you. Please accept our worship of humility and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.