Lost in Translation?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man or woman of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.…2 Timothy 3:16-17 BSB

Did you know that the Bible was translated into English? If you speak another language, then you are familiar with the phrase, “Lost in translation.” Many words in American English have double-meanings or a play on words, “No pun intended.”

The Bible is not complicated. It takes a spiritual mind in Christ Jesus to understand the “Voice of God.” To explain this concept, think about babies. They have the innate ability to recognize their mothers through their five senses. And I thought babies would always remember their fathers, but this proved to be inaccurate with fathers who shaved their facial hair. The babies did not recognize them and cried as if they were looking at a stranger. Of course, those who sought to prove this hypothesis carefully manipulated the experiment with controlled factors, the fathers were not allowed to speak. Certainly, the babies would have recognized their father’s voices.

For us to recognize our Heavenly Father’s voice, we always require Divine intervention when studying God’s Word–the Holy Bible. Before studying the Bible, pray for forgiveness of sins and ask for the Holy Spirit to give you a correct understanding of the scriptures. Also, ask God to provide you with the wisdom to apply the Word of God to your life. If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 AMP

Because we are on a learning curve throughout our lifetime, we can seek a higher level of knowledge from those who are anointed and appointed to minister to mass congregations. Even so, we can attend church services, listen to sermons and study the Bible without experiencing a spiritual transformation. It is not enough to study the Bible. We must also apply it to our lives. Yes, God has anointed many individuals to preach the Word of God, but all who say that Jesus is their Lord and Savior must search the Bible and receive the knowledge to think, act, and live holy, righteous lives. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV

With the Holy Spirit as our teacher, we will always gain truth when studying biblical principles.

It is true! We may feel overwhelmed when searching the Internet for spiritual guidance through sermons. Who do we listen to? How do we know they are preaching the truth? The Apostle Paul answers those questions: They must preach about Christ!

Because of his love for God, many are familiar with Evangelist Billy Graham, who passed on February 21, 2018. Every sermon that he preached, regardless of the subject matter, always included Jesus and biblical scriptures. He never preached about gaining material wealth, and if he spoke on anxiety, worry, and depression, he explained the reason behind the feelings, “your relationship with Jesus is lacking depth, and commitment.”

I do not promote pastors, ministers, or speakers of any particular denomination or religion. God is no respecter of persons. He does not have favorites based on the denomination of the church or social, educational, and financial statuses. We must pray for spiritual discernment before listening to any sermon and studying the Bible, so we have the correct understanding of the Word of God. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.… John 10:27-28 BSB

Many preach with other motives: It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. Philippians 1:15. Because it is impossible for us to know other people’s motives, we can use the Apostle Paul’s message: Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely. … Philippians 1:17. Again, Paul gives us the defining answer, they must preach about Christ! The subject of the sermon may vary; even so, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

Every one of us has a spiritual job to fulfill: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20. To receive eternal life, we must have a personal relationship with Christ that grows stronger and deeper every day. When we are in love with God, we excitedly spread the message of His saving grace to others.

Please know that studying the Bible is not an option! The Bible is the Voice of God! To know who God is we must have knowledge of His character, expectations, and promises. Do not be concerned about being lost in translation! When we pray for understanding, God will never allow the scriptures to be confusing. Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit is always ready and available to provide us with the ability to grasp the meaning of God’s Words.

We are blessed to have the most powerful technology available to read and hear the Word of God in many languages. Even for those who live in remote areas or in countries where the Bible is prohibited, and the media is controlled, remember that the angels are God’s messengers. If you are without a Bible, pray and ask God to give you a Bible. “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3

God, we thank you for the Bible, your Holy Word. Please forgive us of our sins. We pray for spiritual discernement and wisdom as we seek knowledge through the study of your Word. Our desire is to have a deeper relationship with you as we prepare for Eternal life. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen. 

The Psychological Attack of our Identities

Identity according to the dictionary and psychologists:

Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person or group. One can regard the awareness and the categorizing of identity as positive or as destructive. A psychological identity relates to self-image, self-esteem, and individuality. Wikipedia

God’s definition of our identity:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Are you living as a victorious overcomer?

Unless we affirm daily that God has chosen us, then our arch-enemy, Satan, will bully us mentally and emotionally as often as he can. Never forget that Satan was Lucifer, an angel who fell because of pride and jealously against Jesus Christ. If he could convince angels in heaven to go against God, think about his ability to manipulate the unbeliever’s mind easily. It is the unbeliever who mistreats us and attempts to remind us of our past sins that God has cast into the Sea of forgetfulness. He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 AMP

Proof of our identity: Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” Genesis 1:26

The hierarchy of created beings: For You have made him a little lower than the angels. And you have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:5

Do you not remember? We are made in the image of God! King David tells us that we were crowned with glory and honor. The Apostle Peter reminds us that we are chosen by God as royalty to live holy and praise and worship our Heavenly Father. Why do we need to remember this vital information? Because God’s Son, Jesus Christ, paid a high price to redeem us from the darkness of sin. It is only through Jesus that we can live in the light because Jesus Christ is the light of the world, John 8:12.

Whether we care to admit it, human beings require constant validation. The issue is that we look for it in all the wrong people and places. Real validation is spiritual!  We are who God says we are, and our identity is only found through the Trinity Godhead–God, the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. We tap into the Source by studying the Word of God and through prayer. Daily action keeps us connected to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

What about the concept of self-validation? If empowering ourselves is all that we required, then the human effort would not be necessary to maintain a relationship with God. Yes, we can and should encourage ourselves. But God created us with a spiritual umbilical cord. And when we fail to seek the nutrients required for spiritual growth, we lose our focus, and give in to our circumstances. It is then that our emotions overpower us, and Satan enters through the open door labeled “uncontrolled feelings.”

Studying the scriptures is for our benefit! The Holy Spirit cannot bring to our remembrance God’s promises of victory or never being alone if we do not possess knowledge of the Word of God. We may not acknowledge the fact that our minds are feeble…You see yourself (in the mirror), walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:24, but God continually warns us of our limitations.

If we forget what we look like, then we concede that we are in dire need of our spiritual team’s help. Prayer, diligent study of the Bible, and asking God for wisdom are the daily activities to keep us connected to the source of our life, health, and strength. Because of never-ending distractions, our minds require daily repetition to train and discipline ourselves to redirect our focus on Jesus.

Pray for the little things. While unpacking, I put away things in their designated places, but due to fatigue, the location for many of the items became a blur. I took a deep breath, stopped and asked the Holy Spirit to help me find the things that I needed. Although my prayers were answered, I realized that my mind and body needed rest. Human effort plus Divine Intervention=Victorious Outcomes!

There is no room for anxiety, depression, or worries when we stay connected to God. While many modern sermons focus on validation techniques and feel-good sermons, our relationship with God is up-close and personal.” I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. To maintain a thriving relationship with Christ requires constant effort. It is not enough to hear weekly sermons or glance at the Bible occasionally. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV.

Ephesians chapter 6 gives us the answers to fend off the satanic attacks against our identities. Yes, we belong to the Most-High God. Perseverance along with righteousness by faith can only come from a daily walk with God. Even through the struggles of life, we must never forget that we are royalty. Wear your crown with humility on bended knees. And God will give you His perfect peace, which transcends any circumstance or situation we will ever face during our lifetime.

Bible Study: Ephesians 6

God, thank you for loving us and creating us in your image. We realize that we need you to sustain our spiritual identities. Please create a clean heart and renew the right spirit within us. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission. 

Will you do what God is asking you to do?

In six weeks, my life took a drastic turn of events. The farmhouse that I leased and lived in for six years would be placed on the market for sale. For three weeks, diligent search efforts for alternate housing produced nothing but waiting lists. When did this small town become so popular? So, I expanded my search to a 100-mile radius, which offered many alternatives, including a 55+ community in Florida. I laughed at the glitch on the internet because Florida was 1400 miles away. But as I began to explore their website, I completed the online application out of curiosity.

My immediate focus was packing, selling, and donating six years of my life in six weeks. Within two days, I received a congratulations email from the property manager in Florida. I called and thanked her but relayed that I was looking for housing in Texas. Then we were hit with the Texas storms, and the frigid temperatures were more than the pipes in the kitchen could withstand. They froze even with the water running at a slow rate. Thankfully, the bathroom pipes were located in the middle, warmer area under the house and shielded from the icy freeze. I was blessed to have running water. Most of the town lost power, but God’s mercies kept my electricity and gas on during this challenging time.

Two days after the storm, I heard a loud hissing noise in the front of the house. When the temperature reached 45 degrees, the pipe for the water hose had split into several places, and water was running full stream down the lawn and the driveway. Thirty minutes later, the landlord told me to fill up some gallon jugs because the pipe was irreparably damaged. Also, the kitchen pipe had burst, and he had to shut off the water to the house. I placed three totes in the bathtub and filled them to the brim. And that was the end of running water for seven days.

About 20 years ago, I worked as a camp nurse living in the Catskill mountains for three months. I never thought that I would have to use grid skills again in my lifetime. I had enough bottled water to sustain me for three weeks but had to boil water in a giant pot for basin baths and washing dishes. Also, flushing the toilet was manually accomplished and limited to once a day. My stock of cleaning products kept everything clean and odor-free. But, no complaints, I was one of the fortunate. Most in our town had to evacuate their homes due to lack of electricity and water.

The situation worsened, and our county required intervention from FEMA for the severe water shortage in nine cities. Due to the overwhelming number of burst pipes, every plumber available within 30 miles had a full schedule. Running water was the least of my concerns; I began to pray, pray, pray because I had to move in three weeks, and there was no available housing.

Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he. I am he who will sustain you. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you, and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

One day, as I washed my face and looked in the mirror, there are no wrinkles, but I saw many new gray hairs at the top of my forehead. During my prayer, I reminded God of his promise to take care of me and rescue me from my dilemma. That same day the property manager called me from Florida to ask if I was still interested in the apartment. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

I left Texas on Thursday, February 25th at noon in a 20 ft. U Haul truck. The Holy Spirit gave me the knowledge and skills to drive, park, and back-up a large truck for a four-day adventure to a new home in sunny Florida. Yes, I was the recipient of a big blessing. No longer do I have the responsibilities of a big house, lawn maintenance, paying three utilities, and enduring the waiting period for vital repairs to be completed on time.

I wish that I could say that obedience to God’s command for me to relocate to Florida was my first action, but it was not. Because I was pursuing my desires, I even had the boldness to ask God if He would leave me homeless. Then God showed His power! God blocked every effort to remain in Texas. On future calls for prospective housing, I received no further responses. And the plumber still had not arrived for repairing the broken pipes!

So you may ask, “But how do you know that God is speaking to you instead of a personal desire?” Because Divine Intervention is supernatural! Not only do miraculous wonders occur when you pray for God’s will to be done in your life, everything that God does is perfect. Even so, the next step is crucial. Once revealed, obedience to God’s unexpected plans is your test of faith. I can testify that God’s plans are so phenomenal all doubt is erased from your mind.

When God fulfills His plans, there are no glitches or mistakes. Many miracles occurred during my relocation, but I will mention two that stand out. The estimated cost for fuel was $600-$700 for a 20 ft truck with a load. The actual gas price was $380-$400. I will also disclose my two fears, driving over the long bridge in Pensacola, Fl, and night blindness from the headlights, especially on two-lane highways.

On the second day of the journey, heavy rain extended my driving time by three hours. The link from one highway to the next was a mountainous road. Not only was I driving at night, but I also have never experienced curvy roads going through a mountain. I downshifted into third gear and prayed for strength. The Holy Spirit told me to look ahead, not to the left or the right, and to keep my eyes focused on the yellow middle line, indicating whether the curve in the road was to the left or right. I breathed a deep sigh of relief when the sign for the major highway said “2 miles.”

The next day when I entered the Pensacola Bay/Three-Mile bridge crossing over the most massive body of water that I have witnessed, I was prayed up and prepared. Instead of fear, I was able to look at the vast body of water with a different perspective of beauty. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV

Obedience to God’s will requires doing something different. The life-changing experience happens for everyone who proclaims that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. My experience was almost like Abram’s, though I have traveled extensively through the state of Florida, I had never even heard of this city. Like Sarah, I laughed at the prospect of leaving Texas and moving to Florida. I did not deny that I laughed, but I failed to acknowledge the power of God when I did not trust Him to fulfill His plans for my life. 

The time is approaching for you to come to the crossroads where God says, “This is my plan for you.” Will you do what God is asking you to do?

Bible Study: Genesis 12

God, many times we say, “Yes, Lord, let your will be done in my life,” but we do not realize that your plans are very different from our plans. We ask you for the faith to always trust and obey when you lead and direct us. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercy. We ask for a special blessing upon our lives this Sabbath as we spend quality time praising and worshipping you. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.

Pensacola Bay Bridge during construction

The Source of Peace

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 NIV

Trusting God with your life is the only way to have peace. Do you have a worry-free life? I encourage you to increase your communication with our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit is available to comfort us when we reach out to God in prayer. There is never a time that any of our prayers remain unanswered. God loves when we remember Him through our prayers, praise, and worship.

Happy Sabbath!

Bible Study: Exodus 20:8-11, Psalm 91

God, we thank you for loving us and for the privilege of Prayer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021

Sunset today, Palm Bay, Florida

How to Please God

But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Many of us are familiar with the first part of Hebrews 11:6: But without faith, it is impossible to please him. However, the scripture also says that it takes additional action to receive our reward from God. We must believe and diligently seek Him, only then will we be blessed with the gifts that God has for us.

Serving God requires active participation every day. There are many sermons directed toward our anxiety, worries, and feeling down and out. But the answer to our emotional distress is for us to pray more. Communication with God through prayer is our life-line.

The Holy Spirit goes into the Spiritual Comforter mode while we are praying. It is a relief to feel your burdens lifted while praying. I may have started broken, weary, and hopeless, but never have I felt anything but victory after seeking our Heavenly Father in prayer.

Hebrews 11:6 further explains that we must believe that God is who He says he is, recall that God told Moses to tell the Israelites, “I Am” sent you.

Another messenger’s sermon on faith:

You may say, “I love God, but I just have difficulty trusting Him.” Then you are not pleasing to Him. You cannot struggle at the core of your relationship with God and still enjoy a vibrant fellowship with Him! Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting relationship with God during your problems. Faith has to do with your relationship with God, not your circumstances. Some may say, “I’m not much of a person of faith. I am more of a practical person!” Yet you will never do anything more practical than to place your trust in the Lord! Nothing is more secure or certain than that which you entrust to God. From Today’s Devotional-Experiencing God Day-by-Day

Making a renewed covenant with God is just a prayer away. We are not required to do anything strenuous or challenging to serve God. It is a simple commitment to offer ourselves and worship our Creator. God loves us more than we will ever know. Believing (faith) in God requires constant communion with Him. We cannot live off of yesterday’s worship, praise, or prayers. Diligently seeking God places us in a position to build our faith and trust in Him. Whether we are in the mountain highs or the valley lows, God is always here! He is patiently waiting for us to seek Him.

Bible Study: Hebrews 11

God, we have failed to keep in touch with you as we should. Please forgive us for not diligently seeking you. We are renewing our covenant to have a much closer relationship with you. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.

Our Lives Matter

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27

A thought-provoking question, “Do others see the love of God through my behaviors, habits, and lifestyle?” Nonverbal communication can speak louder than our spoken words. Do they know that we are believers by our clothing, mannerisms, and cheerful disposition?

We may not respond with words to various situations, but whatever is deep in our hearts will eventually be revealed. It takes the right situation to expose our true character.

Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny. Lao Tzu

Living for Christ requires that we have wisdom, which we must ask for because wisdom is a spiritual gift that only comes from God.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave if the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-7

Just as our relationship with God requires daily prayer and study of the Bible for spiritual growth, our character is always a work-in-progress. To live in sync with God remains a daily challenge. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit to withstand the challenges and to be overcomers.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17

Because we believe in grace and forgiveness and love, it is all too easy to think that God is so easygoing that it doesn’t matter how we live or what we do. That is not so. Because He cares about us to be as whole as possible in a sick world. Above all things, God wants our happiness, both now and eternally. And because He desires for us to be happy, He takes our needs seriously. We are important to Him. Excerpt from Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus, George R. Knight

Living by faith, and fully trusting and obeying God requires 100% dedication to Jesus Christ. When we do our part to love and serve God we receive salvation through His Son, Jesus.

Who am I? I am a child of God who has been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. Every thought, action, and behavior must represent God and His definition of righteousness.

Bible Study: James 1-2

God, we acknowledge that our hearts are not close to you, and that has prevented us from representing your godly standards. We desire to have a deeper relationship that we may love you with all of our heart, soul, and mind. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021

We are Never, Ever Alone!

Yesterday, I listened to a Christian radio station that was 100% inspirational music. To be honest, I was surprised by the lyrics of a couple of songs that expressed despair.

1. “All is not well with my soul, I am feeling alone, empty, and…”

2. “As usual, I awakened feeling like I just couldn’t get out of the bed today.”

Many believers are expressing more despondency than the unbelievers and that should not be the case. We have “Forever Love” by our Spiritual Team, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, along with angels who protect us. If anyone should be feeling alone and empty, it should be the worldlings who worship themselves and other idols.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Unfortunately, we are the problem. Remaining connected to Jesus is all about action. Our relationship with Christ is dynamic, constantly changing due to spiritual growth. Studying the Bible diligently and praying throughout the day keeps us connected. Because we have allowed people, going places, and other things to create chaos in our daily lives, we are disconnected from Jesus Christ.

The answer to reconnection is easily accomplished. Make the decision to eliminate everything that pulls you away from spending quality time with God. We allow too many distractions in our lives. Serving God involves boundaries. Do not get caught up in busyness or allow others to consume your time that should be spent with God. Our connection to God is easily broken when we cannot say “no.” The ability to let the call go to voicemail, or text back, “getting ready to have worship, ttyl” are examples of how we manage our lives in making certain that we put God first.

Will you lose friends? Possibly, but if they do not respect your relationship with God, then you are unequally yoked.

One of our greatest struggles is pulling our minds away from our jobs. Yes, our jobs provide the finances that we need, and definitely are a blessing, but many believers are hungry and thirsty for money and tangible possessions. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33. The expectation from God is that we will have complete faith and trust in His promises and worship Him everyday, all day long. Whisper a short prayer throughout the day thanking God and expressing your love for Him.

Back to the modern lyrics of hopelessness, we are warned that we can do nothing without our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. Jesus willingly died that we can be redeemed from our sins. No one deserves more of us than we give to God.

Through His love, grace and mercy, our Creator is aware of our weaknesses. He knows that most of humanity responds to challenging situations with emotions. So God gave us the Book, the Holy Bible is complete with stories of victories and defeat, along with the plan of salvation, and wonderful praises and promises. Make the commitment to learn more about God, and your life will change. And like David, even when hardships arise, we can smile through our tears, and praise our Heavenly Father.

I will praise the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1

Bible Study: Isaiah 43

Prayer: God, we recognize that we are too distant from you and for that sin of omission, we ask forgiveness. It is our desire to serve you by giving you the time that you rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021

Forever Love

There are very few individuals that can give or receive forever love. Relationships form much to quickly because we are desperate for the wrong person. God tells us that His love is everlasting; yet, we place Him in the position to be next in line.

Who can love us like God? Loneliness is more than a state of mind, it is the reality of many who confess their belief in God. Why is it that we can have a Heavenly Father along with an entire spiritual team, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the angels and still despair?

The answer: We desire someone who cannot provide the love and nurturing of our soul. Only God can fulfill our spiritual needs and He patiently waits to give us everlasting love.

Our emotions were given as a blessing of expression, not to replace our cognitive abilities. We rely too much on our feelings for guidance. “Follow your heart” only applies to a relationship with God. He will lead you in the right direction that ends in perfection. No, we are not perfect, but God is, which means we do not have to suffer negative consequences when we trust and obey.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming. Psalm 27:8

The “Everlasting Love” of God never fails. Do not miss out on the greatest love experience from your Heavenly Father. Give God what He rightfully deserves: Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Did you forget about Jeremiah 29:11? God has plans for us! First, get in sync with God by loving Him as Jesus commanded and your life will change. How will it change? If we do our part (human effort) then God will always fulfill His plans for us (Divine intervention).

God, we admit that you have not been first and foremost in our hearts. We ask forgiveness for putting you last with our love and attention. Our souls are empty without you. We recommit our hearts to you and we can’t wait to receive your everlasting love. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021