Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

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

Amid the pandemic, there are many different schools of thought that have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. Who can we trust to give us sound guidance? With over 5 million global confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, even with the recommended measures of wearing facemasks, social distancing, and reopening at reduced capacity, the numbers of cases and deaths continue to escalate. Due to the ongoing chaos, many individuals have given up and are disregarding all health precautions by resuming the habits of their prior lifestyles.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus, the debate between Health versus Wealth has ignited the conflict between health prevention/ maintenance and reopening to preserve the economy. The Centers for Disease Control, a national agency that has the responsibility for the control and prevention of infectious diseases created a safe reopening plan that was ignored. The Coronavirus pandemic has pitted politicians against the physicians and scientists, along with political leaders continually debasing each other. But the most prevalent disputes are among ordinary people based on political party preferences and complaints of the violation of their civil rights.

Political socialization is the “process by which individuals learn and frequently internalize a political lens framing their perceptions of how power is arranged and how the world around them is (and should be) organized; those perceptions, in turn, shape and define individuals’ definitions of who they are and how they should behave in the political and economic institutions in which they live.

Pledging allegiance to a political party or politician supersedes the boundaries of free will by redefining who you are and molding your mind to overlook the infractions. The change does not happen overnight. It is a process where you are in agreement with one thing that the politician stands for, and that is how the journey of compromise begins.

Because of political loyalty, Satan is swaying many believers to go against Biblical teachings. The merge of church and state is before us. A building is not essential for us to worship God. If our focus is on attending a church (building) collectively for only 1-2 days per week, then how are we worshipping God on the remaining days of the week?

In Exodus 3, Moses was appointed by God to lead the Israelites, and he was so faithful that he met with God on Mount Sinai to commune and receive the Ten Commandments. In modern times, no one individual has been appointed or anointed as a Spiritual Leader by God. Political status does not qualify an Unbeliever to represent God, nor can he or she speak for a Holy and Righteous God.

There is no biblical basis to substantiate a man-made Christian holiday–Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter and is false teaching. Satan will even use the name of God to deceive those who are not led by the Holy Spirit. God does not require us to compromise our health to serve him. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 1 Corinthians 6:19

In fact, if we study the book of Leviticus, God gave strict guidelines to preserve the health and well-being of the Israelites. To persuade the individuals who believe in God, but have been staying at home for the safety of their health, Satan has used manipulation to attempt to compromise their safety by encouraging large gatherings in the name of God. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 2:2

When reading Hebrews 10:19-39, there is a verse that many believers use during this pandemic: And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25. There are many who accept Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation but have always refused to attend church. With the constant interaction that believers have on a day-to-day basis with unbelievers, the Apostle Paul admonished those who accepted Christ to attend church. We do require the strength of other believers; however, in a time where an uncontrollable virus is still causing havoc on the world, we must use technology to preach the Word of God which can be accomplished without face-to-face contact during this pandemic.

Dissension is expected among unbelievers because they do not acknowledge or serve God. Satan is the author of confusion. Satan seeks to cause chaos, disorder, death, and destruction, and if we evaluate the condition that our world is in, he is doing his job well.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace–as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33. 

Watching includes praying! Our lives are dependent on God, who is faithful in His promise to protect us from all schemes, plots, and lies that originate from evil. We cannot afford to lose out on our reward of Eternal Life by succumbing to Satan’s plots to separate us from God.

Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Proverbs 4:6 NLT

Every situation in our lives must be presented to God in prayer. We must ask for wisdom, do not rely on feelings, judgment, or past experiences; do not act prematurely, if you truly desire God’s divine intervention, then we must wait for His answer.

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; Psalm 34:19 NIV.

Bible Verse: Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NIV

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask you to forgive us of our sins, our shortcomings, and to fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask you to protect us from all of the schemes, the hurt, the harm, and the dangers in this world. We acknowledge that we are powerless against Satan and the forces of evil. God, we know that the temptations that we face every day are meant to separate us from you. We need you, and we ask for wisdom, we pray for the desire to obey your will for our lives. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

 

 

 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

In life, we have days where things just don’t seem to go right. People treat us poorly, and we don’t know where to go and who to turn to. But there is one person that is always there! You can always lean on Him, you can always count on Him, and He will never leave you! His name is Jesus, and you always have a friend in Him! May God bless you and stay safe! D. Ferguson. This message was posted on FB and is from my cousin, who is blessed with the spiritual gift to encourage others through spoken words and as a musician.

Tough times are here, and they will be with us for a long time. More than 20 million individuals have filed for unemployment as we continue to plunge further into our recession. When we do not have enough to make ends meet, it is difficult to maintain our inner peace and happiness. Still, we must think outside of ourselves during this pandemic. The COVID-19 virus has brought dire conditions on a global basis.

When the stressors of life hit the crisis level, human behavior is strained, and the reactions from others can be hurtful. Yes, people often displace their emotions on innocent victims when times get tough. Not many people have sustained a life-changing pandemic that has impacted every aspect of their existence; therefore, they do not have the coping skills to effectively deal with the abrupt halt to their usual way of life.

Now, that is the logical way of justifying hurtful behaviors. As believers, we should always have a smile on our faces, and treat others with kindness and dignity, despite our circumstances, because God is love. When we experience poor treatment from those who are close to us, immediately forgive them, and remember that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

Experiencing trials and tribulations are beneficial in that we can realize our weaknesses and limitations, which direct us to God. Therefore, we grow spiritually by becoming entirely dependent on His strength and power. “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

Believe in the love that God has for those who are suffering; He sees every tear and hears every prayer. We must travel this journey with complete faith, hope, and trust in God.When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… Isaiah 43:2-3

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

Heavenly Father, we come to you as broken vessels who often forget that we need you, especially when we experience trials and tribulations. We pray for unwavering faith, obedience, and the ability to always trust in you despite our circumstances. Amen. –SJR

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

When God created us in His image, we received a highly complex nervous system that is not fully understood. Still, our brains possess the highest level of cognitive abilities of all living creatures. Our amazing brain has the unlimited potential to learn, process knowledge and has a storage capacity that outranks a computer’s RAM and ROM. We utilize our five senses to gather the stimuli from the surrounding environment, and based on what we see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, our brain immediately identifies, and processes whether we are safe or in danger, and the appropriate action required.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female, he created them. Genesis 1:27

This morning, as I prepared to write, my eyes rested on the money pic posted on yesterday’s blog, I was surprised to see that it still reads, “In God we trust.” And that was the catalyst that prompted me to look in my wallet and examine the coins and paper bills; yes, on every denomination of money that the United States of America produces, we proclaim that as a Nation, we trust in God.

Amid a terrible airborne virus, we have reached a level of discord and strife as if we are engaged in a physical war. The individuals who we have entrusted to make sound decisions on our behalf in political, spiritual, and familial leadership positions are acting on animalistic instinct as opposed to using their higher powers of intellect and reasoning abilities. Because of their priorities to keep the economy from falling, our current environment is unsafe to our physical well-being, and detrimental to our peace of mind.

The battle between the politicians and the medical professionals to re-open the United States has finally abated; even so, the American people are reaping the consequences. The dispute has exacerbated discrimination based on age, medical diagnosis, social standing, and economic status. The elected leaders and mainstream society have diverted their attention to saving the economy as we struggle to win the war with our most powerful enemy, the COVID-19 virus. The individuals who are infected and the fatalities are viewed as casualties of war. However, we continue in our march to move forward and reopen with the “New Normals.” It is a desperate attempt to halt the Economic Recession from spiraling downward into another Great Depression.

When we thought our situation could not possibly worsen, we have spiritual leaders who are double-minded and are engaging in diabolical and misleading actions for financial gain. The Holy Spirit tells us in plain words that in the last days, some people will turn away from the faith. 1 Timothy 4:1

1. The FDA has shut-down the operations and false claims of a Pastor in Florida who bottled sulfur water mixed with household bleach and sold it from his church’s website for $49.95.
2. A Pentecostal Pastor used his church, which represents God’s house, to sing and practice secular-worldly music to compete and eventually win the televised program, “The Voice.”

In four months, worldwide, we have suffered a significant impact on our health and economic systems. Many are struggling to make sense of the wave of disease and poverty on a global level, especially the countries that struggle with the severe shortages of basic necessities as a usual way of life. Now, many of the spiritual leaders we have trusted are distracted and concerned about maintaining their lifestyles, and/or the demise of their church buildings.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.…while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is right. Titus 2:11-14

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

Is it possible to stay close to God in the current turmoil? Yes, it is! To maintain our peace of mind, we must be determined to follow God all the way. If you have never really taken the time to study the Bible, establish a new habit, and begin to explore daily. Your life will never be the same. Read the words aloud. All of the chaos and confusion from our current environment of disorderly conduct have been prophesied as events from the last days of earth’s history.

Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. The peace that comes from praying compares to no other feeling. Separate yourselves and pray often. We can open up and be truthful in our talks with God. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Is their hope for the future? “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the convenience of digital files and folders, my file cabinets are nearly empty. I opened the top drawer out of curiosity and retrieved a stuffed and forgotten folder that contained printed copies of many Devotionals. Much to my surprise, there was a copy of a completed assignment from one of my Business Management courses regarding money as the most powerful motivator for humanity. The paper was written in 2010.

The Professor of the course always posed three thought-provoking questions that demanded self-evaluation along with the research of the mindsets of the status quo, and mainstream society. During our first class, he gave a demonstration to prove what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears is usually tainted with deception. As he stood there clothed in a navy jacket, button-down shirt, beige khaki pants, and expensive loafers, he asked the class if he was dressed appropriately for a job interview, and if we were the hiring manager would we consider him as an appropriate candidate to fill the job vacancy based on his appearance, to which our response was yes.

His next action was to remove his jacket and shirt, and as we looked at tatted arms, a t-shirt, and a biker’s vest, we laughed. He then held up his biker boots and helmet, which were concealed behind the desk, and asked, “Would you hire me now?” A life-changing event caused our perspective to change as we embraced the reality that what you see and hear may not be the whole truth and is not necessarily beneficial for your life.

I am sharing an excerpt from the assignment in my response to the question, “Money is the most important form of motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?”

Considering the prevailing standards for today’s society, money is promoted as the most crucial factor in life. As far as actually being the most important motivating factor that is based on individual preferences. When money is the driving force, negative consequences occur due to the compromise that is required to sustain its importance. What is there to lose? Decline in work ethics, moral and ethical values, and disloyalty are the detrimental consequences in the pursuit of money.

I am not referring to the desire for decent monetary compensation, which is always an essential factor for job consideration. After all, it takes money for the provision of life’s basic needs; food, clothing, shelter, etc. However, the basic needs of safety from “a predictable world with consistency, fairness, routine, a sense of stability, and security” (Maslow, 1943) can never be attained by the pursuit of unpredictable and unstable tangible rewards. Sonya Johnson Ruiz, 2010

The love of money cripples even the sharpest minds. The status of the economy has always been at the forefront even though we face the worst global pandemic in our lifetime. And the numbers continue to grow!

For those who are in love with their bank accounts, stocks, and investments; they are unable to think rational thoughts. Enter the Coronavirus, and the love of money reflects inappropriate responses to re-open the Nation and let the sick, and those with weak Immune systems Stay-at-Home. The economy must be preserved by any means necessary, and they are willing to risk anyone who stands in their way.

They speak words of deception and proclaim that the number of cases is higher because of the increase in testing. The number of cases and deaths are higher because people are still spreading the infectious COVID-19 organism–asymptomatic carriers who refuse to be tested, those who are symptomatic but are forced to work. After all, they need their health benefits, along with other possibilities that facilitate the continued spread of the disease.

How many of us have been sick in the past and purchased Over-the-Counter medications to alleviate or mask the symptoms because we had to go to our jobs? On Mother’s Day, 5/10/2020, a member attended her Church’s service and exposed 180 individuals to the Coronavirus because she did not wait for her test results, which she would receive the next day, 5/11/2020. Beware of over-confidence, continue to practice Social Distancing and Stay-at-Home, it is infected people who are spreading the COVID-19 virus.

The known cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not reflect the unreported positive cases.

January of 2020: Total Cases: 4,226 and Total Deaths: 45

May 15, 2020: Total Cases: 1,480,349 and Total Deaths: 89,407 cdc.gov

Historically, every country has experienced abject adversities; war, famine, bigotry, discrimination, diseases, and social injustices. The desire to abate these atrocities resulted in the development of relevant strategies to resolve or lessen the impact.

Because of the love of money, our political leaders have struck down the very measures that would curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The preservation of human lives was never a priority in the United States of America. The love of money has also infiltrated the religious community along with many Pastors who God has entrusted to “Feed his sheep.”

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

We must choose God or Money.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. Isaiah 43:2

It is said that “Desperate Times call for Desperate Measures.” And yes, I wholeheartedly agree. Turning our lives over to God eliminates all possibilities that we would choose money over guarding our health. For those who love money and attempt to use their skills of self-reliance are really the individuals who possess overwhelming fear. Without God, we place ourselves in the never-ending predicament of trying to figure out the solution to our challenging issues.

Do we not know that God is bigger than every problem that we are facing?

The Coronavirus pandemic is the perfect time to learn and practice living a faith-based life. Why are we limiting the power of God? Is there a situation or problem that God cannot take care of? Our responsibility is to approach the Throne of Grace with humility and believe that our Heavenly Father loves us and will keep His promise to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Philippians 4:19

In faith, we pray and ask that His will be done in our lives. Stand on His promises! Pray and let go of all worries and anxieties. God is unlike any earthly Father; he even knows the number of hairs on our heads. It is not possible for God to break his promises. Depending on our Heavenly Father teaches us how to live a faith-based life, and provides us with the reassurance that God is always available to care for us.

During these last days of earth’s history, God is preparing us for the hardships of the End of Time–the time right before His Son, Jesus will come again.

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:12-13, 20

Stay in His Presence! Love God, Love Others, Love Yourself!

Bible Readings: Philippians 4, Revelation 22

God, we pray for your anointing and blessings upon our lives. It is our desire to faithfully trust and obey you in every circumstance. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

The cerebral cortex is the largest site of neural integration in the central nervous system. It plays a crucial role in attention, perception, awareness, thought, memory, language, and consciousness.

Normal Response-Thoughts or actions that lead to and usually produce a positive outcome.

Working in Behavioral Health taught me that the mindset and thoughts that a person possesses either produce positive outcomes or result in negative consequences. The most prevalent and common factor among those who suffer from mental and emotional instability is the lack of a normal response to any given situation.

Not everyone who has unstable thought processes and makes terrible decisions is diagnosed with mental illness. Many factors contribute to why a person makes inappropriate responses. But, the most significant factor is knowledge deficit and the inability to understand cause and effect.

“In essence, the cause is the thing that makes other things happen. The effect refers to what results. To put it concisely, the cause is why something happened, and the effect is what happened.”

Unfortunately, there are people who lack the ability to reason, which places others in harm’s way if they have to rely on that individual to make the best decision in a situation.

So, let’s put this concept to the test. If you ask someone, “How much is 1+1?” the expected response is “2.” If you receive other answers, then maybe you need to rethink whether it is in your best interest to depend on this person. Believe it or not, I have received different responses that include; “Is this a trick question?” “Are you serious?” “11,” “I don’t even know anymore.” A simple question or scenario can be utilized to ask, “What would you do?” to determine if an individual can reason and possesses sound judgment.

Our lives are shaped by the beneficial or the maladaptive experiences of our past and our present. God is fully aware of your life from the moment you were conceived, and He knew the path that you would be required to take. Even so, He does not take a cookie-cutter approach for guiding each of us to reach our fullest potential.

No two people are alike. Our personalities are as unique as our fingerprints. And speaking of fingerprints, there are 7.8 billion people in the world, and none of us have the same fingerprints. Only God! We can have a connection to the source and experience God’s incredible power for ourselves.

What if you have a history of making inappropriate responses that continually lead to mistakes and adverse outcomes? This is not about placing the blame on others. If you matured from a child to an adult in an unhealthy environment, and you are reading this blog post, then you also have the opportunity to change. We do not have to end up where we started!

Faith, Determination, and Perseverance are the building blocks to achieving a complete spiritual, mental, and emotional transformation.

Faith is simply believing in God. It is not complicated; there are no complexities to believing in an invisible God. When we take the giant step of praying and admitting that we do not know who God is, but we express the desire to know Him, we have taken the first step to invite Him in by opening the door to our hearts. It is at that point that God reveals himself in mighty and miraculous ways. Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

It takes an up-close and personal relationship with God to reap the benefits of having a healthy and productive life.

How we perceive ourselves, and the opportunities that exist, determine our ability to relearn and grasp new ideas, and practice behaviors which produce positive outcomes. Believing in oneself is the second most crucial factor in accomplishing even baby-step goals. If we feel that we cannot do what is required, then we cannot change or replace our misdirected thoughts and actions.

God has no limits! For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.… Jeremiah 29:11-12

We can experience growth without limits when we are willing to accept Divine Intervention. Yes, there will be an intense struggle. There is no easy way to avoid falling rocks when we travel the Road of Righteousness. Even so, it can be done, and many are traveling the upward path with their spiritual guides. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Are you ready to develop and reach your fullest potential? The journey that is before you is not one that you can travel alone. The Spiritual team of God the Father, Jesus His Son, the Holy Spirit, and a heavenly host of angels, are always ready to guide you in your earthly journey. Believers view life from a spiritual perspective. Every word, action, and pursuit should honor God. We confess and repent daily to maintain our purpose and our goal to obey God. Know this, that when we seek God, He gives us the strength to travel our spiritual journey, which is a life-long pursuit.

Without a spiritual transformation, our accomplishments are severely limited. Humanity has a common bond. Our cerebral cortex is unable to develop to the point that we do not make mistakes. Our Creator reiterates that He created us with boundaries: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “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

There is a more significant threat to our health than the virus causing the global pandemic. Without a strong connection that develops from a sincere and prayerful relationship with God, our Spiritual health fails, and a state of well-being is non-existent. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Proverbs 14:12

The reality is that many of us live with so much chaos and confusion that we have adapted and accepted a New Normal long before the Coronavirus emerged. We have not resisted and stood firm against the declining modern norms and values of our societies. As a result, our faith has diminished, and we have embraced the self-reliance that permeates the thoughts and actions of unbelievers.

Has the pandemic shaken your faith in God? Are you focusing on your finances? What thoughts are prevalent and consuming the majority of your day? If you are attempting to figure out your current or future financial status, then you are at the highest risk of losing everything, including Eternal life!

Reflect! Under normal circumstances, you have prayed for guidance and have relied on God. In fact, you have always reflected on your blessings and have used your powers of reasoning–the cerebral cortex to determine the difference between truth and error. Despite your history, now you are caught up in the opposing struggle of having faith in God and self-reliance.

Cause and effect: We are not to be led by the status quo. When did we begin to accept the compromising values and declining morals of the majority? Self-evaluation is required to identify the reasons that caused us to take a detour from the Path of Righteousness. Yes, the process of eliminating the people, and the worldly pleasures that are influencing us to sin against God is challenging. However, now we have to deal with a discontented mind from our wavering faith and experience the consequences of disobedient decisions.

The remedy is to get back on track by praying and aligning our thoughts with God’s thoughts and plans as we prepare for Eternal life! Pray for forgiveness, grab your Bible, turn to Matthew chapter 6, and make the necessary changes to place your hands in the hands of the One who said, “Peace be Still.” Matthew 8:23-27. The same peace that Jesus Christ placed on the stormy sea is available to everyone who puts their faith and trust in God.

31 “Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things, the Gentiles (Unbelievers) seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its trouble. Matthew 6:31-34

Whether you are accepting God for the first time or returning to your first love, Jesus Christ is our only choice. By faith, we confess, repent, believe, obey and victory is ours. Remain spiritually aware of the changes that are occurring that indicate Jesus Christ is coming to give us Eternal life.

Dear children, do not let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:7-8

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

Avoid the rebellious mindset of the status quo, as evidenced by their actions: “I don’t care about your God.” And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. Exodus 5:2.

We must intentionally place ourselves in the position to obey the Voice of God. God is our Jehovah Jireh!

Pray for God’s guidance. Pray for peace, pray for strength, pray for an increase in your faith, and pray for God’s blessings upon your life. Knowing God is the total acceptance of His plan. God’s love, grace, and mercies release us from all fears. The decision to follow God is one of freewill. Thankfully, our acceptance of the Plan of Salvation gives us a sound mind and a worry-free life. We never have to make terrible decisions again. Life with God places us in the position to reach our fullest potential and keeps us in alignment with God’s plans to give us our greatest reward: Eternal life!

Bible Reading: Matthew 6

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Many profess to love God, yet they are misdirected by their feelings and the opinions of others. We are promised a reward when we sincerely seek God. The quality and quantity of our prayers are an indication of our relationship with God. It is by faith that we commit all of our ways to God and patiently wait for His directives.

Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Every new day is a blessing and is an indication of God’s love, and the extension of His grace and mercies. We have an opportunity to serve God through utmost obedience when we commit all of our ways, decisions, and opportunities for his approval. Is God your everything, your all and all?

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Much conflict exists in the minds of those who fail to incorporate God into every aspect of their lives. They love God, but they are easily influenced by their circumstances, the amount of money they possess, or the lack of money. They are easily led astray by the thought processes of others who have devised ways to compromise the truth.

The human house, God’s building, requires close, watchful guardianship. The physical life is to be carefully educated, cultivated, and developed, that through men and women, the dividend nature may be revealed in its fullness. God expects men and women to use the intellect He has given them. He expects them to use every reasoning power for Him. We are to give the conscience the place of supremacy that has been assigned to it. The mental and physical powers, with the affections, are to be so cultivated that they can reach the highest efficiency. (Ellen G. White, 1900)

A physical hazard is an agent, factor, or circumstance that can cause harm without contact. …

In Matthew 10, Jesus called his disciples together to give them instructions regarding the physical hazards of the journey of discipleship. “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” v. 16. God has provided us with Biblical instructions and the innate ability to recognize the physical and spiritual hazards that will cause us to fall into dangerous situations.

One of the most tragic events occurred on November 18, 1978, in Jonestown, Guyana. “Jim Jones, a self-appointed American preacher and faith healer turned cult leader who conspired with his inner circle to direct a mass murder-suicide of his followers in his jungle commune at Jonestown, Guyana.” Over 900 individuals, including one-third of children, were injected with or drank poison and died.

In 1 Timothy 4, we are told that false teachers who include preachers, politicians, family members, etc., will attempt to influence us into making the wrong decisions. Stay true to what is right. 1 Timothy 4:16. Throughout the word of God, we are admonished to serve and honor God by our unwavering faith, trust, and obedience to him.

We are living in perilous times. There is a benefit to studying the Bible, praying, and being led by the Holy Spirit: We do not engage in behaviors that are detrimental to our physical and spiritual well-being. Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.'” Matthew 4:7. Our willingness to obey God is reflected in our actions; by the food and drink, we put into our bodies, the temperament of our emotions, the places we visit and the people that are in our social circles.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Our greatest obstacle lies within ourselves. Because of our sinful nature, it takes very little to make us fall into wrongdoing. The struggle to possess the meekness and humility to serve God is an ongoing battle. We must seek spiritual renewal every day. If we compromise our physical health by convincing ourselves that our bodies belong to ourselves, and we can make decisions that please us, then we have indeed lost our spiritual perspective of what God requires of us.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a desire for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17

Bible Reading: 1 John 2

Prayer: God, we are living in perilous times, and our minds are not steadfast because we are focusing on circumstances instead of your power. We pray for the forgiveness of excluding you from our lives. Please speak to us and guide us so that we are not influenced by others to place ourselves in harm’s way. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.

 

Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares. 1 Peter 5:7

When you pray and give every concern, worry, and all anxieties to God, believe in His power. Take the time to meditate on the goodness of God. He is waiting for you to open the door to your heart.

Lord God, we thank you for your love and ask you to lift every burden that prevents us from having complete peace. As we worship you on this Sabbath, please bless us with comfort and healing. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz