The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer Guidelines: Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty; Live by His Righteous Commands and Principles; Ask God to Reveal His Will and Plans; Ask for Spiritual and Physical Nourishment; Always Ask for the Forgiveness of Sins; Tell God You Forgive Others Who Intentionally Mistreat You; Immediately Call for Jesus’ Help When Facing Temptations; Acknowledge that God is the Sovereign Ruler and Authority Over the Universe.

Our prayers should not be limited to these principles. Go to your secret place, and pray honest prayers, casting all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus.

There are many other specific needs that we have. Our Shepherd cares about every aspect of our lives. Make your prayers personal. Talk to Jesus as if He is your best friend because He is.

Lord God, we thank You for the privilege of Prayer. We thank You for the invitation to come to the Throne of Grace in our time of need. And God spiritually, we were always in need. As we redirect our faith and focus to You on this Holy Sabbath Day, we ask for the forgiveness of our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and anoint us with the Holy Spirit. Lord, we also ask You to give us the Triple Blessings of peace, rest from the stressors of this world, and the renewal and restoration of our minds, bodies, and souls. We thank You for the gift of 24 hours, in which we can reflect on Your amazing Love and Faithfulness. We desperately need Your Divine Help to make it through this journey of life. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower: Replacing Self-Reliance With Total Dependency On God

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24, NLT).

When facing challenges, the immediate response of praying reveals that our faith and trust is in the Sovereign Power of God. ‘The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.’ ” (Proverbs 18:10).

Approaching the Throne of Grace not only reveals our willingness to surrender to God in total dependency, but demonstrates our cooperation with the Holy Spirit to actively participate in our journey of daily spiritual growth and transformation.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

If our challenges produce the immediate emotional response of “What am I going to do?” then God has revealed that our faith is redirected from God to ourselves.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the person who trusts humans, who makes flesh and blood his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.’ ” (Jeremiah 17:5, GWT).

Trusting in human knowledge to resolve our problems also reveals that we are practicing self-reliance, which spiritually disconnects us from God.

As an employer expects employees to learn and adhere to the company’s policies and procedures, God also requires us to live by His Righteous Principles and Commandments found in His word, the Holy Scriptures.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7).

The decision to use our faith to trust and obey God by totally relying on Him to direct our steps is the commitment that will be rewarded with a Crown of Life when Jesus comes again.

Lord God, we thank You for being a Loving Heavenly Father. We approach the Throne of Grace because we desperately need Your help to and stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask for Your Divine Help to resolve our challenges. We are following Your command to use our faith to trust in You and not to use our limited wisdom. Lord, we thank You for giving us the victory, and ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

We Overcome Through Christ’s Strength

“Be holy, for I Am Holy. (1 Peter 1:16).

Living Holy Is to Be Set Apart from Worldly Habits and Pursuits

The Holy Spirit will teach us how to be holy. Since Satan knows his time is short, he is doubling his efforts to distract us from our commitment to God.

What does God require of us?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

We intentionally renounce sinful habits, behaviors, and separate ourselves from unbelievers, which includes family and friends who Satan uses to easily persuade us to sin against God.

Our responsibility is to spend time with God. Prayer is our highest form of worship to God. Pray consistently, and much more than once or twice a day, and study the Bible, which gives us Spiritual Nourishment.

If you have never studied the Bible, begin with Genesis, which teaches us God’s Righteous and Loving Character, His overwhelming love for those created in His image, the attributes of a Christian character, and His faithful commitment to helping the righteous to overcome temptation and adversity.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:105, 111).

We should never rush through the Bible. The Book of Genesis contains 52 chapters. Set aside 60 days to study. Our goal is to become Forever Learners of God’s word, which transforms our character, and teaches us how to live righteously, and to depend on God.

Worship Is Placing Ourselves In God’s Holy Presence

Separate yourself from all distractions and people. Place your phone on do not disturb, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment of God’s Truth, and the strength to live by His words.

The purpose of studying the Bible is to learn and practice God’s expectations of His sons and daughters, to receive His instructions not only when facing dilemmas, but also before making decisions that affect our daily routine of life.

We must have Scriptural knowledge before our minds, characters, and personalities are transformed by the Holy Spirit, which is a lifelong spiritual journey.

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” (Revelation 16:15, NLT).

What does it mean to keep our clothing ready, and not be naked and ashamed?

“Being ‘clothed’ spiritually means to be covered with the Robe of Christ’s Righteousness, while being ‘naked’ spiritually means to be exposed in one’s own sins and self-righteousness.”

“It takes the right situation to reveal a person’s true character.”

God tells us that every secret within our hearts will be exposed. When we harbor secret sins, which are never a secret to God, He allows a situation to happen, which exposes the true status of our hearts, and we learn who we really are.

We can never change ourselves, or stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness without asking for Divine Help every day.

Christ did not create us to use our thoughts, and limited human wisdom and strength to overcome the conflict of our internal desires and the external opposition of Satan’s temptations.

Whisper prayers throughout your waking hours asking God for strength. Your prayers will be answered. The Holy Spirit will empower you with Jesus’ Strength, Wisdom, and Discernment, this is the only way, we can live as Overcomers.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

Personal Testimony

This is how I changed my relationship with Christ. Every day as soon as I awaken, I consecrate my mind, body, and soul to God. I have personal worship twice-a-day, spending time studying the Scriptures and praying throughout my day for strength.

I stopped making decisions without praying, waiting, listening for God’s voice, and then obeying His instructions. Truthfully, this is still my struggle to not impulsively follow my thoughts.

Before making a decision always, Pause, Pray, and Wait on the Lord to answer your prayer. God perceives time as Eternal, so He is never in a hurry.

Spiritual Growth and Character Development Occurs In Small Steps

The Holy Spirit changes us daily, but gradually. And you will recognize that you are changing spiritually because you will start feeling differently about “Sin.”

There are things you won’t be able to talk about, programs you will cease watching, and listening to, and you will spend less time on social media, and let go of other habits that caused you to waste your time instead of worshiping God.

Sanctification is the progressive transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities, and we must cooperate fully with the Holy Spirit to be changed.

Jesus placed great emphasis on loving God, the Father. Because our hearts are filled with self-love, we must possess genuine love for God to put Him first.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27).

Loving God with everything we have, is written in four different Chapters of the Bible. Our relationship with Christ is only possible when we love and are loyal to God, the Father.

To be a Christian requires that we possess a teachable spirit of humility, and the willingness to surrender daily, and faithfully obey God.

God gave us the spiritual gifts of love, power, a sound mind, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

Daily worship enables us to recognize who we are in Christ Jesus. When our identity is anchored in Christ, we will not engage in sinful practices.

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

The King is coming sooner than we think. We can never overcome temptations and adversity using our thoughts, strategies, and strength. Several times a day, pray for Jesus to give you His strength, wisdom, and discernment.

Let go of everything that does not please God! Nothing on this Earth is worth exchanging your Crown of Life for. Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, we need you. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, to give us a pure heart, and baptize our hearts with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We thank You for Your Love, Grace, and Mercies, and ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

You Are Not Your Provider

At some point in our lives, we will reach the Red Sea that no amount of human effort can open or resolve. Through daily personal worship, we acknowledge God’s love and His faithfulness, trusting that He will give us our provisions.

Our Heavenly Father is not only Faithful, He is always true to His Character. If he said it, He will do it. Praises of gratitude increase our faith in God.

“Bless the LORD, oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy name! Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.. ” (Psalm 103:1-2).

From living a sacrificial life of serving God with humility and daily prayers of gratitude for all His blessings, we immediately fall to our knees, whispering a prayer in faith knowing that God will provide in every season of life.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).

Our Response: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).

So, when life events create lean times of financial deficit from job loss, or unexpected sickness, those who have developed a total dependency on God are confident they will receive God’s Divine Help.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

We were not created to figure it out, or use our thoughts to develop solutions that place us as players in the risky Game of Chance. In Matthew 6, Jesus reiterates that He will provide for us. Only trust Him! Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, we are thankful and grateful for Your love and continuous care. With all of our hearts, souls, and minds, we worship and praise your Holy Name because you are God.  We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, our Triumphant King, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

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“The Authority of Jesus Questioned”

Matthew 21:23-27…

23 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ “

24 Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin? ‘ “

“They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, From heaven, He will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ “

27 “So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ “

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

The commitment to follow Christ has always required surrender and faithful obedience to His authority, which was given to Him by God, the Father.

When we fail to consecrate and commit ourselves to God through daily personal worship, our thoughts and actions supersede our spoken words.

But what we do not understand is that we are questioning God’s Authority, which places us in wilful rebellion against God’s Sovereignty.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Jesus’s earthly life reveals that obedience to God is non-negotiable.

Remain Faithful to God

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4).

Never Trust Your Own Thoughts

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Reverence God Through a Spirit of Humility

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7).

Embrace God’s Promise of His Faithfulness

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Honor God’s Sovereignty, Because He Is God

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Our Allegiance and Loyalty Is To God, or To Ourselves

Reflection: By whose authority are you living your life? Every day, we choose our destiny, our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are obeying God, or not.

If we live according to our thoughts and desires, then we choose to forfeit our reward of The Crown of Life. Our only reward will be whatever we pursued and accomplished in our earthly lives.

Jesus’ Promise To the Faithful

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV).

Bible Study: Revelation 19, 21-22

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sins of  self-reliance and disobedience. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and remove the stubbornness in our hearts. We desperately need Your Holy Spirit to baptize our hearts, and minds, so we can see life through spiritual eyes, and live a sacrificial life of obedience. Lord, we consecrate our lives to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, and ask for the daily Spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment required to live as overcomers. God, we acknowledge that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry