Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Oh My Soul – Rebekah Dawn Feat. Mary Monari (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) SKIZA…

The Time Has Come to Separate Ourselves

In the United States, the overwhelming effort to rid the country of all immigrants has empowered governmental agencies with the right to abuse individuals who were created in the image of God.

Those with money and political power think, act, and breathe as if they are demigods and have the authority to persecute, dehumanize, and reinterpret the laws of the land.

As worshipers of the Most-High God, we must perceive these actions through spiritual eyes, Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled!

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the End of the Age?” (Matthew 24:3).

Jesus answered His disciples question: What will be the signs of the end of the world? “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:11-12).

Many Christians are trampling on God’s Commandments and Righteous Principles because they live to please themselves.

The false doctrines of “Once saved, you are always saved because you are covered by Grace,” “Live as you please, heaven is your home,” and “God knows your heart, He knows that you really desire to do what is right” was developed by Satan, humanity’s greatest enemy.

These doctrines have permeated the Christian Community as if we can determine the Spiritual guidelines for receiving Eternal Life. Yet, God has established Righteous Standards in the Holy Scriptures that have never changed.

Too many Christians are really not concerned about God’s command to, “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)., because their faith is in their interpretation of God’s Truth.

The practice of Compromised Christianity is so prevalent we can no longer recognize the difference between most believers and unbelievers.

The worldly believer who probably attends church but embraces selective sins, is practicing “a form of godliness” where one appears to be living a sanctified and holy life.

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV)

Fact: Unbelievers make no effort to obey God and live their earthly lives to please themselves.

It is the double-minded believers who attend church, but love prosperity, sinful pleasures, and the people who make life exciting that Satan has deceived into believing they will bring their unholy character into heaven.

Jesus has not withheld the spiritual criteria that is required for us to receive our Crown of Life.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

We cannot walk in the way of sinners and expect to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In my past life of compromise, whenever I heard of Jesus’ Second Coming my heart was filled with dread because I knew that I wasn’t ready. And how did I know that?

The Holy Spirit will not stay quiet when we are no longer walking on the Path of Righteousness. We receive warnings when we are not in right standing with God. Yet, God never tramples on our Free Will of choice to serve Him or not.

The Apostle Paul tells us, eventually, those who continue to live the sinful life of compromise, feel no remorse for their sins because they have grieved the Holy Spirit who no longer warns them of your sins against God.

When God’s Mercy Ends: “Romans 1:28 states: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

“This Scripture, along with (Romans 1:24-32), describes a process where, because people reject God and His knowledge, God allows them to descend further into sin and a depraved state of mind.”

The Christian journey is the toughest battle we will ever face in our earthly lives. Yet Paul proclaimed, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

Fulfilling Our Spiritual Role: Pray and study the Holy Scriptures like never before. Daily consecration and asking God to baptize our hearts with the Holy Spirit empowers us with the edifying Righteousness of Jesus Christ.

God’s Promise of Sanctification to His Righteous Believers: “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).

“This verse expresses the Apostle Paul’s confidence in God’s work within believers. Jesus Christ, who initiated the process of salvation and spiritual growth in us, will continue that work until its completion on the day of Christ’s return.”

Sanctification is the daily process of Spiritual Transformation that requires the human effort of cooperation with the Holy Spirit who performs “the daily Sanctification required for the transformation of our character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.

We have this hope! The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and Triumphant King is sooner than we think! Hallelujah and Amen!

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ ” (Revelation 7:9-10).

Fact: In the Book of Revelation chapters 19-22, Jesus reveals how the Great Controversy of Good and Evil ends.

Fact: Jesus did not sacrifice his life in vain. Throughout the history of this Earth, God has always had a remnant of faithful believers who consecrated themselves daily through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and obedience.

Reflection: Where would you stand if Jesus came today?

“If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” (Joshua 24:15, World English Bible).

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness after His 40-day fast, all he could offer Christ was the temporary power, prestige, and pleasures of this world. And Satan is still using that same old deception to pull us away from God.

Yes, Satan’s goal is to keep us distracted by offering us trinkets when God is offering us the Crown of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Brothers and sisters, separate yourself from all unrighteousness! Fight the good fight of faith in the Mighty Power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The King is Coming! The King is Coming! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, in a world filled with deception and distractions, we desperately need Your help to keep us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. God, we ask You to create a clean heart within us, and give us a steadfast spirit and desire to serve You. Lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us, as we continue in this journey of life. We ask this prayer in the Righteous and Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.

A Sabbath Prayer of Peace and Blessings For All Believers

Lord God, in faith, we ask You to reveal the hidden things that we need to know to prepare for Your soon return. Our desire is to receive everlasting life in a perfect world filled with love and unity. We thank you for the Sabbath, a day of rest, in which, we can worship You in spirit and in truth. We pray for a spiritual blessing of strength and wisdom along with the courage to keep moving forward in the power of Your Holy Name. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Stop! Pray Before Making That Decision

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

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

Without God’s guidance, “our decisions and actual behaviors bring consequences. And the painful truth, which we all have experienced, is that we alone don’t suffer from the consequences of our wrong actions. Others, sometimes many others, even innocent others, suffer, as well. Such is the nature of sin.”

Reflection: “In what ways have you suffered from others’ sins? Or, what are ways others have suffered from your sins?

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

“What is our only hope?” Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who washes away our sins, and changes us into His likeness and Divine character is our only hope.

Lord God, we have made too many mistakes that have produced consequences. We pray for Your guidance in this tumultuous journey of life. God, we need Your Divine wisdom and direction before making this decision. Teach us how to distinguish Your voice from our thoughts. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Escaping the Demise of Nurturing Unforgiveness

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44).

God has established His commands found in the Holy Scriptures for forgiving our enemies. When Jesus was nailed to Calvary’s Cross, He prayed a prayer forgiving His enemies. Before we accepted Christ, we were also His enemies, and He immediately forgave us.

The Big Reveal: Love and hate cannot coexist in our hearts.

Unforgiveness reveals that we possess an unconverted heart that is not transformed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot love God and hate others. It is a sad choice to lose one’s reward of Eternal Life for harboring the deep rooted sin of unforgiveness.

The Holy Scriptures do not support or justify our demand to receive an apology from those who have harmed us. We must forgive even when they feel no remorse for what they did.

I endured childhood abandonment, abuse, betrayal, and hatred. Still I forgave, because 30 years later someone told me to pray for my enemies.

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6: 14-15).

Praying for others set me free from the bondage that threatened to keep my heart, mind, and soul in a hopeless abyss of the darkness of hatred. When we forgive, Jesus completely heals our broken hearts, and there are no residual scars.

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NLT)

There is nothing deeper than God’s spoken words in the Holy Bible, which soothes our souls, and transforms our minds and characters in preparation for a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth where love will abound!

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord…’

To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

God says that vengeance belongs to Him. We have this hope, the world as we know it, saturated with so much evil, will not always exist. Study Revelation chapters I9-22.

We choose to ask Jesus to fill our hearts with His Agape love to replace the bitter feelings of unforgiveness. To love God is to love others unconditionally.

Obeying God’s Commands and Righteous Principles is required of every Christian believer. Forgiving our enemies is a requisite for receiving Jesus’ promise of the Crown of Life.

As we are forgiven, we must forgive. Never be willing to die for your enemy’s sins because that is the spiritual outcome of nurturing the sin of unforgiveness. Peace and Blessings.

Lord Jesus, You experienced much hatred and many atrocities in Your earthly life, still you forgave your enemies. We pray for those who are in the bondage of unforgiveness that they will allow Your Righteous Love to permeate their hearts and heal their wounds. In faith, we ask this prayer, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Swan’s Elegant Landing 🦢

Nature Moment

The Woodland Wonders of Nature

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who searched for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26 NLT

Good Morning!

It is a cold and rainy Sunday, even so, we have been blessed with another day of life.

In 2001, I was searching for a new job and had sent out several resumes. I can recall interviewing for the position as a Home Health Nurse. I excitedly thought about the autonomy of developing my daily schedule, and the freedom of traveling as opposed to working in the confinement of an office setting for 8 hours a day.

While I was waiting for the completion of the Agency background check, I received a call from Eve, a Camp Administrator in New York City who relayed that she had received my resume and was interested in hiring me for the summer.

As she explained the responsibilities of the position, I mentally laughed at the thought of a “New Jersey City Girl” working in the Catskill mountains of Upstate NY. I half-heartedly listened to the duties of the position, realizing that I had never been camping, and really was not interested at the age of 43 in new beginnings.

My thoughts took a 360 spin when Eve spoke about the compensation-the salary was based on the NYC wage scale for nurses. With the salary I would receive for the summer, it would be possible to be selective in choosing a permanent job with the right fit when I returned home.

I had a decision to make; based on the completion of a successful background check, the position was mine, if interested. Honestly, my affirmative decision was influenced solely by the money.

The next day, I received a Fed-Ex package with New Hire documents, pictures of the camp, and a very lengthy list of the required clothing, shoes, and supplies.

There were three modules with a one-week away from camp break, which equated to 12 weeks of rendering care to girls ages 7-17, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including the On-Call duties.

Although my motives for accepting the position were not the best, my life experience expanded in a way that I never thought possible. The unadulterated beauty and peaceful environment of the land with it’s serene lake and majestic trees were simply breath-taking. I became Nurse-mother to 325 girls during that summer who often visited the infirmary (in tears) for various reasons.

It was hard work! The temperatures plummeted to 30 degrees at night, and my cabin had the only indoor shower in the camp with a reservoir of 5 gallons of hot water that was only to be utilized for the nursing staff. I received many offers of money and gifts from staff to take a hot shower; nonetheless, I adhered to the rules.

Preparation for Nightly Bear Visits: Bears! The most daunting thoughts were fueled by a history of watching too many horror movies (a habit that has ceased). During orientation week, we were taught to make Honey pots that were set out every night at the entrance of the campsite to deter the bears from entering.

Thankfully, the camp counselors were responsible for the honey pots. Still, I must admit that my prayer life increased during that summer. God is awesome! Nightly, we could hear the bear eating from the pot; however, never once did the bears enter the campsite.

“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7 NLT).

With God all things are possible, I have come to appreciate the beauty of nature, and know that only a loving God could provide an earth filled with such magnificent splendor for our enjoyment.

“Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists such as public health researchers Stamatakis and Mitchell.”

Challenge for today: Reach beyond your comfort zone…enjoy a stress-free day in a natural habitat, and thank Jesus, the Creator for His Amazing Love and Gift of Nature.

“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD…” (Psalm 24:1 NLT).

LORD God, Thank you for blessing us with the beauty of nature. Thank you for the elements that enhance our lives and total well-being. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!

Reposted this Devotional from 2019. As I read about my first real experience in nature, I must admit that it was God’s love that granted me a summer that was life-changing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Peace and Blessings.

Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God Almighty!

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3).

We have received many priceless blessings this week including God’s Ruach Breath flowing through our body and angelic protection from spiritual warfare and physical danger.

Expressing Prayers and Praises of Gratitude invites the Holy Spirit to give us abundant peace, joy, and happiness even when we are experiencing tough times in the dark valley of trials.

Do you feel loved? God’s Love is Everlasting and all that we need, yet, we receive so much more. It is impossible to count our blessings.

Agape Love is always between the Giver [God] and the Receiver [You and Me]. Have you expressed your love everyday for Yeshua, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King?

“…I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Take some alone, quiet time to offer Praises [Pray, Sing, and Read the Scriptures] of Celebration to Jesus, our Redeemer, Intercessor, and Mediator.

Lord God, we lift Your Holy Name with praises of gratitude for Your Amazing Love and Steadfast Faithfulness. We pray for the blessing of spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical renewal as we celebrate your Holy Sabbath. Yeshua, we love You, and ask this prayer in your Holy Name, Amen.

Silence Invites Christ Into the Conflict

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” —1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV

Because of sin, conflict is a natural part of life. But regardless of the highly practiced worldview, “Conflict is healthy,” God clarifies that He is never present in disagreements, arguments, confusion, or strife.

“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Because Satan is shrewd, dissension presents itself in various [covert] ways. Something as simple as, “What are we going to eat for dinner?” can escalate into a tug of war when our hearts are not filled with Christ’s love.

“And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Do not be deceived by describing conflict as “a little disagreement.” Little conflicts invite the unrighteous spirit of confusion into our homes.

Dissension changes the atmosphere of our homes and our minds, characters, and personalities, which become instruments that Satan easily manipulates.

The Spirit of Strife not only destroys our internal peace but also separates us from God, placing us on the same unrighteous level as unbelievers. To “Agree to Disagree” is one of Satan’s deceptive theories of compromise, and is not Biblical, or a Righteous Principle.

Our earthly lives are the only opportunity given by God to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Through humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, the righteous are covered with Christ’s garment of spiritual peace.

“If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18, CEB). God’s expectation for every Christian believer is that we possess a pure, loving heart that reflects the Righteousness of Christ. A home that is peaceful and righteous is the home where the Spirit of God is always present.

“Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, GWT).

Satan’s most effective conflict strategy is to use people to provoke us, so we will react with angry thoughts and words, or impatiently blow our vehicle horn, an unholy substitute for irate spoken words.

Do not give Satan control of your mind and mouth by speaking emotionally charged words. Unrighteous responses are one of the easiest ways to sin.

Angry sarcastic words are thoughtless words that not only escalate the situation but are also hurtful. Fact: Apologies do not soothe or heal wounded hearts.

Seeing Conflict Through Spiritual Eyes: There are only two powers in this world, God, who is Good, and the Creator and Giver of Peace, and Satan, whose evil schemes always produce conflict with the intent to destroy harmony and peace.

Overcoming Satan’s Schemes of Conflict Requires the Teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention.

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14, NASB).

How to Handle Conflict With Unfamiliar People: Immediately pray for strength, remain silent, and walk away. No discussion is necessary. Walking away is our witness.

Handling conflict with familiar people [family, friends, coworkers] who are also believers is the true test of our love and loyalty to Christ. Unless they are immediate family living in the same home, we must separate ourselves from those whom the enemy is using to persecute us.

Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God reveals boundaries in interaction with our family and friends. Husbands and wives must pray together when animosity arises between them, and parents must be a godly example for their children when dissension arises.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Never harbor grudges: We must extend mercy as God extends Mercy to us.

The first response in the Christian home is not to hear what happened first, but to engage everyone present to immediately pray a prayer of repentance, and with humility invite God to resolve the conflict. Only then, when the Holy Spirit is present, should they hear the rest of the story. An effective way to resolve conflict and evaluate with fairness is, after the prayer, have each person write about their experience.

Dissension is often fatal to our spiritual growth and transformation. We must never forget that we accepted Christ to live righteously and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for a complete spiritual makeover of our mind, character, and personality. One thing is for certain: There will be no conflict in heaven.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV).

The Truth: Quick and intemperate responses reveal that our hearts are unconverted, and we do not possess the righteous character traits that align with the Fruit of the Spirit.

The Righteous Attributes of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Whether strife arises with familiar people, or strangers, remain silent! God has gifted us with the power of self control, React by breathing a silent prayer. Ask God for Divine Help. Using self-control, Stand down your anger!

Prayer and Silence accomplish two spiritual goals: We learn to totally depend on God to fight and win our battles, and our character is transformed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit necessary for us to receive our reward of the Crown of Life.

Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the many times we have thought or spoken angry words that did not reflect Your love. We ask you to give us the strength and the guidance to cultivate a spirit of meekness and to extend mercy when experiencing the persecution of conflict for serving You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

The Eternal Reward for Choosing a Sacrificial Life

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).

“Human nature is always struggling to fulfill the internal desires for happiness, pleasure, status, success, and wealth. “…but those who learn of Christ are emptied of self, of pride, of the love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Self is yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

“We look to Jesus, waiting for His hand to lead, listening for His voice to guide.” In John 14:1-3, Jesus promises to return for us, and we wholeheartedly believe Him!

To love Christ is to know and obey Him. Consistent Prayer and Bible study are the foundation of a lifestyle of worship. The Word of God breathes transforming power into our minds and characters, and changes our perception of life.

Christ as our First Love is evidenced by a spirit of humility, surrender, daily consecration, steadfast faith, and obedience to His Commandments and Righteous Principles.

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

The believers who persevered to live obedient and sacrificial lives will soon receive their Crown of Eternal Life from Jesus Christ the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of Judah, and our Savior, and First Love. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we pray for strength, guidance, correction, and protection from the evil one whose strategy is to distract us with temporary earthly pleasures. God, we desire to serve You with faithful obedience. Reveal Your Holy will and plans for our lives. Give us the wisdom and discernment to hear Your voice over the many voices that threaten to disrupt our relationship with Jesus Christ. We ask this prayer in faith and in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.