Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

For you, are people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord, your God, has chosen you out of all of the peoples on the face of the earth, to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6

Consider your current job where you have worked very hard and have consistently received excellent performance appraisals. Due to a company merger, proposed changes have been anticipated to eliminate staff. You receive an email from your manager requesting a meeting the next day to discuss your future with the company.

After a sleepless night, you enter your manager’s office, not knowing what to expect, but you are prepared for the loss of your employment. Much to your surprise, you learn that you have been chosen for a promotion to a managerial position. As you accept the change in job responsibilities, you commit to fulfilling all of the expectations that were presented to you.

The Israelites were also chosen by God to express the love, grace, and mercy that He has for humanity. God’s plan was to provide complete restoration to the Nation of Israel after delivering them from 400 years of bondage in Egypt. God provided, protected, and blessed Israel without failing. Even so, the people disobeyed God’s commands by embracing and participating in the pagan rituals of idol worship. Their story is our story; we are spiritual Israel, and in spite of being chosen by God, we are everything but faithful to Him.

Perhaps we can begin to look at our lives from a different perspective. We have been created by God to give Him the utmost praise and reverence above anything or anyone. Yet, we follow our inclinations and are distracted by the pleasures of this world. God’s plan for fallen and sinful humanity is to bring us to a state of complete restoration. If we obediently follow His commands, we will receive our greatest reward, Eternal Life. We have been chosen to live forever with God in the new and perfect earth where death, sorrow, crying, and pain will never exist. I am chosen you are chosen. The time is now for us to fulfill our role and meet the expectations of God’s divine plan.

Prayer for today: Dear God, I thank you for choosing me. I desire to be obedient and to follow your plan for a complete restoration. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

 

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9

During my career, one of the most challenging days was Wednesday, the mid-week day, where your energy level was slowly plummeting. But the expectation was to work even harder because there were only two days left in the workweek. Since statistics prove that Friday has the lowest level of productivity, our organization utilized Wednesdays to catch up on the backlog along with reaching the daily goals for that day.

I often day-dreamed of how relieved I would feel on Friday at 5 pm as I struggled to meet the grueling deadlines. My desire for better Wednesdays never came to fruition as I struggled every week to meet the productivity standards; even so, I was successful by pushing myself beyond my level of peak energy.

Many times we reach a plateau in our spiritual lives and are unable to figure out the answer to having a closer and deeper relationship with God. We pray, study the Word, attend church, exercise, eat right, and practice kindness, but, still we feel as if something is missing. The solution to overcoming our stunted spiritual growth may link to how we utilize our time.

We have received the gift of 24 hours to complete our daily tasks along with serving God. While managing our daily distractions, it is easy for our secular activities to overpower our spiritual duties. God admonishes us to separate ourselves from the busyness of our daily tasks. Our spiritual responsibilities include more than praying, studying, and attending church; we are to emulate the life of Christ. Have we included helping others in their time of need, or is our time solely devoted to self?

The gift of our time is necessary to facilitate spiritual growth. Develop a Spiritual Time Log and set aside a minimum of 2 hours per week in the pursuit of a non-self activity by helping others. Communicate with local churches and shelters to volunteer your services, purchase some staple food items, and post on social media that you have extra food to donate. With a few time management changes, we can say good-bye to our “spiritual plateau” and reach our fullest potential by serving others in our journey of life.

For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me…Matthew 25:35

Prayer: Dear God, We ask forgiveness for not doing our honest part in alleviating the suffering of others. Please give us the desire to live as Christ lived by helping those in need. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

 

 

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:17

The question, “Do you love me?” from an analytical viewpoint, is that the individual asking requires comfort or reassurance to allay feelings of insecurity. While that may be true in some circumstances, the premise for asking the question of reaffirming one’s love for another may stem from another reason, one that has nothing to do with requiring reassurance.

Love has profound characteristics that distinguish it from the other emotions that we possess. The declaration of love for another implies a commitment to serve, the responsibility to place one’s own desires beneath the needs of someone else, and the dedication to faithfully stay until the end of life. Yes, there is much expected, and much is required when we say that we love someone.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT

Love: Doth (does) not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1 Corinthians 13:5. Most importantly, love governs our behaviors; we are constrained and do no harm with our words or actions.

For us to understand love, we must have unwavering faith in God, it is His strength that enables us to possess the attributes of His love.

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Even Simon Peter, Jesus’ disciple, did not have a complete understanding of love; his faith was weak, which caused him to possess wayward thoughts along with spontaneous and inappropriate behaviors. Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. John 18: 10. Although Jesus foretold Peter that he would deny Him: “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.'” Luke 22:34, his wavering faith produced fear, and after he denied Christ three times,..he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62

Peter was grieved when Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him; even so, Jesus was aware of Peter’s shortcomings. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

Each of us has the shortcoming of not fully understanding God’s love. Because of our weak faith, our love fails, and like Simon Peter, Jesus must also ask us, “Do you love me?” When we truly love God, we will humbly serve Him until the end.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayer: Dear God, We acknowledge our weaknesses and ask for the strength to love you and to love others as you require. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

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. Isaiah 43:2 

For most, on January 26th, the devastation of the loss of nine lives has shattered our confidence and caused us to re-evaluate our present values. Along with the families who have suffered a significant loss, the world grieves over the precious lives cut short. This is not about career accomplishments or having an iconic status, we are in a state of mourning over the tragic loss of 9 individuals: Husband’s, Wives, Mommy’s, Daddy’s, Children–young and adult, Sisters, and Brothers who were loved and adored by their family members, friends, and others.

It is the common thread of humanity that places immense sorrow in our hearts that allows us to feel the bitter sting of death. When tragedy impacts our lives, and we can not endure another waking moment, remember that God has planted the seed of Faith inside of each of us. For our faith to grow, we must face the bitter trials and tribulations that allow us to spiritually see the Invisible God intervening on our behalf. In His mercies, God has blessed the human mind to retain precious memories of our loved ones along with the ability to move forward with our lives. Through our pain and tears of sorrow that flows from the rivers of grief, the fires of oppression, and the raging stormy waters:

God says, REMEMBER ME!

For I AM:

Immanuel: God with us; I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning, and the End. Revelation 22:13

Jehovah El Elohim: The LORD God, the LORD, mighty, powerful, the strong One who is over all; “…”I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3:14 (partial verse)

Jehovah Immeka: The LORD is with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (last part)

Jehovah Jireh: The LORD will provide; The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1

Jehovah Mauzzi: The LORD my fortress; God says, “Be strong and courageous.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (first part)

Jehovah Rophe: The LORD (our) Healer; “…for I am the LORD, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

Jehovah Shalom: The LORD our Peace; He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3

We must faithfully trust His plan and believe His promises: “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

Jesus sees the tears that fall, So trust in Him and give your all. He is saying, “My child, I care.” Just call on me, I am already there. I have borne your sorrow. Your faithful prayer today will bring a hopeful tomorrow. Soon all hurt will pass away, and then you can look forward to a brighter and glorious day. © Esther Johnson and Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Prayer:  Oh, God. Please have mercy on us, we need your help to bear our sorrows. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

 

 

 

 

 

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

If we were asked to write a book based on our personal choices and life experiences, which genre would it be placed in; Romance, Crime, Mystery, Religious, Inspirational, Fantasy, or Horror? Would our book be categorized as fiction, because we did not tell the whole truth? And would we use our given name as the author, or perhaps a pseudonym is required to ensure our anonymity? Would our book be on the bestseller list based on the big reveal of trendy and fashionable choices identifying who we really serve?

In spite of their deliverance from many enemies, the Israelites had a hidden agenda, they were drawn to pagan idol worship. Historically, they had always been torn between serving the Invisible God and seeking the pleasures derived from enticing rituals and bowing to visible idols. In His mercies, God revealed their secret sins to Joshua, yet when they were confronted about their idol worship, the Israelites attempted to deceive Joshua. With boldness, they proclaimed that they were loyal to the one and only true God: Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!  Joshua 24:16

The exposure of the truth produced new sins; they forgot that God is Omniscient, causing them to quickly respond with a lie that they only worshipped the God who had delivered them. However, their choices reflected pages of a fictional book–that which appears to be a reality is far from the truth. Through Joshua, God reminded the Nation of Israel that He was the Author, and the pages of their lives would be written according to His will, or he would allow harm to destroy them.

If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you and consume you, even after He has been good to you. Joshua 24:20. Reflection on their past rebelliousness and the punishment that followed caused them to make a new covenant with God. But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:21

“All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” Joshua 24: 23

Yes, God gave them the free will of choice; however, the Nation of Israel consistently rebelled against God and then cried out to Him to save them from the consequences of their sins. Our God is faithful in His love and mercies, He always forewarned them of the results of their sins, and extended the opportunity to repent.

We are living in a time in which God’s mercies are being withdrawn from the earth. Do our choices reflect that we have allowed God to write his plans on the pages of our lives, or have we made the decision to write our own books by worshipping the idols of secret desires? There is no middle ground; we must choose who we will serve by letting go of our hidden agendas.

Allow God to be the Author of your life by making a new covenant with Him, and the Book of your life will reflect your choice to serve the One and Only God.

Prayer: Dear God, Our choices reveal disobedience and idol worship of the pleasures of this world. We are not who we pretend to be. The Books of our Lives are displeasing to you, and for this, we ask forgiveness. We pray that you will cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3

There is a fable (a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral) that tells of a frog who was placed in a pot of water that was being heated. As the water became hotter, the frog recognized the increased temperature but failed to jump out of the pot on time, which led to its demise. While biologically, this story holds no real truth because a frog would desperately attempt to escape its situation, we will utilize the frog to demonstrate our tendencies.

When we make the decision to follow Jesus, we are redeemed from our sins. Our lives have a new beginning; we are given a spiritual rebirth, all of the old sins are washed away; hence the reason Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. As we attempt to grow spiritually through the faithful study of God’s Word and communication with God through prayer, Satan has another plan.

Let us use the story of the frog in the pot. We are the frog who was enjoying the tepid water, which represents our new life through Christ. But Satan begins to turn the heat up by reminding us of past events, old situations, or bringing unbelievers back into our lives. The reflection or involvement of the past prevents us from recognizing the rising temperature in the pot, and before we realize it, the water is boiling, and our new life in Christ ceases to exist.

We must do our part and “Jump out of the pot before it reaches the boiling point!” Leave all people, places, and things alone that do not promote your spiritual growth. “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Isaiah 43:18. Pray for the deliverance from your past. Study the Bible, and thank God for the blessings of your new life that allows for spiritual growth. We can enjoy the tepid waters of joy and peace that is only available through Jesus Christ.

For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

Prayer: Dear God, We ask you for the spiritual discernment to recognize when Satan attempts to use our past to destroy our new lives with you. Please give us the strength to move forward in your name, and to grow closer to you. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.

And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. Mark 5:25

From the perspective of modern society, when we consider the woman in Mark chapter 5 who suffered from continuous bleeding for 12 years, we may limit ourselves to only think of the great faith that she possessed regarding the healing of her disease. Before we speak of her faith, let us consider this woman, her condition, and how it impacted her daily existence.

In Biblical days, an individual with a bodily discharge was considered ceremonially unclean and lived separately even within their family home. In Leviticus chapter 15, God provided specific instructions on guarding the Israelites against ceremonial uncleanliness, which would lead to death…for their impurity would defile my Tabernacle that stands among them. Leviticus 15:31 (last part).

After reading the 15th chapter of Leviticus, do you see her with the eyes of your heart? The river of compassion must run deep for this woman when we consider the isolation and disdain that she faced daily from others. She was not able to take sacrificial offerings to the Tabernacle, have visitors in her home, attend social activities, or purchase items from the local marketplace. Not only was she alone, but now this woman was also living in poverty. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. Mark 5:26 NLT. 

When she had given her all, and there were no other options, somehow, she heard about a man called Jesus who had a reputation for healing, and on that day, He just happened to be in her city. This woman covered her head for fear of recognition and joined the large crowd of people that were gathered around Jesus. It was her faith that cleared the way, as she desperately pushed through, “‘ For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed. Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.” Mark 5:28 NLT.

When you have tried all possible solutions, faithfully, reach out and touch His garment. Pray and call on the name of Jesus; He is the One who suffered, bled, and died for all humanity, and it is only Jesus that can make us whole.

Prayer: Jesus, We have run out of options. It is with faith that we ask you to manifest your power to heal us, to provide for us, and to reveal to us what we need to do. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in your Holy name. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1

One never really considers that romantic novels and movies present love between humans as the highest form of love. According to the prevalent beliefs, love has many dimensions; love at first sight, young love, feelings of dislike as a precursor to falling in love, stages of love, old-school love, along with the heartbreaks of the gradual loss of love for one another. Love in human form is conditional, often based on unrealistic expectations and broken promises.

In spite of the turmoils that we endure from loving each other, we can count on the fact that God’s love is the highest love, and is always present because He is always faithful. 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 NIV. Our lives are in His hands!

God knew that humanity would disregard His love, and fall into sin; yet, He breathed the breath of life into Adam. And God lovingly agreed to give His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us from sin and provide us with the opportunity to choose Eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, ESV.  Jesus Christ made the commitment, and He did die for us!

We are privileged to be able to give and receive unconditional love, and this is the reason: We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Until Jesus’ Second Coming, our lives will continue to be bittersweet, “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. Every day we receive unmerited grace and mercies from our loving God who will forever hold us in His hands. 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving us and giving us the ability to give and receive love. We ask you to continue to hold us in your loving hands as we endure our tribulations. We love you. Please accept our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020

 

 

 

 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus 2:11,12

Posted on a crocheting blog was the picture of a young boy sitting on a small bench placed against the wall with an adult hand holding an item that had been destroyed by scissors. The child’s mother stated that her son was on the timeout bench because he intentionally disobeyed her instructions on not touching her yarn and scissors. Immediately, the blog became a battleground from responses that indicated the mother was responsible for her son’s wayward behavior. The consensus was that the child’s punishment was unjust because she left the crafting materials within his reach. And to add injury to insult, she should consider purchasing toys or craft items that would hold his interest and discourage boredom.

What are your practicing beliefs on obedience and self-control? If you were faced with a similar situation, how would you promote obedience as a vital character trait? Would you accept responsibility and reinforce the disobedient and destructive behavior by purchasing yarn and safety scissors for your child? Indeed, this is the challenge that we face when our feelings are ambivalent regarding right and wrong. Although disrespect is a factor, the root of the problem stems from disobedience, which produces a lack of self-control.

Daily, we cross the boundaries that God has given us to live holy and acceptable lives. Our emotions may reflect a lack of self-control, or we may embrace an unhealthy lifestyle by choosing fast foods that facilitate diseases. What about the desires for pleasure-seeking activities: gambling, partying, alcohol and illicit drugs, spending excessive time playing video or online games, watching Rated movies that contain violence, sex, and profanity or spending large amounts of money by purchasing trendy clothing and accessories.

Obedience to God stems from our love for God. When we seek to do His will, the worldly pleasures of this world will be meaningless. It is time for us to take control of ourselves by letting go of all selfish desires which constitute unrighteousness. Even though we may not possess extreme vices, the sin of disobedience against God remains prevalent in our lives.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (first part)

Prayer: Dear God, We are at a crossroads in our relationship with you. Our desires reflect disobedience, and, for this, we ask forgiveness. We need your strength to change and to take control of our lives. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020