Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning…Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13 NLT

It is a challenge in modern-day society to discern the difference between truth and error; hence the reason for successful scams, identity theft, and great financial loss. What you see and hear about is not necessarily what you will receive.

What makes it so easy to deceive others? Discontent leads to the desire to acquire more than one possesses and that is the key to opening the door for all sorts of schemes. When we are in pursuit of dreams that are based on financial gain or material possessions the result is a never-ending restlessness. We develop the mindset that there will never be enough and eventually we are caught up in an endless cycle of gaining wealth by any means necessary.

The pursuit of material goods is the basis for Capitalism; but as we follow those dreams, the road splits, and we are distracted from the pursuit of Righteousness by Faith which leads to Eternal life.

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths, sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9 NLT

God has given us a guaranteed way to prevent all deception in our lives; Study His Word–the Bible, and to call on His name in prayer. We are not required to guess or reflect on hindsight from our many mistakes, He lets us know in advance that the path we choose to walk on will either lead to what is true and right or traveling down the wayward path will cause us to stumble and fall.

We must take advantage of all that God has blessed us with! Cease the pursuit of whatever has you distracted from studying the Word of God and calling on His Holy Name; we are promised “Healing for the Repentant!”

Make the Call!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Human effort + Obedience + Divine Intervention= A Victorious Outcome

Bible Reading: Hosea 14

Prayer for today: Dear God, Thank you for giving us your Holy Word which is a lamp for our feet and a light to travel the only path that leads to Eternal life. We ask forgiveness of our pursuits that distract us from you. We thank you for the promise of healing us from the unrighteousness that leads to destruction. Thank you for loving us so much that you have provided us with a book, your Holy Word that prevents us from being deceived. God, we call on your Holy Name today and we ask you to show us the way that you would have for us to live. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

…This is what the Lord says, “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.” Jeremiah 3:12 NLT

When we read the history of the Israelites in the Bible, it seems as if they were always involved in pagan idol worship; they willfully and shamelessly rebelled and sinned against God who delivered them time after time through His love, and mercy. By the time Jeremiah the Prophet was anointed by God to act as an Intercessor, Israel had abandoned the same God who delivered them from captivity and enjoyed giving homage to idols made from wood and stone.

Was it intentional to become so distracted that the true God was forgotten and what He had done for them?

Have you ever tried something that you normally would never consider doing? If your answer is yes, then there are only two possible outcomes; either you made the decision to never venture into that area of compromise again or you experienced enjoyment from the forbidden pleasure and are still presently involved in the activity.

I grew up hearing a phrase, “Don’t dance with the Devil!” Of course, the phrase points to the hazards of saying yes to the sinful pleasures of this world. So you may comfort yourself by making a list of things that you would never do; however, the temptation that you will face is custom made with your name on it. Remember that Satan will never tempt you with something that you can easily turn away from.

There is a very interesting documentary on the historical development of the Las Vegas Strip aka Sin City with the primary focus on the Casino industry. The ongoing meeting and melding of the minds of the top strategists, architects, psychologists, mathematicians, and financial wizards are necessary to develop and execute their plans to encourage gambling. Visually the casinos are spectacular masterpieces that incite the neurological system to produce endorphins and increase the level of adrenaline in the body. The lighting is developed to produce a calming, comforting, and nurturing environment with the sole purpose of eliminating all fears of losing your money. Once you have entered, you are pampered by friendly, smiling faces who provide all of the alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages that your money can buy. As you sip your drink, your head begins to turn to choose the slot machine or the table that will make you a millionaire; and just as you prepare to leave your seat, you hear the excitement and resounding applause because there is another winner who turned quarters into dollars. You are hooked by the environment that satisfies all of the five senses and promises an incomparable experience; and for those fleeting moments of excitement, you are willing to empty your bank account.

If Satan was unleashed without God’s restraining power, he would have us filled with hopelessness and despair, we would throw in the towel because we would feel that Righteousness by Faith is not attainable. When we sin there is a normal reaction to feel isolated and abandoned by God, and Satan escalates those feelings by always presenting God as unjust in all of His ways. Although Israel was wayward and full of faithless people, God still proclaimed His mercy by telling them that He would not be angry forever.

God loves us more than we realize! It is by God’s mercy that we are not left for dead or tortured by Satan until we wished for death. “Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord, “for I am your master.” “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:14, 22 NLT

Hope for Restoration: Even with a history of wrongdoing, God never shuns us. In fact, Long ago the Lord said to Israel: I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. Yes, we will fall into sin more often than we desire; even so, it is God who accepts our confession and repentance of those grievous sins. Because of God’s love, grace, and mercy we should readily and humbly thank Him for being our Heavenly Father, renounce sin, and strive to move forward in His Holy Name.

Bible Readings: Jeremiah Chapters 3 and 31

Prayer for today: Dear God, We confess and repent of our sins and shortcomings. We are thankful that you love us and that your anger ceases even though we repeat the same sinful acts against you. As we strive to give up the habits that are enmity against you, we ask for your strength to live a holy life. Thank you for the ability to return to you and to move forward. These blessings we ask in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

A couple of days ago we attended the last day of a 75% off estate sale for the sole purpose of purchasing cleaning products; when we arrived the house was packed with so many individuals that I can only compare it to sardines in their container. Even so, I am originally an East Coast girl who utilized crowded public transportation on subways and buses when I commuted from New Jersey to New York City for employment which gave me the determination that our mission would not abort due to overcrowded conditions. And yes, my faithful husband navigated his way through the crowd with the mindset that our mission would be accomplished. We waited patiently in line to pay for our items along with other determined individuals who knew it was well worth the wait for the huge discount we were receiving. When we paid $7 for a bucket full of regularly priced quality cleaning items that would last us well into the next year, we left with a great sense of accomplishment. We chose to accept the challenges of patiently waiting and our mission was successfully completed.

I am unable to take credit for attending estate sales on their final days; in fact, earlier this year, I was given the suggestion–to wait by an individual that facilitates estate sales for a living. As we chatted about the 75% discount, she let me in on a trade secret: If you are middle-aged or older, you probably have all of the decorative items that one needs for a home; however, it is the practical items that you run out of or the necessary items that have worn out and have been discarded that you require to run your home smoothly on a day-to-day basis and those are the overlooked items that you will pay pennies on the dollar for if you just wait for the final day of the sale.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

I must confess that I possess a character trait based on “the early bird catches the worm” concept; I have always been highly motivated to aggressively pursue what was necessary for my career, and my life. Living on the East Coast reinforced my perception that waiting was a weakness and not a strength if you are to accomplish and fulfill your dreams. Based on learned behavior from my environment–you must think outside of the box to get ahead–my employers were satisfied with my business savvy and assertiveness as I assisted them in reaching their productivity goals.

The conflict arose when I placed my desires and ambitions above what God required. I was a determined self-starter whose focus was to meet or exceed company goals; however, I was also worn out, stressed, plagued with insomnia, and in poor health. Spending most of my time and energy constantly giving to others resulted in Spiritual Blindness, a condition that rapidly progressed as I failed to recognize that my relationship with God was non-existent. Don’t get me wrong, I never gave up my belief in the Trinity Godhead–God the Father, Jesus his Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I always prayed (even though the prayers were quick) therefore they were ineffectual prayers; however, the spiritual dependency as the fruit on the vine requires to thrive and grow was not present, and so I transitioned from a grape into a raisin, still useful but not from a spiritual perspective. I was not meeting the requirements that God had given to Believers in his Holy Word because I had no time or energy left to study the Bible.

As my spiritual and physical health declined, God never left me to plummet into the abyss of sin and further distress. Our God is full of love, grace, and mercies, not wanting any of us to perish, but He is also a jealous God. My nursing career came to an abrupt end with a diagnosis of endstage Osteoarthritis in both of my knees; I had no cartilage left to render patient care in a clinical environment and suffered from chronic pain which prevented me from achieving productivity standards in auditing medical records.

When I realized that my plans were not God’s plans, I prayed for a new purpose and direction for my life. God answered my prayer in stages; first, I had to recognize that the body he had blessed me with was not my own, and I had to develop and live a healthy lifestyle. When I begin to change my nutritional intake and make healthy choices, my body began to respond by losing weight, and I noticed an increase in mental clarity and a level of physical energy that I was not accustomed to. In fact, the insomnia that I suffered with for many years was replaced by a peaceful sleep.

God used a family member to emphasize that studying the Bible was foremost in the life of a Believer, and as I began to study and pray, God revealed the purpose that He had for my life, and that is to become a vessel to witness to others by writing Devotionals that address the practical challenges that Believers face on a daily basis.

Thou shall have no other gods before me…Exodus 20:3

We must slow down! So many of us are busy with all of the commitments we have made and we burden ourselves with overwhelming responsibilities that prevent us from having a close relationship with God. In our haste to get on with our desires, we rush through our lives without stopping to ask God if this is His will for our lives. In His infinite mercy, God intervenes on our behalf; part of God’s restorative process is to slow our busyness so we can listen to Him. And from a personal perspective, I can attest to the process of praying and waiting, waiting, and waiting for God’s response.

God does all things well and He requires us to wait: Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NLT

Waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active. When we truly wait on God, we are required to give up our own pursuits and to give our full attention to God, the attention that He rightfully deserves. Take a day to spiritually fast, and pray with a focus on asking God to reveal the commitments and responsibilities that you need to let go of; the self-inflicted burdens that God never intended for you to have. All we have to do is ask God and Wait for His answer; God is waiting to reveal the perfect plan for your life.

Human Effort + Obedience to Divine Intervention=Victory for the Overcomer!

Bible Reading: “For I know the plans I have for you, “says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask forgiveness for the busyness of the numerous commitments and responsibilities that we have taken on without asking for your approval or your blessing upon them. We realize that our lives are out of control, yet we continue in pursuits that are destroying our relationship with you. We ask you to reveal to us the plan that you have for our lives and to help us to patiently wait for your answer. We pray for obedience to your way and your will for our lives. We acknowledge that we can do nothing without your Divine Intervention. Thank you for bringing to our attention that your plans are what we must focus on. As we strive to grow closer to you by making the necessary changes to slow down and wait, we pray for your blessing and the strength we need to always obediently follow you. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37 NIV

Are you a gambler? Do you love the thrill of taking risks? What about the “let’s just wait and see what happens” mindset? Many of us would emphatically say a resounding “No” to those questions, yet we fail to prepare for the greatest event foretold to humanity: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ! Throughout the Bible, the theme is about Redemption; Jesus was born, lived a short 33 years on the earth, and died on the cross for all humanity to save us from our sins. His sacrifice was necessary because He was sinless and the only one worthy to fulfill the Plan of Salvation, which was in place prior to the creation of human life.

And if the Plan of Salvation is not enough to have you excited and making daily preparation by seeking after righteousness, then the promise made by Jesus: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going. John 14:1-3 NLT; should jumpstart a fervency to prepare for the perfect life that is described in Revelation 21-22. In studying the Bible we become aware of another biblical promise–Jesus’ Second Coming-His return to this earth, for those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior; we are promised the gift of immortality–Eternal life in a New Heaven and New Earth.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. revelation 21:4 NIV. This promise alone should be a catalyst to jumpstart a commitment to give your All and obediently serve God!

God knew that Adam and Eve would fall into temptation, disobey, and commit a grievous sin because they desired much more than God had already given to them. The consequences of their disobedience were severe; evicted from their home–the Garden of Eden–paradise, the loss of immortality, physical and emotional pain, hard work, the murder of their son-Abel by his brother Cain, the aging of their bodies leading to the physical death, and the inability to communicate with Jesus face-to-face. They gambled their entire lives away for the cunning deception of a worthless promise that they would be as “gods” if they ate from the forbidden tree.

Are we falling into the same behaviors as Adam and Eve? What are we gambling away our promise of Eternal Life for? It is guaranteed that the worldly pleasures that will soon cease to exist. Or do we feel that what we give to God is our interpretation of sacrifice?

Although there are no biblical references to validate the holidays of Christmas and Easter–many individuals celebrate these two manmade holidays with zeal and believe there is a religious significance that reflects the birth and death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Is this all that is needed for righteousness by faith? Is this all we must do to be followers of Christ? Is the promise of Eternal life based on the observation of two holidays per year?

The giving of “All” includes the acceptance of Jesus as your personal Savior; daily confession and repentance of sin; dutifully studying the Bible; praying continuously; obedience to God’s commandments; praying for the influx and guidance of the Holy Spirit; casting aside worldly pleasures; possessing unwavering faith and trust in God, and witnessing to others by sharing the Word of God, and providing for those in need.

If you think it is overwhelming to give your all to God, then reflect on your current job description or your daily lifestyle, you are probably burning the candle on both ends without an endpoint. Is it worth it to gamble and practice risky behaviors regarding your salvation that will only place you in a lose-lose situation?

As sinners saved by grace, we have absolutely nothing that we can give to God that constitutes a sacrifice–every good gift, including our life, is given to us by God. Let go of the unhealthy relationships, the pleasurable habits, chasing after the dream, and the pursuit of anything that interferes with placing God first in your life. Because God did not even spare His own Son who died, who suffered shame and spilled His precious blood on the cross; God requires us to give up our idols and to give our very best and our “All” to Him.

Believe that Jesus is alive and well in heaven acting as our Intercessor; He is the reason that God extends His love, grace, and mercy to us even when we are giving nothing. Thank you, Jesus!

Bible Reading: John 14, Revelation 21

Prayer for today: Dear Lord and Father of all mankind, We come to you today simply and humbly asking for you to forgive us for thinking more of ourselves because we have convinced ourselves that we are making sacrifices to follow you. We confess that we are unworthy, and we repent of giving you, what we feel is necessary. It is our desire to follow your plans for our lives and to give to you, our all and all from this day forward. We ask this prayer of confession and repentance in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Good Morning

I had to share these words of encouragement from one of my favorite Christian authors, Sister Ellen G. White.

When your life is filled with tests and trials…just remember…We are almost home; we shall soon hear the voice of the Savior richer than any music, saying, Your warfare is accomplished. Enter into the joy of thy Lord. Blessed, blessed benediction; I want to hear it from His immortal lips. I want to praise Him; I want to honor Him that sits on the throne. I want my voice to echo and re-echo through the courts of heaven. Will you be there? . . . God help us, and fill us with all fullness and power, and then we can taste of the joys of the world to come. Ellen G. White

For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37

Praise the Lord! We are nearing Home!

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask you to forgive us of our sins and shortcomings and we ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to fill us with your Holy Spirit. We pray for comfort for all who are discouraged and saddened by their circumstances. Please help us to always have the joy and peace that comes from knowing that you are our Heavenly Father. Oh God, we acknowledge that you love us and that you are great, your love and your mercies endure forever and ever. Amen!

Be encouraged! Prepare by Praying, Singing, and Studying the Word of God!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

The Master had special times and places for quiet conversation with His disciples. He met with them…more often on the sacred slopes of the Mount of Olives. Every Christian should have his own Mount of Olives. Most of us today, especially those of us in cities, live under great stress.

From early morning until bedtime we are exposed to the whirlwind of life. Amid all the turmoil, there is little opportunity for quiet thought, God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship of the heart! Come close to the Master for your personal mountain top experience with Him!

From Today’s Devotional–Streams in the Desert–by L. B. Cowman

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

As we study the Old Testament, we realize that the people of Israel faced insurmountable challenges which left them fearful, faithless, and forgetful. They began to focus on their situations instead of reflecting on the countless times in which God had delivered them. What was the basis for their lack of faith and trust in God?

If we fast forward to modern-day Believers, we can still ask the same question: What is the basis for our lack of faith and trust in God?

When we are in a state of suffering, there are times when we may view our situation as hopeless and we become obsessed with our circumstances. Realistically, we must acknowledge that suffering does not feel good and it does have a crushing effect on our mental and emotional well-being. However, it is when our circumstances appear larger than life that God is waiting for our obedience and for us to completely trust in him.  It is at the time when we are fearful, faithless, and forgetful that God is waiting to intervene if we only come to him in prayer.

When we make the decision to completely rely on God our relationship grows and we gain confidence because we realize that He is the source of our strength. Our suffering is beneficial in that we can realize our weaknesses and limitations, which direct us to God; therefore, we grow spiritually by becoming fully dependent on His strength and power.

Our relationship with God must be a dependent relationship, no self-reliance allowed. It is the inner battle of trusting in ourselves versus trusting in God that leaves us with doubt and mistrust when the storms of life are upon us.

In order for us to know what God is capable of, we must diligently study His Word-the Holy Bible and believe that if God promised it, then He will always fulfill His promises. Commit to memory the precious promises found in the Bible; read the many miracles and stories of deliverance, especially in the Old Testament. We serve a God who parted the Red Sea and enabled the people of Israel to walk across on dry land–there was no mud on their feet, and once they were safely on the other side, He destroyed their enemies.

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: He says, “…I am that I am…” Exodus 3:14

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31

Prayer for Today: Dear Merciful Father, We come to you as broken vessels who are faithless. We have forgotten who you are because we have been relying on our own strength. God, we ask forgiveness for our lack of faith and trust in you. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and we thank you for your love, your grace, and your mercy. We pray for unwavering faith, obedience, and the ability to completely trust in you in spite of our circumstances. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer. We ask these things in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 WEB

But the words you speak come from the heart–that is what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. Matthew 15:18 NLT

Most of us like to have our picture taken if certain criteria are met; we desire the best angle, maybe a headshot versus a full body shot, and we certainly want the pose and position that shows our best side. Even so, the most interesting part of taking a picture, is that it is an absolute reflection of us whether we choose to like it or to dislike it. The problem is that we view ourselves through our own eyes-although our perception may be distorted, and if our expectations are not met then we usually discard the picture because we feel that it does not reflect who we really are.

The Word of God is more powerful than a photograph; the Word exposes what is truly in our hearts; the Word gives us the absolute truth about ourselves and we are unable to discard our character that has been revealed by God’s Word.

I can recall a conversation many years ago with a co-worker who emphasized that she did not like the new employee who was hired in our department. Considering that it was the individual’s first day and we had not been given the opportunity to interact with her, due to orientation training, I was surprised that my co-worker would make such a statement regarding someone that she was not acquainted with. I began to laugh and started asking probing questions as to why she felt dislike toward a total stranger. Her answer was shocking, “Oh you know how it is when you see someone for the first time and you just don’t like them.” At that point, I was able to see that my co-worker possessed judgmental traits against others not based on reality.

God’s Word is not based on feelings that we can adjust to our likes or dislikes; the Word discerns our true character, and we are fully exposed like a baby who is born naked, into the world. Once we begin to diligently study the Bible, we will realize why Salvation is a life-long journey and we become aware of our misaligned traits that are enmity against God.

Remember that Jesus understands our weaknesses and was tempted, but we also know that He lived a sinless life.

We must not become discouraged over the exposure of our true spiritual photograph; God has not left us alone in our efforts for transformation and the journey of holiness and righteousness. The most wonderful aspect of our lives is that we have a powerful spiritual team: God the Father, Jesus His Son, the Holy Spirit, and our assigned angels-who protect us; our spiritual team are always available when we call on them through prayer. We can be victorious in possessing “a clean heart and a right spirit,” when we manifest Human Effort and surrender to Divine Intervention.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. there we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT

I can [and I will] do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4

Prayer for today: Dear God, You are awesome! Thank you for your Holy Word that exposes our sinful traits and gives us the awareness that we do not possess a clean heart and a right spirit which you require. We ask forgiveness for the intentional traits that we hold onto that are enmity against you. O God, it is our desire that we are cleansed from all unrighteousness, and to be filled with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your spiritual team, for your grace, your mercy, and your love. Thank you for the full exposure and the opportunity to renounce sin as we continue our journey down the path of Salvation. We thank you and we ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 NIV

Are you 100% certain that the way you think, your actions, your habits, and the things that you consider essential are in sync with the Word of God?

Often it is our desires or our emotions that lead us into a life of sinfulness because we have become accustomed to pursuing worldly pleasures. For those who possess misaligned habits that cause them to have double standards and live a life of compromise, God designates them as “Lukewarm.”

But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:16 NLT

Believer Alert! We are at a high risk of being deceived by Satan’s subtle entrapments daily. It is our behaviors that he uses to lure us from the narrow Path of Righteousness to the broad Path of Sin. Satan utilizes the powers of observation to place us in an area of compromise based on our personal preferences. Remember, God has not given Satan, a fallen being, the ability to read our minds! It is really a simple process to observe an individual and to learn their likes and dislikes.

Most of us look forward to some type of entertainment; who doesn’t love watching a great movie or reading a great book? There is nothing wrong with being unique in our likes and dislikes; however, our preferences present a problem when our likes cause a conflict between truth and error. Before choosing the movie or book, ask yourself, “Do I have to compromise godly standards to watch this program or to read this book?”

Let’s focus on a real-life situation: the movie that we have selected to watch has piqued our interest, as we begin to concentrate on the plot, we are feeling good that we have made the right choice; however, when the movie is at the halfway point, the dialogue begins to include “soft profanities,” what decision do we make?

We have reached the crossroads of vital decision-making! Satan is anxiously waiting: Do we overlook the profane words and continue to watch, or do we immediately turn the program off and search for something else?

The Apostle Paul expressed the dilemma of humanity:

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15 NLT

Even so, God has the emergency rescue plan and is ready to activate it immediately, and every time we are at the Crossroads in our lives. We must take action: All it takes is a humble spirit and a contrite heart to call on God in prayer when we face the challenge of doing what is right-standards determined by God.

No temptation has overtaken you, except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

We must continue our journey with a made-up mind; either we are going to obediently follow God’s commands, or we will intentionally live according to our personal desires. There is no gray area or life of compromise when we choose to live a godly life. Yes, we will fall into sin; but we do not have to stay in the pit. It is a personal decision for each of us to make!

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 NIV

Bible Readings: Proverbs 14, Romans 7

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask forgiveness for the sin of being a lukewarm Christian. We acknowledge that we have chosen compromise, and it has become our way of life. Thank you, God, for providing all that we need to seek after righteousness and to live as Overcomers. We are thankful for your love, your grace, and your mercies extended to us, although we have done nothing to deserve another chance. Thank you for sacrificing the life of your Son, Jesus, that we may be redeemed from our sins. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019