Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 22, 23

A mother seeking her son’s pardon from Emperor Napoleon was told that since this was his second offense, that justice demanded his death.

“But I don’t ask for justice,” she cried. “I plead for mercy.”

“But, said the Emperor, “He doesn’t deserve mercy.”

“Sire,” replied the mother, “it wouldn’t be mercy if he deserved it. Mercy for him is all that I ask for.”

“Well then,” said Napoleon, “I will have mercy.” And the son was granted a pardon.

As I read this story this morning, my heart cried out in thanksgiving for God’s wonderful love that extends mercy to His created beings who just cannot seem to get it right. In spite of our love, and knowledge of who God is, all we can present is brokenness. Even so, He takes our brokenness, always forgiving us, and by giving us grace and mercy to start over day after day, we are healed and made whole.

We do not deserve God’s mercy; yet, He granted us the blessing to awaken to a brand new day. Today is the day for us to focus on His grace and mercy so that we never take God for granted. Take the time to whisper a prayer, and sing songs of praise to our Most High and Loving God.

We are who we are only because of God.

His mercies endure today, tomorrow, and forevermore. Amen!

Bible Reading: The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3: 25, 26

Prayer for today: Dear God, We just want to say thank you for your never-ending love, your grace, and your mercies. Please help us to never take you for granted. We ask you to forgive us of our sins, our shortcomings and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. These blessings we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Psalm 95:6 KJV

Part 3 of 4

Do we really understand the Omnipotence, the Omnipresence, the glory and the majesty of our Almighty God?

As a young girl, I was taught to reverently approach God in prayer by humbling myself through the positioning of my body with a bowed head, closed eyes, clasped hands, and bended knees. Whether this description causes you to reflect on memories or you are reading this for the first time, this is the positioning of our bodies that David, in the book of Psalms, admonishes us to assume when we approach God in prayer, on bended knees.

Have we absent-mindedly or intentionally forgotten who God is? Have we forgotten who we are in the hierarchy of created beings? If so, we can find the answers in the Word of God-the Bible.

Question: What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Psalm 8:4 NLT

Answer: For you have made him a little lower than the angels and have crowned him with glory and honour? Psalm 8:5

And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God. Revelation 7:11

The angels that are heavenly beings bow before our Majestic God to worship him. We must never think so highly of ourselves that we fail to humbly approach God in our worship to him by the kneeling of our body and the bowing of our head.

There are many individuals who are physically unable to kneel, including me, due to a disability or the aging process. Even so, I took a moment to reflect on my childhood training and bowed my head with closed eyes and clasped hands prior to praying this morning. I can tell you that I experienced a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit; this was not a figment of my imagination, this was an opportunity for God to take my worship experience to a higher level because I approached him as He rightfully deserves.

Reverence God!

Our eyes which enable us to visually take in our surroundings is definitely one of our greatest blessings. However, during the time of our worship experience, while praying, open eyes cause us to see many distractions, which make us lose our focus on God. Guard your mind by shutting out the world, and making your worship a personal one-to-one uplifting experience filled with reverence, praise, and love for the God that you adore.

As soldiers in God’s army, we are obligated to give our Creator and Commander honor through the recognition of his Omnipotence. Today commit yourself wholly to God by approaching him on bended knee every opportunity you can.

We can and should worship God outside of our home environment. Whether we are at work, or in our vehicles if a situation presents with stressors that disturb your peace of mind, stop and take a 5-minute break if driving find a place to pull over and prepare yourself for prayer with a bowed head and closed eyes. Allow the Holy Spirit to completely fill you and the stressors of the environment will have no impact on your life.

Attention! Soldiers, drop to bended knees!

Approach God on bended knees and your testimony will forever be: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9

Bible Reading: Psalm 8

Prayer for today: Dear God, How majestic is your name in all the earth! We ask forgiveness for not giving you the reverence that you rightfully deserve. Yes, you have created us in your image, but we are not demigods, which are a figment of someone’s imagination. We are dust that you formed into humanity, it is you who has breathed the breath of life into us, and for that, we are grateful for your love. We are thankful that we are allowed to reverently approach you through prayer. We are thankful that you love us by giving us your grace and mercy and all we have to do is have the faith to accept your sacrifice and your plan of salvation. From this day forward, we commit our lives to you by humbly accepting your will for our lives. We ask this prayer in the worthy name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Part 2 of 4

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

One of my most challenging positions as a nurse involved working with healthcare providers to improve the quality of healthcare for the senior population. The education of the physicians remained an ongoing battle as we addressed the deficiencies of Medicare healthcare measures for their patients with chronic diseases. Even so, quality-based disease management was not an option; set parameters were determined by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) who required modification in the patient’s plan of care until patient-centered goals were met.

Monthly meetings involved the review of statistics that reflected the healthcare provider’s performance as evidenced by the management of chronic diseases. Even with the many variables including patient non-compliance, the expectation was for the patient under managed care to demonstrate disease management including normalized blood sugars and blood pressures.

A monthly report with patient statistics reflected the physician’s failure to meet the standards for disease management of patients with chronic illnesses such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and Osteoporosis. In addition, the physician ordering of screening diagnostic tests including mammograms and colon cancer screening were also monitored by CMS.

Many of the providers took personal offense to the reports and I faced varied reactions of anger, irritability, silence, and blame during these meetings. Regardless of the approval or disapproval of the physician, my responsibility as a quality nurse was to remain focused on the task and provide the nursing support and education to achieve 100% compliance.

God has also provided guidelines to give us the structure and discipline necessary to achieve ongoing spiritual growth along with developing a deeper relationship with him. The Bible–God’s Holy Word–is concise; covering every aspect of our lives and clearly indicating God’s expectations of every Believer. Whether or not our reactions and lifestyles reflect inconsistencies and disobedience, God states:

“I am the Lord and I do not change…“first part, Malachi 3:6 NLT

“For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18 BSB

When we accept the Plan of Salvation, we do not have the option to do as we please. God requires strict obedience and adherence to his commands; we are graciously provided with His loving grace, mercies, and forgiveness which is not to be taken for granted.

It is a choice to make the commitment to accept salvation and enlist in the Army of God. Our love for God must supercede our worldly desires, ambitions, and pursuits. Even when we desire to use the spiritual gifts and natural talents that God has blessed us with; as soldiers we must always seek God’s approval for all of our plans. Although we are utilizing our time for the good of others, we are unable to work our way to Eternal life. Good deeds cannot earn us a higher rank in the Army of God.

Ask yourself, “Am I really doing the will of God?” and then pray a heartfelt prayer, asking God to reveal his will for your life. We are unable to have salvation by selecting what we feel like doing for God. The obedience required to be a willing servant requires that we step out of our comfort zone. Are you experiencing the Jonah syndrome? We cannot run from our responsibility: Our primary focus is to witness to others about our loving God and his Son, Jesus who gave His life for all.

“It is only what we do for Him that will count in the end, it is only what we do for Christ that will last.”

Attention! Forward March!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Bible Reading: Revelation 3

Prayer for today: Dear God, We commit our plans, our desires, and our entire lives to you.We ask you to forgive us of our sins and to fill us with your Holy Spirit. Please reveal to us, your will for our lives so that we may honor and glorify you. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes jn him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

When you reflect on the phrase, “Nothing lasts forever” what do you immediately think of? I think of relationships; friendships, marriages, dating, and courtships that are easily broken in our society. God intended for us to form strong bonds with one another as opposed to standing alone in life. What is the underlying cause for fractured relationships? The current status quo of “doing what we feel like doing” has undermined the institutions of marriage, family, and friendships.

When we base our decisions on feelings we are certain to experience negative outcomes. Excitement–which is the feeling that a new relationship provides, cannot provide the basis to build a strong foundation between individuals. Certainly there is the realization that it takes time for two or more individuals to form a loving and caring relationship and the ongoing effort for strong emotional bonds to form as they commit to each other forever?

Without being cynical, many thoughts flood my mind; but the main one is that many individuals do not possess the knowledge of how to have a healthy, and thriving relationship. Therefore, the lack of knowledge introduces undesirable elements to promote an unhealthy and unstable relationship with a weak foundation. Even so, the relationship is formed, and the dissolution leaves us fearful, hurt, depressed, bitter, angry and scarred.

As a former psych nurse, I could approach the relationship issue with many analytical theories; however, I am a Believer, so I must approach weak and fractured relationships from a spiritual perspective. Our relationship with others is interdependent upon our spiritual relationship with God. If we have a strong and loving relationship spiritually through faith, trust, and obedience to God then we are equipped to form strong bonds with others.

Obedience to God requires the emptying of one’s self through sacrificial giving-letting go of what we desire. Our desires usually place us in the position of rebelling against God and his plans for our lives. Although we diligently study the Bible and pray, we develop ungodly character traits that coincide with our thought processes, and our lifestyles reflect the partial commitment that we have made to God.

If we have determined to half-heartedly commit to God then we are unable to fully give of ourselves to others. Whether we are employed, unemployed, retired, a stay-at-home parent, wife, husband, or student; our commitment to God places us in the position of always having something to do, and that is to develop a thriving, forever relationship with God and our family of Believers.

Bible Reading: Hebrews 13:1-9

Prayer for today: Dear God, We ask you to forgive us of our sins and shortcomings. We need your help in building forever relationships with you and others. First, we ask you to teach us how to remain committed to you, and secondly how to remain committed to our biological and spiritual families. Secondly, we ask you to make us aware of the ungodly character traits we possess so we may change and possess the Fruit of the Spirit. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Disclaimer: The Devotionals that are reflected in my weblog are intended for Believers in God, regardless of religious, social, economic or national backgrounds.

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22 NKJV

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Part 1 of 4

Yesterday we spoke of being a Soldier in the Army of God; the Bible is our guide to learn the qualifications that God requires for each of us to possess, in order to be in His Army.

Although we are unable to work to gain Eternal life, there is something that we have the ability to modify, to change, and to allow the Holy Spirit to work on: Our Character which defines who we really are.

Unity-Are you really a team-player?

Love- Is yours based on conditions?

Humble-Does meek and lowly describe you?

Compassion-Does your heart bleed for others?

Sympathy-Are you willing to walk in their shoes?

According to the Bible, we are living in the last days. Our time to ask God to give us the desire to endure a transformation is now!

Our minds, hearts, and lifestyle will reflect whether or not we are truly in alignment with the Word of God.

Remember: Soldiers always follow commands!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Bible Reading: Matthew 5

Prayer for today: Dear God, We need a complete overhaul of our heart. We pray for forgiveness of our sins and shortcomings. We desire to be Soldiers in your Army and we desire for the Holy Spirit to fill us and dwell in us. We need your strength to be overcomers . We ask these things in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT

semblance: the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different.

When an individual makes the decision to enlist in the military, there is a commitment to serve and be obedient until death. They have decided to relinquish their own mindset, which enables a complete transformation–the change of their thought processes, their behaviors, and their outlook on life. They belong to a group of individuals with the same mindset working together to achieve common goals.

As Believers, we are Soldiers in the Army of God. We attest that we follow God’s commands through faithful service, obedience, and tithe-paying; yet we attempt to live according to our perspective and interpretation of the Word of God. We disregard the instructions and commands that are in the Holy Bible when it causes conflict between our desires and what God requires.

Many of us take God’s grace and mercies for granted in our daily lives, as if we were given the option to live according to our own whims and standards. It is heartbreaking to hear a Christian attempt to justify their disobedience to God by using excuses to downplay their wayward thinking.

I have heard many justification statements and would like to share because most of us can relate to this mindset at some point in our lives.

1. “I just can’t do it.”

2. “God understands that we are human.”

3. “Thank goodness, God forgives us.”

4. “I knew it was wrong, I had to ask God to forgive me, but I was glad I said it or did it.”

5. ” I am not there yet, spiritually like you are.”

We are soldiers, we are servants, and we are light-bearers; our goal as we march is to follow all of God’s commands without question or hesitation.

Are you ready to fully enlist in God’s army? Then cast your thoughts aside and prepare to be obedient and faithful until Jesus comes. The time is now for us to say, “Yes, Sir” as we commit our all-and-all to Christ.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3

Prayer for today: Dear God, We have our own thoughts and desires which are enmity against you. We ask you to forgive us for living to please ourselves. We ask forgiveness for disregard of your commands and for not fulfilling our duties to you, our families, and our communities. We desire to live, and think according to your standards. As we move forward in our lives, we commit to serve you and to meet the needs of others. We commit to faithful obedience as we strive to march toward the mark of spiritual perfection. We humbly ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close to me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NLT

Do you know who Melba Pattillo Beals is? If your answer is yes, then you are well versed on the beginning of integration in the United States educational system. If you are not familiar with who she is: In 1957, at the age of 15, she was one of the children selected to be one of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of nine African-American students who first integrated the previously all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

There are many of us who have never suffered any types of “isms” in our lives; even so, if we have the slightest belief in God, we have an enemy who is always ready and willing to put our faith to the test, by attacking our beliefs and making us doubt our relationship with a loving God. Although many of us have biases and prejudices, Satan is no respecter of persons; his perspective is that Believers are all part of one family–God’s family, and his daily plan is to facilitate mistrust, doubt, and disbelief against our heavenly Father.

In the Book of Job, chapter 1, Satan accuses God of showing favoritism to Job by protecting Job from adversity and blessing him with prosperity; hence, the reason for Job’s faithfulness to God. As we read about Job’s experience, he endured the riches-to-rags syndrome, painful boils on his body, the death of all of his children, ridicule from his friends, and disbelief from his wife who gave him the advice to curse God and die. However, we know how Job’s story ended because Job remained faithful in spite of the devastating circumstances. God is always faithful! In chapter 42, we read of God’s displeasure for Job’s friends who were required to offer sacrifice for their false accusations, and the complete healing and restoration of Job’s family and his fortune.

God is faithful and just! He did not spare his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ who suffered an unspeakable death through shame and the spilling of his precious blood on a wooden cross with nails in his hands and feet, and a crown of thorns on his head.

When we reflect on the sufferings of Jesus and Job, and their victorious outcomes, we must come to realize how insignificant our trials and tribulations are in comparison to God’s redeeming power. It is only by God’s grace and mercy that we awaken each morning with the knowledge of who we are, and the ability to serve him one more day.

We must establish a personal relationship with God and live as David who proclaimed, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

Whatever “isms,” glass ceilings, biases, prejudices, financial problems, marital discord, disobedient children, estrangement from family, grief, and loss we are experiencing, there is an Almighty and Omnipotent God that is Omnipresent who loves us with an everlasting love. Hallelujah thine the glory, Hallelujah, Amen!

He is our Jehovah Jireh, our Creator, and our All and All.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT

Make your goal in life to have a personal relationship with God–Great is His Faithfulness, always and forevermore.

Bible Reading for today: Job Chapters 1 and 42

Prayer for today: Dear Lord and Father of all mankind: We come before you today humbling ourselves to ask forgiveness for complaining about the life that you have blessed us with. Whatever suffering that we must endure, we are not alone, you have always been here. We have been focusing on our problems and trials instead of keeping our minds and our hearts in a spirit of thanksgiving for your grace and mercies. God, you are our Healer, our Restorer, our Provider, and our Heavenly Father. We must make it personal in order to receive your strength. We ask you to continue to bless us as we draw closer to you. Thank you for this day. We love you, we praise you, and we worship your Holy Name. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019

Have you heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. Isaiah 40:28 NLT

I can recall the day that I completed my final nursing exams and waiting anxiously for the grades to be posted in the student lounge. Nursing school was an extremely tough journey; the enrollment of 27 students quickly dwindled to only 7 graduates from the program. On that bitter wintry day, I took my final walk as a student nurse to the parking lot, crying tears of joy because in spite of, God had given me the victory of completing the RN program.

There is a word that a former Pastor used to describe our tumultuous journey, full of trials and tribulations in life; Vicissitudes–which is a change in circumstances that is unwelcome and unpleasant. Yes, the vicissitudes of life can be life altering, challenging, and leave us feeling as if we are in a desert storm.

Even so, in the Christian walk in life, we are to become fully reliant on God, which translates into being fully dependent on God. Can you imagine that our Heavenly Father would leave us or ever forsake us? If you are saying, “Why would God allow this and that to happen in my life if He loved me so much?” The only answers available to those questions is in the Bible, God’s Holy Word.

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he give us everything else? Romans 8:32 NLT

When Jesus was on the cross, he despaired and cried out, “Eloi, Eloi lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And we know that for the remission of our sins that Jesus was required to suffer and die an excruciating death. But on that third day, there was an earthquake; God sent an Angel to roll back the stone, and Jesus arose from the sleep of death with all power and glory, “His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was as white as snow.” Matthew 28:3 NLT

God has never asked us to do more than we are capable of doing with His strength. If you are in despair, then you are failing to put your faith and trust in God. He has promised to ease the pain and to heal the broken-hearted. God is always great in his faithfulness to us.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT

When we begin to diligently study the Word of God, we begin to praise God for his wonderful love and we are able to enjoy and have a peaceful existence, regardless of the vicissitudes of life. Our trials, life events, and unforeseen circumstances are only a surprise to us; God is always aware of the trials that we must endure.

Pray and ask God to give you strength, study the Bible, wait on God, maintain your joy, embrace peace, and pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the victory that God will bring.

Fly, walk, and run! You will soar high, you will not grow weary, and you will not faint!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40

Prayer for today: Dear God, Your promises and love can never fail. You are always faithful in sustaining our lives and providing for us. We ask forgiveness of the sins of mistrust and self-sufficiency. We need you, we need your help, and we need your strength. As we prepare for eternal life, we ask you to resolve the problems that each of us are experiencing in our lives and to bring us through victoriously. We ask this prayer in the worthy name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2019