Lord God, from day-to-day we face many obstacles and challenges that result in mental fatigue, physical depletion, and spiritual weariness. This Sabbath, we come to Your Throne of Grace seeking spiritual renewal and restoration of our minds, bodies, and souls that only You can give. As we cease our labors, we ask for the forgiveness of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord, we place our burdens at Your feet, asking for the blessing of Your Divine peace, and the anointing of Your healing balm. We need our cups to overflow with the life-transforming Oil of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, we look forward to the day when You will fulfill Your promise of deliverance and take us to our forever Heavenly Home where love, peace, and happiness will always exist. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“From one man He [Jesus] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26).
Sociology was one of my first academic classes required for my nursing degree. I can recall an assignment of openly confronting prejudice by exposing our inner feelings of “I dislike this group of people because…”
Being truthful required a spoken answer of identifying the individuals who we targeted our discrimination against, and giving the reasons for our prejudice.
As we listened to each other’s [mostly absurd] answers, we realized that learned behaviors [usually from parents and family members] produced unsubstantiated discrimination and prejudice against those who had never harmed us.
Shame and embarrassment permeated the atmosphere, yet there was an interesting twist when I verbalized my answer of, “I am not prejudiced,” which was met by a sharp rebuttal from our professor, “It is impossible for you not to be prejudiced!”
With confidence, I disclosed to my professor and classmates that I was raised by parents who taught us to love everyone.
From a young child, my mother taught us the magnitude of God’s love by singing this song, “Jesus loves the little children of the world. Whether red, or yellow, black, or white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
“We love because He first loved us.”(1 John 4:19).
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:19).
Possessing the Loving Heart of Christ
The Love Commandments: “And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV).
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11).
The sign of a converted heart is one that is filled with God’s love. God is love. We were Created from Love, and Redeemed by Love.
“The Samaritan woman said to Him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” (John 4:9, NIV).
Jesus demonstrated love in His ministry by speaking powerful messages of hope. He exhibited patience, compassion, and the healing of countless multitudes of people without regard to their backgrounds.
God’s love will permeate Heaven’s atmosphere. And only believers who love others freely in their earthly lives will receive the glorious reward of living forever in the Lovely New Heaven and New Earth.
Reflection: Are there any biases or prejudices hidden in your heart that would prevent you from receiving your reward of Eternal Life?
“Prejudice can stem from the perception that certain groups or ideas pose a threat to one’s own belief system or way of life.”
In the Scriptures, God reveals that either we love or hate. There is no middle of the road feeling of “dislike” identified in the Bible. Disliking others reveals that we do not have the loving heart of Christ.
Because the manner in which we were raised varies, our different experiences define our perception of love, and define our boundaries of inclusion. But once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we embrace love as defined by God.
God gives us His characteristics of Agape love in 1 Corinthians 13.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV).
Love Your Enemies “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…’ ” (Matthew 5:43-45).
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12).
God will never condone biases for any reason. If we focus on our differences then it is easy to target those who embrace unbelief in God, practice pagan worship, celebrate various cultural customs, and live alternative lifestyles.
Yes, God hates sin, but He loves humanity, including sinners. “Jesus was and is absolutely inclusive. There is no ‘them versus us’ at the foot of the cross; Jesus paid the highest price for each one of us.”
Love Is the Catalyst for the Spiritual Transformation of Our Hearts
Sanctification is the lifelong, daily, and gradual Spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the Righteousness of Christ’s Loving Character, performed daily by the Holy Spirit.
The Prerequisite of Sanctification: We must possess the Righteous Characteristics of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).
Christians who have hearts filled with Christ’s love shine brightly. They will know we are Christians when our temperament is gentle, our smile is genuine, and our spoken words are positive and uplifting.
“Heaven will be more diverse than we can imagine, with every people, nation, color, tongue, and gender (Revelation 5:9). Father, grant us your grace, that as Christians we may display your inclusive outlook, here and now. In Jesus’ Loving Name, Amen!”
Prayer: King David’s prayer must be our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV). Yes and Amen.
Until we acknowledge that life consists of spiritual warfare, we will never utilize prayer as our most valuable weapon to win the Spiritual War between Good and Evil.
Sadly, without connecting to Christ every day through personal worship, we miss out on receiving Jesus’ strength and power to live as victorious overcomers.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10).
Receiving Daily Bread Requires Us to Abide in Jesus Christ: Pray, Wait, Listen, Obey, and Persevere in Jesus’ Name. Yes and Amen!
“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).
Bible Study: 1 Kings 19 [Elijah’s Fear Overpowers His Faith in God].
Lord God, we thank you for Your abundant love. We also thank You for Your promises to renew our strength when we have become weary from self-reliance, and following our thoughts. Teach us how to redirect our faith and focus to You, so we can live victoriously through Your power. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he refused.” (Genesis 39:6-8, NIV).
“How fierce was the assault upon Joseph’s morals…Yet how promptly and firmly [he] resisted.” “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”(Genesis 39:9).
“He [Joseph] suffered for his virtue and integrity…and by her influence caused him to be cast into prison, by charging him with a foul wrong.”
“…Joseph suffered because he would not yield his integrity. He had placed his reputation and interest in the hands of God.”
“And although he suffered to be afflicted for a time, to prepare him to fill an important position, God safely guarded his reputation that was slandered by a wicked accuser, and afterward, in His own good time, caused it to shine.
“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”(Exodus 14:14).
“God made the prison the way to his elevation. Virtue will in time bring its own reward. The shield which covered Joseph’s heart was the fear [reverence] of God, which caused him to be faithful and just to his master [Potiphar] and true to God.
Trust God to fight for you, He always wins!
Bible Study: Genesis 39
Lord God, we pray for the courage to live righteously, and to never compromise our integrity, even when facing threats, and character defamation. Thank You, Jesus, for reminding us that although we may suffer, if we are faithful, You will give us a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Following Jesus is the best decision, we will ever make. Yes, life is filled with unexpected challenges, but Jesus promises to give us His strength, so we can move forward. Trust Jesus with your life. No love can come close to our Creator’s love for us. Pray, Obey, and Persevere! Peace and Blessings!
Jesus, we thank You for Your everlasting love. LORD, we dedicate ourselves to follow You with faithful obedience. Give us wisdom, strength, direction, correction, and protection from the spiritual warfare designed to separate us from You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”(Jeremiah 32:27, LSB).
When life is filled with the invasion of character assassination, job loss, financial hardships, change in health status, family dysfunction, and marital disruptions, and even the unexpected minor obstacles, which appear like weeds, remember the Faithful and Omnipotent God who is waiting for you to ask for His Divine Help.
The Plot Against Daniel
“So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions…’ “
“Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter. Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.” (Daniel 6:6-9).
Daniel’s Immediate Response
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” (Daniel 6:10).
The Exposure of the Enemy’s Scheme
“So they answered and said before the king, ‘That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.’ ” (Daniel 6:13).
King Darius’ Unexpected Response
“And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him…Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.” (Daniel 6:14,18).
God Reveals His Amazing Love, Faithfulness, and Power!
“Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?’ “(Daniel 6:19-20).
“Daniel answered, ‘May the king live forever. My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.’ ” (Daniel 6:21-22, NIV).
“The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” (Daniel 6:23, NIV).
“God is able to make anything bad that happens to you, work out for your good.”
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6).
Daily prayer and Bible study reveal that we are using our faith to trust God’s faithfulness, and His promises to deliver us from every dilemma.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NIV).
We form many habits that are counterproductive to our spiritual growth, but forming the habit of constant praying is the spiritual lifeline that connects us to Jesus, our Shepherd, and the Commander of Angel Armies. [Study Psalm 91].
Daily challenges can range from minor annoyances to life-changing adversity. Still, we must choose to respond like Daniel who immediately asked God for help. Yes, he remained courageous, even when facing the impossible situation of pending death.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2).
Like King David, the Believers who depend on God by asking Him every day to intervene in their ordinary routines of life, reveal they have redirected their faith and trust from themselves to God.
Human thoughts and strategies are very limited, and will always produce unforeseen consequences. As followers of Christ, we should never be willing to play the Game of Chance with our lives.
Relying on Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor is the only way our faith can grow, and become steadfast. Only God can guarantee victorious outcomes that honor and glorify His Holy Name.
Always remain faithful to God. Live like Daniel, establish a faith-based life fueled by much prayer, and fear will never rise up and overpower your faith in God.
Our faith and trust in God’s power and promises are the catalysts to immediately seek God in prayer. Thankfully, we serve a Righteous and Dependable God whose promises are “Yes” to which we say, “Amen! [It is so!]”
Bible Study: Daniel 6
Lord God, we thank You for being a Never- changing God, and a Loving Father who invites us to come before the Throne of Grace to petition for Your help at anytime. Lord, we are in desperate need of Your Divine Intervention to resolve our battles of spiritual warfare. In faith, we thank You in advance for giving us the victory, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayers that listening to this beautiful hymn reminds you that Jesus, our Savior and Shepherd knows and cares for the sheep in His pasture. Pray and trust His Love.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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