Bible – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Living Our Best Lives

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).

Steadfast Faith, Trust, Peace, Joy, and Courage are enjoyed by followers of Christ who love Him and worship God in spirit and Truth.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13).

Daily Surrender and Obedience is our highest worship to God, and is rewarded with receiving many spiritual benefits and blessings.

Yes, God promises to bless us, but the false prosperity message of wealth building that Satan wants us to believe that we deserve, Jesus tells us that earthly prosperity has no spiritual purpose for His followers.

Jesus teaches that the accumulation of earthly treasures is not aligned with God’s Spiritual Precepts.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…”( Matthew 6:19). Unbelievers feel that living one’s best life includes wealth, social status, material possessions, and a lifestyle of pleasure.

Sadly when those with unbelieving hearts face life-changing circumstances, they realize that their earthly treasures are meaningless, and that reality fills their minds with hopelessness and despair.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that our spiritual journey will always include challenges, adversity, loss, and changing circumstances; yet he encourages us, “But, Be of good cheer.”

Good cheer does not refer to the pretense of being happy and overjoyed when experiencing life’s overwhelming hardships; yet, as followers of Christ, praying and knowing He will take care of us, gives us spiritual comfort.

Always pray an honest prayer, “Jesus, I am devastated by this situation.” invites the Holy Spirit to permeate our mind and soul with jesus’s Divine Peace, instead of hopelessness and despair.

Embracing Jesus’ Love and Promises of Peace absorbs the impact of sorrow, disappointment, and loss: “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [sorrows].” (Psalm 147:3).

When tears are flowing from heartbreak, we can maintain a spirit of Hope, because Jesus has promised to give us the strength to overcome our daily battles and to give us beauty from ashes.

“The Divine Exchange: God promises to trade despair and mourning for joy, praise, and restoration.”

Only Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior can give us our best life: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Jesus’ Promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the spiritual catalyst that keeps us connected to Jesus, who empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live victoriously: “You can do nothing without Me.”

The Narrow Way
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Daily personal worship must become our lifestyle. Consistent Prayer, Bible Study, and the Commitment to Surrender to God with Faithful Obedience keeps us spiritually anchored to Christ.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). Unless we know and believe that God is Faithful, memorizing His Promises to always be with us throughout our difficulties, then we will experience the same emotional distress as unbelievers.

The Holy Scriptures teach us that God is our Father, and is committed to lovingly taking care of His Sons and Daughters: God’s Character is the definition of Love! Study 1 Corinthians 13.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15).

God’s perspective of giving us “our best life” is spiritually focused; The Father gave Jesus, His Son to save our souls, because His goal is to prepare us for Eternal Life.

Just As I Am: “We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way.”

God’s Love Always Includes Divine Purpose: He allows us to experience only the hardships that are designed to Sanctify our mind and character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23].

Because this Earth is only a temporary home, we must not allow Satan to distract us from cooperating with the Holy Spirit, who performs daily spiritual growth in every faithful believer, who trusts, obeys, and follows Christ.

“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, ESV).

Our Risen and Triumphant King is serving as our Heavenly Intercessor, receiving and answering all of our prayers. Every day we must make the intentional decision to pray, redirecting our faith, focus, and gratitude back to Jesus.

The righteous are receiving their best earthly lives: King Jesus commands His angels to protect us from satanic spiritual warfare and physical danger, and blesses the faithful with all of life’s necessities.

Because we cannot keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, or maintain a consistent spirit of Hope, through prayer, we receive Christ’s abundant Peace, Joy, and Strength needed to endure our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.

Eternity with God in the New Heaven and New Earth is Jesus’ Promise to give us a Perfect Life of Eternal Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness, and Magnificent Beauty.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).

The Holy Scriptures give us the assurance that God is always in control, and changes the way we think and live.

Like young children who believe exactly what they are told, we use our faith to trust that if God said it, then it is so. His Promises are Yes and Amen!

Yes, Living our best life requires a sacrificial life of self-denial. but if we love Jesus and appreciate His Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross then it is a joy to follow our Shepherd and Triumphant King on the Narrow Path that leads from Earth to Heaven.

Every morning, we receive the gift of New Mercies, and with immense love and gratitude, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Jesus, who promises to give us a Victorious Life.

In Proverbs 3:5-8, God teaches us how to live our best life, one with a Spiritual Focus, and complete dependency on His Sovereign Authority:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”

“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.”

Lord God, we come to You, asking for Your Help. Please give us the wisdom, guidance, and strength to redirect our faith and focus back to Jesus. We confess that we cannot overcome life’s challenges using our little strength. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness [the Holy Spirit], and teach us how to prepare every day for the Soon Coming of Jesus Christ. We look forward to Eternity in a Perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus, thank You for Your Divine Love and Your Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary. We love You and ask this prayer for Your Divine Help, in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

Search The Scriptures – They Are The Word of The Living God

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40).

God’s Gift: Eternal life is a free gift from God rather than something earned by human works. Accepting Christ is the only way to receive eternal life:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). Exclusivity in Christ: The spiritual life exists only from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” (Matthew 22:37).

When our hearts are overflowing with love for God, the Father’s Gift of Jesus, His Son, who suffered on Calvary’s Cross to save our souls, we will reciprocate our love for Christ through daily surrender and faithful obedience to God.

“The Holy Scriptures, they testify of Christ for He is Life Eternal.” To know Jesus requires us to accept His offer of Salvation; confess and repent of our sins; and to maintain a heart to heart relationship with Jesus through the daily Personal Worship of Prayer and Bible Study.

Prayer is our Spiritual Life-Line, connecting us to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Heavenly Intercessor.

Our morning prayer is one of expressing gratitude for the gift of a new day, and asking for God’s Will to be revealed. Our obedience is rewarded by receiving spiritual wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is actively involved in our daily journey with Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

“Prioritize Spiritual Matters: Putting God first in daily prayer, worship, and service ensures that life’s temporal concerns are not a priority over our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.”

We reveal our desire to actively participate in our salvation through daily prayer and Bible Study. Praying for spiritual wisdom invites the Holy Spirit to teach us the One and Only meaning of God’s Truth.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Studying the Bible Is Not Optional: The Holy Scriptures are necessary to learn God’s Righteous Character, His Commandments, and the Precepts that teach us how to be holy.

Human Effort and Divine Intervention are required for us to obey God’s Command, “Be holy, for I am Holy,” which requires a life of self-denial and self-control.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

To live for Christ also requires discipline through a sacrificial life of obedience. As followers of Christ, we must have a God First mindset, which prevents us from pursuing our personal desires instead of following God’s plans.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” (Acts 5:9, ESV).

A spirit of humility, daily surrender, and the commitment to follow our Shepherd with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey of spiritual growth and character transformation.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Because we inherited hearts that naturally gravitate toward pursuing our desires, it is only through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can stay on The Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“The more we search the Bible, the deeper our conviction is that it is the Word of the Living God, and human reason bows before the Majesty of Divine Revelation.” — Steps to Christ

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11).

Lord God, we thank You for the Holy Scriptures, which reveal Jesus Christ is the Only Way to receive Eternal Life. You are a Loving and Merciful Father, who desires for us to live holy. Thank You for giving us the Bible, Your Spiritual Guide that teaches us the difference between righteousness and sinful habits, behaviors, and lifestyles. Through Jesus Christ, we received the power to overcome our desires and temptations. Lord, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the blessings of wisdom, discernment, and divine strength as we continue our journey on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Risen and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Prayer of Surrender — Stop Striving: Jesus Is The God Who Sees

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I Am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

In our Spiritual Journey with Jesus, we will face disappointment, sorrow, loss, conflict, and uncertainty. Study John 16:33.

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18).

When the intrusive vicissitudes of life threaten to devastate us mentally and emotionally, we must come to our spiritual senses, and use our faith to believe Yeshua, our Loving Shepherd’s promises to always take care of us.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2).

Jesus Is Our Shepherd; He is The God Who Loves, Sees, and Takes Care of His Sheep. Yes, our Shepherd promises to give us Spiritual Peace and Comfort to soothe our troubled and weary minds. Thank You, Jesus!

“Hebrew Name: El Roi (or El-roi), which translates to “The God Who Sees” or “The God Who Sees Me.”

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'” (Genesis 16:13, NIV).

“Who Spoke It: Hagar, an Egyptian slave of Sarai (Sarah).”

“Context: Hagar was mistreated by Sarai and fled into the desert, pregnant, and feeling alone, afraid, and overlooked. Jesus, Who is called “The Angel of the Lord” found her by a spring, comforted her, and promised descendants.”

“Significance: Hagar is the only person in the Bible who personally gives God a Name.”

“Related Well: The well where this happened was named Beer Lahai Roi, meaning “Well of The Living One Who Sees Me.”

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

The Bible is the Word of God: The Word of God is Alive and Active,” filled with His Infinite Power, and is guaranteed to soothe and comfort us.

God’s Promises keep us anchored to Christ the Solid Rock. When we study and meditate on the Holy Scriptures, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ gift of Spiritual Peace.

God has given the righteous many promises that we should memorize: He will never leave us or forsake us; He will heal our broken hearts, He will provide for us, and He will protect us from our enemies.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear [reverence] Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love…” (Psalm 33:18, ESV).

What does it mean to surrender to God? Everyday, we pray for His Divine Will and Plans to be revealed to us. And then we pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and the strength to fulfill His Plans.

Because God is Perfect and can never make a mistake, following God’s Plans alleviates all anxiety, worries, and eliminates the chance of suffering from unknown future consequences.

Pray, Wait, and Obey. Our faith is being tested during the wait; will we obey God, or will we rely on our own thoughts when we get tired of waiting?

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26).

God Declares His Sovereign Omnipotence

“Who then is able to stand against Me?
Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him?
Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:10-11).

“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB).

Whether facing the routine challenges of everyday life, the devastation of life-changing adversity, or people who Satan is using to bring chaos and confusion into our lives, our First Response must be a Prayer of Faith.

“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). (Psalm 55:22, Amplified Bible).

In faith, we ask God for His Help, and then we patiently “Wait on God,” whose timing will never match our mindset and lifestyle of rapid response. God sees time as eternal, so He has no need to hurry.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” (Psalm 37:7-8, NIV).

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God,” reminds us to stop striving and acknowledge God’s Sovereign Authority and Power.

“I Am The God Who Sees. I am the God, Who sees you in your wilderness, in your brokenness, and your empty spaces. My power will bring you to your knees!” And then I will lift you up again with My Righteous Right Hand,” because I Am the God Who Sees.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15).

Lord Jesus, we approach Your Throne of Grace, asking for Your Divine Help and Guidance in our time of need. Lord, we admit that our faith is weak, still we ask for Your guidance, peace, and stability in a time of uncertainty. We have experienced many challenges and disruptions this week; Lord, thank You for giving us the Holy Sabbath to redirect our focus from the tumultuous events in our lives and in this world back to You. Jesus, as we prepare for Your Soon Coming, we pray for every believer to redirect their faith and focus from the natural to the supernatural. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness, the Holy Spirit in our hearts, so we can experience the blessings of the joy and peace of following Christ. Lord, help us to prepare for eternity by teaching us how to place God First in everything we do and say. In faith, we pray this prayer of surrender in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd, and the God Who Sees, Loves, and Cares, Amen.

Jesus’ Spiritual Encouragement and Comfort For His Followers Facing The Fiery Trials of Persecution and Hatred

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18).

When Joshua and the nation of Israel were facing their enemies in Jericho: Yeshua, The Commander of Angel Armies, said these words to Joshua: “Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.'” (Joshua 6:2, NIV).

“Who then is able to stand against ME? Everything under Heaven is Mine. (Job 41:10-11).

For those of us who are experiencing persecution, be encouraged! Jesus tells us that He has already given us the victory.

Jesus sees time as Eternal, so He already knows the final outcome of every fiery trial that we face. Remain courageous!

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

Our responsibility is to use our faith to wait, trusting His Sovereign Authority and Power, by totally depending on Jesus to Fight All of Our Battles.

“There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30).

jesus, Our Mighty Warrior has already won our battle for us and that is the mindset that we must possess as we endure and persevere through the fiery trials of persecution.

Personal Testimony: Recently a very interesting video appeared in my YouTube feed: Nigerian Christians are enduring active persecution that involved the burning and destruction of their homes along with the loss of all their personal possessions.

Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ and their children are currently in a displaced community living in small tents.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

Despite their overwhelming circumstances, they appeared peaceful, happy, and were singing and praising God.

The reason that God allowed me to watch this video: Because of my Christian beliefs, I am facing open hatred from my property manager in the complex where I live.

And yes, I did report her verbal offenses to the corporate office, who have reiterated professional boundaries; yet, for believers who have endured open dislike and hatred, we know that people can communicate hatred in the tone of their voice and demeanor.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Dealing with persecution and open hatred is one of the toughest trials that we will ever experience in our Christian Journey with Jesus; yet, Jesus gives us peace, comfort, and strength when we consistently ask for His Help.

The Love of Christ Constrains Our Responses

“For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.” (2 Corinthians:14- 15, Amplified Bible).

“The Spiritual death of dying to self means the total surrender of our human will, pride, and selfish inclinations to God so that Christ can live and work through us.”

“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way.”

Spiritual Transformation is accomplished through fiery trials resulting in the Holy Spirit purging [spiritual cleansing] us from the sinful dross of unrighteous thoughts, spoken words, habits, and lifestyles.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12, NIV).

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

The Righteous Character of Christ is our Righteous Standard. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, daily, our mind, character, and personality are Sanctified and Spiritually Transformed, which requires total surrender, humility, faithful obedience, and self-control.

There are requisites to receive Spiritual Transformation: The Holy Spirit cannot change us without our cooperation and active participation:

“Jesus said to him, ”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”” (Matthew 22:37-39).

1. We must possess a heart overflowing with love for God and humanity.

“Pray continuously.” (1Thessalonians 5:17).

2. We pray, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our unrighteous character traits.

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness” [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. (1 John 1:9 Amplified Bible).

3. We acknowledge and verbalize our unholy traits with a prayer of confession and repentance.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10, ESV).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, ESV).

4. Every day, we pray a Prayer of Surrender asking for God’s Divine Strength to overcome, and use our spiritual gift of “self-control” to fight against hereditary tendencies and learned behaviors.

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV).

5. When experiencing open hatred, we must pray throughout our waking hours, asking Jesus to give us the strength to endure.

Jesus’ Promise: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).

Pray every hour! The Holy Spirit responds by empowering us with Jesus’ Supernatural Strength, giving us His Divine Joy and Peace while we are enduring our hardships.

12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)

Core Christian Principles for Responding to Hatred

“Recognize the Spiritual Source: Hatred and revenge originate from Satan, who uses slights, gestures, or harsh intonations to provoke bitterness in the human heart; recognizing this helps prevent you from taking the bait.”

“Handling open hatred and hostility from another person requires rejecting retaliation, holding fast to Christ by faith, and responding with quiet self-control rather than bitterness.”

Refuse Retaliation: Jesus did not threaten or retaliate when reviled and abused; believers are instructed to follow His pattern and prefer to suffer wrongfully rather than vent wrath or seek self-defense.

Exercise the Power of Silence: Meeting angry or hateful words with a sharp reply acts like a whip that stirs up greater fury, whereas remaining silent and silencing the tongue allows anger to quickly die away.

Purge Bitterness from the Soul: Clinging to resentment, malice, or a desire for revenge opens the heart to Satan and destroys harmony with God. True Christian character replaces hatred with kindness through Divine Grace.

Maintain Love and Forbearance: Even when facing false reports, jealousy, or mistreatment, Christians are called to avoid fault finding, remembering that God exercises tenderness and forbearance toward human defects.

Hold to Christ by Faith: Human strength alone cannot withstand open hostility; you must unite human weakness with divine strength through prayer and faith in Jesus Christ.

Check Your Own Spirit: Guard against embracing wrath or magnifying grievances, and resist the temptation to gloat or rejoice if an enemy stumbles or falls.

The New Living Translation: “Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” (2 Corinthians: 14-15, NLT).

Lord Jesus, we know that Your earthly life was filled with religious enemies, who hated You because You were Righteous, revealing God’s Love for all humanity, whether poor or wealthy.

You gave hope through your Sermons and Parables, giving spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical healing to the multitudes. You explained that You were the Way, the Truth, and the Life to Heaven.

Jesus, you exposed the evil traits of self-righteousness, pride, prejudice, oppression, and greed residing in the hearts of the religious leaders: And you were hated and repaid with suffering a criminal’s death of crucifixion on Calvary’s Cross. Yet, we thank You for the Cross and for giving Your Life to save our souls.

LORD, we also pray an Intercessory prayer for all Christian believers, globally, who are experiencing persecution, including myself. Jesus, it is a privilege to suffer for You. We ask for the Blessings of Strength, Guidance, Wisdom, and Your presence in our lives.

Thank You for Your Promises of never leaving or abandoning us. Thank You for providing our necessities, and giving us Your Divine Peace that comforts our hearts, and redirects our faith and focus to You instead of our circumstances.

Jesus, we love You! Thank You for Your never-failing Faithfulness, and in faith, we ask this prayer for continuous Mercies in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

“The LORD Will Fight For You”

Victory Belongs To Jesus: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18)

In Job Chapters 38-41, The LORD declares His Omnipotence to Job, who desires to question God because of his trial of extreme suffering.

“The LORD asks: ‘Who then is able to stand against ME? Who has proceeded ME, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. (Job 41:10-11).

Throughout the Holy Bible, Reverence for God’s Holiness and Sovereign Authority has always been required to receive His Divine Intervention.

“And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'” (Revelation 4:8). This Scripture refers to the angels in heaven, who worship God, the Father and God, Jesus, the Son with love, loyalty, and reverence.

Reverence for God’s Divine Authority is demonstrated through daily surrender, faithful obedience, and prayerfully asking for His Plans to be revealed for the given day.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37).

Loving God is to put Him First, as revealed by a life of self-denial, praying for guidance, and following and obeying His plans.

Studying the Bible with the desire to learn and practice God’s Commands and Righteous Precepts invites the Holy Spirit to transform us spiritually, preparing us for an eternity of worship.

Steadfast Faith, Surrender, and Obedience are Spiritual Requisites revealing that our heart is overflowing with love for God, and that our minds are aligned with the Righteousness of Christ.

If we desire God’s Divine Help and to receive our reward of the Eternal Crown of Life [Revelation 2:10; Revelation 22:12] then our thoughts, attitude spoken words, habits, attitude, and lifestyle must reflect God’s command, “Be holy for I Am Holy.”

Reflection: Does our lifestyle and worship reflect that we revere and honor God’s Sovereign Authority and Power?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

Brothers and Sisters, we live in a time in which, many believers feel intimidated to serve God as He requires. Those who say they are Christian believers, but practice the irreverent lifestyles and actions of other “Christian Believers,” God tells us that He considers them as sinners.

The Lord will not hear a sinner’s prayer unless it is a prayer of confession and repentance: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him.” (John 9:31).

“Then they will cry to the Lord, but He will not answer them; He will hide His face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.” (Micah 3:4).

Consider this, if you have prayed for God’s Divine Help and never received an answer, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if you are practicing any sins that have separated you from God.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV).

Unless we surrender and consecrate ourselves to God, we cannot perceive God as the Holy and Sovereign Authority of this universe, or the Sustainer of Life. Spiritual discernment is a Spiritual gift that requires faithful obedience to God.

“And the Lord said: ‘…this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me'” (Isaiah 29:13).

Although we attend weekly church services, and do not engage in the worldly practices of sinners, often we are too distracted and too tired to worship God in Spirit and Truth.

God tells us that He must be First in our lives, which includes giving Him a reasonable portion of our gift of time every day through personal worship.

Many believers do not worship God through the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study. If we exclude worship in our earthly lives, how are we preparing for an eternity of worshiping God?

“…let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Core Principles of Reverence

“Reverence for God is a sacred grace of the soul, cultivated through an awareness of His Infinite Presence.”

Core Principles of Reverence

Approach to Prayer: Believers should approach God in Jesus’ name with confidence, but avoid a bold, presumptuous, or overly casual attitude as if addressing an equal or inferior.
The Name of God: God’s Name and titles are holy and must never be spoken lightly, thoughtlessly, or repeated needlessly in conversation or prayer.
Posture in Worship: Kneeling is emphasized in both public and private prayer as the biblical example modeled by Jesus, the apostles, and prophets.
Behavior in the Sanctuary: The house of worship is treated as the ‘gate of heaven,’ requiring sobriety, order, and neatness. In the Bible, spiritual sobriety refers to being reverent, watchful, and disciplined in your faith rather than spiritually intoxicated by worldly distractions.
Believers are advised to avoid common business, using cellular devices to text, idle talking, whispering, laughing, or lingering/gossiping in the aisles after services.
Respect for Scripture: Printed Bibles and sacred words should be handled with deep respect, never used carelessly, and never quoted in jests or light banter.
Living God’s Character: True reverence extends beyond outward [ritual practices of worship] to embodying God’s merciful, gracious, and righteous character in daily life.
Embodying: To show a character trait so clearly that a person or thing becomes a living example.

Throughout the years most Christian churches have dismissed the practice of reverencing God by bowing on one’s knees when praying, but it was not always like this.

As a child, I was taught when to revere God by always bowing on my knees when praying , or if sitting at the table, say a Prayer of Gratitude for the food, still, we always closed our eyes and bowed our heads.

Faithful obedience demonstrates reverence for God: God rejected Cain’s offering, as recorded in Genesis 4:3–5, because of Cain’s heart attitude of disobedience, lack of faith, and reverence.

Like Cain, Adam and Eve’s oldest son, who offered God a sacrifice based on his thoughts, we have been deceived by Satan to think that we can offer praise and worship to the Most-High God based on our thoughts, emotions, and worship practices.

Proper worship invites the Holy Spirit to place us in the presence of God, where we receive the spiritual blessings of Jesus’ gifts of peace, joy, and the strength to persevere in our spiritual journey with Jesus.

We were created to obey and worship the Most-High God. Self-reliance is Sin: To worship God when we feel like it, reveals that we think our human thoughts are superior to God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways. Study Isaiah 55:8-9.

Bible stories clearly indicate that only the righteous who honored God by revering His Sovereignty, Supremacy, and Holiness through faithful obedience received His Divine Help and Guidance, ending in Victory.

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.'” (Exodus 14:13-14)

The Holy Scriptures teach us how to revere God: Study Psalm 95.

Lord God, we humbly bow in Your Holy Presence, asking for the forgiveness of our sins. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with Your Holy Spirit. Lord, we desperately need You to lead us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. We ask for wisdom and the strength to persevere in our spiritual journey. Lord we admit that we can do nothing without You. Although we have tried, we realize that we cannot change ourselves. Lord, reveal any unrighteous characteristics, habits, and people that we need to let go of. Teach us how to be holy. We desire to worship You in Spirit and Truth, reverencing Your Holiness and Sovereign Authority. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Savior and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Preparing For Eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. …”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV)

What does Jesus mean when He says to Abide in Me? We abide or remain in Christ through the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study, dedicating ourselves to follow Jesus with faithful obedience.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“We love Him because He first loved us.” Because our heart is filled with love and gratitude for Jesus’ blood sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross, we realize that accepting Christ as our personal Savior is to live a life of daily surrender.

True religion is to worship God in spirit and Truth; daily surrender and faithful obedience acknowledges that we belong to Jesus Christ, Who fulfilled the Plan of Redemption to save our souls.

Being created in the image of God, Jesus Christ includes the ability to make choices, and to learn the difference between right and wrong and truth and error.

The Bible teaches us the attributes of God’s Loving and Righteous Character, His Moral Law—The Ten Commandments, Righteous Precepts, and the difference between holy and unholy behaviors, habits, and lifestyles.

Because we inherited hearts that are self-centered, our hearts instinctively rebel against God. We would rather pursue the things we desire than to live a disciplined life of self-denial. Study Romans 12:1-2.

Because God is Omniscient, He knew that our greatest battle would be the battle within our minds, therefore; Jesus created us with Spiritual gifts:

1. Faith: Every human being has received “a measure of faith,” that gives us the ability to believe in God, His Eternal Existence and His Love for us; we also believe God, Jesus Christ is our Creator and Savior, Who fulfilled The Plan of Redemption that covers us with His Righteousness; we believe in God’s Sovereign Authority and Power to perform miracles, and that His Promises are Absolute. Our beliefs also include Jesus’ Promises in John 14:1-3, and Revelation Chapters 21- 22.

2. Spiritual gifts: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7).

When our hearts are filled with dedication and love for God, we desire to put Him first, and it is not a burden or inconvenience to revere Him with faith, trust, and obedience.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). If we find it impossible to let go of our personal desires and agendas, our resistance to obey reveals a spiritual issue of our heart: We do not love God more than we love ourselves.

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29).

In His earthly life, Jesus always prayed for God, the Father’s guidance, wisdom, and the strength to fulfill God’s Divine Will and Plans, and He willingly obeyed His Father.

“And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8, ESV).

Reflection: If God, the Father required total surrender and obedience from Jesus, His Son then it is impossible for us to believe Satan’s lie that we can live as we please, and still inherit our reward of Eternal Life.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ESV).

The Foundation of Christianity is Christ: Our Salvation is dependent on having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep, who follow His guiding Voice, simply because we love Him.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). Jesus is Omniscient; He reads our hearts, Knows every thought, every desire, and every motive; therefore, we stand exposed, as naked babies before His glorious presence; we cannot pretend to love, obey, and follow Jesus.

Jesus Christ Is Our Spiritual Role Model: “But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31, ESV).

Most often, our dedication to Christ will result in a spiritual journey that does not include anyone else. There are many Christians who believe in God, but few who are willing to let go of all of their desires and follow Jesus.

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9).

When Jesus extended the invitation to Matthew to follow him, Matthew’s response was not one of spoken words; He got up, leaving the materialistic lifestyle that brought nothing, but spiritual emptiness.

Like Matthew, Jesus’ faithful disciple, who never looked back, everyday, we must choose to renew our covenant of faithful obedience to our Loving Shepherd.

When love for Jesus is flowing through our hearts as rivers of rapid waters, we will cry out, Yes, for the rest of my life, I will follow Jesus!

“Trust in the Lord, do not rely on your own thoughts and understanding… In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Christ is our Loving Savior and Shepherd, who is interested in even the small details of our lives; our loyalty to God is revealed by praying for His Divine Guidance in every decision.

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 24:4-5, ESV).

Our spiritual journey is one that requires the constant empowerment of Jesus’ Wisdom and Strength, given to us through the Holy Spirit. To discern and overcome Satan’s covert deceptions and temptations, pray continuously throughout your waking hours.

“Think about what you are thinking about!” Our thoughts and emotions are unreliable when making decisions. Go to God!

We must not let life’s duties and the rapid pace of “it needs to be done now” redirect our Focus and Faith away from Jesus. Because God perceives time as Eternal, there are no emergencies for Him.

“Wait patiently for the LORD {YHWH}; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, Berean Bible). We use our faith to pray and the self-discipline to honor God by waiting on His response.

Never be in a hurry! Impulsive decisions and impatience are unrighteous characteristics that reveal a spirit of willful disobedience against God’s Sovereign Authority.

Receiving God’s Guidance requires us to be led by the Holy Spirit, and the wait time is always a test of our faith, trust, and obedience to God. Despite the circumstances, we must keep our focus on God, and reverence Him with a spirit of humility, trust, and [long-suffering] patience.

Prayer keeps our hearts and minds aligned with the Righteousness of Christ. When we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, through daily personal worship, we instinctively ask His will for our lives to be revealed.

Key Meanings and Principles of Seeking God

• A Living, Unbroken Connection: Just as a plant branch draws sap constantly from the vine, the believer continuously receives spiritual life, strength, and grace from Christ. It is a permanent, day-by-day communion rather than an “off-and-on” feeling or routine.

• Unreserved Surrender: God’s Will requires yielding one’s will, plans, and life completely to His service, allowing Christ’s character and mind to replace human selfishness.

• Faith That Works: Abiding in Christ is not passive; it is an active, living faith that expresses itself in love, obedience to God’s commandments, and kindness toward others.

• Bearing Fruit Naturally: When a person remains united to Christ, the “Fruit of the Spirit”—love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance—appear naturally in their character and daily actions, just as healthy grapes appear on a vine branch.

• Overcoming Sin: Humans cannot conquer temptation or resist sin on their own strength. Victory over sin is only possible through the active, indwelling power of Christ, given by the Holy Spirit.

• Constant Communication: The channel of Prayer, studying and meditation on the Word of God, and a conscious awareness of His presence must be practiced in all environments—whether in the home, the workplace, or in our social environments.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Strength to live as victorious overcomers only comes from Christ: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). Yes and Amen!

Lord Jesus, we desire to follow You with faith, trust, and obedience, and ask You to please be our Strength. Lord, we acknowledge that You are our Shepherd, Who guides us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Teach us how to hear and recognize Your Voice, so that we can live a surrendered life as Your faithful followers. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

God Wants To Prepare You For Today – David’s Prayer: “Teach me Your way, O Lord”

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
For I am distressed and needy [I long for Your help].”

“Hear, O Lord, my prayer; And listen attentively to the voice of my supplications” (specific requests)!

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.”

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name” [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].

“I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86: 1, 6-7, 11-12, Amplified Bible)

The Psalms are songs expressing praise and worship to God, heartfelt distress, remorse, confession, and repentance.

The Psalms also teach us how to seek God for help, guidance, comfort, and protection.

The Psalms are prayers written by David and other appointed musicians, including King Solomon.

Yes, the Psalms are the honest, heartfelt cries of righteous men, who were not ashamed to express the true feelings in their hearts to the Most-High God.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5, Amplified Bible).

Although many believers incorrectly perceive David as suffering from depression, David was not depressed.

“Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house.” (2 Samuel 12:11).

Because of his shameless sins against God of committing adultery with Bathsheba, and ordering for her husband to be killed, David lived under a God-given curse that there would never be peace in his household.

Although two of David’s Sons, Princes Absalom and Adonijah attempted to remove their father as King, God intervened, never allowing harm to come to King David.

“I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore.” (Psalm 86:12).

“The Psalms represent a personal, sincere, and lifelong commitment to worshiping God with one’s entire being (mind, emotions, and will) rather than through empty ritualistic worship practices.”

Through prayer, we have the privilege of expressing our love and gratitude for God’s love, forgiveness, guidance, and protection from spiritual warfare and our enemies.

But most importantly, our prayers should express our recognition of God’s Righteous and Loving Character, His Sovereign Authority, and gratitude for His Abundant Blessings of Grace and Mercies.

Psalm 25:4–5: “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God My Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

Because we cannot foresee the future, nor do we know what will happen in the next few minutes or hours on the given day, we immediately pray, asking God to reveal His plans, and to guide and protect us.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6).

Each new day, we receive the merciful gift of time; and with appreciation, we whisper words of gratitude for God’s Faithfulness.

Love is reciprocal. Yes, as soon as we wake up, our love for God is expressed by the immediate response, “Thank You, God for the gift of today. “

A Christian author expresses the reasons that her daily morning worship with God is vital: “This time alone with God prepares me for what I will need throughout the day. He’s equipping me to handle what is ahead with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.”

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

God’s Loving Promise: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, NIV). Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Psalm 86

Prayer: “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant…Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm 86:15-17, NKJV).

The Struggles Are Not Your Battles: Ask Jesus To Fight For You

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” As Christian believers, we should never be burdened with the challenges that consistently happen in our lives.

But, because of our spirit of self-reliance, we miss out on God’s Promises, Blessings, and His Divine Intervention, which always ends in victory.

“Pray continuously.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Through prayer, give God the glory and honor that He deserves by surrendering and asking for His Divine Help. We have access to God’s Sovereign Power 24/7. Pray, ask, wait, and obey.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercies. We ask You to forgive us for the sin of self-reliance, which prevents You from giving us Your Divine Help and receiving our greatest blessings. Jesus, we desperately need Your Intervention. We cannot navigate through this journey of life without Your wisdom, strength, and guidance. King Jesus, we love You and worship Your Holy Name, and in faith, we ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

Why Is It So Difficult To Follow Jesus?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

Because God is Omniscient, He knew that our lives would include fighting daily battles, making decisions, and overcoming temptations that would leave us mentally and spiritually depleted.

Our Heavenly Father’s Promise: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8).

With great love, God, Jesus, the Son created us to totally depend on His Wisdom and Strength. We acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority by praying for guidance and obeying Him, simply because Jesus is our Creator, Savior, and King, and we are the creation.

To accept Christ as our Savior and Shepherd requires us to follow God’s Higher Thoughts and to resist our inclinations: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).

The failure to pray for and obey God’s Guidance reveals that we have rejected Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Following our thoughts reveals a deeper spiritual issue with our heart; making plans without God reveals a spirit of disobedience, and the failure to revere God’s Sovereign Authority over our lives.

God’s Free Gift of Grace: We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).

“The Transforming Power of Grace: Christ’s Grace does more than forgive past sins; it molds and changes human character to reflect the likeness of Jesus.”

“Grace Is Freely Given: It cannot be bought with money, earned by human works, or commanded by power—it is accepted only through faith and surrender.”

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

God loves us and has a definitive plan for our lives: His priority is to spiritually transform our mind, character, and personality: “Be holy, for I Am Holy” is God’s Command; yet, we cannot change ourselves.

Sanctification [Spiritual Growth and Transformation] requires letting go of the sin of self- reliance. Through daily consecration, we commit to abide in Christ by seeking His guidance through continuous prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures.

The Sacrificial Life: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. …”

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

Sanctification is the daily transforming spiritual work of the Holy Spirit that requires our cooperation and must be accomplished in our earthly lives before we take our last breath.

The Message of The Cross: With Amazing Love that the human mind cannot comprehend [without the Holy Spirit giving us a deeper spiritual understanding], God, the Father gifted us with Jesus, His Divine Son, who died to save our souls.

Jesus willingly gave His life to save us from the wages of sin [the second and final death] with the expectation that we would love, follow, obey, and worship Him as our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King.

God, the Father’s Spiritual Goals: For us to love God, Yeshua, His Son; to possess the Righteous Attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character [The Fruit of The Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23]; and for God, the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, in preparation for an eternity of worshiping Jesus [Revelation 22].

God’s Instructions For Striving To “Be Holy”

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, ESV).

We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV).

Why is it so difficult for us to follow Jesus and to live holy?

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29). Jesus proclaimed that He always obeyed God, the Father.

To be a Christian is to be Christ-like: To Follow Christ Is To Seek His Divine Will and Fulfill God’s Plans.

“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, ESV).

The Four Gospels reveal Jesus’ earthly life, and His commitment to teach and transform the 12 disciples. We study the Bible to learn how Jesus lived and overcame sin through continuous prayer.

If we pray for the strength and power to stand down sinful desires and temptations, we will immediately receive Christ’s Divine Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit to overcome.

Jesus’ earthly life reveals that He loved God, the Father; Jesus’ abundant love brought hope, healing, and peace to the multitudes of people, who were rejected by the Jewish leaders.

God, the Father, expects us to have the same Loving and Righteous Character as Christ, which is only possible when we dedicate ourselves to follow Jesus with daily surrender and faithful obedience.

Placing our faith and trust in Jesus and seeking His Guidance through continuous prayer reveals that our heart is overflowing with love for God.

Humility reveals itself through obedience, only then can the Holy Spirit empower us with Jesus’ Divine wisdom and strength to persevere in our earthly spiritual journey.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

Salvation is not Behavior Modification; it is impossible for us to change the condition of our inherited hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

God knows our struggles with sin and selfishness; therefore He gave us written Spiritual Principles and Commands in the Holy Bible, which provide the Divine Guidance to live as righteous overcomers.

Yes, The Bible is our Spiritual Blueprint. The Holy Scriptures teach us how to live holy; still, we require Jesus’ Divine Power every day, given to us through the Holy Spirit to win our spiritual battles.

Letting Go of The Unbelieving Mindset of Self-Reliance

Self-Reliance redirects our faith and focus to ourselves instead of on the Power of God. Following Jesus, our Shepherd requires a spirit of humility and the willingness to obey God.

We actively participate in our Salvation by making choices that honor God: “Do not be conformed to this world.”

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot overcome our heart’s desires for wealth, material possessions, and sinful people and pleasures.

Every day, our earnest prayer must be King David’s 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).

When we love God, daily surrender and faithful obedience to His Perfect Plans are not a burden.

Because we love Jesus and appreciate the gift of His Life on Calvary’s Cross, following Him on the Narrow Path of Righteousness is our greatest desire.

Our commitment to follow Jesus is renewed every morning; Personal worship includes the Prayer of Surrender, Praying for God’s Plan for the new day, and studying the Holy Scriptures.

Through continuous prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment to understand the deepest spiritual meaning of the Holy Scriptures, and how we are to live out the Scriptures day by day.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes, teaching us how to “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” The Holy Spirit also warns us of Satan’s covert temptations designed to deceive us.

One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to bring “unbelieving believers” into our lives; with their words they proclaim belief in God, but their lifestyle reveals a heart that is attached to the world.

Separation From Unbelievers and Unbelieving Believers: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV).

We must also separate ourselves from family and friends who do have a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. “You will know them by their fruits;” either we are righteous or worldly, no one can serve God with a divided heart.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NLT)

God, the Holy Spirit, guides and empowers us to choose right instead of wrong; to accept and live by God’s Truth instead of false teachings; and to renounce the unbeliever’s godless habits and lifestyles; still, our hearts must desire to willingly follow and obey Jesus.

Satan desires that we see God as a punitive Judge instead of a Loving Heavenly Father, Who desires to give us Eternal Life; but Jesus says that Satan is the “Father of Lies.”

The Hidden Traits of Disobedience: “But why do you call me ‘Lord Lord,’ but not do as I say?” Yes, following Christ requires giving up our desires for His Perfect Plans.

Although God desires for us to love Him with faithful obedience, God’s desires are rarely fulfilled. Because God is Just, we were created with a free will to choose. Sadly, humanity, who are the only beings created in the image of God frequently choose to rebel against His Sovereign Authority.

If we reject Jesus by embracing self-reliance and chasing our desires then we choose the destiny of Malachi 4, instead of God’s Plans to live forever with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Worship Is a Lifestyle Not a Weekly Event

The lifestyle of “Daily Personal Worship” is the only way to abide in Christ, which keeps our faith and focus on His Divine Love, Power, and Promises, building an unbreakable relationship with our Loving Savior.

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23, ESV).

Personal worship demonstrates our love and loyalty to Jesus, revealing that we worship the One and Only True God. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him commit to following His directives with unwavering faith, trust, and obedience.

Consistent worship reinforces our love for God, preparing us for an eternity of worshiping Jesus Christ, our Risen and Triumphant King. Yes and Amen!

It is in our earthly lives that we must utilize our gift of time wisely. Spending time in personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus’ glorious presence, filling us with peace, joy, wisdom, and the strength we need to keep following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Followers of Christ will never have an easy life, but it is a privilege to suffer for Jesus. Throughout the Bible, Jesus promises to give us His Strength, which empowers us to persevere and to keep moving forward.

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21). Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Lamentations 3

Lord Jesus, the Creator of this universe, we humbly approach Your Throne of Grace, bowing to your Sovereign Authority. Today, we renew our spiritual commitment to follow You with love and loyalty, and to use our faith to trust Your Perfect Plans for our lives.

Lord, search our hearts and reveal any hidden sins. We ask you to forgive us for our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. Jesus, You are our Faithful Shepherd, and we ask You to guide us in this spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.

As we follow You, give us peace, and the spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength to live as righteous overcomers. We love You because You first loved us. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King. Amen.

Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down: Let Us Kneel Before The Lord Our Maker. Amen.

Lord God, You Are Holy, Holy, Holy. You are the Sovereign Authority of this universe, and with humility and surrender, we bow before Your Throne of Grace on this Holy Sabbath, worshiping You, because You are the Most-High God. Lord, we ask you to forgive us of our sins against You. We thank You for The Plan of Redemption, which required the death of Your Precious Son, God, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, we thank You for humbling Yourself to come to this earth, in poverty to save our souls. We are in desperate need of the abundant blessings of spiritual renewal and restoration. Lord, we thank You for bringing us safely through this week. We are weary, yet, we look forward to the blessings of strength, peace, joy, and happiness that comes from placing our faith and trust in You. Thank you for giving us 24 hours to forget about the routine duties of life and redirect our focus to worshiping You on the Sabbath that You Sanctified and made Holy. We surrender to Your Sovereignty and look forward to the day when we will see You face to face in all of Your glory. In faith, we praise Your Holy Name and ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.