” ‘And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.’ As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.” -John 8:29
Jesus Prays for Himself: “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).
We have Jesus’ Righteous example of the humility and faithful obedience required to honor and revere God, the Father. Our love and loyalty to Christ must supersede loving ourselves, and the world’s prosperity and pleasures.
Daily consecration through prayer, fasting, and diligent study of the Bible keeps us close to God, inviting the Holy Spirit to perform the daily transforming work of Sanctification.
Lord God, we thank You for living a life of faithful obedience that we could be redeemed from the consequences of sin. We ask for the anointing, power, presence, and spiritual wisdom from the Holy Spirit to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. Thank You, Jesus for leading, protecting, and correcting us in our daily walk with You. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:7, 14-15, NIV)
“Of all creatures the sheep is one of the most timid and helpless…still, the shepherd’s care for his flock is untiring and incessant.” The defenseless sheep know they must always depend on their shepherd to keep them safe.
“In ancient times there was minimal safety outside of walled towns. Marauders from the roving border tribes, or beasts of prey from their hiding places in the rocks, lay in wait to plunder the flocks. The shepherd watched… knowing that it was at the peril of his own life.” He was always prepared to fight and protect his sheep.
Spiritually, Jesus compares us to sheep who are helpless against Satan, the enemy. Without the Divine power and strength of Christ, our Shepherd, we cannot live righteously, or overcome the covert, and highly effective deceptions of the enemy.
“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” -Isaiah 53:6, NLT
Sadly, we think that attending weekly church service is the way to receive eternal life. Many believers refuse to live a surrendered, faithful, obedient, and consecrated life to God. But our self-reliance comes with a high price, we lose the safety of being led by our Shepherd which easily persuades us to embrace the enticements and deceptions of this world.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” -Matthew 16:26
The decisions we make without spiritual guidance will always bring consequences to our lives. Maybe all is well right now but the mindset of self-reliance is one of disobedience which ultimately separates us from God. We believe that we can lead ourselves, so there is no need to pray for guidance.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” -Proverbs 16:12
From using our thoughts and inclinations to fulfill our desires, we exchange the hope of receiving the promise of eternal life for nothing but earthly treasures that will soon be destroyed when Jesus comes again.
The Christian Community has embraced many pagan practices in the attempt to gain Jesus’ gift of peace. Burning sage, Eastern meditation, yoga, the worship of Hindu deities, online gambling, CBD, secular music, pornography, living together without marriage, and friendships with unbelievers instead of living a sacrificial life dedicated to God.
We easily pursue our desires that are satisfied from hours of screen time, scrolling on social media, and seeking prosperity, pleasure, and political alliances. Without Divine power, we lose the internal battle against our heart’s desires, so we feel no need to be led by Christ.
“It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul. The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else can.”
“Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in man; and whoever turns men away from Christ is turning them away from the source of true development.”
The decision to follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd is a tough spiritual journey that requires us to let go of our desires and pursuits. Yes, our faith is tested everyday by temptations, and fiery trials but we are not left defenseless.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” -Hebrews 4:16
Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to intervene. To be under the loving care of Jesus is to live a life overflowing with hope, joy, and peace. We can live with the spirit of contentment when we choose Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” -Hebrews 13:5, NIV
Use your faith to live courageously! Even in adversity, we know that Jesus will give us the victory! From dedicating ourselves to the Shepherd, He will lead us safely through our earthly journey.
As obedient sheep who always follow their Shepherd, we have the hope of receiving the reward of eternal life in a perfect and loving New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!
“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, [b]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).
Lord God, we thank you for being our Good Shepherd. Our desire is to return to Your loving arms. We ask forgiveness for leaving your safety by pursuing meaningless earthly practices and treasures. We pray for strength, wisdom, and an increase in faith, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“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…” —Proverbs 3:5-7
We can agree that successful personal relationships require love, forgiveness, quality time, creating goals, and working together to achieve them. For a relationship to thrive, the individuals must align their morals and values, agree to become interdependent, and communicate using loving, compassionate, and respectful responses, which are the primary building blocks for bonding with each other.
“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
The Scriptures teach us that we were created to depend on God. Every day, our Heavenly Father desires that we approach Him in prayer to seek His will and plans for the day. How do we describe our relationship with Christ? Strong and thriving, or weak and wavering? Many believers do not have a personal relationship with Christ because of the character trait of self-reliance.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9:9, NASB
“Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and Matthew immediately leaves everything and follows.” Although our Christian experience differs, accepting Jesus as our Savior is comparable to sheep following their Shepherd. Dependency on God requires us to redirect our faith from ourselves to God and to relinquish our desires in exchange for His Divine plans for our lives.
“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28). One of Satan’s most effective deceptions in the Christian Community is for us to believe the Holy Scriptures [God’s Spoken Word] are optional suggestions. Jesus refutes this false doctrine of having the privilege to decide whether or not to obey and practice God’s Righteous Commands.
Consider this: Every employer has policies and procedures that comply with State, Federal, or National Labor laws. Upon hire, the legal contractual agreement between an employer and an employee is presented and accepted based on a written agreement between both to adhere to the existing policies.
“Corporate Compliance and Human Resources departments ensure their organizations adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards.” All employer/employee infractions are immediately dealt with and resolved with disciplinary measures, and may escalate to legal action.
The Bible, spoken to righteous men by God, is our Spiritual Guide and Blueprint, teaching us how to live holy and acceptable lives pleasing to God. Without studying the Scriptures, we are relying on our thoughts, which will never coincide with God’s command to “…Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46, ESV
Something is not right when we can pledge faithfulness to obey employers who can only offer us salaried compensation, but we practice disregard for God’s Righteous Precepts. The acceptance and daily practice of the worldviews of self-governance have caused many believers to reject seeking God’s guidance, resulting in a life of disobedience.
Before Jesus took on humanity, His mind was one with God the Father, perfectly synchronized to His Father’s thoughts and desires. Although it is a mystery, Jesus always knew exactly what His Father was thinking. In Jesus’ earthly life, He did not have the privilege of knowing God’s thoughts and plans as He did in the Heavenly Courts.
Born as a human, Jesus had many limitations. Without prayer, He could not know God’s will. Jesus spent countless hours praying, which empowered Him to live a sinless life. He knew the importance of communing with God in personal worship. With humility and surrender, our Savior always asked for His Father’s will to be revealed. If Jesus required spiritual guidance, may God have mercy on us, we desperately need God’s Divine Help!
Jesus, Our Role Model: “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 John 17, Jesus prayed, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (verse 4). To love God is to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. King David reminds us, “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
“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)
The Plan to Reconnect to Christ: What steps can we take to align ourselves with God’s will and plans?
Every morning, we consecrate ourselves as followers of Christ through personal worship. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before making all decisions. Invite God in every aspect of your life, and you will learn to hear His voice. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, and the Scriptures [Study Romans 12, Galatians 5:22-23, and Ephesians 6].
Do not believe everything you think! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and teach you what God requires to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Learn to whisper prayers for Divine strength throughout your waking hours.
Humility Cures Worldliness: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we commit to following and obeying Christ, we face the spiritual warfare of temptations on a greater level. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remain prayerful, and study the Scriptures every day.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7). We were given spiritual gifts meant to be used with prayer. We need Jesus’ Divine strength to renounce sinful temptations that Satan creates based on our personal desires. Still, we cannot be coerced into sin against God. It is a free will choice to say yes to temptation.
Will we accept God’s mandate for the righteous? “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” ( Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). If yes, we will receive the spiritual power from the Holy Spirit to live as victorious overcomers.
Trusting in God is the willingness to let go of one’s thoughts, inclinations, and desires. We use our faith to honor and reverence God because He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. When we accept our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God, we begin to think differently, and our choices reflect holiness.
Last week, I consecrated myself to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Honestly, it is the toughest journey I have ever encountered. Our battle against Satan is one of External Opposition. We have the power to resist temptations with Divine strength. Thankfully, Christ sets limits on Satan; if it were Satan’s choice, he would aggressively pursue and intimidate believers, leaving us worn out and hopeless.
Still, our greatest battle is the battle of the mind! We inherited carnal hearts that are driven to pursue prosperity and pleasure. The Internal Conflict of renouncing our heart’s desires is one in which we must have Divine help. Not all temptations are easily discerned, especially after an 8 -12 hour, busy day.
After work, we are tired and just want to relax, so one of our favorite podcasts or programs just happens to be on, so we choose screen time instead of worship. If exhausted, pray for strength and spiritual clarity, listen to the audio Bible of one of the Psalms, and pray again before falling asleep.
Prayer is Power! When we pray continuously for Divine strength and guidance, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities daily into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Sanctification is the lifelong process of spiritual growth and transformation performed by the Holy Spirit when we strive to live faithful and obedient lives.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26, Amplified Bible
Faithful obedience is our highest worship. As time draws closer to Christ’s Second Coming, we must decide whether we will surrender and faithfully obey God or continue to operate with a mindset of self-governance. Nothing on this present Earth is worth giving up our reward of the Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!
“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
Lord God, we ask forgiveness for living according to our thoughts and plans. We seek Your guidance because we love you, and desire to live a faithful and obedient life that we may receive our reward of eternal life, and meet our Triumphant King who willingly gave His life for us. We pray for the strength to live as faithful overcomers awaiting Your soon return. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…” -2 Chronicles 20:17
Often we forget that God is Omniscient and He knows every aspect of our lives from beginning to the end. The hardships, adversities, and spiritual warfare we face, God is already aware of, and He waits for us to ask for help.
The LORD is on our side! Who can stand against our Warrior God? Use your faith to believe in His Sovereign Power! Pray for help. Remain silent. Be patient. And watch God give you victory that honors His Holy Name. He is a God Who protects the righteous. Yes and Amen!
LORD God, our world is in turmoil, and we are facing obstacles that we cannot eliminate, and problems we cannot resolve. You commanded us to come to the Throne of Grace, and ask for Your help in the times of need. Jesus, we always need You. Thank You in advance for a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ Powerful Name we pray, Amen.
Jesus, God, the Son is the Second Person of the Triune Godhead, and our Triumphant King. The King of kings stepped away from His throne, leaving His Magnificent Heavenly Home where the Angels bow in obedience and cry Holy, Holy, Holy to the Lamb of God.
Before the creation of humanity, Christ volunteered to die a heinous death on Calvary’s Cross, so we would not have to pay the wages of sin [Romans 6:23]. Yeshua willingly condescended to live as a Man of Sorrows and endure rejection and hatred to save our souls. Thank You, Jesus!
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31
The only thing we can do that is worthy of His Love and Excellence is consecrating ourselves daily to live a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyle reflect our dedication, appreciation, love, and loyalty to our Triumphant King, who will soon take the righteous home with Him. Yes and Amen!
Thank You, Jesus, for the shame and spilling of Your precious blood. We honor You with surrender and faithful obedience as we wait with joyful anticipation for Your soon return. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 18, 2025
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9, NIV
Believing that we are loved by God increases our faith. Yes, our God is Faithful, even so, how well do we know His Character? We cannot love and trust a stranger. Learning God’s Character can only be accomplished by diligently studying the Holy Scriptures.
An attribute of God that we can appreciate is that He never changes—His yes is yes and His no is no. We do not have to guess who God is; from Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His love and the attributes of His Righteous Character: Lover of our Souls, Savior, Deliverer, Rescuer, Healer, Mighty Warrior, and so much more.
The Bible is God’s Spoken Words given to righteous men through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the only historically accurate book documenting His continuous intervention in the lives of the righteous. God desires to guide us victoriously through our journey of life, but we must decide if we will accept and trust Him with our lives.
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ ” —1 Samuel 17:45
David’s young life as a shepherd required dedication and the courage to place himself in jeopardy to protect the sheep from predators. David’s father, Jesse, taught his son to trust in God, which prepared him to use his faith when he fought vicious animals and volunteered to courageously slay Goliath, the Philistine giant.
Still, David’s greatest faith test of trusting God with his life occurred when King Saul’s jealousy and rage grew into a killer instinct against David, causing him to flee for his life. Bible scholars estimate that David lived as a fugitive in the wilderness for approximately 10 years.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). From studying the book of Psalms, we learn that David never forgot that God was His Protector and Deliverer.
Although every believer understands that we are saved by Jesus’ sacrificial offering of His life on Calvary, from the failure to study the Holy Scriptures, many do not have knowledge of the history of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy, and how He has consistently intervened in human life for 6,000 years.
From performing the first animal sacrifice to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness [Genesis 3:21] to protecting the Apostle Paul from many accounts of physical danger [2 Corinthians 11:22-29], Jesus Christ—YAHWEH Mephalti is committed to saving us from sin, rescuing us from the temptations of Satan’s spiritual warfare [1 Corinthians 10:13], protecting the righteous with guardian angels, and giving us His strength to persevere through life’s adversities.
What more can Christ do for us? Our Creator God desires that we invite Him daily [through prayer] to live a victorious life empowered by His wisdom and strength given to us by the Holy Spirit. Are we willing to comply with the Spiritual Conditions of Participation that require the human effort of daily surrender and faithful obedience?
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9
We were created to have a relationship with Christ based on faith, obedience, and complete dependency. Although God desires to give us the best, sadly, many believers are using their free will of choice to live in a state of rebellion against God. Many decades ago, Frank Sinatra wrote a song entitled “My Way.” The lyrics included, “I can continue until the end my way.” This is the unbeliever’s bold proclamation of rejecting God.
Satan deceives us into believing we can live according to our desires as long as we attend church once a week. Faithful obedience keeps us in right standing with God. Beware of embracing and practicing Satan’s deceptions that persuade us to live according to our thoughts and strategies to gain wealth and success.
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) highlights the importance of actions aligning with words, emphasizing that true discipleship involves not just professing faith but also obeying God’s commands. This rhetorical question challenges those who outwardly acknowledge Jesus as Lord but fail to live according to His teachings.”
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23
The Christian journey is one in which we desperately need Christ, our Deliverer, to keep us on the Path of Righteousness. Without seeking and obeying God’s will, we are practicing self-governance that always includes risks and consequences. Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us not to use our limited human wisdom to make decisions, as we can never see beyond the present day. Regret is painful!
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” -Psalm 34:17
Every day, we face Satan’s covert, intricate schemes of temptation, not only designed to separate us from God but also to cause instability and financial loss. The financial investment, starting the new business, purchasing a house or vehicle because of a low interest rate, or relocating for a new job may sound promising, but “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Pray, asking God if the presenting situation is a blessing or a temptation, and wait for His answer.
God’s Providence: When we pray for clarity in our lives, we will not understand “the why” of God’s thoughts, ways, and plans. Without questioning or analyzing, we acquiesce to God’s will with a mindset of reverence and total obedience because He loves us, has the best plans, and knows the future.
We can only be tempted by the things we desire, and this is when the struggle of internal opposition begins, between God’s will and our desires. Always trust and obey God. If His answer is Wait or No, then He is saving us from devastating consequences. Learning to rely on God in everything leads to a rewarding life of peace and blessings.
When we include God in the small things that seem insignificant, our perspective of our Heavenly Father changes. The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual wisdom, and we develop a heart filled with love and loyalty for Christ. As time continues, our bond with Christ grows deeper, and Jesus becomes our All and All.
It is the heart-to-heart relationship with Christ that gives experiential knowledge and a personal testimony that our Lord and Savior is “יהוה מְפַלְתִי (YAHWEH Mephalti)… the God who rescues, delivers, and saves.” Yes and Amen!
Jesus, our Savior, Rescuer, Deliverer, and Triumphant King, we love You, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 17, 2025
“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
Facing opposition? Use your faith to pray and ask for God’s Divine Intervention. Thank Him in advance for resolving your challenges. Remain Silent. Be patient. And wait on the Lord!
Lord God, we come to You asking for Your Divine help with the challenges we currently face and cannot resolve ourselves. We thank you for the victory, and ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 13, 2025
We often pray for things that we usually do not need. But I learned a couple of days ago when we pray differently, especially for obstacles that impact our mental and emotional health, God responds immediately to our prayers.
My prayer was simple, “God, please give me the things that I need to improve the quality of my life. I have an obstacle that is overwhelming, affecting my peace, and causing me stress that I cannot resolve. Jesus, I need your help. Thank you. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.”
God answered my prayer later that day. Peace and Blessings
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 8, 2025
Every day, we face opposition from spiritual warfare. The toughest battles include conflict on our jobs and dissension in our families. Satan, the roaring lion easily uses familiar unbelievers to strive against us and create havoc in our lives.
Satan’s goal is to make us feel that God does not care. By creating additional stressors and burdens in our already busy lives, we easily succumb to feelings of doubt, anxiety, and discouragement. Regardless of our extreme challenges, God does not change! His promises to intervene and deliver us remain steadfast.
How do we respond when facing the adversity of conflict?
If we resolve life’s minor obstacles without God, unfortunately this habit produces a spirit of self-reliance. From excluding God in the little matters of everyday life, we place burdens on ourselves that God never intended for us to carry.
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” -1 Corinthians 14:33
At some point, we will encounter adversities that our human effort cannot resolve. For the Christian believer, conflict with others is always a God battle. We whisper a prayer, exercise self-control by remaining silent, and walk away.
“…Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength whose heart departs from the Lord.” – Jeremiah 17:5
The worldview of depending on ourselves to resolve conflict is in opposition to God’s command to rely on Him. Displaced faith in ourselves always results in the distress of frustration and doubt in God’s power. Without a history of faith and trust in God, we will react emotionally to hardships.
“What will I do?” Stand down! We must guard our mouths! Hostile angry words can never be retrieved. Pray!
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:25
Throughout the Bible, God reveals His love and desire to intervene and give us victory. Yes, facing enemies is an overwhelming challenge! Still, God’s promises remind us that we were created to depend on Him. It is the “impossible situation” that propels us to call on His Name for help.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:6-7
Our prayer of repentance for the sin of self-reliance demonstrates our willingness to surrender to the Almighty God. With humility, we pray for Divine Intervention which honors and reveres God’s Sovereignty and Power. God is Love!
God’s Answer: “You will not need to fight in this battle… Stand still and see the salvation of the lord, who is with you… Do not fear or be dismayed… For the Lord is with you.” -2 Chronicles 20:17
Faithful obedience is demonstrated by believing in God’s never- failing promises. Patiently wait for His resolution with joyful anticipation and a heart filled with gratitude. When God is involved, we can always expect a victorious outcome. Who can win a battle against Yeshua, the Mighty Warrior God? Yes and Amen!
Prayer: “Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me” (Psalm 35: 1, 24). In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
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