Tag: Bible

Moving Forward By Gaining the Victory Over Our Past

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 25, 2024

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.” —Isaiah 43:18, NKJV

The New Living Translation tells us, “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18). Our lives involve many past negative experiences that Satan uses to keep us from loving God and believing in His Healing Power. From studying the Bible, we learn that God is Love and His priority is humanity whon Christ created in His image.

Would God command us to forget our past if it was not possible? Absolutely not! To forget the past, we replace those thoughts [yes, it is our reality] with God’s promise: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Reflection: Perform a self-examination of your current emotional state. If you are nurturing anger, bitterness, and resentment which are the thorny fruits of unforgiveness [toward others or yourself] then you have chosen to travel a path that does not include God nor invites Him to give you a new life of victory. God will not coerce us to forgive or to let go of our past, but God, the Holy Spirit cannot live within an unclean vessel filled with the darkness of an unforgiving spirit.

Moving Forward: “What is God’s purpose for my life?” and “Am I prepared to begin my new life in Christ by forgiving others and myself?” are the key questions to gaining victory over your past through Jesus Christ.

To embrace God’s promise of doing something new in our lives is a conscious decision that requires us to take the first step toward God. We must desire a new beginning. Yes, we may have suffered and been victimized by others or made many past mistakes and now face the consequences of those choices, yet, Jesus loves us and desires to restart our lives.

We must question the status of our faith in God, is it steadfast or wavering?: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Do we believe that God is All-Powerful? Then we pray for strength and courage to use our mustard seed faith to embrace our new lives.

“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ ” —John 5:6

We use our faith, even if it is weak to pray an honest prayer, God knows the true condition of our hearts. Our prayer of faith invites Jesus to heal us. Jesus does not heal us in stages—from our prayer of faith, we are immediately made well spiritually, mentally, and emotionally which also includes the gift of inner peace. Pray the simple but powerful prayer to be released from the imprisonment of your past and all unforgiveness. Our prayer of asking for Divine Help reconnects us to God who breaks the chains of our past by setting us free.

Prayer: “God, my faith is weak and I do not know how to forget my past nor do I know my purpose. Please forgive me for hatred toward those who hurt me. I forgive those who hurt me and I forgive myself for making negative decisions. Lord, I desperately need Your help. I ask You to reveal my spiritual gifts and talents and teach me how to use them to bring honor to Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”

Some individuals may require therapeutic intervention to learn how to replace negative behaviors with positive and productive strategies, yet humans cannot heal each other. Our cooperation with the Divine power of God gives us spiritual healing and victory over our past. We stay near to God through much prayer and consistent daily study of the Scriptures.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18, NASB

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’ ” (Matthew 11:28-30).

God promises to heal our brokenness which encompasses all of our mental and emotional challenges. We must possess a sound mind to enjoy a productive life, spiritual growth, and transformation to experience a healthy, thriving relationship with Jesus Christ and others.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Love God by thanking Him for today’s mercies of life. Our decisions should reflect God’s goodness for the mercies of the given day. If you must think about the past then it should be on the countless ways that God delivered you from complete devastation.

A new life in Christ begins with total dependence on God. Surrender is our gift of gratitude to God who guides us day by day. Our new lives can be compared to building a house. Christ is the foundation of our faith relationship with God. From our surrender, the Holy Spirit defines and teaches us how to incorporate the building blocks of faith, trust, and obedience to solidify our relationship with Christ.

Jesus also lived a purpose-driven life on this earth. His Divine earthly purpose: To preach, heal, and give us freedom from the wages of sin by dying on Calvary’s Cross. “Isaiah, the Hebrew prophet, lived about 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. The Book of Isaiah contains many prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus, which were made over 700 years before his birth.”

Proof that God uses ordinary people to proclaim His Greatness: The prophet Isaiah was given the prophetic purpose of Jesus Christ, the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” (Isaiah 61:1).

In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus revealed His Earthly Purpose: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18).

“Jesus’ earthly purpose was to fulfill God’s will for humanity and to show the world how to live a life that reflects God’s perfection.”

The Radical Change of Saul’s Calling and Conversion to the Apostle Paul

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 6 ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ ” (Acts 9:1-2).

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26

Saul of Tarsus who persecuted the early Christian believers reveals that despite our past sins, habits, and atrocities when we accept Christ’s invitation to become our Savior, God forgives and forgets our past experiences and sins. Saul caused much havoc in the lives of the early Christians who ended up in jail and executed. If Saul did not believe in God’s forgiveness and healing power, guilt and defeat would have crippled his mind and kept him from fulfilling God’s divine purpose.

With Divine Power, Jesus Christ transformed treacherous Saul into the apostle Paul who started the early Christian churches and wrote most of the New Testament under the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to cleanse us from all sinful unrighteousness, transform us with His righteousness, and reveal our God-given spiritual assignment to spread the message of His Love and soon coming.

You Are Chosen: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” —John 15:16

Through the Holy Spirit, you and I were chosen by Jesus to be His disciples and to witness His love, kindness, and compassion through our actions and spoken words. Our demeanor and interactions proclaim Jesus is Love and the Lord of our lives. Jesus chose the time and era you would be born and gave you a measure of faith, power, love, a sound mind (self-control), spiritual gifts, and natural talents.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

We are never alone! Throughout the Bible, we find that God patiently guides us by moving us forward one step at a time. If we devote ourselves to God then Jesus holds us in His Righteous right hand and guides us on the Chosen path which always leads to victory. When we know God’s Loving Character and His promises found in the Scriptures, we willingly place our lives in His hands as He leads us into our Divine purpose—to live victoriously on earth and with Him for eternity.

Lord God, we desire to move forward from our past and ask for Your Divine guidance, strength, and wisdom as we travel on the chosen path You have designed for us. Lord, give us courage as we use our faith to believe in Your promises to take care of us. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus,  Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Praying For Inner Peace – “Peace, Be Still!”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 24, 2024

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Many individuals desire and seek peace. Every day a false man-made peace is marketed to attempt to alleviate our restless and agitated minds. Every day desperate people purchase apps, use mind-altering drugs, and relocate to isolated areas in their desperate search for the world’s version of peace. But true peace is a precious gift from God that cannot be purchased.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26, NLT

Jeremiah was known as the “Weeping Prophet.” “Jeremiah came from a priestly family and was called as a youth to be a prophet. His ministry spanned the time before, during, and after the Babylonian capture and exile of some Judeans and the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the land.”

What is spiritual peace? Jesus’ Peace is the divine gift of an inner calm and assurance that permeates our mind, body, and soul. To receive peace, we use our measure of faith to trust in God and remain hopeful because we believe God is Sovereign, loves us, and is always faithful.

God’s peace is given to us through prayer and as mysterious as receiving His peace appears, by faith, we receive Divine peace from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When we stay connected to Jesus Christ, the Source of Peace, through much prayer, Jesus gives His Peace which flows from Himself. Jesus’ peace is freely given to every believer who proclaims that Jesus is the Lord of their life. Daily surrender is evidence that we love God. Faithful obedience connects us spiritually to God and strengthens our heart-to-heart relationship with Christ.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

To admit to God that our faith is weak is a fact that He already knows. In tough times, we exercise humility by asking God for the courage to move forward in His strength. Jesus knows the human heart, we are frail and will succumb to our circumstances without His Divine strength. Jesus reminded the apostle Paul, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…’ ” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We can enjoy the rich blessing of abundant peace despite our present struggles. Yes, Jesus’ peace is a gift wrapped in His Divine love. From personal experience, praying in faith through total surrender gives us peace that eliminates all worries, anxieties, and fears. “Pray continuously!” Have you placed your life in God’s hands? Even in the raging storms of life, surrendering our will to God invites Jesus to proclaim, “Peace Be Still!”

“It is Well with My Soul” is a Christian hymn written by Horatio Gates Spafford in 1873 that expresses faith in God and peace in times of tragic

loss. He lost his three children, one to sickness, and the two daughters in a shipwreck which only his wife survived. Can we proclaim that it is well with my soul even when walking through a season of financial loss, marital dissolution, life-changing illness, or the death of loved ones?

God knows that harsh situations will cause anguish and many tears of sorrow. If we view God as a loving Heavenly Father whose goal is to save our souls then we will not become angry or blame Him in times of adversity. We were created to be needy and dependent on God. Accepting our limitations by asking for His Divine Help in our deepest sorrows results in an immediate response from our Triumphant King.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” —Mark 4:39

From our petitions of prayer, Jesus, the Commander of Angel Armies sends His peace through the Holy Spirit and dispatches angels who comfort us. Jesus, God, the Son in His earthly life described Himself as a “Man of Sorrows.” We have a Loving and Compassionate Savior who always provides the Divine peace that soothes our souls and heals our broken hearts.

“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).

Bible Study: Mark 4

Lord God, our storms are raging and we ask in faith for your Divine Help and gift of peace. We need strength and the courage to move forward. Heal our brokenness and direct us on the Path of Righteousness. God, we trust You and rely on You to help us live as victorious overcomers while preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

References: Stand Up Like Jeremiah, Adventist Review

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

“My Help Comes from God!”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 22, 2024

The Divine Invitation: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

Through faith, we reach out to Christ in prayer asking for His Divine Help. When we pray continuously, the threads of our brokenness, fears, and anxieties are spiritually wrapped in Jesus’ love. We experience a transformation into a true believer whose faith in God grows stronger producing a spirit of courage, contentment, and total reliance on God.

“…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” —2 Corinthians 12:9

Prayer is our lifeline to heaven. In faith, we accept Christ’s invitation to come to His throne of grace. Our faith is rewarded and we become the recipients of Christ’s strength given to us by the Holy Spirit. If in peaceful times, we develop a daily life of prayer [Daniel prayed at least three times a day] when facing unexpected challenges, our first immediate response is prayer.

Reverently, we petition Christ, our Intercessor who promises, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). In His earthly life, Jesus had twelve disciples whose beliefs included pagan fallacies. The story of Jesus walking on water is told in the Bible in Matthew 14:22-33:

  • Jesus walks on the lake: The disciples are being battered by waves.
  • The disciples are afraid: The disciples are terrified and think Jesus is a ghost.
  • Jesus calms the disciples: Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

“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

We have a Savior who sacrificed His all for us. Jesus knows that we can do nothing without Him. The challenges you face are not greater than God’s Perfect Love and Sovereign Power, decide to put your full trust in Christ. With steadfast faith proclaim, “I know that Christ is in this battle with me, and He always wins!”

Our faith should be expressed in spoken words. Every day, tell yourself, “My help comes from God!” Speak the righteous promises of Christ over your life, not only will you become dependent on Him, but your faith will flourish like grapes on a vine. Reliance on Christ produces a spirit of peace within that no storm can destroy.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

Lord God, we give You honor and praise thanking You for Your abundant love, grace, and mercies. We desire to rely completely on You and ask for Your Divine Intervention and strength. Give us direction and peace in our stormy seasons of life. We pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing, power, and presence. Teach us to hear Your voice. We ask this prayer in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Never Give Up!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 21, 2024

“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

With Christ as our Intercessor who receives our prayers from the Holy Spirit and presents our prayers to God, the Father, we should never become discouraged. There are numerous reasons why we experience a sense of discontent when encountering adversity, still, the primary reason is our lack of faith in God because we do not know or understand God’s character due to our failure to study the Scriptures.

The Plight of Humanity: “All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” —Isaiah 40:6-8

God loves us! We are the only living beings created in His Divine image. Yes, Jesus gifted us with faith, love, the power to resist sin, and a sound mind, but God knows we mortals desperately need Him. We were not created to live without His Divine Intervention. Sadly, because many have embraced the worldview of self-reliance, our dependency on God and our relationship with Jesus Christ has been placed on hold.

Thinking our thoughts is the gateway to making decisions that oppose God’s will and plans for our lives. The exclusion of God as our Refuge produces anxiety and worry. We do not have to live a stressful life suffering consequences and miss out on the joy and peace that arise from knowing our  Heavenly Father has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

God Reminds Us of His Sovereign Power: “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things…” (Isaiah 40:25-26).

Studying the Bible gives us intellectual knowledge of God yet intellectual knowledge does not strengthen our faith and trust in God. Deep within our hearts, we must believe that God loves us and He is Yahweh Yireh, our Provider. Because the human heart strives to pursue its’ desires, God allows us to travel down the road of adversity to redirect our focus to Him.

King Solomon instructed: “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” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

Trusting and obeying God gives us the courage and confidence to know that God always keeps his promises. Always placing God first will keep you aligned with His plans for your life and on the Path of Righteousness. Where do you and I stand? Do we really trust in God with all of our hearts?

“Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart…” —Luke 18:1

Pray for strength! Never Give Up! Pray, pray, pray! Prayer for Divine help and guidance requires humility. To surrender daily to God acknowledges that Jesus is Lord of our life! Prayer acknowledges that God is Sovereign and we trust Him implicitly with every aspect of our lives.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” —Proverbs 18:10

The same Loving and Powerful God who parted the Red Sea to save the Israelites from their oppressors sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness and fed the five thousand-plus multitudes with five loaves and two fish is the same All-Knowing and Powerful God who proclaims, “I change not!” With every righteous thought, action, and divine intervention, God glorifies and honors Himself and rescues those who trust Him.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:17-19).

Bible Study: Psalm 34

God is our Father, Protector, and Provider. All praise, glory, and honor to His Holy and Righteous Name! Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

The Holy Spirit’s Influence

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 20, 2024

Jesus’ Promise to All Believers: “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” —John 14:15-18

The Role of the Holy Spirit [Helper and Teacher]: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” —John 14:25-26

How can we receive the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” —James 1:5-8, NIV

Daily expressions of faith, surrender, and obedience to God are the requisites for receiving godly wisdom. To understand the Holy Scriptures requires spiritual wisdom. Always pray and ask for wisdom before studying the Bible. Decision-making even in the routine matters of life can produce consequences when we fail to include God.

To receive God’s perfect plans for your life, pray, and “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14). We do not have to be participants in the Game of Chance with our lives. Faith proclaims I trust in God! Therefore, I submit my will to His perfect will because He is God!

“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

Jesus Christ, God, the Son demonstrated His ultimate love to God, the Father by dying a criminal’s death on Calvary to save our souls from the wages of sin. And for His obedience and sacrifice, Jesus, our Triumphant King sits at the right hand of God, the Father. King Jesus is the Commander of angel armies, and our Heavenly Intercessor who receives all prayers through the Holy Spirit [Romans 8:26-27].

Is it possible for us to live a holy and obedient life? Throughout the Bible, we find that God requires obedience to receive His divine intervention and blessings in our lives. Joshua, Enoch, Joseph, Rahab, Abraham, Esther, Daniel, and the apostles John and Paul are examples of steadfast believers who loved God and were loyal to Him through faithful obedience.

Yes, God honored and blessed the faithful because of their steadfast loyalty, and they will receive their Crown of Life when Jesus comes again. The Holy Spirit who imparted Jesus’ strength to believers in ancient times is the same powerful Holy Spirit who waits for us to surrender fully to God, the Father. Every day, we use our free will to decide whether to submit to God’s Sovereign Authority or live as we desire.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20

For most Christian believers, the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Still, the apostle Paul explains and emphasizes that honoring God with steadfast faithful obedience is required for the Holy Spirit to remain within us. The missing element in most sermons is obedience to God. Obedience is our highest form of worship to God.

Reflection: Can you imagine never suffering consequences again? Jesus demonstrated in His earthly life that we can live a consecrated and obedient life. Ask yourself, Does my lifestyle reveal that Jesus is the Lord of my life? Praying daily for spiritual wisdom and guidance is the only way we can be influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Our Duty to God: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.’ ” —John 14:23-24

The Holy Spirit is our greatest gift from God, the Father. If we invite God into our lives daily through prayer and study of His Holy Word [the Bible] we will live a peaceful and productive life despite our circumstances. Praying for God’s guidance leads us to live our best life, demonstrates our faith and trust in His love and omnipotence, and prepares us for our life of love, loyalty, and obedience to King Jesus in the New Heaven and New Earth.

The Gift of His Peace: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14:25-27

Lord God, we thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We ask You to give us direction in every aspect of our lives. Protect us from the evil one who desires to separate us from You. We give You the honor and the glory and thank You for loving us. In Jesus’ Holy and Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Agree with God and Live in Peace

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 17, 2024

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” —John 14:27

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV

The Holy Spirit imparts the righteous attributes of Christ in us when we surrender our will to God. “Being a believer in Jesus is something that we do, and this is expressed in how we live and not just in a set of beliefs.” Our thoughts, spoken words, decisions, and actions reflect that we are children of God.

“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, NIV

Through continuous prayer in Jesus’ earthly life, He surrendered himself daily to God, the Father. Jesus always possessed overwhelming love for God and His love was reflected through surrender and faithful obedience. Christ is our perfect example of how we must live every day by communing with God through prayer.

Daily surrender has its benefits. Prayer is the gateway to receive God’s guidance and protection from spiritual warfare and physical harm. The surrendered believer who faithfully seeks God’s guidance is blessed with joy, peace, and a life without suffering consequences. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive spiritual wisdom, Jesus’ Divine strength to live holy, and the power to overcome sin.

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” —Genesis 1:1-2

“The Holy Spirit is the Breath of Life in the Soul.” Although manifested on the day of Pentecost, the Scriptures clarify that God, the Holy Spirit was present with God, the Father, and God, Jesus the Son before this earth was created. Although this is a mystery to our human minds, we use our faith to believe in the sovereignty and omnipotence of the Holy Scriptures which are the Voice of God.

Surrender and faithful obedience invite the presence of God into our lives and indicate that we agree with His purpose and plans for our lives. Never forget that God’s ultimate goal is to save our souls, give us eternal life, and possess a spirit of peace even though we face temptations and severe trials. God’s love prompted Him to give His only Son so we can be redeemed and not suffer the final death which is the penalty for sin. And for this, we owe God our love and loyalty expressed through our sacrificial gift of ourselves to His Will and Way.

Prayer: Lord God today we come into agreement with You by surrendering ourselves to Your will, purpose, and plans for our lives. We ask for the forgiveness of our sins and to strengthen us in our weaknesses. As we seek You through prayer and study of the Scriptures, Lord, we ask You for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit to guide us through life’s tumultuous journey. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.” —2 Thessalonians 3:3, Amplified Bible

© 2024 Steps to Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

The Call to Live Holy

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 16, 2024

The era of compromise and middle-ground Christianity has escalated to an all-time high in the Christian community. Although the lines between God’s Truth and false doctrines appear to be blurred, God says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

From studying the Scriptures, we learn the attributes of God’s Righteous Character and His expectations of all believers. Although I could write words of wisdom explaining the daily surrender and faithful obedience required to serve God, God speaks for Himself in the Scriptures.

“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 ‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” —Isaiah 1:16-18, NIV

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

The Nation of Israel worshiped pagan idols and made sacrificial offerings to God as commanded, but God exposed them by instructing Joshua to openly present their unfaithfulness to God. You and I must also make a choice, either we will strive for holiness with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, or live according to our desires and inclinations.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” —James 1:12

Lord God, we choose You and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, empower us with strength from the Holy Spirit, and teach us how to live holy. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

God’s Abundant Gift of New Mercies

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 15,2024

Every day Christ covers us with His love, grace, and mercies. What will we do to honor Him for the gifted mercies of this new day? With a grateful heart, strive to live holy by giving up sinful habits and asking God to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Make the commitment to really love God and you will begin to view life through the spiritual eyes of Christ.

Mercy is one of God’s greatest love blessings that we often take for granted. What will we do to honor God for His continuous mercies? Every believer has access to the Divine Help of the Holy Spirit who empowers us with Christ’s strength to live committed and holy lives. Through prayer, we ask for and receive God’s supernatural power. We desperately need heavenly intervention to live as righteous overcomers.

We cannot afford to cherish and practice sin. Our lifestyle reveals whether or not we love God and appreciate His free gifts. Our thoughts, spoken words, habits, friends, and pursuits reveal if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our character and heart into the likeness of Christ. Embrace God’s new mercies with an open heart. Amen.

“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 AMP Bible

Lord God, thank You for Your unfailing love, grace, and mercies. Because we love and honor You, with gratitude, we commit ourselves to serve You with surrender and faithful obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

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