Bible – Page 29 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Let Jesus Guide Your Steps

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Devotional February 5, 2024

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” —Matthew 22:37

God is Love! Every good and perfect gift including salvation, grace, forgiveness, mercy, and provisions is from His overwhelming love for humanity. Our salvation is dependent on our belief that God is Love and He loves us. Still, we must respond by loving God. Our love for God is the foundation of our heart-to-heart relationship with Christ.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4).

Our identity was predestined by God. From Adam and Eve to modern believers, we have been called and chosen by God to represent His love for humanity and to spread the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because our hearts are naturally carnal, and cannot understand the spiritual things of God, every living being has received a measure of faith—the innate ability to believe.

The Divine intervention of the Holy Spirit is required to elevate our understanding to grasp the magnitude of Christ’s unselfish gift of salvation and God’s love for humanity. We hear or read about Christ and our heart responds. Agape love is the catalyst that activates our faith. It is at that moment of acceptance and belief in Christ when the Holy Spirit moves and touches the person’s heart to say, Yes, I accept Christ as my personal Savior.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” —2 Timothy 1:9

Our response to accepting Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives reflects that we agree with the responsibility to think, act, and live holy. We are chosen and called by God to live a pure life. Because of Christ, we are redeemed from our sins, saved by grace, and clothed in His Righteousness. In reverence and gratitude to the Almighty God, we pray for the spiritual strength to overcome innate sinful tendencies and do our part by striving to live acceptable lives pleasing to God.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9

We are who God says we are—chosen royalty. Imagine being informed that your family lineage suggests they belonged to royalty. Certainly, you would think very differently of yourself, not with conceit and pride, but you would strive to honor your family’s status.

With excitement, you research to find out more information and seek to reflect on their royal status by establishing higher moral standards. Your lifestyle would not only reflect integrity and honor you would avoid everything that would cause disgrace or reproach to your family.

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” —Revelation 19:16

Applying those same principles from a spiritual perspective, we excitedly accept the gift and privilege of being royal children of Christ, our King. Through personal worship, we reinforce our covenant vow of love and loyalty to live a life honoring God. Faithful obedience as evidenced by the daily surrender of our will demonstrates that we bow to Jesus, our Sovereign King.

How do we make the transition to live holy? We acknowledge and accept our identity in Christ. We offer prayers of confession, repentance, and praises of gratitude. And we agree to be led by Christ!

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).

The Royal Guidebook: The Holy Bible is God’s Voice of Instruction. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher, we diligently study the Scriptures to learn God’s commandments and principles of Righteousness. “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” (Hebrews 4:12).

Holiness requires our hearts to be filled with humility and surrender. We give up thinking our thoughts and plans by praying daily for God’s will to be revealed. To live holy requires a shift in one’s thinking and a marked change in our character. To follow Christ instead of our inclinations can never be accomplished through methods of self-achievement.

A life of holiness requires much prayer. From our prayers for help, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the Divine strength to overcome our desires and fulfill God’s plans. Still, we must practice the discipline and self-control required to obey God. Spiritual growth does not happen in leaps and bounds, it is a slow and continuous process.

Immediately, following our commitment to Christ, we begin the Journey of Sanctification—the lifelong spiritual process of our minds, characters, and personalities being changed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ. To enter the Narrow gate and stay on the Path of Righteousness, we put forth the human effort to fully cooperate with Divinity by fulfilling our commitment to always be led by the Spirit of God.

God, we pray for the wisdom to hear Your Voice and the strength to faithfully obey Your will. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

When All is Well

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 4, 2024

Many years ago, I was shopping in a one-owner business in New Jersey. It was a refreshing experience because the owner was a kind, chatty person with a big smile and a cheerful and friendly personality. We spoke briefly about the large variety of needful things in the store and I resumed browsing.

A few moments later, another customer entered, and the owner stated, Good day, How are you? to which the man replied, “I’m living the life, it doesn’t get better than this.” The owner never responded. It wasn’t only the spoken words that caused the silence, it was the deliberate boastful and arrogant tone of voice that dismissed any further communication.

Without a steadfast relationship with Christ based on surrender and faithful obedience, we readily accept the worldview of self-made success by listening to the strategies of unbelievers who boast of their many accomplishments and encourage others to follow in the same path. They too possess the mindset of ”I’m living the life, it doesn’t get better than this.”

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” —Joshua 1:9, NIV

If you are a believer and are pleased with your decisions, your choices, and your lifestyle without praying for Divine approval or for God’s will to be done in your life then you have a reason to be concerned. Our behaviors expose the condition of our hearts—either we are for God or against God. To live independently of God’s will and plans indicates that we are not safe in the arms of Jesus.

“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). Despite the intensity of our struggle, if we pray in faith and meditate on God’s promises, we will remain confident of His Sovereign Power.

Our Struggle Has Purpose: There is no need to become discouraged, the continuous battles indicate that we are not following our inclinations, thoughts, and strategies, and most importantly the Holy Spirit is transforming our minds and characters for eternal life.

Jesus assures us that in our daily struggle, if we make Him the Lord of our lives by prayerfully seeking His will [even in our routine duties] we can remain courageous because He is greater than our adversities.

“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

The Struggle is Real, but Victory is Sure! Our peace is reflected in a hopeful and positive outlook because Christ gives us peace and guides us through every struggle. Our unwavering faith and trust is in Christ! When asked, How are you doing? with a grateful heart, proclaim with confidence, I am blessed by God!

Lord God, we thank You for the struggle that will save our souls and prepare us to live with You eternally. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Celebrating God’s Goodness

Celebrating God’s Goodness – Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 29, 2024

“…And you shall take for yourself on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.” Leviticus 23:40, NKJV

This morning, we received a wonderful blessing, the mercies of a new day. To awaken with a sound mind, reasonable health, the gift of provisions, and the ability to take care of yourself and your loved ones reveals the faithfulness of our Loving Heavenly Father. Thank You, Most Merciful God!

Whether all is well or in seasons of dark hardships, God expects us to celebrate His goodness with our continuous praise. From our prayer of acknowledgment and gratitude for God’s faithfulness, we celebrate through prayer, singing, and studying Scriptures to reflect on each day. Jesus forewarned us that our lives would include tribulations, yet, He promised to be with us. Our circumstances should never prevent us from celebrating the grace of God.

“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.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” —John 16:33, Amplified Bible

When the Season of Darkness Comes

We find it easy to praise God when our lives are peaceful but take a moment to reflect on your typical response when your seasons change. How do you perceive God when life is harsh? Our Father God is not unloving, He gave us emotions to express sorrow and happiness. Yet we are expected to look beyond our circumstances and express much praise from our grateful hearts because God sustains our lives in every season.

If our hearts are filled with despair, anger, resentment, or hopelessness then we do not understand God’s Character or His ultimate goal of producing the Spiritual Transformation necessary for us to receive Eternal life. Our response reveals whether or not we have faith and trust in God. Spoken words are the most powerful indicator of how we really feel about God.

“Would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.” —Psalm 44:21

Our words reveal the innermost thoughts and secrets of our hearts. Distrust in God is conveyed by our spoken words. “Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]” (Ephesians 4:29).

Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. Because the Israelites refused to obey God, Jerusalem was destroyed and most were taken into Babylonian captivity. In Lamentations [to lament sorrows] chapter 3, God gives us proof of the normal human response to tribulations. We read the prophet Jeremiah’s expression of immense sorrow for the people’s predicament due to their history of continuous disobedience.

“Remember my affliction and roaming…My soul still remembers And sinks within me. —Lamentations 3:19-20

Yet in verse 21, Jeremiah remembers that God is always good and transitions from Sorrow to Praise. “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion, says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” —Lamentations 3:21-24

Although Jeremiah expressed anguish, he pressed beyond his sorrow and acknowledged the never-ending goodness of God, “Great is His Faithfulness!” His celebration of God continues, “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).

Christ promises to guide us through our seasons of trials and hardships, “I will never leave you or forsake you. ” We pray for strength and the Holy Spirit imparts the Divine, Supernatural Strength necessary for us to travel our Chosen Path with joy and perseverance.

From the diligent study of the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals the Characters of God and Christ. As believers, we need the foundation of the Scriptures to have a steadfast relationship with Christ, or we will possess roller-coaster faith based on changing circumstances. The Bible substantiates God’s faithfulness. Our role is to trust in God, and His promises, and give Him praise.

God’s Instructions to the Israelites While in Captivity—Live a Productive Life

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.’ ” —Jeremiah 29:4-5

In studying the 70 years of Israel’s captivity, we find that God is a fair and loving God. Not only does He give them the length of their punishment, but God gives them hope. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7).

Reflection: Are we celebrating God’s Love and mercies in every season of life?

We are to look up in hope in the darkness. Praise God with words of love, honor, and adoration by thanking Him throughout your waking hours with little prayers of gratitude. Even in the severe storms of nature, the sky is not encapsulated in total darkness, light is always present. Christ is our Source of Light!

God never allows our lives to be overshadowed by total darkness. We have a Father who gives us the brightness of hope when we choose to express gratitude in the unwelcome but spiritually required seasons of struggle. The righteousness of character, mind, and personality is God’s standard for us to receive our reward of eternal life.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9, NIV

It is the seasons of struggle that produce the Fruit of the Spirit. We are never alone, Christ is in the struggle with us. He covers us with His Righteousness. Praise the Lord! Sanctification is a lifetime spiritual journey that requires human surrender and obedience to God’s will and plans. If our goal is eternal life then we celebrate God’s Divine intervention for keeping us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness that leads from earth to heaven.

In your daily walk with Christ, celebrate the goodness of God every day by speaking, praying, and singing words of praise. Acknowledge God’s love for giving His only Son, Jesus to pay the penalty for humanity’s sins. Whisper prayers of gratitude for His long-suffering desire that none should be lost.

When we recognize the overwhelming love and compassionate mercies we receive every day, even in the darkness, we will look up and behold the Light of Christ shining through. Our hearts will be filled with joy, and our words of praise will flow, “I just can’t stop praising His name, Jesus!”

Lord God, we celebrate Your Holy Name. You are Worthy of our never-ending praise. Thank You for allowing the seasons of darkness to transform us into Your likeness. Thank you for giving us the hope of living one day in a perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus, we love You. In Your Righteous Name, we pray. Amen!

Jesus’ Invitation: Follow Me

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 28, 2024

To walk with Jesus requires the same surrender and obedience to God that He demonstrated in His earthly life. Jesus’ constant prayer of “Not my will, but Your will be done was His primary focus.” Like Christ, God has a Chosen Path for every believer.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” —Proverbs 14:12

Although our paths differ, all believers have the same responsibilities to God. To give up our personal agendas and plans is a requisite that will cause many Christians to fail in their relationship with Christ. We cannot navigate through life thinking our own thoughts and using our standards and be in right standing with God.

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” —Matthew 9:9

When Jesus said to Matthew, the corrupt tax collector, “Follow me” there was no hesitancy. Matthew understood that He was surrendering to Christ and letting go of his former ways of thinking and living. From Matthew’s obedience, Jesus transformed His disciple from the habits of oppressing the poor and stealing for the self-gain of wealth to a man of God.

If we are committed to following Christ we pursue Him daily by praying the faith prayer of “I surrender myself to You, my Lord and Savior.” The Holy Spirit intervenes by revealing God’s daily agenda and giving us the wisdom, discernment, and strength to live as Victorious Overcomers. Our thoughts, spoken words, and decisions reflect that we are walking side by side with Jesus on our Chosen Path leading to eternal life.

Lord, we choose to follow you through total surrender and obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Scriptural Prayers on the Lord’s Goodness

Scriptural Prayers on the Lord’s Goodness – Sabbath Scriptures – January 27, 2024

Through the Scriptures, we can embrace Christ and all His love and goodness for humanity. Making our relationship with Jesus is our number one priority in life. Be blessed, in Jesus’ Holy Name.

Ephesians 1:17-20 Prayer
I ask God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 3:16-19 Prayer
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Colossians 1:9-14 Prayer
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

The Lord’s Goodness

The Lord’s Goodness – Sabbath Devotional – January 27, 2024

We are loved by God who gave us His Son. Christ has the same overwhelming love for us. We receive angelic protection and daily provisions when we are in the right standing with God. In John 14, verses 1-3, we learn that Christ is in heaven preparing a forever home for the righteous believers.

Christ is our Heavenly Intercessor. The Holy Spirit immediately takes our prayers to Christ who answers every prayer according to God’s will. Prayers of confession and repentance, requesting discernment, guidance, protection, blessings, and expressions of gratitude are received by our Mediator, Jesus Christ. His goodness is overwhelming.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth to teach and give us discernment of the Holy Scriptures. We pray for and receive the wisdom to live righteously from the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual journey of Sanctification is guided by the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin and gives us the strength to overcome temptation and sin. The Lord’s goodness is without end.

“Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:22-24

Although the prophet Jeremiah laments over his sufferings, he comes to his senses and acknowledges that the Lord is good despite his circumstances. At times our minds may gravitate toward tangible blessings—things that can be destroyed—His goodness of receiving the never-ending mercies of a new day of life, health, and strength is definitely praise-worthy.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?” or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:31-34

Jesus promised to take care of us by giving us daily provisions. This is an area of conflict in our minds because we have embraced the worldview of always worrying about our financial status in the unknown future instead of embracing the blessings that we received for the given day.

Yes, we may anticipate the greatest needs in a few days, next week, or next month, but our faith in Jesus’ promises should calm our fears and erase the false suppositions that we will not have enough for ourselves or our children. The goodness of the Lord includes the provision of our needs, not our desires.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17

Redirecting our focus on the character of Christ instead of ourselves allows every believer to have experiential knowledge of the Lord’s goodness. Once we recognize the Lord’s goodness, we will understand that we are saved by His grace and clothed with His Righteousness.

We belong to God. Through His Son, Jesus, who has assumed full responsibility for us, we are the recipients of daily blessings. And for the unmerited favor we receive our hearts should overflow with prayers of gratitude. Yes, the Lord is good! He is very, very Good!

Ephesians 3:16-19 Prayer
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. (17) Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. (18) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. (19) May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

The Lord is Good

The Lord is Good – Sabbath Devotional – January 27, 2024

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good…” 1 Peter 2:2-3

Imagine that you have enrolled in a Bible class and your first assignment is to write a personal statement explaining that the Lord is good. Would you research the internet to look up Scriptures or inspirational articles? Would His goodness be limited to the blessings of tangible assets? Or would you have to edit the rough draft because your written assignment is too wordy? Your answer depends on your relationship with Christ.

To know that the Lord is good requires knowledge of His character. The Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] give us the amazing biography of Jesus’ earthly life by four of His disciples. Although Dr. Luke was not of the original 12, he wrote the books of Luke and Acts. Unless we study the life of Christ, we cannot speak about the goodness of His Loving and Righteous Character.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” —Revelation 3:20

Faith is the key to opening the door to learning the Lord’s goodness. We accept Jesus as our Savior because the Holy Spirit works on human hearts [this is a mystery] to accept Christ. Then we pray and study the Scriptures daily because Christ desires that we know who He is.

Faith plus Biblical knowledge allows the Holy Spirit to teach us the attributes of Christ’s goodness, faithfulness, and love for the human beings He created. Jesus’ death on Calvary completed the plan of Salvation which redeems us from our sins. This is the primary reason for the Lord’s goodness.

Prayer: Lord, we are thankful for Your abundant love, grace, and mercies. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

The Lord is Good is part 1 of 2 Devotionals. Part 2 is entitled, “The Lord’s Goodness” and is also published today.

Be Strong and Courageous!

Be Strong and Courageous – Devotional – January 26, 2024

“Be strong and of good courage…” “Only be strong and very courageous…” “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.” “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 1:6, 7, 9, 18

Following Moses’ death, God appointed Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. Although most are familiar with the ninth verse of God’s command for Joshua to be strong and courageous, God repeated this command four times. What is the reason God placed such a great emphasis on strength and courage that He would repeat this command multiple times?

“Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him [anointed Him]. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.” —Deuteronomy 34:9

Although Joshua was a God-fearing [dedicated and reverent] man of God who appeared to have infallible strength, he relied greatly on Moses who was his spiritual leader, mentor, and friend. Certainly, we can relate to losing a loved one and coping with the emptiness. We serve a loving God who always allows a period of grieving, yet, with God’s strength, we must move forward with courage even if it is with baby steps.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.’ ” —Joshua 1:1-3

Most of life’s hardships change the course of our lives. Still, God calls for us to be strong and possess courage. The Israelites required a steadfast spiritual leader following Moses’ death. When God revealed to Joshua that he was the next leader the assignment required an immediate answer of yes.

“…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

When we are chosen by God, He has already equipped us for our assignment. With humility and gratitude, we thank Him for the privilege of representing Christ. Joshua’s heart was filled with humility and the desire to faithfully obey God, but his fear overshadowed the motivation to step into the role of Israel’s next leader. God does not make mistakes, so He requires obedience according to His timing.

“Since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” —Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Joshua was God-appointed but his fears produced a mental and emotional roadblock to moving forward [without Moses] and leading the stubborn, disobedient Israelites. But we must take notice of how God handles our emotions. God never said, I know that you feel that you are not ready to be appointed as the leader over these stubborn people, so your fear is an expected reaction. No, God said, “Only be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:7).

“Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they have not wholly followed Me” —Numbers 32:11

Fact: God always intervenes by removing the people, places, and things that prevent us from moving forward in our spiritual journey including fulfilling our God-ordained assignments.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

When we are not in harm’s way and possess fear, we have a serious heart issue of unbelief in the power of God. Fear reveals a lack of faith and trust in God. In Revelation chapter 21, verse 8, Jesus says the cowardly will not enter heaven. Self-reliance, focusing on situations that are humanly impossible to resolve, possessing a timid spirit that prevents us from witnessing, and the dread of an unknown future are indicators of fear.

Fear is a demonic stronghold over the person’s mind. A Christian believer who is fearful is in the same predicament as unbelievers. Fear separates us from God and impedes our spiritual transformation. When we are faithful to God, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our unrighteous characteristics and gives us the strength to overcome all inherited tendencies and learned behaviors.

“Overall, 75% of young respondents said, ‘The future is frightening.’ · More than 50% of survey respondents said they felt ‘sad, anxious, angry, …’ ” http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

The percentage of people who are suffering from life’s instability and hardships is increasing at epidemic proportions. Many do not have peace because of fear of the unknown future. Believing that God is Sovereign and in control of His world gives us peace.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 34:17).

When God heals us, He never separates our mental, emotional, and physical condition from our spiritual condition. Despite our past, God has promised to heal our infirmities when we place all of our faith and trust in Him. Throughout the Bible are countless examples of healing and victory for those who have the faith to be made well.

The Bible is our Spiritual Guidebook. In studying the Bible, we find stories of those who faced great tribulations including the loss of their lives [Study Hebrews chapter 11, verses 32-39], yet they remained faithful to God. Studying the Biblical stories of humanity’s struggle and God’s love and Divine Intervention strengthens our faith and trust in the mighty power of God.

Let your worship consist of Bible study and prayer to receive the spiritual nourishment required for your mind, body, and soul. Focus on your relationship with Christ and let go of fear! Do not let your mind focus on the “what if.” Commit to memory, Christ’s promise “…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Stepping outside of our comfort zone to fulfill our God-given spiritual assignment is necessary to live a strong and courageous earthly life and also prepares us for an eternal life with Christ Jesus.

Prayer: God, we are letting go of our fears. Please teach us to live for today. We ask for You to reveal our spiritual assignment and for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy name, we pray, Amen.

Live Righteously

The Excellence and Majesty of Christ

The Excellence and Majesty of Christ – Devotional- January 22, 2024

“O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your Name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!” Psalm 8:1

How we perceive Christ is reflected in our daily activities. Our goals, pursuits, thoughts, and spoken words either validate that He is the Sovereign and Majestic Lord of our hearts or if we only say His name occasionally. In the Inner Struggle, Jesus says we cannot serve two masters. Acquiescing to God is to use our free will to serve Christ our King with reverence, loyalty, and obedience.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” —Romans 11:36

Daily surrender to God reflects a heart filled with humility, love, and honor for King Jesus and invites the Holy Spirit to impart a deeper level of understanding of the majesty of Christ. We decide every day whether or not we will cooperate with Divinity by seeking God’s will. Studying the Scriptures reveals Christ’s Divine Authority as God, the Son [Hebrews chapter one].

The human effort of honoring Christ invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with spiritual insight—we receive abundant wisdom and knowledge of Jesus as our Savior, Lord, and King.

Only the proud heart refuses to pray for the wisdom to understand Christ’s Divinity. Even when we choose to revere Christ as our King of kings, we cannot remain loyal to Christ without the Holy Spirit. The Divine intervention of the Holy Spirit empowers us to rise above our innate desires of self-seeking pursuits that blind our eyes to Christ’s dominion and power.

“All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’ ” —Revelation 7:11-12

Worshiping God in spirit and truth requires dedication and reverence from hearts full of unwavering love, loyalty, and admiration for Christ. Reverence is a continuous posture and mindset of acknowledging and honoring our Invisible Heavenly King. If Christ is perceived as Excellent then we intentionally forsake our desires by praying for Divine power and obeying God’s will and plans.

From denying self, our lifestyle reflects one of continuous worship as revealed by our faith, obedience, and gratitude. Yes, we embrace Christ’s Divine Authority by abiding in Him through much prayer, and diligent study and meditation of the Scriptures. Day by day our minds, characters, and personalities are transformed into the likeness of Christ’s Character by the Holy Spirit because we choose Christ as our King.

When our hearts are connected to the Source of Life, we give our King the highest praise because we have experiential knowledge that He is Excellent, Majestic, and Worthy!

O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth! —Psalm 8:1