Bible – Page 34 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Taking Control of Our Thoughts

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 18, 2024

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”. —Philippians 4:8

“Every day, our minds are flooded with a constant stream of thoughts, ranging from mundane daily tasks to deeper contemplations about life and the world around us. According to research, the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day.” (Insight)

Anxiety and worries reflect the internal helplessness we feel regarding our lives. Unexpected life events, job instability, financial debt, troubled family dynamics, and an unstable marriage represent a few situations that cause us to worry and lose sleep. Yet, anxious thoughts about the unknown future plague the minds of 76% of adults and 60% of younger people.

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

Yes, we live in a world where political corruption, social unrest, natural events, and unstable economies prevail, and to add fuel to the fire, many times we also suffer the consequences of using our escalated thoughts for resolution. When our emotions rise above our rational thoughts, we will perceive even our routine challenges as out-of-control events.

“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

Do not embrace your thoughts! Use your mustard-seed faith by accepting Christ’s invitation and immediately pray. Form the habit of letting your first response be prayer. Pray an honest prayer, confess your true feelings, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength. Close your eyes and meditate on the past victories God has given to you and your family. God is Faithful!

“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 37:17-19

To live as overcomers, we must change our mindset of “How am I going to resolve this situation?” When we include God in the routine activities of daily life, our immediate response to the vicissitudes of life will be to stop and pray. Still, we must have a spiritual foundation of knowing Scriptural promises.

By studying the Scriptures, we embrace Christ’s promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” “Cast your cares on me…” The battle within our minds cannot withstand the power of the word of God. Take the focus off your thoughts by repeating out loud the Scriptures that promise God’s Divine Intervention.

Through prayer and Bible study, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual strength. Our mustard seed faith grows and our confidence builds as we learn to rely on God. Make a decision every day to place your trust in God. He knows every challenge that arises in our lives.

“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” —Psalm 91:15

Do not become discouraged! We fall through self-reliance, our solutions fail—we repent, we are forgiven, and we move forward. Our spiritual journey is one of slowly moving forward in little steps every day. Using our faith is the only giant leap we take because God requires blind faith.

Talking to God throughout our waking hours with little prayers of gratitude and simply praying, “God, I need Your help!” are lifeline prayers. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Learn His character by studying the Old Testament stories of humanity’s defeats, God’s interventions, and the many victories they enjoyed.

Biblical knowledge plus faith in God changes our thoughts of defeat into courageous thoughts because we can rely on His Power. The Human Effort of faith, prayer, and Bible study plus God’s Divine Intervention always equals Victorious Outcomes.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for loving and caring for us. We relinquish our self-reliance by asking You to guide us in our daily lives. We surrender ourselves to Your will and plans. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Standing As the Accused

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Devotional – February 14, 2023

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” —Psalm 118:6

Have you ever been falsely accused? It is a terrible feeling to know that you are innocent but unable to prove it. Our initial response will include feelings of anger or hurt to the accusations, still, we must follow Jesus’ example of maintaining silence. 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).

In 1994, I interviewed for a nursing position in a transition program operated by the New York State Division of Parole. Four grueling interviews were required with the Deputy Director, the Assistant Deputy Director, the Administrator, and the Executive Director. Three months later, I received a phone call and an offer letter.

The Assistant Deputy Director, Mr. B. [who was a Christian] was assigned the task of my training which included recognizing the skillful art of manipulation used by the residents. On the first day, he shared something that placed me on high alert. The Administrator voted against hiring me because I was a Christian but used the covert explanation that “she did not have what it takes to work with this population.” Although it was illegal to discuss one’s religious beliefs when interviewing, it was evident by his response during the interview when he verbalized that a weak person [someone who did not have street life experience] would never make it on this job.

For the first year, the Administrator frequently made rounds to visit the Medical Clinic, but by the second year, his visits decreased to once a week. In the third year, I was accepted as a patient at a Dental school in New Jersey which required numerous appointments. Still, I prepared by saving my PTO time to use for the appointments. For a time, all was well on the job. But one morning when I arrived at work, my nursing colleague informed me that I had an appointment with the Administrator, he asked, “Okay what did you do?” We both laughed and I left for my appointment.

When I read the three-page disciplinary report, it was no laughing matter. In fact, I was shocked by its content. There were multiple infractions listed for 3 years, but the primary offense was my deliberate attempt to use PTO time that I did not have. Human Resources contacted the Administrator to relay that due to their error, I had used 32 hours of unaccrued time. And His response was to immediately Institute disciplinary action.

Although Mr. F. [the Administrator] approved each of my requests for time off, he had the skills of a high-powered prosecuting attorney, and I was accused of knowingly taking advantage of the error. Thankfully, I kept my check stubs as they matched the PTO time that I had utilized. The disciplinary action indicated probation for six months followed by another evaluation. At the end of the meeting, Mr. F. stated, “I think it’s best if you look for another job.”

It was a heart-wrenching moment. When I returned to the medical clinic, my co-worker recognized that something was seriously wrong. I handed him my copy of the report, to which he responded, Sister, stay strong, none of these accusations are true. We immediately read the policy manual for instructions on filing a grievance. I silently prayed for Divine Intervention. Although I felt as if my favorite balloon burst, I knew that I was innocent, and this was my test to trust in God.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” —Psalm 34:17

The Holy Spirit gave me the wisdom and the words to follow the detailed format for filing the lengthy grievance. Although I was still allowed to work, I was placed on an investigation status. The process was a timely one and lasted for three weeks. I can remember the Administrator coming to the clinic to relay the message that I had an appointment with the Executive Director that afternoon, he smiled and walked away.

When I met with Dr. C. [the Executive Director], he relayed that I was no longer under investigation and the excessive usage of PTO would be deducted from my monthly accrual until it reached zero. Dr. C. gave me his business card and advised if there were further episodes of harassment, I was to contact him immediately. After a few years, the Administrator, Mr. F. was terminated from his position.

Jesus Stands As the Accused: “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad…Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.” —Luke 23:8-9

Jesus is our example of how to face our accusers, He used silence. At some point in every believer’s spiritual journey, whether in our personal life or professional career, like Christ, we will stand as the accused. Our goal is to emulate His righteous character. Yes, we will endure slander, become the focus of gossip, and face false accusations, yet, as children of the King, our integrity will stand.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding…” —Proverbs 3:13

“The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience.” (Oswald Chambers). When accused, immediately, we present our petition for God’s Divine Intervention. God is not surprised that we are standing as one who is accused. He is interested in our reactions. Use your faith. Study Daniel chapter 6 as evidence of God’s Divine Intervention. Ask for wisdom, strength, and include fasting along with much prayer.

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

Yes, God has given us emotions to express our dismay at daunting situations, still, we must never allow our emotions to overrule our sound minds. If we embrace feelings of anger or defeat then we have given Satan the upper hand. Remain silent. Do not share your story with too many people. At this point, your focus is on praying for strength and the action God desires for you to take. Never let your emotions or too many voices prevent you from hearing God’s Voice.

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles” —Proverbs 21:23

There is no need for us to retaliate. Every spoken word fueled by anger or hurt will end in grievous consequences. We cannot control the behaviors of others, but we can control our responses. If we exercise self-control by remaining silent or keeping our responses to a minimum then we have the assurance that our Warrior God will defeat our enemies.

The Battle is Not Yours, but God’s!

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

We must travel the road of suffering. Still, God does not allow any trial or hardship to crush our hopes. We are never alone! Rely on God to fulfill His promises of protection. Our confidence comes from knowing that we are loved by God. Boldly approaching the Throne of Grace in our time of need gives us courage and builds our faith and trust in God.

Walk in humility and faith in your spiritual journey and our Mighty Warrior God will always give you victory!

Lord, we thank You for being our Mighty Warrior. We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout this world who are suffering from the persecution of false accusations. Give them peace and the assurance that the battle is already won. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.

The Safety of Abiding in Christ—Angelic Protection

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 11, 2024

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” —Psalm 91:1-2

Around noon, the Pastor made an urgent phone call to his elders, deacons, and prayer warriors. He gave a simple explanation, “Come to the church prepared to pray for Robert, our missionary working overseas, God says, he is in danger.” The men arrived and went into a season of prayer for Robert’s safety. Although the timeline is unknown for this story, due to the prevailing circumstances, communication was very limited between the two countries.

The first time Robert attended church after completing his mission trip, he noticed that a time for sharing testimonies was part of the service. The pastor asked for two people to give a testimony of God intervening in an impossible situation. Robert stood, but due to the two-year lapse, the pastor did not recognize him until he began speaking.

During my missionary assignment, I was responsible for disseminating the monthly supplies, we received from those who supported our goal to serve the community. I was traveling on a narrow road known for its danger from dusk until dawn. Anyone who mistakenly traveled during this time would be confronted by a group of indigenous men who formed a human roadblock to rob and often take the lives of those in the vehicle. Although, I allowed enough travel time to pass through the area while it was still light, the conditions of the road extended my travel time. As I entered the danger zone, I heard a sound indicating that one of my tires was flat. Alone and covered by the thick darkness, I knew that my circumstances were bleak, still, I prayed in faith for God to keep me safe. As I laid the flashlight on the ground, I could not see beyond its limited area of light. I realized that I was in harm’s way, but focused on quickly changing the tire and continued my journey. The next morning when I shared the story with my guide, translator, and fellow missionary, he expressed amazement that I was not attacked by the waiting men. Later that evening, during dinner, he shared the following story, Today, I went to visit the men [who attack others] and gave them some of the supplies that you brought. While we were talking, I asked if they saw you on the road changing your tire, to which they responded yes. I then asked, Why didn’t you attack him? They told me not only were they going to steal the supplies, but had also decided to kill this missionary man who taught of a strange God, but he had 26 large bodyguards with swords of light standing around him, they were afraid and ran away.

At this point, the Pastor asked the men who prayed for Robert to stand up and count off, there were exactly 26 men who prayed with the pastor on that day. Yet, there is one more powerful element to add to Christ’s Divine intervention of sending 26 warrior angels to protect Robert, although there was a great time difference between the two countries, the season of prayer occurred at the same time that Robert was changing the tire.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” —Psalm 91:14-16

All of heaven is actively involved in the believer’s life. Not only do we have angelic protection to save us from situations meant for death, but our guardian angels fight spiritual warfare, and are involved in our daily activities of life. God has given us precious promises that declare His love and dedication to humanity. In verses 14-16, from our love for God, we are promised deliverance, exaltation, answered prayers, protection from trouble, honor, long life, and the promise of salvation.

Christ, our Lord and Savior is the Commander of angel armies whose primary assignment is the protection of the righteous. Like the breath in our bodies, we rarely think of or thank God for the mercies of angelic protection we receive 24/7 against the unseen dangers of spiritual warfare and the physical calamities that could easily end our lives.

The warfare of distractions is a cunning strategy that steals our time and prevents us from praying, studying the Scriptures, and meditating on the goodness of God. Today, reflect on the busyness of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to identify the obstacles that prevent you from focusing on our Heavenly Father’s abundant love and never-ending mercies of protection.

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

Angelic protection is only one of the privileges we receive from abiding in Christ. When we are willing to dedicate our time to worship by giving praises of gratitude to God, we reveal our appreciation for receiving the mercies we do not deserve. The practice of worshiping God with a grateful heart in our earthly lives prepares us for heavenly worship where we will give reverence, honor, and glory to our Sovereign God throughout eternity. Yes, our lives are not only protected but we are blessed beyond measure.

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” —Psalm 91:11

God, we thank You for Your love, grace, mercies, and Divine intervention. We thank You for the angelic armies who faithfully obey Your commands to keep us from harm’s way and strengthen us to fight against the schemes and temptations developed to separate us from You. We pray for the wisdom to identify and remove all obstacles that prevent us from loving You with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. We ask this prayer in the Matchless Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Lord is Merciful

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional -February 6, 2024

“Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes, I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.’” —2 Samuel 12:9-11

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.’” —2 Samuel 12:13-14

Psalm 119 reflects David’s heartfelt plea to God, “Do not leave me to my oppressors.” Although God forgave the king for his wilful sins of adultery and murder, David’s sins brought severe consequences to his life. The Lord extended abundant mercies by sparing David’s life, but His judgment would remain. The curse of oppression and strife was fulfilled and enacted by those in his household just as the prophet foretold.

God is always merciful. David was surrounded by enemies during his entire reign including two of his sons, the princes Absalom and Adonijah who were his greatest enemies. But God did not allow the son’s plans to come to fruition and harm their father. God appointed David’s and Bathsheba’s second son, Solomon to be the heir to David’s throne. Not only was Solomon the wisest man that ever lived, he was allowed to build the temple.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9

We must reflect deeply on the terrible condition of the human heart. David’s sins were heinous, but he felt no remorse. The sin of entitlement resulted in King David abusing his position to pursue his desires. Only when God sent the prophet Nathan to expose David’s sins did he confess and repent. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.” —Deuteronomy 5:33

We cannot condemn David because we are also following our hearts. Our focus has turned from God to ourselves. As one pastor stated, “We have become the idol that we worship.” When we fail to include God in our daily routines by asking for His guidance, we move forward in our decisions to purchase houses or vehicles, pursue success, and enter into relationships and marriages that are contrary to His will.

Yet there are consequences for the Christians who fulfill their heart’s desires without God’s Divine Blessing. When our perception of what it means to live a faithful and obedient life pleasing to God does not align with His Righteous principles, we lose our right standing with God. Our failure to surrender and seek His will every day is disobedience. From our decision to please ourselves, we exchange the freedom of righteousness for the enslavement of sinful oppression.

God’s desire is for us to worship Him with faithful obedience. “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence…” (1 Timothy 2:2). God does not excuse any acts of disobedience. Do we understand that our independent thoughts and actions reflect a decision to live according to our dictates? God knows the motives of our hearts and our level of spiritual understanding.

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger, and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.” —Psalm 145:8-9

Following our hearts [unless it is pursuing Christ] is disobedience and disobedience separates us from God. Yet, even in our sinfulness, our Heavenly Father extends abundant mercies. Using conviction, the Holy Spirit tugs on the heart of the believer who has veered from the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Because of Christ, we have the life-saving option of not staying on the detour road paved by disobedience.

Although the Holy Spirit uses various ways, [feeling the discontent of wrongdoing in our conscience, using our thoughts, Scriptures, sermons, spiritually mature people, and even a post on social media] to expose our sins of disobedience, we never have to use guesswork regarding our specific sins. Every sin secret or open is exposed by God.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Yes, it is a struggle to live holy! We have traveled too far in our spiritual journey to throw away our reward of Eternal life for the temporary pleasures of this world. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to bring our flesh into subjection to the will of God. With faith and courage, determine that you will stay in the right standing with God.

Prayer: “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:37

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.