Obedience Is Worship: “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
Yes, being aligned in God’s will gives us an abundance of peace, but we cannot expect to be in control of our lives. God is Sovereign! And God knows best! Because we love, honor, and reverence Him, we willingly pray and surrender daily to our Father’s plans.
There can only be one decision-maker. God is never against us, but if we choose our steps then we are against God. Human knowledge, strategies, and life experience are very limited. Truthfully, what appears to be perfect is not. We can never give ourselves the best or predict the outcome of our decisions.
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Proverbs 4:23). The believer who does not trust God participates in the Game of Chance. We cannot anticipate or reverse consequences. Regret is long lasting mental and emotional distress that can be avoided by placing our complete faith and trust in God.
“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).
When we perceive God as a Loving Heavenly Father whose desire is to protect us from hidden danger, covert temptations, and people not meant to be in our lives, we will rely on His perfect decisions.
True peace is never having to worry about the outcome. With God, we always receive victory!
Lord God, thank you for loving us so much that You desire to protect us from emotional hurt, physical harm, and the regret from pursuing our rebellious inclinations. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional -January 21, 2025
“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name, we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” —2 Chronicles 14:11
The story of King Asa reveals the importance of worshiping God with faithful dedication and obedience. When facing the Ethiopian army, the King’s first response was to pray for God’s Divine help which ended in victory. God sent the prophet Oded to the King with this message, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:1).
“…In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” —2 Chronicles 16:9
Sadly, in 2 Chronicles, chapter 16, the King reveals a decision that indicated he was no longer seeking God through dutiful worship. God did not forsake King Asa by abandoning him. From the king’s decision to disobey God by making a treaty with the pagan king of Syria, he broke God’s covenant to keep Judah as “the land of rest—without war.”
Obedience is our highest form of worship: “Many theologians interpret these verses to mean that actively following God’s instructions is the truest expression of love and devotion to Him, surpassing mere outward acts of worship.”
True Believers do not awaken with a plan to commit premeditated sins. We can pray and consecrate ourselves in the morning and a few moments later fall hard into temptation. How does a believer transition from a life of dedication to one that excludes God? It’s an issue of the heart. Our heart’s desires often take precedence over our willingness to surrender and obey God. This is evidenced by a change in how we worship; we no longer ask for God’s will to be done, and self-reliance replaces dependency on God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” —Proverbs 3:5-8
The failure to pray and ask God for His answer before decision-making reveals that we trust in our human wisdom. Without praying for Divine wisdom, at some point, we will fall either from Satan’s covert deception or the result of our strategies. The outcome of our choices reveals whether or not God was involved—Anything that Satan offers is not God’s will and always has a catch that leads to unforeseen consequences.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8
The enemy is creative, when we openly display or verbalize feelings of desperation in a given situation, it is an open door for him to use his various strategies. Satan uses coercion which is highly effective when we feel there are no options, and the bait-and-switch strategy which prompts us to fulfill our true desire instead of God’s choice. One of his most effective deceptions works on believers who react negatively to loneliness often driving them to seek a relationship or marriage not blessed by God.
Coercion: Your job search has been extended, bills are due, and finally a company has responded to your resume, the salary is great, but you have to decide now, the start date of the new job is tomorrow. Bait and Switch: You pray for a vehicle [within your budget], and receive God’s answer of yes, but at the dealership, you accept the salesperson’s invitation to test drive the luxury model and decide to purchase. Deception: You are preoccupied with feelings of loneliness. You try a Christian dating site that offers a free trial period and eventually meet someone you believe is a Godsend. However, when you invite the person to church, they make excuses for not attending. After two months, the truth is revealed, they think going to church is not necessary to serve God.
True Worship: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” —Psalm 63:1, NIV
The predicaments Christians find themselves in will never cease to amaze us. One thing is certain, we allowed Satan’s strategies have entrapped us. Make no mistake, following our thoughts and fulfilling our desires is extremely satisfying to our souls. Like King Asa, we easily rely on ourselves because we ceased worshiping God in spirit and truth. We can attend church, pray, and study the Bible, yet each day, we fail to pray, “God, not my will, but Your will be done in my life.”
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ” —1 John 4:10, NIV
So we excluded God and now, face unavoidable consequences. Our feelings of defeat and discouragement have escalated and our faith feels non-existent. How do we move forward? Our response determines whether or not we understand God’s love and the Plan of Redemption [God’s Agape Love, Confession, Receiving Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercies ].
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9
God’s love is Eternal! “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute. And shall not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:17). We follow the plan of Redemption by praying an honest prayer of confession and repentance and asking God for directions to move forward. The journey ahead will require a spiritual change in your character and lifestyle. Pray for Divine strength.
Keep Loving God! Keep Praying! Keep Studying the Bible!
Stop remembering your mistakes! Moving ahead in our journey requires a different mindset, we must redirect our focus to Christ. God knew that we would make the wayward decision before we “fall down.” Our faith in God must supersede our feelings of defeat by focusing on His love. We pray and ask Him how to move forward—recovery from counterproductive decisions must be God-driven.
God’s answers will not coincide with our desires. We may have to continue on the unpleasant job until He blesses us with another one, the dealership may negotiate a deal to exchange the luxury vehicle for the affordable one of God’s original plan, and we will have to let go of the unbelieving believer who refuses to worship God as required for spiritual growth. If we obey then God will perform the miraculous!
Keep Moving Forward in the Strength of the Lord!
Pressing Toward the Goal: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:12-14
Prayer: God, we often find ourselves suffering the consequences of following our thoughts and plans and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We desire to follow Your will and ask You to reveal Your plans to move forward. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 19, 2025
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” —John 4:24
Spirit: “Worshiping in spirit means worshiping from within, without formalism or traditionalism. It means having a new disposition and a humble, grateful heart.”
Truth: “Worshiping in truth means worshiping based on a correct understanding of God and what He requires. It means having a true perception of God and obeying His word [The Bible].”
Balance: “Worshiping in spirit and truth requires a balance of emotion and thought. Without emotion, worship can be lifeless, and without truth, worship is empty.”
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25
The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin it means [Christ] taking away our sins, and filling the emptiness with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul there is purity and freedom from sin. The glory, the fulness, and the completeness of the gospel plan are fulfilled in the life. —Christ’s Object Lessons
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” —Luke 6:46
God’s Love is unconditional, yet to receive His benefits [including the reward of Eternal Life] requires total obedience to His Righteous Conditions of Participation in the Plan of Redemption. Obedience is worship that reveals our love, loyalty, and willingness to seek God’s Divine will. Our affirmation of “I choose not to sin against God” reveals our steadfast love and faith in God and renounces self-reliance.
Obedience Is Worship
God’s Promise to Abraham: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” —Genesis 17:4-5, NIV
God Tests Abraham’s Faith: “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ ” —Genesis 22:1-2
It is quite amazing that God would ask faithful Abraham to sacrifice Isaac whose birth fulfilled God’s promise to make Abraham the father of nations. “Child Sacrifice of the first-born sons was a common practice among pagan tribes to ensure their land would reap the prosperity of abundant crops” (myjewishlearning.com).
God always tests our faith, and Abraham understood this was a test of faith. Still, the spiritual meaning of God commanding the sacrifice of Isaac was it foreshadowed [an indication of a future event] God sacrificing Jesus, His only Son on Calvary’s Cross. “The story shows how God provided a substitute for Isaac’s sacrifice, just as he would later provide Jesus as a substitute for all of humanity’s sins.”
Abraham’s Response: “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ ” —Genesis 22:4-5, NIV
Abraham’s directive to his servants indicates that he understood God’s requisite of total obedience and one of profound faith. “When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we will have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts.” The defining characteristic of a true believer is Faith in God demonstrated by a life of surrender and obedience.
Scriptures Identifying God, the Father Required Obedience From Jesus
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
“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).
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
“[Christ]…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8).
“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).
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus was One with God, yet, when clothed in human flesh, Jesus was never presumptuous and remained devoted to God, the Father, always seeking His will through constant prayer. Even in Gethsemane when Jesus asked His Father to take the cup away, God’s answer was “No, Son,” Jesus obeyed by fulfilling the Plan of Redemption for you and me.
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” —John 6:38
Brothers and Sisters, we are too distracted by earthly success and trinkets to reflect deeply on Jesus’ obedient sacrifice to save our souls. Abraham identified obedience as steadfast worship to God, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.” We must have the mind of Christ who always surrendered and obeyed God in His earthly life. Without total surrender to God, we develop a rebellious spirit as Cain did leading to a spiritual separation from God.
Making the commitment to faithfully obey God is to worship Him in spirit and truth. We express gratitude for the mercies of a new day through surrender. Our prayers should ascend to Christ, our Intercessor, and Mediator throughout our waking hours asking for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to recognize God’s Voice.
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Worship is a lifestyle of reverencing God. We desperately need the Divine strength and power of the Holy Spirit to stand down our carnal desires and overcome daily temptation. Obedience aligns our hearts with the will of God which is the only way to worship God in spirit and truth.
“The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life, testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour” (Christ’s Object Lessons).
Prayer: Lord God, teach us how to worship You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – January 3-4, 2025
“Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37
In 2025, we have the opportunity to live differently by fully dedicating ourselves to God. Love for God is the foundation of our appreciation for Christ’s sacrificial gift of His life to redeem us from sin. True love for God and Jesus Christ reveals a believer who practices the spiritual commitment to honor and revere God. When we choose to possess humility and a teachable spirit, God, the Holy Spirit converts our hearts and begins the lifelong work of spiritual transformation.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —1 John 2:15
“Give us this day” equates to a daily test of our love, faith, and trust in God. From the moment we open our eyes to the new day, we are the recipients of God’s love, grace, and mercy, how will we respond? The [always present] conflict within our hearts forces us to choose between pleasing ourselves or surrendering in humility to God. Our choice reflects the true status of our heart—either I give my heart to God, or it belongs to me.
“O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” —Proverbs 23:26
The earnest cry of “God, not my will, but Your will be done” or “Lord, reveal to me Your plan for today” reveals our desire to surrender to God for the new day of mercies. Giving our heart to God acknowledges that we understand our plight with sin, we cannot gain victory over sin without Divine Help.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ” —Matthew 16:24
Can you recall a school exam that required one essay answer or fill-in-the-blank instead of multiple choice with various answers? Jesus tells us if we desire to follow Him there is only one way, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Salvation has one path. The only way for us to inherit eternal life is to surrender our heart and its never-ending desires. Taking up our cross involves no human deviations, we must obey God.
Galatians 5:22-23, The Fruit of the Spirit identifies the attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character. In addition, “Love, humility, surrender, faith, trust, and obedience” are the additional package of spiritual characteristics that we must have to remain in right standing with God, only then are we covered with Christ’s Righteousness. Our God-given gifts are love, faith, and a sound mind [Romans 12:3 and 2 Timothy 1:7], we pray for Divine strength and use our gifts to overcome sin and its consequences.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” —1 John 5:3
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). God’s commandments extend beyond the Ten Commandments, the Scriptures give us His Righteous Precepts which guide our thoughts, spoken words, behaviors, and lifestyles. Receiving the reward of the Crown of Life mandates a mindset and the perseverance to live a life of no compromise.
“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16
Giving our hearts to God is a free-will choice. Righteousness is God’s standard of spiritual excellence that requires our cooperation of daily surrender and obedience empowered by Jesus’ strength. Heart conversion, daily spiritual growth, and character transformation [Sanctification] are performed by the power of the Holy Spirit in our earthly lives to prepare us for the spiritual perfection of eternal life.
Lord God, in humility, we give our hearts to You. We ask You to speak to our hearts and lead us in our earthly journey as we prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray in faith, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 1, 2025
“So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.” —Luke 4:28-30
Throughout Jesus’ earthly life, the Jewish leaders used various deceptions to attempt to discredit Christ including schemes to kill him, yet they never accomplished their evil desires. Before His fulfillment on Calvary’s Cross, God protected His Son from spiritual warfare and physical harm and danger. Can you imagine enjoying a life filled with peace and no worries despite your challenges from the adversary?
Our natural tendency to embrace self-reliance may give us a feeling of satisfaction, but we set ourselves up for suffering consequences. Perhaps your decision brought the desired outcome, but self-governance separates us from God. Not only do we lose our desire to pray for Divine guidance, but we also detour from the Path of Righteousness to a path of disobedience.
We cannot make a split decision of only trusting God with life’s impossible challenges, our commitment to fully rely on Him also includes praying for guidance in the mundane routine duties of life. From our decision to let go of self-reliance and surrender to God’s will and plans, God rewards us with His Divine blessings of spiritual peace and protection from the adversary.
“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” —Isaiah 59:19.
Our greatest battle involves the external opposition of spiritual warfare. Satan attacks us through temptations that appeal to our inner desires. God promises to always protect those who love [and obey] Him. John 8:29 is one of my favorite Scriptures. Jesus gives us the answer to living a victorious life—Jesus prayed about everything and stated that He was never alone because He always obeyed His Father’s commands.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27.
As Christ received wisdom and strength from God, the Father to overcome temptation and maintain a calm demeanor despite continual opposition, we can also receive spiritual empowerment. When facing opposition, if our first response is prayer then our surrender immediately places us under God’s Divine Protection. Jesus is our Role Model. His life teaches us that trusting God supplies us with continuous joy, peace, strength, and protection, and gives us the courage to live as victorious overcomers.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you” (Isaiah 43:2). We never suffer from apprehension and anxiety when God is involved. Not only does God have a perfect record of resolving humanity’s challenges and protecting us above and beyond our expectations, but our Father always gives completion and total victory over adversity.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14
Pray, Wait, and “Be still.” Asking for God’s intervention is also a test of our faith, God’s timing is never our timing. We patiently wait and thank Him in advance for the victory. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” —Psalm 32:8
How do we recognize the difference between our thoughts versus the Holy Spirit speaking? Our thoughts of resolution can never give us peace. Even with careful planning, we have feelings of doubt because we have no control over the outcome. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways, through the Scriptures, our prayers, and also our thoughts.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” —John 14:27, NLT
When God, the Holy Spirit speaks, receiving Divine answers of wisdom is like a cool breeze that permeates our mind, body, and soul. Just as a parent reassures a fearful child, Divine peace is a God-given spiritual refreshment that exceeds our understanding. You will know God is speaking because the burden is lifted from your spirit and all is well even before the resolution comes.
“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, NIV
The decision to include God in every aspect of your life reaps wonderful blessings. Jesus, Enoch, Noah, Elijah, and Daniel lived extraordinary lives because they understood that love for God is evidenced by steadfast faith, trust, and perseverance. But most importantly, obedience is our highest form of worship.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” —Ephesians 6:10
When we decide to walk with God as Enoch did, whispering prayers throughout our day, we immediately receive God’s Shield of Protection against all spiritual warfare of temptations, deceptions, and physical harm. Beginning our day with prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom, strength, and courage to keep fighting the good fight of faith.
Stop Taking Risks! In 2025, before making decisions whether in routine activities or facing life-changing vicissitudes, commit to always seeking God’s guidance through prayer. Peace and blessings. Happy New Year!
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…” —1 Timothy 6:12
Lord God, for this New Year, and the abundant blessings of Your love, grace, mercies, and protection, we thank You. We desire to live differently by committing to a spirit of humility, surrender, and obedience. Thank You for Your guidance, wisdom, and protection as we face life’s adversities. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – December 13, 2024
Pray, Have Faith, and Wait On God
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:28-31
God not only sustains our lives, but He also promises to work out every aspect of opposition and spiritual warfare. For two weeks, I prayed for God to resolve an issue with my property manager who became my enemy because I stood for the truth regarding a legal violation of the company’s lease agreement. God’s intervention never ceases to be less than phenomenal. Last week, she was given a promotion that required the identification and correction of the company’s infractions for two properties which resulted in a radical change in her perspective. Yesterday, we had a very cordial conversation. Praise God from whom all blessings are given!
“Be still, and know that I am God…” —Psalm 46:10
Trust God with your life. Who else can take care of us and resolve the impossible? God’s timing is not our timing. We pray and wait. During the waiting season, our faith is tested. Will we remain steadfast by patiently waiting for His promises to come to fruition? If we serve God with faithful obedience then a victorious outcome is promised. God always brings glory and honor to His Holy Name. Sabbath Peace and Blessings! Amen.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27
Lord God, we desperately need Your help. We ask You to strengthen our faith as we wait for Your perfect resolution. Thank You for working out our challenges. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
“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
Christ is our role model for living a dedicated and obedient life. We cannot follow our own thoughts and inclinations and claim to be children of God. Jesus revealed the key to living as victorious overcomers, we must have the obedient mind of little children. Seeking God’s will through a daily Prayer of Surrender reveals a spirit of humility and love for our gracious Heavenly Father.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The daily commitment to obey and fulfill His instructions indicates our willingness to please God. Yet, our flesh is weak and drives us to pursue and fulfill our heart’s desires. We require the Divine help of the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ strength to stay in God’s perfect will.
Preparing for Kingdom Life is to daily take up our cross and follow Jesus. “Not my will Lord, but Your will be done” invites the Holy Spirit to guide us on the Path of Righteousness. Obedience proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives. Be faithful to God through surrender and obedience and on that Great day you will receive your Crown of Life. Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we come to you confessing our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. We desire to change and today make a covenant vow with you to seek Your will and to obey. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 4, 2024
“He must increase and I must decrease.” —John 3:30
The humility demonstrated by the prophet John the Baptist is the righteous trait we must possess to be a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. In His earthly life, Jesus was always submissive to God, the Father, therefore, we die daily to our desires by surrendering to God’s will and plans. Discipleship requires us to maintain a “…child-like, submissive, and teachable spirit.”
Surrender is a daily act of humility. Every day, we choose to obey God by our prayer, Lord, what will You have me to do? From our prayers, we receive God’s plans and the strength and direction from the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s will for the given day. Our faithful obedience is the catalyst for the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts and transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.
“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
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of growth and development performed by the Holy Spirit. Our vow of faithful obedience to God, the Father indicates our willingness to strive for holiness. The human effort of surrender extends the invitation for Christ, our Heavenly High Priest, and Intercessor to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Winning the daily battle of surrendering our will and heart’s desires to God is to decide that we will not sin against God and to act accordingly by renouncing sin and overcoming temptation with the power of the Holy Spirit.
“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
Being created in Jesus’ image included the spiritual gifts of power, love, and a sound mind [self-control]. We are not helpless! We choose to sin! Even Satan with all of his evil power cannot coerce us to sin. When we love God and appreciate the gift of His Son, Jesus, our choice of maintaining a steadfast relationship with Him reveals that our hearts are filled with overwhelming love and loyalty for Christ.
“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’ ” —Hebrews 13:6
Living a sacrificial life not only demands self-denial but also requires us to renounce sin and redirect our focus from the affairs of this world to turning our eyes on Jesus. Never compromise your salvation for individuals who have no desire to fully commit themselves to God. And yes, from striving to please God, we will lose many relationships, yet, Jesus promises, “…I will never leave you or forsake you.”
The Narrow Way “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” —Matthew 7:13-14
To fulfill our roles as disciples of Christ is to pray, seek, and carry out God’s will. Through our contrition and faithful obedience, we receive the blessing of King Jesus’ supernatural strength. We live in perilous times, pray five times more than you are currently praying. Through daily prayer, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to live righteously.
“But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” —Philippians 3:7-8, BSB
The apostle Paul reminds us that the earthly treasures and relationships we lose for Christ are gainful to our Christian experience and relationship with Christ. Let go of all baggage [people, places, and personal habits] that fail to honor God and impede your spiritual growth. Our lifestyle including associations with peers, family members, social activities, and pursuits reveals whether or not we are lifting up the Name of Jesus. “Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
“And [in reverent fear and obedience] Enoch walked with God; and he was not [found among men], because God took him [away to be home with Him].” —Genesis 5:24, Amplified Bible
Most sermons fail to inform us that we may have to walk alone on the Path of Righteousness—without human support. Yet, the Scriptures indicate the believer’s journey with Jesus has always been a one-to-one, heart-to-heart, righteous relationship with God. “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NIV). Christ gives us the assurance that spiritually, we are never alone!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9
Living a Christ-centered, Bible-Based life requires much faith, courage, and dependency on God! From a lifestyle of worship, we are showered with Divine joy, peace, and happiness. We have a higher purpose than this world has to offer. Yet, we strive to maintain a spirit of humility in our interactions with others.
Our Christ-like love, righteous thoughts, gentleness, compassionate spoken words, behaviors, and habits are the greatest witness of our commitment to glorifying the Righteous Name of Jesus.
Lord God, we pray for an increase in our faith and the courage to renounce sin in all forms. We ask for blessings of Divine Strength, wisdom, and discernment as we navigate life’s tumultuous journey. Our desire is to receive our Crown of Life when You come again. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 31, 2024
“We love Him because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19
God [The Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit] is Love! This Scripture compels us to reflect on the Source of love and to check the status of our love for God which is demonstrated through reverence and obedience to Him and love and compassion for others. Something is not right within us when we do not love everyone Christ created in His image.
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-39
In studying the Life of Christ we find that His earthly life was filled with experiencing abject hatred from the Pharisees and Jewish leaders who desired His death because he spoke the One and Only Truth and preached that He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus described himself as a “Man of Sorrows” because the very people who rejected Him were the ones He came to Earth to save their souls.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32
We are commanded to love, respect, and forgive others as Christ loves. You will never meet a person Christ did not die for, therefore, we should treat every living being regardless of socioeconomic status with the utmost respect and love. Another test of our faith and whether we possess unconditional love is the ability to reveal Christ’s love when we are accused, mistreated, or excluded.
“A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.” —Proverbs 19:11
Our reaction to offenses reveals whether or not our hearts are filled with the Righteousness of Christ and evidence if we are actively participating with the Holy Spirit to transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ—which is Sanctification: Spiritual growth, and maturity.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:11
Because we serve the Most High God, Satan uses people to attack our character (Spiritual Warfare is Satan’s scheme). If we retaliate with harsh, angry spoken words, carry an unrighteous grudge, or harbor a spirit of offense then the love of God is not in our hearts. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” —Exodus 14:14
Throughout the Old Testament, every victory reveals our God is a Mighty Warrior and always wins the battle. Although we are mistreated, we pray for Spiritual strength and the Holy Spirit will empower us to remain silent and walk away from all spiritual warfare involving conflict. If we pray for wisdom and discernment then we will view satanic attacks of unfair treatment and biases through spiritual eyes.
How deep is your love for Christ? Are you willing to suffer as Christ suffered?
Strive daily to be Christ-like. Our ultimate goal should align with God’s Divine purpose for giving Jesus, His only Son to die on the cross for us. Our focus when considering the future does not include vacations, retirement, or buying homes and vehicles. We can be 100% certain about one thing regarding the future: Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King’s promise in John 14.
“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
Every day we remind ourselves that we are living to have a personal relationship with Christ and one day soon to receive our reward of eternal life in a perfect world filled with Agape love. Amen! Peace and Blessings.
Love God, Love Others, and Love Yourself
Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 13
Lord God, we ask You to teach us how to love unconditionally and pray for the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize the warfare designed to misrepresent Your love for others. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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