“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).
“Becoming more like Christ [should be] the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us.”
How important is it for us to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ? Our character, personality, and how we relate to others matter to God and will determine our destiny.
“In fact, the Bible says that God ‘predestined [believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son'” (Romans 8:29, NIV).
God’s Righteous Standards and Goals For Our Character Transformation
1. Hearts filled with Unconditional Love and Forgiveness.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
2. The Fruit of the Spirit is Jesus’ Righteous Character Attributes:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. A spirit of humility, committed to standing for truth, along with treating others with kindness.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV).
4. From Accepting Christ, We Become New People: Our characters should not imitate the characters of unbelievers or reflect their worldviews.
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:24-26).
Divine Intervention and Human Effort Are Required for Spiritual Transformation: We cannot change ourselves; it is the Holy Spirit who changes us. Still, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit to experience spiritual transformation.
God does not override our Free Will of Choice; The Holy Spirit can only change us if we have the desire to be like Christ. With a spirit of humility, we pray and ask God to change our character. And then our battles begin!
The transformation of our character does not happen in the way that we think it would. We will face various types of challenges, and how we react demonstrates whether or not we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit to bring about change.
Reflection: Identify the situations that consistently annoy you, as these will be the trials and temptations that challenge your faith and ability to practice self-control, leading to spiritual transformation.
God has gifted us with self-control. As soon as you feel an emotional response stirring inside of you, remain silent, separate yourself, and pray an honest prayer: “Lord, I am angry, [annoyed, frustrated, anxious], and I need Your help. Please give me the strength to remain silent and calm my spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible).
We cannot use inherited tendencies or cultural influences to justify the wrongful mistreatment of others with anger and harsh words. We have the God-given ability to control ourselves, or we would not exercise self-control at church and on our jobs.
Although we come from various backgrounds, the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit teach us acceptable Christian Behaviors. Those who possess fiery tempers and abuse others have a demonic stronghold over their minds and will need to add fasting to their daily lives. [Study Matthew 17:14-21].
God knows that we cannot change ourselves without receiving His Divine Strength. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us with Christ’s strength to overcome unrighteous character traits. Much prayer and fasting are required to gain the victory over inherited traits and learned behaviors.
“I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). With God, change is possible. Yes, we can have Christ’s gentle, quiet, and humble spirit.
Lord God, we recognize that we desperately need Your help to change. We ask for forgiveness for not controlling our behaviors and for hurting others. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with a spirit of gentleness that represents Your love and character. In faith, we ask this prayer, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.” (Psalm 34:14, 17).
Faith in God is always rewarded. Not only do we receive the blessings of God’s guidance and protection, if we ask, the Holy Spirit will also give us the gifts of spiritual wisdom and discernment.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17, ESV).
Spiritual wisdom differs greatly from human thoughts because it is given by God, Who is Omniscient, All-Knowing.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding…” (Proverbs 2:6).
Yes, we can enjoy the blessings of peace and happiness that comes from trusting and relying on God’s Higher Thoughts.
It is a wonderful experience to pray in faith knowing that God’s answers never include the need to re-evaluate because the resolution failed. Yes and Amen!
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding…” (Proverbs 3:13).
Divine Wisdom gives us the spiritual insight to understand the deeper meaning of the Holy Scriptures, and to see life through spiritual eyes.
Divine wisdom changes the way that we think and live. Perceiving life through spiritual eyes results in us letting go of the people, places, and habits that we used to enjoy.
The Benefits of Faith-building Prayers: From including God in every decision, we learn to rely totally on Jesus Christ. There is no guesswork or mistakes! We know that God’s Solutions always produce perfect endings.
Still, there are other benefits from placing our faith and trust in God; we develop the spirit of humility necessary for the Holy Spirit to guide us daily on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
And from our dependency on God, while others live with fear, we live courageously, knowing that the Holy Spirit will empower us with Jesus’ Divine Strength to keep moving forward in our earthly journey.
Our 2026 Declaration: I will trust in God, not in my limited thoughts and understanding!
Through the surrender of daily personal worship, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds by giving us the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize Satan’s covert temptations.
We pray throughout our day for Jesus’ Strength because we know that we need His Power to overcome external temptations and our internal desires.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, NIV).
Our spiritual battles also include fighting against the character trait of self-reliance. Praying continuously, keeps us dependent on God, aligning us with His Divine Will and Plans.
Every day, it is our responsibility to bring our minds into harmony with God through Prayer and Bible Study. Surrendering ourselves to God is a daily act of faith.
“Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you.” (Isaiah 55:3).
When we pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to think as God thinks; not only are we protected from suffering consequences, but our obedience is rewarded with stronger faith, wisdom, courage, and victorious outcomes. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love and the many benefits that You give to us. We consecrate ourselves to follow Christ through surrender and faithful obedience. Lord, we ask for our hearts to be changed. You have blessed us to enter a New Year that requires spiritual wisdom and understanding to be aligned with Your perfect Will and Plans for our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)
Modern Biblical translation: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
“In Hebrew, tsalach (צָלַח) means to prosper, succeed, advance, break through, or flourish, often implying overcoming obstacles or moving forward mightily, not financial gain, but spiritual and personal progress, like Joseph in the Bible, signifying God’s empowering presence leading to success and flourishing.”
“The Greek word translated as ‘prosper’ is euodoutai, which means to progress, to develop in a positive way, to have a good journey, to go well.”
“A prospering soul is spiritually healthy, growing in faith, and aligning with God’s truth. For a soul to prosper implies a developing spiritual walk marked by integrity, peace, joy, and a deepening relationship with God.”
Truthfully, like the Israelites in Egypt, many of today’s Christians have embraced the pagan beliefs of our counterparts, and we associate the word “prosperity” with [$$$] wealth, materialism, and elevated social status.
The Prosperity Message is a false teaching that emphasizes the acquisition of wealth, material possessions, and success, yet it is not in alignment with God’s teachings of Holy Scripture.
We know who [Satan] developed this false, but highly effective message that continues to deceive and distract many Believers from being loyal to God by redirecting their focus to acquiring earthly treasures.
The fall of Adam and Eve proves that we are never satisfied with God’s blessings. Satan knows the condition of the human heart; we always desire more than what we have.
Jesus’ Command Protects Us: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
After Jesus completed His fast of 40 days in the wilderness, Satan’s third temptation to Christ was based on wealth and success: Jesus’ Response to Satan Clarifies God’s Righteous Principles on Materialism.
The Temptation: “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.'”
Jesus Used the Sword, The Word of God, and Satan Left: “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended Him.” (Matthew 4:8-11, NIV).
We have given Satan the advantage over us because we do not know or understand who we are through Christ Jesus. We are the Sons and Daughters of God who will inherit the Crown of Life—Immortality in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, Salvation is free, but Eternal Life is a reward for our faithful obedience and spiritual works [Revelation 22:12].
Our Identity: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26); “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence.” (Ephesians 1:4)
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9).
“You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” (Psalm 8:5-6). When Christ created Adam, He gave Adam Dominion—Rulership over the Planet Earth.
Adam sinned, lost dominion, which Satan gained; but when Jesus said, “It is finished!” On Calvary’s Cross, our Triumphant King not only completed the Plan of Redemption, but He gained dominion over the Earth! Hallelujah and Amen! Study Revelation 19 to learn the end of the story.
Jesus Gives Us Insight Into the Future: The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, so they attempted to challenge Jesus: “In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For all of them were married to her. Jesus answered, ‘You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven…” (Matthew 22:28-30).
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer…For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Satan’s temptations are effective for two reasons: 1. We do not understand Satan’s diabolical mind. Christ created Lucifer with superior intelligence, and we forget that Satan is a fallen angel that possesses intellect and wisdom beyond and above human intellect.
2. “My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). Satan has an advantage over most Believers: He knows the Holy Scriptures, and he also knows that we do not study the Bible, which makes us easy prey for this Predator of human souls.
Satan is not Omniscient; he cannot read our minds or thoughts, but from observing our lifestyles, if we are disloyal and disobedient, we easily reveal our true spiritual status with God.
Sadly, from our refusal to study the Bible that God has given to empower and guide us, Satan is overly confident that his temptations will make us fall.
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).
And the roaring lion’s temptations will continue to bombard the Christian Community because we desire the same lifestyle as unbelievers, who live to gain prosperity on an Earth that will be destroyed.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13).
Brothers and Sisters, The Great Controversy of Good and Evil is a Spiritual War between Christ and Satan. We are Satan’s target! He is after our souls, and it’s time for us to stop chasing our desires and pledge our Allegiance to the Most High and Holy God!
Jesus, Our Mighty Warrior’s Plan:
1. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
2. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
God’s plan is to give us a perfect eternity with Him, in the New Heaven and New Earth, which requires the commitment to live a sacrificial life.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, BSB).
When we accepted Christ as our personal Savior, like Matthew, we became Jesus’ disciples, who dedicated ourselves to following our Faithful Shepherd with love, loyalty, and obedience.
Have this conversation with yourself: “Do I believe that Jesus loves me?” “Do I believe that God is interested in my personal struggles?” “Do I believe that God will help me live as a Victorious Overcomer?”
A heart overflowing with love for Jesus is revealed through a lifestyle of daily surrender, faithful obedience, seeking guidance in prayer, and studying the Holy Scriptures. Church attendance is good, but once-a-week worship cannot give the Spiritual Nourishment and Power that daily personal worship provides.
Being a soldier in God’s Army requires total commitment. Every day, we separate ourselves from others to worship God privately.
A reverent atmosphere of solitude and silence is required for us to be in God’s Holy Presence, resulting in the Holy Spirit empowering us with Jesus’ Divine Wisdom, Discernment, and Spiritual Strength.
Three Promises Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
“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).
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).
Brothers and Sisters, All or Nothing is required to love Christ. Do not give up your eternal inheritance for this earth’s temporary trinkets. Peace and Blessings.
Bible Study: Ephesians 6, Revelation 19-22
Lord God, we have come to our senses, knowing that we desperately need You to overcome the internal conflict of our desires and the external opposition of temptations. We confess that we have not loved You as You deserve, and for this we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, fill us with your Holy Spirit, and teach us how to think, speak, and live holy. In faith, we ask this prayer for strength and restoration in the loving and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18).
Believers, we are in a Spiritual War: The Great Controversy of Good and Evil has existed for over 6,000 years between Christ and Satan. And, we are Satan’s targets!
Yeshua, the Mighty Warrior and Conqueror
“…I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death.” (Revelation 1:17-18).
To Fight the Good Fight of Faith and to Live As Overcomers, The Christian Mind Must Be Renewed Every Day through Prayer and Bible Study!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
Brothers and Sisters, in 2025, we followed our thoughts, made mistakes, and worried about things that only God can control.
The Path to Victory: “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, NIV).
Without hesitation, the tax collector used his faith, got up and followed Jesus. Matthew had no idea what the journey with Jesus would require, but he gave up everything to become Jesus’ disciple.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Yes, we made the commitment to give our hearts to Jesus, but many of us are not following Him. We cannot live as we please and think that we are obeying God.
In Proverbs chapter 3, through King Solomon, Jesus tells us, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” From following our Shepherd with faithful obedience, He keeps us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
We are the Last Day’s disciples [2 Timothy 3] who must live by faith; not knowing the future, but we don’t have to know about tomorrow, because we know our lives are in Yeshua’s Everlasting Hands.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23, NIV).
This Christmas, give Jesus, your Shepherd, the gift He deserves: Love and Loyalty, as demonstrated through a vow of daily surrender and faithful obedience.
With Faith, Surrender, Obedience, and Courage, each new day, through personal worship, renew your Covenant of Faith to follow Christ, our Most Wonderful and Loving Savior and Shepherd.
“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).
If Jesus was required to live a life of faithful obedience to God, the Father, then certainly, the Father expects us to obey Christ without hesitation and doubt.
The Journey is Tough! Committing to follow Jesus’ plans for the remainder of our lives requires a Spirit of Humility, [blind] Faith, Obedience, and Courage.
We win the war by walking through life on bended knees. Every morning, pray, “LORD, what do you want me to do?”
Despite our challenges, from our prayers of faith and surrender, the Holy Spirit empowers us with Yeshua’s Peace, eliminating all worries and doubts from our minds.
Joshua 1:5-6,9: “I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage.”Verse 7: “Only be strong and very courageous.”
Because we cannot be strong and courageous using human effort alone, the Holy Spirit empowers us with Jesus’ wisdom and strength, and leads us in our journey to live as Victorious Overcomers. Yes and Amen!
The Christian Mind Is Filled With Love Loyalty, and Allegiance to Yeshua!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
We are Yeshua’s Disciples! Yes, we are His Courageous Soldiers who decided to let go of worldly desires, people, and habits because we love and appreciate our Redeemer’s great sacrifice.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).
Love is reciprocal. Without hesitation, we obey God, because we love and revere Jesus, who willingly gave His life to save us from the wages of sin, the second and final death [Revelation 19].
To remain in Heaven’s Army, requires that we follow our Commander with faithful obedience. God knows that we need His help to overcome Satan, our enemy, and to live righteously.
Do not attempt to rely on your thoughts and strength. Maintain a spirit of humility by always praying for God’s guidance and strength!
When we include God in the routine decisions of life, prayer becomes our first response even when facing impossible challenges.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV).
We owed a debt that only Yeshua could pay. Yes, our Savior and Mighty Warrior paid that debt by conquering sin and death when He completed the Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross! Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we confess and repent for our sins of continuous unfaithfulness and disobedience to Your perfect and life-saving plan of giving us eternity with You. Today, we renew our covenant to follow and obey. Lord we cannot do this using our strength. In faith, we ask for the strength to remain faithful, obedient, and courageous, as we fight against our desires and temptations. We believe in Your promises, and ask these things, in the Powerful Name of Yeshua, Amen.
“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9).
Without knowing what the future would bring, Matthew surrendered and followed Jesus with faithful obedience because He desired that Christ rule His life. Because of their love and dedication, sheep always obey and follow their Shepherd.
The only gift we can give to Jesus is our hearts. The believer with a converted heart reveals a heart filled with love, loyalty, and a spirit of humility, inviting Jesus every day to rule. Who else can lead and keep us on the Path of Righteousness?
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, Amplified Bible).
Because our love differs according to our childhood and personal experiences, many do not understand our Heavenly Father’s Amazing Love and Forgiveness. And for that reason, they refuse to give their hearts to Christ.
In Jesus’ earthly Ministry of Healing, He told many parables that gave hope to individuals whom the Jewish Rulers and Pharisees considered worthless and not deserving of God’s Love and His promise of a Heavenly Home.
In Luke 15, “The Forgiveness and Restoration of the Prodigal Son” reveals God, the Father’s Overwhelming Love for humanity, which exists today.
The Demand: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” (Luke 15:11-12, NIV).
The Prodigal Son’s Mindset: “In his restless youth the prodigal looked upon his father as stern and severe.”
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered [wasted] his wealth in wild living.” (Luke 15:13, NIV).
The Consequences: But once he spent all of his inheritance, the wayward son found out that the same people who loved his money abandoned him when he had nothing.
“So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” (Luke 15:15-16, NIV).
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'”
The difference between today’s Believers and the prodigal son is that we are not wasting money. No, we are putting all of our efforts into the acquisition of wealth, material possessions, and successful careers.
Sadly, the division that once existed between believers and unbelievers no longer exists. Our lifestyles, marriages, and relationships reflect the world’s pursuits and values of “You only live once.” We think, act, and live as if this Earth is the Forever Home, Jesus promised to us.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19, 21).
The pursuit of wealth, success, marriages, and relationships with unbelievers, which also includes individuals who believe that God exists, and may attend church but have no real connection to Christ, reveals a “Me First” mindset.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV).
The human heart can never be divided. Our decisions, choices, and pursuits reveal who is sitting on the throne of our hearts. It’s either Jesus or ourselves.
When we can willingly sin against God and feel no remorse, our hearts have changed toward God. Satan knows that he can easily deceive and tempt us because of his success with Adam and Eve, who were created with sinless hearts.
God’s Truth: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). God tells us that His Word is a Sword, and this is a Sword Scripture!
The believers who deny the true condition of their hearts and feel that attending weekly church services is enough to save them easily fall when tempted.
Satan is not Omniscient—He cannot read our minds or know our thoughts until they are reflected by our actions, and our secular lifestyle.
For those who are pursuing their heart’s desires, they have been deceived by Satan to embrace one or both mindsets:
They perceive God as harsh and selfish, giving us too many commands of “don’t do this, and setting Righteous Standards that we can never achieve.”
Or, they believe that we can live as we please, chase our desires, and still receive our reward of Eternal Life.
Jesus asks, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:36, NLT). There is no reward for disobedience.
Because Satan, the master deceiver, is evil, he also chases the “I surrender all to Jesus” Christians who pray, study the Bible, ask daily for God’s will to be done, and strive to obey.
Dedicated believers with converted hearts still struggle to overcome the internal conflict between their hearts’ desires and the external opposition of temptations.
Victory is gained because they continuously rely on Christ’s strength: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” is their continuous prayer.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13, NIV). Because God is Love, our Heavenly Father has no desire for His sons and daughters to continue on the wide road of destruction.
Jesus Is Still Knocking At the Door of Our Hearts: We always receive a Spiritual Red Flag message, warning us of our heart’s true condition. The Holy Spirit, aka the Spirit of Truth, speaks to us, revealing that we are no longer traveling on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, and to return to Christ.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV).
Restoration Requires Repentance: “I will set out and go back to my Father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his Father. (Luke 15:18-20, NIV).
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).
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NIV). When the prodigal returned to His Father, “How different his conception of [His Father] was!”
God’s Commandments and Righteous Precepts are not restrictions! We are in a spiritual war, and Satan is determined to tempt us with earthly trinkets and short-lived success so we will abandon our relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship…”
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
We Must Fight the Good Fight of Faith! In the Name and Power of Jesus Christ, we can overcome all desires and temptations. Give Yahweh the gift He deserves: Every day, proclaim, Jesus, You rule my heart!
Bible Study: Luke 15
Lord God, we ask for the forgiveness of nurturing a Me First heart. Like Matthew, we desire to follow Jesus in our earthly journey. Lord, in faith, we give you our hearts and renew our covenant of obedience to surrender to your will and plans. Lead us, protect us, correct us, and redirect us, and give us the Divine Strength to overcome when we are mesmerized by the temporary treasures, success, and pleasures of this Earth. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Jesus’ Prayer: “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I know that You always hear Me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent me.'” (John 11:41-42, NIV).
Prayers of gratitude acknowledge our heartfelt appreciation for God, the Sustainer of our lives. What do we mean when we refer to God as our Sustainer?
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). We may think of housing, clothing, and food [provisions] needed to support the healthy function of the mind and body, but literally, God is the Giver of life.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7).
We easily accept the scientific explanation for breathing—human beings inhale the perfect mixture of gases [nitrogen, oxygen, and more] and exhale carbon dioxide, a waste product, yet as believers, we must perceive life through spiritual eyes—the breath that flows through our Respiratory System is God’s Ruach breath.
Yes, we acknowledge that God is the Source of life, yet most of us struggle with expressing love for our Heavenly Father through heartfelt prayers and praises of gratitude. How often do we say, Thank You, God?
David proclaimed, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1). When David wrote this Psalm, he was a fugitive living in the caves. King Saul possessed a spirit of jealousy and desired to kill David, who was only in his teenage years, but had God’s anointing of protection on his life.
The Psalms, Songs of Prayer and Praise, are the longest book in the Bible. David’s life, once he became King, was plagued with continuous strife because of his two heinous sins [adultery and murder], yet he continued to write Psalms and play beautiful music on his harp that always honored God.
So, I paused writing this devotional reading to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the roadblock preventing us from praising God like David did.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” (Matthew 22:37). Brothers and Sisters, you and I have an issue of the heart; our love is divided, we love God, but we love ourselves more.
Truthfully, from the moment we awaken, we may whisper a quick prayer, but our focus is on our personal agendas. How will we manage our time effectively to accomplish our goals for the day?
By excluding God, we have not only nurtured a spirit of self-reliance, but we have also adopted a worldview centered on the greed of acquisition. We are inundated by advertisements of lifestyles that promote two concepts: 1. “Enough is Never Enough!” 2. A strong character is revealed by the constant pursuit of assets: wealth, material possessions, success, and social status.
We must remember that although Adam and Eve received God’s best, including immortality, Satan convinced Eve that God’s command of “Do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” was because God did not desire for them to possess the knowledge that He had.
Not only has the majority of the Christian Community accepted the Prosperity Message, but Satan also offers distractions that fill our minds with ingratitude for God’s continuous Love, Grace, and Mercies, and His blessings of Sustenance. We love God, but why is our desire for earthly possessions and pleasures so overpowering?
Our Inheritance: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This verse highlights the inherent tendency of human nature to be corrupt and unreliable, needing God’s intervention for true understanding and guidance.”
The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are involved in an unseen Spiritual War. The Great Controversy of Good and Evil is between Christ and Satan. Believers, we are Satan’s target!
Satan is determined to separate us from God by preying on our innate weaknesses. His goal is to manipulate our minds into believing that God is punitive, the Bible is filled with restrictive “Do Nots,” and that our Heavenly Father is selfish.
The Highly Effective Deception: Desire is fueled by our five senses, our eyes see, and our brains process Satan’s deceptive mirages of [what appears to be] magnificent lifestyles filled with the happiness, laughter, and contentment that only comes from status, wealth, material possessions, and pleasure.
How do we fight against our human nature of always desiring more than we have? The Path to Freedom Requires Human Effort and Divine Intervention.
We need Jesus’ Divine Strength to break the Stronghold of giving in to our desires, and we must exercise the Human Effort of Discipline and Self-Control.
Our spiritual breakthrough requires using our faith to consecrate ourselves daily to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Personal Worship must become our priority. Our prayers should always begin with “God, I thank you for…” Every day, thank God for 5 blessings—Gratitude is Worship.
From whispering prayers of gratitude throughout our day, our faith strengthens because telling God, “Thank You,” invites the Holy Spirit to bring us into the presence of God, and give us the Divine Strength to say No to our desires.
“The manifestation of God’s love, His mercy and His goodness, and the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart to enlighten and renew it, place us, through faith, in so close connection with Christ that, having a clear conception of His character, we are able to discern the [masterful] deceptions of Satan.”
“And in view of the great things which Christ has done for us, we are ready to exclaim: ‘Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.'” (1 John 3:1, BSB).
Gratitude List: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Love and Faithfulness!
God’s Agape Love: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
God’s Agape Love: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, with loving kindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).
God’s Faithfulness: “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).
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, made the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross to save you and me from the wages of sin, which is death. What more can Christ do for us?
Yet there is more! This Earth is not our Forever Home! Yes and Amen!
Jesus’ Loving Promise: “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).
We cannot let the desire for earthly trinkets and success overpower our desire for receiving our reward of Eternal Life: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
“Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is…” (1 John 3:2).
Continuously thanking God for His blessings keeps our hearts attached to Jesus’ heart. Instead of looking at life through eyes focused on desire, we develop a spirit of praise and worship from our gratitude and appreciation for all that God has given to us.
Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Steadfast Faithfulness, and Continuous Blessings. Even though we have repaid you with selfishness, we have come to our senses, asking for forgiveness. Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. We ask for Your strength to resist Satan’s temptations. Lord, help us to move forward as we persevere with faith in this journey of life. All glory, honor, and praise to Your Holy Name. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7).
This morning, I read a Devotional on how easy it is for us to react negatively to the darkness of trials and hardships. But the author reminded us that God is Always Good, and the dark times are allowed for our spiritual transformation and redirecting us to depend on our Heavenly Father.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV). From a perfect love that we cannot understand, God gave His only Son, Jesus, who sacrificed His life on Calvary’s Cross to redeem us from sin and to save our souls.
Yes, God’s priority is to give us Eternal Life, but we choose our destiny. Receiving immortality in our Forever Home requires us to actively participate with the Holy Spirit in our spiritual journey by obediently following Christ, our King, Savior, and Shepherd.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). We abide in Christ through daily personal worship. With a spirit of surrender, we commit to faithfully obey our Shepherd. Our Daily Prayer: Lord, what do You want me to do?
Although we desire our heavenly reward, there is an obstacle that each of us must overcome: We have become too attached to this earthly home. Our lifestyles reveal that we are making future plans that have nothing to do with living righteously now and in our Forever Home.
Scenario: You purchased a house, and the closing date is 30 days away, but today the company announced immediate layoffs, and your supervisor informed you that you would also be impacted.
Feeling disappointed, you reach out to the seller to explain your situation. To your surprise, they respond by stating that they will not accept other offers. Instead, they give you a timeline of 3 to 4 months to find another job because they genuinely want you to purchase the house.
Your prayers of gratitude would include joy, happiness, and excitement, you know that God has given you a miraculous blessing.
Jesus’ Promise: “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).
Jesus’ promise of life in the New Heaven and New Earth that He gave to His disciples is for all believers. From Adam and Eve to every faithful believer who has lived on the planet Earth will receive their reward of immortality when Jesus comes again [Revelation 22:12].
In Revelation, the Apostle John describes the righteous as a number like the grains of sand. Every day, with joyful anticipation, we should reflect on Jesus’ love, preparing ourselves spiritually for Heaven through daily prayer and Bible study.
Jesus’ Warning: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV).
According to 2 Timothy 3, we are the generation of Christians who are living in the Last Days on this present earth. We cannot afford to waste our gift of time. Our lifetime is the only opportunity we have for the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19, 21).
Success and prosperity have the power to change us from the outside in, which opposes the spiritual process of Sanctification. We cannot experience spiritual growth if the majority of our time and efforts are spent fulfilling our hearts’ desires and pursuing personal and professional success.
To clear out excess inventory, many stores offer reduced prices for “As Is” items. We purchase these items because we have the vision and skills to modify them. When we come to Jesus, He accepts us “As Is: “I can come to Jesus, just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.” We must be changed into the likeness of Christ by the Holy Spirit in our earthly lives.
Perform a spiritual self-assessment. Do your behaviors, habits, and lifestyle demonstrate a God First or a Me First mindset? If we desire to live an obedient life, surrendering to God’s plans, then we have given access to the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts. Faithful obedience reveals that our hearts are filled with love and loyalty to Christ.
God Is Always Good: “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, ESV). God honors and rewards those who obey Him.
God Is Always Faithful: Jesus knows that our spiritual transformation requires His Divine Help and Strength, so He allows the “Chisels of Trials and Hardships” to enter our lives.
God’s Rescue Plan: “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 filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
“We must overcome through His Strength and Grace, that we may be partakers of [His] Divine Nature…Our pride, selfishness…passions, and love of worldly pleasure must all be overcome; therefore God sends us afflictions [adversity] to test and prove us, and show us that these evils exist in our characters.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Fruit of the Spirit describes the attributes of Jesus’ Righteous Character that we must also have.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
One thing is for certain: Self-discipline and self-denial are within our power to exercise under all circumstances. But overcoming our internal desires requires the willingness to live a sacrificial life of saying no to the world’s treasures and pleasures. Sadly, this is the turning point for many believers who decide to detour from the Path of Righteousness.
Loving God motivates us to agree to become Spiritual Works-in-Progress. Every day, the Holy Spirit gradually performs the work of our spiritual transformation from the inside out [heart conversion]. Through daily personal worship, we ask God to reveal His plans, and we obey, without doubting His Divine Wisdom.
“This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21). God reveals His promise to provide guidance and direction for His people.” Faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live righteously. We are never alone. The Holy Spirit guides us day by day in our rugged journey on the Path of Righteousness.
The Life of Self-denial: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
Yes, the Christian journey is tough! Although human effort is required, we cannot save ourselves. Every day we pray, asking the Holy Spirit to empower us with Jesus’ Divine Strength to overcome the internal conflict of our heart’s desires, and the external opposition of temptations.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3, NIV).
God Is Always Good! We have 24/7 access to Christ, who gives us His strength to persevere through our trials and hardships. Pray for guidance, wisdom, and strength throughout your day. Jesus lived on this earth, and He knows that daily self-denial is a tough journey.
God’s Divine Intervention: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).
Human Effort: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NLT).
Live With the Mindset: “I will not disobey God!” Our enemy, Satan, the roaring lion, knows our weaknesses, developing personalized temptations that are temporary and worthless. Still, we can never be coerced into sinning against God; we choose to sin.
When tempted, immediately pray with audible words that you can hear, asking Jesus, our Mighty Warrior, for His Help. Every prayer asking for Jesus’ Strength to overcome temptations and challenges is immediately answered by Jesus, our High Priest.
God is Always Good! Before we can blink our eyes, Psalm 91 tells us Michael [Jesus], the Commander of Angel Armies, sends His angels to strengthen us and to fight the unseen spiritual warfare of Satan’s evil angels. Hallelujah and Amen!
The days we live in are filled with evil. Become a prayer warrior! Prayer keeps us connected to Jesus, who receives every prayer. The Holy Spirit empowers us with Divine wisdom and supernatural strength to live righteously.
God is Always Good! The Triune God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] is doing all that is possible to ensure that every believer receives their Crown of Life. The decision to choose life is up to us.
Human Effort plus Divine Intervention Always Ends in Victory!
Lord God, we thank you for your Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercies. We desire to change and ask You to reveal the traits in our characters that prevent us from living a sacrificial, faithful, and obedient life. We ask for forgiveness for wasting our gift of time, chasing after worthless desires. Lord God, thank You for Your love, faithfulness, and for always being Good. Teach us how to worship you in Spirit and Truth, and guide us in our journey so we can receive our reward of Eternal Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
On my first day of orientation as a Nursing Supervisor, I recall an unusual job training method conducted by Allison, the Regional Director, who informed me that for the next three days, I would spend time alone studying and learning the organization’s policies and nursing protocols.
When I entered the conference room, half of the table was covered with 4-inch binders bursting at the seams. From Monday to Wednesday, I studied for eight hours each day, absorbing all of the information my frontal lobe could manage.
On Thursday, Allison entered the conference room and stated, “I know that you do not understand why I instructed you to spend alone learning these policies and procedures, but in time, you will.”
Much to my surprise, I learned that although healthcare professionals must abide by the state’s licensure regulations for delivering care, regardless of their professional status, personal morals and values significantly impact a person’s judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
It was disappointing to address the numerous policy violations during my tenure, which required staff remediation and additional training due to their knowledge deficits. The plan of correction included changes in the initial orientation and continuous education for the staff.
As I reflected on this past experience, I thought about Allison’s productive and effective training strategy of learning in solitude. From not spending time alone with God in personal worship, many believers have a knowledge deficit of God’s Righteous Character and how to live righteously because of the failure to study the Holy Scriptures.
Reflection: How are we managing our God-given gift of Time? “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV).
Each new day, we stand at the Spiritual Crossroads: We must choose, will we put God first, or ourselves? Do we have a God-First mindset? Our initial morning thoughts reveal who our priority is: God or ourselves. If our default is reflecting on the busy day ahead, then sadly, we are number one.
Loving God requires the sacrificial gift of using our time to worship Him every day. We should not try to squeeze God into a busy schedule, but from the moment we awaken, our gratitude for another day of life is expressed by asking God to reveal His plans for the new day. Because God is God, He deserves the First Fruits of our gift of time in morning worship.
Evening worship is our opportunity to reflect on and to thank our Heavenly Father for the many blessings of provisions and protection from unseen spiritual warfare, physical harm, and the strength to complete our daily activities.
Which activities are covertly consuming our time? Are we spending more time at the gym than in worship? Or working countless hours of overtime in the pursuit of success and financial stability? Is Social Media, or watching the World News and Politics, our way of relaxing instead of praying? If we have a family, are the children’s schedules packed with numerous extracurricular activities that prevent daily family worship?
How do we put God first when we face countless distractions, crammed schedules, and overwhelming responsibilities? Managing our time not only requires the Big Chop, but we must also ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that nothing comes before our God-First commitment and our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Over 6,000 years ago, Jesus revealed The Perfect Time Management Plan: “He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while’—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat.” (Mark 16:31, Amplified Bible).
“Following Christ’s Example: Jesus often withdrew for solitary prayer, demonstrating that even He needed this time for wisdom and strength, [from God, the Father] a vital example for His followers.”
“Solitude isn’t loneliness; it’s a purposeful withdrawal for spiritual connection, allowing one to enjoy God’s presence and power, transforming moments of being alone into encounters with the Divine.”
One of Satan’s greatest deceptions that many believers have embraced is that we do not have to study the Bible. In fact, a most recent study finds that only “11-15% of Christians study the Bible daily.” But to remain committed, faithful, and obedient to God requires that we study the Holy Scriptures for ourselves.
“My people perish because of the lack of knowledge.”(Hosea 4:6). The Bible is our Spiritual Roadmap: Staying on the Narrow Path of Righteousness Requires Divine Intervention and Human Effort.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals God’s Love, the attributes of His Righteous Character, Jesus’ earthly ministry, Promises, Prophecies, and teaches us how to live righteously. Before studying the Scriptures, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom, discernment, and clarity of God’s Word.
Isaiah 55:8-9: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'”
In faith, we ask for Divine Strength, and put forth the human effort to learn God’s Righteous Character, and obey His Commands, Precepts, and Principles. It is the Holy Scriptures that teach us how to prepare ourselves daily to receive our reward of Christ’s promise to take the righteous to Heaven when He comes again [Revelation 21-22].
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
In the quiet stillness of solitude, through prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures, Jesus gives us the Living Water and the Bread of Life necessary for our Spiritual Nourishment, and the Holy Spirit instructs us to do our part [obeying God], guiding us moment by moment as we strive to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
From dedicating time to be in the presence of God, we are changed into the likeness of Christ’s Beautiful Character, and as the Apostle Paul did, in the strength of Christ, we can also proclaim:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Lord God, we commit our time that You have gifted us with to worship You in Spirit and Truth. We thank You for Your faithfulness even when we are not, and for our unfaithfulness, we ask for forgiveness. We look forward to the day when Jesus will come again and take us to Heaven. Until then, we ask You to empower us with Your strength to persevere through this journey of life. In Jesus’ Loving and Powerful Name, we pray, Amen.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].” (Matthew 10:34, Amplified Bible).
Today, while studying my Bible lesson, the author asked, “How well do you know the Life and Character of Christ?”
God, the Father, Required Faithful Obedience from Christ
“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:28-29).
Jesus’ life demonstrates that He always prayed for guidance and always obeyed God, the Father. Unless we have studied Genesis and the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], then we do not have the foundational knowledge necessary to intimately know who Christ is.
But memorizing the Life and Character of Christ only gives us theoretical knowledge; without loving Him, our hearts will remain empty.
“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, NIV).
Without a response, Matthew left a position of status with the Roman government, which provided great wealth, to follow Christ. From hearing others speak of Jesus’ Love and His Ministry of Healing, Matthew had already decided to follow Jesus if He extended the invitation.
Reflecting on why we accepted Christ as our personal Savior only has one answer: God is Love: “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). “Our capacity to love is a response to the love God has already shown us.”
Christ’s Love differs greatly from human love. For us to love is a lengthy process of learning who the person is. Yes, their morals, values, temperament, and goals reveal critical aspects of their character, but many have been disappointed when they learn the person is incapable of reciprocating love.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Christ created us with the spiritual gift of love, which connects our hearts to His Righteous Heart.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, Amplified Bible).
Spiritual Love is far greater and deeper than human love. Without the Holy Spirit giving us spiritual wisdom, we cannot comprehend God’s Agape Love. Yet, without making Christ’s Love personal, we will never fully understand the height and depth of His Love, nor can we appreciate His Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross.
Separating ourselves from family members and distractions is vital to appreciating and personalizing Jesus’ Sacrificial Offering. From studying the Book of John, Chapters 17-21, we realize that Christ’s Overwhelming Love for us gave Him the courage to fulfill the Plan of Redemption. What more can Jesus do for us?
To Be a Christian Is to Be Like Christ: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV).
To abide in Christ requires us to pray continuously and study the Bible daily. Foundational knowledge of our Creator, Jesus, God, the Son, begins with the study of the Creation Story in Genesis Chapters 1-3, and His earthly life in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].
Christ was a Prayer Warrior: “But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:16). From studying the Life of Christ, we learn that Jesus often chose hours of solitude to spend time in worship with God, the Father.
To follow Christ, we must have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him, which requires that we know His Righteous Character.
How do we know if we are true followers of Christ? “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24).
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). “Not my will God, but Your will be done in my life.” A daily prayer of surrender reveals our desire to obey God and to involve Him in every aspect of our lives.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear [Revere] the Lord and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Satan has deceived us into believing this Command is optional. As Christ lived, we must also live. Loving God requires letting go of our plans and obeying and fulfilling His plans for our lives.
“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, ESV)
The Life of Christ is our example of how to spend time in the Presence of God: Through worship, we learn God’s Perfect Plans for the given day. Daily morning and evening personal worship is when we receive spiritual nourishment, wisdom, and strength from the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live as overcomers.
Praying and studying the Scriptures gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to live righteously. Day by day, the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out, transforming our hearts and characters—Sanctification, the lifetime spiritual process of growth and transformation.
Christ is our Spiritual Role Model
From studying the Life and Character of Christ, when facing temptations, we choose to pray for strength and use our gift of self-control to say No to sin.
“Knowing the beauty of Christ’s Character is foundational to knowing what our daily walk with Christ should be.”
“This is why time in the Word, every day, is so important. This is why, we should also spend time dwelling on the Life, Character and Teachings of Jesus. By beholding, yes, we do become changed.”
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21).
Bible Study: The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to You. We thank You for Your love and the sacrificial gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life to save our souls. We love You, and because of our love, we have decided to follow Jesus with faithful obedience. Lord, we cannot do this in our own strength, so we ask for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit on our lives. We look forward to the day that we will see Jesus, our Triumphant King, and receive our gift of the Crown of Eternal Life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we ask this prayer, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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