christianity – Page 6 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Heartache of Disappointment

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional- April 1, 2025

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world…” —John 16:33, Amplified Bible

There is nothing tougher than the Christian journey, which is designed to transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ. Although we may have many differences based on culture, social and economic status, belief systems, morals, and values, one thing that all humanity shares is experiencing the grief of disappointment.

The job termination, the friendship that didn’t work out, the marriage that never happened, the planned relocation, or the purchase of the house or vehicle that fell through, yes, failure hurts! Although we gave our best, circumstances beyond our control produced a devastating outcome.

Without believing that God knows best and placing our complete faith in Him, disappointment can rapidly decline into feelings of defeat or escalate into anger and resentment. Depending on the situation, even our self-worth and value may be negatively impacted by the thorny briers of disappointment that deeply pierce and wound our hearts.

“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 waits for us to come to Him. Disappointment brings us to a Spiritual Crossroads, “What do we really think about God?” Do we believe that God truly loves us and doesn’t desire for us to be in harm’s way? Is our perspective one of faith, believing that God is with us and will take care of us?

We may think, How can this great loss be for my good and God’s glory? Unless we are disobedient, nothing happens in the life of a believer without Christ’s permission. With faith, we accept our loss as God’s perfect will because we trust Him, and honor and revere His Sovereignty.

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU…’ ” —Hebrews 13:5, NASB

The disappointment from loss not only tests our faith in God [Who promises to provide and heal our brokenness] but also reveals our willingness to surrender, faithfully obey, and follow Christ. “…you will not understand what God is doing, and one thing is for certain, God never explains His Divine plans and intervention.”

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). “Our God is a loving Father who cares for us, who wants to bless us, who wants to answer our prayers.” Yes and Amen!

How do we move forward through the emotional pain with an optimistic outlook of a brighter future? Redirect your focus from your loss to God’s love and Scriptural promises that reveal our Father God rescues the righteous and gives us victory. Pray, Believe, and Wait on the Lord!

“…casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” —1 Peter 5:7

When facing overwhelming circumstances, and not knowing how to move forward, pray an honest prayer expressing your true feelings of disappointment and grief, asking God to give you peace and comfort. Pray and wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

“Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

While waiting on God, we can study the Biblical stories of those who prayed for God’s Divine help and received victory. Our faith moves the arms of our Warrior God who reminds us to believe in His Power and “Stand still!”

From studying the Bible, we learn God’s Loving and Righteous Character. Throughout the Scriptures, God reminds us that He is never the Source of loss or disappointment. God has one goal in mind and that is to save our souls and give us Eternal life.

Yes, the apostle Peter tells us it’s the fiery trials that human effort cannot resolve that produce steadfast faith in God. Still, we can be assured that God desires us to live contented, peaceful, and happy lives.

“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).

Even when our decisions bring consequences, if we repent, God will interrupt and rescue us from Satan’s schemes designed to make us fall and fail. It would serve no purpose for our Heavenly Father to allow consequences to crush our hopes. Trust God with all of your heart! Embrace God’s Providence and wait on His Divine resolution. Our Heavenly Father knows and cares, and promises to give us a hope-filled future.

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]” —Isaiah 41:10, Amplified Bible

Lord God, we pray this Intercessory prayer for all of the children of God who are grieving from loss of income, relationships, and failed dreams and plans. We ask You to reveal Your perfect will and to give them peace, comfort, and joy as they wait for Your victorious resolution. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

The Best Is Yet to Come!

Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 28, 2025

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” —Romans 12:1, RSV

In the 1980s, I was having a conversation about the Christian lifestyle with my Aunt, whose words were shocking: “Oh, niece, you are very naive. Not every Christian desires to go to heaven.” At the time, I thought it was the worst perception of believers that I had ever heard. Fast-forward to 2025, and now I realize her words were prophetic.

Pleasure, Prosperity, and Politics Have Changed the Culture of the Church

Although attending weekly church service is our duty to God, it does not supply the spiritual food and strength to sustain us for the six subsequent days of the week. Many believers are neglecting the necessary spiritual preparation for eternal life [Daily personal worship]. Instead of seeking God, we are too focused on our earthly pursuits of self-gratification.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” —2 Timothy 4:3

Many pastors have also promoted the trend of Compromised Christianity by not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Entire church services are led by worship leaders and consist only of singing, or sermons are watered down containing only selected Scriptures that do not offend the members.

The desire to keep members happy and content has resulted in the switch from Christ, Salvation, and Sanctification to motivational messages promoting the emotions of happiness, serenity, and prosperity.

Sadly, the pulpit has also become a political arena—sermons include defending political leaders even when the politicians clearly contradict the Christian values found in the Bible. Instead of a unified body of members, we are experiencing the same division that occurred in the churches the Apostle Paul started.

Challenges in Christianity have existed since the Early Churches. The Apostle Paul had a tough spiritual assignment when God appointed him to preach to the Gentiles. Most of the new members had a history of pagan worship and engaged in worldly habits and practices they enjoyed and were not ready to give up.

Christian Code of Conduct: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:14-16).

Paul was loving but straightforward when addressing the member’s unrighteous behaviors including the continuous conflict with fellow believers. In his letters to the churches, the apostle’s focus was to “Behave As a Christian” by possessing a Christ-like character filled with loving kindness for one another which revealed a heart filled with God’s love.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s perspective of this world and our earthly lives is very different from our thoughts and goals. To receive eternal life, our minds must align with God’s ultimate goal to save our souls.

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

God warns us that our knowledge and wisdom are limited—we cannot foresee the future or anticipate the possible consequences of decisions that exclude God. If we choose to rely on God’s Providence, we will enjoy peace despite our circumstances because Divine Intervention only produces victorious outcomes.

God’s Instructions On How to Live Our Best Lives

“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

To live our best lives, we must faithfully obey God’s Blueprint for living righteously. Many are well-fed from secular information but starving spiritually from the lack of personal worship and studying the Holy Scriptures. Prayer connects us to Christ, our Intercessor, and strengthens our relationship with Him.

Knowing Jesus’ words of promise fill our hearts with encouragement: “…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 14:2-3). Yes and Amen!

Reflection: Where do we stand in our relationship with Christ? Every day we receive the gift of time to worship and ask for Divine wisdom and the spiritual strength to overcome temptations. Our lifestyle and choices indicate whether or not we are preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming.

Time is fleeting! We must return to the basics of the Bible by devoting ourselves to the service of God. Because of Divine love, we are covered by God’s Grace. We use our faith to surrender, repent, and begin a new relationship with Christ built on humility and faithful obedience.

Pray King David’s prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).

God’s Promise: “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:12-13

Every day we receive the opportunity to use our faith to dedicate ourselves to God. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Helper who reveals God’s will, gives us wisdom and discernment when studying the Scriptures, and speaks to us through our thoughts, conscience, and the Bible.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Pray daily for the physical and spiritual strength to complete life’s tasks and to renounce sin. The Holy Spirit also gives us spiritual wisdom to recognize sin, and the spiritual strength to overcome temptation. When facing questionable situations, Pray for Divine Help.

“Be holy for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Because we inherited hearts that are driven to fulfill carnal desires, we cannot use our thoughts to define righteousness. The human effort of faithful obedience is the worship that God requires. And from our willingness to honor God, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ—Sanctification.

“I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.…” —John 15:5

With Christ, we can live our best lives now. He will empower us to win the battle against the Pride of Life. Pray an honest prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your status with God. Repent and make the necessary changes to follow Jesus. Fight the good fight of faith! We cannot allow Satan to deceive us with worthless trinkets and false promises designed to make us lose our reward of the Crown of Life [Revelation 22:12].

God never leaves us alone to fight against Satan. When we pray for Divine help, Christ sends His army of angels with His Glory and Power and Satan must fall back. If we exercise steadfast faith and self-control, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously and to overcome all desires and temptations.

The Best Is Yet to Come! Have you considered the magnitude of the reward Jesus is offering us? “Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear seen has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’ ” (1 Corinthians 2:8-9). Live as if your greatest desire is to receive your heavenly reward on that Great Day.

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” —Revelation 3:21, NIV

Day by day, from devoting ourselves to following Christ, our Triumphant King, He will become our Greatest Influencer leading and empowering us with His strength to live as Victorious Overcomers! From Earth to Heaven, our Savior is longing to give us His Best! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we desperately need Your guidance and strength to make it through this spiritual battle of life filled with temptations designed to separate us from You. We ask you to reveal the blueprint for each of our lives. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Whose Side Are We On?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 24, 2025

Can you imagine being an employee not fully trained to perform a crucial part of your job description?

I was a nurse case manager at a company that provided home health care for seniors. The week payroll was due, the Vice President was on a cruise out of the country. The accounting clerk received a call from corporate inquiring why she was late submitting payroll which was due by noon that day. And that is when the big secret was revealed.

The VP not only failed to train the accounting clerk on processing payroll, an essential part of her job, but also informed the accounting clerk during her initial training that the job description had changed. As the young woman wrote the incident report tears were in her eyes and her hands trembled. Jobs were extremely hard to find and she feared termination.

At this point, our Nursing Manager informed us that she would handle all nonclinical calls until the young woman was trained by the corporate office via phone to process the payroll. Since this was the era before direct deposit, processing payroll was a lengthy endeavor. The training was successful and we received our paychecks on time the following week. Although the Vice President had a tenure of 20 years with the company, she was immediately terminated on her return.

“Your eyes will see it, and your ears will hear it: ‘This is the way; walk in it…” ” (Isaiah 30:21). From our prayers and study of the Scriptures, “God promises to give us clear guidance, leading us on the right path and helping us to discern His will.”

We have a loving Heavenly Father who is very protective and has made a loving and sacrificial investment in our lives including the future of eternal life. Through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, we receive guidance, spiritual wisdom and discernment, correction, and protection through the Holy Spirit.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12

God who knows the beginning from the end has given us the Bible so we can learn His Righteous Standards and Precepts, discern Truth from error, and recognize and renounce sinful temptations. We were not created to govern ourselves. Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is impossible to judge oneself. To know and practice what God expects of us requires the diligent study of His Holy Words.

“Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). What is holiness? God defines holiness in the Scriptures.

“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

Every day we must fight the good fight of faith to prevent practicing Compromised Christianity. Our spiritual journey of Sanctification is a lifelong journey on the Path of Righteousness which requires our faith, obedience, consent, and cooperation with Christ.

God has one goal and that is for every believer to receive their reward of a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth [Revelation 21-22], yet, He never forces us to choose salvation. From the moment we awaken, we choose to commit ourselves to God or not.

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” —Romans 6:16, NIV

2 Timothy 3 identifies that we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. We must choose who we will serve in this great controversy of Good and Evil. “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).

“Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements…Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor Him.”

Consider this, Jesus died to save us from death, the costly price of sin, what possible reasons could substantiate sinning against God and dying for our sins? There is no guesswork with God. We receive clarity of Righteousness through the Holy Spirit.

“…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). Reflect on the reason you chose Jesus Christ as your Savior. Everything we possess is temporary including this earthly home. Choosing Christ requires doing our part in the spiritual journey of Sanctification—Daily surrender, faithful obedience, and seeking God’s will and plans through prayer and Bible Study.

Heaven is waiting for us! Reach for the highest goals of living holy and receiving eternal life with God in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, the struggle is real! Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit and using self-control, we can renounce the temporary pleasures and profits of this world for which we will be greatly rewarded. Choose Christ! Choose 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

Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3

Prayer: “Into my heart, Into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Lord God, we ask you to reveal any hidden sins that are within our hearts and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Teach us Your Righteous ways and how to live holy. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Yahweh Shammah—Overcome Fear, Anxiety, Doubt, and Discouragement

Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 21, 2025

“Yahweh Shammah,” a name for God found in Ezekiel 48:35, means “The Lord is there,” God promises His continuous presence and to be with His people [righteous believers] at all times. Yes and Amen.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ ” —Genesis 1:26, NLT

When God, the Father had the conversation with Jesus, God, the Son regarding the creation of humanity, they knew the intense daily struggles we would suffer from being dedicated followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In God’s infinite wisdom, we were perfectly created with intellect, the ability to learn, mental acuity, the power to reason, and a heart filled with love.

“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 were not spoken into existence, with Agape love, Jesus bent down and picked up clay in His hands, formed Adam into His likeness, and breathed the Ruach breath into him, and the man was alive. Recognizing our significance to God allows us to transcend worldly perspectives and societal judgments on the hierarchy of importance according to wealth.

The human body’s anatomy and physiology cannot be cloned by scientific means. Our soul is connected to God. Our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected dimensions of well-being. The body systems are intertwined and interdependent on each other to maintain a healthy mind-body equilibrium. Because we love God, we strive to live the healthiest lifestyle.

“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…” —1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV

Still, it gets better! By accepting Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, giving us spiritual strength and guidance, and directing us through our thoughts and conscience [Yes, it’s a mystery]. All of creation reveals that God loves beauty and diversity, we have received various innate and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and honor.

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

We were gifted with the power to choose right over wrong and Truth over error as defined by God’s Holy Standards. Not only did we receive free will of choice, but we can accept or reject the gift of Salvation and live righteously or not.

“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

God to the rescue! In protecting us, God has left no stone unturned. Although we fight Satan’s temptations every day, and our circumstances make us feel that we do not have a choice, we are not helpless!

We always have a choice even when it is not in plain sight. Despite the temptation, when we are grounded in Christ, we cannot be coerced into choosing sin. We use our sound minds and prayer to disregard every manipulative tactic designed to persuade us to sin against God.

The Onset of the Spirit of Defeat and Its Bitter Fruits

“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 3:5-6

Yes, we have followed our thoughts, inclinations, and strategies that may or may not have produced successful outcomes, even so, our exclusion of God has resulted in the displacement of our gift of faith. Using our limited human wisdom and strategies not only excludes God but challenges and dishonors His Infinite knowledge and wisdom.

God’s plan includes active participation in our spiritual journey which produces the growth, maturity, and mind-character transformation necessary to receive Eternal life. Self-reliance displaces our faith from God to ourselves. When we detour from the Path of Righteousness, our Father God allows us to experience hardships that human effort can never resolve.

Focusing on our problems instead of God’s unlimited power is the Red Flag that reveals lost faith. The habit of using our knowledge, prior experience, and strategies to resolve our challenges excluded God. Now we face the reality of our human limitations and our emotions of fear, doubt, anxiety, and discouragement have overpowered us. Yet, the root of the problem is that we do not know who God is and the attributes of His Righteous Character.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). In the Christian Community, not enough emphasis is placed on the life-saving, faith-building importance of studying the Bible. The Bible contains the Holy Scriptures and is our Spiritual Guide to living righteously. In great detail, God defines the attributes of His Righteous Character so we will know the difference between Him speaking to us and Satan’s attempts to mislead us.

We are truly loved! The Bible gives us the history of God’s Loving Intervention in fighting the enemies threatening to overtake the righteous and the continuous forgiveness of our intentional rebellion of sinning against Him.

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).” Even when Adam and Eve chose to disobey which resulted in the loss of their home in the Garden of Eden, Christ had to shed blood by killing animals to clothe them. Sadly, even when forgiven, sin always creates a heart-wrenching payment.

God’s Original Plan for humanity included immortality. Adam and Eve were not created to die. Although many individuals blame God for the death of their loved ones, death is the result of sin and sin originated in Lucifer’s heart. God tells us “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). When Christ comes again, God’s Holy Name will be vindicated! Yes and Amen!

For many years, my Christian journey did not include Bible Study. The spirit of self-reliance produced a roller-coaster of spiritual and emotional highs and lows. If all was well, I was overjoyed. Eventually, a major life event caused me to stand at the Crossroads of Faith. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in many ways to study the Scriptures. Much prayer and daily Bible study have strengthened my faith in God and enabled me to live a Faith-based life dependent on God. The Spirit of Defeat was replaced with a Spirit of Gratitude.

Faith Building Activities

Praise and Worship is our greatest defense against the spirit of defeat. God’s decision to create humanity included 24/7 access to heaven. Praying once or twice a day is not enough to remain focused on the love and power of God. We are living in the last days [2 Timothy 3] and desperately need Divine wisdom and strength to overcome.

When King Jehoshaphat prayed for God’s help when the three pagan armies came against him this was God’s answer:

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” —2 Chronicles 20:17

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” —Isaiah 65:24

Including God in life’s routine duties builds our faith, trust, and dependency on our Heavenly Father. When unexpected adversity enters our lives, we will immediately fall to our knees and seek God. Pray for God to reveal His perfect will and ask for the strength to persevere through the trial. God is never in a hurry. His Divine help requires that we maintain our faith while waiting on His perfect timing.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT

In the season of waiting, pray prayers of gratitude thanking Him for the victory. We do not have to plead and beg our Heavenly Father to help us. God never forgets our prayers for help. Stand still [do not attempt to help God by using human strategies], all God asks of us is to honor and reverence Him with our unwavering faith.

Study 2 Chronicles chapter 20. The Bible reinforces our faith in God. To remain faithful and steadfast in our relationship with Christ requires Biblical knowledge. The spiritual understanding we receive converts our hearts and we willingly desire to serve God because we love Him.

Establish consistent study by dedicating alone time with God every day. Use 15 minutes of your lunchtime to pray and memorize at least one Scripture. Develop a 4-6 month schedule to study and learn Genesis 1-3 [The Beginning], the Four Gospels [The Life of Christ—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], and Revelation chapters 21-22 [Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth].

The Spiritual Journey of living a victorious Christ-centered life is dependent on daily surrender, faithful obedience, much prayer, and focused study of the Holy Scriptures. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and a deeper understanding of the word of God. You will lose the Spirit of Defeat and enjoy the courage, peace, and happiness that God desires us to possess and your perception and desires will change as you begin to see life through spiritual eyes.

The journey of Faith will never be easy. Still, Yahweh Shammah promises to always be there. By embracing God’s love, we can live by faith and rely on God which gives us peace, hope, and a mindset of victory!

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4

Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the sin of embracing self-reliance instead of totally depending on Your promises to give us victory. We commit to using our faith to believe that You are always here and will deliver us despite our circumstances. Thank you for your love and steadfast commitment to humanity. We pray for showers of blessings on this Holy Sabbath and ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Courageous Christianity

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 6, 2025

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

Spiritual courage comes from believing that God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] is Sovereign, Omniscient [All-Knowing], and Omnipotent [All-Powerful].

With faith and trust, we believe in God’s unconditional love and faithfulness to humanity [we were created in His likeness, and Jesus gave His life to save our souls], and acknowledge He knows what is best for our lives, therefore, we honor and revere His Holy Name through faithful obedience.

[Spiritual] Courage is a choice to obey and move forward on God’s Chosen Path for our lives even when we do not understand. Because we love God, even when facing the harsh vicissitudes of life, we courageously ignore our thoughts of self-reliance, pray for God’s guidance, and wait for His answer.

Courage is the righteous attribute that tells us to use our blind faith to Keep Moving Forward in Jesus’ Divine Strength. Courage requires us to take giant leaps of faith despite the continuous roadblocks of trials and hardships. From our willingness to obey God, the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith and confidence in God even when we do not understand the reason for His directive.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:9

God reminds us that His thoughts will always supersede our understanding, yet, obedience touches God’s heart, when we obey His plans, we know the outcome is always victorious. Providence is “God’s involvement in every aspect of our lives, from birth to death, and from heaven to earth.” Every faithful and obedient believer can live with the joyful expectation of receiving God’s Divine Providence in their lives. Yes and Amen. Great is His Faithfulness!

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28

“God leads people in ways that are best for them, even if those ways seem mysterious.” Throughout the Bible, we find that God gives directives without giving an “explanation of why.” Jesus Healing the Blind Man: “And He [Jesus] said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing” (John 9:7).

When praying for Divine Help, we may have the expectation of knowing all the intricate details, but God will never comply according to our wishes. We must pass the test of faith by obeying His instructions as given. One certainty that we know from the Scriptures is that God’s directives are never vague or confusing, we do not have to guess what He wants us to do, yet we will never receive the rationale.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7). Every day we decide whether to choose Divine Providence or to fulfill our desires and plans. To follow Christ, we must accept that human knowledge and perception are limited and influenced by many factors including our life experience. We cannot know what is best for us. Much prayer for an increase in strength is required to maintain a spirit of humility and faithfully obey Yahweh [“I Am Who I Am”].

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23

Without God, there is a certain level of chaos and confusion that always resides in a person’s life. When everyone around us is relying on their human wisdom, and it appears that all is well, behind the scenes, the Scriptures reveal their minds will never experience a moment of God’s peace. Do not be deceived, unbelievers readily give advice but rarely discuss the consequences of their misguided decisions.

Our Heavenly Father does not want us to live a life filled with anxiety, worries, or suffering the consequences of excluding Him from our decisions. Despite our resourcefulness and accomplishments, we cannot control circumstances, predict the future, or guarantee outcomes even when utilizing the best strategic planning.

“But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:19

Unlike the unbelievers who reject God and His Divine Providence, we cannot afford to play the Game of Chance—renounce self-reliance by choosing to seek God’s will through daily surrender. When everyone else says yes, we use our spiritual courage to swim against the tide. Never feel coerced to make an immediate decision. Always pray and wait for God’s guidance.

“Now the just [righteous] shall live by faith…” (Hebrews 10:38). Obedience keeps us aligned with God’s perfect plans, always includes much-needed blessings, and guarantees we will not suffer from delayed consequences that we did not anticipate, but are guaranteed to happen.

What does Courageous Christianity look like in real life?

At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on the minor inconveniences you encountered but easily resolved. Chances are you never thought about asking God for help. The downside is that self-reliance does not always reveal itself as wilful disobedience. God knows our weaknesses and will allow our faith to be tested in various ways. Pray about everything!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

Nothing that produces opposition in our lives just happens. One temptation that every believer fails is giving into Self-Reliance. Not all tests of faith and obedience are on a grand scale [trials that are impossible for human effort to resolve], it is life’s small disturbances and issues that lead us to make quick resolutions and exclude God.

“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.” —Proverbs 3: 5-6

The trusting heart involves God in every aspect of their lives. Pray over your life [and your family] and wait for God’s answer. Yes, we can resolve many situations, but we pray for Divine guidance because we trust in God and will never experience regrets. Steadfast courage is not only essential in resisting our internal urges to move forward without involving God but also needed to actively participate in our journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

“…I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” —John 8:28-29

From praying daily for God’s will to be revealed, the Holy Spirit empowers us with Jesus’ Divine strength, which deepens our faith and strengthens us to overcome temptation. To pray in faith means we refrain from making decisions until we receive an answer from God.

The struggle against our desires is real! Renouncing self-reliance is a daily internal battle that requires true worship in spirit and truth. Every day, we need Divine power to strengthen our spiritual courage, as we have the responsibility to cultivate the spirit of humility required to depend on God.

“Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the LORD rescues him from them all.” —Psalm 34:19, Amplified Bible.

Daily surrender prepares us for when the major storm arrives. Instead of thinking, What am I going to do? our immediate response is to pray for God’s help. Because we have established the habit of depending on God, we pray in faith with the confidence that God will bring resolution. Despite the circumstances or the time required to wait on God, we should remain hopeful and courageous.

“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

A spiritual chain of reaction occurs when we use our faith to pray and patiently wait for Divine Intervention. Not only do we receive God’s guidance but we also gain spiritual wisdom—an attribute required to live courageously which allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT

From trusting God, we are empowered daily with Christ’s strength and gifted with His inner peace which allows us to courageously walk through life even when the storms are raging without anxiety, worry, or fears. And this brothers and sisters is real-life Courageous Christianity!

Prayer: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:7-8). Amen.

God’s Relentless Love

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional – February 28, 2025

“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

The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20], God’s Moral Law not only gives us the attributes of a righteous character but also reveals God’s boundaries for our behaviors and lifestyles. The Fruit of the Spirit is the Character of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Although our nation’s laws were originally developed from the Ten Commandments, compromised values have introduced plea bargaining, and loopholes, yet, God’s Commandments and Righteous Precepts are valid [only the ceremonial sacrificial law of animals has been abolished]. With love, God reminds us, “I do not change” so we are not deceived by false teachings that His Law was done away with or nailed to the cross.

“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6: 20

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 4:9-10

Many Christians do not understand the relentless love required of God to give His Only Son, Jesus, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead to become human and suffer on this earth to save our souls. And we certainly do not understand our active role in our salvation, or we would faithfully seek and obey God’s will and plans every day.

“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). With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Living sacrificial lives is revealed through the spoken words, Lord, I surrender myself to You, I ask You to reveal your plans for today. And then we actively work on our salvation by obeying God instead of fulfilling our desires.

“Abraham 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 22:5

Abraham teaches us that faithful obedience is our highest worship to God. Putting God first is essential for living a life of faith-driven obedience. Our response to the mercies of a new day in a morning prayer of consecration reveals that we love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

” ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” —Luke 22: 42-44

Although Abraham’s obedience to sacrifice Isaac, his only son [whom he loved with all of his heart] is perceived as the most difficult test of faith, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of faithful obedience when He died on Calvary’s Cross to fulfill the Plan of Redemption.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV

Saved by grace is a privilege, graciously gifted to us by God. Our salvation is based on faith in Christ and obedience to God. “If you love me keep my Commandments.” Disobedience has devastating consequences on our character. Living outside of God’s will changes our mindset, we lose our spiritual perception and easily choose sinful compromise over righteousness.

“…Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

Throughout the Bible, we have evidence that God has always required the human effort of faith and obedience. Living holy is impossible without Christ’s strength. We need help to overcome our thoughts, choices, and lifestyles that reflect the carnal desires of our hearts. Think of your life as a Spiritual Journey with Jesus Christ. Pray for help! “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

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

God developed the battle plan to overcome our sinful tendencies. We are not helpless in the fight between good and evil. Satan cannot coerce or force us to disobey God. From the moment we are tempted, the Holy Spirit alerts us through our thoughts we are facing a sinful situation. We begin to feel uneasy within our spirit. At that moment, we pray for strength and use our self-control by proclaiming, I will not sin against God, or we ignore the warning and choose to sin.

God’s Love is Relentless! Loving God produces appreciation for His faithfulness and propels us to consecrate ourselves daily to live holy, obedient, and sacrificial lives. From our willingness to obey, Jesus empowers us with His supernatural strength. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the guidance to live as Victorious Overcomers preparing for the Second Coming of our Triumphant King.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many [a]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

Lord God, we thank You for Your relentless love and ask for the strength to overcome our internal desires and fight against the external opposition to separate us from You. We love You and consecrate ourselves to strive for righteousness as we prepare daily for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’Holy Name, Amen.

Waiting On the Lord Is the Test

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 26, 2025

Waiting isn’t just a passive attitude about life, rather it is active stillness. To wait on the Lord means to use one’s faith to pause and expect further instructions. It means to remain in your present circumstances doing whatever you are doing until God gives you a word of instruction to do otherwise.

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” —Psalm 27:13-14

Waiting on God is intentional, focused, and fully believing in His desire to grant us victory. Waiting requires that we posture ourselves to hear God’s Voice and surrender through obedience. There is no such thing as waiting on God without praying for His guidance and obeying His plans. Often, the duration of a lengthy wait causes us to lose hope and we begin to worry and strategize.

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

We must remember that God is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! Faith requires Courage and Dependency on our Loving and Omniscient Father. God uses time to accomplish His goal of strengthening our weak and wavering faith. Faith is believing that God’s covenant promises are steadfast regardless of how we perceive our circumstances. Pray, Praise, and Wait!

“But they 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 40:31

Lord God, even though it doesn’t feel good, we thank You for the wait because Your thoughts and plans always end in victory. We ask for a change of heart due to our habits of self-reliance to one that desires to honor and reverence You through faithful obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray for increased faith and the strength to wait despite the length of time. Amen.

The Mother Bird Knows Where to Go for Safety. Jesus is our Rock Who Shelters Us In Every Storm.

The Impact of the Digital Age On Christianity

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional – February 21, 2025

“Digital literacy encompasses the skills required to use technology safely, effectively, and responsibly.”

Who doesn’t love Digital Information and Communication? Not only can we access an infinite amount of knowledge, but we can communicate with individuals across the continents. From the remote mountainous villages to the rugged terrain of the desert, “approximately 67% of the world’s population has access to digital information, meaning they have internet access.”

According to recent health data, unfortunately, we have failed to use technology responsibly.”… with the unending quest for digital information, we have experienced a profound impact on our health, excessive screentime has resulted in an epidemic of Neurological Decline. Health guidelines define ‘excessive screen time’ as more than two hours of recreational screen time per day.

“New research suggests that too much screen time can reshape our brains, and there are a few neurological red flags to watch out for in your own habits.” Red Flags: “Increasingly fragmented attention spans, impaired working memory, difficulty with decision-making, decreased inhibitory control, poor concentration, problems with deep thinking, and a tendency to be easily distracted.”

An Increase in Ophthalmic Diseases: “Excessive blue light exposure from screens is primarily linked to eye issues like digital eye strain, dry eyes, and potentially contributes to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that can lead to vision loss.”

Most importantly, the Digital Age has also negatively impacted the Christian believer’s spiritual goals. From devoting most of our downtime to online activity, we have exchanged prayer and Bible Study for a Recreational Digital Diet. Discussions with other believers are no longer praises of God’s goodness, our values have changed to coincide with secular worldviews, and earthly concerns overshadow our salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” —Romans 12:2

Whether our area of interest is financial investments, global economics, political alliances, entertainment, gaming, or watching reels, digital distractions are monopolizing our time. We are unaware that the influx of natural disasters, political corruption, immorality, and social unrest indicates the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. 2 Timothy 3 reveals that we are living in perilous times.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV

When God propelled us into this futuristic Digital Age, His plans and goals for the Christian Community were very different from our use of technology, God desired to remove the barriers that prevented us from witnessing the Plan of Redemption—Jesus Saves! Throughout this world.

“While many people believe that God must always get what He wants, the Bible tells a quite different story. Over and over, Scripture depicts God as experiencing unfulfilled desires. In many instances, God explicitly declares that what is happening is the opposite of what He wants. Freewill has resulted in our the world’s continuous decline of spirituality and morality.” SSNet.org

The Challenge: Calculate your screen time versus the time spent in worship [Prayer and Bible Study].

Like Eve, we have been deceived. We have put our desires above obeying God without thinking about the spiritual consequences. It is not a coincidence that the habit of too much screen time decreases our attention span and creates eye fatigue. Satan, our enemy knows that we require alert eyes, concentration, and discipline to engage in spiritually transformative worship with our Creator God.

We can separate ourselves and remove external distractions, yet our greatest distraction is the internal battle within our minds. Our cellular devices are intertwined with our very existence. When was the last time that you were separated from your phone for an extended period?

The Root Cause: The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). God reveals the real issue: We inherited hearts with desires that naturally rebel against God. Secular Information and pleasurable activities are addictive because they are appealing and satisfy our carnal desires.

Take Action! As long as we have breath in our bodies, and the desire to change, we can change! Our Triumphant King waits for us to return to our spiritual senses and ask for His Divine Help to overcome our Digital Dependency.

“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

Reflect on why you accepted Christ as your personal Savior. Confess, repent, and pray for the supernatural strength to return to God. Although we cannot use human strength alone to live righteously, we can place boundaries on the time spent pursuing knowledge and pleasure that does nothing for us spiritually. We have Jesus Christ, our Savior and Heavenly Intercessor who has promised to give us strength in the times of our weaknesses.

“When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father.” —Matthew 6:6

From personal experience, letting go of excessive screentime is one of the toughest battles you will ever fight. Set aside a 2-hour slot for at least two days to consecrate yourself through prayer, fasting [no food], and studying the Bible. For 2 hours place your cellular device on silent and in another location. This is possible because you will use a hardcopy Bible to study [NKJV is recommended due to Scriptural omissions in many other translations].

Before studying the Bible, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength, wisdom, and discernment. Begin with Genesis and study one chapter a day for two consecutive days. The book of Genesis has 50 chapters which will extend your Bible study of Genesis to 100 days. Repetition reinforces learning and invites the Holy Spirit to reveal deeper insight into the word of God required for spiritual growth and transformation.

As Christians, living responsibly indicates that we are actively working on our salvation and preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When breaking the habit of Digital dependency [that has been practiced for many years], you will experience many roller coaster feelings and the overwhelming drive to retrieve your device even during worship. Keep praying and practice self-control!

“To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” —Ecclesiastes 3:1.

“…making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” —Ephesians 5:16, Amplified Bible

“Time is a gift from God, and none of us know how much of it we are allotted. Only God knows how much time each of us has on this earth.” Our thoughts, behaviors, habits, and decisions reflect whether or not we have chosen the future reward of Eternal life. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to sanctify and transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.

From the human effort of establishing and practicing boundaries in our digital activity, we are empowered with Jesus’ Divine Strength. It is the Holy Spirit who transforms our desires, guiding us away from wasting precious time pursuing the secular instead of righteousness.

Prayer is our soul’s connection to the Almighty God and the Scriptures are God’s spoken words, Living, Active, and filled with His Power! We cannot remain the same when we enter God’s presence! His Power is Life-Changing.

“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.” —Revelation 16:15, Amplified Bible

Lord God, we confess and repent that our time is no longer devoted to seeking You. We ask You for the strength to overcome our innate desires and habits that prevent us from worshiping You in spirit and truth. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Love, Loyalty, and Courage

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 2, 2025

God makes it clear what He expects of us. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” —Micah 6:8

As time progresses, injustices have escalated and moral codes and value systems continue to decline. To remain faithful and uphold our integrity, we must remain focused on Christ who gives us spiritual insight and empowers us with His strength. We cannot remain steadfast and resist overwhelming temptations presented to separate us from God without Divine Intervention.

“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, be steadfast in your faith…” —1 Peter 5:8-9

Prayer is our connection to God. Morning worship is the time to commune with God always asking Him for Divine guidance, wisdom, and strength before we begin our daily activities. Still, we must pray throughout our waking hours to remain spiritually alert and receive the discernment to recognize the stealthy moves of Satan, our greatest enemy who knows his time is short.

“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

Political dissension, social unrest, and natural disasters will increase [Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3], and the battle for our souls will continue until Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’ Powerful Name, we must fight the good fight of Faith every day. Renounce sin and let go of compromising habits and people who do not honor God. If we overcome this sinful world, we are promised the Crown of 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

Love God and remain loyal to Him through faithful obedience. According to the Holy Scriptures, we live in the last days of Earth’s history, but those who maintain a close relationship with Christ have no fears. In John 14, King Jesus reveals His promise to return and give us a forever life in a perfect New Heaven and New Earth filled with love, peace, and happiness. Our Heavenly reward is nearer than we think. Fight, brothers, and sisters against the principalities and spiritual wickedness! [Ephesians 6]. With Christ, we are victorious! Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, as Biblical prophecies, are rapidly being fulfilled, we pray for a spiritual transformation of our hearts and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We commit to a life of no compromise and ask You to cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness and reveal Your will for our daily lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Keep Moving Forward!

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.