christianity – Page 7 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Worshiping God In Spirit and Truth

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 19, 2025

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” —John 4:24

Spirit: “Worshiping in spirit means worshiping from within, without formalism or traditionalism. It means having a new disposition and a humble, grateful heart.”
Truth: “Worshiping in truth means worshiping based on a correct understanding of God and what He requires. It means having a true perception of God and obeying His word [The Bible].”
Balance: “Worshiping in spirit and truth requires a balance of emotion and thought. Without emotion, worship can be lifeless, and without truth, worship is empty.”

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25

The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin it means [Christ] taking away our sins, and filling the emptiness with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul there is purity and freedom from sin. The glory, the fulness, and the completeness of the gospel plan are fulfilled in the life. —Christ’s Object Lessons

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” —Luke 6:46

God’s Love is unconditional, yet to receive His benefits [including the reward of Eternal Life] requires total obedience to His Righteous Conditions of Participation in the Plan of Redemption. Obedience is worship that reveals our love, loyalty, and willingness to seek God’s Divine will. Our affirmation of “I choose not to sin against God” reveals our steadfast love and faith in God and renounces self-reliance.

Obedience Is Worship

God’s Promise to Abraham: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” —Genesis 17:4-5, NIV

God Tests Abraham’s Faith: “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ ” —Genesis 22:1-2

It is quite amazing that God would ask faithful Abraham to sacrifice Isaac whose birth fulfilled God’s promise to make Abraham the father of nations. “Child Sacrifice of the first-born sons was a common practice among pagan tribes to ensure their land would reap the prosperity of abundant crops” (myjewishlearning.com).

God always tests our faith, and Abraham understood this was a test of faith. Still, the spiritual meaning of God commanding the sacrifice of Isaac was it foreshadowed [an indication of a future event] God sacrificing Jesus, His only Son on Calvary’s Cross. “The story shows how God provided a substitute for Isaac’s sacrifice, just as he would later provide Jesus as a substitute for all of humanity’s sins.”

Abraham’s Response: “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ ” —Genesis 22:4-5, NIV

Abraham’s directive to his servants indicates that he understood God’s requisite of total obedience and one of profound faith. “When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we will have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts.” The defining characteristic of a true believer is Faith in God demonstrated by a life of surrender and obedience.

Scriptures Identifying God, the Father Required Obedience From Jesus

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
“[Christ]…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8).
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus was One with God, yet, when clothed in human flesh, Jesus was never presumptuous and remained devoted to God, the Father, always seeking His will through constant prayer. Even in Gethsemane when Jesus asked His Father to take the cup away, God’s answer was “No, Son,” Jesus obeyed by fulfilling the Plan of Redemption for you and me.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” —John 6:38

Brothers and Sisters, we are too distracted by earthly success and trinkets to reflect deeply on Jesus’ obedient sacrifice to save our souls. Abraham identified obedience as steadfast worship to God, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.” We must have the mind of Christ who always surrendered and obeyed God in His earthly life. Without total surrender to God, we develop a rebellious spirit as Cain did leading to a spiritual separation from God.

Making the commitment to faithfully obey God is to worship Him in spirit and truth. We express gratitude for the mercies of a new day through surrender. Our prayers should ascend to Christ, our Intercessor, and Mediator throughout our waking hours asking for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to recognize God’s Voice.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Worship is a lifestyle of reverencing God. We desperately need the Divine strength and power of the Holy Spirit to stand down our carnal desires and overcome daily temptation. Obedience aligns our hearts with the will of God which is the only way to worship God in spirit and truth.

“The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life, testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour” (Christ’s Object Lessons).

Prayer: Lord God, teach us how to worship You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

God Is Always Faithful!

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional -January 17, 2025

“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

Our God is faithful! Regardless of the adversities, sorrows, or distress we experience in life, God knows and patiently waits for us to come to the Throne of Grace with confidence. Using our mustard seed of faith through daily surrender invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith in God.

Faith requires our active participation. Faith is beyond spoken words. Our willingness to seek God’s will reveals our desire to serve Him with humility and obedience. For those who practice faith every day, when challenges arise, our first response is to pray, wait, and trust Him to give us a victorious outcome.

In Luke chapter 8, Jesus performs four miracles: Calming the stormy sea, casting out demons, healing the woman with the issue of blood, and raising Jairus, the Ruler’s daughter. The Bible was given to reinforce our faith and keep our faith alive and thriving. How can we claim to believe in God if we do not place our complete faith and trust in Him?

“Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But he said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ ” Luke 8:24-25

In 2025, Jesus asks each of us, “Where is your faith?” It’s time for us to renew our covenant, pray, and study the Life of Christ. Yet, we need more than intellectual knowledge to believe that God is always faithful. Every morning, our worship reveals the decision to experience the joy of a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ.

To faithfully follow Jesus Christ is spiritually rewarding. Despite our stormy challenges, we know that our Shepherd will calm the raging vicissitudes of life. No longer are we in the valley of indecision, with courage, we take giant leaps of faith, and trust in our loving Heavenly Father who promises to help us.

“I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).” —John 10:9, Amplified Bible

Living a Christ-centered, Bible-based life is the only way we can be spiritually transformed into faithful disciples. The Scriptures are the Voice of God speaking to every believer. From worshiping God through prayer and the study of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit works His transforming power by strengthening our faith and molding us into disciples who are committed to traveling on the Path of Righteousness with their Lord and Savior.

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

Lord God, we confess that we are not using our gift of faith to believe and trust in You. And we ask forgiveness for doubting Your love and power because we do not know Your Loving Character. Our desire is to follow You. We ask for wisdom as we seek knowledge. Teach us to hear and recognize Your Voice. Thank You for always being faithful. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

The Challenge of Trusting In God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 15, 2025

This year one of the churches I attend is declaring 2025 as a Leap Year for spiritual growth which requires dedication, discipline, and total dependency on God.

The LEAP Year Covenant

This year, I am committing to a life fully devoted to Christ! I am done with empty wishes, hollow resolutions, and vain declarations. This year, I will take a leap.

I will be driven by prayer; fueled by the word; fed by purpose; and clothed in faith. I will be committed, intentional, specific, and focused on my assignment.

I refuse to be the same old person, with the same old thoughts, in the same old place. By the grace of God, I am preparing myself for a leap year in 2025!

On Sunday, 1/12, I excitedly made the covenant with God to live fully devoted to Christ. Today is Wednesday, 1/15, and spiritually things are not going as well as I expected. Yesterday, Google Photos sent a memory reminder that I should have ignored and it triggered memories of yesteryear that were counterproductive.

This morning, I decided to volunteer without praying beforehand and a few hours later, I felt turmoil regarding the situation and asked myself, What were you thinking? So, I prayed and asked God to let the offer fall through. If not, then I will use a new-found courage to rescind my well-meaning but not God-approved offer of my services.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:41

Transparency and honesty are required when we make a covenant to fully surrender and trust God with our lives and then mess up. Self-reliance is often our initial response to appealing offers and activities, but to remain faithful to God, our focus must be on learning His plans for our lives. Love for God reveals itself through humility. Never stay on the detour of disobedience! Acknowledge, confess, repent, and reaffirm your desire to faithfully trust God from that moment forward.

To exclude God is to play the Game of Chance with our lives. We are forewarned not to trust our feelings or understanding. Not only does self-reliance oppose God’s will, but a spirit of disobedience develops, separating us from God, and placing us on the broad path that leads to destruction. Our world is in chaos, and we are living in perilous times, now is not the time to risk losing our future reward of eternal life.

Even the apostle Paul lamented over the inner turmoil of faithfully obeying God: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” (Romans 7:19-20).

“The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.” —Psalm 37:23-24

“The righteous are characterized by their ability to rise after falling. This resilience is rooted in their faith and trust in God, who provides strength and guidance.”

“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

Thankfully, when we fall, our genuine confession and repentance always allow us to receive God’s forgiveness, and Jesus extends His hand of mercy and lifts us up.

“Pray without ceasing” [pray continuously over every aspect of your life] (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
“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 the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).

Lord God, we are in the struggle of internal conflict and external opposition, yet, You are our Safety. We have fallen and repent for the wilful disobedience of excluding You from our lives. We desire to renew our covenant of trusting You in 2025. Hear our petition and empower us with the spiritual strength to let go of self-reliance which is enmity against You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Living Under God’s Divine Protection

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 1, 2025

“So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.” —Luke 4:28-30

Throughout Jesus’ earthly life, the Jewish leaders used various deceptions to attempt to discredit Christ including schemes to kill him, yet they never accomplished their evil desires. Before His fulfillment on Calvary’s Cross, God protected His Son from spiritual warfare and physical harm and danger. Can you imagine enjoying a life filled with peace and no worries despite your challenges from the adversary?

Our natural tendency to embrace self-reliance may give us a feeling of satisfaction, but we set ourselves up for suffering consequences. Perhaps your decision brought the desired outcome, but self-governance separates us from God. Not only do we lose our desire to pray for Divine guidance, but we also detour from the Path of Righteousness to a path of disobedience.

We cannot make a split decision of only trusting God with life’s impossible challenges, our commitment to fully rely on Him also includes praying for guidance in the mundane routine duties of life. From our decision to let go of self-reliance and surrender to God’s will and plans, God rewards us with His Divine blessings of spiritual peace and protection from the adversary.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” —Isaiah 59:19.

Our greatest battle involves the external opposition of spiritual warfare. Satan attacks us through temptations that appeal to our inner desires. God promises to always protect those who love [and obey] Him. John 8:29 is one of my favorite Scriptures. Jesus gives us the answer to living a victorious life—Jesus prayed about everything and stated that He was never alone because He always obeyed His Father’s commands.

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

As Christ received wisdom and strength from God, the Father to overcome temptation and maintain a calm demeanor despite continual opposition, we can also receive spiritual empowerment. When facing opposition, if our first response is prayer then our surrender immediately places us under God’s Divine Protection. Jesus is our Role Model. His life teaches us that trusting God supplies us with continuous joy, peace, strength, and protection, and gives us the courage to live as victorious overcomers.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you” (Isaiah 43:2). We never suffer from apprehension and anxiety when God is involved. Not only does God have a perfect record of resolving humanity’s challenges and protecting us above and beyond our expectations, but our Father always gives completion and total victory over adversity.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14

Pray, Wait, and “Be still.” Asking for God’s intervention is also a test of our faith, God’s timing is never our timing. We patiently wait and thank Him in advance for the victory. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” —Psalm 32:8

How do we recognize the difference between our thoughts versus the Holy Spirit speaking? Our thoughts of resolution can never give us peace. Even with careful planning, we have feelings of doubt because we have no control over the outcome. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways, through the Scriptures, our prayers, and also our thoughts.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” —John 14:27, NLT

When God, the Holy Spirit speaks, receiving Divine answers of wisdom is like a cool breeze that permeates our mind, body, and soul. Just as a parent reassures a fearful child, Divine peace is a God-given spiritual refreshment that exceeds our understanding. You will know God is speaking because the burden is lifted from your spirit and all is well even before the resolution comes.

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

The decision to include God in every aspect of your life reaps wonderful blessings. Jesus, Enoch, Noah, Elijah, and Daniel lived extraordinary lives because they understood that love for God is evidenced by steadfast faith, trust, and perseverance. But most importantly, obedience is our highest form of worship.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” —Ephesians 6:10

When we decide to walk with God as Enoch did, whispering prayers throughout our day, we immediately receive God’s Shield of Protection against all spiritual warfare of temptations, deceptions, and physical harm. Beginning our day with prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom, strength, and courage to keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Stop Taking Risks! In 2025, before making decisions whether in routine activities or facing life-changing vicissitudes, commit to always seeking God’s guidance through prayer. Peace and blessings. Happy New Year!

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…” —1 Timothy 6:12

Lord God, for this New Year, and the abundant blessings of Your love, grace, mercies, and protection, we thank You. We desire to live differently by committing to a spirit of humility, surrender, and obedience. Thank You for Your guidance, wisdom, and protection as we face life’s adversities. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Lord, We Thank You

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – December 27, 2024

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” —John 3:16-17

“For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will…” —Ephesians 1:4-5

The Plan to Redeem humanity was in place before the world was created—God’s Sovereign Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought of Divine Rescue! The Triune God knew that Adam and Eve would fall, but Agape love committed to creating humanity and carrying out the Plan to save our souls. Although God’s Original Plan for humanity was thwarted, Jesus remained steadfast and fulfilled His Father’s requisite of giving His life so we can escape the penalty of sin.

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” —Revelation 14:12

It was on Calvary’s Cross, that Jesus shouted, “It is Finished!” indicating His victory over sin and death. “Through the Incarnation, Christ’s Divinity embraced our humanity, and the eternal God clothed His Divine Essence in human flesh.” Our gratitude must extend beyond spoken words, will we commit ourselves to surrender daily to God?

The spiritual criteria of surrender and faithful obedience to God have always been required to receive Eternal life. Enoch and Elijah demonstrate that with the human effort of seeking God and remaining obedient to His will and plans, we receive the undeniable power of God to live righteously in our earthly lives.

Because of one fallen angel’s rebellion, “sin has brought to this earth unimaginable pain and sorrow. Sin has wreaked indescribable torment and havoc on humanity.” Still, all of heaven remains committed to helping us win the war over sin: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6). Yes and Amen!

Jesus, we thank You for fulfilling the Plan of Redemption. Because of You, we have been rescued from the tragedy of sin, redeemed by Your blood, and received the invitation to be restored through Your infinite righteousness. Thank You, our Triumphant King for serving as our Heavenly Intercessor and presenting us as faultless before God, the Father. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Celebration of Christ Music Videos

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” —Revelation 7:9, NIV

Disclaimer: STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry does not solicit or accept financial donations. Therefore, we do not participate in strategic partnerships or promote other organizations, including Israel for One Ministry. We share the worship videos because they are beautiful, honor God, and bless listeners. The artists and musicians reflect the apostle John’s vision of the harmony of every nation, tribe, people, and language we will enjoy in the New Heaven and New Earth. Peace and Blessings.

Chosen By Christ

Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – December 21, 2024

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.” —Matthew 9:9, NLT.

When reading this verse, we find evidence of true heart conversion by the Holy Spirit. Matthew, the rogue tax collector did not make a spontaneous decision to accept Christ and leave everything when Jesus said, “Follow me.” Day by day, while sitting at his tax table under the shade of the bountiful tree, Matthew heard countless testimonies of Jesus’ healing the sick and preaching messages of hope and salvation.

Matthew’s decision to follow Jesus occurred long before Jesus approached him. Regardless of his wealth and lavish lifestyle, Matthew got up, left everything, surrendered his heart, mind, soul, and character, and committed to the spiritual process of being transformed by Jesus Christ, the Messiah. For his dedication and commitment to Christ, God honored his obedience by granting Matthew the privilege of writing the first book of the New Testament documenting Jesus’ ministry on earth.

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

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16). Jesus tells us, that we did not choose Him, He chose us. If we think of our initial decision to accept Jesus as our Savior, we realize that accepting Christ was a supernatural experience. To bear fruit [Galatians 5:22-23] requires that we abide in Christ through the daily human effort of prayer, surrender, faithful obedience, and study of the Scriptures.

Perhaps, we never understood that we were chosen to follow Christ and have not totally committed to discipleship. God never leaves us without the knowledge we need to come to Him in total surrender. From our desire to fulfill God’s Divine purpose, we strive to obey God’s will and plans for our lives. “Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). When we agree to let go of sinful practices and people, the Third Person of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit performs the lifelong transformation of our character and behaviors to reflect the Righteousness of Christ.

Before Christ comes again, through the Holy Spirit, every human being will receive the opportunity to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Still, we use our God-given free will choice to accept Christ or deny him. If we say yes to Jesus’ invitation then we agree to live a life of surrender and faithful obedience to God’s will by seeking and obeying His precepts and will for our lives.

We were bought with a price, and that price was Jesus’ life. His sacrificial gift on Calvary’s Cross was to offer us an alternative to the price of sin. For the Love, Grace, and Mercies, we receive every day, certainly God deserves our faithful obedience. Today, consecrate yourself and make the covenant to relinquish your will and obey God. In Jesus’ Name, Peace and Blessings!

“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

Lord God, we thank You for choosing us to receive salvation through the gift of Your precious Son, Jesus. We choose to follow Christ and pray for the strength to live consecrated, holy, and acceptable lives. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

© 2024 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

These Are the Times

Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – December 6-7, 2024

“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” —2 Timothy 3:2-5

After studying this important Scripture, we recognize that we are in the perilous times described by the apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy. What is the spiritual progression we can expect? Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 14-16 and 19-22 are the reference points for the prophecies of the End Times of Earth’s History.

With joyful anticipation, we prepare daily for Jesus’ soon coming. We have the Triune God which includes the Holy Spirit, and messenger/guardian angels assigned to all believers who work to prepare us spiritually. Fear should not be part of our mindset when we think of Jesus’ Second Coming.

In Revelation 22:12, Jesus reiterates, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Most importantly, are we making the necessary spiritual changes to prepare for Jesus’ soon return?

As believers, what is our role in preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming?

Acknowledging Our Identity: We belong to God. “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.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Establishing and Maintaining a Personal Relationship with Christ Jesus: Through daily consecration, we seek and surrender to God’s will, serving Him with faithful obedience. Spending much time in prayer and studying the Scriptures strengthens our relationship with Christ and invites the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ—the journey of Sanctification.

Dedicating Our Talents to God: Each person is blessed and gifted with unique talents and given the spiritual assignment to witness the message of Salvation—Jesus Saves! “Intellect is an entrusted talent. Sympathy and affection are talents to be sacredly guarded and improved, that we may render service to Him whose purchased possession we are…we belong to God. Education, discipline, and skill in every area should be used for God.” EGW

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” —2 Peter 1:3

The God-given gifts of faith, love, power, and self-control enable us to renounce temptation. Yet, human effort requires Jesus’ Divine wisdom, discernment, and strength to recognize and overcome Satan’s customized temptations that appeal to our heart’s desires. Because we are created with free will, every day, through prayer, we convey our desire to depend fully on Christ. Our yes to God guarantees us Divine Intervention in our time of need. And when do we not need God?

Serve God with Courage and Perseverance: “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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” —Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV

The apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to being a soldier. Jesus is the Commander of Angel Armies. Angels guard us from unseen spiritual warfare and protect us from physical harm [Psalm 37:4]. We cannot fight evil without Divine Help. Our prayer of surrender signifies our willingness to abide in Christ. And for our humility, the Holy Spirit shields us from deception and guides us continuously on the narrow Path of Righteousness.

God’s Plans Are Perfect and End in Victory: “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 higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

The Believer’s Responsibility: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Yes, love, grace, and mercies are free, yet God expects us to study the Bible for ourselves. It is not enough to hear sermons once a week to sustain our connection to Christ. Do not depend on second-hand knowledge to guide your spiritual journey.

Study the Bible under the teaching of the Holy Spirit by praying for the correct understanding of God’s Truth. We cannot use our thoughts to discern the Holy Scriptures. Knowing for ourselves the attributes of God’s Character and what He expects safeguards us from being deceived by the current practice of “What is Truth? You have your truth and I have my truth.”

Many believers can quote the Scriptures, but intellectual knowledge does not produce converted hearts. Living holy calls for the human effort of applying the word of God to our lives, and invites the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change unrighteous habits and prepare us for life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Pray continuously for God’s guidance. Satan is a stealthy enemy. He does not use easily recognized temptations to compromise our right standing with God. It is the desires of our hearts that he uses to separate us from God. In these perilous times, Satan knows his time is running out, so he often uses familiar people [church members, family, and friends living double lives] who still practice worldly habits to tempt us into compromising our commitment to God.

“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus].” —Matthew 7:15-16, AMP

The people in our inner circle can significantly influence us to compromise God’s righteous morals and values. The goal of Compromised Christianity is to pull us into accepting blended doctrines that are not Biblically sound. Studying the Bible also teaches us when to remain silent and let God fight our battle against spiritual warfare.

Two years ago, I was talking to a family member who has always been a devout Christian, the conversation was going well until he stated, “Did you know that…?” I was shocked by the content of his self-made theory. Not only was this a temptation to debate, but also Satan’s attempt to influence me to accept human doctrines above the Holy Scriptures. I remained silent, he changed the subject, and that was our last conversation.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].” —James 1:22, Amplified Bible

“Unbelieving Believers” wholeheartedly believe God exists, but do not have the desire to fully renounce sinful habits, behaviors, and lifestyles. They will listen to the Truth, but never incorporate the Word of God into their lives. They hear weekly sermons but satisfy their curiosity by seeking human-made philosophies and the hidden mysteries of life that steer us away from God’s Truth.

Spiritual Growth and Development is Continuous: As a believer, “I can come to Jesus just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.” Christ created us to reach our highest spiritual and intellectual potential under His Divine guidance. Every day, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we can progress step by step in our Christian journey.

We should be concerned if we are still thinking and practicing the same level of Christianity as we did a year ago. It took Jesus’ disciples three years to experience spiritual transformation, yet in John 17 Jesus prayed that He completed His spiritual assignment—eleven of His disciples experienced spiritual transformation.

If we remain steadfast, we will also gain a deeper experience with Christ. When worship becomes our lifestyle, our automatic response is to honor and connect with God through praise, singing, Bible study, and prayer. Faithful obedience is the spiritual gateway to receiving spiritual growth—the Holy Spirit empowers our thoughts, and decisions, and changes our character to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit—the Character of Christ.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8

Achieving and reaching our fullest potential is in our DNA, therefore, we have an inner drive to pursue knowledge. God’s priority in our quest for knowledge is to study the Scriptures, as spiritual growth only happens through the word of God. We can read books by Christian authors, listen to sermons, and watch social media posts, still, the Bible is the Spiritual Mirror that reveals our true spiritual status.

Believer Alert: If we fail to study, Satan will provide alternatives that separate us from God. Screen time is one of his most effective tools that few fail to resist. To satisfy our innate drive to acquire knowledge, we will embrace erroneous concepts of fantasy, immorality, and unrealistic goals of success portrayed in movies [especially children’s movies], digital animation, games, and other activities that appear to be innocent fun, but prepare our minds to embrace worldviews, demonic themes, and imaginary creatures which oppose righteousness.

Self-healing, gateways to other dimensions, maintaining a constant level of euphoria by drinking mushroom teas, and attempting to manifest blessings have infiltrated the church. We must be intentional with our efforts to avoid the trap of “intriguing minds want to know” articles, programs, and movies that are not Biblical.

Once we have exposed our senses and neural pathways to secular philosophies, our frontal lobe easily retains deceitful information over the Scriptures and then the internal war rages. In these times, Satan targets the church-goers who half-heartedly serve God. Failure to obey God is the open door that allows the enemy to enter and manipulate our minds and take over our lives. Persuasion is easily accomplished with those who hear the Truth, but their hearts remain unconverted and uncommitted.

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Now is the time to rearrange our schedules to include diligent Bible study. Jesus foretold the times we are living in and gave us instructions on how to overcome them. The Sovereign Thoughts of God were given to humanity and written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Scriptures reveal the Beginning to the End according to the Omnipotent and Faithful Triune God—God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.

“Fight the good fight of faith…” (1 Timothy 6:12). “This verse encourages believers to actively stand firm in their faith, even when facing challenges.” We cannot win the spiritual battle against Satan who desires us to lose our Crown of Life. Trust and obey God by standing down temptation. In the Strength of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, we must persevere and remain committed to righteousness.

The Armor of God: “… In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” —Ephesians 6:16-17

Stay alert! From dedicating ourselves to God’s perfect plans, the Holy Spirit performs daily spiritual growth and development. Time is quickly passing, the minutes have become months and the months have evolved into years gone by. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Bible Study: Ephesians 6:10-20

Lord God, we thank You for the Sword of the Spirit, Your Holy Scriptures which are the One Truth. We ask for spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment to shield us from the deception of the evil one. Bless us this Sabbath with peace, joy, and the courage to surrender and obey in these perilous times. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Sermon – Get Out of the Boat – Pastor Carlton P. Byrd

Can We Live As Overcomers? Yes!

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional -November 30, 2024

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

We inherited hearts that naturally gravitate toward fulfilling our desires. Every day, we must decide to use our faith to surrender to God. By accepting God’s will, we agree to abide in Christ and enter a Covenant of Obedience. From our yes, we vow to trust and obey. From our prayer of surrender, we receive Jesus’ Divine strength via the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live holy, and yes, our faith and obedience will be tested through many temptations [mostly arising from our heart’s desires].

“Paul’s sanctification was a daily conflict with himself. He said, ‘I die daily’ (1 Corinthians 15:31). His will and desires daily conflicted with duty and the will of God. In the plan of not following inclination, he did the will of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature.” Although many commentaries refer to Paul’s statement of “I die daily” as his impending physical death, the apostle is speaking of a spiritual sense of dying daily to sin.

“I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Every soul must battle against inclination. Christ came not to save men in their sins but from their sins. He has made it possible for us to possess a holy character; do not, then, be content with [character] defects and deformities. But while we are to seek earnestly for perfection of character, we must remember that Sanctification is not the work of a moment, but of a lifetime. Paul said, Day by day the work of overcoming must go forward. Every day we are to resist temptation and gain the victory over selfishness in all its forms. Looking for a Daily Victory, EGW Estate, Sharing the Vision

Yes, we are covered by Grace, still, true religion is not one in which we do nothing. Our responsibility is to surrender to God and strive for holiness by renouncing sin when tempted. The secret to living victoriously requires the daily consecration of our intellect and faith to Christ, our Redeemer. We live in spiritually dangerous times [2 Timothy 3], and praying twice daily is insufficient to maintain our connection to the Power of God.

“…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” —Matthew 28:20

Jesus knows that our struggle to renounce our desires and sinful pleasures could not be accomplished without His Divine Intervention, therefore, “He promises to be with His followers every moment of every day, until the end of the present age.”

“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

What does it mean to abide in Christ? Total surrender and diligently studying the Bible to learn God’s Righteous Character, Commandments, and Precepts. Living holy requires more than intellectual knowledge, our hearts must be converted. With determination, we pray for the spiritual strength to stand down sin!

This is the well-kept secret in the Christian Community, abiding in Christ requires accepting God’s will over our will, desires, and plans. And that’s not all, striving to live holy requires the always present faith-building tests of loyalty to God. Temptation is powerful! Never think too highly of yourself by trusting your instincts. The human intellect is in a lose-lose situation against Satan. Without Divine wisdom and discernment, we are guaranteed to fall.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” —James 1:5, NIV

To overcome Satan’s covert temptations, we desperately need Godly wisdom and discernment. Pray daily for wisdom. It’s vital to stay close to God and learn His Divine prompts. When tempted, the Holy Spirit intervenes by alerting us, and we lose our inner peace. Feeling uneasy is God’s Divine Protection.

When tempted and in spiritual or physical danger, we realize that something is not right! Make a prayer of faith your first response, ask Jesus, the Commander of Angel Armies to send angelic protection. Yes, heavenly angels fight spiritual warfare and protect us from physical danger [Psalms 34 and 91]. Immediately leave the situation! Do not attempt to use strategies, remain silent, and place all your faith in God who gives us the courage to walk away.

The human effort of staying close to Christ requires much prayer and learning to hear the Voice of God. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures and our thoughts. The Christian journey is rugged, but we have Divine Help from the Triune God and the heavenly angels. Are we ready to live a sacrificial life?

“…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5

Consecrating oneself to God may result in walking alone [without support from family and friends]. If feeling alone, ask God to reveal your spiritual assignment. Helping those in need redirects our focus from ourselves. Do not give credence to your feelings—our feelings are unreliable. Strive to live a consecrated life, the reward [Revelation 21-22] is worth all sacrifices.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” —Jude 24-25

Every day, we bow before the Throne of Grace thanking Jesus for His commitment to fulfill the Plan of Redemption. This earthly life is not the end for the righteous! Tell yourself, “I am going to receive my Crown of Life! Amen.” Pray and ask God to reveal what you must do to live as a victorious overcomer, indicating your willingness to actively participate in your spiritual journey of Sanctification.

Communicate with God through prayer several times a day. Dedicate more time to studying the Bible. Let go of the hindrances of compromising habits, unrighteous behaviors, and people who have no desire to receive Eternal Life. There is no other way to build your faith in God but to acquiesce to His Sovereignty by following His plans. Victory over sin through Christ defines the Overcomer’s life!

Our Reward: Jesus proclaims, “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). Yes, and Amen!

Lord God, we desire Eternal Life and ask You to reveal every sin and character defect that prevents us from receiving our Crown of Life at the Second Coming of Jesus. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.