christianity – Page 9 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Feeling Like An Outsider? Fulfill Your Divine Purpose

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 27, 2024

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —1 John 2:15

When we fully surrender to God and consecrate ourselves to live as dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, our mindset and priorities must change to become Christ-like. Yes, the line of separation between righteousness and sinfulness, God’s Biblical view, and the Worldviews, and our relationships with family, and friends grows wider. The converted Christian believer who desires eternal life cannot participate in worldly relationships, conversations, and activities “just to fit in.”

Spiritual Guidelines for Christian Believers

“Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.” —2 Timothy 2:4

“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” 2 Timothy 2:23-24

In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy [who he was mentoring to be a pastor], Paul advises him to perceive the Christian’s role as soldiers in the Army of God who live to please God. Right standing with God excludes us from most conversations our coworkers initiate and participate in. Discussions to avoid: Political, prejudices, biased opinions, “it is their fault” when referring to socioeconomic status, abortion, alternative lifestyles, and child-rearing practices. Step away from conflict with silence.

Last week, I chatted with one of the delivery drivers who expressed that although his goal is to avoid conflict, his circle of friends love controversy and attempt to coerce him into participating in their rowdy conversations. I told him there are two ways to avoid feeling pressured into verbal sparring. He asked me to explain, “The best option is to remain silent! If asked, “What do you have to say?” respond with this answer, “Nothing.” The second option is to change his social circle.

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

The Christian believer must uphold Righteous standards. Accepting Christ as our personal Savior changes our motives, desires, mindset, character, and personality. We were created to fulfill a higher purpose that requires a steadfast relationship with Christ. Our love and loyalty belong to God; therefore, we should avoid conflict, reject the world’s focus on success and financial wealth, and not support sinful lifestyles.

Many believers who dedicate themselves to God by consistently studying the Bible and praying for Divine guidance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit will experience separation and loneliness. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

In studying the life of Christ, we find that He was rejected and hated by the Jewish leaders who controlled the people through fear and manipulation. In fact, the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] give us the historical account of Christ’s earthly life. Not only did the Pharisees and Sadducees consistently challenge Jesus, they sent spies to monitor His activities, and constantly planned ways to cause His death. Yet, God, the Father sent angels to protect His Son from harm’s way and Jesus completed His God-given earthly journey.

“Jesus got up early in the morning, left the house, and went out to a secluded place to pray.” —Mark 1:35

Although Jesus had 12 disciples, the Scriptures portray Him as spending much time alone in prayer with God, Jesus proclaimed, “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). Jesus describes His earthly life as “A Man of Sorrows.” Still, He fulfilled God, the Father’s Spiritual Assignment—to complete the Plan of Redemption and now sits on the Right Hand of God, the Father as our Triumphant King! Hallelujah and Amen!

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:10-11, Amplified Bible

To serve God fully, we must walk our Chosen Path with steadfast faith, courage, and perseverance. Pray and ask God to reveal your spiritual purpose. Walk in humility and boldness in your Divine Purpose. We must never let Satan’s deceptive strategy of using familiar people deceive us into living a life of compromise.

“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

With courage, we pray to stand down Satan’s continuous temptations of compromise to have relationships with unbelievers who do not desire the reward of eternal life. Our strength is from Jesus and given by the Holy Spirit to every believer who asks. We receive strength by accepting Jesus’ invitation to approach His throne of grace in our time of need.

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’ ” —2 Corinthians 6:17

Every day, tell yourself, “I am here because of the will of God. If I do not fit in with others it is God’s purpose that I do not because I have been set aside to fulfill His Divine purpose.”

The Light of Christ has nothing in common with darkness. Our relationship with Christ is a personal one-to-one relationship and is our priority! We use silence as Jesus did when facing His accusers. Every believer should have knowledge of Christ’s earthly life. Every day, study the Bible. The Scriptures are God speaking to us. Our prayers express our innermost secrets to God. Prayer is our greatest weapon and keeps us connected to God.

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

Christ created us to live a life of excellence. If we ask God for His wisdom the Holy Spirit empowers us with Christ’s wisdom to develop our spiritual gifts and natural talents. Fight loneliness through prayer, study the Scriptures, witness by telling strangers, “Jesus loves you, and spend time in nature.

The Christian’s goal is, “I am going to heaven!” We desperately require Divine Intervention to overcome our desires and avoid confrontations that oppose God’s will. Adopt Jesus’ habit by separating yourself daily to pray for the Supernatural strength to live holy. Pray for discernment. Let the Holy Spirit guide you when to speak. Pray fervently before accepting friendships or choosing a spouse.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’ ” —Matthew 7:21

“…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” —1 Samuel 16:7

Our earthly relationships impact our spiritual standing with Christ. Let God [who examines every human heart] choose your relationships. Our lives are a continuous struggle that requires people dedicated to God who will pray for and with us, and tell us in love when we are outside God’s perfect will. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

When we truly commit to loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, Jesus becomes our Best Friend. Fulfill your spiritual purpose for which you will receive the Crown of Life. Our ultimate goal is to receive our Heavenly reward of eternal life. The New Heaven and New Earth will be our Forever Home.

Yes, to live with Christ in a perfect world filled with Agape love and forever friends is worth the sacrificial offering of our lives to God. Daily, affirm your allegiance to God! Only what we do for Him will be rewarded in the end. Yes and Amen! Peace and Blessings.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” —Revelation 22:12-14

Moving Forward By Gaining the Victory Over Our Past

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 25, 2024

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.” —Isaiah 43:18, NKJV

The New Living Translation tells us, “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18). Our lives involve many past negative experiences that Satan uses to keep us from loving God and believing in His Healing Power. From studying the Bible, we learn that God is Love and His priority is humanity whon Christ created in His image.

Would God command us to forget our past if it was not possible? Absolutely not! To forget the past, we replace those thoughts [yes, it is our reality] with God’s promise: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Reflection: Perform a self-examination of your current emotional state. If you are nurturing anger, bitterness, and resentment which are the thorny fruits of unforgiveness [toward others or yourself] then you have chosen to travel a path that does not include God nor invites Him to give you a new life of victory. God will not coerce us to forgive or to let go of our past, but God, the Holy Spirit cannot live within an unclean vessel filled with the darkness of an unforgiving spirit.

Moving Forward: “What is God’s purpose for my life?” and “Am I prepared to begin my new life in Christ by forgiving others and myself?” are the key questions to gaining victory over your past through Jesus Christ.

To embrace God’s promise of doing something new in our lives is a conscious decision that requires us to take the first step toward God. We must desire a new beginning. Yes, we may have suffered and been victimized by others or made many past mistakes and now face the consequences of those choices, yet, Jesus loves us and desires to restart our lives.

We must question the status of our faith in God, is it steadfast or wavering?: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Do we believe that God is All-Powerful? Then we pray for strength and courage to use our mustard seed faith to embrace our new lives.

“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ ” —John 5:6

We use our faith, even if it is weak to pray an honest prayer, God knows the true condition of our hearts. Our prayer of faith invites Jesus to heal us. Jesus does not heal us in stages—from our prayer of faith, we are immediately made well spiritually, mentally, and emotionally which also includes the gift of inner peace. Pray the simple but powerful prayer to be released from the imprisonment of your past and all unforgiveness. Our prayer of asking for Divine Help reconnects us to God who breaks the chains of our past by setting us free.

Prayer: “God, my faith is weak and I do not know how to forget my past nor do I know my purpose. Please forgive me for hatred toward those who hurt me. I forgive those who hurt me and I forgive myself for making negative decisions. Lord, I desperately need Your help. I ask You to reveal my spiritual gifts and talents and teach me how to use them to bring honor to Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”

Some individuals may require therapeutic intervention to learn how to replace negative behaviors with positive and productive strategies, yet humans cannot heal each other. Our cooperation with the Divine power of God gives us spiritual healing and victory over our past. We stay near to God through much prayer and consistent daily study of the Scriptures.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18, NASB

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’ ” (Matthew 11:28-30).

God promises to heal our brokenness which encompasses all of our mental and emotional challenges. We must possess a sound mind to enjoy a productive life, spiritual growth, and transformation to experience a healthy, thriving relationship with Jesus Christ and others.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Love God by thanking Him for today’s mercies of life. Our decisions should reflect God’s goodness for the mercies of the given day. If you must think about the past then it should be on the countless ways that God delivered you from complete devastation.

A new life in Christ begins with total dependence on God. Surrender is our gift of gratitude to God who guides us day by day. Our new lives can be compared to building a house. Christ is the foundation of our faith relationship with God. From our surrender, the Holy Spirit defines and teaches us how to incorporate the building blocks of faith, trust, and obedience to solidify our relationship with Christ.

Jesus also lived a purpose-driven life on this earth. His Divine earthly purpose: To preach, heal, and give us freedom from the wages of sin by dying on Calvary’s Cross. “Isaiah, the Hebrew prophet, lived about 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. The Book of Isaiah contains many prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus, which were made over 700 years before his birth.”

Proof that God uses ordinary people to proclaim His Greatness: The prophet Isaiah was given the prophetic purpose of Jesus Christ, the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” (Isaiah 61:1).

In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus revealed His Earthly Purpose: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18).

“Jesus’ earthly purpose was to fulfill God’s will for humanity and to show the world how to live a life that reflects God’s perfection.”

The Radical Change of Saul’s Calling and Conversion to the Apostle Paul

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 6 ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ ” (Acts 9:1-2).

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26

Saul of Tarsus who persecuted the early Christian believers reveals that despite our past sins, habits, and atrocities when we accept Christ’s invitation to become our Savior, God forgives and forgets our past experiences and sins. Saul caused much havoc in the lives of the early Christians who ended up in jail and executed. If Saul did not believe in God’s forgiveness and healing power, guilt and defeat would have crippled his mind and kept him from fulfilling God’s divine purpose.

With Divine Power, Jesus Christ transformed treacherous Saul into the apostle Paul who started the early Christian churches and wrote most of the New Testament under the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to cleanse us from all sinful unrighteousness, transform us with His righteousness, and reveal our God-given spiritual assignment to spread the message of His Love and soon coming.

You Are Chosen: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” —John 15:16

Through the Holy Spirit, you and I were chosen by Jesus to be His disciples and to witness His love, kindness, and compassion through our actions and spoken words. Our demeanor and interactions proclaim Jesus is Love and the Lord of our lives. Jesus chose the time and era you would be born and gave you a measure of faith, power, love, a sound mind (self-control), spiritual gifts, and natural talents.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

We are never alone! Throughout the Bible, we find that God patiently guides us by moving us forward one step at a time. If we devote ourselves to God then Jesus holds us in His Righteous right hand and guides us on the Chosen path which always leads to victory. When we know God’s Loving Character and His promises found in the Scriptures, we willingly place our lives in His hands as He leads us into our Divine purpose—to live victoriously on earth and with Him for eternity.

Lord God, we desire to move forward from our past and ask for Your Divine guidance, strength, and wisdom as we travel on the chosen path You have designed for us. Lord, give us courage as we use our faith to believe in Your promises to take care of us. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

Winning the War: Obedience vs. Disobedience to God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 23, 2024

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” —James 4:7

We were born into a spiritual war that we cannot win without the Divine Help of the Triune God—God, the Father, Jesus Christ, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Not only do we face an internal war of our will versus God’s will, and our desires versus God’s perfect plans, but we also have an external enemy, Satan who is in a tug of war with Jesus Christ for our souls.

God’s Warning: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness…’ ” —Hebrews 3:7-8

Let’s explore the Biblical history of humanity’s rebellion against God: Our parents Adam and Eve desired to have more than the God-given perfect and abundant life in the Garden of Eden; Cain, their firstborn son despised obedience to God and demonstrated his rebellion by giving God his version of the required sacrifice and when it was rejected, he killed Abel, his only brother.

Continuous Rebellion: The enslaved Israelites who cried out for deliverance and God removed them from their Egyptian oppressors by parting the Red Sea continued to practice idol worship along with their ceremonial sacrifices to God. The Israelites remained in the wilderness for 40 years due to their loyalty to pagan gods and abject disobedience to God’s Commandments.

A common false belief remains in the Christian community: God’s mercies never end. Biblical history proves that God’s mercies do end. God’s Response and Judgment for the Disobedient Israelites: “Of all those I rescued from Egypt, no one who is twenty years old or older will ever see the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for they have not obeyed me wholeheartedly” (Numbers 32:11, NLT). Sadly, Moses and Aaron also lost their rights to enter Canaan.

God’s Judgment for Moses and Aaron: God told Moses and Aaron that they would not enter the Promised Land because they did not show faith in him: “Because you did not show faith in me by sanctifying me in the sight of Israel’s children, therefore you shall not bring this community to the land that I have given them” (Numbers 20:12).

Before we decide that God was harsh, here is the rest of the story. Something occurred in the minds of the wayward Israelites, they elevated Moses by worshiping him instead of God. And yes, Moses knew the people esteemed him over God but did nothing to inhibit their praise of him. Many believers also worship their pastors and church leaders by assimilating every spoken word as God’s Truth instead of studying the Bible for themselves under the teaching of the Holy Spirit to compare the sermons to the Holy Scriptures.

Numbers 20:7-11—Moses’ Error at Kadesh

“Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 ‘Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.’ “

“9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, ‘Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?’ 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”

Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land for two reasons: Disobedience by striking the rock and Dishonoring the Almighty God by stating, “Must we [referring to himself and Aaron] bring you water out of this rock?” Moses and Aaron could never produce water from a rock without the power of God. “…What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45, NLT).

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

The Prevalent Sin of Accepting Praise: Never let people distract you from thanking God, the Giver of all good things. Our talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts are God-given. When we elevate ourselves above God by not giving Him the honor when others praise us, we take credit for our accomplishments which feeds our carnal nature of pride and dishonors God.

Humanity’s External War: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

Has God given us more than we can bear? Is it possible to overcome temptation and live holy? Yes, it is possible to obey God. We choose to rebel against God. When we sin, it is not spontaneous, we decide before the temptation to sin against God. No one including our archenemy Satan can coerce or force us to sin. In response to our prayers for help, God has promised to give us spiritual strength, but we must cooperate with divinity by saying, “No” to our inner desires and the presenting temptation.

Satan’s Greatest Deception for 21st Century Christians: “Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, AMP).

The Compromise: Yesterday, I read a post that stated, “Well, Jesus would hang out with sinners” to justify the relationships of believers with unbelievers and to socialize with those who do not acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of their lives.

“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).

Jesus came to this Earth to complete the Plan of Redemption required to save our souls. For the believers with converted hearts who pray and study the Scriptures, we know Jesus’ Divine purpose when He lived on this earth. His witness was to share that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and through grace, all could be saved who accepted Him.

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” —John 17:16

“Christians should not follow the world’s values, beliefs, and actions. Instead, they should follow Christ’s word, represent his kingdom, and show the Father’s love and kindness.”

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts a good character.’ ” —1 Corinthians 15:33

Cause: When we do not accept a person for who they really are and think they have the potential to rise above their sinful character traits, habits, and lifestyle [without accepting Christ as their personal Savior], we attempt to change them which is impossible. Effect: When they never reach our expectations (based on our imaginary feelings), we get upset because we think they owe us something.

Pay attention, listen, and accept people for who they really are. If they have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and do not strive to live holy, how can they help you in your spiritual walk with God? Every day, we stand at the Crossroads of Choosing God or Satan—Obedience or the Disobedience of Rebellion against God. If we choose to remain in an unholy relationship, sadly, the one who compromises and changes is the believer who was once dedicated and loyal to God.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” —John 3:17-18

“For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.” —Proverbs 24:16

Gifted with the free will of choice, we choose our destiny. Either we surrender in faithful obedience to the will of God, pray to be forgiven of our sins, and strive to live holy with the strength of Christ or we condemn ourselves by giving into the internal desires of our hearts and the external pleasures offered by Satan.

Jesus’ Surrender to God, the Father: “And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’ ” —Matthew 26:39, AMP

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to God, the Father for an alternative to the suffering and cruel death of dying on Calvary’s cross, but God said “No” to His beloved Son. For Jesus’ obedience, He Arose from the chains of death and sits on the throne at the Right Hand of God, the Father, still, He is always interceding for fallen humanity—the righteous and covers us with His Grace, Mercies, and Righteousness.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” —Revelation 22:12-13

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” —Revelation 22:14

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for following our heart’s desires and the temptations that easily make us fall into the rebellion of disobedience when we exclude you from our lives. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and anoint us with Your Divine strength to live as obedient overcomers. Lord, teach us how to live holy. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

“My Help Comes from God!”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 22, 2024

The Divine Invitation: “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

Through faith, we reach out to Christ in prayer asking for His Divine Help. When we pray continuously, the threads of our brokenness, fears, and anxieties are spiritually wrapped in Jesus’ love. We experience a transformation into a true believer whose faith in God grows stronger producing a spirit of courage, contentment, and total reliance on God.

“…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” —2 Corinthians 12:9

Prayer is our lifeline to heaven. In faith, we accept Christ’s invitation to come to His throne of grace. Our faith is rewarded and we become the recipients of Christ’s strength given to us by the Holy Spirit. If in peaceful times, we develop a daily life of prayer [Daniel prayed at least three times a day] when facing unexpected challenges, our first immediate response is prayer.

Reverently, we petition Christ, our Intercessor who promises, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). In His earthly life, Jesus had twelve disciples whose beliefs included pagan fallacies. The story of Jesus walking on water is told in the Bible in Matthew 14:22-33:

Jesus walks on the lake: The disciples are being battered by waves.
The disciples are afraid: The disciples are terrified and think Jesus is a ghost.
Jesus calms the disciples: Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

“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

We have a Savior who sacrificed His all for us. Jesus knows that we can do nothing without Him. The challenges you face are not greater than God’s Perfect Love and Sovereign Power, decide to put your full trust in Christ. With steadfast faith proclaim, “I know that Christ is in this battle with me, and He always wins!”

Our faith should be expressed in spoken words. Every day, tell yourself, “My help comes from God!” Speak the righteous promises of Christ over your life, not only will you become dependent on Him, but your faith will flourish like grapes on a vine. Reliance on Christ produces a spirit of peace within that no storm can destroy.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

Lord God, we give You honor and praise thanking You for Your abundant love, grace, and mercies. We desire to rely completely on You and ask for Your Divine Intervention and strength. Give us direction and peace in our stormy seasons of life. We pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing, power, and presence. Teach us to hear Your voice. We ask this prayer in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus. Amen.

Never Give Up!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 21, 2024

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” —Hebrews 13:5

With Christ as our Intercessor who receives our prayers from the Holy Spirit and presents our prayers to God, the Father, we should never become discouraged. There are numerous reasons why we experience a sense of discontent when encountering adversity, still, the primary reason is our lack of faith in God because we do not know or understand God’s character due to our failure to study the Scriptures.

The Plight of Humanity: “All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” —Isaiah 40:6-8

God loves us! We are the only living beings created in His Divine image. Yes, Jesus gifted us with faith, love, the power to resist sin, and a sound mind, but God knows we mortals desperately need Him. We were not created to live without His Divine Intervention. Sadly, because many have embraced the worldview of self-reliance, our dependency on God and our relationship with Jesus Christ has been placed on hold.

Thinking our thoughts is the gateway to making decisions that oppose God’s will and plans for our lives. The exclusion of God as our Refuge produces anxiety and worry. We do not have to live a stressful life suffering consequences and miss out on the joy and peace that arise from knowing our Heavenly Father has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

God Reminds Us of His Sovereign Power: “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things…” (Isaiah 40:25-26).

Studying the Bible gives us intellectual knowledge of God yet intellectual knowledge does not strengthen our faith and trust in God. Deep within our hearts, we must believe that God loves us and He is Yahweh Yireh, our Provider. Because the human heart strives to pursue its’ desires, God allows us to travel down the road of adversity to redirect our focus to Him.

King Solomon instructed: “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).

Trusting and obeying God gives us the courage and confidence to know that God always keeps his promises. Always placing God first will keep you aligned with His plans for your life and on the Path of Righteousness. Where do you and I stand? Do we really trust in God with all of our hearts?

“Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart…” —Luke 18:1

Pray for strength! Never Give Up! Pray, pray, pray! Prayer for Divine help and guidance requires humility. To surrender daily to God acknowledges that Jesus is Lord of our life! Prayer acknowledges that God is Sovereign and we trust Him implicitly with every aspect of our lives.

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

The same Loving and Powerful God who parted the Red Sea to save the Israelites from their oppressors sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness and fed the five thousand-plus multitudes with five loaves and two fish is the same All-Knowing and Powerful God who proclaims, “I change not!” With every righteous thought, action, and divine intervention, God glorifies and honors Himself and rescues those who trust Him.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:17-19).

Bible Study: Psalm 34

God is our Father, Protector, and Provider. All praise, glory, and honor to His Holy and Righteous Name! Amen.

The Holy Spirit’s Influence

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 20, 2024

Jesus’ Promise to All Believers: “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” —John 14:15-18

The Role of the Holy Spirit [Helper and Teacher]: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” —John 14:25-26

How can we receive the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit?

“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. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” —James 1:5-8, NIV

Daily expressions of faith, surrender, and obedience to God are the requisites for receiving godly wisdom. To understand the Holy Scriptures requires spiritual wisdom. Always pray and ask for wisdom before studying the Bible. Decision-making even in the routine matters of life can produce consequences when we fail to include God.

To receive God’s perfect plans for your life, pray, and “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14). We do not have to be participants in the Game of Chance with our lives. Faith proclaims I trust in God! Therefore, I submit my will to His perfect will because He is God!

“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

Jesus Christ, God, the Son demonstrated His ultimate love to God, the Father by dying a criminal’s death on Calvary to save our souls from the wages of sin. And for His obedience and sacrifice, Jesus, our Triumphant King sits at the right hand of God, the Father. King Jesus is the Commander of angel armies, and our Heavenly Intercessor who receives all prayers through the Holy Spirit [Romans 8:26-27].

Is it possible for us to live a holy and obedient life? Throughout the Bible, we find that God requires obedience to receive His divine intervention and blessings in our lives. Joshua, Enoch, Joseph, Rahab, Abraham, Esther, Daniel, and the apostles John and Paul are examples of steadfast believers who loved God and were loyal to Him through faithful obedience.

Yes, God honored and blessed the faithful because of their steadfast loyalty, and they will receive their Crown of Life when Jesus comes again. The Holy Spirit who imparted Jesus’ strength to believers in ancient times is the same powerful Holy Spirit who waits for us to surrender fully to God, the Father. Every day, we use our free will to decide whether to submit to God’s Sovereign Authority or live as we desire.

“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

For most Christian believers, the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Still, the apostle Paul explains and emphasizes that honoring God with steadfast faithful obedience is required for the Holy Spirit to remain within us. The missing element in most sermons is obedience to God. Obedience is our highest form of worship to God.

Reflection: Can you imagine never suffering consequences again? Jesus demonstrated in His earthly life that we can live a consecrated and obedient life. Ask yourself, Does my lifestyle reveal that Jesus is the Lord of my life? Praying daily for spiritual wisdom and guidance is the only way we can be influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Our Duty to God: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.’ ” —John 14:23-24

The Holy Spirit is our greatest gift from God, the Father. If we invite God into our lives daily through prayer and study of His Holy Word [the Bible] we will live a peaceful and productive life despite our circumstances. Praying for God’s guidance leads us to live our best life, demonstrates our faith and trust in His love and omnipotence, and prepares us for our life of love, loyalty, and obedience to King Jesus in the New Heaven and New Earth.

The Gift of His Peace: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14:25-27

Lord God, we thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We ask You to give us direction in every aspect of our lives. Protect us from the evil one who desires to separate us from You. We give You the honor and the glory and thank You for loving us. In Jesus’ Holy and Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Agree with God and Live in Peace

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 17, 2024

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” —John 14:27

The Holy Spirit imparts the righteous attributes of Christ in us when we surrender our will to God. “Being a believer in Jesus is something that we do, and this is expressed in how we live and not just in a set of beliefs.” Our thoughts, spoken words, decisions, and actions reflect that we are children of God.

“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, NIV

Through continuous prayer in Jesus’ earthly life, He surrendered himself daily to God, the Father. Jesus always possessed overwhelming love for God and His love was reflected through surrender and faithful obedience. Christ is our perfect example of how we must live every day by communing with God through prayer.

Daily surrender has its benefits. Prayer is the gateway to receive God’s guidance and protection from spiritual warfare and physical harm. The surrendered believer who faithfully seeks God’s guidance is blessed with joy, peace, and a life without suffering consequences. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive spiritual wisdom, Jesus’ Divine strength to live holy, and the power to overcome sin.

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” —Genesis 1:1-2

“The Holy Spirit is the Breath of Life in the Soul.” Although manifested on the day of Pentecost, the Scriptures clarify that God, the Holy Spirit was present with God, the Father, and God, Jesus the Son before this earth was created. Although this is a mystery to our human minds, we use our faith to believe in the sovereignty and omnipotence of the Holy Scriptures which are the Voice of God.

Surrender and faithful obedience invite the presence of God into our lives and indicate that we agree with His purpose and plans for our lives. Never forget that God’s ultimate goal is to save our souls, give us eternal life, and possess a spirit of peace even though we face temptations and severe trials. God’s love prompted Him to give His only Son so we can be redeemed and not suffer the final death which is the penalty for sin. And for this, we owe God our love and loyalty expressed through our sacrificial gift of ourselves to His Will and Way.

Prayer: Lord God today we come into agreement with You by surrendering ourselves to Your will, purpose, and plans for our lives. We ask for the forgiveness of our sins and to strengthen us in our weaknesses. As we seek You through prayer and study of the Scriptures, Lord, we ask You for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit to guide us through life’s tumultuous journey. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.” —2 Thessalonians 3:3, Amplified Bible

The Call to Live Holy

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 16, 2024

The era of compromise and middle-ground Christianity has escalated to an all-time high in the Christian community. Although the lines between God’s Truth and false doctrines appear to be blurred, God says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

From studying the Scriptures, we learn the attributes of God’s Righteous Character and His expectations of all believers. Although I could write words of wisdom explaining the daily surrender and faithful obedience required to serve God, God speaks for Himself in the Scriptures.

“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 ‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” —Isaiah 1:16-18, NIV

The Freewill Choice is Ours to Make: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15

The Nation of Israel worshiped pagan idols and made sacrificial offerings to God as commanded, but God exposed them by instructing Joshua to openly present their unfaithfulness to God. You and I must also make a choice, either we will strive for holiness with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, or live according to our desires and inclinations.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” —James 1:12

Lord God, we choose You and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, empower us with strength from the Holy Spirit, and teach us how to live holy. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Guard Your Faith in God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 7, 2024

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16-17

“The Greek word translated as ‘breathed out’ in this verse is theopneustos. This means that Scripture is the very speech of God, and that God is the source of what is recorded in the Bible. The Holy Spirit used human authors to write what God revealed.”

The Holy Bible was breathed from the Voice of God and the Holy Words were given to righteous men for Christian believers. The Scriptures define God’s Loving Character, the Creation Story, gives us the history of Divine Intervention, and Jesus’ harsh earthly life, and we also receive guidance on how to live righteously.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus reveals the end of the Great Controversy between Good and Evil. Every believer will receive eternal life if they choose to serve [surrender and faithfully obey God’s will] in their earthly lives.

“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

Although Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, the highest angel who resided in the presence of God is more powerful than humanity, we cannot be forced to sin against God! How do we guard our faith? Through much prayer! The awakening to the mercies of a new day is our opportunity to give gratitude to God by inviting Jesus to work on our hearts. From our daily prayer of surrender and obedience, we receive strength from Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

God’s Promise: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

Christ’s Invitation: “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).

Jesus Christ is our Heavenly Intercessor. To guard our faith, we must admit our continuous dependency on God. Yes, we have received spiritual gifts to overcome sin: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7), still, only God can give us the strength to overcome temptations.

We were created with limitations: We cannot foretell the future, nor can we determine the outcome in any given situation, therefore, we desperately need Divine guidance to live as overcomers. Our role is to willfully choose to abstain from all sinful pleasures. When tempted, we use our love for God, and faith in Jesus Christ to pray for Divine strength, say No, and walk away.

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

Avoid Compromise: Guard your faith in God by separating from people who do not place God as the Sovereign ruler over their lives. Let go of secular music and programs that do not honor God. Use your time and spiritual gifts to glorify God and practice a healthy lifestyle. Volunteer your services to churches and nonprofit organizations that focus on helping the disadvantaged.

Choose Christ! When we admit our helplessness and pray for Divine guidance and strength the Holy Spirit will strengthen us when we face temptation. God’s ultimate goal is to save our souls. When we practice righteous principles, we align ourselves with God who will bless us with our best lives now and in the future New Heaven and New Earth. Guard your faith in God!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” —John 14:1-4

Lord God, we desperately need You in our lives. We pray for strength, guidance, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your great sacrifice and promise of eternal life if we strive for righteousness. In Jesus’ Holy and Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Tag: christianity