“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).
Why do we worry about the future? The only future event we should be preparing for is found in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12.
Choosing to be grateful is a daily commitment, revealing that we are following Jesus’ Commandment to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Gratitude changes our perception of life from “I want” to “God has given me everything that I need for today.” Our most frequent prayer should be, Thank You, God, which reveals that we honor and revere The Giver of all good gifts.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, CSB).
Reflecting on our blessings and whispering, Thank You, God is an intentional act of worship, recognizing that our Heavenly Father is always faithful and loves us unconditionally.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5, BSB).
The future belongs to God. Praise and worship Him for the gift of today! Yes and Amen!
LORD God, thank You for this new day that offers new challenges and abundant opportunities. Thank You, for Your Ruach breath flowing through our lungs. And Thank You, that we are not hungry, can care for ourselves, and if not, we thank You for dedicated caregivers. With this new day, we recognize that our minds are alert and oriented, and with gratitude, we say, Hallelujah for Your Faithfulness! Lord, most importantly, we humbly bow, thanking You for the gift of Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us from the deathly consequences of sin. With immense gratitude, we pray in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)
Ask God for a Pure Heart: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). Planning for eternity with our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, requires daily preparation.
Morning worship is our daily priority. Prayer establishes and maintains our spiritual connection to Jesus Christ. We pray, expressing gratitude for the gift of a new day, thanking God for His faithfulness and blessings.
And most importantly, we ask God to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes, every day, we must ask for a pure heart, spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to overcome our desires, and to stand against the enemy’s temptations.
In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that our lives will include exposure to the world’s love for and promotion of wealth, material possessions, and relationships, which always require compromise.
Satan’s goal is to entice us to embrace his redefined morals and values instead of preparing for Revelation 22:12.
“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).
Although it is common for us to think that Jesus’ Promise of making a New Heaven and New Earth was given first to John, the Apostle in Revelation, the prophet, Isaiah, also received Jesus’ Promise: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17).
We Are Temporary Travelers Living On A Temporary Earth: Sadly, the goals, pursuits, and lifestyles of many believers reveal they are not preparing to receive their Eternal Crown of Life. Salvation is free; Eternal Life is a reward.
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” (Romans 12:2, Amplified Bible).
Because we are affected by what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, we must be on high Spiritual Alert, intentionally filtering the stimuli we allow into our brains.
Yes, we love God, still, every believer has inherited a sinful heart and struggles with unfiltered thoughts and desires running through our minds.
When unrighteous thoughts and desires enter our minds, we must react as if it is an emergency! Immediately separate yourself to pray, asking God for strength.
If we continue to dwell on impure thoughts, Jesus tells us, “We are already guilty of committing the sins we are thinking about.”
“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, NIV). For over 6,000 years, Satan has presented his highly skilled covert temptations as minor deviations from God’s Truth that really are not so sinful.
The Devastation of Embracing Satan’s Temptation
Satan told Eve: “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.'” (Genesis 3:4). Not only did Adam and Eve lose their immortality, but the first death was required to give them animal skins for clothing, Cain killed his brother Abel, and the Earth was cursed with human, animal, and plant death, which will last until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Covert Temptations: Conversations and activities that entice us to compromise and disobey God, resulting in our separation from the Righteousness of Christ.
The work environment is one of the easiest ways that Satan uses to expose us to conversations involving pleasure-seeking activities. Active listening always piques our mind’s interest, easily persuading us to compromise God’s command “Be holy, for I AM Holy.”
Political Debates: The statement, “We can agree to disagree, ” is a deceptive entrapment. Conversations involving opposing viewpoints produce hidden and lingering emotional feelings of anger and resentment.
As believers, if we are connected to Christ, we should easily avoid the obvious sinful activities of watching programs and games with sexual content and violence, but “Secular Music” also produces unholy effects on the brain:
“Music profoundly impacts the mind by activating multiple brain areas…It boosts dopamine for pleasure and motivation, lowers cortisol to reduce stress, enhances memory retrieval, and [redirects] our focus. Music evokes strong emotional responses… .”
Covert Temptation [Example]: Grape vineyards are phenomenal plants that produce beautiful and delicious grapes. However, as Christian believers, we should avoid attending winery tours, even if we do not participate in wine tasting. If the event is promoted by unbelievers, then Christ would never attend or approve our participation.
“Jesus hung out with sinners,” is a malicious lie that has permeated the Christian Community for a long time to attempt to justify our friendships with unbelievers.
Jesus’ Response to All Accusations Against Him: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:44).
God’s Command: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV).
No, we should not have close friendships with unbelievers, including family members. It is always the Christian believer who must compromise to remain in a relationship with those who do not love, honor, and obey God.
Two weeks ago, our neighborhood experienced a 6-hour blackout. And then the following week, we experienced another blackout for 2 hours.
One of our newest neighbors approached me and began discussing the frequency of the blackouts, to which I responded, Yes, it does occur at a higher rate than I have experienced in the past.
And from my response, she stated, “I was in my house cussing for hours,” and her next words included a flood of profanity, to which I responded, “Yes, it is upsetting to experience a blackout, but tell me how did your cussing help the situation?” And she was silent.
For the next few days, her profane spoken words replayed in my brain. It took much prayer, Bible Study, and listening to Inspirational music for my mind to be cleansed from those filthy words.
Now, when we see each other, I simply wave and enter the safety of my home. My love and loyalty are dedicated to Jesus Christ, and I will not allow Satan to use people to disrupt my relationship with Christ and destroy my gift of peace.
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flows springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). We guard our hearts by maintaining a strong relationship with Christ by praying throughout our day for Jesus’ Strength and Guidance.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Guarding our hearts is accomplished through prayer, which keeps us connected to the Power and Strength of Jesus Christ, which we receive from the Holy Spirit.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). We guard our hearts by studying the Scriptures under the guidance and teachings of the Holy Spirit, and incorporating God’s Holy Word into our daily lives, which keeps us anchored in Christ, the Rock.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4).
Lord God, you know our struggles and the temptations we will face, yet You promised in 1 Corinthians 10:1, “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.” Lord, we ask for the wisdom and discernment to recognize and the spiritual strength to overcome Satan’s covert temptations and the conflicts of our internal desires, which oppose Your Righteous Plans for our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer, knowing that You will help us, in Jesus’ Loving and Powerful Name, Amen.
Our backgrounds and life experiences have a major influence on the way we perceive others and situations.
Regardless of our knowledge, educational achievements, and stage of life, human reasoning, is still human and capable of misjudging people, circumstances, and Satan’s highly effective deceptions.
All of us have ignored God’s warning not to trust our thoughts when making decisions. We may think that we are capable of recognizing situations that place us in harm’s way, but statistics prove otherwise.
“God would surely have known it, for He knows the secrets of every heart.” (Psalm 44:21, NLT).
Relationships are absolute proof that the person that you thought you knew was actually a fabricated persona: The individual skillfully creates a false identity, deceiving others into believing the fake personality is who they really are.
“When pride is in our hearts, we feel important, confident, self-sufficient, and in need of nothing, which causes us to neglect our relationship with God.”
How can we avoid [life-changing] mistakes and consequences? God’s answer: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).
Do not trust your knowledge, strategies, emotions, or rely on your perception of an individual or presenting situation without praying for God’s guidance.
God never pressures us to make an immediate decision. The Bible tells us to pray and wait on the Lord [Psalm 27:14].
Satan is skilled in presenting opportunities that are only available right now. Never trust in everything you think. And Never follow your heart! Pray, Wait, and Obey.
Always involve God before starting relationships, getting married, making large purchases such as homes and vehicles, engaging in financial transactions, starting a business, changing jobs, and before joining a church.
In fact, to avoid mistakes and negative consequences, pray and involve God in every decision. Yes, our Heavenly Father loves us and even cares about the little details of our lives.
How do we know that we have received God’s answer? ”
“For my own sake…I do this. How can I let myself be defamed. I will not yield my glory to another.” (Isaiah 48:11, NIV).
We know that it is God’s answer when the instructions and solutions reveal His Righteousness and honors His Sovereign Authority. God always glorifies His Holy Name. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we thank You for loving us so much that You want to be involved in every little detail of our lives. We desire to rely on Your guidance. Please forgive us for any prideful self-importance that has kept us from praying and asking You to reveal Your Will to us. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Instant gratification always brings a smile to our face and a sense of accomplishment. We feel like shouting to the world, Yes! I got exactly what I wanted!!!
But did we compromise our commitment to God to receive exactly what we desired? Yes, we did.
Psychologists agree that human beings are even willing to choose smaller, immediate rewards over waiting for larger, delayed rewards.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).
Sadly, because we have embraced and nurtured instant gratification, the majority of Christian believers never receive God’s greatest blessings.
We have two enemies that fight against us every day with the goal to prevent us from fulfilling God’s Divine Purpose for our lives:
The Two Enemies: Our Heart [Desires] and Satan, the Giver of Temporary Treasures and Pleasures
“And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9, NIV).
The Internal Conflict of the Human Heart: We know how the story begins, Mother Eve had a secret. Deep within her heart, she desired to eat from the forbidden tree of The knowledge of Good and Evil.
We cannot think wrong and do what is right [Faithful obedience to God is doing right]:
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6, NIV).
#2 The External Opposition of Satan’s Temptations of Treasures and Pleasures
Naaman is healed from leprosy (2 Kings 5:14-16).
“So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
“Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.'”
“The prophet [Elisha] answered, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.’ And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.” “Go in peace,’ Elisha said.”
Elisha’s servant, Gehazi demonstrates the true condition of the human heart: (2 Kings 5:19-22, NIV).
“…After Naaman had traveled some distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, ‘My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.'”
“So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. ‘Is everything all right?’ he asked.”
“Everything is all right,’ Gehazi answered. ‘My master sent me to say, Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'”
Sadly, Gehazi received the punishment of leprosy for his treachery of misrepresenting Elisha, God’s anointed prophet.
Although we would like to think that our hearts are good, God tells us the true condition of our inherited hearts:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Because we were born with the drive to satisfy our hearts desires, we easily choose self-gratification over self-denial, resulting in the compromise of God’s commands.
For over 6,000 years, Satan has used the same old, but highly effective temptations to manipulate our minds, resulting in disobedience to God.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
From the moment we awaken, we decide through our morning prayer, whether or not, we will surrender to God in faithful obedience.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Every day, every follower of Christ faces the internal conflict of saying yes or no to their heart’s desires and the external opposition of Satan’s temptations.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT).
Reflection: Are we willing to exchange our promised reward of Eternal Life for Satan’s temporary treasures and pleasures?
Receiving God’s Eternal Plans Requires the Human Effort of Loving God As Demonstrated Through Daily Surrender and Faithful Obedience
Remain Loyal By Following the Shepherd! Jesus’ Promise Gives Us Hope:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).
Lord God, we thank You for the blessings of life, health, and strength. We confess that our faith and trust have been redirected to ourselves and for this sin against You, we ask for forgiveness. Lord, anoint us with the Holy Spirit, guide our steps, and give us the discernment to recognize Satan’s covert temptations designed to make us fall. We also ask for the strength to overcome our hearts desires and to live a life of self-denial. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
In 2017, I was in West Virginia and attended prayer meeting with my cousin. Her pastor told us the story of a young man, who received a substantial prison sentence, and after serving many years, he was given a reprieve, which gave him his freedom. Yet, with fear, he stated, “I don’t want freedom, I want to serve the rest of my sentence.”
Although this story sounds unbelievable, sadly this scenario of the prisoner who refused freedom is also our mindset when we choose to stay in marriages, family relationships, and associate with people who do not have the love of God in their hearts, as evidenced by their continuous disrespect and abusive mistreatment of others.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment And the second is like it:bYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39).
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
God is Love! Jesus created us from love and gifted us with the ability to love and honor God, and to love and respect others. We were also created to receive Jesus’ spiritual gifts of joy, peace, and happiness.
1 John 3 is the letter the Apostle Paul sent to Gaius, his friend; “‘…as your soul prospers’ indicates that spiritual health (right thinking, choices, and relationship with God) is the foundation for [our] overall well-being.”
To love God is to love ourselves!
For us to enjoy God’s love, and optimal mental, emotional, physical, and most importantly spiritual health and prosperity, we cannot reject God’s Agape Love, replacing it with the abusive behaviors from those who reject God’s love and His commandment to love others.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3). Jesus died to give us freedom, not only from sin, but also to deliver and heal us from mental despair and emotional wounds.
Remaining in abusive situations, prevents us from loving Christ as He deserves, and blocks our spiritual growth and the transformation of our character required to receive Eternal Life.
“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).
Jesus also asks us, “Do you want to be made well?”
If our answer is yes, then we use our faith, and through His love, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the courage to leave every demonic situation that is a roadblock to embracing Jesus’ Abiding Love and His gift of Spiritual Peace. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love and creating us with the ability to love. We live in a world permeated with sin and compromised values that allow us to tolerate the abusive mistreatment of others, who You created in Your image. Lord, we pray, and ask You to strengthen and empower Your sons and daughters to take a leap of faith and to embrace the freedom of healing that only You can offer us. In faith, we ask this prayer of deliverance and healing in the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Jesus’ Faithful Promise of Encouragement: John 14:1-3
“Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (faithfulness).” (Revelation 22:12, Amplified Bible).
A God First commitment is revealed by a Christ-centered, Purpose-driven Lifestyle. Our daily pursuits, habits, and lifestyles reflect our priorities. Distractions, including goals, are a catalyst for minutes quickly evolving into hours of non-productive time. We must take back control of our precious gift of time to include personal worship with Christ.
For those who believe in Jesus’ promise of coming soon, every day, we are: “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13). We do not belong to ourselves—Christ purchased us with the sacrificial offering of His life.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV).
Every believer must grow spiritually and be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ. Sanctification requires the human effort of faithful obedience and the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. Our only opportunity to be transformed spiritually is in our earthly lives.
“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8).
While we can stop sinful habits through behavior modification, we cannot change our hearts. This transformation can only happen through the power of Jesus Christ, who cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
In Jeremiah 17:9, God tells us the condition of the hearts that we inherited [deceitful and desperately wicked]. Every day, we pray and ask Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor and Mediator, for the forgiveness of our sins, and the wisdom and strength to live righteously.
Faithfulness to God is the intentional decision to follow Christ by worshiping God in spirit and truth, to renounce sin, and our internal desires. Through daily surrender and consecration, the Holy Spirit changes our hearts, and we begin to perceive life through spiritual eyes, so that everything we do and say will honor God.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 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 15:4-5).
Jesus tells us that to be covered with His Righteousness, we must rely on His Spiritual Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit. Love, Faith, Humility, Surrender, and Obedience are the character traits that Christ possessed in His life on earth.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).
“Jesus humbled himself by voluntarily taking human form, acting as a servant, and submitting to God’s will even unto a shameful, agonizing death by crucifixion. This act of obedience represents the ultimate sacrifice to redeem humanity, leading to His exaltation.”
Reflection: Jesus promises the faithful “an immortal inheritance…you cannot afford to devote your life to the things of this world, but that your concern is to prepare for the [ forever] home that awaits you in the kingdom of God.” God’s Amazing Grace
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Staying connected to Jesus is accomplished through a sacrificial life of self-denial, continuous prayer, and study of the Holy Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out; a clean heart reveals the Love and Righteousness of Christ. As followers of Christ, we have the responsibility of representing Christ’s Love to others through a gentle demeanor and kind words. It is up to us to reveal that choosing Jesus Christ makes a difference in one’s life.
Never feel intimidated when witnessing to others; the most powerful words are: “God [Jesus] loves you!” Today, I told one of my neighbors, “God loves you,” and her response was, “I believe that God loves me because I can feel God’s love from you,” which brought tears to my eyes.
When Jesus comes again,” the work of Redemption will be complete. The Earth…that Satan claims as his, will be exalted by Christ.” This Earth where Jesus came as a human, where the king of glory lived and suffered and died, He will make all things new.” Hallelujah!
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful…'”
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” (Revelation 21:4-7).
King David’s Prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). Amen.
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.”
51 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
53 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
54 “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
When we believe Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3, our worship, thoughts, and lifestyles reflect that we are “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” preparing every day for the Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Sacrificial Life: (Romans 12:1-2).
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
(2) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
A God First life is purpose-driven and requires daily surrender and faithful obedience. Our personal agenda includes our thoughts, decisions, pursuits, goals, and lifestyles that are never placed above God’s Will and Plans.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
Because it is impossible for us to change ourselves, achieve spiritual growth, or stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness without Divine Intervention, through personal worship, we include God by prayerfully seeking His guidance before making decisions, even when we feel they are insignificant.
Spiritual Time Management: “See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
“Redeeming the time” is God’s directive for believers to make the most of our precious gift of time to grow closer to Christ.
We ask and rely on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom: “…so we act with spiritual diligence, using our gift of time for God’s purpose rather than wasting life on seeking the trivial things of earthly treasures and pleasures.”
“What could this world possibly offer that’s worth forfeiting what Christ offers us?”
Every Believer’s Spiritual Status: “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” preparing every day for the Soon Coming of Jesus Christ.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12).
“Why is the promise of Eternal Life so crucial to all that we believe?”
It is not enough to know Jesus promised us eternity with Him. Spiritual preparation is a dally endeavor that requires the Human Effort of seeking God, and relying on the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome our heart’s desires and Satan’s temptations; gives us wisdom and discernment, teaches us the One and Only meaning of God’s Truth; corrects us when we disobey by following our thoughts; and guides us in using our faith to trust and obey God.
No, we will not understand His Highest thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9], but because He is The Sovereign God of the universe, Who sustains our lives, we honor and revere Him.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
The Christian journey is the toughest experience that we will ever endure. To stay on the Path of Righteousness requires daily surrender, self-denial, and faithful obedience. But when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we receive Jesus’ Divine Strength, which is guaranteed to empower us to live as victorious overcomers. Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: John 14:1-3
Lord God, we desire to receive Jesus’ promise of a Forever Home in the New Heaven and New Earth. Lord, we need your help! In faith, we obey Your command to come before Your Throne of Grace, because we need Your Divine Wisdom, Guidance, and Strength to continue our journey. We renew our commitment to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Although we credit psychology as the basis for the practice of Active Listening, the Apostle Paul taught the Gentile believers that listening with the intent to understand reveals a spirit of humility and is a spiritual practice that promotes compassion and unity.
“Often in conversation there is the tendency to concentrate on our reply to whatever is being said, rather than focused on listening in order to understand what the other person is saying and trying to see the issue from their point of view.”
“Often strife arises from simple misunderstandings that could be avoided simply by active listening. We may not agree, but listening and seeking to understand the other person’s viewpoint is the first step for fostering healthy communication and trust.”
Bible Study: Philippians 2
Lord God, we pray for a change in our behaviors toward one another. We confess that we have adopted many of the rough behaviors of the world that do not represent Your love and compassion. And for our impatience, and unloving behaviors, we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we ask You to teach us how to love others as You love us. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV).
God has a Divine Purpose for your life. Consecrate yourself daily through personal worship, asking Him to reveal His plans for the new day.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV).
Although each person is at a different time in their life; before our conception, God had individualized plans for you and me.
We are the Christians living in the Last Days of Earth’s history. Now is the perfect time for intentional spiritual growth and discovering your creative talents.
Every day, set aside time to Separate in Solitude and Silence to honor and worship God.
When we focus on our relationship with Christ, our faith and focus is redirected from ourselves back to God.
Before humanity was created, God’s goal has always been to redeem, reconcile, and restore our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Every day, we prepare for Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3. By aligning ourselves with God’s plans, we demonstrate our faith, love, and loyalty to God.
Our Heavenly Father, desires that we ask Him to reveal His priorities and purpose for the blessing of a new day.
During personal worship, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures and our thoughts.
We do not have to limit our worship with God to once or twice a day; whisper prayers throughout your day to receive Divine wisdom, strength, and guidance.
By fulfilling God’s plan for our lives, the Holy Spirit empowers us to prepare for our eternal reward in Revelation 22:12.
Bible Study: Romans 12; 2 Timothy 3
Lord God, we thank You for this new day of life. And we ask You to speak to our hearts, guiding us throughout our day to fulfill Your plans. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV).
From studying the Life of Christ, the one characteristic that was always present in His character was one of compassion.
“Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry…'”
“Then He went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Luke 7: 11-15, NIV).
[bier: a simple wooden frame used to carry the dead to the grave, essentially a portable bed for the corpse, rather than a modern enclosed coffin].
How can we demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to others? We must possess the Righteous Character traits of Christ.
“…and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3, NIV).
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5: 22-23).
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:23, NIV).
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (1 Corinthians 13:37-38).
Unconditional Love is the spiritual foundation necessary for the Holy Spirit to change our stony hearts [Ezekiel 36:26] into a loving heart filled with the Fruit of the Spirit.
In Jeremiah 17:9, God tells us the condition of every human heart. Although we would like to think that our hearts are naturally good, God tells us the hearts we inherited are not good.
“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, NLT).
Through our willingness to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, our hearts can be changed into the heart of Christ.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:7-8, NIV).
Bible Study: Matthew 5
Lord God, we ask you to cleanse our hearts from all unloving behaviors and unrighteous traits. We desire to have hearts filled with Your unconditional love. We ask for new hearts that love You and love others. We need Your Divine Help and Strength because we cannot change ourselves. Lord, we love You and thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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