Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 6, 2025
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering [patience], gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness [humility], temperance [self-control] against such there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23
In performing a spiritual self-evaluation, one must ask, Am I in right standing with God? Are there any secret sins, habits, or behaviors that are separating me from Christ?
“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” -Jeremiah 17:10
Our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyles reveal whether or not we are devout followers of Jesus Christ. True believers consecrate and surrender themselves daily by abiding in Christ through the personal worship of prayer and Bible study.
“Many believers who have no real faith in God or in His Holy word, [the Scriptures] often agree with some principles of Truth and often pass as Christians, yet they do not obey and practice Scriptural doctrines.”
“The Bible was designed to be a Guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker.”
Jesus invites us to come boldly before the Throne of Grace to receive help in our time of need. We are always in need of Divine help.
To pray without ceasing means to have a continuous mindset of honoring God’s Sovereignty through silent or audible prayers. Seeking God’s guidance in every aspect of our lives demonstrates our willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit.
The human effort of exercising our faith, and obeying and trusting in God, praying for guidance, searching the Scriptures, and renouncing sin invites the Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom, and the spiritual discernment to fully understand the Scriptures, and to recognize, and overcome temptation.
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of growth and the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ demonstrated by our efforts of striving to live holy.
Living holy is a tough battle! Our part is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by letting go of all sinful habits, and seeking God everyday. From our perseverance, the Holy Spirit gradually changes us and we begin to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit.
Stay connected to Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King who forgives our sins and covers us with His Righteousness.
We are living in perilous times, 2 Timothy 3. With humility, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide us on the Path of Righteousness as we prepare one day at a time for Jesus’ Second Coming.
[Psalm 139:23-24] Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
You Cannot Serve God and Riches “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Trusting God includes believing that He will keep His promises to supply all of our needs.
A discontented heart craving for possessions separates us from God because we do not live by the righteous standard of, “God, let Your will be done.”
When we assume the role of Self-Provider, we lose our desire to receive and wait for God’s blessings. Sadly, our heart once filled with gratitude is replaced with a spirit of greed and selfishness. Practicing the habits of unbelievers leads us to commit their sins of the Pride of Life.
From chasing wealth and tangible things, we mismanage and waste our God-given resources. Enslavement to money-lenders causes us to lose our joy and laughter. Most importantly, we become dissatisfied with God’s provisions, and our focus is redirected from receiving our reward of eternal life to pursuing our best earthly life.
The mindset of “Purchasing Power” also results in possessing a spirit of independence and causes us to lose our love and appreciation for Yahweh Yireh, God, Our Provider.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 1:6
To find satisfaction in what we have and to trust in God’s provisions creates a healthy spiritual dependence on God allowing us to enjoy His gifts of peace, joy, and happiness. No debt, no worries!
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, ESV).
Be grateful. Be content. Stop spending. Get rid of debt, and Trust God.
Lord God, we ask for forgiveness of practicing the sin of self-gratification. Thank You for Your endless provisions and sustaining our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Glorifying and honoring God is demonstrated by putting Him first. Being aware of God’s Presence requires that we separate ourselves and meditate daily on His Goodness through meaningful worship. When our gift of time is used to spend quality time in prayer and Bible study, we view life through spiritual eyes with wisdom and discernment.
The believer’s life is one of purpose, to be spiritually transformed which requires a journey of trials and hardships. Despite our circumstances, from placing our faith and trust in God, we receive Christ’s strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of anxiety and worry, we possess the courage and perseverance to keep moving forward.
Although each believer’s earthly journey is unique, every path is God-designed to produce the spiritual growth and transformation required to receive the reward of eternal life. Our confidence is based on God’s Faithfulness and His promises.
Faith is believing God’s love never ceases and He always knows what is best! Through surrender and obedience, each day, we consecrate ourselves to God. The willingness to place our lives in our Heavenly Father’s hands gives us the joyful expectation of always receiving the blessings of victorious outcomes. Peace and Blessings.
Thank You God for your ever-present love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” -Jeremiah 31:3
Time, spiritual gifts, and talents are given to us to be used for God’s honor and glory. 10% of our day is 2.4 hours and 5% is 1.2 hours [72 minutes], yet most do not even spend 30 minutes a day in the personal worship of prayer, Bible Study, and reflection on God’s love faithfulness, grace, and mercies.
“Is it too much to give ourselves to Him who has sacrificed all for us?”
Time is the most precious commodity that we can use to express our love and appreciation for God. Our commitment to live a sacrificial lifestyle in a world that focuses on self-achievement and self-gratification indicates our desire to actively participate in the daily spiritual process of Sanctification, and will be greatly rewarded when Jesus comes again.
Lord God, we dedicate ourselves and our time to You and ask for a spiritual renewal in our lives. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray Amen.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew (Levi) sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].’ And Matthew got up and followed Him.” Matthew 9:9, Amplified Bible
Every day, we face the internal conflict of following our thoughts, desires, and inclinations [feelings] or seeking and fulfilling God’s perfect plans. Because we inherited rebellious hearts, pursuing righteousness is not our default setting. Yet God gave us the spiritual attributes of love, power, and self-control to counteract fulfilling our desires and falling into temptation.
Loving God requires active participation and is demonstrated through daily surrender and loyalty. We choose to obey God’s Righteous Precepts. Pray continuously for the strength to live holy through faithful obedience.
“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Lord God, we pray for the desire to consecrate ourselves to serve You faithfully as we prepare for Jesus’ soon coming. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
“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
Christ is our role model for living a dedicated and obedient life. We cannot follow our own thoughts and inclinations and claim to be children of God. Jesus revealed the key to living as victorious overcomers, we must have the obedient mind of little children. Seeking God’s will through a daily Prayer of Surrender reveals a spirit of humility and love for our gracious Heavenly Father.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The daily commitment to obey and fulfill His instructions indicates our willingness to please God. Yet, our flesh is weak and drives us to pursue and fulfill our heart’s desires. We require the Divine help of the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ strength to stay in God’s perfect will.
Preparing for Kingdom Life is to daily take up our cross and follow Jesus. “Not my will Lord, but Your will be done” invites the Holy Spirit to guide us on the Path of Righteousness. Obedience proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives. Be faithful to God through surrender and obedience and on that Great day you will receive your Crown of Life. Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we come to you confessing our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. We desire to change and today make a covenant vow with you to seek Your will and to obey. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – December 5, 2024
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is a Living Force with the power to change our lives and transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ. Still, we are required to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to receive the spiritual gift of daily transformation.
The Believer’s Creed: “I can come to Jesus just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.”
True conversion of the human heart is revealed by loving and obeying God, loving others, and possessing a teachable spirit of humility. God’s Righteous standard for the Christian character is the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.
To receive the reward of eternal life, we must strive to live holy. The human effort of surrender and obedience invites the Holy Spirit to transform us and to cover us with Christ Righteousness. Peace and Blessings!
Lord God, we pray for a revival in our hearts and the dedication to serve you with love and obedience. We ask you to send the Spirit of Truth to give us wisdom and discernment as we study the holy scriptures. In Jesus’ Righteous Name we pray, Amen.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NIV
Practical Messages for Impractical Times — Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 13, 2024
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.’ ” —Genesis 12:1-2
Devout Christians love God and others, pray, study the Bible, and do not commit wilful sin against God, still, many do not enjoy the peace and victory and often miss out on God’s greatest blessings. How is this possible? Let’s reflect on God’s command to Abram: He told him to leave his country, relatives, and friends.
“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” —Genesis 12:4-5
Yet, Abram did not obey God’s command. Abram’s Disobedience: Why did he take his nephew Lot?
To understand the context of this story, we must think of Biblical times, walking, tending to animals, and setting up and taking down camp until one reaches their destination. Although relocation requires major adjustments, because Abram did not possess the inner peace that comes from total obedience to God, he had apprehensions and fear within his heart.
The Result of Disobedience: When arriving in Egypt, he lied that Sarai, his wife was his sister, and Pharoah attempted to take Sarai to be his wife. God immediately intervened [Study Genesis 12:10-20]. However disobedience produces continuous consequences, and once Abram and Lot settle into the promised country, a conflict arises between Abram and Lot’s workers.
“Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s.” —Genesis 13:5-7
Human Resolution: “So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” —Genesis 13:8-9
“Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company…” —Genesis 13:10-11
Not only was Lot, Abram’s nephew disrespectful by choosing the best land, but the hidden pride and greed in Lot’s heart was exposed. Because we live in perilous times, many individuals would not understand the issue of a younger person choosing the best for themselves. “Well, he told me to choose and I did” is not justifiable in following God’s commands in honoring our elders.
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” —Leviticus 19:32
In Leviticus 19:32, God commands the people to “stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God.” For believers, respect for older individuals is connected to honoring God. Yes, the elderly may be wrong in many circumstances, but still, we cannot respond verbally. We have to remain silent and pray for them. God will intervene through the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts.
Lot’s Greed Results in Cohabitation with Pagans: “Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” —Genesis 13:12-13
God’s promise to Abram, ‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing’ ” did not include his nephew. Not only did Abram have to settle for the second best of the land, but Lot’s choice and disrespect produced tragic results in his life that also impacted Abram and Sarai.
Genesis 14: Lot, his family, and their possessions were taken by enemy kings. Abram intervened with armed servants to free Lot. Genesis 19: Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed, Lot loses all possessions, his wife dies, and his depraved daughters plan a diabolical scheme to commit incest with their drunken father and produce children that produce a nation of idolaters.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46
Disobedience is an innate trait that lies within every human heart. Our greatest enemy is ourselves! Because of inherited sin, we can never satisfy the innate desires of our hearts nor do we remain content even when we receive the things that we desire. Impatience, relationships, and the love of material things and money have caused many believers to make counterproductive decisions.
We may not face immediate consequences, but the passing of time reveals our misguided choices, and we will ultimately regret choosing the temptation of “Second Best.” God is not a God of Instant Gratification. Because we know that God waits to bless us, we can spiritually discern the presenting situation as one of Satan’s temptations if we are being coerced to make an immediate decision.
Relationships [often leading to marriage] with those whom God has not chosen for us rank as the highest act of disobedience. Also high on the list are choosing the wrong friends, careers, jobs, relocation, and practicing worldly behaviors and habits that place us in opposition to God. Because “we want what we want when we want it,” we nurture a spirit of disobedience resulting in chaos and missing out on the many wonderful blessings God desires to give us.
“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
To receive God’s promised and abundant blessings, we must obey His exact commands without adding or taking away from His instructions. Standing down our wayward desires is the hardest battle we face. Every day, we are presented with Satan’s schemes to make us fall. Yet, we are not helpless. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus knows our weaknesses and promises to give us strength. Pray out loud when tempted, physically walk away, and learn to say No! Tell yourself, I love God and will not sin against Him!
Reflection: What or Who do you need to let go of to escape the Land of Disobedience and step into a life of freedom with God? When emotions and personal preferences are involved, we need Divine Help! We pray continuously and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any lifestyle choices that prevent us from total surrender and obedience to God, and for the supernatural strength to let go of those choices.
“…Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.” —Jeremiah 11:4
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11
God’s Ultimate Goal: “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
Every believer’s ultimate goal should align with God’s goal of saving their souls. No earthly relationship, job, or material blessing can compare with Jesus’ Greatest Blessing of giving us Eternal Life! Jesus created us with natural desires and dreams, yet, we honor Him by not following our thoughts and inclinations [Proverbs 3:5-6].
Nowhere in the Bible can we find that God gave the righteous second best. Allow God to fulfill His promises by making a covenant to Obey and Wait on the Lord. Yes, it is difficult to make the right choice and live it out from day to day but to be in the right standing with God by obeying Him gives us His best blessings and inner peace, joy, and happiness. Obedience, Patience, and Perseverance prepare us for a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sin of self-gratification and disobedience. We ask You to give us the strength to overcome our inner desires. Today, we make a covenant to faithfully trust and obey Your Divine choices that always bring completion and victory to our lives. Thank You for loving and caring for us. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Practical Messages for Impractical Times is a series that addresses the gap between hearing and studying the Scriptures and their application to the Christian Believer’s life. Peace and Blessings as we strive to “Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16) through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God, please speak to my heart and reveal Your will and plans for today. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Daily surrender and consecration allows the Holy Spirit to guide us through the given day. Pray throughout the day to remain close to Christ. Prayer warriors whisper prayers continually because we admit that we cannot navigate through life without God. Following Jesus’ example of separating Himself to talk with God keeps us in right standing with our Heavenly Father. Only full cooperation with Divinity allows us to live our best lives now and prepares us to receive our Crown of Life at Jesus’ Second Coming.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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