Devotional reading – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Running The Christian Race – Strive For Your Crown of Life!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV)

There is a misconception that has spread like wildfire in the Christian Community: Because Jesus Paid it All [redeeming us from our sins] on Calvary’s Cross, once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we don’t have to do anything beyond attending church to receive Eternal Life.

Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12, NKJV).

The Amplified Translation: “Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).” (Revelation 22:12).

Throughout the Bible, God reveals that He has given us spiritual gifts and innate talents to use for His Honor and Glory. “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6).

“By His own humiliation and agony, Christ has paid the purchase for our salvation, and He has a right to our services.”

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“By the body we are to understand [lustful desires], appetites, and inclinations. These the apostle Paul set himself to curb and conquer, and in this the Corinthians [members of the Corinth Church] were bound to imitate him…”

“I say then: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’ ” (Galatians 5:16).

“[We] must fight hard to overcome fleshly lusts, and not to surrender to uncontrolled appetites.” Fleshly lusts also includes the relentless pursuit of our desires, material possessions, wealth, and relationships with the intent of self-gratification.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

“You are the light of the world…You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13-14).

As “Light and Salt of the Earth” [Matthew 5], we represent God’s Love by possessing the Fruit of the Spirit, including self-control, which represents Christ’s Righteous Character:

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified Bible).

As “Light and Salt of the Earth,” God has given us the responsibility of spreading “The Message of the Cross.”

Sadly, many believers cannot fulfill their God-given Spiritual Assignment of witnessing to others, because they do not have a heart to Heart relationship with Jesus Christ. And from not studying the Holy Scriptures they do not know or understand God’s Character, His Commandments, and Righteous Precepts.

Walk In Love – Walk In Light – Walk In Wisdom

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ And Jesus replied to him, ‘You shall 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.'” (Matthew 22:36-38).

Love for God is the foundation and the catalyst of our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. To love God is to know Him, to honor and revere Him, and to put God First in every aspect of life.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12, ESV).

Following Jesus requires that we love Him more than we love ourselves, and this includes our spouse, and our family. We do not neglect them, yet, we do not compromise because they are not committed to following Jesus with faithful obedience.

Dedicated followers of Christ are willing to live a daily sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience. “I will not sin against God,” is the True Believer’s Creed.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational act of worship.” (Romans 12:1, Amplified Bible).

Sacrificial Commitment: The daily personal worship of praying, fasting [at least one hour per day], and surrendering oneself to follow Jesus cannot be accomplished without self-denial, self-control, and Jesus’ Wisdom, Strength and Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit.

“Spiritual Fasting is an earnest tool for seeking God’s Wisdom, breaking self-dependence, [and sinful habits, behaviors, and self-seeking pleasures].”

Practical Ways to Incorporate Spiritual Fasting: At 8 pm, I cease all food intake, with the exception of water [if thirsty]. At 10 pm, I pray for God’s forgiveness of sins, asking for blessings of safety while sleeping, and to reveal His will for my life.

The next morning, I whisper a prayer of gratitude for the blessing of a new day, breaking my fast with lemon water. At times, I feel no hunger for 3-4 hours, so I delay eating.

Spiritual fasting draws us closer to Christ and gives us spiritual and mental clarity. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to distinguish God’s Voice above our thoughts and others’ voices.

From daily fasting, we are rewarded by Jesus with the Wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes. Not only do we gain a higher spiritual focus, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the self-control to stop former habits and behaviors. Yes and Amen!

Before engaging in spiritual fasting for an extended time, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you regarding the duration of your fast. This is especially important for those with medical diagnoses that require taking medications within definitive time parameters.

“See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15).

Continuous Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with Spiritual Wisdom, Discernment, and Strength. Without daily Spiritual Reinforcements, it is impossible to recognize and overcome Satan’s continuous covert strategies and temptations.

We receive our greatest Spiritual Blessings through personal worship. Our love and gratitude to God for our Spiritual Gift of Time is revealed by separating ourselves to worship Him one-to-one in Spirit and Truth.

From praying and eating The Bread of Life and drinking The Living Water [Studying The Holy Scriptures], God, the Holy Spirit converts our heart, and transforms our mind and character, preparing us for eternity with Jesus Christ.

Sanctification is performed by the Holy Spirit, who requires our willingness to actively participate in our daily spiritual growth and character transformation into the likeness of Christ. Let go of people, places, and habits that fail to honor God!

“Be holy for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

If our lives do not reflect the daily sacrifice of self-denial, and the willingness to surrender with faithful obedience to follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness then we are only carrying the label of being a Christian.

Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the Last Days [2 Timothy 3], Run, Run, Run the Spiritual Race with Conviction and Courage in the Power of our Lord, Savior, and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Who Promises:

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.” (Revelation 3:21).

Lord God, as we strive to run the Christian Race, we ask You to empower us with Your Divine Wisdom and Strength. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, teach us how to be holy, and guide us in our thoughts, spoken words, and decisions, so we always bring Glory and Honor to your Holy and Righteous Name. Jesus, please be our Strength, lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us. Thank You, for Your Amazing Love. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Why Are You Fearful? Receive Peace – Pray For God’s Guidance

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

God is always faithful! His never-changing and comforting promise of continuous peace is revealed only in the lives of those who anchor their faith in Jesus Christ, The Rock.

“You will keep him in perfect peace” is also a reward: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27).

“The Hebrew word for peace here is Shalom, that does not imply an absence of trouble, but a [spiritual state] of absolute completeness in Christ, which produces wholeness, and an unshakable well-being.”

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” (Psalm 25:4, ESV).

From praying and not relying on risky human thoughts and strategies, instead of facing unknown outcomes and consequences, we receive the blessings of God’s guidance, peace, and contentment.

Always trust God! Whether we are facing life’s toughest challenges, or daily routine obstacles, if we use our faith to pray, ask for Help, believing in God’s Power, He will give us victorious outcomes. Yes and Amen!

Consistent prayer gives us direct access to God’s Plans, Thoughts, and Directions. Consistent prayer also prevents thoughts of uncertainty, anxiety, and worry, which disrupts our gift of Jesus’ Perfect Peace.

“A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.” (Proverbs 16:9, Amplified Bible).

Praying for God’s Guidance, waiting for His answer, and obeying His directives reveals our love, loyalty, and the willingness to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who deserves our commitment of total faith and trust.

True Sanctification requires every believer to have the mindset of Christ, and to live as He lived: A Faithful, Humble, and Obedient Life.

Jesus proclaimed: “And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:29, Amplified Bible).

Jesus’ Peace and Eternal Life are rewards for the righteous, who abide in Jesus by following Him on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

Living a life of self-denial means that we control our emotions and desires. We live a quiet, spiritually disciplined life by keeping our focus on Jesus’ Promises in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12.

When we perceive ourselves as the Redeemed Sons and Daughters of God, and the Righteous Heirs of Jesus’ Eternal Kingdom, we easily acknowledge and worship our Triumphant King with total surrender and obedience.

“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).

Those who proclaim to be Christians, but exclude Christ by following their own thoughts and strategies, possess hearts that are unconverted and filled with self-love and self-reliance.

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, Making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, And whose mind and heart turn away from the LORD.'” (Jeremiah 17:5, Amplified Bible).

The warning is strong, but disobedience is rebellion, which separates us from God, for which there is no Heavenly reward.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23). With humility, the Prophet Jeremiah acknowledges God’s Sovereign Authority over humanity.

We acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority, not from fear [fear in the Scriptures means reverence], but because we love Him.

Total surrender and obedience reveals our appreciation and gratitude for our life-saving gift of Jesus redeeming and saving us from the penalty of the second and final death. [Malachi 4].

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

God’s Divine Guidance and Protection are limited to those who follow Jesus Christ, their Shepherd with unwavering faith and obedience.

The Bible, Our Spiritual Treasure Map, Reveals God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).

The Bible is Spiritually All-Inclusive. Asking for wisdom and discernment invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the deepest understanding of God’s Love, Grace, and His One and Only Abiding Truth!

Ask for Strength: “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” The Holy Spirit also gives us Jesus’ Divine Strength to pursue holiness, keeping us on the Narrow Path that leads to Eternal Life.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Consistent Bible Study reveals our willingness to surrender to Jesus’ Authority as our Sovereign Ruler, and acknowledges our need to be taught by God.

From Genesis to Revelation God reveals His Loving Character, Divine Thoughts and Higher Ways. Yes, God is a Loving Heavenly Father, but we must also remember, God is also the Righteous Judge of humanity.

God warns us, “I do not change!” The Holy Scriptures provide absolute proof of God’s expectations: The righteous must serve Him with faithful obedience.

“If you love Me keep my Commandments.” (John 14:15). We were created with a free will choice. God never coerces us to surrender, pray, or obey His guidance.

But when our hearts are truly converted, it is not a burden to obey our Loving Shepherd. Following Jesus is the best decision, we will ever make!

From studying the Bible, we find that righteous believers always honored and revered God with steadfast faith: There was never any doubt or question in their mind that serving and honoring God required faith, trust, and obedience.

King David: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.” (Psalm 25:4-5).

Job: “Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:10-14).

From aligning ourselves with God’s Will and Plans, Jesus promises: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24).

Jesus’ Promise refers to praying and making requests that lead to spiritual growth and transformation. We need Spiritual wisdom, discernment, patience, contentment, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to receive our Crown of Life.

From abiding in Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live a consecrated life of Holiness. Surrender, Self-Denial, and Faithful Obedience, which are the characteristics of those who follow Jesus, distinguishing Jesus’ Loyal Sheep from the pretenders.

Yes, in our earthly lives, we can expect to suffer adversity (John 16:33); but the righteous can rejoice! Jesus has promised to give us His Spiritual Gifts of Strength, Joy, Happiness, and Peace, and to lead us from Earth to Heaven.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Hold On To Jesus!

“For, ‘In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.'” (Hebrews 10:37, BSB).

Following Jesus Christ requires walking through life on bended knees, living a life of self-denial, and praying continuously [with steadfast faith and courage] for Divine Guidance.

God, the Father, and God, the Son honors and rewards their faithful and loyal sons and daughters with all of our necessities, and at times, fulfills a few of our desires. Why? There is no need for us to get attached to this Earth’s money and material possessions.

Soon, King Jesus’ Gift of Eternity will come to fruition: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21). Yes and Amen!

We are Temporary Travelers Living on a Temporary Earth, who are preparing for the Greatest Event this world will ever witness:

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in Righteousness He judges and makes war. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11, 16).

Prayer: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Number 6:24- 26). Amen.

Represent God’s Righteous Integrity In Everything You Do

Last week, I was chatting with the maintenance supervisor in our complex, who stated that he finally has a crew of people who care, have high standards, and do quality work; yes, they refuse to compromise by taking shortcuts.

In Genesis Chapter 1, The Story of Creation, every day, God, Jesus Christ, who made all things [John Chapter 1] critiques the results of His spoken words: “Then God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;’ and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:9-10).

Integrity: In the beginning, Christ established a guiding principle for everyday Christian living; He emphasizes that our beliefs, thoughts, words, and actions must completely align with His Perfect Righteousness:

“It is written, ‘Be holy, for I am Holy.'” (1 Peter 1:16). When Jesus looks at our heart and mind, examining our thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions, He should be able to say, “It is good.”

The Apostle Paul taught his new believers in the early churches: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17).

“As followers of Christ, righteous integrity must be practiced in everything we do, even the ordinary, daily tasks. Yes, every action should be done as an act of worship to honor God.”

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8).

God reminds us that His Righteous thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and strategies, which requires us to pray, asking for His plans to be revealed.

God tells us that He does not change. If we rely on His thoughts and ways, learning His Character and how He intervenes, then we will remain spiritually stable, despite the planet Earth’s declined morals, values, and ever-changing beliefs and practices.

Because we were created with free will, we must choose to do what is right. And that is increasingly more difficult, not only due to corrupt societies, but also because we inherited sinful hearts that easily compromise [Jeremiah 17:9].

Yet, God gave us the Holy Scriptures to learn how He defines what is right and wrong. And through daily personal worship, we pray for Divine Guidance, which is given to us by God, the Holy Spirit.

We study, commit to memory, obey, and live a life that reflects God’s Righteous Principles. To love God is to put Him first! The Holy Spirit teaches us how to live holy and guides in our daily spiritual journey on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV).

Always doing what is right is the choice that invites the Holy Spirit to convert our heart, guide our decisions, and transform our mind, character, and personality to reflect Christ’s Righteousness [Sanctification].

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

From obeying God’s Commands, our hearts are spiritually connected to Jesus’ Pure and Holy Heart. The Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out, empowering us to let go of old habits, behaviors, unbelieving friends, and former lifestyles.

When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we begin to think differently, perceiving life through spiritual eyes. Not only do our habits and lifestyles reflect Christ Righteousness, but day by day, we prepare ourselves to receive our Triumphant King’s Promises in John 14:1-3 and Revelation 22:12.

The pure heart is filled with Righteous Integrity and is a powerful witness of God’s Holy Standards of “Perfect Love, Obedience, and a Mindset of No Compromise.” These values constitute acts of worship, revealing that loving and obeying Christ does make a difference in one’s life.

Overcoming Satan’s Covert Deceptions

Satan is very devious and subtle with his temptations. Because we were created a little lower than the angels, we must remember that Satan is still a fallen angel; and his intellect and wisdom supersedes our intellect.

Divine Command: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Covert Deceptions: When a temptation is presented that fulfills one of our heart’s desires, if we fail to pray, it is impossible for us to discern Satan’s diabolical schemes.

Without prayer, we will fall! Yes, we can repent, receive forgiveness, and apologize to those who were impacted, but Sin always leaves its Mark, and often irreversible consequences.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). We must never cooperate with Satan, by letting our feelings override our sound mind [self-control and discipline].

Always pray and wait for God’s answer before making a decision that will easily compromise your integrity and right standing with God: Pray, Wait, and Obey!

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake…” (Philippians 1:29, ESV).

Always doing what is right eventually requires a cost: To say No to an “Offer of Compromise” may result in the loss of our jobs, friends, family, a marriage, and what appears to be the world’s best solutions and greatest financial rewards.

When a situation arises, demanding that we compromise our integrity, or even if we are unsure and have a conflict within our mind, we immediately breathe a prayer for strength and ask God, “Will a decision of Yes, honor You?”

Do not let your feelings overwhelm or control you! There is no reason to be upset, Offers of Compromise are part of Satan’s continuous Spiritual Warfare [Ephesians 6].

From placing our faith and trust in God and His Saving Power, we remain calm and courageous by maintaining our faith and trust in God, by simply stating, “No, I cannot do that,” and walk away.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV).

We should never say, “I am sorry that I cannot do that.” We leave the door open for Satan to present the same compromise, using a more devious strategy. Never apologize for upholding God’s Righteous Standards.

God’s Action Plan To Honor The Faithful

“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.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV).

If your decision results in loss, remain steadfast in your faith. Always trust God! We can only see life through natural eyes, but God tells us to redirect our focus to the Heavenly Realm, where the concept of impossible has never existed!

“Behold, I am YAHWEH, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB).

God is Omniscient [All-Knowing], so, He already knows every trial and temptation, we will face. Remain loyal to God by using your faith to pray, believe, and trust in His Promises and Mighty Power.

We Must Walk Through Life On Bended Knees – Build Your Life On Prayers of Faith

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

God, the Father has promised to give us our needs through God, His Son, Jesus Christ. Pray, Prayers of Faith and Gratitude, thanking God in advance for giving you the victory and supplying your needs.

Keep your faith and focus on God and His Promises by not looking at the circumstances. Even in the time of waiting, remain steadfast with prayers and praises of gratitude!

Remain courageous: “Wait on the Lord.” Place your confidence in Jesus Christ, Who is Yahweh Yireh, The God Who Provides. He has already designed your personal Plan of Victory!

“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]…(Romans 12:2, Amplified Bible).

Yes, shortcuts, and hidden practices requiring the compromise of one’s integrity is the world’s standard, but our allegiance to God requires that we uphold God’s Holy Principles.

We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the decision to uphold the Righteous Standards of a Righteous God demonstrates our love and loyalty to Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, for which we will be greatly rewarded.

Brothers and Sisters, it’s just a matter of time! Sooner than we think, “He that shall come will come” and one day, we will hear King Jesus say to us, “Well done,” and He will give us our Crown of Life. Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Your Promises in the Holy Scriptures, and the open invitation to come to Your Throne of Grace in time of need. Lord, we realize that we are always in need, so we ask You to bless us spiritually, and to increase our faith that we may remain steadfast when facing temptations. We ask for the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize Satan schemes, and the strength to overcome. And Lord, we also ask You to please be our Strength. In love and faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Yahweh Yireh, our Provider, Amen.

Practical Messages For Living In Impractical Times

“Does your heart really belong to God?”

If you were asked to define success, would your answer include money, material possessions, and an elite social status?

“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).

Spiritual Fact: Wealth builders will not receive the reward of Eternal Life.

It is impossible to focus on pursuing temporary treasures on a temporary earth and have a faithful and obedient heart to heart relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:19, NIV).

“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, NIV).

We are Temporary Travelers living on a Temporary Earth and everything we own is Temporary.

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21).

Persevering in faith with perfect trust and obedience to God will ensure spiritual success [spiritual growth and character transformation] and receiving your reward of the Crown of Life.

Every day, Prepare for Eternity – Put God First!

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:1, 5).

Bible Study: John 14:1-3; Revelation 21-22

Lord God, we repent for chasing earthly treasures and pleasures, and ask You to give us the wisdom to see life through spiritual eyes, and the strength to overcome Satan’s distractions and temptations. Jesus, in faith, we dedicate our hearts to You, and thank You for the sacrificial gift of Your life on Calvary’s Cross. Lord, give us a heart filled with love and humility. We ask You to guide us in our journey on the Narrow Path of Righteousness as we prepare for Your Coming. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Ask Jesus to Restart Your Life – Receiving the Gift of Spiritual Restoration

“And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:22-23).

Jesus tells us that every human being has sinned by disobeying God. Peter messed up and denied Jesus three times, still Jesus did not condemn him, Jesus restored him by asking Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”

We give Praises to God, the Father and God, Jesus the Son Jesus, who completed the Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross, which includes confession, repentance, and God’s forgiveness for our sins.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Do not hold onto and grieve over your past experiences and mistakes. Refusing to forgive, nurturing anger, sadness, and despair over the past reveal unbelief [not using our faith to actively believe] in God’s Gift: “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

“Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, we are adopted into the family of God, and we proclaim, ‘Abba, Father!'”

Even God cannot change our past, but if we are willing to use our faith and believe in His promise of “making something new,” He will reset our lives and make beauty from the ashes of our past.

“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, NLT).

The Gift: Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are declared righteous. The Apostle Paul tells us that from accepting Christ as our personal Savior, we become “new creations,” who are covered by Christ’s Righteousness, and as Sons and Daughters of God, we can expect to receive God’s greatest blessings.

Spiritual Restoration is a gift from God that requires us to live holy: “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

We connect to Christ and stay anchored in Him through daily surrender, faithful obedience, and personal worship [Prayer and Bible Study].

Yes, we use our faith to love, honor, and revere God by implicitly trusting and obeying Him. To receive God’s promises of Spiritual Renewal and Restoration, we cannot have a divided heart.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Our inherited Hearts naturally gravitate toward fulfilling our desires, but Self-Reliance is willful disobedience against God. The heart filled with love for God easily embraces and practices a “God First” mindset and lifestyle.

The Lifestyle of Daily Surrender: We let go of our thoughts and strategies by always praying for God’s Guidance before making decisions. “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).

Even when we fall, with Agape Love and Mercy, Jesus extends His hand, which is an invitation for us to get up and try again. But this time, we use our faith to trust and obey our Shepherd by relying on His Divine Guidance and Strength. Yes and Amen!

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

Lord God, we confess that by living to fulfill our desires, we have redirected our faith and focus to ourselves. Our decisions are based on our thoughts and emotions, and for these sins of disobedience, we ask You for forgiveness. Our past experiences and mistakes have produced many consequences, but most importantly, we have forgotten that loving You requires us to put You First and to obey Your Will. In faith, we ask You to teach us how to love, to heal us from our past, and to restore our relationship with You. With gratitude and joy, we look forward to receiving Your promise of doing something new in our lives. With humility, we ask for these spiritual blessings in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 13

Knowing and Doing the Will 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)

The following are Sermon Notes on living a dedicated life of doing God’s Will. Every day, we must ask ourselves this profound question: “Am I really doing God’s Will?”

“Every moment of our lives, either we are living in the Will of God or we are living outside of the Will of God.”

“There is no middle ground. Either we are living a life of obedience to God or a life of disobedience to God.”

“Is this decision consistent and in agreement with the Word of God?
Is it a wise decision? If I do this, what will the consequences be?
Can I honestly ask God to empower me to achieve this decision?
Do I have God’s peace about this decision? Is it the right time?
Is this decision consistent with the way God works? Is it consistent with the Scriptures?
Does this decision or action represent who I am, a follower of Jesus Christ?
Does this decision align God’s overall plan for my life?
Does my action and conversation align with who I claim to be?
Does my decision or action honor God? If you are thinking about doing something and you don’t have peace or cannot sleep, let it go.
Will this decision result in unrest and regret for the rest of my life?
Can I expect God to bless and reward me for making this decision?
God has a purpose and plan for my life and He wants the best for me. Am I going to trust God with my life?”

The Believer’s Prayer of Repentance: “Lord, I have lived my entire life thinking my own thoughts and pleasing myself. And for this sin, I ask for forgiveness. I surrender my will to You and ask You to direct me in all my decisions for the remainder of my life. Lord, I want Your best plans for my life, and I am willing to change whatever needs to be changed. In faith, I ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”

Always Hold On To God’s Hand

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Every morning, pray a prayer of gratitude for the new day and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom to recognize God’s Voice speaking to you.

Because we face the unknown, we ask for God’s guidance whether we are facing life-changing circumstances, or insignificant challenges.

When we put our complete faith and trust in God, the Holy Spirit will give us the spiritual strength to live as faithful overcomers in the strength of Jesus Christ.

“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).

Pray over every aspect of your life. Ask God to show you what He wants you to do. Faithful obedience is the only way that we can please God and receive His directions.

Keeping your focus on Jesus prevents fear and anxiety from becoming a stronghold in your mind. Trust in God’s promises and move forward in Jesus’ Strength! Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Memorize Isaiah 41:10.

Lord God, teach us how to redirect our faith and focus back to your Love and Power. From thinking our own thoughts and focusing on life’s ever-changing circumstances, our faith is weak. Lord, we ask for strength. Restore our joy and peace and teach us how to place our faith and trust only in You. We commit to holding Your hand and never letting go as You guide us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Powerful Name, Amen.

Facing Challenges? Immediately, Pray!

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry…”

“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…”

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:15, 17, 19).

Although God does not cause adversity in our lives, He allows us to experience challenges that we cannot resolve to maintain our dependency on Him.

There is a dual purpose for trials: First, our challenges redirect our faith and focus from our abilities to the love and unlimited power of Jesus Christ. We were created to surrender and depend on God, not ourselves.

Trials are designed to produce the righteous characteristics of steadfast faith and trust in God, courage, and perseverance, producing the spiritual growth and maturity required to receive our reward of Eternal Life.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV).

Lord God, in obedience, we come to You with our challenges and hardships. We believe that You love us and that Your promises are true. While we wait for Your Divine Intervention,we desperately need Your strength. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for giving us the victory. And in faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Jesus’ Gift of 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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Jesus’ gift of peace is one of the believer’s greatest spiritual benefits. To enjoy a mind filled with peace, gratitude, and contentment instead of fear, anxiety, and worry is possible even when we are facing our greatest challenges.

Jesus’ gift of Perfect Peace is an internal calm filled with joy, contentment, and courage experienced by those who have dedicated and surrendered their lives to follow Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Peace is not a quiet place, or listening to soothing music. Spiritual peace cannot be purchased; only Jesus can give true Peace. Spiritual Peace is a life-enriching experience that so few enjoy because receiving this gift requires that we follow Jesus with faithful obedience.

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165). God’s Moral Law [The Ten Commandments] and His Righteous Precepts in the Bible establish boundaries for Christians, teaching us how to live righteously.

Jesus’ promise of peace is the foundation for an unbothered mind, even when the fiery trials of adversity bring raging storms into our lives. Yet, only the righteous who strive to complete the Spiritual Conditions of Participation receive His gift of Divine Peace.

The Spiritual Conditions of Participation to Receive Peace: “Jesus answered, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.'” (John 14:23, HCSB).

Is it possible for us to be ineligible to receive Jesus’ Gift of Peace?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Engaging in sin, including the sin of self-reliance, makes us ineligible to receive Jesus’ gift of peace. “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).

The False Teaching of Compromised Christianity promotes church attendance, but teaches that because we are covered by God’s Grace, we can live according to our desires. “God’s grace does not provide Christians with the license to engage in sin. Rather than promote sin, God’s Grace teaches restraint from sin.”

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11–13, NIV).

Those who are disobedient cannot receive Jesus’ Divine gift of Spiritual Peace. The Solution: “Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the love of Christ, becomes a [recipient] of this heavenly peace.”

The Knowledge Seekers: There are Christians who are highly perceptive of their environments, aware of everything happening in their community, on the job, and in the city they reside in.

Yes, the knowledge seekers keep up with the global and local news, weather forecasts, the political arena, economic status, and social issues. They are tech-savvy, financially stable, and can readily participate in most discussions because, while others are wasting time on frivolous activities, they are seeking a higher level of knowledge.

The knowledge seekers love God and attend church, yet they also do not receive Jesus’ gift of Perfect Peace. Unfortunately, Christian knowledge seekers use their intellectual energies to continuously focus on the distractions of the tumultuous conditions in this world instead of focusing on God and preparing daily for Eternal Life.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3). Jesus teaches that the only way to have His peace is by using our faith to focus on Him and trusting Him with our lives.

We also require Jesus’ gift of Perfect Peace to engage in the Daily Battle of Spiritual Warfare. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul tells us that we are involved in a spiritual war of the Great Controversy of Good and Evil that has existed for over 6,000 years.

Paul compares the Christian journey to the commitment of a soldier in the military, which requires an intentional focus, a peaceful mind, and maintaining one’s priorities to keep oneself prepared to fight in battle.

“No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve.” (2 Timothy 2:4, Amplified Bible).

Not having Jesus’ Peace prevents us from growing spiritually. Our prayers will be rushed, and we will not have the attention span to focus on the Holy Scriptures, preventing the Holy Spirit from guiding us in our spiritual journey and giving us the wisdom and discernment to understand the depth of God’s Word. [Isaiah 55:8-9].

Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, He is also our Commander, who enlisted us to serve God, the Father. God must be our first priority! We actively participate in our salvation by maintaining a close relationship with Christ, which requires a sacrificial life of self-denial, surrender, and faithful obedience.

Separation, Solitude, and Silence are the Requisites for Personal Worship

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).

Our love for God is demonstrated by the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study. Many do not understand the depth of our spiritual experience of personal worship. We revere God with a spirit of humility because the Holy Spirit lifts us spiritually, placing us in the Divine and Holy Presence of Christ, which requires us to remove all distractions.

The Bible is our Spiritual Blueprint and Roadmap given by God to instruct and guide us, so we can actively participate in our journey of Sanctification [daily spiritual growth and transformation] performed by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit, also known as the Spirit of Truth, gives us the wisdom and discernment to understand the depth of God’s thoughts—the Holy Scriptures. And we receive the strength to overcome temptations and to persevere in our rugged Christian journey.

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

We require Jesus’ gift of Perfect Peace to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ [Sanctification] required to receive Eternal Life.

Jesus’ Transforming Power is not a superficial emotional experience. We must have His Spiritual Gift of Peace for our Minds and Characters to be transformed into His Righteous Character, which requires us to be covered with the Righteousness of Christ.

Reflection: What is distracting your focus from enjoying a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ and receiving His peace?

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…”; Proverbs 3:6: “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

The greatest peace comes from knowing that we are following Jesus Christ as He leads us on the Path of Righteousness: And our reward will be eternity with Jesus, our Triumphant King. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we thank You for Your Love, Grace, and Mercy. We ask You to give us the wisdom to reset our priorities by seeking knowledge and guidance through prayer and from Your Holy Scriptures. We also pray for the strength to resist the temptations of our heart’s desires and pursuing knowledge that only distracts us, and has nothing to do with our Salvation and Eternal Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Following Jesus [And Staying] On the Path of Righteousness

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

I thought about individuals who are in the military; their discipline and self-control, but most importantly, their desire to obey their superiors, and the punitive Rules of Conduct and War.

In the United States, we no longer draft individuals for military service; they willingly enlist. Even though their choice to become soldiers may result in severe injury or death, they never lose their desire to serve their country.

Question: If humans can use their mental strength to willingly obey other humans and pledge allegiance to a country, then why is it so difficult for Christian believers to faithfully surrender and obey God, who is the Source of Life?

Answer: People who enlist in the military possess a strong desire to become soldiers, which includes non-negotiable obedience. Consider this: Maybe we did not understand God’s requirements for Total Surrender and Faithful Obedience when we accepted Christ as our personal Savior.

Disobedience to God resulted in Adam and Eve losing everything perfect, and the Israelites, whom God emancipated from Egyptian bondage, journeyed in the wilderness for forty years; Canaan was only an eleven-day journey from Egypt.

At the end of Joshua’s life, he addressed the nation of Israel with a challenge: “Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” ( Joshua 24:14-15).

Matthew 22:37-39: “Jesus replied: ‘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.'”

Genuine love is the driving force that motivates us to worship God with heartfelt loyalty. Because of our love and appreciation for God, the Father’s Gift of Jesus Christ, it is not a burden for us to worship God through a sacrificial life of self-denial, expressed by humility, surrender, and faithful obedience.

No Room for Disloyalty: “Why do you call me Lord Lord and not do as I say?” (Luke 6:46). Our love relationship with Christ is All or Nothing. There is no middle-of-the-road, compromised version of Christianity that allows us to disobey God.

The Deceptor: One of Satan’s most powerful deceptions is, “we can live as we please…” He told Eve, “You will not, surely die.” Yet, the consequences did include death; not only did they lose immortality, but Cain killed Abel, his brother, and every human being is born with a heart filled with selfishness and the desire to disobey God.

The Powerful Deception: We make the assumption that we can follow our thoughts and pursuits and still inherit Eternal Life, but Satan knows [from personal experience, he is the fallen angel, Lucifer] that disobedience to God separates us from God.

We were bought at a price; Jesus’ Sacrificial Offering of His life on Calvary’s Cross redeemed us from the only possible outcome of sin, and that is death (Romans 6:23).

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

The Believer’s Life Journey consists of following Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. To stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, we must be led moment by moment by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Our Spiritual Journey is comparable to the life of an enlisted soldier. We pray, wait for God’s instructions, given to us through the Holy Spirit, and we obey.

Our Spiritual Instructions are in the Holy Bible: Micah 6:8; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:22-24; Matthew 22:37-39; John 15:4; and 1 Corinthians 13. These are some of the Foundational Scriptures, which every enlisted soldier in the Army of God is expected to know and obey.

Divine Intervention Empowers the Human Effort of Obedience: Through the Holy Spirit, we receive Jesus’ Divine Strength to carry out and complete our daily Spiritual Orders.

Through our obedience, the Holy Spirit guides the daily process of Spiritual growth and transformation, shaping our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.

We are Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth, who are waiting for the return of King Jesus, our Mighty Warrior and the Commander of Angel Armies. [John 14:1-3]. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we pray for those who committed their lives to You, but have deserted You for the pursuit of earthly treasures, pleasures, and relationships with bad company. Lord, we do not judge them, because You tell us, “All have sinned and come short of Your glory.” Lord, we also pray for ourselves, asking You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to transform our stubborn, selfish hearts into hearts that desire to follow You. We also ask for the strength to persevere and remain loyal, serving You until the end. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.