Devotional – Page 14 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Who Is More Powerful than God?

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 7, 2024

“…Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” —Job 41:11

The Test of Righteousness: “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ ” —Job 1:8

Yes, Job was a righteous, devout, and blameless man, therefore God presented His loyal manservant to Satan [Job 1:1-8] who was allowed to bring harsh adversity into Job’s life. The story of Job’s extreme sufferings reveals we must steadfastly proclaim an unwavering faith in God despite our circumstances. Still, God knows the human heart. Even if we are devoted disciples of the Most High God, hardships that linger usually result in diminished faith in God’s Love and Sovereign Power. While we lack a specific timeline for Job’s suffering, we can be assured that it was prolonged.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2

Though we are diligent in our faithfulness to God, when facing harsh trials and adversity that appear to have no end, deep within our hearts, we may question God’s Love and Sovereignty. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

Not one believer enjoys being in the “Fire” necessary for spiritual growth and development. Yet, it is the only way our character, mind, and personality can be refined and molded into Christ-likeness.

Job’s Challenge: “I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; Show me why You contend with me. Does it seem good to You that You should oppress, That You should despise the work of Your hands…? Your hands have made me and fashioned me…Yet You would destroy me.” —Job 10:2-3, 8

Job, a righteous man began to doubt God’s love. Is God a fair God? He is a just God who allows every believer to experience adversity. In Biblical times, people attributed calamity to an individual sinning against God. Job’s three friends presented their self-righteous judgments instead of praying and supporting Job: Zophar urged Job to repent, Eliphaz accused Job of wickedness, and Bilidad proclaimed, “The wicked are punished!” [God’s Reaction: Job 42:7-9]

Job Desires to Defend Himself with God: “Then Job answered and said: Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! 4 I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me. 7 There the upright could reason with Him, And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.” —Job 23:1-7

God Proclaims His Sovereign Omnipotence — Chapters 38-42

Job 38:2-8, NIV: Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 8 Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb…?’ “

Where do we stand in our faith journey? Are we focusing on our hardships, world events, natural disasters, politics, and social issues more than on God’s Absolute Power?

Changing circumstances reveal if our faith in God is strong or weak. Yes, we will experience anguish in our earthly journey, still, we must never lose hope in God! We must live a life of daily and continuous worship. The faith-building activities of consistently praying, studying, and memorizing God’s promises to love and take care of us allow us to abide peacefully in Christ.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” —Hebrews 11:6

When facing adversity, either our faith will increase or fade into nothingness. Will we respond with faith or fear, anxiety, and worry? Lack of faith in God’s Power causes us to look at our limited human abilities and overwhelming circumstances. God knows that we need His Divine Help. Never forget, This Is Our Father’s World!

Despite the presenting circumstances, build your faith in God. Every day, through a prayer of surrender, consecrate yourself with a commitment of faithful obedience. Boldly proclaim “God is Love and will never fail me!” God is [and has always been] the Sovereign Ruler of this universe! God demonstrated His Sovereign Omnipotence to Job in chapters 38-42, reminding us that He is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! Yes and Amen.

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.” —Ephesians 6:10, Amplified Bible

The Apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to being a soldier in the Army of God. We serve a Triumphant King who overcame death! Jesus is the Commander of Angel Armies who loves, directs, and protects us. We, the righteous are His primary concern, “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Be courageous! In Jesus’ Name. Hallelujah! Amen!

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26

Lord God, we ask You to give us strength in our times of adversity. We believe You are Sovereign and You love us with an everlasting love. You are our Triumphant King and the Lion of Judah and we praise and worship Your Holy Name. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer we ask in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

The Christian Believer’s Character and Conduct

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 5, 2024

“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

As the events of Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3 are rapidly being fulfilled, Christ is directing His dedicated disciples to spread His love by emulating His righteous character and conduct. Before Jesus’ return, every person will receive the precious opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior and embrace the Plan of Redemption that enables us to live righteously.

With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit prepares us for Jesus’ Second Coming through the spiritual process of Sanctification. Our lifelong transformation includes the conversion of our hearts, minds, characters, and personalities. We strive to live holy and acceptable lives by embracing and representing Christ’s Righteous Character to others. The Holy Spirit empowers us with Christ’s strength to live as victorious overcomers.

Recently I listened to an Instagram reel on Isaiah’s calling to be a prophet. The sermon emphasized the reverence and honor that the Most High God deserves. Isaiah’s vision reveals God’s Righteousness and Holiness and the utmost worship of the angels. The sermon leads us to a Spiritual Crossroads. Either we choose God’s righteous standards or live by our compromised definition of true Christianity.

The Majesty and Glory of His Righteousness: Isaiah 6:1-3, NIV

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim [angels], each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ “

Reverencing and honoring God is more than attending weekly church service, studying the Bible, giving tithe and offerings, and praying. In Christ’s earthly life, He faithfully obeyed God, the Father. According to our thoughts, all may appear well in our Christian experience, but we cannot judge the status of our relationship with Christ.

Like King David, every day we pray, “God, search my heart…” Faithful obedience to the will of God is required for us to live holy. Our surrender and commitment are evidenced through prayer, “God, what is your will for me today?” Faithful obedience is our highest form of worship and the only worship acceptable to God.

Because of our inherited and fallen nature, we cannot love and revere God as He deserves. We need the Holy Spirit’s intervention. Our propensity toward sinful pleasures results in practicing a compromised version of Christianity. Today’s believers have embraced worldviews, chase their desires, love wealth, and hang out with and have relationships with unbelievers.

Blurred lines of Truth and Error have many wondering, “How do I know if I am a Christian?” Those with converted hearts strive to reverence and honor God through their lifestyle of worship which glorifies God. And yes, many individuals acknowledge God but possess unconverted hearts by continuing to engage in sinful pleasures. “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you” (1 Peter 4:4, NLT).

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

Does our perception of sin align with God’s definition of sin? No. We may not drink, smoke, or fornicate, yet we fail to surrender and obey the will of God which constitutes disobedience and rebellion against God. It is easy to focus on the sins we don’t do, yet, faithful obedience, praying, and studying the Bible along with standing down all carnal desires is a daily sacrifice required by God or we are in the same predicament as unbelievers.

“Romans 6:15, which says, ‘What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.’ In this verse, Paul responds to the rhetorical question, ‘Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?’ The Apostle Paul’s response is that we cannot equate grace with freedom to sin. He states that Christ died to liberate us from sin, not to permit us to sin.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” —Hosea 4:6

Satan has used the influencers to convince us that we do not need to study the entire Bible. The Old Testament is the only accurate historical overview of the creation of this world and human beings. God provided a detailed history of fallen humanity’s disobedience, their repentance, and continual opposition to Him by continuing to embrace sin. Sadly, in 2024, we repeat the same sinful behaviors because we have no desire to live righteously.

God used Moses to approach Pharoah who eventually freed the Israelites from Egyptian enslavement. Although many offered their sacrificial offerings they continued to secretly worship pagan idols. God extended His love and mercies for 40 years. In Numbers chapter 32, we find that God’s mercies do end: “According to the Bible, Scripture states no one over the age of 20 who left Egypt would enter the Promised Land.” Because of their true dedication, only Joshua and Caleb [over the age of 20] were spared by God.

Love, Grace, and Mercy are not New Testament characteristics of God. The Old Testament proves God has always extended Himself to save humanity from the consequences of rebellion against Him. God is Omniscient—All-knowing. God knew Adam and Eve would disobey by eating from the Forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The conversation between God, the Father, and Jesus, God the Son regarding the Plan of Redemption occurred before the creation of this world and human life. Even before Jesus came to this world fulfilling the Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross, God instituted a ceremonial law—animal sacrifice as a representation of Christ’s Cleansing blood, which provides forgiveness for our sins. Jesus’ death abolished the ceremonial law of sacrifice, not the Ten Commandments.

What is our daily offering to God? God has always extended His loving grace and mercies even though humanity has a long history of failing to honor, reverence, and appreciate His loving kindness. How do we demonstrate our gratitude for Christ’s love? It’s time for us to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds by obeying Him as revealed through living righteously.

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” —1 Thessalonians 4:7

Enoch, Joseph, Noah, Esther, Job, and Mary, along with many others, strived to walk with God and pursue holiness as Enoch did. And yes, they were victorious because they surrendered and committed their lives to God. It is possible for us to forsake all worldly pleasures and to put God first in our lives.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” —Exodus 20:3

Reflection: We should cross-examine ourselves: “Where do I stand with God? Is He first in my life? Do my thoughts, spoken words, behaviors, reactions, desires, friends, and interactions with others reveal that I love God? Do I surrender, and strive to live holy? Am I representing the love of God to others?

Christian Characteristics and Conduct

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

“Everyone who names the name of Christ should so work that others, by seeing his good works, may be led to glorify their Creator and Redeemer.” EGW

Daily, we reflect on Jesus’ Sacrifice and thank Him through our covenant vow of faithful obedience. Revelation chapters 21 and 22 remind us that our earthly lives matter. This life is our one opportunity to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Surrender invites the Holy Spirit to reveal our sins and character flaws. Human effort and Divine Intervention are required for our daily transformation into the likeness of Christ.

In John 14:1-3, Jesus promises eternal life to those who honor God by striving to live holy. Our decision to live in the New Heaven and New Earth is revealed daily through surrender, faithful obedience, and perseverance. The Scriptures tell us that our lives are like vapor and this earthly home is temporary, yet, we do not have to struggle alone in our spiritual journey.

All of heaven is on our side to help us overcome! In the strength of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously, possess a loving character, and conduct ourselves as disciples who decided to live forever and ever with our Triumphant King!

“Meet me in heaven, we’ll join hands together, meet me at the Savior’s side.”

Lord God, we desire our reward of Eternal Life. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King. We ask for the strength to renounce sin and to live holy. Anoint us with the Holy Spirit and give us spiritual insight and wisdom as we reveal Your unconditional love to others. We pray in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Lifting Up the Name of Jesus In Our Christian Journey

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 4, 2024

“He must increase and I must decrease.” —John 3:30

The humility demonstrated by the prophet John the Baptist is the righteous trait we must possess to be a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. In His earthly life, Jesus was always submissive to God, the Father, therefore, we die daily to our desires by surrendering to God’s will and plans. Discipleship requires us to maintain a “…child-like, submissive, and teachable spirit.”

Surrender is a daily act of humility. Every day, we choose to obey God by our prayer, Lord, what will You have me to do? From our prayers, we receive God’s plans and the strength and direction from the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s will for the given day. Our faithful obedience is the catalyst for the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts and transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of 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

Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of growth and development performed by the Holy Spirit. Our vow of faithful obedience to God, the Father indicates our willingness to strive for holiness. The human effort of surrender extends the invitation for Christ, our Heavenly High Priest, and Intercessor to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Winning the daily battle of surrendering our will and heart’s desires to God is to decide that we will not sin against God and to act accordingly by renouncing sin and overcoming temptation with the power of the Holy Spirit.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

Being created in Jesus’ image included the spiritual gifts of power, love, and a sound mind [self-control]. We are not helpless! We choose to sin! Even Satan with all of his evil power cannot coerce us to sin. When we love God and appreciate the gift of His Son, Jesus, our choice of maintaining a steadfast relationship with Him reveals that our hearts are filled with overwhelming love and loyalty for Christ.

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’ ” —Hebrews 13:6

Living a sacrificial life not only demands self-denial but also requires us to renounce sin and redirect our focus from the affairs of this world to turning our eyes on Jesus. Never compromise your salvation for individuals who have no desire to fully commit themselves to God. And yes, from striving to please God, we will lose many relationships, yet, Jesus promises, “…I will never leave you or forsake you.”

The Narrow Way
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” —Matthew 7:13-14

To fulfill our roles as disciples of Christ is to pray, seek, and carry out God’s will. Through our contrition and faithful obedience, we receive the blessing of King Jesus’ supernatural strength. We live in perilous times, pray five times more than you are currently praying. Through daily prayer, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to live righteously.

“But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” —Philippians 3:7-8, BSB

The apostle Paul reminds us that the earthly treasures and relationships we lose for Christ are gainful to our Christian experience and relationship with Christ. Let go of all baggage [people, places, and personal habits] that fail to honor God and impede your spiritual growth. Our lifestyle including associations with peers, family members, social activities, and pursuits reveals whether or not we are lifting up the Name of Jesus. “Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“And [in reverent fear and obedience] Enoch walked with God; and he was not [found among men], because God took him [away to be home with Him].” —Genesis 5:24, Amplified Bible

Most sermons fail to inform us that we may have to walk alone on the Path of Righteousness—without human support. Yet, the Scriptures indicate the believer’s journey with Jesus has always been a one-to-one, heart-to-heart, righteous relationship with God. “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NIV). Christ gives us the assurance that spiritually, we are never alone!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

Living a Christ-centered, Bible-Based life requires much faith, courage, and dependency on God! From a lifestyle of worship, we are showered with Divine joy, peace, and happiness. We have a higher purpose than this world has to offer. Yet, we strive to maintain a spirit of humility in our interactions with others.

Our Christ-like love, righteous thoughts, gentleness, compassionate spoken words, behaviors, and habits are the greatest witness of our commitment to glorifying the Righteous Name of Jesus.

Lord God, we pray for an increase in our faith and the courage to renounce sin in all forms. We ask for blessings of Divine Strength, wisdom, and discernment as we navigate life’s tumultuous journey. Our desire is to receive our Crown of Life when You come again. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Sabbath Devotional – Let God Guide Your Life

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 1, 2024

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

It has taken a lifetime for many believers to fully surrender and faithfully obey God. Sadly most refuse by following their thoughts and plans, never receiving God’s greatest blessings of peace, joy, and happiness. The daily prayer of surrender, “Lord, I will follow Your will and plans” places us in right standing with God. “Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things” (Proverbs 13:21).

For the “Yes to God” believers, we have the assurance that we are living our best lives and the rewards are great for honoring God with faithful obedience! Not only are we following the perfect will of God, but we also receive His gifts of inner peace and direction from the Holy Spirit. In fact, mere words are inadequate to express the joy and happiness that God’s Divine peace provides, we never experience worries or suffer from unforeseen consequences!

“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. ‘ ” —Matthew 22:37-38

“…you are not your own you were bought with a price…” —1 Corinthians 6:20

If allowing God to guide your steps feels difficult, it reflects a heart issue. Love for God requires dedication and total surrender. Yet, it is truly worthwhile. To live with the assurance that God is always faithful and promises to give us victory despite our circumstances because our obedience aligns us with His will is worth total surrender. May we delight in the love and gifts of Sabbath Peace and Blessings. Amen.

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.” —Isaiah 12:2

Thank You, God, for the Sabbath and Your sweet gifts of peace, joy, and happiness. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray Amen.

How Deep Is Your Love for Christ?

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 31, 2024

“We love Him because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

God [The Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit] is Love! This Scripture compels us to reflect on the Source of love and to check the status of our love for God which is demonstrated through reverence and obedience to Him and love and compassion for others. Something is not right within us when we do not love everyone Christ created in His image.

“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.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-39

In studying the Life of Christ we find that His earthly life was filled with experiencing abject hatred from the Pharisees and Jewish leaders who desired His death because he spoke the One and Only Truth and preached that He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus described himself as a “Man of Sorrows” because the very people who rejected Him were the ones He came to Earth to save their souls.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32

We are commanded to love, respect, and forgive others as Christ loves. You will never meet a person Christ did not die for, therefore, we should treat every living being regardless of socioeconomic status with the utmost respect and love. Another test of our faith and whether we possess unconditional love is the ability to reveal Christ’s love when we are accused, mistreated, or excluded.

“A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.” —Proverbs 19:11

Our reaction to offenses reveals whether or not our hearts are filled with the Righteousness of Christ and evidence if we are actively participating with the Holy Spirit to transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ—which is Sanctification: Spiritual growth, and maturity.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:11

Because we serve the Most High God, Satan uses people to attack our character (Spiritual Warfare is Satan’s scheme). If we retaliate with harsh, angry spoken words, carry an unrighteous grudge, or harbor a spirit of offense then the love of God is not in our hearts. “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).

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” —Exodus 14:14

Throughout the Old Testament, every victory reveals our God is a Mighty Warrior and always wins the battle. Although we are mistreated, we pray for Spiritual strength and the Holy Spirit will empower us to remain silent and walk away from all spiritual warfare involving conflict. If we pray for wisdom and discernment then we will view satanic attacks of unfair treatment and biases through spiritual eyes.

How deep is your love for Christ? Are you willing to suffer as Christ suffered?

Strive daily to be Christ-like. Our ultimate goal should align with God’s Divine purpose for giving Jesus, His only Son to die on the cross for us. Our focus when considering the future does not include vacations, retirement, or buying homes and vehicles. We can be 100% certain about one thing regarding the future: Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King’s promise in John 14.

“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 day we remind ourselves that we are living to have a personal relationship with Christ and one day soon to receive our reward of eternal life in a perfect world filled with Agape love. Amen! Peace and Blessings.

Love God, Love Others, and Love Yourself

Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 13

Lord God, we ask You to teach us how to love unconditionally and pray for the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize the warfare designed to misrepresent Your love for others. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Feeling Like An Outsider? Fulfill Your Divine Purpose

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 27, 2024

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

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

Spiritual Guidelines for Christian Believers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Although Jesus had 12 disciples, the Scriptures portray Him as spending much time alone in prayer with God, Jesus proclaimed, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Jesus describes His earthly life as “A Man of Sorrows.” Still, He fulfilled God, the Father’s Spiritual Assignment—to complete the Plan of Redemption and now sits on the Right Hand of God, the Father as our Triumphant King! Hallelujah and Amen!

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

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

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moving Forward By Gaining the Victory Over Our Past

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 25, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Praying For Inner Peace – “Peace, Be Still!”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 24, 2024

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

Many individuals desire and seek peace. Every day a false man-made peace is marketed to attempt to alleviate our restless and agitated minds. Every day desperate people purchase apps, use mind-altering drugs, and relocate to isolated areas in their desperate search for the world’s version of peace. But true peace is a precious gift from God that cannot be purchased.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26, NLT

Jeremiah was known as the “Weeping Prophet.” “Jeremiah came from a priestly family and was called as a youth to be a prophet. His ministry spanned the time before, during, and after the Babylonian capture and exile of some Judeans and the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the land.”

What is spiritual peace? Jesus’ Peace is the divine gift of an inner calm and assurance that permeates our mind, body, and soul. To receive peace, we use our measure of faith to trust in God and remain hopeful because we believe God is Sovereign, loves us, and is always faithful.

God’s peace is given to us through prayer and as mysterious as receiving His peace appears, by faith, we receive Divine peace from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When we stay connected to Jesus Christ, the Source of Peace, through much prayer, Jesus gives His Peace which flows from Himself. Jesus’ peace is freely given to every believer who proclaims that Jesus is the Lord of their life. Daily surrender is evidence that we love God. Faithful obedience connects us spiritually to God and strengthens our heart-to-heart relationship with Christ.

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

To admit to God that our faith is weak is a fact that He already knows. In tough times, we exercise humility by asking God for the courage to move forward in His strength. Jesus knows the human heart, we are frail and will succumb to our circumstances without His Divine strength. Jesus reminded the apostle Paul, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…’ ” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We can enjoy the rich blessing of abundant peace despite our present struggles. Yes, Jesus’ peace is a gift wrapped in His Divine love. From personal experience, praying in faith through total surrender gives us peace that eliminates all worries, anxieties, and fears. “Pray continuously!” Have you placed your life in God’s hands? Even in the raging storms of life, surrendering our will to God invites Jesus to proclaim, “Peace Be Still!”

“It is Well with My Soul” is a Christian hymn written by Horatio Gates Spafford in 1873 that expresses faith in God and peace in times of tragic

loss. He lost his three children, one to sickness, and the two daughters in a shipwreck which only his wife survived. Can we proclaim that it is well with my soul even when walking through a season of financial loss, marital dissolution, life-changing illness, or the death of loved ones?

God knows that harsh situations will cause anguish and many tears of sorrow. If we view God as a loving Heavenly Father whose goal is to save our souls then we will not become angry or blame Him in times of adversity. We were created to be needy and dependent on God. Accepting our limitations by asking for His Divine Help in our deepest sorrows results in an immediate response from our Triumphant King.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” —Mark 4:39

From our petitions of prayer, Jesus, the Commander of Angel Armies sends His peace through the Holy Spirit and dispatches angels who comfort us. Jesus, God, the Son in His earthly life described Himself as a “Man of Sorrows.” We have a Loving and Compassionate Savior who always provides the Divine peace that soothes our souls and heals our broken hearts.

Bible Study: Mark 4

Lord God, our storms are raging and we ask in faith for your Divine Help and gift of peace. We need strength and the courage to move forward. Heal our brokenness and direct us on the Path of Righteousness. God, we trust You and rely on You to help us live as victorious overcomers while preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

References: Stand Up Like Jeremiah, Adventist Review

Winning the War: Obedience vs. Disobedience to God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 23, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“My Help Comes from God!”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 22, 2024

The Divine Invitation: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

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

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

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

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

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

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10

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

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

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

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