Devotional – Page 2 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Run to Jesus! He Is Our Mighty Warrior

Jesus speaking to His disciples: “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me…” (John 14:30, NLT).

As Jesus hung on the cross, Satan thought He had won. But on that early Sunday morning, when God, the Father sent Heaven’s angels to roll back the stone. Our Savior awakened from the sleep of death, and walked out of the tomb, then Satan knew that he was defeated. Yes and Amen!

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians (6:12).

In Ephesians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul explains that every believer is involved in the battle of spiritual warfare. Yes, in the Great Controversy of Good and Evil, Satan is fighting Jesus for our souls.

But our greatest enemy does not have power over us, or our free will of choice. Satan cannot force us to sin against God, we willingly choose to embrace temptation.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV).

The Battlefield is Our Mind!

Every day, we are tempted to embrace the unbeliever’s lifestyle of chasing prosperity, pleasure, and the self-gratification of appetite, and sexual immorality.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Even believers have desires for wealth and success that do not align with the Righteousness of Christ.

Excessive spending, countless hours on social media, and relationships with unbelievers may appear to be insignificant, but every temptation has the ulterior motive of being a catalyst to forming habits that prevent us from praying and studying the Bible, which separate us from God.

Divine Intervention Is Always Available: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).

Jesus does not allow Satan to ambush us with countless deceptions, our Shepherd and King places limits on the enemy’s schemes and attacks against believers. Without Divine boundaries placed on Satan, we would feel hopeless, and defeated.

Feeling Defeated? Check Your Spiritual Connection with Christ.

When we face continuous battles, we are disconnected from Christ. Our desires, choices, and lifestyles indicate whether or not, we are spiritually connected to Christ.

Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are you loyal to Christ? Or, is your priority to please self?

The Compromise: Satan has deceived many believers who have detoured from the Path of Righteousness because they are pursuing their desires. Sadly, they don’t even realize they are disconnected from Christ.

We cannot blend Christ’s Righteousness with the sinful desires for wealth, success, and an easy life, and remain spiritually connected to Christ.

Ways We Disconnect from Christ: Failure to have daily worship. Not praying and studying the Bible. Never praying for God to reveal His plans, or asking for God’s guidance. Engaging in sinful behaviors and habits. Having relationships with unbelievers. Following our own thoughts, and seeking the advice of self-proclaimed influencers and experts.

The Lifestyle of the Disconnected

It may appear that Satan is good to unbelievers because they possess the world’s wealth. But one of Satan’s greatest deceptions are the worldviews that wealth produces wisdom, and a mindset of euphoric peace.

Unbelievers live a miserable life because their mind is always in a state of discontent. They are constantly developing strategies to increase their economic wealth and social status.

It is easy to boast about living the dream, but behind closed doors, unbelievers are anxious, worried, and stressed everyday. And yes, Satan constantly disturbs the minds of those who are loyal to him.

Unbelievers do not receive God’s gift of peace, nor, do they have the constant angelic protection given by Jesus to His faithful followers to fight Satan’s attacks of causing mental anguish and physical harm.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

Disconnected? Seeking Restoration with Christ Requires Repentance and the Daily Commitment to Surrender and Obey

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

Run to Jesus! Reconnecting to Christ requires a change in our priorities and lifestyle. The commitment to living righteously includes choosing right over wrong when tempted, and being guided by the Holy Spirit when making decisions.

There is no logical reason for us to let Satan beat us down. Living righteously includes having Total Access to Jesus Christ. We can only fight Satan’s manipulative schemes and win when we are empowered with Jesus’ Divine strength.

Thinking and living according to God’s Righteous Principles requires Steadfast Faith, and the daily Spiritual Reinforcements of Prayer, Bible Study, Faith, Surrender, and Obedience, which keep us spiritually linked to Christ.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, CSB).

Yes, in our earthly journey, we will face spiritual warfare, but Satan is defeated! Invite Jesus Christ, our Mighty Warrior to fight your battles. He always wins!

Run to Jesus! He is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, Forever and Ever, Amen.

“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.” (Revelation 19:11)

Lord God, with humility and surrender,we are running to You, asking you to forgive us for our sins of neglecting you as our First Love. Jesus, we are returning to You, asking for Your Divine wisdom, guidance, strength, and protection, as we face the Warfare in our lives. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in faith and in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Representing the Light of Christ In a World of Darkness

Christ Defines His Followers: “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). Yes, this is our identity in Christ!

“Jesus did not tell His disciples, ‘Strive to make your light shine;’ He said, ‘Let it shine.’ If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence.”

In a world plagued with darkness, Christ has given us a spiritual assignment to fulfill: Witnessing to those who do not know Jesus’ Light, His Love, and His Sacrifice to Redeem us from the vice-grip of sin.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Every believer is a follower of Christ, which makes us disciples of Christ. We may not literally baptize others, but from witnessing, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to the hearts of those who we simply tell, “Jesus loves you.”

Although some individuals may not respond, or even reject hearing that Jesus loves them, we have fulfilled our role, and then the Holy Spirit will take over. Still, they must choose to accept or reject Jesus and the free gift of Salvation.

There is an extreme shortage of love in our present world. People need to know they are loved. When they repent and accept Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes them spiritually, cleansing their hearts from all unrighteousness.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20). This Scripture means that Jesus knocks at our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. Saying yes, opens the spiritual door.

We may never know who accepts Christ until we go to heaven, yet because we fulfilled our part as modern-day disciples, we will meet those who said yes to Jesus after we shared the love of Jesus with them.

Something is not right if we have no desire to witness: “If those who profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with [Christ] the Source of Light.”

Excerpt from “The Light of the World” Devotional by EGW

“As the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth. If the church of Christ were fulfilling the purpose of our Lord, light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness and in the region and shadow of death.”

“Instead of congregating together and shunning responsibility and cross bearing, the members of the church would scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ would speedily be carried to all the world.”

“…there are souls enslaved by Satan; they are waiting for the word of faith and prayer to set them free.”

Who will tell them if we refuse?

We come across people everyday who are anxious, depressed, discouraged, and feel hopeless. They desperately need to know that Jesus saves and delivers us from the strongholds of sin, addictions, and despair.

With courage, we can tell everyone that we come across, “Jesus loves you.” Yes and Amen!

Lord God, in humility and surrender, we bow before your Throne asking for strength to live righteously. We ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as we tell others of the Love and Saving Power of Jesus Christ. Teach us how to be shining lights that reflect Your love, grace, and mercy in a dark world. We pray for wisdom, discernment, and the courage to witness as we prepare for Your Soon Coming. We ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of King Jesus, Amen.

No Need to Worry: We Are God’s Responsibility

Recently, I decided to look through a bin containing some of my journals, and discovered six mini notepads inside of unfinished drafts for several devotionals. As a writer, I can never resist a blank piece of paper!

As I read the words “You are God’s responsibility, let Him take care of you,” the burden I was carrying immediately lifted. Jesus sent Spiritual Comfort that resonated within my heart, and I felt as if our Creator and Loving Shepherd had given me an everlasting hug.

God’s Responsibility to Care for Humanity: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27, ESV).

When Adam and Eve sinned, their choice to disobey required them to relinquish their home, the Garden of Eden; still, Christ did not forsake them. In fact, the first death [as the result of their rebellion against God] occurred when two lambs were required to die to clothe Adam and Eve with animal skins to cover their nakedness.

“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3).

From Jesus’ death on Calvary, He proved Himself Worthy to be our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Authority over humanity. From our choice to follow Christ, not only do we receive Redemption, but we also belong to King Yeshua, our Shepherd, who assumes all responsibility for His sheep.

“The relationship between the Shepherd and sheep is one of care, protection, and guidance, where the sheep are entirely dependent on the Shepherd for their well-being.” [John 16:33].

“The Shepherd provides for the sheep’s physical needs, leading them to food and water, protecting them from danger, and caring for them when they are sick or lost.” [Nahum 1:7; Philippians 4:19].

“The sheep, in turn, recognize the Shepherd’s voice and follow His lead, demonstrating trust and dependence.” [Romans 8:28].

How Does Jesus, our Shepherd, Lead Us? Through prayer, we communicate with Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and Mediator between God and humanity. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us by taking our prayers to Jesus, our High Priest. We receive our Shepherd’s comfort, strength, and answers from the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. Pray and Study the Bible!

The Sheep’s Responsibility: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear [reverence] the Lord and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

The Wayward Sheep: The Believers who stray from the Shepherd, easily falling into sin, are the Christians who attend church, but do not have consistent personal worship, or consecrate themselves to God with faithful obedience every day through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures. They prefer to lead themselves by relying on their own thoughts and plans.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13, NIV).

Jesus’ Divine Responsibility extends beyond our provisions of life; He also protects us from the unseen danger of spiritual warfare and the internal desires of our hearts, which lead us to pursue pleasure and prosperity. The Holy Spirit always warns us before we choose to say Yes to temptations. Still, if we continuously refuse to obey the Spirit of Truth’s inner voice, eventually the Holy Spirit ceases to warn us.

Fact: Lost sheep can never find their way back to the flock; the Shepherd must search for the sheep. Even when we fall, the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience, so we know that we are no longer walking on the Path of Righteousness with Christ. This is our opportunity to repent, yet God never coerces us to relinquish our free will to choose sin instead of obedience.

“And why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Excluding God from daily decision-making not only desensitizes us to sin’s terrible consequences, but also proclaims our preference to live independently of our Heavenly Shepherd’s Loving Care.

STEPS to Returning to Christ, Our Shepherd: Commitment and Consecration

“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, CSB). God’s abundant Grace and Mercies make it easy for us to return to Christ. We confess and repent for our sins, and then, like King David, we move forward in the strength of Jesus Christ with the commitment to obey, fulfill His plans for our lives, and renounce sin.

The Chosen Path: The Shepherd Always Guides His Sheep

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1, NASB).
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).

To abide in Christ is to live a sacrificial life of obedience and self-denial. Daily, we pray for God’s Divine Providence, in which the Holy Spirit reveals Christ’s perfect will and plans for our lives. Obedience is the requisite to receiving God’s blessings.

Surrendering ourselves to follow Christ invites Him to keep us on our Chosen Path. Yes, the believer’s journey always includes suffering, and life is unpredictable, but it is better to travel with Christ than to be lost and struggle alone, as the unbelievers live every day.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, NIV).

Our King and Faithful Shepherd guarantees to give us the strength to persevere, and when He returns, the faithful will receive their reward of Eternal Life. Victory is only through Christ!

Our Shepherd is Faithful, Always Desiring to Care for Us: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

The peaceful assurance that comes from having faith in God’s promises that we are His priority is priceless. Even when we forget, the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is love and we are His responsibility. Relinquish Self-Governance for Jesus’ Loving Care: The decision to let Jesus care for us is one that we will never regret. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we just want to thank You for Your Amazing Love. Thank You for reminding us that from conception to birth to breathing our last breath, You will take care of us. Because of Your unfailing love, we do not have to carry heavy burdens or figure out the solutions to the many challenges that arise in our lives. In faith, we pray this prayer of gratitude, in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

In Sync With God’s Purpose

” ‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts says the Lord and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8).

The young woman related her testimony of living a tumultuous life for many years. She prayed for direction, and was surprised when God instructed her to return to her parents’ home in a rural town, which she left 20 years prior, because “I was young and wanted to live my life in the big city.”

Although it appeared that God was taking her backward, because of her parents’ reputation as loving Christians, she was immediately hired for a prime position. And to her surprise, the quiet rural town had also progressed in its business operations and technologies.

She concluded her testimony with, “I never realized that my life could be so blessed. Whatever you do in life, pray, and obey God.”

” ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ ” (Jeremiah 33:3).

God’s Plans are intentional and always have the definitive purpose of drawing us closer in our relationship with Christ. Prayers of Faith align us with God’s plans of Moving Us Forward Spiritually!

Faithfulness to God is the highest form of worship we can offer. Out of steadfast Faith springs trust, obedience, and the desire to stay connected to the Source of Life, God, the Father.

Today’s sermons omit the most important part of our Christian Journey: A follower of Christ must live an obedient and sacrificial life.

Throughout the Bible, we learn that serving God always requires us to give a sacrificial offering. We have to let go of the things that we treasure the most.

Our personal goals, relationships, prosperity, jobs, and even our desired careers can be the things that we must relinquish. Yes, we will feel disappointed, or discouraged, still, we should focus our faith on God’s promises, and trust His plans.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

God has Perfect Plans for you and me. His plans for those who are faithful and obedient include a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

When we love God and desire to stay in sync with His purpose then we willingly surrender and obey. Yes, it takes a giant leap of faith to follow and depend on His plans when we do not understand them. But, Just do it!

Our commitment of consecration requires a sacrificial prayer, “Lord God, I want what You want for me.” In faith, pray, and trust God’s Amazing Love and His Sovereignty. Our Father’s plans always produce Victorious Outcomes!

If the thought of asking God to reveal His purpose for your life makes you fearful, then you can be assured that your desires and your life are out of sync with His perfect will.

“Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:37, NLT). We cannot hope and pray that God will bless our desires when it is not in His will for us. No believer is exempt from sacrificial giving.

“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).

God, the Father required Jesus, His Only Son to be obedient, even though fulfilling the Plan of Redemption required dying a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross.

If Jesus was required to obey God in His earthly life then we can expect a change to our agendas if they are not in sync with God’s purpose.

The Holy Spirit is warning God’s true believers to prepare for our Triumphant King’s Second Coming. The events described in Matthew 24, and 2 Timothy 3 are happening now.

The natural disasters, escalation in violence and greed, worldwide hunger, global wars, the violation of human rights, and political corruption are signs of living in the Last Days of Earth’s history.

God has been transparent by telling us how this Earth and evil will end. From studying the Scriptures, we know the future plans that God has for the righteous.

Revelation chapters 19-22 describe how the battle between good and evil ends. We have the greatest hope of receiving our Heavenly reward when we intentionally align ourselves with God’s purpose and plans.

Our salvation and receiving our Crown of Life requires the active commitment of daily consecration and surrender to God’s will.

We should be very excited that Jesus, the King of kings left His throne to come to Earth, live in poverty, and suffer so we can have a perfect and eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we thank you for the blessing of a new day. We ask You to reveal your plan for today, and to guide us, so we stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask this prayer in the Matchless and Mighty Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ. Amen

Silence Invites Christ Into the Conflict

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” —1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV

Because of sin, conflict is a natural part of life. But regardless of the highly practiced worldview, “Conflict is healthy,” God clarifies that He is never present in disagreements, arguments, confusion, or strife.

“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Because Satan is shrewd, dissension presents itself in various [covert] ways. Something as simple as, “What are we going to eat for dinner?” can escalate into a tug of war when our hearts are not filled with Christ’s love.

“And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Do not be deceived by describing conflict as “a little disagreement.” Little conflicts invite the unrighteous spirit of confusion into our homes.

Dissension changes the atmosphere of our homes and our minds, characters, and personalities, which become instruments that Satan easily manipulates.

The Spirit of Strife not only destroys our internal peace but also separates us from God, placing us on the same unrighteous level as unbelievers. To “Agree to Disagree” is one of Satan’s deceptive theories of compromise, and is not Biblical, or a Righteous Principle.

Our earthly lives are the only opportunity given by God to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Through humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, the righteous are covered with Christ’s garment of spiritual peace.

“If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18, CEB). God’s expectation for every Christian believer is that we possess a pure, loving heart that reflects the Righteousness of Christ. A home that is peaceful and righteous is the home where the Spirit of God is always present.

“Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, GWT).

Satan’s most effective conflict strategy is to use people to provoke us, so we will react with angry thoughts and words, or impatiently blow our vehicle horn, an unholy substitute for irate spoken words.

Do not give Satan control of your mind and mouth by speaking emotionally charged words. Unrighteous responses are one of the easiest ways to sin.

Angry sarcastic words are thoughtless words that not only escalate the situation but are also hurtful. Fact: Apologies do not soothe or heal wounded hearts.

Seeing Conflict Through Spiritual Eyes: There are only two powers in this world, God, who is Good, and the Creator and Giver of Peace, and Satan, whose evil schemes always produce conflict with the intent to destroy harmony and peace.

Overcoming Satan’s Schemes of Conflict Requires the Teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention.

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14, NASB).

How to Handle Conflict With Unfamiliar People: Immediately pray for strength, remain silent, and walk away. No discussion is necessary. Walking away is our witness.

Handling conflict with familiar people [family, friends, coworkers] who are also believers is the true test of our love and loyalty to Christ. Unless they are immediate family living in the same home, we must separate ourselves from those whom the enemy is using to persecute us.

Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God reveals boundaries in interaction with our family and friends. Husbands and wives must pray together when animosity arises between them, and parents must be a godly example for their children when dissension arises.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Never harbor grudges: We must extend mercy as God extends Mercy to us.

The first response in the Christian home is not to hear what happened first, but to engage everyone present to immediately pray a prayer of repentance, and with humility invite God to resolve the conflict. Only then, when the Holy Spirit is present, should they hear the rest of the story. An effective way to resolve conflict and evaluate with fairness is, after the prayer, have each person write about their experience.

Dissension is often fatal to our spiritual growth and transformation. We must never forget that we accepted Christ to live righteously and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for a complete spiritual makeover of our mind, character, and personality. One thing is for certain: There will be no conflict in heaven.

“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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV).

The Truth: Quick and intemperate responses reveal that our hearts are unconverted, and we do not possess the righteous character traits that align with the Fruit of the Spirit.

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

Whether strife arises with familiar people, or strangers, remain silent! God has gifted us with the power of self control, React by breathing a silent prayer. Ask God for Divine Help. Using self-control, Stand down your anger!

Prayer and Silence accomplish two spiritual goals: We learn to totally depend on God to fight and win our battles, and our character is transformed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit necessary for us to receive our reward of the Crown of Life.

Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the many times we have thought or spoken angry words that did not reflect Your love. We ask you to give us the strength and the guidance to cultivate a spirit of meekness and to extend mercy when experiencing the persecution of conflict for serving You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Christ Invites Us to Give Him All of Our Challenges

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28).

Unexpected challenges do not knock, waiting for us to open the door so they can enter. No, hardships and adversities are unwelcome intruders who have master keys and enter with unpredictability. Even believers often find it difficult to agree on most subjects, but there is a strong consensus that suffering is always challenging and leads to discouragement.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

Although I followed God’s plans, this week, I faced two extremely difficult challenges that discouraged me. Obedience to God should always bring a deep sense of inner peace. So, what happened? I forgot Jesus’ warning that even when we obey God, unexpected adversity can arise, causing us to feel defeated.

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Truthfully, because we serve God, we feel that our lives should be easier, but an easy life is not Biblical. No Bible hero, and certainly not Jesus, the Son of God, was exempt from harsh trials.

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” (Psalm 42:6). David was a skillful musician and singer, but many do not understand “the man after God’s own heart.” He never pretended that all was well when it wasn’t. The Psalms are songs of prayer, and the longest book in the Bible. Prayer is a spiritual lifesaver, keeping us connected to the Source of Life.

God knows that our response to trials and troubles will not be positive. Through prayer, we receive answers from Scripture, making it essential for our spiritual well-being. Studying the Bible is not optional. Like David, I prayed, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to study Psalm 42.

Daily personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts. While writing this devotional, the Holy Spirit reminded me that “The Christian’s Journey on the Path of Righteousness Always Involves Suffering.”

“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. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just like we are.” Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality, building our faith, and molding us into the righteous character of Christ are required to receive Eternal Life, and can only be accomplished through trials and adversities.

The hard times of suffering are a part of Christianity that we fail to embrace or appreciate. I am not a new believer, and throughout my journey, I have heard so few sermons on the suffering required to follow Jesus. Who is teaching or preaching the sermons telling us that the journey on the Path of Righteousness is tough, so when adversity comes in like a tsunami, we immediately fall to our knees in prayer, asking for help?

“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).

“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot rely on anyone else to teach us the Gospel Truth of the Bible. Too many believers are giving up on God because they do not know the Truth. The book of Job reveals that Job lived a sinless life, still he endured extreme suffering, but overcame, and received many blessings.

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ESV).

Sanctification requires humility, long-suffering [patience], and the teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention. Spiritual transformation requires our entire [earthly] life. If we use our faith and obedience to cooperate with God, then every day the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us. Spiritual growth never happens in leaps and bounds; it is the little steps that keep us moving forward.

God’s thoughts, ways, and plans always take time. God is Eternal. He views our lives from beginning to end. Because God knows our lifespan, there is no need for Him to rush in giving us His blessings or fulfilling His promises.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).

Still, God always fulfills His promises. We know that from the story of Abraham and Sarah who were 100 and 90 years of age when Isaac was born. One thing is for certain, God’s timing will never align with our timing.

The worldview of “Do it now” strongly opposes the righteous characteristic of patience, which is a Fruit of the Spirit. Instant gratification is the downfall of any Christian who embraces the mindset of “I have to have it now!”

Not all adversity or roadblocks are related to the faith journey of spiritual growth. We must also consider if we became impatient and attempted to expedite the process by following our thoughts.

Our Plans: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (James 4:13-15, NIV).

Our God-given gift of Free Will of Choice allows us to choose following our thoughts and desires, or surrendering to and obeying God’s Perfect Plans, which always end in Victory.

God’s Plans: “O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]” (Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible).

Does God honor those who faithfully obey Him? The three Hebrew young men were not destroyed in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Daniel slept with the lions in their den, and yes, Peter lost faith when walking on the water, but he was the only one of the disciples who was courageous enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus saved Peter. And when the Apostle Paul was bitten by the venomous snake, the people waited for him to die, but he lived [Acts 28:3-6].

The same Christ who intervened in the Old and New Testaments is still waiting for the righteous to approach Him in prayer. Who else can help us but God?

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Trust Jesus with your life! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have a very patient and loving Shepherd who knows that our hearts, faith, and courage are weak. Still, our Loving Jesus, who is our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor, waits for us to ask for His help.

“The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer, specifically in conveying our prayers to Christ. The Holy Spirit acts as a Divine Intercessor, bringing our sincere, faith-filled prayers to the Father through Christ.” (EGW)

The lessons I learned: When we faithfully follow and obey God’s Directives, yes, we may still face adversity; even so, when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by committing ourselves to a life of prayer, asking for Divine Help and Strength, we immediately receive the ability to make it through our challenges. Not only did I learn more about God’s Loving Character and humanity’s weaknesses from studying the Psalms, but I also received Jesus’ strength, comfort, and a victorious outcome [a miracle]. Yes and Amen.

“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).

Jesus Christ is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!

Lord God, we thank You for creating us, loving us, intervening for us, and taking care of us. We love You, and worship Your Holy Name. Lord, teach us to pray that we can depend on You instead of ourselves. We also pray for a Divine blessing during the Holy Sabbath, and ask this prayer, in the Righteous and Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Trusting In God Guarantees A Secure Life

“Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:31-34

Worrying about the future is the greatest insecurity that humanity suffers from. We can expect unbelievers to suffer from roller coaster emotions, but something is not right when Christians also manifest the same mental and emotional unrest as our unbelieving counterparts.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.” —Proverbs 3:7

How did we veer off of God’s Chosen Path? Most believers do not wake up and decide to abandon God’s Perfect Plans; detouring off the Path of Righteousness is a gradual process. We begin by making daily decisions without God, resulting in the redirection of our faith from God to ourselves.

If our confidence has always been in our life experience and the speculations of analysts, we probably do not realize that we are disobeying God. When the nation of Israel was taken into Babylonian captivity, “The Lord could not give them prosperity, He could not fulfill His covenant with them…”

Because compromised Christianity is at its highest level, not too many sermons or reels emphasize that “To obey God is His Command.” Studying the Bible under the direction of the Teacher, the Holy Spirit is the only guarantee of knowing, understanding, and living God’s Absolute Truth.

The Plague of Worrying continues to spread, overpowering our desire to prepare for Jesus’ Second Advent. The message of living Holy through the Power of Jesus Christ is no longer the focus of most churches.

Sadly, because of our discouragement and unhappy lifestyles, pastors are burdened by the necessity to preach sermons on how to have peace instead of helping their members prepare to receive their Crown of Life.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Salvation is not a shared gift. Our relationship with Christ is built on our love, faith, and the desire to follow Him. Using our faith to trust in God’s Sovereign Authority is a foundational belief of Christianity.

“Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you…” (Isaiah 55:3).

Trusting in God and His Faithfulness is our security. With humility, we reverence God with obedience because He gave Jesus to Redeem us, saving us from death. Certainly, God deserves our love and loyalty.

What does God tell us about Himself and His Intervention in our lives?

God Declares His Omnipotence: “…Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. (Job 41:10-11).

Spiritual Security is only possible when we use our faith to believe that God is Who He says He is.

God’s Command to Us: “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).

The Love of Money has distracted us to the point that we are fixated on the growth of our financial portfolios as opposed to spiritual growth.

Inflation, tariffs, the Dow, our 401k, and interest rates are guaranteed to fluctuate, but our faith and trust in God and His promises must remain steadfast.

According to the latest study, only 30% of Christians globally study the Bible, and many do not own a Bible. Yet, the 30% who stay in God’s word, we can sleep like newborn babies. Our goal is to go to heaven.

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). The Apostle John in Revelation saw a number of people like the sands of the sea who received Eternal Life.

Every human being has been given the spiritual gift of a measure of Faith. Yes, God knows who will remain faithful throughout their earthly lives by only bowing to Him, but we choose our destiny.

Despite the obstacles, those who have consecrated themselves to obey God will receive Jesus’ Power and Strength every day. Embracing God’s Divine Plans invites the Holy Spirit to empower us to live holy, giving us the wisdom to maintain a steadfast relationship with our Shepherd.

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12).

Restructuring our time spent on pleasure is imperative to invest in our salvation. We should enjoy uninterrupted time in daily personal worship with God through consecration, prayer, and studying the Scriptures.

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8). Our love for God is the catalyst to fall to our knees and spend more time in His presence.

When we form the habits of Prayer and Bible Study, we are nurturing our faith, which invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen our trust in God and give us Divine peace.

It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us with Jesus’ Divine strength and wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.

The Holy Spirit, who transforms us daily into the Righteous Character of Christ, can only perform Sanctification when we fully cooperate by seeking God’s will and obeying His plans.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6).

From obeying God’s command to seek and surrender to Him, we allow God to secure our future. Obedience gives us the assurance Jesus will finish our transformation before He comes [Philippians 1:6].

God desires for us to enjoy peace and happiness in our earthly lives. Still we must commit to align ourselves with our Heavenly Father’s thoughts and ways. Our testimony of victory is based on an unwavering faith in God’s love and faithfulness.

We have a lot to be thankful for, our greatest gift is Jesus Christ who covers us with His Righteousness, presenting us as holy to God, the Father when we fulfill God’s Righteous Conditions of Participation in our salvation.

All of God’s promises are conditional, including Eternal Life. John 14:1-3 is Jesus’ promise to prepare our new home [Revelation 21-22]; still, we must acquiesce to His Sovereignty as children obey their parents. Pray, Obey, and Persevere!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV).

In the King James translation of the promise God gave to Jeremiah is one of hope and certainty of our future. Jesus Christ fulfilled “The Plan of Redemption,” which includes returning to this planet to take the righteous to our Forever Home in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Study Revelation chapters 21-22, Romans 12, Galatians 5, and strive to live holy. “…The future belongs to the Lord. And our futures are secure when we put our trust in Him…” Yes and Amen.

God is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you…”

“For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…you are precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…Fear not, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 43:1-5).

Lord God, we desire to draw closer to you. We repent of self-reliance. With gratitude, we thank You for the gift of Your life. We ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and give us guidance through our earthly journey. Jesus, we need spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to keep moving forward. In Your Holy Name, we ask this prayer in faith, Amen.

Include God in Your Daily Life – Jesus Cares

Jesus reminds us that it is the simple and trusting childlike faith we use to approach the Throne of Grace for help. There is never a minute in our lives that we do not need Jesus.

Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor, patiently waits for us to ask Him for Divine Help. Pray, Wait, and Persevere in the power of Jesus’ Strength!

Develop a spirit of dependency by including God in every aspect of your daily life. Jesus promised to never leave us, or forsake us, and we believe, because He is always Faithful.

The righteous have infinite value to God. All of Heaven is interested in helping us live as Victorious Overcomers through Christ Jesus.

Let John 16:33 and Isaiah 65:24 be your go to Scriptures for strength and comfort. Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, we ask you to give us strength, peace, comfort, and the patience to wait for Your Divine Intervention. With faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Is It Possible to “Be Holy?”

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

What does it mean to love God more than ourselves?

Jesus’ Answer: “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 identifies God, the Father as The Sovereign Ruler and Authority of this world who never left Him alone. Jesus had unwavering faith in God, the Father, and a mindset of surrendered obedience, receiving supernatural power daily.

Yes, Jesus was Divine and human. Because Jesus loved God more than He loved Himself, His prayers revealed a life of daily surrender, consecration, and faithful obedience, always seeking and obeying God’s will.

Jesus’s earthly life is documented in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John]. Jesus was a Prayer Warrior who relied on His Father’s Divine Strength and Wisdom, never making decisions without God’s guidance.

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).

For us to be able to pray this prayer, we must live a selfless, sacrificial life devoted to God. From our willingness to consecrate ourselves to live an obedient life, the Holy Spirit permeates our hearts with love, spiritual wisdom, and strength.

The Apostle Paul tells us if we continuously pray in faith, the Holy Spirit will guide us in our journey of life keeping us on the Path of Righteousness.

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

A pure heart is one that denies self, in exchange for seeking, and obeying God’s plans. Yet God never coerces us to obey Him. We choose our final destiny of Eternal Life or Malachi 4.

Revelation 22:11-14

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still…”

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

14 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. Amen.

Lord God, many are desensitized and are no longer preparing daily for Jesus’ Second Coming. We pray for a renewal of heartfelt love and dedication to follow Jesus Christ on earth that we may be sanctified to receive daily transformation, and immortality at the Second Advent. God, we ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and desire to reconsecrate ourselves totally to You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Jesus Knows Your Name: We Are Loved!

“But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows” (Luke 12:7).

“Overcoming Fear and Anxiety: The parable of sparrows is used to remind us of two concepts: We are loved by God, and we are His priority.

“Jesus uses the example of sparrows to reassure His followers that God cares for us even more deeply than for sparrows. He points out that humans are of greater value, as evidenced by the fact that God even numbers the hairs on their heads.”

“I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I’ve drawn you with love and kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

The Bible is a love story. In Genesis, we learn of God and Jesus’ conversation: “Let us create humanity in our image,” which establishes our identity in Jesus Christ as created human beings. Genesis also reveals God’s Divine intervention when facing the impossible, as well as the many victories given to the faithful.

Revelation chapters 20-22 reveal Jesus’ return as the Triumphant King, give us the conclusive knowledge of how sin and death will be destroyed, and a magnificent overview of the New Heaven and New Earth prepared for the righteous.

When God, the Son, Jesus Christ, created humanity, He equipped us with spiritual gifts and the spiritual capacity for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We were given the highest intellect of all created beings, Free Will of choice, the ability to love, and the power to choose right over wrong.

The Omniscient [All-Knowing] Triune God knew that Adam and Eve would choose to disobey His command, “Do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” The Scriptures verify that Jesus’ vow to give His life, the Plan of Redemption, was established between God, Father, and God, the Son, before the world’s creation, and before sin entered the Earth.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God, the Father, approved Jesus, His only Son, to leave His Heavenly throne, come to Earth, live in poverty, suffer hatred, and die a gruesome death on Calvary’s Cross because we are loved.

How often do we think about and thank Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, for sacrificing His life for us? Yes, we are covered by Grace, yet if we choose Him as our personal Savior, then God expects us to learn and obey His Commandments and Righteous Principles.

The Book of Ruth is a love story of God’s Redemption. Often, we associate the story with God giving us the perfect husband or wife, yet there is a deeper spiritual meaning of Boaz redeeming Ruth.

In the Old Testament, God established a law that a person and his property could be redeemed by the closest relative. Boaz redeeming Ruth represents Christ, who redeemed us from the wages of sin, which is death.

God’s Promise to Provide for the Righteous

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).

God Protects the Righteous

Psalm 91 tells us that we have angelic protection. God has assigned us guardian angels to protect us from unseen spiritual warfare and physical danger.

Our Royal Identity Is in Christ

“We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:17).
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new…’ ” (Revelation 21:4-5)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4).

Today’s Christian believers live with troubled minds, overwhelmed with anxiety, worries, and do not enjoy Jesus’ gifts of peace, joy, and happiness. How did we end up with the same troubles that unbelievers suffer from?

There are many reasons why we are as discontent, weary, and burdened as unbelievers. We are suffering because we are focused on fulfilling our desires to be wealthy, successful, and in love. Because we do not enjoy a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, the external opposition of temptations is the catalyst that results in continuous internal conflict. Righteous priorities result in peace of mind.

According to religious surveys, less than 30% of global Christians study the Bible. Satan has deceived us into thinking that church attendance satisfies God’s requirements, “Be holy, For I Am Holy (1 Peter 1:16). Because we lack knowledge of God’s Holy Scripture, we cannot abide in Christ.

Reading the Scriptures versus Studying the Scriptures: We may not realize that many historians and atheists also do not believe in Darwin’s erroneous theory of evolution. They utilize the Bible for an accurate history of the planet Earth. But they are never transformed spiritually because salvation is not their goal.

Reading the Bible differs from studying the Bible under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, which transforms our mind and character. Unless our hearts are converted, the Spirit of Truth cannot give us the wisdom and discernment to fully understand God’s loving character.

If we accept Christ and do not know His earthly life of revealing and rebuking Satan’s deceptions, temptations, and His ministry of healing mental and emotional oppression, and physical illnesses, or study his parables and sermons, then Jesus is a stranger, and we feel no connection to Him.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? (Matthew 16:26, AMPC).

Sadly, because our beliefs are a mixture of world views and little bits and pieces of the Scriptures that we hear in weekly sermons, we have convinced ourselves that we are living righteously.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV).

For over 6,000 years, Satan’s deceptions have been effective. Believers, we have allowed Satan to abuse us by manipulating our minds, convincing us that, like Cain, we can give God the sacrifice we determine to give Him. We have accepted Compromised Religion as our standard for serving a Holy and Righteous God who reminds us in Malachi 3 that He does not change.

Our lifestyles reveal that we are in agreement with satanic concepts of redefining sin into categories of least to greatest. We believe that if we do not commit grievous sins according to our definition of sin, then we assume that all is well with our right standing in God.

Most of the Christian Community is suffering from internal conflict because we are not living consecrated and surrendered lives. The internal restlessness that we attempt to appease by seeking material wealth, success, and forming relationships with unbelievers is the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts, warning us that we are no longer traveling on the Path of Righteousness.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Our sin of disobedience and rebellion against God is demonstrated by our failure to bow before God every day through surrender, and seeking and obeying His will.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matthew 22:36-40).

Not only must we love God more than ourselves, but we must also love our brothers and sisters, which God defines as everyone. Although we attempt to challenge the concept that hatred is in our hearts, Christ tells us that either we love or hate; there is no concept of disliking others, and unforgiveness reveals that we do not love God. We must possess Christ’s love, forgiveness, and character.

The Attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character are also defined by Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 4:32.

The converted heart seeks to worship God with love, trust, faithful obedience, and surrender. Daily surrender, prayer, and studying the Bible are the only way that we can maintain our relationship with Christ. Worship is a lifestyle.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

Who is Jesus Christ? The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were written by four writers inspired by the Holy Spirit who used great detail to reveal the Righteous and Loving character of Christ. Loving Jesus is Knowing Jesus.

The Holy Scriptures encourage believers to use our gift of faith to completely trust in God’s love, provision, and protection. God knew that we would face many false teachings and doctrines. Yes, God knew that Satan would constantly tempt us to follow our hearts and pursue the world’s empty promises and prosperity.

God has given us the Righteous Ammunition to fight the spiritual war with 66 Righteous Books that comprise the Holy Bible to guide us on the Path of Righteousness.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come ” (John 16:13).

Human effort alone is inadequate to live righteously. The Holy Spirit is also God. Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as He. Yes, the Spirit of Truth is a mystery; we do not have to understand how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.

From a whisper of Prayer, we have access to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Intercessor, who gives us His Divine guidance and the supernatural strength we need to overcome sinful desires. It is the Holy Spirit who imparts Jesus’ Righteous Attributes to believers who commit to following Him.

What more could Jesus have done for us?

Brothers and sisters, we must fight the good fight of faith and persevere until the Second Advent of Jesus’ Coming. Reflect deeply on why you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

With holy conviction, we must use our faith to love God and pledge our loyalty to King Jesus. With humility and unwavering faith, we strive to live righteously because we appreciate His Agape love and great sacrifice to save our souls. Only then can we enjoy God’s peace, joy, and happiness.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. (Jeremiah 31:3).

We are loved! Therefore, we prepare ourselves every day, and with joyful anticipation, live as the righteous heirs of our Triumphant King who is coming sooner than we think! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, as we worship You in spirit and truth on the Holy Sabbath, we ask for a revival of our hearts and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are overwhelmed by the many false teachings and ask for spiritual clarity. Please reveal Your One and Only Truth. We repent of our sins and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We desire to receive our Crown of Life. Thank You for Your great sacrifice, and Your love, grace, and mercies. In Jesus’ righteous Name, we ask these things in faith, Amen.