“Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]…” 2 Peter 1:10, Amplified Bible
We need not have a supposed hope, but an assurance. To make our calling and election sure is to follow the Bible’s plan to closely examine ourselves, to make strict inquiry whether we are indeed converted, whether our minds are drawn out after God and heavenly things, our wills renewed, our whole souls changed. To make our calling and election sure requires far greater diligence than many are giving to this important matter. Manuscript, 1844, (Published in Our Higher Calling)
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ ” —Revelation 22:17, 20
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 11, 2024
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” —2 Corinthians 5:17
The decision to accept Christ as our personal Savior brings joy to our hearts. With excitement, we told our family and friends that we were Christians, invited them to our baptism, began praying and studying the Bible, and attended church regularly. Yes! We were spiritually refreshed from embracing a new and improved life with Jesus.
Jesus gives us a new reason for living holy. A converted heart manifests itself through total surrender and faithful obedience to God. Seeking God’s will through prayer and study of the Scriptures places us in the presence of God which always produces a righteous change. True worship gives us a pure heart, builds our faith, and transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the Character of Christ.
Reflection: How many months or years have passed since you accepted and surrendered yourself to follow Jesus? Are you maturing in your spiritual walk as evidenced by preparing for the Second Coming of Christ in joyful anticipation?
As time passes, many believers become distracted, and instead of living a Christ-centered life, they focus on themselves. The former mindset of controlling and resolving our challenges and the behaviors of self-gratification easily resurfaced. Instead of using our time to seek God’s will in worship where the Holy Spirit imparts wisdom, discernment, and strength, we are pursuing earthly goals.
“Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” —1 John 2:7
Jesus’ earthly life exemplifies the relationship we must have with Him. His choices were intentional and reflected a life of total surrender to God. To maintain His spiritual connection with the Father, Christ separated Himself daily from the disciples and multitudes to commune with God. Through much prayer and fasting, Jesus received daily strength from the Holy Spirit and distinctly heard and obeyed the guiding Voice of God.
“Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.” —Matthew 15:30
From Jesus’ faithful dedication and obedience to His Father, the power of God rained down from heaven, drenching His mind, body, and soul with the Divine Virtue to heal and the strength to withstand rejection and hatred. Yes, Jesus was human and Divine, yet, He never relied on His thoughts and power. Christ demonstrated the humility, surrender, and obedience required for every believer to walk with Him on the Path of Righteousness.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” —John 15:14
To abide in Christ and to be in the right standing with God has always been based on God’s Righteous Conditions of Participation. Surrender and obedience separate the righteous from those who only say, Lord, Lord. Discipleship is a life of servitude that requires a willing, faithful, and obedient heart. To abide in Christ is to seek and obey God’s will.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV
“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…” (Proverbs 3:5-7). The believer’s life includes many prayers for God’s continuous guidance. God speaks, our faith is tested, and obedience demonstrates that we truly love God.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:6-7
A spirit of Humility allows us to place all of our confidence in God. Believing that God is love and He desires the best for our lives grounds our faith and trust in His Sovereignty. We develop a dependency on God not only when facing trials for which human efforts cannot resolve, but we also include Him in every aspect of our existence. Only God can give us our best lives [on earth and in the New Heaven and New Earth].
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” —Psalm 118:8
Consecrating ourselves to live a Christ-centered life is the only way to receive the blessings of a righteous [new and improved] life. Are we willing to surrender our free will of choice to God? If yes, then with humility, we bring our thoughts and desires into alignment with God’s perfect plans. Faithful obedience bonds us to the heart of Christ. Our relationship with Him grows deeper, and Jesus becomes our First Love.
For the righteous, Jesus fills our lives with many spiritual benefits. “I will never leave you, or forsake you.” “My God will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus” “Do not worry about tomorrow!” When challenges arise, our first response is prayer. We do not have to overthink, try to develop strategies, be anxious, worried, or suffer the consequences of self-reliance.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 43:10
God is the Guarantor of His promises which always result in victorious outcomes. Whether we are facing routine challenges or harsh vicissitudes, God’s promises are “Yes” to which we respond with “Amen [It is so].” To pray and let go proves that our faith and trust are only in God. We can enjoy our new worry-free life filled with joy and peace that passes all understanding.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 8, 2024
“With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.” —Job 12:13
“…And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (Genesis 2:19). In the Creation story, we have proof that humanity was created with the free will of choice. Not only did we receive innate talents, the ability to dream and strive for excellence, but we also received spiritual gifts [1 Corinthians 12:4-11], and spiritual attributes: “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).
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” —Proverbs 18:15
With Adam, God’s desire for beings created in His image to worship Him was fulfilled. Christ gave Adam tasks that not only challenged him intellectually, but also promoted spiritual growth, happiness, creativity, and optimal physical health. To reach our fullest potential, both intellectually and spiritually, we must commit ourselves to a lifelong journey of continuous learning. God expects us to use our attributes and creativity to reach our fullest potential by striving for excellence.
“Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you” (Reflecting Christ, p 299).
Living in a dynamic and rapidly evolving world is daunting and can leave one feeling insecure, but it is the will of God for us to grow spiritually and intellectually. We can seek knowledge from secular sources, but “to know God” can only be attained from living a life of faithful obedience, studying the Scriptures, and praying for the Holy Spirit to impart daily spiritual wisdom and discernment.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, God in His Divine wisdom has gradually released the constraints on the human mind by orchestrating numerous advancements in technology and healthcare. Therefore, we are not to despise change but continue to learn and use our knowledge and skills to honor God.
From 1981 to 2023, God advanced technology from MS-DOS to Artificial Intelligence. Although Artificial Intelligence became popular in 2023, the concept was initiated in 1950. “By the 1950s, we had a generation of scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers with the concept of artificial intelligence (or AI) culturally assimilated in their minds…” https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/history-artificial-intelligence/
“In many ways, 2023 was the year that people began to understand what AI really is—and what it can do…and the year that governments began taking AI risk seriously.” (Time Magazine) https://time.com/6547982/3-big-ai-innovations-from-2023/
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:9
Our progression in technology and the development of medical modalities to alleviate the suffering of disease is part of God’s perfect plan for us to spread the message of God’s love and to witness the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s plans for Earth existed before the world was created and we play an active role in carrying out those plans.
In our quest for superior knowledge and the desire to receive honor, we often forget that God is still in control of His world. Our attempts to rise above our restraints will be counteracted by God releasing an iota of His wrath for correction and to remind us of His Sovereignty. “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?” (Job 38:36).
The Tower of Babel: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’ ” —Genesis 11:4
God expects unbelievers to disregard His Sovereignty. So He allows their strategies and plans to move forward for which they have reasoned in their minds will produce an idyllic outcome. Yet, we have Biblical evidence that human wisdom and ability are severely limited. We are powerless to prevent natural disasters nor can we predict the events that will occur in a given day or the future.
The medical profession acknowledges its limitations with COVID [variants and subvariants], cancer, and auto-immune diseases [the body attacks itself] along with many other diseases for which there is no cure. Currently in the United States, the incurable ancient disease of leprosy has arisen [the carrier is the armadillo]. Despite our best efforts, poverty, hunger, homelessness, hatred, violence, greed, and corrupt practices are interwoven in our very existence and continue to escalate.
God Reveals His Omnipotence
“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. ‘Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!” (Job 38:1-5).
The Divine Attributes of God: Omnipotence – God is all-powerful. Omnipresence – God is everywhere. Omnibenevolence – God is all-loving. Omniscience – God is all-knowing. God is: Loving, Sovereign, Holy, Merciful, and Good.
“So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day…” —Isaiah 2:17
As time progresses, the Christian Community is divided into those who say “Lord, Lord” but pursue their desires without remorse and those who demonstrate loyalty and faithful obedience. Either we are denying ourselves and receiving the anointing and transforming power of the Holy Spirit or our reverence, honor, and devotion to our Almighty God are quite insufficient.
“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
Our thoughts, plans, pursuits, and lifestyles indicate whether or not we are striving for prideful gain or acknowledging God’s Sovereignty. For the believers who choose eternal life as their destiny, they possess a spirit of humility. Their daily prayer of surrender, “God, not my will, but Your will be done in my life” demonstrates honor and reverence for God’s Divine Authority.
“Be still, and know that I am God…” —Psalm 46:10
“Be still.” “This phrase is actually derived from the Hebrew word rapha which means ‘to be weak, to let go, to release.’ ” (inspiredtofaith.com) Essentially, it means surrender. Do we understand our covenant with God? When we accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we agreed that our lives are not our own. We cannot strive against God and expect to receive the crown of eternal life.
God has given us the ability to strive for excellence and to remain in His perfect will. We use the Fruit of Self-Control to stand down our aspirations that conflict with God’s thoughts and plans. From the Scriptures, we learn every aspect of God’s Divine Character and His expectations to surrender, faithfully obey and follow in the footsteps of Christ.
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” —Psalm 90:12
God tells us to “Be still and know Him” because we do not understand that our precious mercies of time are limited. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity we have for the Holy Spirit to perform a complete spiritual transformation. The perilous times that the apostle Paul spoke about are now—we are the generation that he was referring to in 2 Timothy 3.
” ‘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 28:19-20
God is using technology and healthcare as a spiritual gateway to spread the message of Salvation to the ends of the earth. His longsuffering is gradually coming to an end. God expects us to gain tech skills to share our faith globally. Our healthy lifestyles are a reflection of God’s original plan for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden that we can successfully use as a witness in a time of uncontrolled appetites.
Either we will live a life of “Surrendering or Striving.” If we surrender then the Holy Spirit will impart the knowledge, wisdom, and strength that not only propels us to achieve the highest level of intellectual knowledge, He will transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the image of Christ.
God is doing all He can to prepare us to receive our long-awaited reward of Eternal Life. Stop striving. Be still! And listen to and obey His guiding Voice.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 5, 2024
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” —Psalm 113:3
Prayer and Praise are the actions that connect us to the Lord. We can praise God through spoken words, singing, musical instruments, and worship videos. And our praises should not be limited to only audible praise. In the quietness of the early morning hours, when others are asleep, we can silently praise Him by reflecting on His love and faithfulness. God’s promises assure us that He is actively involved in our lives.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” —Philippians 4:6
“Do you have a special need in your life? Tell it to Jesus. Where there is sorrow, He brings comfort. Where there is fear, He brings peace. Where there is guilt, He brings forgiveness. Where there is weakness, He brings strength.”
Do not hesitate to pray! Our prayers do not have to be elaborate. Many times we can only breathe, God, I need Your Help. Jesus extended an open invitation to come to the Throne of Grace to receive help in our time of need. We need spiritual power daily, not only to resist temptation but also to live a holy life.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:7
God is the Source of Life and the Giver of every good gift which is always wrapped in love and mercy. Living with a mindset of gratitude [even when facing impossible challenges] and expressing, “Thank You, Jesus, for my life” is the key to living a victorious life. Praise Him! Praise Him!
“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” —Isaiah 65:24
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 4, 2024
Scenario: Your son, age 10 asks for a bicycle. Both of you develop a plan based on merit to be completed within a reasonable time frame and if the conditions are met, he will receive a new bike. Excitement has driven him to excel and with expert advice from the manager at the bicycle shop, he chooses his new bike. Despite your best efforts, things didn’t go as planned. You didn’t anticipate his negative reaction to the tight fit of the bicycle helmet, and you also didn’t foresee the need to use wrenches to lower the seat and remove the pedals temporarily for balance training without an end date. Yet the greatest surprise is your son’s anxiety due to his fear of falling. The look on his face displays that his joy has quickly turned into disappointment. Despite feeling frustrated, you verbally express positive affirmations to keep his hope alive.
“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” —Genesis 2:15, 19
With Adam, God’s desire for beings created in His image and to worship Him was fulfilled. Christ gave Adam tasks that not only challenged him intellectually, but also promoted spiritual growth, happiness, creativity, and optimal physical health. When we think of the animal kingdom, we realize that Adam’s heart was filled with love and intent when naming the animals. Can you imagine a lion, tiger, or eagle being called by any other name?
“…And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (verse 19). In the Creation story, we have proof that humanity was created with the free will of choice. Not only did we receive innate talents, the ability to dream and strive for excellence, but we also received spiritual gifts, “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).
“Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you” (Reflecting Christ, p 299).
Throughout our lifespan, we must continue to strive for excellence by developing realistic short and long-term goals that utilize our talents and spiritual gifts. If we pray and align ourselves with God’s plans, He guarantees victory. Yes, the road is rough, but we were created with the resilience to persevere despite the obstacles and setbacks. The goal is life with Christ.
Job dissatisfaction is one of the primary complaints when pursuing personal and professional growth. We grow tired of suffering hardships, but still, our prayers for a new job remain unanswered. God is using adversity to develop the Fruit of the Spirit in our character. Because we do not know what to pray for, God closes doors and gives us the answer of “no” to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.
Our Father uses the ordinary things of life to produce extraordinary character transformation. Even our chosen professions are designed for continuous intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth and development. Our role is to pray for the strength to endure the struggle of being transformed into righteous saints of the Most High God.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11
When Christ brought the animals to Adam, we find that God’s original plan required humanity to cooperate with Divinity. If our talents and spiritual gifts are used to glorify and honor God then we invite the Holy Spirit to work His transforming power within us. Praying for God’s plans to be revealed and waiting on the Lord for an answer demonstrates faithful obedience.
Spiritual upward mobility results in the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities. This life is our only opportunity to prepare for Eternal life. Sanctification is a lifetime’s work and is directed and guided by the Holy Spirit. If we compare ourselves to the Scriptures, the Standard of Righteousness, we would surrender and seek God’s will without fail. To have the Character of Christ requires consecration, fasting, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Scriptures Defining Righteous Character Traits
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…” (Mathew 22:37).
“Love your neighbor as yourself…” ( Matthew 22:39).
“A man’s insight gives him patience…” (Proverbs 19:11).
“The Fruit of the Spirit is…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
“If you forgive men their trespasses…” (Matthew 6:14-15).
“Be kind and tender-hearted…” (Ephesians 4:32).
“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
We easily pursue the desires of our hearts, yet, in doing so, we have strayed from God’s original plan—praying and accepting His will. The worldview of success has enticed us and crept into our values. Never, ever trust your heart! Our hearts lead us to believe that social status, titles, financial wealth, and tangible things equate with striving for excellence. Without the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance, we hold the same status as the unbeliever, to direct our steps places us in spiritual bankruptcy.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” —Isaiah 55:6
The parent and son were not prepared for the amount of effort and practice required to learn how to ride a bike. As a result, they both ended up feeling disappointed and frustrated. This could be attributed to the parent relying too heavily on prior experience and underestimating the challenge involved in teaching a child to ride a bike. We can avoid disappointments and chaos by relying on God in every aspect of our lives.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31
The war raging between God’s will and our desires never experiences a cease-fire. Still, we have the power of self-control—making godly decisions is a choice. Whenever our hearts strive for control, we must put our wayward desires in check: Does this action or decision honor God? Will the outcomes align with God’s plan for the spiritual transformation of my character?
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.” —Jeremiah 33:3, Amplified Bible
If we acquiesce to God by allowing Him to navigate our pursuits then we will receive spiritual transformation, intellectual and emotional growth, and optimal physical health. We have come too far in our spiritual journey to settle for earthly trinkets. Make a commitment to surrender to God in humility and patiently wait for His perfect plans.
Surrendering our desires is the test that proves our love for Christ. To be in sync with God’s plans is the daily challenge every believer faces. Our goal is to live forever. We should remind ourselves every day of God’s definition of upward mobility: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Lord God, we pray for the strength to overcome our innate desires which are enmity against Your will and plans. Lord, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask You to give us wisdom and discernment in our daily lives so that we recognize the temptations designed to make us fall. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 2, 2024
We are living in a critical time of earth’s history and must decide whether we are all in for Christ by praying daily, Lord, what is your will for my life? If only it were that easy for believers to give up the desires and traits that build our Walls of Resistance to a commitment of total surrender and faithful obedience.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ ” (Matthew 16:24). Our inherited carnal hearts drive us to pursue our desires. The act of following our hearts nurtures a spirit of disobedience resulting in a loss of faith and denial of the power of God.
When the disciples were unable to cast out the child’s demons, they asked Jesus why. “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief…” (Matthew 17:20). The disciple’s hearts were filled with ambivalence which left them faithless. They imagined Jesus would set up an earthly kingdom and overthrow the Roman government, so they fought with each other as to who would sit on the right and left of King Jesus’ throne.
Although Christ knew their desires were responsible for their internal Walls of Resistance, Jesus never addressed emotional feelings. He identified the solution that would increase their faith and cast out the stronghold of a spirit of contention: “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” —Matthew 17:21
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. —Matthew 4:2
Christ practiced what He preached. Jesus was a Spiritual Advocate of much prayer and fasting. His wilderness experience consisted of 40 days and 40 nights of prayer and fasting to overcome temptation and prepare for His earthly journey. Before Jesus chose the 12 apostles, he separated Himself to commune with God. “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night” (Luke 6:12).
We agree that although Jesus was human, He was also Divine. If His life consisted of unceasing prayer and fasting, how much more do we need to stay before the Throne of Grace? We cannot let our pride produce overconfidence regarding our spiritual status with God. Never trust your heart or opinion regarding your righteousness!
The Spiritual Traits that Breakdown Our Walls
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” —Psalm 139:23-24
Worldviews, family, and friends influence us. Would Jesus live our lifestyle, make the same decisions, or bless our recreational activities? To break down the “Wall” we must humbly present ourselves before God, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to perform a spiritual analysis of the desires and habits that are separating us from God.
Spiritual Fasting Breaks Down Our Walls of Resistance
Two weeks ago following morning worship, I noticed that I was not experiencing hunger for an additional 4-6 hours. It wasn’t until the third day that I realized the Holy Spirit was leading me to initiate fasting into my life. This was a response to my fervent prayers to have a deeper relationship with Christ.
I can only express that since I began fasting my entire life including my spiritual perception is changing. The Holy Spirit has identified the unrighteous characteristics that I used to build my Wall of Resistance. With prayer and fasting, I am striving to break down this wall of separation day by day.
Spiritual fasting is not the same as Intermittent Fasting which is commonly practiced for weight loss. Nor does fasting during our hours of sleep fulfill the qualifications of fasting for spiritual reasons. The Biblical definition of spiritual fasting is the wilful act of abstaining from food to receive the spiritual strength to endure our tribulations and overcome temptation or sinful habits and behaviors.
Jesus fasted during His earthly life to remain in the perfect will of God, the Father. To experience a deeper relationship with Christ, incorporate daily fasting into your life. Choose a time you can separate yourself from others and all distractions to pray, praise, and study the Bible.
Begin your spiritual fast with 2 hours every day for seven days. The first two days will be your greatest struggle. Yes, your body will betray you by escalating hunger pangs. Maintain hydration with adequate amounts of water. Avoid rigorous exercise before your fast. Your mind and body should be relaxed, anticipating the presence of God.
“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.” —John 3:16
Through fasting, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the wisdom to assimilate the deepest meaning of God’s love. When our hearts are filled with love and loyalty to God, we possess overwhelming gratitude for the Day that God, the Father and Jesus, God the Son created the Plan of Redemption. For the sacrificial gift of Jesus’ life, the only gift we can give is to willingly place our minds and bodies in submission to God.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10
Fasting invites the Holy Spirit to reveal every sin and character trait within our hearts whether open or hidden. These are the behaviors and sins that we used to build our Wall of Resistance. When we learn our true status with God, we are standing at the Crossroads which requires a decision to follow Christ or ourselves.
If we confess, repent, and ask for forgiveness then we begin a new life in Christ Jesus. From our humility and the desire to change, our burdens are lifted, and our minds are peaceful. To be in the right standing with God gives us unspeakable joy. From our willingness to surrender, we receive many spiritual benefits.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” —Jeremiah 33:3
As we search the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the wisdom to gain the deepest meaning of the Truth. The Spirit of Truth guides us in our study of the Scriptures. Our focus changes from studying to gain intellectual knowledge to studying the specific Scriptures necessary for correction, guidance, perseverance, and spiritual growth.
“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” —Psalm 37:5
Lord, we dedicate ourselves to worship You in faithful obedience. We ask You to let Your will be done in our lives and pray for the strength to think, act, and live as overcomers. In Jesus Holy and Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 1, 2024
“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” —Romans 7:19, NIV
Think about a time when you experienced an overwhelming inner conflict between right and wrong. Despite the obvious consequences you still chose to do wrong. Psychologists suggest that the teenage stage is characterized by rebellious behavior. However, is it truly the most rebellious period in one’s life?
Since the 2020 pandemic that brought lockdown and sadly, many deaths, some Christian believers have not resumed their steadfast relationship with Christ. The bold revelation of increasing resistance to obeying Biblical principles can be seen in social media responses. Trending is the decision to pursue and fulfill one’s desires versus seeking the will of God and waiting on the Lord.
Recently, a pastor in Fresno, California was asked, “What is the greatest problem you face in your church?” He lamented over the Christians in his congregation who choose unbelievers for relationships that evolve into premarital sex, living together, or marriage.
The number one desire of single Christian women of all ages is to have a financially stable husband. For most single Christian men, financial success is their first desire with few expressing an interest in marriage at present, but would consider marriage in the future.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” “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.” “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:21, 24, 34
Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus addressed the desires and worries that would override our devotion to God. Instead of enjoying our gift of peace, pastors are preaching sermons on how to rid oneself of worries, anxieties, and depression. Disobedience creates internal ambivalence.
To live holy requires the daily practice of self-denial and self-control. Surrendering to God is reflected in our daily worship and lifestyles. We invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and are required to strengthen our relationship with Christ.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9
Currently, prophetic signs [Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3] indicate we live in the perilous times of the last days. Instead of preparing daily for the Second Coming of Jesus, many are distracted by their heart’s desires. Sadly, we have built an impenetrable wall of resistance to the warnings and promises in the Holy Scriptures. In Revelation, we are told this earth is temporary and will be destroyed and replaced by the sinless New Heaven and New Earth.
Breaking Down Our Wall of Resistance
What steps are necessary to redirect our focus to Eternal life when we are constantly praying for God to fulfill our desires or we become impatient and are fulfilling our desires?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). An immense love for God motivates us to serve God through surrender and faithful obedience. The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds by giving us spiritual wisdom and discernment.
Love for God allows the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts. Our responsibility is to bring our minds into harmony with God. Instead of thinking our thoughts, we pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. God has given us the Holy Bible which contains the Only Truth to live by.
Intellectual knowledge does not convert our hearts. From our love, surrender, and faithful obedience, the power of God transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” —Psalm 32:8
We must face the inner struggle to choose righteousness over unrighteousness every day. And that’s when we cry out as many times as needed for Jesus to give us strength to overcome. “David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far the most pleasant and comfortable.” Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
“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
To believe this beautiful promise, we must think outside of the box [beyond life on this earth]. A future refers to our forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth. The hope that burns within our hearts must be for the Second Coming of Jesus. Daily we ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds by giving us spiritual wisdom and discernment.
Study Revelation chapters 21 and 22 until you can form a mental image of the New Jerusalem. Can you imagine having a conversation with Jesus? What would you say to Jesus?
Lord God, we are distracted by too many earthly activities that are preventing us from having a relationship with You. We ask You to search our hearts and reveal all unrighteousness. Forgive us of our past and present sins. We desire eternal life. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray. Amen. [End of Part 1 of 2]
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 31, 2024
Each new morning, we celebrate our Risen Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Our worship is given through prayers, songs of praise, and studying the Holy Scriptures. Yet our highest worship is demonstrated through surrender to God’s will and faithful obedience. Living a sacrificial life is to emulate the life of Christ while He was on this earth.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” —1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV
One day, we will see our King face-to-face. Developing the habit of bowing in worship in our earthly lives prepares us to join the angels for the heavenly worship that gives honor and adoration to the Lovely One who gave His life so we may have eternal life.
Jesus, Lamb of God, our King, we love You! We worship You, Holy One. Our desire is to live with You forever and ever. Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 29, 2024
“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ ” —Luke 11:1
One day, after observing [and listening] to Jesus praying, His disciples humbly approached Him, saying “Lord, teach us to pray.” From walking with Christ, they finally grew tired of the bickering about who would be the greatest and began to desire spiritual transformation. The disciples realized the wisdom and power that Jesus possessed came directly from God, the Father.
“They had a deep longing to connect with God the way Jesus did. As they traveled with him, they witnessed the power of his prayers and the intimacy he shared with the Father.” (christianwebsite.com).
“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14
Christ’s Model Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13. What do we pray for? According to Jesus, our priority is for God’s will to be done. God has one agenda: To save our souls. Our minds, characters, and personalities require spiritual transformation to receive eternal life. The foundation of our daily prayer is for God’s will to be revealed. We also pray for spiritual growth and transformation, wisdom, discernment, and the strength to overcome temptation.
In the morning and evening, we should pray for repentance of sins and ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of our known and unrecognized sins. Each of us practices habits and behaviors that do not reflect the righteous character of Christ. Because we are influenced by the world we live in, our standards are not in alignment with God’s command to be holy. The Holy Spirit reveals the hidden sins that prevent us from receiving our heavenly reward.
Pray Over Every Aspect of Your Life: Pray for confession, repentance and forgiveness, peace, comfort, provision, guidance, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Pray for healing, for God to fight your battles, for safety, and intercession for others. When answering our prayers, God always prioritizes our spiritual needs.
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find instructions to pray for material wealth or tangible items. If we practice excellent stewardship over our financial blessings then God knows that we desire the house or vehicle and He will perform the supernatural miracles for us to receive our tangible desires that are within His will and plans.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” —Ephesians 2:8-9
Initially, the Holy Spirit touches our hearts with the invitation to accept Christ as our personal Savior. Once we say yes then God always requires human effort before He intervenes. A dedicated life of prayer reveals our desire for God’s continuous intervention. The spiritual prerequisites of humility, a contrite spirit, and faithful obedience allow the Holy Spirit to perform the daily work of spiritual growth and transformation.
“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” —Romans 7:14-15
Even the Apostle Paul recognized his pitiful state by proclaiming, ” O wretched man that I am!” Christian believers are often offended by the statement that we are sinners saved by grace through faith. Without recognizing our desperate need for God, the Holy Spirit cannot perform the work of heart conversion.
The Converted Heart: Conversion is a change of heart, a turning from unrighteousness to righteousness. Relying upon the merits of Christ, exercising true faith in Him, the repentant sinner receives pardon for sin…fighting against natural inclinations and selfish desires and bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily he seeks the Lord for grace, and he is strengthened and helped. (A Change of Heart Devotional)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5
The reason we fail to consistently use our privilege of prayer is that we do not recognize our constant need for Christ. If we have a list of the challenges that we can resolve ourselves without praying for Divine help then we develop a spirit of self-reliance. This mindset results in self-satisfaction that not only separates us from Christ but also produces a false sense of our true status with God—when life flows smoothly, we feel spiritually content.
“Let us therefore come boldly [with confidence] to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” —Hebrews 4:16
For the converted heart to remain so, we must view ourselves as “spiritually wretched” and live a life of total surrender and faithful obedience to God by staying on bended knees. “It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer!” The quality of our worship and the persistence of our prayers indicate our desire to be transformed by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The penitent soul always realizes its’ need for God.
In Revelation 12, “the remnant of her seed” refers to those who follow Christ. Like Christ’s disciples, we also need to ask Him to teach us to pray. Those who come to the throne of grace with persistent prayers receive the continuous spiritual blessings of peace, joy, and confidence. Despite life’s challenges, a consistent prayer connection with Christ gives us the strength to endure the hardships and suffering required to receive our greatest reward of eternal life.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” —Romans 8:26-27
Through the Holy Spirit, we have the assurance that our prayers of faith ascend as sweet incense to Jesus our Heavenly Priest and Intercessor. Our misspoken words are accepted by the Holy Spirit who translates our prayers and intercedes for us by taking our pleas and presenting them with clarity and reverence to Jesus, our King, Lord, and Savior. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both making intercession for us. What more can Divinity do for us?
Lord God, teach us how to pray. We ask for Your Divine Intervention, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 25, 2024
This morning, I read a Devotional on the New Heaven and New Earth. Although the author included many Scriptures from Revelation chapters 21 and 22, her descriptive words expressed a deep longing, joyful anticipation, and excitement from the thought of living forever with God, Jesus, and the heavenly angels in a perfect universe. Upon reading her written words, I felt overjoyed. Yes, the Holy Spirit ignited a fire in my heart.
“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” —Revelation 21:10-11
After the Devotional, I opened my Bible to study Revelation chapters 21 and 22. Why did it require someone else’s desire for heaven to ignite the desire in my heart? As I reflected on Jesus’ promise of coming soon and His description of the new replacing the former sorrowful things, I had a come-to-Jesus right now experience. My spiritual focus needed realignment because the heartfelt desire for heaven is not based on intellectual knowledge.
Truthfully, the embers of my enthusiasm for eternal life were nearly extinguished by earthly concerns. I know that I am not alone. Sermons and digital content on the Second Coming of Jesus are rarely found. How did the Christian Community lose our joyful excitement over Jesus’ promises in John 14:1-3 and the book of Revelation?
What earthly magnet is pulling us away from excitedly preparing every day for Jesus’ Second Coming and receiving our heavenly reward of eternal life?
We are sojourners traveling on a chosen path that is tedious because God requires every believer to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. But we must never forget this temporary journey has an eternal heavenly destiny. The earthly life that we love is a distraction that has led us to feel comfortable with our present spiritual status.
Reflection: Is our answer a resounding Yes? “Am I living a sacrificial life holy and pleasing to God? If Jesus came today, would I receive eternal life? “
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” —2 Peter 1:10-11
How do we make our calling and election sure?
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” —2 Peter 1:5-7
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” —2 Peter 1:8, NIV
How do we prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming? Jesus reminds us that the gate is narrow and few enter in. We choose to renounce sin. And we ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle our fire and desire for heaven. Our love for God is manifested by daily consecration, surrender, faithful obedience, much prayer, Bible study, and daily preparation for eternal life which reveals true heart conversion.
Like David, we pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
“…the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people…” —1 Samuel 13:14
David was the appointed ruler who replaced the disobedient King Saul. God honored David by identifying him as, “A man after His own heart.” From studying his life and the Psalms, how was it possible for sinful David to hold such a high spiritual status with God? King David always acknowledged the dilemma of being born into iniquity—we have a deceitful heart and without the Lord, we are helpless to change ourselves.
“Lord, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” —Psalm 141:1, 4
David’s response to his sinful nature was to persistently approach the Throne of Grace with humility and surrender. The Psalms are not only songs, but, they are prayers [desperate cries for God’s help] for the deliverance of inheriting a carnal heart that is driven to sin against God. David acknowledged, confessed, and repented of the sinful thoughts that dominated his mind.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10
The Spiritual transformation required to receive eternal life occurs in our earthly lives. Until Christ comes again, we will face the internal battle of good and evil. Our response to overcoming a heart that is driven to please itself is to consistently fall to our knees. The Holy Spirit empowers us to change learned behaviors, inherited character traits, and secret desires.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5
We are the only obstacle that prevents us from becoming men and women after God’s own heart. Yes, we must strive to live righteously, yet, the breakthrough to victory over sin is to acknowledge that we desperately need Jesus Christ. When we stay before the Throne of Grace, Jesus our Heavenly Intercessor covers us with His Righteousness, and we are presented as righteous to God, the Father.
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” —John 17:24
When our heart-to-heart connection with Christ is strong, we will naturally desire to be where He is. A pure heart gives us the courage to remain steadfast and to look upward despite our earthly struggles. With Christ as our First Love and King, the Holy Spirit sharpens our spiritual focus—Christ’s goal for us to overcome is also our goal. The fire for a heavenly life burns within our hearts and at the forefront of our minds is the desire to hear, Well done!
“This world is not my permanent home, heaven is real, and with God’s help, I will receive my reward of eternal life!”
“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’ ” —Revelation 21:5-7
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