At some point in our lives, we will reach the Red Sea that no amount of human effort can open or resolve. Through daily personal worship, we acknowledge God’s love and His faithfulness, trusting that He will give us our provisions.
Our Heavenly Father is not only Faithful, He is always true to His Character. If he said it, He will do it. Praises of gratitude increase our faith in God.
“Bless the LORD, oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy name! Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.. ” (Psalm 103:1-2).
From living a sacrificial life of serving God with humility and daily prayers of gratitude for all His blessings, we immediately fall to our knees, whispering a prayer in faith knowing that God will provide in every season of life.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
Our Response: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).
So, when life events create lean times of financial deficit from job loss, or unexpected sickness, those who have developed a total dependency on God are confident they will receive God’s Divine Help.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).
We were not created to figure it out, or use our thoughts to develop solutions that place us as players in the risky Game of Chance. In Matthew 6, Jesus reiterates that He will provide for us. Only trust Him! Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we are thankful and grateful for Your love and continuous care. With all of our hearts, souls, and minds, we worship and praise your Holy Name because you are God. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, our Triumphant King, Amen.
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11).
Recently, I listened to a sermon that taught us how we should pray for God’s help. For us to pray a prayer of faith with the confidence and assurance that God will intervene, we must know the attributes of God’s Righteous Character.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Since the Bible reveals God’s Loving and Faithful Character, the Holy Scriptures are the Resource we depend on to learn Who God says He is.
God’s Righteous Character: God Is Faithful to His Never-Changing Character: “I do not change.”
“God describes Himself as The Living God. He is Eternal and He is Powerful.”
“…Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23).
“God is a God of Love, God is Trustworthy, and He is Faithful. God is able to do miracles that no one else can accomplish.”
Effectual Prayers Focus on the Power of God Not the Problem
The Child’s Prayer: “God, You are Powerful. I am afraid and need Your help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
King Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
“O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 12).
King David’s Prayer
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; For You are my hope, O Lord God; O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me. But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.” (Psalm 71:1, 3, 5, 12, 14).
Jesus’ Consistent Prayers
“In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.” (Hebrews 5:7).
Affirming God’s Attributes, Commands, and Promises in Our Prayers
When Facing Enemies: “Lord God, You said that I should stand still, hold my peace, and you would fight my battle…” Exodus 14:14; 2 Chronicles 20:17.
When Facing Uncertainty: “Lord God, You are All-knowing, and have the answers to my dilemma, I do not know what to do…” Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7.
God Proclaims His Sovereignty
” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God is Holy, God is our Creator, and God is The Sovereign Ruler and Authority of this universe. Angels bow before Him, all Heaven loves, adores, and worships Him with humility, awe, and reverence.
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4, NIV).
We are privileged to be created in the image of God, redeemed by the blood of God’s Precious Son, Jesus, and to have God’s Ruach breath flow through our bodies. Truly, God is the Sustainer of our lives.
We cannot remember “…the most important provision, most costly provision, YahwehYireh has given us. He provided the perfect Lamb of God.” How can we forget?
In 2025, because we are practicing the worldviews of self-reliance, pursuing our goals, and worshiping God only by attending weekly church services, we have distanced ourselves from God.
Truthfully, we do not have time for God. Satan has deceived us with the busyness of distractions, and we are following our desires for earthly prosperity and success.
The Christian Journey is tough! We cannot make it without receiving Jesus’ strength to remain faithful and to persevere through our many trials and adversities.
Daily worship God keeps us connected to Jesus, our Shepherd. To abide in Christ is accomplished through prayer, fasting, and studying the Bible.
We must learn God’s Righteous Character and His Promises to respond with faith and trust in God during hardships.
It is in the quiet times of personal worship that we receive the blessings of peace and the assurance that we are loved by God, who promises to always take care of us.
” ‘I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ” (Isaiah 46:10).
Without Scriptural knowledge, and wisdom received from the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand God’s Majesty and Authority, or the need for His continuous Presence and Power in our lives.
Certainly, as the creation, we should possess a spirit of humility and reverence for our Creator. We should not wait until adversity enters our lives [that human effort cannot resolve] to pray for Divine Intervention.
To love God with all of our hearts is to acknowledge His Sovereignty through surrender, reverence, and to worship Him every day in Spirit and Truth with faithful obedience.
Only then can we approach the Throne of God with confidence, knowing that He will help us in our time of need, which is every minute of our days.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
Lord God, we desperately need Your help to overcome in this journey of life. We ask for forgiveness for not reverencing You as the Sovereign Creator of this universe who sustains our lives. Lord, You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and we approach your Throne of Grace because we desperately need Your help in resolving our challenges. We love You, and thank You for giving us the victory. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14).
Although our spiritual journey is unique, every believer has experienced the disappointment of God saying, “No,” to our heartfelt prayers requesting the things we desire.
God immediately denies requests that He knows are guaranteed to prevent our spiritual growth, development, and transformation, which is required for Eternal Life.
Everything God does brings honor and glory to His Name; therefore, He does not bless us if we do not possess the spiritual maturity to focus on the Giver instead of the gift.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV).
With love, God agreed to Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice to die on Calvary to save us from the penalty of sin, which is the final death. God’s ultimate goal has always been to save our souls.
Sadly, many Christians disagree with God’s greatest desire for us to live with Him throughout eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Wait! Who would accept Christ as their personal Savior and not desire His promise to give us the reward of Eternal Life?
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible).
When we ask God to bless us with a specific request and His answer is No, many of us are upset, especially when we see others with an abundance of money and material possessions.
God’s future plan of giving us a Crown of Life is steadfast, yet it is conditional. From the time we awaken, with a prayer of faith, we seek God’s plans, asking for the spiritual strength to obey, persevere, and complete His plans.
“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 reveals that the character trait of faithful obedience is required to stay aligned with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives.
The Believer’s Struggle is not only against the daily External Opposition of temptations, but we also must fight against the never-ending Internal Conflict of our desires.
It is easier to desire financial and material abundance instead of living a Christ-centered, faith-based life of self-denial. Because we inherited sinful hearts, enough is never enough. In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, The human heart is never satisfied!
When God says, No, we often feel that He is not a Loving and Gracious God. Regardless, God reminds us that He will not change His decision.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God does not perceive time as we perceive time; His Omniscient perspective of time is Eternal. Since He knows how long we will live, there is no reason for God to hurry up and bless us. Abraham was 100 years of age when Isaac was born.
There are 8 billion plus people on the planet Earth, and God knows every hardship, setback, disappointment, acts of obedience, and willful disobedience, along with every temptation, and victory we will experience in our lives from conception to birth to death.
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” (James 4:14, CSB).
We can pray for and receive spiritual wisdom, but God tells us that we cannot look beyond today, so focus on the responsibilities and blessings of the given day. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).
We feel slighted when God says “No,” because we have been deceived by Satan to think that we have the time and the right to pursue whatever makes us happy.
Signs of Living in the Last Days
In America, Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, two Constitutional Rights, are gradually being withdrawn. Many individuals have lost their employment for posting personal opinions regarding current global events on Social Media.
If the Christian Community began diligently studying the Bible, we would understand God’s refusal to give us what we are asking for. According to Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, we learn that Bible Prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled, and we are currently living in the Last Days.
Although we do not know the exact time, those who are praying and preparing every day for Revelation 22:12, we recognize that Jesus, our Triumphant King, is coming sooner than we think.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). We need Scriptural knowledge to fully understand our Heavenly Father’s Love and His desire to keep us from losing our spiritual focus, so the Holy Spirit can perform the work of Sanctification in our lives.
Misalignment with God’s Will and Plans
In 2016, I was employed as a Quality Nurse reviewing medical documentation for a national Home Healthcare Company. I imagined a very long career, possibly leading to retirement.
In my 8th month of employment, we received notification from the Corporate office that the branch would be relocated to a beautiful business park 45 minutes away from our current location.
I was very excited, but also realized that my high-mileage vehicle was not reliable for traveling 2.5 hours per day. Without praying for God’s approval, I went to the Nissan dealership and purchased a new vehicle.
God’s Warning Was Not Perceived!
Just before my purchase, I had a very interesting conversation with the office secretary. We became friends, and when I shared my plan to purchase a new vehicle, the answer she gave me was very disconcerting.
“Sonya, how do you know that everyone in this location will be relocated to the business park?” I simply did not respond because to me, it did not matter.
I rationalized that the office could not meet healthcare regulations without a quality nurse who reviewed and approved all medical documentation before submission for Medicare reimbursement.
Two months later, following our conversation, I met with the Director, who informed me that Corporate had made the decision to eliminate the position of all branch office Quality nurses. All quality reviews would be sourced to the Corporate office, which was located five hours from our branch office.
Because of my desire to have a new vehicle, I did not recognize that God was speaking to me through our office secretary, who was aware of the Corporate plan before the nursing staff was informed.
Sadly, three of the staff nurses were also unable to travel the additional distance, but were not eligible for unemployment because they were offered additional compensation to work from the new location, but could not travel due to school-age children.
Although I immediately found a 35-week contract assignment that paid well, I was not prepared for a change in my health status. I began to experience severe pain in both knees, which indicated the progression of my diagnosis of Osteoarthritis.
I can recall the shock of leaving my Orthopedic Doctor’s office with a mid-thigh to mid-calf brace on my left leg. Yet, from listening to the Doctor’s treatment plan, I knew my nursing career had ended. His recommendation to immediately apply for Social Security Disability [SSD] made me realize that we should never plan our lives according to our thoughts.
Because I did not pray for guidance before purchasing a new vehicle, instead of keeping my vehicle that was paid for, I was facing the consequences of making a decision outside of the will of God.
The new monthly note, along with sustaining the vehicle’s insurance and routine maintenance costs, consumed 100% of my unemployment compensation and was draining my savings.
Not only did the constant worry keep me mentally and spiritually drained, but the stress from not having internal peace also exacerbated my physical level of pain,
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
God is still merciful and does not leave us stranded when we genuinely repent of our wrongdoing. Although there was a 3-year waiting list for SSD applications, God rerouted my disability packet to another state, and my disability was approved in a record time of two months.
Fast forward to 2025, and from studying the Bible, I have learned that the human heart never loses its desire to acquire material possessions [the non-essentials], but we must practice our God-given gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7] with the commitment to live a sacrificial, obedient life, holy and acceptable to God.
“God, reveal Your will to me and I will obey,” is the daily prayer of surrender that honors God’s Sovereignty, and is not an easy prayer! But to love God is to honor Him with faithful obedience, which reveals our desire to be aligned with His perfect will.
Pray, Wait, and Obey!
God’s Love never changes. And His answers of No are not punitive, but demonstrate His immense love for us. We should never compare ourselves to others, often wondering why God is blessing them, but not us. Many believers step outside of God’s will by blessing themselves [like I did]; not every material acquisition is a gift from God
When God says “No,” our response should be, “Thank you, God for loving and protecting me from the future consequences that are impossible for me to anticipate.”
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17, Amplified Bible). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: James 1, Revelation chapters 21-22.
Lord God, we thank You for being a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who knows every temptation we will endure in our lives. Lord, please give us the strength and the courage to overcome the internal conflict in our hearts of choosing loyalty and obedience to Your plans versus pursuing our desires without Your Divine blessing. In faith, we accept Your perfect will for our lives. We love You, thank You, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart [Be courageous]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
The Spiritual Purpose of Hardships: Christ sees us as His sheep who have individual needs, and He guides us according to the spiritual transformation required for each of us to have a righteous character necessary to receive our reward of Eternal Life.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).
Unfortunately 99% of our goals are usually materialistic ones. But our desires for prosperity and success always create opposition to God’s Sovereign Plans for our lives.
“Discouragement is also the Emotional Response to Placing too Much Value on Future.” We were created to live happy and healthy lives, which is not possible when we worry about the future.
Bible Study: Matthew 6:25-34: “Do Not Worry About Tomorrow”
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to be concerned about tomorrow, which has a literal meaning of the next day, and the future. Neither tomorrow, or the future is promised to us. Live for today!
Jesus, our Heavenly Provider promised to give us the daily provisions necessary to sustain a healthy and happy life. The only futuristic goal we should prepare for is Jesus’ Second Coming [Revelation 22:12].
“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).
Because we inherited hearts that drive us to pursue what we want, Believers stand at the “Crossroads of Decision-making” when God fails to give us what we desire.
The Crossroads: Either we will choose to follow and obey God’s answer of “No, or Not Now,” or we will separate ourselves from God by pursuing our desires without His Divine Approval.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1, ESV).
To clarify, God loves us and He does not want us to live miserable lives, still, He is doing everything possible to give us Eternal Life. Never forget, we are greatly loved by God!
Why do we strive against God’s will? Because we are impacted by our environment that promotes the worldview of Greed Over Need, we feel unloved and dissatisfied when God does not fulfill our desires.
I am sharing the following Notes on a Sermon by Pastor D. Snell: “Fighting Through Seasons of Discouragement [and Disappointment],” which gives Believers like you and me Spiritual Solutions to follow and obey God while navigating through be emotions of Discouragement and Disappointment.
“Discouragement can be like quicksand. Fight and stand down your natural responses so that you don’t make a bad situation worse.”
1. Don’t make big decisions. Do not make any decisions while you are in a state of mind of discouragement. Pray and wait for God to answer your prayer. Let God provide clarity. 2. Do not compare your life with someone else’s life. Redirect your focus to God, not to yourself, or other people. 3. Don’t Complain! Face the problems, but complaining will become a substitute for praying. Never let your complaining become stronger than your Prayer life. 4. Stop waiting on the circumstance to change, or end. We have no control over when our circumstances or seasons will change. 5. Change your attitude, your outlook and your focus. [Trust God Sovereignty! Know that He is making the best decisions for your life]. 6. Stop waiting on outward validation and encouragement. David encouraged himself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6). 7. Be selective about the company you keep. If friends or family cannot pray with you, do not share your personal feelings with them. (Luke 9:28). Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the most faithful disciples. 8. Guard the words you receive, and guard the words you express. David asked himself, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet Praise Him, My Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11). 9. Ask yourself, “Who is in control?”
God has given us music which penetrates the mind, body, and soul. Listen to Praise and Worship music. Sing! Study the Bible, and direct yourself to praise God!”
Faith, Trust, Prayer, and Bible Study invites the Holy Spirit to empower us to Fight Through A Season of Disappointment and Discouragement.
Every day, make the commitment to pray, and put yourself in God’s hands by giving up self-reliance. Turn to God for guidance. Ask for strength! Be patient and wait! Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we admit that our faith and trust in You has been very unstable, and we ask for forgiveness for doubting your Love, and questioning Your Sovereign Authority. We realize that You love us. We made the decision to follow Jesus, and we will use our faith to trust and obey Your Perfect Plans. We pray for strength, and to hear Your Voice as we travel through this journey of life. We love You, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is it so easy for us to choose sin instead of doing what is right?” Although our answers may vary, many Christians have embraced the false belief that “Good people go to Heaven.”
According to Jesus, good people do not go to heaven. Only the righteous will receive Eternal Life. Study Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 22.
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
The other false teaching that promotes sinful habits and behaviors is “The Commandments” were nailed to the Cross. But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who do His Commandments…”
“The Ten Commandments are God’s Moral Law. The law of God reveals God’s character, who He is. As God is Holy, Righteous, and Good, so also is His law. Paul confirms: ‘So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good’ (Rom. 7:12, ESV).”
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15).
Without the Ten Commandments, Christian believers would not have boundaries, and we would practice the same sins that unbeliever’s embrace and commit everyday.
We are not saved by the Law, we are saved by faith through Jesus Christ. Still, the Law identifies sinfulness as defined by God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).
The struggle with sin has intensified because we are attending church, but not studying the Holy Bible. So we rely on our perception of holiness, which is the foundation for disobedience to God.
“And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:29, Amplified Bible). Jesus instructs us on the importance of obedience to God.
Without obedience, we do not have the covering of Christ’s Righteousness, nor can the Holy Spirit dwell inside of the unclean mind and body who rebels against God.
Personal testimony: When I began studying the Bible every day, I was shocked to find out that over half of what I believed [and was taught in my former church] was not in the Holy Scriptures.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26).
I knew nothing about living a consecrated and obedient life. Thankfully, I prayed and the Holy Spirit led me to a Christ-centered, Faith-based church. Still, I study the Bible everyday, asking the Holy Spirit to give me much-needed wisdom and discernment.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12-13). “What does this mean? It means that every day you are to distrust your own human efforts and wisdom.” Relying on God’s Directives is our Spiritual Safety Net. (Study Proverbs 3:5-7).
We are commanded to work on our salvation which includes much prayer, and studying the Holy Scriptures. When we pray and ask God to give us understanding of His One and Only Truth, our prayers are answered immediately by the Holy Spirit who gives us a deeper understanding of God’s Truth.
Jesus paid our sin debt with His sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross, and gave us The Bible, our Spiritual Guide Book, so we can search the Scriptures, obey, and live righteously. What more could Jesus have done for us?
“For it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am Holy.’ ” (1 Peter 1:16).
We must believe Jesus when He says we can do nothing without abiding in Him [John 15:5]. Because we inherited sinful hearts, we cannot judge ourselves, nor can we live holy, without being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV).
Our Triumphant King is coming sooner than we think. It is time for us to take God seriously by using our time and faith to study, believe, and obey His Righteous commandments, and instructions in the Holy Scriptures.
We choose our destiny, which is reflected by our thoughts, decisions, and our lifestyles. Throughout the Bible, Jesus consistently reminds us that only the righteous [faithful and obedient] will see God. Yes and Amen.
but just as it is written [in Scripture], “THINGS WHICH THE EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND THE EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].” (1 Corinthians 2:9, Amplified Bible).
Lord Jesus, You promised that when we call on Your Name, and believe, study, and trust and obey the Scriptures that you will complete the work of Sanctification in us. Lord, we desperately need Your help to overcome sin. We ask for Your Divine guidance and strength to live righteously. Thank you, for Your Steadfast love, and great sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross. Give us wisdom and discernment, as we study Your Word. It is in faith that we ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
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.
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.
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.
” ‘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
“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.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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