God desires dedicated worshippers not warriors. Pray, Praise, and Worship when facing opposition. He is our Warrior God!
The Situation: “It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar’ (which is En Gedi).” —2 Chronicles 20:1-2
The Prayer: 2 Chronicles 20:6-12
“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? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.”
“10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? 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.”
God’s Answer: “And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” —2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Every day, every believer faces spiritual warfare that we cannot win. But we serve a Mighty Warrior God who will always fight for us! God knows every battle that will enter our lives. And He waits for us to invite Him into our situation through prayer. When facing life’s battles, immediately pray for Divine Intervention!
Prayer: Lord, without You, I am nothing and going nowhere. I cannot fight this battle without You. Lord, help me. I am in serious difficulty and do not know what to do. Lord, I am looking to You for Direction, Protection, and Help. In Jesus’ name and in faith, I pray. Amen.
Deliverance From All of Our Troubles, Sabbath Devotional Reading, June 30, 2023
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.” —Psalm 34:4,6
When David wrote the 34th chapter of Psalm, he was a fugitive, living in caves, and on the run from King Saul who planned to kill him. Although we cannot relate to his extreme situation, all of us have experiential knowledge of how it feels to have troubles that we cannot resolve. Yet, David gives us his testimony that God is faithful and will always deliver us when we pray in faith and wait on the Lord.
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 34:17,19
“The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 34, verses 17 and 19 reads: “When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. The Lord’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through.”
With confidence, we trust our Heavenly Father to answer our cries for help. The Bible reveals that God is a Loving Father who promises to take care of the righteous by giving us victory over all obstacles. We pray and are ever hopeful for a quick answer to our prayers.
How do we react when we have to wait for God’s Divine Intervention?
David was a fugitive for many years. Bible scholars tell us he became king at the age of 30. He was a young teenager when anointed by the prophet Samuel. A guestimate would be between 15 and 20 years living on the run. Although David tells us that God always keeps His promises and to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14), most believers begin to experience anxiety and worry within 24 hours of praying for God’s Divine Intervention.
Reflection: Why do I have the expectation that God will answer my prayers immediately?
The Waiting Period—When will God answer my prayers? And why hasn’t God answered my prayers?
We begin to overthink and create various reasons why God has not immediately answered our prayers. Sadly, we become discouraged or angry because God is silent. But impatience is a bitter fruit that causes us to lose faith, resulting in us not trusting in God’s promises and His power.
As our emotions escalate, our faith dwindles! Without a biblical foundation and consistent prayer, in troublesome times, our faith is weak or nonexistent. Suffering from spiritual malnutrition, we easily place ourselves under a dark cloud of unbelief and worry consumes our thoughts.
God is Omniscience—All-Knowing. We can have the assurance that God has knowledge of every trial and unexpected life event before they happen. Yes, He allowed us to journey through this tribulation. And He already knows how we will react! Prayer Warriors will keep on praying and believing in faith, but those who are sporadic in praying and studying the Scriptures will falter almost immediately.
It is comforting to know that God is infallible and incapable of making mistakes. Our Heavenly Father knows the level of faith each of us possesses and whether it will remain unwavering. Will we strengthen our faith while waiting or will we attempt to solve the issue on our own?
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31
Jesus asks the question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46
Waiting on God is not only a spiritual test, waiting produces spiritual growth! Our love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience. Never minimize the spiritual importance of obeying God. How crucial is obedience to our righteousness? Obedience to God results in living an earthly life that allows the Holy Spirit to change our character in preparation to receive eternal life.
God expects every believer to have the spiritual qualities that are required for us to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
” ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Mark 12:30
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6
Psalm 34:15: NKJV—”The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.” CEV—”If you obey the Lord, he will watch over you and answer your prayers.”
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. —Psalm 34:18. NIV—”The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
The characteristic of a broken heart is bitter disappointment producing sorrow and grief. “Contrite means ‘penitent,’ humbled by our own sins and failures, seeking after God.” openthebible.org
“…At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” —Isaiah 60:22
Waiting on God requires much faith and a spirit of humility demonstrated by our heart’s desire to reverence and honor God by seeking His will. We can develop the mindset, “I don’t mind waiting on God because His resolution to my challenges is perfect.”
Will we feel discouraged [at times] while waiting? Yes! Never forget that God is transforming us. Waiting on God has a purpose—waiting through troublesome times produces perseverance and a righteous character! The human effort of remaining patient, faithful, and obedient is honored by God. Continue or start having daily worship [praying and studying the Scriptures] to build your faith and endurance. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual strength while waiting for your breakthrough miracle of deliverance.
Waiting is not punishment nor indication that God has forgotten. David waited 15 years before He became king at the age of 30. During the waiting, God is transforming our character and strengthening our faith. Trusting in God is more than verbalizing the spoken words of “God, I trust You.” We are guaranteed a victorious outcome if we remain steadfast until we receive deliverance.
Scripture Reading: “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ ” 13 “I would have lost heart [courage], unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! ” —Psalm 27, Verses 7,8,13, and 14
Prayer: Hear our prayer, O LORD, forgive us of our transgressions, and deliver us from our adversity. We ask for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength to persevere through this trial. Jesus, we need You to help us to remain steadfast during the time of waiting for the promise of deliverance. We pray in faith and in Jesus’ Worthy Name, we ask these things. Amen.
Careless Words and Whispers Devotional Reading June 29, 2023
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” —James 1:26, NIV
The ability to use words effectively in verbal sparring is lauded—highly praised as a priceless character trait. We love to demonstrate to others that we will not be taken advantage of and readily use our words to defend ourselves. We love to speak harmful words and we love to hear harmful words spoken about others. The entertainment industry has promoted gossip for decades. Nothing published attracts millions of views like “juicy gossip!” But the emotions of jealousy and hatred are the root causes of gossiping about others whether the information is true or false.
Careless words and gossiping whispers reveal the hidden sins of our hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9
The journey of Sanctification is lifelong and we cannot be transformed without the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. It takes the human effort of humility, confessing our unrighteous habits, and inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives for the spiritual transformation of our character that God requires.
Our God-given gift of a sound mind must take precedence over the emotional responses that we speak to hurt others or in retaliation because we are hurt. The truth is brutal so it must be spoken gift-wrapped in much love! Make prayer your first response! Praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to give us self-control and wisdom in times of conflict empowers us and builds our Christian character. Should we respond? Jesus used silence many times when He knew that His words would not change the hearts of those listening.
Gossiping is always damaging! It is a prevalent sinful habit among many Christians. When we engage in talking about others whether the information is the truth or lies, we possess an unrighteous spirit from Satan. Gossiping is destructive! It hurts others, destroys relationships, defiles our character, and separates us from God!
Take strong action against gossip! Be bold and let everyone know that you do not participate in gossiping by walking away [using silence effectively], if on the cell phone, text or verbalize, “I do not gossip.” Choose alternate programs to watch or listen to, and pray for Divine Intervention. Gossiping is one of the hardest habits to break.
We can never retract our spoken words nor can we soothe the hearts of the recipients of our harmful words. Replace careless words and whispers with prayer. And always pray before you respond! Remember to use silence as a weapon against the spiritual warfare of speaking harmful words.
Scripture: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].” Psalm 141:3, AMP
Prayer: Lord, we ask for forgiveness for the many times our spoken words were harmful. We admit that we need the Holy Spirit’s fruit of love and self-control to overcome our unrighteousness. We pray for the strength to be silent and to walk away from strife. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.
Reflecting On Your Life with Joy Devotional Reading, June 28, 2023
In the first year of my academic studies, I majored in Psychology. The concepts and theories explaining human behavior were fascinating. But as I progressed in the program’s core theories, my mind became troubled as conflict arose between psychological views and the Bible. I observed that therapeutic intervention tends to focus excessively on the past and also justifies a person’s wrong choices by attributing them to being a victim of life’s circumstances.
From pursuing my desires, I was torn between the psychological and biblical viewpoints. I found myself in a state of confusion. Seeking guidance, I prayed for God’s direction in my academic pursuits. Jesus always answers our prayers. I was blessed with a scholarship for nursing studies.
This opportunity not only equipped me with the necessary knowledge of human behavior to comprehend mental and emotional disorders, but also enabled me to teach patients personal health strategies that would aid in their mental, emotional, and physical healing. My nursing career has been a source of gratitude, as it has allowed me to inspire hope and facilitate new beginnings for others.
As I reflect on God’s Intervention, I am thankful to God for protecting me from the spiritual consequences of not seeking His guidance when following my dreams and transitioning me to this very fulfilling profession.
All of us can share a memory of the bitter disappointment that comes from making mistakes. Whether life-changing or mere obstacles, our mistakes usually occur as a result of a decision-making process that excluded God. We relied on our human wisdom and strategies to choose what appeared to be the best choice. When our plans failed, the discouragement we felt was overwhelming.
Not every consequence of a negative outcome happens because of our decisions!
Many children have been raised in abusive homes without the love and nurture from their parents that they rightfully deserve. Spouses [especially husbands] have made decisions that have train-wrecked their family’s financial status or the fidelity of their marriages. And children who are raised without structure and discipline because the parental focus is to establish a friendship mature into self-centered adults who do not know how to love others and break the hearts of those who fall in love with them.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” —Galatians 6:7
Because of the sinful condition that permeates our hearts and the worldviews that encourage us to “Just Do It!” we easily gravitate toward making counterproductive decisions [without godly guidance] and end up suffering negative consequences. Whether we messed up by thinking our own thoughts or someone else [including parents and caregivers] made decisions that compromised our life, God is a Heavenly Father who specializes in giving New Beginnings.
Reflection: Are you stuck in the past? What are you thinking about? Are you traveling on the road of life with the baggage of shame and guilt? Do you harbor feelings of bitterness and anger because of someone else’s mistakes impacting your life? Then God has a message for you. The Contemporary English Version of Isaiah 43 says, “Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Don’t you see it?” (Verses 18 and 19).
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:18-19, NKJV
God’s promises never fail! Are you ready to live a God-given joyous life? There is a mandate for every one of us to fulfill before we can move forward: A Prayer of Confession, Repentance, and Forgiveness. Before we can receive a new and joyous life through Christ Jesus, we must confess and repent for excluding God from our lives.
Confession and Repentance: “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:2-4).
Forgiveness: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions” (Mark 11:25).
And we must forgive those who sinned against us by making poor decisions. The worldview, “I will forgive, but will never forget,” is not biblical. Unforgiveness is hatred! Without forgiveness, God will not bless us with the new life that He promises to give in Isaiah chapter 43. Nor can we hope to receive eternal life.
Feelings of Shame and Guilt? Forgive yourself! Do not beat yourself down or allow others to weigh you down with the burdens of never-ending shame and guilt for past mistakes because they are unwilling to forgive. Having a relationship with someone who fails to forgive will rob you of your God-given right to live a peaceful and joyful life. Pray for guidance and sever the relationship if no other options are available.
Confession and Repentance are not to be misused by thinking one can commit intentional repetitive sins of wilful disobedience. Our hearts reveal their true condition. When we approach God with humility, [a broken heart and contrite spirit], He forgives us. “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
God forgave King David for his heinous sins involving Bathsheba. Yes, there were consequences for His sins, the first child died and David’s family would always have internal chaos. Still, after David’s confession in Psalm chapter 51, our loving God restarted David’s life and blessed him with a son. King Solomon the wisest man ever to live on this earth was the son of King David and Bathsheba.
Because of sinful desires, we have the innate tendency to act impulsively and exclude God. We sin, repent, and God forgives. Jesus selflessly sacrificed His life for us, which makes us the recipients of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy. We receive God’s gifts without asking for them. Yet, there are spiritual gifts that we must pray and ask for—wisdom and spiritual discernment.
Include God by Praying for Wisdom: “To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instructions of wisdom…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” —Proverbs 1:2-3, 7
The human effort of confession, repentance, and forgiveness allows the Holy Spirit to create a new heart within us and gives us spiritual insight, wisdom, and discernment. We begin to view life through spiritual eyes. Our desires align with the will of God. Before making decisions, we humbly pray and wait for God’s answers before moving forward.
Despite our shortcomings, God makes all things new when we are faithful and obedient. Can we live a joyous and peaceful life on this earth? Yes, we can! God’s promises always produce blessings. Therapeutic advice says to reflect on the past, God says, Let go of the past! Trust Me! I am doing something new in your life that will make you reflect on Me and rejoice with gladness! Amen.
Scripture: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3; NIV).
Prayer: God, we confess that we have messed up and stopped Your perfect plans for our lives by our disobedience. And for this grievous sin against You, we repent. We forgive everyone who has harmed us mentally, emotionally, and physically. We ask You to remove all feelings of shame and guilt from making past mistakes. Lord, we ask You to start our lives over today. We surrender and commit to bringing everything to You in prayer and will wait for Your answer. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Worthy name, Amen.
Overcoming the Pressures of Life Devotional Reading June 26, 2023
When we feel our lives are out of control and can’t see a way out or we try to live up to unrealistic expectations, either from ourselves or others, it’s common to experience pressure—which is just another word for stress. Change, even if it will give us future rewards also causes pressure in our lives, especially if it is unplanned or mandated by an employer.
As time goes on and our situation remains unresolved, this pressure can build up and take a toll on our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Prolonged stress is not sustainable for the mind, and it can even start to affect our physical health, leaving us feeling exhausted and weighed down.
“Expectations in and of themselves are not bad. And we all have them – for ourselves and others. But there definitely can be a problem when too much emphasis is placed on the expectations others hold for us.” Better Help
There are many sources of internal and external pressure, but we will focus on three:
Family Dysfunction
Cultural Traditions
Personal Learning and Development
Family Dysfunction: Most psychologists agree the family dynamics in today’s homes are dysfunctional. With the increasing number of children and adults with mental health conditions, something is awry in the home. Family dysfunction causes one to mature without the internal coping mechanisms to handle the uncertainties of life. Living in an environment of external chaos results in family members who perceive life as overwhelming. Even the normal ups and downs of life which require minimal decision-making skills produce pressure.
Cultural traditions are one of the greatest sources of pressure. We seek external validation from others because of an innate sense of belonging. Everyone desires to be appreciated and accepted by their families, neighbors, and society. Societies with prevalent cultural traditions expect that members will naturally accept the beliefs and lifestyles passed from generation to generation. Acceptance is based on the condition that one honor and obeys the morals, values, and social norms of said culture. The conflict arises when the individual seeks to live outside of the parameters of tradition, leaving them feeling pressured by the battle within—tradition or Biblical Truth.
Personal Learning results from the decision to acquire a higher level of knowledge that produces positive change by improving the quality of one’s life. Academic and on-the-job learning usually creates pressure! Academia and company policies cause us to modify our knowledge base through acceptance of “proven” theoretical information and promote discarding our morals and values, and belief systems. Since the pursuit of a degree and the business culture are long-term, we must carefully consider the secular information we choose to embrace—not every discipline of study or company that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their policies coincides with the Bible. There is internal pressure when we are mandated to learn the knowledge required to obtain our degree and an employer’s worldly inclusion policies that oppose the Scriptures.
Because we have embraced the worldview that pressure is a normal occurrence in life, many Christians assume that God desires us to live and cope with unnecessary pressure.
Yesterday, I was listening to a motivational podcast by one of my favorite speakers on “Separation is God’s Protection.” As I reread my notes during morning worship today, the thought “something is wrong” resonated from within my soul. She gave various reasons for God separating us which were in alignment with the Scriptures. Yet, this statement “God is preparing you for the intense pressure of additional responsibilities when He fulfills your dreams” set off the “Not Biblical” alarm.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17
From the daily study of the Bible and praying for the anointing, discernment, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we will recognize the attributes of God’s Character. God’s blessings do not create or result in internal or external pressure within our lives. Still, I prayed asking for a revelation of the Truth. The Holy Spirit spoke to me through my thoughts and said, “No, God’s blessings do not include pressure.”
The countless times that God has intervened in our lives does not keep us from accepting erroneous beliefs, we easily forget the miracles and blessings of yesteryear. Definitive knowledge of the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit who brings the Bible to our remembrance keeps us from the warfare of deception.
It is unimaginable that our Heavenly Father would give us the Spiritual Blessing of fulfilling our dreams and then cause us to be discouraged by the negativity of pressure. The God who reveals His love for us throughout the Bible is consistent and reiterates, “I change not!”
Although it feels as if “Trials and Tribulations” cause excessive stress and pressure in the Christian life, they are spiritual in nature and given to us to save our souls! There is nothing negative about character transformation.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33.
Jesus promised us that we would have hard times in life. Yet, we are not crushed by our tribulations. The Apostles Peter and James refer to tribulations as fiery trials which are necessary to transform our carnal characters into Christ-like Characters. We can come to Jesus just like we are, but we cannot stay just like we are. To receive eternal life, we must travel the Path of Sanctification which is the daily spiritual growth that comes from faith, surrender, obedience, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
We were created as free, moral agents. God never pressures us to accept His will for our lives. Even so, if we desire to go all the way, our prayer must be, Lord, whatever it takes for me to be like You do what is necessary to save my soul and give me the strength to endure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What about studying the Bible? Doesn’t God requiring us to study the Scriptures create pressure in our lives?
Testimony: For most of my life, I lived under internal and external pressure. The external pressure was from working as a nurse when the work ethic of overworking nurses was the standard. But the internal pressure was the result of not having a foundation of biblical knowledge. I prayed twice a day, but, no one including my pastor or Christian friends emphasized that worship included the daily and diligent study of the Scriptures. The word of God provides stability in one’s life and gives us wisdom to avoid situations that produce unnecessary pressures.
In 2019, the internal pressure manifested itself physically, and I began to suffer from migraine headaches and insomnia. But our God loves us with a love that we will never understand. I attended a Wednesday night Prayer Meeting and the sermon was on studying the Bible. In 2020, God instructed me to take steps [Prayer, Fasting, and Bible Study] that would give me the courage to have faith in Him. In 2021, God restarted my life by relocating me 1400 miles from the state I lived in for seven years.
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. —Psalm 34:17-19
God’s promises are true: “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” —Numbers 23:19
Overcoming the pressures of life requires experiential knowledge of our Omniscient, Omnipotent, Loving, Heavenly Father! We can always rely on God to give us victory over the vicissitudes of life!
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14:27
The Bible is our Spiritual Guide—Holy Words breathed by the mouth of God! Remain faithful and obedient to God, and He will intervene to rid us of every pressure that prevents us from receiving the blessing of His peace. Yet, we have to take the giant leap of faith by presenting our pressures to Christ and then obeying His commands. Moving forward in obedience requires courage!
Do not expect family and friends to respect your decision to go all the way with God. And I am speaking from experience, keeping the seventh-day Sabbath caused me to lose 99% of my friends. After three decades, my family has finally accepted that my commitment to God is first and foremost. If we remain steadfast and persevere, God always gives us a victorious outcome!
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:29-30
Living a faithful life in obedience to God replaces the need to be validated by others. Yes, at times, we feel discouraged. Do not nurture those feelings! Begin praying out loud for the Holy Spirit to give you comfort and strength. Choose a praise song and begin singing to the top of your voice! Listen to praise and worship music, and study God’s promises. Remember we can whisper a prayer to Jesus any time of the day or night. Memorize Revelation chapters 21 and 22.
“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:18-19
The Righteous have the blessing of God’s Grace—unmerited favor on their lives. When nothing in your life is working out and you feel the pressure that threatens to make you break, Pray, Surrender, and Seek God’s Presence.
God desires that we live joyful, healthy, and productive lives. Every pressure will be alleviated when we worship God through surrender and obedience. With much prayer and diligent study, we will see our lives as blessed and highly favored. The Holy Spirit will reveal the necessary life changes required to remove all obstacles that prevent us from living a pressure-free, Hallelujah! life. Amen.
Prayer: Lord God, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We pray for a spiritual makeover of our complex lives full of pressure from every angle. God, we thank You in advance for Your Divine Intervention. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.
Following Christ in Challenging Times Devotional Reading June 25, 2023
The Battle Within Can Be Won!
“…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, I do.” —Romans 7:14-15
The Apostle Paul tells us that we were born with a carnal heart desiring the things that bring pleasure to our sinful hearts. Sin always appeals to our five “classical” senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch! In verse 15, Paul stated that he does what he hates. A major contrast between modern Christianity and the Apostle Paul is that we enjoy the sins we engage in.
Spiritual warfare had its beginning in heaven. Pagan concepts and idol worship have always threatened to sway Christians who are striving to live holy. Technological advances have bombarded us with pagan themes and concepts through advertising, online games, and social media. Unless one is viewing a Church’s Live Stream, the recording contains many ads which distract you from remaining focused on the worship service.
Reflection: Have I embraced pagan concepts and incorporated them into my lifestyle?
We cannot fight the battle of good versus evil and overcome our natural cravings for sinful pleasure because we have adopted gateway habits. Listening to secular music and watching programs with profanity and sexual overtures result in the inability to control one’s physical passions. Worldly activities change our thought processes and eliminate our desire to live righteously.
Even online games can pose an issue—demonic images, fantasy themes, and violence influence our minds and propel our senses into driving us to think and do unimaginable things–that believers should never engage in.
Why are Christian gambling in casinos or dancing in clubs? Why are Christians on the Internet Chats and Online Dating Sites? Why are we mean-spirited and readily use profanity when angry? Why are we drinking alcoholic beverages or using the gateway drug—marijuana? Why are we hanging out with unbelieving family members and friends?
When our hearts are not fully dedicated to God, we embrace and practice worldliness. Yes, we seek the people, places, and activities things that give us pleasurable entertainment.
“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
Satan uses two false concepts to make us doubt God. First, that his power is equal to or greater than God’s Omnipotence. Secondly, God created human beings as a race of weaklings who cannot resist his ongoing temptations of spiritual warfare. Yet, we have Divine Intervention on our side! We can pray for Spiritual help 24/7.
“The LORD saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble. He helps them and rescues them; he saves them from the wicked, because they go to him for protection.” —Psalm 37:39-40
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” —2 Thessalonians 3:3
Read Job Chapter 1—God placed limitations on Satan that he could cause devastation in Job’s life, but he could not cause Job’s death. God reveals His Love and Omnipotence throughout the Bible, most notably, in parting the Red Sea to save the Nation of Israel and Jesus demonstrating His Divinity [while on this earth] by raising Lazarus four days post-mortem.
God’s Gifts to Humanity: “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
God’s Promise to Help Us Against Satan: “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.” —1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
God’s Grace: “Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost.” We are saved from sin by the Grace of Jesus Christ. Trusting in Christ as our personal Savior, we may be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Every prayer of repentance is received by Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor who readily forgives us without limitations. Still, our part is to exhibit gratitude for Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross by putting forth the effort to shun sin.
Victory Over Temptation and Sin Requires Human Effort and Divine Intervention: The Apostle Paul proclaims, “Put on The Whole Armor of God!”
Human Effort: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:10-11, 13
Perspectives that keep us bound by Sin
We do not understand Grace and Mercy, Holiness, Righteousness, or Sanctification.
We do not understand the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
We view ourselves as helpless and do not exercise our God-given gifts of the power to say No or we fail to utilize self-control.
We love our habits, family, and friends more than we love Jesus!
We do not desire the reward of Eternal Life.
Because we exclude the Holy Spirit from our lives and attempt to define God’s precepts and standards with our perception of righteousness, we do not see our sinful condition as God does. ” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).
The Primary Obstacle Preventing Our Spiritual Transformation and Loyalty to God—” ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.’ ” —Mark 12:30
We cannot surrender our will to God if we do not love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Covered by the Umbrella of Surrender to God are the human characteristics of steadfast faith, trust, obedience, much prayer, and diligent study of the Scriptures.
God’s Call to Righteousness: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” —1 Peter 1:15-16
God’s Answer to Keeping Him First: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” —1 John 2:15-17
Although the innate desire to sin produces a continuous internal battle, through unceasing prayer to overcome temptation and a deliberate change of worldly habits, and changing the status of our relationships with unbelieving family and friends, God will not fail us!
Family and friends can be a challenge when your relationships are close and socialize with each other frequently. Pray for strength!
There is a strategy that always works when separating yourself and severing close ties with unbelieving family members and friends, inviting them to church and Bible study. Either they will separate themselves from you or they have recognized a change in your behavior and will accept your invitation.
From our prayers for Divine Help, the Holy Spirit responds immediately and gives us the spiritual strength to say, “No” to our feelings” or “No thank you” to the people whom Satan is using to trap us. An interesting concept is that unbelievers are unaware that Satan is using them to tempt you to sin. Do not become upset or annoyed when your family and friends know that you are a Christian, but they ask you to go to worldly social activities.
To be tempted is not a sin! Even Jesus was tempted. Our response to the temptations reveals whether or not we will sin. Jesus died for us to have another option to the wages of sin. It takes courage along with the desire to live holy and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to live as an Overcomer.
Throughout the ages, we have men and women who have walked closely with God. Even the Scriptures reveal biblical characters who remained faithful and never sinned against God: Joseph, Enoch, Elijah, and Job lived sinless lives.
If they lived holy by exercising courage and making the decision to renounce sin along with continuous prayers for Divine strength then we can live holy in these challenging times. Use your God-given gift of a sound mind to make the decisions necessary to receive Eternal Life.
God is aware of the plight of humanity! His love and compassion are evident in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible and most importantly, He demonstrated His Perfect Love by giving Jesus to die for us. Embrace and express thankfulness for God’s never-ending grace and mercy every day.
When Elijah ran from a death threat, thinking he was the only one left serving God, our loving Father reminded him that He had many faithful worshipers. “So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” God’s Reply: “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 19:10, 14, and 18).
For Elijah’s faithfulness, He was translated—God sent a heavenly chariot for His weary prophet that took Elijah to heaven without seeing death! [2 Kings Chapter 2].
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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 4:16-17
Brothers and Sisters, we need to view our lives from a spiritual perspective. If we die in Christ, we will be raised first! Many will be alive when Jesus comes again! But only those who have renounced sin in their earthly lives will be translated and receive eternal life.
Following Christ in these perilous times (2 Timothy 3) requires that we give up every sinful habit and distraction. We must continue to love everyone, yet, any person who prevents us from receiving our golden crowns, linen robes, and immortality in a perfect world has to be distanced.
God is calling us to be holy. Will you answer His call?
Scripture: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” —1 Corinthians 6:20
Prayer: Lord God, we come as we are before You asking for forgiveness of our hidden sins and overt habits. We desire to follow Jesus in these challenging times. Lord, we need the strength, wisdom, and discernment from the Holy Spirit to renounce sin. Hear our prayer, Lord, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and we will give You the honor and the glory that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Matchless name, we pray. Amen.
The following quote from John Bradshaw summarizes our world’s spiritual and moral decline.
In recent times, the world has witnessed events that just a few years ago might have seemed unbelievable. Flooding, record temperatures, and devastating fires have given evidence that our planet is fragile. Traditional moral values have been turned upside down, while defenders of biblical standards have been ridiculed. Social media has become an ocean of unbridled anger and malice. Cancel culture ruins lives, careers, and reputations.
Politics has become openly hostile, seemingly devoid of the collegiality that once characterized political discourse. The lingering COVID-19 crisis revealed that in no time at all, the attention of the entire world can be fixed on a single, polarizing issue. John Bradshaw, It is Written
“And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” Genesis 6:3
“So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” Genesis 6:12
There are 8 billion people on this earth. Can you imagine that only a few would be saved and receive eternal life? Humanity is on a rapid and progressive journey toward the time of Noah. Many who were steadfastly serving God have fallen because of their carnal desires. Biblical prophecies are being fulfilled, yet, we continue to live casual, carefree lives.
Satan has introduced the noise of entertainment, the sports arena, politics, social unrest, violence, and addiction to social media to distract the people of God. Yet, the greatest entry into a believer’s life is from unequal relationships between believers and unbelievers. “Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
We have become mesmerized by the intentional deception of preaching false interpretations of the Scriptures. How is the prosperity message being tolerated and accepted in many of our churches? The reason for the popularity of false prosperity messages is our desire for earthly treasure. The line separating need from greed is blurred. We desire tangible things that we can see with our eyes.
A recent survey among Christians reveals that only one in nine studies the Bible every day. Our interest in fulfilling our heart”s desires has resulted in a disinterest in studying and obeying God’s commands in the Bible.
Baptism by immersion is only practiced by a few Bible-based churches. Witnessing to others and community outreach participation by members are almost non-existent. Most Prayer meetings and Bible studies are virtual because of the low attendance in-house. Weekly church attendance is not indicative of a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ.
The time is now for an honest, self-reflection and praying the prayer of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Human Effort: Serving God requires an intentional mindset of striving to be holy. “…Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus lived as a man who was tempted like we are, yet, He did not sin. It is impossible to live holy without praying for the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit. Our commitment involves putting God first and seeking His guidance in every area of our lives.
Divine Intervention: “I will send you the Helper from the Father. The Helper is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me. And you will tell people about me too because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27, ERV)
The human effort of daily surrender, faith, obedience, perseverance, prayer, and Bible study prepares us for the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In these last days of earth’s history, we need God’s Divine Intervention to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Although the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth, from the whisper of a prayer, we can have the Spirit of God within us to lead, teach, and give us spiritual wisdom and discernment.
Bible Study: Acts 3, The Day of Pentecost
Prayer: God, we desperately need Your help. We commit our hearts to you and ask to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. Thank You for your Divine Intervention. We pray for knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray, Amen.
Jesus, The Lamb of God Sabbath Devotional Reading, June 23-24, 2023
For most of my life, I have possessed a sense of dread when thinking about the prophetic visions that the Apostle John was given in Revelation. Thankfully, in January, God intervened and allowed me to enroll in a free six-month spiritually intensive, online guided study of the Book of Revelation by Pastor Mark Finley. My dread has turned into joyful anticipation!
The Book of Revelation identifies that Jesus Wins and Satan Loses the Spiritual Battle of God versus Evil. Sin and evil will be abolished. The Bible leaves no room for doubt: God will destroy the wicked! “Though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed” (Psalm 92). There is no eternally burning hell [ Read Malachi 4:1 and Revelation 20:7-9]. The battle was won on the Cross when Jesus, the Lamb said, “It is Finished!” Hallelujah! Amen!
Revelation is filled with heavenly promises for the righteous!
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ “—1 Corinthians 2:9
The purpose of the book of Revelation and the prophecies are for our spiritual preparation while on this earth. In John chapter 14, Jesus promises to prepare a forever home for us and that He would come to give the faithful their reward [Revelation 22:12]. Yes, those who have loved Jesus and renounced sin by seeking and obeying “God’s Will” receive immortality and live in the New Heaven and New Earth forever and ever with Jesus, the Lamb of God.
All Things Made New—Revelation 21:1-5
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. 5 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.’ “
Revelation fills us with hope! Jesus knows that our earthly journey is tough! Still, He has revealed the most wonderful visions of the New Heaven and New Earth so we will not become discouraged and hopeless. All Christians should be excited about the heavenly future. Our spiritual goal is to see and live with King Jesus.
The Lamb of God
Throughout the book of Revelation, many verses are referring to the Lamb. Who or what does the Lamb represent?
John the apostle who wrote the book of Revelation is the same disciple who wrote the Gospel of John [He refers to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved] answers our question in John chapter 1, verse 29: “The next day John [this is John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” —John 1:29.
From reading the Four Gospels, we have documentation from two of Jesus’ disciples and two of Jesus’ followers who witnessed John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, the Lamb of God. The record of John the Baptist and his baptism of Jesus occurs not only in Matthew 3:13–17 but in Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22, and John 1:29–34.
John the Disciple Also Describes Jesus as the Eternal Word
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” —John 1:1-5
End Time Events
John, the Apostle while exiled on the Isle of Patmos was taken into vision and shown the events that will happen at the end of time [before Jesus comes] including the rise of a counterfeit religious system represented by the Beast, the Second Coming of Jesus, Destruction of Satan and the wicked, and the beautiful New Heaven and New Earth.
After Jesus comes and the righteous live in heaven for one thousand literal years: Despite the false teaching of an eternal hell and our lack of understanding of God’s definition of “forever when referring to wickedness”, Revelation chapter 20, verses 13-15 describes the Second Death which is the annihilation of all sin. Satan, his angels, and the wicked will be literally destroyed.
Life for the Redeemed!
In Revelation chapter 19, verse 11, John writes, “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.” But Jesus also allowed John to see the Holy City and the New Heaven and the New Earth.
“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” —Revelation 19:16
“They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ ” —Revelation 15:3
Who are “They?” The Apostle John provides us with the answer in verse 2. “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” —Revelation 15:2. [Fire is a symbol of the Presence of God. See Exodus 13:21.]
“They” are the redeemed saints who overcame all of Satan’s temptations and upheld God’s Truth in their hearts [minds] despite the false doctrines that flood the earth right before Jesus comes again. Yes, the righteous saints who were faithful and obedient to God’s commandments, and loyal to God even if it meant dying for their beliefs are “standing on the sea of glass having the harps of God.”
Jesus, the Lamb of God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords is the heart and soul of the entire Bible, not only in the Four Gospels and the book of Revelation.
The Bible provides us with a spiritual foundation of the Love, Grace, Mercy, and Character of Jesus, the Lamb, our Lord, and Savior. A starting point for studying the life of Christ—the Books of Genesis and the Four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We cannot be faithful to Christ or fulfill our calling and service of discipleship without a firm knowledge of who Christ is and the Scriptural promises. When we are indecisive about surrendering our total mind, body, and soul to Christ, we view Revelation as condemnation.
Revelation Causes the Righteous to Rejoice!
“Fear God, give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” — Revelation 14:7
When our lives are in alignment with the will of God, the book of Revelation provides the blessed hope of eternal life for the righteous who strived to be faithful and obedient in their earthly lives. Even though we have failed in our obedience to God, we can begin a new life in Christ by repenting of our sins right now and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.
“My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” —Isaiah 26:9
The Bible is a Treasury of God’s Love, Redemption, Promises, and Power
As humans, we have a lot of responsibilities to attend to, but it’s important to prioritize our salvation. Eliminate any distractions that hinder your ability to worship and honor God every day. Dedicate yourself to studying the Bible and gaining knowledge about Jesus, the Lamb of God. Our ultimate spiritual objectives should be to develop a loving relationship with Christ and secure our place in His Eternal Kingdom.
Make a definitive plan to begin studying Genesis and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Consistent Bible study is a matter of the heart. We get rid of distractions and set aside time to begin and build our spiritual relationship with Jesus because our heart is filled with love for the Lamb of God.
The timeline for studying these five books of the Bible should be at least six months. Do not rush through your journey of learning! Studying the Bible produces spiritual transformation. As an infant matures into a child and then an adult, we grow daily according to the Holy Spirit’s determination.
Narrow your focus by getting rid of distractions and choose a secluded place to study. “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6). Although this verse refers to praying when studying the Bible, one needs solitude to receive spiritual clarity from the Holy Spirit.
Always pray and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher to give you wisdom and discernment of the Truth. “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 that I have said to you.” —John 14:26
Do not be intimidated by the complexity of the Scriptures. Use your measure of faith to believe that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit will give you spiritual discernment of every Scripture you study. The Holy Spirit never overwhelms us. Pray if you do not understand the Scriptures. You may or may not receive your answer immediately. The Holy Spirit is creative and has many ways to reveal the wisdom of the Bible. Use your faith to trust Him!
Recommendation: From personal experience, Do not discuss your studies with other individuals until you have a firm knowledge of the Scriptures. Forget traditional beliefs and avoid erroneous ideas! Satan will use others to give you their interpretation of the Scriptures to discourage you and fill your mind with doubt and confusion. Rely totally on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We are guaranteed that the Spirit of God will reveal all truth to us.
Always acquiesce and let the Spirit of God lead and direct you: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Studying the Scriptures transforms your mind, heart, and life!
King David proclaimed: “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.” —Psalm 119:10-12
Brothers and Sisters, We Are Nearing Home!
For us to accept Righteousness by Faith which serves as a foundation of our salvation and spiritual growth, we must know more about Jesus Christ. Diligently studying the Bible, much praying, along with the desire to surrender, obey, and give our hearts to Jesus is the only way we will be standing on the Sea of Glass worshiping King Jesus, the Most Precious Lamb of God!
Scripture Reading: “And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” —Revelation 22:12-14
Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for giving the apostle John the visions that reveal Your Victory over hell, death, and the grave. We also thank You for Your great sacrifice so that we may be saved from the wages of sin and have the opportunity if we choose to live with You forever and ever. Lord, we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We ask for strength, wisdom, and the discernment of the Holy Scriptures. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
The Hidden Spiritual Sins of Christian Believers Devotional Reading, June 22, 2023
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…” Romans 8:5, (first part)
We are in a continuous daily and intense spiritual battle against our carnal desires. With so few Christians studying the Bible, either Christian believers do not have knowledge of God’s expectations, or they possess biblical knowledge and are committing prevalent spiritual sins against God that are hidden from others, yet, they are not hidden from God.
Our Hidden Sins
Failure to live Holy and Righteous lives as evidenced by our lifestyles.
Failure to worship God every day through prayer and Bible Study.
Failure to pray for wisdom and discernment before studying the Holy Scriptures.
Failure to repent of one’s sins [intentional and unknown sins] every day.
Failure to seek God’s guidance in every aspect of life.
Failure to seek God’s will and plans through prayer.
Failure to forgive or ask forgiveness for wronging others.
Failure to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.
Failure to use one’s spiritual gifts and talents.
Failure to live according to God’s Righteous Standards.
Failure to acknowledge that time is a precious gift from God.
Failure to attend church if physically able.
Failure to give tithe and offerings.
Failure to use God-given financial resources to help those in need.
Failure to live a healthy lifestyle—taking care of your mind and body which are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Failure to believe in the Triune God, God, the Father, God, Jesus the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.
Failure to believe in the Supernatural and Divine Healing and Delivering Power of God.
Failure to believe that God breathed the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit spoke to righteous men to write the Holy Words of God.
Failure to believe in the entire Bible—the Old and New Testaments.
Failure to obey and acknowledge the Ten Commandments were never invalidated by God.
Failure to honor the Creation Seventh-Day Sabbath—Friday sunset to Saturday sunset due to tradition, fear, or disobedience.
Failure to accept the Creation biblical theology as the basis for this world and for all life.
Failure to reverence and honor the Sovereignty of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Failure to live a Bible-based, Christ-Centered life.
Failure to do one’s part in changing their character—seeking to possess the Fruit of the Spirit.
Failure to acknowledge Jesus’ Second Coming by not actively preparing —striving to live righteously every day.
“Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” —Leviticus 20:7
If your thoughts are “then who can be saved?” Jesus’ answer: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” —Matthew 5:8
We can never make our hearts pure. The concept of self-government is a false belief and is unachievable! Because we inherited sinful minds, [our hearts] always gravitate toward wrongdoing. Yet, our situation is not hopeless! The human effort of praying and striving to possess a spirit of humility, obedience, and total surrender of our hearts and will to God every day demonstrates our willingness to do our part in the Plan of Salvation.
” ‘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
Our habits of impatience, having a mean spirit, a sharp tongue that speaks angry, hurtful words, telling the truth with the intent to hurt the other person, or becoming angry when another driver speeds up to cut in front of us may appear to be minor, but they are evidence of an unrighteous character. We humbly accept that we cannot judge ourselves by our innate unrighteousness.
The Bible is our Spiritual Mirror!
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Hebrew 4:12
The Bible is the only Good Book that gives us God’s perspective of sin and righteousness. The Holy Scriptures not only give us the spiritual knowledge of God’s character but also His expectations of Christ’s followers. The false belief that we do not have to study the Bible originated from Satan.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22
Every employer, even the self-employed have and enforce structure and policy guidelines. We choose to accept Christ as our personal Savior. And with that choice, we do not get to live according to our desires or our version of God’s Truth. With Scriptural knowledge, faith, trust, and obedience, we proclaim our love and loyalty to God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…” —Hosea 4:6, [first part]
We will not have the desire to faithfully serve and obey a God who we do not know. Those who have access to the Bible and chose not to study will be held accountable by God at the time of Judgment.
“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
With so many requirements who can be saved? Everyone who is willing to surrender and commit themselves to God. We need to pray several times a day to overcome the sinful habits which prevent our spiritual transformation from having the righteous characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we receive daily the overwhelming love, grace, and mercy to live righteously. Our works alone can never achieve righteousness living and Sanctification—daily spiritual transformation. It is through God’s grace that we receive the Mighty Transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change our character!
To live righteously without Divine Intervention every day is impossible. But why are we attempting to live without God’s help when He has promised to never leave us or forsake us?
Reflection: Do I desire to obediently travel the journey [leading to the spiritual transformation] required to receive my reward of eternal life in Revelation 22:12?
From love, Jesus created us as free moral agents. And He will never intrude or coerce us to change. But, if we make the decision to renounce sin and go all the way with our Savior, Jesus Christ then we have Scriptural Promises that Divine Help is available for us 24/7 when we pray and ask.
God’s Gifts to Humanity: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7
God knows that we cannot save ourselves. The Human Effort of obedience, surrender, praying, diligently studying the Bible, asking for wisdom and discernment, and intentionally avoiding sinful activities are not above and beyond our God-given capabilities.
Scripture Readings
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” —Matthew 7:7
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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 4:15-16
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” —Hebrews 13:5-6
Prayer: God, we come to You in prayer because we are weak and are in desperate need of Your Divine Intervention to save our souls. We ask for the forgiveness of living according to our sinful standards. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, reveal the changes that we need to make in our lives so that we may serve You in humility and obedience. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
Good morning, I am sharing a daily Devotional today because many Christians are accepting concepts of evolution over the written word of God regarding creation. Have a blessed day.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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