Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 12, 2025
The following is a quote from a recent and powerful sermon on God’s Grace: “Thinking you know everything you need to know is more dangerous than not knowing what you really need to know.” We are living in perilous times filled with instability and uncertainty, yet God comforts us, “I change not.” Always Pray for God’s guidance before making decisions. Do not trust your thoughts or feelings. Trust God and faithfully wait for His answer. Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we pray for guidance and wisdom as we navigate through this life. Our spiritual journey has been turbulent because too often we have relied on our knowledge instead of asking You for help in our time of need. We ask You to guide us and protect us as we face the spiritual warfare designed to separate us from You. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – February 7-8, 2025
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” —Psalm 103:2, NLT
“God desires that the whole life of His people should be a life of praise.” Every day we should devote at least 10 minutes in solitude to reflect deeply on the benefits and blessings God has showered down from heaven into our lives.
Having breath in our bodies and being in our right minds—alert and oriented—are two of the greatest blessings we receive daily, yet, we often fail to include the gifts of life and cognitive abilities when thanking God for our blessings.
Today, my reflection on God’s Faithfulness even in the countless times I forgot to say, “Thank You, God” prompted the writing of this Devotional of Gratitude. Today we can begin a new habit of thanking our Heavenly Father daily for His continuous love. Amen.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles” (Psalm 103:1-5).
Lord God, Thank You for Your love, faithfulness, grace, and mercies. You are wonderful, You are Holy, Holy, Holy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 2, 2025
God makes it clear what He expects of us. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” —Micah 6:8
As time progresses, injustices have escalated and moral codes and value systems continue to decline. To remain faithful and uphold our integrity, we must remain focused on Christ who gives us spiritual insight and empowers us with His strength. We cannot remain steadfast and resist overwhelming temptations presented to separate us from God without Divine Intervention.
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, be steadfast in your faith…” —1 Peter 5:8-9
Prayer is our connection to God. Morning worship is the time to commune with God always asking Him for Divine guidance, wisdom, and strength before we begin our daily activities. Still, we must pray throughout our waking hours to remain spiritually alert and receive the discernment to recognize the stealthy moves of Satan, our greatest enemy who knows his time is short.
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” —Revelation 3:21
Political dissension, social unrest, and natural disasters will increase [Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3], and the battle for our souls will continue until Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’ Powerful Name, we must fight the good fight of Faith every day. Renounce sin and let go of compromising habits and people who do not honor God. If we overcome this sinful world, we are promised the Crown of Life.
“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
Love God and remain loyal to Him through faithful obedience. According to the Holy Scriptures, we live in the last days of Earth’s history, but those who maintain a close relationship with Christ have no fears. In John 14, King Jesus reveals His promise to return and give us a forever life in a perfect New Heaven and New Earth filled with love, peace, and happiness. Our Heavenly reward is nearer than we think. Fight, brothers, and sisters against the principalities and spiritual wickedness! [Ephesians 6]. With Christ, we are victorious! Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, as Biblical prophecies, are rapidly being fulfilled, we pray for a spiritual transformation of our hearts and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We commit to a life of no compromise and ask You to cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness and reveal Your will for our daily lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – January 31, 2024
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2, NIV
The apostle Paul was given the spiritual assignment of witnessing to the Gentiles [anyone not of Jewish descent] and starting the early Christian Churches. He also faced the challenging task of teaching those who did not know what it meant to serve a Righteous God. The majority of the congregants were from backgrounds of paganism, as a result, ongoing conflict was a normal part of their lives and they brought those behaviors into the church.
During Paul’s time, like now, each individual determined what was morally right and wrong which shaped their perception of life. In studying Paul’s Epistles [letters], we find that he frequently addressed the disputes that arose due to cultural differences and social mores: “Social mores refers to the established customs and moral values within a society that define acceptable behavior…essentially, the unwritten rules that dictate what is considered morally right and wrong within a community.”
Sadly, many 21st-century believers are impacted by the current social mores and worldviews. We practice compromised Christianity as reflected by our lifestyles. Watching programs that contain profanity, sexual immorality, online gambling, chat rooms, and other activities that appeal to our desires and passions are common practices.
“And be not conformed to this world…” We have accepted the societal norm of living according to our version of the truth—resulting in the practice of behaviors that indicate a “worldly form of Christianity.” Although some claim that today’s believers face challenges that are not addressed in the Scriptures propelling them to conform to the world’s standards, God’s Uncompromising Directive is to “Be Holy, for I am holy” ( 1 Peter 1:16).
For new believers, even if the church does not provide mentoring, the Holy Spirit uses various ways to teach the differences between what is common and unholy versus what is righteous. Satan tempts us with the desires of our hearts. Our favorite activities and people create a stronghold on our minds that we cannot overcome without daily prayer, Bible study, and Divine Intervention.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). Satan, our greatest enemy targets those who fail to study the Bible and pray for wisdom. Since they do not have a spiritual baseline of Scriptural knowledge, he uses social media to present a blurred line between truth and error that is readily accepted. In the Garden of Eden, he asked Eve, “Did God really say…?”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding…Do not be wise in your own opinion.” —Proverbs 3:5,7
Romans chapter 12 is our go-to chapter for living righteously. Paul clearly defines the attributes of a righteous character including the acceptable mindset, spoken words, habits, and behaviors required of all Christians. Our spoken words, behaviors, and habits not only reflect our true characters, but also reveal if we love ourselves over God. Thankfully, there is no guesswork with God who tells us to never trust our hearts!
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” —Romans 12:18, NIV
Testimonial: For many years, I engaged in online sparring which produced great satisfaction and a competitive spirit. One of my favorite challenges was to ask individuals for proof of their statements; otherwise, they were merely sharing opinions that could only convince themselves. The topics discussed were of great interest and required deep thinking. I became so distracted that I lost interest in Bible Study and my prayers were ritualistic and powerless.
God’s Rescue: One day, I watched a program on how Christians should handle controversy. Imagine my surprise when the pastor revealed that he was formerly addicted to sparring on social media. He relayed that while writing a sermon, God revealed His Scriptural guidelines on engaging in controversy. He immediately gave up social media because his allegiance to God overrode a pleasurable habit.
The Struggle: Although I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking to me, I only curtailed my habit by carefully selecting and responding to certain subjects, but I could not stop my habit. While praying, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that I was sinning against God by sparring with other people instead of using my spiritual gift to witness.
Victory: Praise God through much fasting, prayer, and Bible study, I no longer engage in a cherished habit that dishonored God. Yet, Satan still presents the temptation to spar in various ways, but through prayer and self-control, I remain steadfast in the strength of Christ.
Perform an evaluation of your activities and lifestyle: “Do my thoughts, spoken words, and activities honor God and invite the Holy Spirit to produce spiritual growth and transformation of my character?”
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The renewing of our mind is a daily decision allowing the Holy Spirit to change our character and make us more like Christ. Sanctification [performed by the Holy Spirit] is the lifelong spiritual process of transforming our carnal mind, character, and personality into Christ-likeness.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” —2 Corinthians 5:17
Proclaim your identity in Christ, “I am a follower of Christ and I will not sin against God!” Striving for spiritual and intellectual excellence requires the human effort of establishing and practicing spiritual boundaries based on the Word of God that we refuse to breach. We can desire change, yet, change requires the humility to surrender to God and the courage to say “No” to sin.
Human effort alone does not produce change. We need Christ’s spiritual strength to overcome the unrighteous habits that we enjoy. Discipleship is a lifelong commitment to daily surrender, faithful obedience, much prayer, studying the Bible, and cultivating our minds and talents in our earthly life to prepare for our reward of eternal life.
Transformation: The Holy Spirit can transform your character, making you more like Christ. Spiritual transformation includes overcoming sins, changing your habits, and developing a better disposition.
Cultivating your mind: You can cultivate your mind by studying the Bible, which expands your intellect and strengthens your discernment.
Using your talents: You can use your God-given talents to honor God and the Holy Spirit will work from within and change your character into one that is similar to Christ’s Righteous Character.
Obedience to God: When you faithfully obey God, you will receive spiritual wisdom and discernment which empowers you to view life through spiritual eyes. No longer will you desire worldly activities, your mind will be renewed to align with the righteousness of Christ.
The power of God: We must have Divine intervention to live holy and acceptable lives. It is through God’s grace we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome our inherent tendencies to embrace sin.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:23-24
Lord God, we pray for the courage and the strength to let go of sinful thoughts, habits, and lifestyles that separate us from You. We ask for Your Divine help to create in us a clean heart and a renewed mind that desires to pursue righteousness. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – January 30, 2025
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” —Hebrews 11:1
“Faith is believing and trusting in God’s love, faithfulness, and miraculous power that you cannot physically see but believe to be real based on who God says He is, resulting in heartfelt conviction and hope.”
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2
From the moment we awaken to a new day, we exercise our faith by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice to God through a prayer of surrender, asking for His will to be revealed, and the wisdom and guidance to fulfill His plans. Christ receives our prayers and sends His spiritual strength and wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“You will show me the path of life, in Your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” —Psalm 16:11
Because life is unpredictable, even though we possess the knowledge to resolve our daily activities, we should ask God for His help in our routine duties. If you have ever experienced a situation that took minimal effort to resolve but escalated into a major obstacle, then asking God to intervene in every aspect of your life should be your first response. Who else but our Heavenly Father can promise to always give us victory?
“Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’ ” —Psalm 16:1-2, NIV
We can make plans but life always includes unforeseen challenges. Financial instability due to job loss, health issues, unhealthy family dynamics, natural disasters, and many other events can change the trajectory of our lives. Despite our trials, total dependence on God gives us a Spiritual Safety Net, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
“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
“Pray continuously” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Living a faith-based life requires much prayer. Form the habit of having little talks with God throughout your waking hours. We can pray audibly, silently, through singing, and even reading from the book of Psalms [songs of prayers]. Faith in Action prevents doubt and depression from taking root in our hearts.
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” —Lamentations 3:25
From our willingness to take a giant leap of faith and give our cares to God, we have the reassurance that God will bring resolution and completion. But know this, God’s answer usually does not come immediately, the wait is testing our faith. God’s answer may or may not require us to take any action, at times, He wants us to “Be still.”
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27
Faith in Action: Believe that God is who He says He is. God’s timing is never our timing. In the waiting season, many believers lose faith by dwelling on the passing of time and God’s seeming lack of response to their prayers. Instead, focus on God’s miraculous power and fight feelings of doubt with prayer, studying the victories in the Scriptures, and reminding yourself of God’s promises. Pray every day, “God, thank You for resolving my challenges” while waiting.
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” —Isaiah 65:24, NLT
When the harsh vicissitudes of life come rushing in like a flood, we have no worries because our confidence is in God’s power and promises. In this lifetime, we will encounter obstacles that human effort cannot resolve. True faith in action is demonstrated by bringing every challenge to God before engaging in an extensive discussion with family and friends. If the challenge involves your family, invite everyone to participate in family prayer, and thank God for His intervention.
“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” —Numbers 23:19
Believe that God is who He says He is. The Red Sea parted, the walls of Jericho fell down, King Asa won the battle although the Ethiopian army was one million strong, and the apostle Paul bitten by a poisonous snake did not die. It is time for us to think differently about our Sovereign, Omnipotent, and Loving God who waits for our cries asking for His Divine Help.
“Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” —Psalm 37:5
Prayer is our spiritual connection to God, the Sustainer of lives. Prayers of faith invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to endure whatever trials and obstacles we face. Every challenge is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to increase our faith in God. We must believe that our Heavenly Father cares! Take every burden to God and wait for His answer.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” —John 14:27, NIV
The inner peace that comes from placing ourselves into God’s hands is beyond spoken words. When we commit to live a Faith-based, Christ-centered life, we are honored by God. Despite our circumstances, when we faithfully rely on God, He promises to give us victorious outcomes. Yes, our Heavenly Father cares!
Lord God, thank You for Your love, grace, and mercies. We ask for Your Divine Intervention for every believer facing unresolvable obstacles. Lord, we admit many times our faith is weak, yet, we come to You asking for the strength to keep persevering in Your power. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional -January 21, 2025
“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name, we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” —2 Chronicles 14:11
The story of King Asa reveals the importance of worshiping God with faithful dedication and obedience. When facing the Ethiopian army, the King’s first response was to pray for God’s Divine help which ended in victory. God sent the prophet Oded to the King with this message, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:1).
“…In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” —2 Chronicles 16:9
Sadly, in 2 Chronicles, chapter 16, the King reveals a decision that indicated he was no longer seeking God through dutiful worship. God did not forsake King Asa by abandoning him. From the king’s decision to disobey God by making a treaty with the pagan king of Syria, he broke God’s covenant to keep Judah as “the land of rest—without war.”
Obedience is our highest form of worship: “Many theologians interpret these verses to mean that actively following God’s instructions is the truest expression of love and devotion to Him, surpassing mere outward acts of worship.”
True Believers do not awaken with a plan to commit premeditated sins. We can pray and consecrate ourselves in the morning and a few moments later fall hard into temptation. How does a believer transition from a life of dedication to one that excludes God? It’s an issue of the heart. Our heart’s desires often take precedence over our willingness to surrender and obey God. This is evidenced by a change in how we worship; we no longer ask for God’s will to be done, and self-reliance replaces dependency on God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” —Proverbs 3:5-8
The failure to pray and ask God for His answer before decision-making reveals that we trust in our human wisdom. Without praying for Divine wisdom, at some point, we will fall either from Satan’s covert deception or the result of our strategies. The outcome of our choices reveals whether or not God was involved—Anything that Satan offers is not God’s will and always has a catch that leads to unforeseen consequences.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8
The enemy is creative, when we openly display or verbalize feelings of desperation in a given situation, it is an open door for him to use his various strategies. Satan uses coercion which is highly effective when we feel there are no options, and the bait-and-switch strategy which prompts us to fulfill our true desire instead of God’s choice. One of his most effective deceptions works on believers who react negatively to loneliness often driving them to seek a relationship or marriage not blessed by God.
Coercion: Your job search has been extended, bills are due, and finally a company has responded to your resume, the salary is great, but you have to decide now, the start date of the new job is tomorrow. Bait and Switch: You pray for a vehicle [within your budget], and receive God’s answer of yes, but at the dealership, you accept the salesperson’s invitation to test drive the luxury model and decide to purchase. Deception: You are preoccupied with feelings of loneliness. You try a Christian dating site that offers a free trial period and eventually meet someone you believe is a Godsend. However, when you invite the person to church, they make excuses for not attending. After two months, the truth is revealed, they think going to church is not necessary to serve God.
True Worship: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” —Psalm 63:1, NIV
The predicaments Christians find themselves in will never cease to amaze us. One thing is certain, we allowed Satan’s strategies have entrapped us. Make no mistake, following our thoughts and fulfilling our desires is extremely satisfying to our souls. Like King Asa, we easily rely on ourselves because we ceased worshiping God in spirit and truth. We can attend church, pray, and study the Bible, yet each day, we fail to pray, “God, not my will, but Your will be done in my life.”
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ” —1 John 4:10, NIV
So we excluded God and now, face unavoidable consequences. Our feelings of defeat and discouragement have escalated and our faith feels non-existent. How do we move forward? Our response determines whether or not we understand God’s love and the Plan of Redemption [God’s Agape Love, Confession, Receiving Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercies ].
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9
God’s love is Eternal! “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute. And shall not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:17). We follow the plan of Redemption by praying an honest prayer of confession and repentance and asking God for directions to move forward. The journey ahead will require a spiritual change in your character and lifestyle. Pray for Divine strength.
Keep Loving God! Keep Praying! Keep Studying the Bible!
Stop remembering your mistakes! Moving ahead in our journey requires a different mindset, we must redirect our focus to Christ. God knew that we would make the wayward decision before we “fall down.” Our faith in God must supersede our feelings of defeat by focusing on His love. We pray and ask Him how to move forward—recovery from counterproductive decisions must be God-driven.
God’s answers will not coincide with our desires. We may have to continue on the unpleasant job until He blesses us with another one, the dealership may negotiate a deal to exchange the luxury vehicle for the affordable one of God’s original plan, and we will have to let go of the unbelieving believer who refuses to worship God as required for spiritual growth. If we obey then God will perform the miraculous!
Keep Moving Forward in the Strength of the Lord!
Pressing Toward the Goal: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:12-14
Prayer: God, we often find ourselves suffering the consequences of following our thoughts and plans and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We desire to follow Your will and ask You to reveal Your plans to move forward. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 19, 2025
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” —John 4:24
Spirit: “Worshiping in spirit means worshiping from within, without formalism or traditionalism. It means having a new disposition and a humble, grateful heart.”
Truth: “Worshiping in truth means worshiping based on a correct understanding of God and what He requires. It means having a true perception of God and obeying His word [The Bible].”
Balance: “Worshiping in spirit and truth requires a balance of emotion and thought. Without emotion, worship can be lifeless, and without truth, worship is empty.”
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25
The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin it means [Christ] taking away our sins, and filling the emptiness with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul there is purity and freedom from sin. The glory, the fulness, and the completeness of the gospel plan are fulfilled in the life. —Christ’s Object Lessons
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” —Luke 6:46
God’s Love is unconditional, yet to receive His benefits [including the reward of Eternal Life] requires total obedience to His Righteous Conditions of Participation in the Plan of Redemption. Obedience is worship that reveals our love, loyalty, and willingness to seek God’s Divine will. Our affirmation of “I choose not to sin against God” reveals our steadfast love and faith in God and renounces self-reliance.
Obedience Is Worship
God’s Promise to Abraham: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” —Genesis 17:4-5, NIV
God Tests Abraham’s Faith: “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ ” —Genesis 22:1-2
It is quite amazing that God would ask faithful Abraham to sacrifice Isaac whose birth fulfilled God’s promise to make Abraham the father of nations. “Child Sacrifice of the first-born sons was a common practice among pagan tribes to ensure their land would reap the prosperity of abundant crops” (myjewishlearning.com).
God always tests our faith, and Abraham understood this was a test of faith. Still, the spiritual meaning of God commanding the sacrifice of Isaac was it foreshadowed [an indication of a future event] God sacrificing Jesus, His only Son on Calvary’s Cross. “The story shows how God provided a substitute for Isaac’s sacrifice, just as he would later provide Jesus as a substitute for all of humanity’s sins.”
Abraham’s Response: “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ ” —Genesis 22:4-5, NIV
Abraham’s directive to his servants indicates that he understood God’s requisite of total obedience and one of profound faith. “When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we will have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts.” The defining characteristic of a true believer is Faith in God demonstrated by a life of surrender and obedience.
Scriptures Identifying God, the Father Required Obedience From Jesus
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
“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).
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
“[Christ]…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8).
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus was One with God, yet, when clothed in human flesh, Jesus was never presumptuous and remained devoted to God, the Father, always seeking His will through constant prayer. Even in Gethsemane when Jesus asked His Father to take the cup away, God’s answer was “No, Son,” Jesus obeyed by fulfilling the Plan of Redemption for you and me.
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” —John 6:38
Brothers and Sisters, we are too distracted by earthly success and trinkets to reflect deeply on Jesus’ obedient sacrifice to save our souls. Abraham identified obedience as steadfast worship to God, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.” We must have the mind of Christ who always surrendered and obeyed God in His earthly life. Without total surrender to God, we develop a rebellious spirit as Cain did leading to a spiritual separation from God.
Making the commitment to faithfully obey God is to worship Him in spirit and truth. We express gratitude for the mercies of a new day through surrender. Our prayers should ascend to Christ, our Intercessor, and Mediator throughout our waking hours asking for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to recognize God’s Voice.
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Worship is a lifestyle of reverencing God. We desperately need the Divine strength and power of the Holy Spirit to stand down our carnal desires and overcome daily temptation. Obedience aligns our hearts with the will of God which is the only way to worship God in spirit and truth.
“The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life, testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour” (Christ’s Object Lessons).
Prayer: Lord God, teach us how to worship You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional -January 17, 2025
“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
Our God is faithful! Regardless of the adversities, sorrows, or distress we experience in life, God knows and patiently waits for us to come to the Throne of Grace with confidence. Using our mustard seed of faith through daily surrender invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith in God.
Faith requires our active participation. Faith is beyond spoken words. Our willingness to seek God’s will reveals our desire to serve Him with humility and obedience. For those who practice faith every day, when challenges arise, our first response is to pray, wait, and trust Him to give us a victorious outcome.
In Luke chapter 8, Jesus performs four miracles: Calming the stormy sea, casting out demons, healing the woman with the issue of blood, and raising Jairus, the Ruler’s daughter. The Bible was given to reinforce our faith and keep our faith alive and thriving. How can we claim to believe in God if we do not place our complete faith and trust in Him?
“Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But he said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ ” Luke 8:24-25
In 2025, Jesus asks each of us, “Where is your faith?” It’s time for us to renew our covenant, pray, and study the Life of Christ. Yet, we need more than intellectual knowledge to believe that God is always faithful. Every morning, our worship reveals the decision to experience the joy of a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ.
To faithfully follow Jesus Christ is spiritually rewarding. Despite our stormy challenges, we know that our Shepherd will calm the raging vicissitudes of life. No longer are we in the valley of indecision, with courage, we take giant leaps of faith, and trust in our loving Heavenly Father who promises to help us.
“I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).” —John 10:9, Amplified Bible
Living a Christ-centered, Bible-based life is the only way we can be spiritually transformed into faithful disciples. The Scriptures are the Voice of God speaking to every believer. From worshiping God through prayer and the study of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit works His transforming power by strengthening our faith and molding us into disciples who are committed to traveling on the Path of Righteousness with their Lord and Savior.
Our Heavenly Father Cares: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” —Isaiah 65:24
Lord God, we confess that we are not using our gift of faith to believe and trust in You. And we ask forgiveness for doubting Your love and power because we do not know Your Loving Character. Our desire is to follow You. We ask for wisdom as we seek knowledge. Teach us to hear and recognize Your Voice. Thank You for always being faithful. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 15, 2025
This year one of the churches I attend is declaring 2025 as a Leap Year for spiritual growth which requires dedication, discipline, and total dependency on God.
The LEAP Year Covenant
This year, I am committing to a life fully devoted to Christ! I am done with empty wishes, hollow resolutions, and vain declarations. This year, I will take a leap.
I will be driven by prayer; fueled by the word; fed by purpose; and clothed in faith. I will be committed, intentional, specific, and focused on my assignment.
I refuse to be the same old person, with the same old thoughts, in the same old place. By the grace of God, I am preparing myself for a leap year in 2025!
On Sunday, 1/12, I excitedly made the covenant with God to live fully devoted to Christ. Today is Wednesday, 1/15, and spiritually things are not going as well as I expected. Yesterday, Google Photos sent a memory reminder that I should have ignored and it triggered memories of yesteryear that were counterproductive.
This morning, I decided to volunteer without praying beforehand and a few hours later, I felt turmoil regarding the situation and asked myself, What were you thinking? So, I prayed and asked God to let the offer fall through. If not, then I will use a new-found courage to rescind my well-meaning but not God-approved offer of my services.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:41
Transparency and honesty are required when we make a covenant to fully surrender and trust God with our lives and then mess up. Self-reliance is often our initial response to appealing offers and activities, but to remain faithful to God, our focus must be on learning His plans for our lives. Love for God reveals itself through humility. Never stay on the detour of disobedience! Acknowledge, confess, repent, and reaffirm your desire to faithfully trust God from that moment forward.
To exclude God is to play the Game of Chance with our lives. We are forewarned not to trust our feelings or understanding. Not only does self-reliance oppose God’s will, but a spirit of disobedience develops, separating us from God, and placing us on the broad path that leads to destruction. Our world is in chaos, and we are living in perilous times, now is not the time to risk losing our future reward of eternal life.
Even the apostle Paul lamented over the inner turmoil of faithfully obeying God: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” (Romans 7:19-20).
“The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.” —Psalm 37:23-24
“The righteous are characterized by their ability to rise after falling. This resilience is rooted in their faith and trust in God, who provides strength and guidance.”
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9
Thankfully, when we fall, our genuine confession and repentance always allow us to receive God’s forgiveness, and Jesus extends His hand of mercy and lifts us up.
“Pray without ceasing” [pray continuously over every aspect of your life] (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
“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 the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
Lord God, we are in the struggle of internal conflict and external opposition, yet, You are our Safety. We have fallen and repent for the wilful disobedience of excluding You from our lives. We desire to renew our covenant of trusting You in 2025. Hear our petition and empower us with the spiritual strength to let go of self-reliance which is enmity against You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
“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
The Spiritual Definition of Unrequited Love: “In a spiritual context, unrequited love refers to a one-sided, unreciprocated love that is given by God for humanity, but that love is not returned or acknowledged by the object of affection [humanity].
Are we certain that we are not in an unrequited love relationship with God? We have the assurance that God loves us, but what is our response to His love? We must love God beyond spoken words to receive eternal life. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
Because God is Sovereign, He predetermined humanity’s appropriate response to receiving His love and salvation. We must serve Him with surrender and faithful obedience to demonstrate our love and loyalty. Our response of obedience is our highest form of worship and demonstrates reverence for Yahweh. Without obedience, we do not have a love relationship with Christ who is our Mediator between us and God, the Father.
An Unrequited Love Relationship Between Human Beings exists when Love is given to an individual who does not return the giver’s love.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” —1 John 4:7-8, NIV
Have you loved someone with everything you have and at some point, the person exhibited signs that they did not love you? When Christian believers experience this dilemma, it is a spiritual dilemma. We do not fall asleep one night and awaken the next morning not loving God and our family. The individual who verbalizes, “I just don’t love you anymore” has been disconnected from God for a while.
When the love of God ceases to exist, carnal feelings overpower and rule the heart, therefore the qualities of Christ-like love no longer exist in the hearts of spouses, the anticipated wedding is called off, and best friends part ways for no apparent reason.
If we cannot understand how Christians lose interest in the people who love them, it is an issue of the heart, they have lost interest in God. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We must be intentional in maintaining our heart-to-heart connection with God. Without meaningful worship, the desire to serve God easily diminishes.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13
We are impacted by our environment to seek success and to pursue whatever makes us happy. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t require much for us to embrace worldly practices. We cannot subdue our heart’s desires without the power of God. The once loyal believer transitions to an unbelieving believer [acknowledging God’s existence but no spiritual connection to God].
Sadly, the dissolution of marriages and long-term relationships has escalated in the Christian community. Many Instagram posts reveal the hurt and anger of spouses, fiancés, and friends who are attempting to move forward from experiencing the devastating heartbreak of unrequited love. Reading the emotional responses that arise from lost love is quite shocking, yet, even when suffering the greatest disappointment, as believers, we cannot justify possessing a heart overflowing with malice.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].” —Ephesians 4:31, Amplified Bible
When our best is not appreciated, we feel devalued and grief easily escalates into anger, bitterness, resentment, and depression. Although we have immense love and devotion for God, even steadfast believers struggle with controlling the aftermath of roller coaster emotions from heartbreak.
The true challenge lies in maintaining a heart filled with love. Overcoming the escalation of carnal feelings requires much prayer asking for Divine strength. When love ends, we need Divine help to empower our self-control to resist plummeting into an abyss of dark emotions.
Nothing is hidden from God! “I, Yahweh, search the heart; I test the inmost being, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10).
Unrequited love hurts! We cannot deceive God who knows the true condition of our hearts. Pray an honest prayer of confession and forgiveness, “God, I am angry, hurt, resentful…” Forgive and pray for the person who failed to return your love and redirect your focus from yourself to God. Asking God to reveal His plan for moving forward keeps us connected in our time of emotional distress.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Acknowledging that you still love the person is a healthy response that prevents the entry of unforgiveness. Obeying the command to forgive is crucial because our character traits determine our destiny. God commands that we love and forgive those who hurt us. Pray! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to love even when experiencing extreme emotional pain.
“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” —Psalm 147:3, [Amplified Bible]
Love and Forgiveness are the spiritual catalysts to receive healing. Jesus asks, “…Will you be made whole?” (John 5:6). Thankfully, God promises to heal our broken hearts. We have a compassionate Heavenly Father who knows and understands the pain of a wounded heart. Surely, God endured heartbreak to see His Son on the cross and mocked and despised by those He came to save. Because emotional pain impacts our relationship with Jesus Christ, our spirit of forgiveness invites God to begin a journey of healing that includes receiving Jesus’ Divine Strength and Comfort.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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.” —Matthew 11:28-29, NRSV
Do not allow yourself to become hard-hearted! It is better to cry a river of tears and express immense sorrow than to become bitter and resentful. All is not lost! God promises to heal and restore joy to our hearts. Our Loving Father is compassionate and kind. The duration of our journey of healing is determined by God who never requires us to hurry up and heal.
Pray as often as needed and study the Scriptures, especially the life of Christ. Ask God every day for the courage and strength to keep moving forward even when performing routine duties. The perplexities of emotional healing remain a mystery, yet, we know that faith and trust in God lightens the heavy burden of sorrow, and day by day, we become stronger through Christ.
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” —Psalm 86:5, NIV
Have you hurt someone? Believe that God loves you! The Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience when we have inflicted emotional, mental, or physical pain on others. Confession and repentance are vital to be in the right standing with God. Seek the forgiveness of those you have hurt. “To change, we must desire change, and surrender our hearts to God who changes us through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Those who inflicted severe pain on their loved ones are still loved by God. Asking the person/people for forgiveness is the first step that God requires before we confess and repent [Matthew 5:23-24]. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances [court orders, deceased, or unknown location] that prevent one from contacting the person or people who suffered. Even so, with a contrite spirit, pray for forgiveness, and ask God to touch and heal the hearts of those who were impacted by your actions.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” —Philippians 3:13
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26
Before Saul’s spiritual transformation to the apostle Paul, he was responsible for most of the deaths of the early Christian believers. The apostle Paul is proof that God redeems and restores. God used Paul to establish 14 churches and write most of the New Testament while imprisoned. We cannot carry a load of guilt. Move forward by praying for the Holy Spirit to transform your heart into one of unconditional love. God redeems and restarts our spiritual journey with the expectation that we will love as Christ and reflect His love to others.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Because our perception of love varies, we must learn and practice God’s Righteous definition of love toward all people. We invite the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love, including loving those who reject us. We always forgive and pray for those practicing unrequited love, but we also exit the relationship or marriage if the spouse or friend refuses to restore their love relationship with God.
Agape love is the love that is the foundation of our heart-to-heart connection with God and imparts health and happiness to the giver and receiver. The Christian home is to be filled with love, joy, and peace. Unrequited love creates an environment void of love, causes suffering, fosters hate, and is not blessed by God. The atmosphere of our homes should reflect God’s love and peace which is needed to maintain a viable [thriving, growing daily] love relationship with Christ which is our priority.
“For I will restore you to health, And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares Yahweh…” —Jeremiah 30:17
Our fractured earthly relationships may never be restored, but God keeps His promises. With joyful expectation, we exercise faith to believe our emotional wounds will be healed. Yeshua [Jesus] is the Spiritual Balm who heals us completely by giving us a new heart without residual scars and freeing us from all guilt and remorse. Yes and Amen, I am a living witness that God restores and heals broken hearts.
We are looking forward to the day when unrequited love relationships will not exist. But until then, we invite the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts with Agape love and move forward in faith. Our Savior’s earthly ministry focused on healing, which always required faith in God’s power, and today, Jesus says, “I have loved you with everlasting love, have faith in Me, and I will heal you.”
“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.” —Revelation 21:4
Lord God, we thank You for being a healer of broken hearts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Please share this Devotional with anyone who is impacted by an unrequited love relationship. Peace and Blessings.
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