“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11, ESV)
For several years, I worked full-time, studying one academic course per semester. Finally, my goal of completing the academic courses required for the Registered Nursing program came to fruition.
With much excitement, I began to apply for Nursing programs, only to discover the programs within a 50 mile radius of where I lived in New Jersey, had a two to three year waiting list. Although I was extremely disappointed, God revealed His Divine Providence and Plans for my future.
One day, while sharing my dilemma with one of my closest friends, who was a Registered Nurse in Upstate New York, advised me to apply to the school, in which he completed his nursing education.
I whispered a prayer for God’s guidance, took a giant leap of faith, and God responded by revealing His Supernatural Power; within 5 days, I received my acceptance letter. As I whispered a prayer of gratitude, I immediately recognized this was God’s Divine Providence.
Then ambivalent feelings began to cause an internal war within my heart; relocation to Upstate New York would require walking away from a serious and loving relationship that I was involved in.
Again my nurse friend gave me sound advice, “Nursing is not only what you love to do, you must also consider that the future brings many unexpected hardships, becoming a Registered Nurse and teaching patients how to manage their illnesses and achieve optimal health provides job satisfaction and ensures a secure future.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” (Ephesians 1:3-5, ESV).
At the age of 40, I was accepted into a rigorous nursing program that was scheduled to start within 3 months. Whether or not my excitement boosted my faith, with God’s Help, and Tee, the love of my life, we drove a UHaul and my car to Upstate New York.
When we arrived at my new home, Tee spoke these words, “Dee, I have thought about it and I just can’t do a long distance relationship.” I quickly replied that I understood, expressed my love for him, but felt no grief, because I knew this was God’s Plan for my life.
Yahweh Yireh, Our Provider Reveals His Love
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” (Ephesians 3:20).
While unpacking, the school’s financial aid officer notified me of another God-given blessing; I received a scholarship that covered tuition, books, and uniforms for the duration of the program.
God’s Expectation: To keep our faith and focus on His Power and Promises, not our circumstances.
“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, Amplified Bible).
The Faith Test: Nursing Clinicals required two years of intense study, and included summer rotations, My scholarship did not cover my living expenses; and the curriculum’s schedule was definitely not one that would allow the student nurse to work Monday through Friday.
Loyalty to God’s Commandments: Because I honor God by obeying the Fourth Commandment to keep the Seventh Day Sabbath holy, I could not work on Sabbath, and studying required 8-12 hours on Sundays.
As a student nurse, I had to totally rely on God for my provisions, placing me on a spiritual journey that required 100% of my faith and trust in God’s Love and Promises. And Yahweh Yireh proved that nothing is too hard for God!
The Reward: As I gave the valedictorian remarks at graduation, with a humble and grateful heart, I thanked God for giving me the courage to trust Him with my life, and the strength and wisdom to maintain a 4.0 GPA.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Matthew 6:31-32, ESV).
“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).
The Journey of Faith Requires Total Trust and Obedience To God
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Reflection: Are you following God’s Plan for your life? The majority of today’s Christian Community fail to live a Christ-Centered, Faith-based life, which requires daily self-denial and obedience to God.
Every day, we plan and fulfill our personal agendas, without praying and asking God to reveal His Perfect Will and Plans for our lives. God’s Warning: “Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7).
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Self-Reliance is an unrighteous character trait that demonstrates a heart filled with pride and willful disobedience against God.
The Christian believer, who fails to pray for God’s Guidance has the same mindset as unbelievers, who value human thoughts over God’s Sovereign Thoughts and Ways.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, Amplified Bible).
We can believe in God and attend church, but the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within an “unbelieving believer,” who intentionally refuses to surrender and acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority.
Pursuing our desires and plans reveals that we place our faith and trust in human thoughts and strategies, instead of God’s Promises, but spiritual defiance results in spiritual death.
Self-governance invites Satan to tempt us continuously with the desires of our hearts, which distract us from our relationship with Christ, ultimately giving Satan the power to control our lives.
“But He said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'” (Luke 11:28, ESV).
God lovingly tells us that using our faith to obey His Plans has always been required. When we love God, the Holy Spirit converts our hearts, and obeying our Heavenly Father is never a burden.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning” [for He is perfect and never changes]. (James 1:17, Amplified Bible).
God always rewards His faithful and obedient sons and daughters with spiritual blessings. We may focus on receiving material blessings, yet receiving God’s gifts of an alert and oriented mind, spiritual wisdom, and optimal physical health are examples of the spiritual blessings that money can never provide.
Prayer Connects Us To El Roi, The God Who Sees
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35, ESV). In Jesus’ earthly life, through continuous prayer, He asked God, His Father for wisdom and guidance.
Jesus revealed humility and the willingness to always surrender and faithfully obey His Father, and God, the Father has not changed, to receive the reward of Eternal Life, we must obey God.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). As Sons and Daughters of God, follow and obey Jesus, our Shepherd by seeking His will, plans, and guidance through daily prayer.
The true condition of the human heart is revealed by one’s thoughts, spoken words, habits, and lifestyle. Daily surrender and faithful obedience reveal love, loyalty, and reverence for God’s Sovereign Authority and Divine Providence.
In the Bible, God reveals His Righteous Character; therefore, if we are diligently studying the Holy Scriptures, we learn Who God is: “I Am That I Am!”
Understanding The Purpose of Faith-Builders: Trials, Hardships, and Adversity
In Job chapter 38, Job questioned God; yes, Job felt that he did not deserve the extreme suffering that the Lord God allowed to enter His life.
God’s Response: “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom] By words without knowledge? Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know and have understanding?'” (Job 38:1-2, 4 Amplified Bible).
Throughout the Bible, God Proclaims His Sovereignty
“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, Amplified Bible).
As Followers of Jesus Christ, Who sacrificed His Life on Calvary’s Cross, when we appreciate Jesus’ Life-Giving and Life-Saving Sacrifice, we will use our faith to love, trust, and obey God.
Believers use their faith to believe. Faith does not have a gray area, nor does faith depend on the presenting circumstances; Steadfast Faith proclaims, God said it! I believe it! It is done!
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly…” (Lamentations 3: 25-26).
Faith praises God, even though the answer to our prayers have not come to fruition. King David tells us to wait on the Lord with courage and prayers of gratitude. In the wait, we thank God for the victory, asking Jesus to give us the strength to persevere. Faith believes that God is Faithful!
Loving God Is The Catalyst For Steadfast Faith
“So He [Jesus] answered and said, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind…'” (Luke 10:27).
Jesus tells us that “God’s Love” is the spiritual foundation of our salvation. We must use our gift of faith to establish and maintain a spiritual love connection to God’s Agape Love, which is manifested through our Savior, God, Jesus Christ, His Son.
“We love because He first loved us.” When we understand that the Message of The Cross reveals God, the Father’s overwhelming love for humanity, gifting us with His Precious Son, God, Jesus Christ, with humility and gratitude, we will reciprocate our love through faithful obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“I will bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless Your Holy Name!”
Faithful obedience and trust are spiritual fruits, revealing that the believer’s heart overflows with love and adoration for God’s Faithfulness, Grace, and continuous Mercies.
Why is our faith strong and anchored in The Rock, Jesus Christ?
From searching and studying the Holy Scriptures, we learn the Loving and Righteous Attributes of God’s Sovereign Character: He is Immanuel, God With Us in the peaceful times and in the raging storms.
God Proclaims: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Like a young child, we use our faith to steadfastly believe that God is: El Roi, “The God, Who Sees me;” and El Ne’eman, “The God, Who is Trustworthy and Reliable.”
In faith, we wait on Yahweh Yireh, our Provider, because His Promises to always take care of us are Yes and Amen [It is so!].
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
Lord Jesus, with humility and surrender, we approach Your Throne of Grace, asking for the forgiveness of our grievous sins of disobedience, doubt, and unbelief in Your Faithfulness and Your Promises. Jesus, we ask for the anointing of Your Power, and to reveal Your Presence, given to us through God, the Holy Spirit. Lord, we ask You to strengthen our faith and to guide us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness that leads from earth to Heaven. In faith, we humbly ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King, Amen.
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