“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44).
God has established His commands found in the Holy Scriptures for forgiving our enemies. When Jesus was nailed to Calvary’s Cross, He prayed a prayer forgiving His enemies. Before we accepted Christ, we were also His enemies, and He immediately forgave us.
The Big Reveal: Love and hate cannot coexist in our hearts.
Unforgiveness reveals that we possess an unconverted heart that is not transformed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot love God and hate others. It is a sad choice to lose one’s reward of Eternal Life for harboring the deep rooted sin of unforgiveness.
The Holy Scriptures do not support or justify our demand to receive an apology from those who have harmed us. We must forgive even when they feel no remorse for what they did.
I endured childhood abandonment, abuse, betrayal, and hatred. Still I forgave, because 30 years later someone told me to pray for my enemies.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6: 14-15).
Praying for others set me free from the bondage that threatened to keep my heart, mind, and soul in a hopeless abyss of the darkness of hatred. When we forgive, Jesus completely heals our broken hearts, and there are no residual scars.
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NLT)
There is nothing deeper than God’s spoken words in the Holy Bible, which soothes our souls, and transforms our minds and characters in preparation for a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth where love will abound!
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord…’
To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)
God says that vengeance belongs to Him. We have this hope, the world as we know it, saturated with so much evil, will not always exist. Study Revelation chapters I9-22.
We choose to ask Jesus to fill our hearts with His Agape love to replace the bitter feelings of unforgiveness. To love God is to love others unconditionally.
Obeying God’s Commands and Righteous Principles is required of every Christian believer. Forgiving our enemies is a requisite for receiving Jesus’ promise of the Crown of Life.
As we are forgiven, we must forgive. Never be willing to die for your enemy’s sins because that is the spiritual outcome of nurturing the sin of unforgiveness. Peace and Blessings.
Lord Jesus, You experienced much hatred and many atrocities in Your earthly life, still you forgave your enemies. We pray for those who are in the bondage of unforgiveness that they will allow Your Righteous Love to permeate their hearts and heal their wounds. In faith, we ask this prayer, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3).
We have received many priceless blessings this week including God’s Ruach Breath flowing through our body and angelic protection from spiritual warfare and physical danger.
Expressing Prayers and Praises of Gratitude invites the Holy Spirit to give us abundant peace, joy, and happiness even when we are experiencing tough times in the dark valley of trials.
Do you feel loved? God’s Love is Everlasting and all that we need, yet, we receive so much more. It is impossible to count our blessings.
Agape Love is always between the Giver [God] and the Receiver [You and Me]. Have you expressed your love everyday for Yeshua, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King?
“…I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
Take some alone, quiet time to offer Praises [Pray, Sing, and Read the Scriptures] of Celebration to Jesus, our Redeemer, Intercessor, and Mediator.
Lord God, we lift Your Holy Name with praises of gratitude for Your Amazing Love and Steadfast Faithfulness. We pray for the blessing of spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical renewal as we celebrate your Holy Sabbath. Yeshua, we love You, and ask this prayer in your Holy Name, Amen.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28).
Unexpected challenges do not knock, waiting for us to open the door so they can enter. No, hardships and adversities are unwelcome intruders who have master keys and enter with unpredictability. Even believers often find it difficult to agree on most subjects, but there is a strong consensus that suffering is always challenging and leads to discouragement.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
Although I followed God’s plans, this week, I faced two extremely difficult challenges that discouraged me. Obedience to God should always bring a deep sense of inner peace. So, what happened? I forgot Jesus’ warning that even when we obey God, unexpected adversity can arise, causing us to feel defeated.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Truthfully, because we serve God, we feel that our lives should be easier, but an easy life is not Biblical. No Bible hero, and certainly not Jesus, the Son of God, was exempt from harsh trials.
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” (Psalm 42:6). David was a skillful musician and singer, but many do not understand “the man after God’s own heart.” He never pretended that all was well when it wasn’t. The Psalms are songs of prayer, and the longest book in the Bible. Prayer is a spiritual lifesaver, keeping us connected to the Source of Life.
God knows that our response to trials and troubles will not be positive. Through prayer, we receive answers from Scripture, making it essential for our spiritual well-being. Studying the Bible is not optional. Like David, I prayed, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to study Psalm 42.
Daily personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts. While writing this devotional, the Holy Spirit reminded me that “The Christian’s Journey on the Path of Righteousness Always Involves Suffering.”
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just like we are.” Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality, building our faith, and molding us into the righteous character of Christ are required to receive Eternal Life, and can only be accomplished through trials and adversities.
The hard times of suffering are a part of Christianity that we fail to embrace or appreciate. I am not a new believer, and throughout my journey, I have heard so few sermons on the suffering required to follow Jesus. Who is teaching or preaching the sermons telling us that the journey on the Path of Righteousness is tough, so when adversity comes in like a tsunami, we immediately fall to our knees in prayer, asking for help?
“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).
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot rely on anyone else to teach us the Gospel Truth of the Bible. Too many believers are giving up on God because they do not know the Truth. The book of Job reveals that Job lived a sinless life, still he endured extreme suffering, but overcame, and received many blessings.
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ESV).
Sanctification requires humility, long-suffering [patience], and the teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention. Spiritual transformation requires our entire [earthly] life. If we use our faith and obedience to cooperate with God, then every day the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us. Spiritual growth never happens in leaps and bounds; it is the little steps that keep us moving forward.
God’s thoughts, ways, and plans always take time. God is Eternal. He views our lives from beginning to end. Because God knows our lifespan, there is no need for Him to rush in giving us His blessings or fulfilling His promises.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
Still, God always fulfills His promises. We know that from the story of Abraham and Sarah who were 100 and 90 years of age when Isaac was born. One thing is for certain, God’s timing will never align with our timing.
The worldview of “Do it now” strongly opposes the righteous characteristic of patience, which is a Fruit of the Spirit. Instant gratification is the downfall of any Christian who embraces the mindset of “I have to have it now!”
Not all adversity or roadblocks are related to the faith journey of spiritual growth. We must also consider if we became impatient and attempted to expedite the process by following our thoughts.
Our Plans: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (James 4:13-15, NIV).
Our God-given gift of Free Will of Choice allows us to choose following our thoughts and desires, or surrendering to and obeying God’s Perfect Plans, which always end in Victory.
God’s Plans: “O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]” (Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible).
Does God honor those who faithfully obey Him? The three Hebrew young men were not destroyed in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Daniel slept with the lions in their den, and yes, Peter lost faith when walking on the water, but he was the only one of the disciples who was courageous enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus saved Peter. And when the Apostle Paul was bitten by the venomous snake, the people waited for him to die, but he lived [Acts 28:3-6].
The same Christ who intervened in the Old and New Testaments is still waiting for the righteous to approach Him in prayer. Who else can help us but God?
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Trust Jesus with your life! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have a very patient and loving Shepherd who knows that our hearts, faith, and courage are weak. Still, our Loving Jesus, who is our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor, waits for us to ask for His help.
“The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer, specifically in conveying our prayers to Christ. The Holy Spirit acts as a Divine Intercessor, bringing our sincere, faith-filled prayers to the Father through Christ.” (EGW)
The lessons I learned: When we faithfully follow and obey God’s Directives, yes, we may still face adversity; even so, when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by committing ourselves to a life of prayer, asking for Divine Help and Strength, we immediately receive the ability to make it through our challenges. Not only did I learn more about God’s Loving Character and humanity’s weaknesses from studying the Psalms, but I also received Jesus’ strength, comfort, and a victorious outcome [a miracle]. Yes and Amen.
“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).
Jesus Christ is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!
Lord God, we thank You for creating us, loving us, intervening for us, and taking care of us. We love You, and worship Your Holy Name. Lord, teach us to pray that we can depend on You instead of ourselves. We also pray for a Divine blessing during the Holy Sabbath, and ask this prayer, in the Righteous and Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).
“The biblical story of the ten lepers, found in Luke 17:11-19, tells of Jesus healing ten men afflicted with leprosy. While all ten were cleansed, only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus, prompting Jesus to question the absence of the other nine and to commend the thankful Samaritan’s faith.”
The spoken words, “Thank you” have almost been phased out of our minds. Unfortunately, most of us live with a sense of entitlement, feeling that we deserve God’s life-sustaining blessings that He graciously gives every day.
The Proof: Even our prayers have transitioned to asking God for more things than thanking Him for what He has already provided for us.
As I reflected on my prayer history, I can never recall praying this unselfish prayer of faith and gratitude, “God, I don’t need anything else, but Your Love, Grace, Mercies, Guidance, and Protection. Amen.”
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).
The gifts of a new day, our mental, emotional, and physical strength along with spiritual guidance, and angelic protection are gifts freely given that we often take for granted.
Every day, we can express heartfelt praises of prayers and songs of gratitude to God for the precious gifts of His unwavering love, Jesus, our Redeemer, Salvation, daily provisions, and so much more.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
Gratitude changes our heart from one of discontentment which drives us to pursue and acquire more money and tangible possessions to one of contentment filled with love, peace, and joy.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17, ESV).
Daily expressions of gratitude for God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies produces steadfast faith in the power of God to resolve life’s issues. When challenges arise, the grateful heart [fueled by faith] responds with an immediate prayer for Divine help.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
When the storms of life rage, grateful hearts are filled with confidence and courage because they remember that God is faithful, and His promises are Yes to which we say Amen!
Yes, a heart overflowing with gratitude for God’s faithfulness reveals appreciation for our Heavenly Father who deserves to hear our love expressed through the spoken words, “Thank You, God,” every day.
Lamentations 3:22-26
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him…'”
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lord God, we ask you to forgive us for nurturing a spirit of ingratitude. We thank you for the precious gift of your Son, Jesus Christ who redeemed us from sin. Thank you, for giving us the choice of eternal life when death was the only consequence for being born into sin. We thank You for Your love, compassion, provisions, and the gift of time. God, we love You because You first loved us. Help us to have a heart filled with love, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of Your Agape Love. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we ask this prayer in faith, Amen.
“For you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in Mercy to all those who call upon You (Psalm 86:4- 5).
The book of Psalms reflects David’s love, faith, and trust in God. Throughout history, no musician, or songwriter can equal the heartfelt Psalms [Songs of Praise, Worship, and Petitions], which are prayers from the depths of David’s heart.
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon you, for you will answer me” (Psalm 86:7).
Many do not understand David’s prayers and feel that he was depressed. No, he understood God’s Love and Sovereign Authority, and the limitations of human effort to resolve life’s challenges.
David, the shepherd boy who played his harp in the fields was given the supernatural strength to kill bears and lions with his hands. Yes, young David tenderly cared for his sheep, matured into a mighty warrior, and was honored by God to become King over Judah and Israel, yet David was hated.
“O God, the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to your servant. Show me a sign for good that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You Lord have helped me and comforted me” (Psalm 86:14, 16-17).
David’s petitions reveal an unwavering faith in God, reliance on the power of prayer, and the belief that humanity was created to depend on God, Jesus Christ, the Creator, therefore, he honored God by continuously crying out to Him for Divine help.
“For great Is Your mercy toward me” (Psalm 86:13).
We have received the mercies of a new day, will we pray and obey, or move ahead to fulfill our desires and plans? Sadly, many Christians have embraced the worldview of self-sufficiency resulting in the exclusion of God from their lives.
If our first response to challenges and adversity is to ask ourselves, “How am I going to resolve this?” then we have separated ourselves from God. Christ always prayed with the intent to seek and obey God, the Father’s will. [Read John 8:29].
The Bible teaches us that unless we love God more than ourselves, and like Christ, surrender daily by seeking His Divine will and plans, we will not receive the eternal reward that God desires to give us.
We accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior because we love and honor Him for His great sacrificial offering on Calvary’s Cross. Every day, we must remind ourselves that we desperately desire Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3.
Yes, faith, reverence, and loyalty are fruits of a loving heart that readily acquiesces to God’s Sovereignty in total surrender and obedience.
“Teach me your way, O Lord” (Psalm 86:11).
God is Sovereign, Holy, Righteous, and Majestic, the angels cover their faces when worshiping Him. Daily surrender develops a spirit of humility, “God, not my will, but Your will be done” preparing us for a forever life of worship.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit to change our character into the Righteousness of Christ. Sanctification is performed by the Holy Spirit and is the spiritual process of mind, character, and personality transformation that requires a lifetime.
When our hearts are overflowing with love for God, our perception changes, and like David, we begin to cry out continuously with praise, worship, and petitions asking for Divine Help. Yes and Amen!
“Bow down your ear, O LORD, hear me; for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life…You are my God; Save your servant who trusts in You! (Psalm 86 1-2).
Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for not honoring you with the worship of surrender and obedience. Lord, we ask you to show us your mercy, and grant us Your salvation. We pray for Your guidance, which is the only way that we can stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask this prayer in faith, and in the Sovereign Name of Jesus, our Triumphant King, Amen.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him” (John 4:23).
Personal worship is a lifestyle of total surrender and faithful obedience to God. True heart conversion is manifested by seeking God’s will every day, we desire to please God because we love Him.
“He [Abraham] 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 22:5).
Abraham demonstrated an obedient response to God’s command to sacrifice, Isaac, his only son because he trusted God. Yes, it was the greatest test of Abraham’s faith, but Abraham believed that God would fulfill the promise He had given to him before Isaac was born.
From our devout love for God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we acquiesce to His Authority because He is God, the Sovereign Ruler of this universe who sustains our lives.
Through prayer, we ask for God’s plans to be revealed for our lives, and then we fulfill His plans through obedience and perseverance. God honors consistent worship, yet, the rejection of Cain’s sacrifice teaches us that we cannot offer God what we think He deserves.
From our willingness to surrender and obey, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our thoughts, and the Scriptures, giving us the wisdom and guidance required to follow God’s plans, and to live righteously.
“But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6, Amplified Bible).
For personal worship, Jesus tells us to separate ourselves from everyone else. Personal worship should not include our cellular devices, or other people. Distractions prevent us from experiencing one-to-one communion in the presence of God.
God is Holy, and we reverence Him with the utmost respect. The power of God manifests itself through the Holy Spirit. We receive spiritual discernment, strength, and renewed endurance to run the Christian race, despite our obstacles.
Daniel prayed three times a day. When thrown into the lion’s den, Daniel’s faith remained strong because he believed that God is who He says He is, our Faithful, and Powerful Deliverer who promises us victory when we depend on Him.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NLT).
Personal worship is the only way to maintain our relationship with Jesus Christ who covers us with His Righteousness. Worship begins in our hearts. From spending time with God, the Believers who consecrate themselves daily receive a life-changing experience from the Holy Spirit.
Eternal life will include worshiping God every day. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity that we have to establish the habit of honoring God through personal worship.
Because we live in perilous times, we desperately need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptations, recognize false teachings, and to keep us the Path of Righteousness. We cannot fight spiritual warfare without angelic protection and intervention.
Many believers attend weekly church services, but never grow spiritually because they fail to maintain a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus through the daily commitment of personal worship.
Ritualistic worship accomplishes nothing, we feel no remorse for our sinful lifestyles. One cannot experience spiritual growth from attending church once a week, which explains why many can live a double life of committing sin, but still attend church without feeling guilty.
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of being transformed into the image of Christ. Daily worship invites the Holy Spirit to give us a deeper understanding of the Scriptures, and strengthen our faith in God.
Faithful obedience and surrender are the requisites for worshiping God in spirit and truth. Spiritual growth and maturity is the work of the Holy Spirit that requires our cooperation of humility, faith, and abiding in Christ through prayer and Bible study.
Praise and worship for God is manifested beyond external expression. We must love God more than ourselves. Love is the catalyst that propels us to present ourselves as a Living Sacrifice to God by exchanging our desires for His Perfect Plans.
“I appeal to you, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2, ESV me).
Lord God, we come to you in humility and surrender ready to fulfill your will and plans for our lives. We pray for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and the strength to persevere in our spiritual journey. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
One of my favorite chapters is Romans 12, in which the Apostle Paul explains to the members of the church in Rome how to live righteously.
The Christian Journey is tough! We must renounce sin, let go of our desires, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit who produces daily spiritual transformation when we are in agreement with God’s will.
Active Participation Is Required for Spiritual Growth and Transformation! Many believers think because we are covered by God’s Grace, all we need to do is to attend church once a week.
But passivity is dangerous to our spiritual journey. It is the intentional decision to follow Christ that keeps us in right standing with God. Using our faith to obey God results in experiential spiritual growth and character transformation.
Active participation reveals our love for God, and the desire to receive our inheritance of Eternal Life.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NIV),
To “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” does not mean we attempt to earn salvation or to be afraid. “Instead, it encourages believers to live out their salvation with reverence and awe, recognizing God’s work within them.”
Participating in our salvation: “It is a call to live in obedience, and possess gratitude for the gift of salvation with the understanding that God empowers us to do so.”
What does active participation look like in the converted believer’s life?
Our love for God is revealed by surrender to God’s Sovereignty. We seek His will and plans daily through prayer, and studying the Bible.
Worshiping God with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment.
Maintaining a clean and pure heart invites the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
Asking God for His Divine help when facing small obstacles creates a spirit of dependency, so when the raging storms of trials and tribulations come, our First Response is to pray in faith with the confidence that God will help us.
Eliminating distractions, not listening to the many voices, and managing our time wisely are behaviors that indicate God is first in our lives.
Before making decisions based on following our thoughts, we pray for Divine guidance. Whether God tells us to wait and be still, or to follow His directives, in faith, we obey.
Finally, we renounce our heart’s desires in exchange for God’s plans. Our lifestyle including relationships represent that we serve a Righteous and Holy God, and we are striving to live a consecrated and obedient life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The bottom line is that God loves us. God, the Father has revealed His Perfect Love by giving His only Son, Jesus Christ to save our souls.
With unfailing love, Jesus, God, the Son fulfilled The Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross revealing that it is possible to live a faithful, holy, and obedient life.
“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).
Lord God, we ask You for guidance, wisdom, and the strength and courage to obey Your Divine will. Teach us how to live righteously. We ask for the Holy Spirit to permeate our minds that we may hear Your voice and faithfully obey Your will. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Sadly, Adam and Eve were conquered by Satan. Not because he has the power to coerce us to sin which separates us from God, but when tempted, if we willingly make decisions that detour us off of the Path of Righteousness then Satan seeks to control us.
Faith, Surrender, Obedience, Praying, and Studying the Scriptures every day are the distinguishing characteristics of the Christian believer whose heart is converted and devoted to God.
We are covered by God’s protection from the enemy’s deception when we agree to accept His plans for our lives. The uncomfortable feeling that you have inside when faced with a too good to be true offer is the Holy Spirit warning us of deception.
In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us that He has plans for our lives. We often complain when things do not go according to our wishes, but have we ever considered that God rarely has the opportunity to fulfill His plans for our lives?
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear [reverence] Him, And delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). Yes, God loves saints and sinners, but His promises are conditional on obedience to His Sovereign Authority. We cannot live in opposition to God’s plans and expect to receive His blessings.
If you are chasing prosperity, pleasure, politics, and your desires, then you are not seeking God’s will, and are not in right standing with God. Yes, your mind has been conquered by Satan. We cannot join Satan’s diabolical army For worse was trinkets over our reward of eternal life that Jesus died on the cross to give us.
Surrender and faithful obedience to God immediately releases Satan’s stronghold on our minds. Jesus provides us with definitive guidelines for God’s Righteous Principles in Matthew chapter 6.
2 Timothy 3 describes the Perilous Times we are living in right now.
“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).
Jesus is in the Heavenly Sanctuary waiting to come again and receive us to live a Forever Life with Him. Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: John 14:1-3
Lord God, we pray for those in the Christian Community who are deceived by Satan to pursue worthless treasures and embrace world views that oppose Your Righteousness. Help us to desire your perfect plans, which includes Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray Amen.
Sheep have a unique attribute, they always follow their Shepherd. Unless we surrender ourselves every day, asking God to reveal His plan, we are not part of Jesus’ spiritual flock.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46, NIV). True heart conversion is demonstrated by worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Faithful Followers live Faith-based, Christ-centered lives.
Christ in His earthly life said, “The Father is with Me because I always do what pleases Him.” Unless we ask God to reveal His plans for the given day of mercies, we are lost sheep.
Without Faithful Obedience, we are not following Christ on the Path of Righteousness. Humility and surrender are the character traits of those who truly love their Shepherd.
There will be no reward for following our thoughts and plans. Jesus reminds us that He knows His Sheep because they always follow Him. Repent and Obey. The King is Coming Sooner than we think!
Lord God, we pray for those who are deceived by thinking they can pursue their desires, and still receive the reward of eternal life. As Biblical prophecies are being fulfilled, we pray for a revival of holiness within our hearts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name we pray, Amen.
Our love for God is the catalyst that propels us to reveal Christ’s Divine Love to others. Brokenness and hopelessness has permeated humanity as never before. Every day, we are given the opportunity to witness and tell everyone within our reach, “Jesus loves you.”
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” -Revelation 22:12
Historically, as Christians, we were taught, acknowledged, and prepared daily for Jesus’ Second Coming which is proclaimed in the Books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation.
Yet, there is a marked difference between believers of yesteryear and today’s Christian Community who appear disinterested in a Heavenly Home. Too many pursue earthly success and prosperity as if this present Earth will be our forever home.
In John chapter 17, Jesus prayed for Himself His disciples, and His future disciples (you and me) that we would be ready to meet Him when He comes again. Read John 14:1-3.
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’ ” -Matthew 9:37
Yes, Salvation is a free gift flowing with God’s love, grace, and mercies that we receive every day. Still, what about the estimated 3.2 billion people who do not know about Jesus Christ?
As Christ’s disciples, how can we despise our spiritual assignment of telling others there is a Savior who forgives their sins and cleanses them from all unrighteousness?
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household ‘ ” (Acts 16:29-31, NIV).
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
Witnessing is not a merit-based work. We tell others who are lost in the despair of sin because Jesus rescued us. God needs dedicated workers who will spread the message of Salvation which flows from Jesus’ ever-abiding Love for humanity.
Yes, our Triumphant King hung on Calvary’s Cross, and from His blood sacrifice, Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
From using our faith to believe in Jesus Saving Power along with repentance of our sins, the Holy Spirit performs a daily spiritual transformation of growth and maturity within our hearts.
This spiritual transformation is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Loving God equates to loving everyone who God loves. With Christ’s love and compassion, we tell others, Jesus Saves! The Holy Spirit will continue our efforts by touching the individual’s heart to accept Christ.
We may never know in our earthly lives the outcome of our witnessing. Still, it will be wonderful when we get to heaven and someone approaches us and says, I accepted Christ because you told me that He loved me. Yes and Amen!
Who will tell them? Will you go?
Lord God, in Your Holy Name and Saving Power, we will go. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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