Faith Love Trust Obedience – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Living Our Best Lives

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).

Steadfast Faith, Trust, Peace, Joy, and Courage are enjoyed by followers of Christ who love Him and worship God in spirit and Truth.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13).

Daily Surrender and Obedience is our highest worship to God, and is rewarded with receiving many spiritual benefits and blessings.

Yes, God promises to bless us, but the false prosperity message of wealth building that Satan wants us to believe that we deserve, Jesus tells us that earthly prosperity has no spiritual purpose for His followers.

Jesus teaches that the accumulation of earthly treasures is not aligned with God’s Spiritual Precepts.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…”( Matthew 6:19). Unbelievers feel that living one’s best life includes wealth, social status, material possessions, and a lifestyle of pleasure.

Sadly when those with unbelieving hearts face life-changing circumstances, they realize that their earthly treasures are meaningless, and that reality fills their minds with hopelessness and despair.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that our spiritual journey will always include challenges, adversity, loss, and changing circumstances; yet he encourages us, “But, Be of good cheer.”

Good cheer does not refer to the pretense of being happy and overjoyed when experiencing life’s overwhelming hardships; yet, as followers of Christ, praying and knowing He will take care of us, gives us spiritual comfort.

Always pray an honest prayer, “Jesus, I am devastated by this situation.” invites the Holy Spirit to permeate our mind and soul with jesus’s Divine Peace, instead of hopelessness and despair.

Embracing Jesus’ Love and Promises of Peace absorbs the impact of sorrow, disappointment, and loss: “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [sorrows].” (Psalm 147:3).

When tears are flowing from heartbreak, we can maintain a spirit of Hope, because Jesus has promised to give us the strength to overcome our daily battles and to give us beauty from ashes.

“The Divine Exchange: God promises to trade despair and mourning for joy, praise, and restoration.”

Only Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior can give us our best life: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Jesus’ Promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the spiritual catalyst that keeps us connected to Jesus, who empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live victoriously: “You can do nothing without Me.”

The Narrow Way
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Daily personal worship must become our lifestyle. Consistent Prayer, Bible Study, and the Commitment to Surrender to God with Faithful Obedience keeps us spiritually anchored to Christ.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). Unless we know and believe that God is Faithful, memorizing His Promises to always be with us throughout our difficulties, then we will experience the same emotional distress as unbelievers.

The Holy Scriptures teach us that God is our Father, and is committed to lovingly taking care of His Sons and Daughters: God’s Character is the definition of Love! Study 1 Corinthians 13.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15).

God’s perspective of giving us “our best life” is spiritually focused; The Father gave Jesus, His Son to save our souls, because His goal is to prepare us for Eternal Life.

Just As I Am: “We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way.”

God’s Love Always Includes Divine Purpose: He allows us to experience only the hardships that are designed to Sanctify our mind and character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23].

Because this Earth is only a temporary home, we must not allow Satan to distract us from cooperating with the Holy Spirit, who performs daily spiritual growth in every faithful believer, who trusts, obeys, and follows Christ.

“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, ESV).

Our Risen and Triumphant King is serving as our Heavenly Intercessor, receiving and answering all of our prayers. Every day we must make the intentional decision to pray, redirecting our faith, focus, and gratitude back to Jesus.

The righteous are receiving their best earthly lives: King Jesus commands His angels to protect us from satanic spiritual warfare and physical danger, and blesses the faithful with all of life’s necessities.

Because we cannot keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, or maintain a consistent spirit of Hope, through prayer, we receive Christ’s abundant Peace, Joy, and Strength needed to endure our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.

Eternity with God in the New Heaven and New Earth is Jesus’ Promise to give us a Perfect Life of Eternal Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness, and Magnificent Beauty.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).

The Holy Scriptures give us the assurance that God is always in control, and changes the way we think and live.

Like young children who believe exactly what they are told, we use our faith to trust that if God said it, then it is so. His Promises are Yes and Amen!

Yes, Living our best life requires a sacrificial life of self-denial. but if we love Jesus and appreciate His Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross then it is a joy to follow our Shepherd and Triumphant King on the Narrow Path that leads from Earth to Heaven.

Every morning, we receive the gift of New Mercies, and with immense love and gratitude, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Jesus, who promises to give us a Victorious Life.

In Proverbs 3:5-8, God teaches us how to live our best life, one with a Spiritual Focus, and complete dependency on His Sovereign Authority:

“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.”

Lord God, we come to You, asking for Your Help. Please give us the wisdom, guidance, and strength to redirect our faith and focus back to Jesus. We confess that we cannot overcome life’s challenges using our little strength. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness [the Holy Spirit], and teach us how to prepare every day for the Soon Coming of Jesus Christ. We look forward to Eternity in a Perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus, thank You for Your Divine Love and Your Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary. We love You and ask this prayer for Your Divine Help, in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

PASTOR WINTLEY PHIPPS: “AND WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?” Sermon

https://youtube.com/live/906ymenaFwA?is=iFh0syGInCeo2-BH

Who Can Win Against Jesus, El Gibbor, Our Mighty Warrior?

The Enemy’s Challenge: King Sennacherib’s Threat

“Then the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish.”

“And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, ‘Look, he has come out to make war with you.’ So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

”Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.””

‘Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered?'” (2 Kings 20: 8-11).

King Hezekiah’s Prayer

“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.”

15 “Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: ‘O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.’

16 ‘Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.’

17 ‘Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them.’

19 ‘Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.'”

God, Jesus, El Gibbor—The Mighty Warrior’s Response

32 “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it.’

33 ‘By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city, ‘Says the Lord.”

34 ‘For I will defend this city, to save it
For My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.'”

El Gibbor—The Sovereign God’s Victorious Outcome

Sennacherib’s Defeat and Death
35 “And it came to pass on a certain night that the Angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.”

36 “So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh.”

37 “Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.”

The Sovereign God Is Unknown To Most of Today’s Christian Believers

“My people perish for the lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). From redirecting our faith and focus to ourselves and the world’s temporary wealth, success, and pleasures, truthfully, we do not know who the Sovereign God is.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13).

From not studying the Bible, we do not know Jesus’ Love, our Mighty Warrior’s Faithfulness, Promises, and His Perfect Record of Absolute Victories.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24).

Unless we develop a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ through daily personal worship, surrendering to follow our Shepherd, praying continuously, and studying the Holy Scriptures in the Bible, we will redirect our faith and focus to ourselves.

But from embracing the unbeliever’s life of trusting in human thoughts and strategies, we travel on the road of Self-Reliance, which places us on a Spiritually Dead End Street.

“And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10).

At some point, when we have suffered enough consequences from excluding God, we realize our human limitations, and feeling defeated, instead of repenting, we begin to blame God for abandoning us.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28).

For the Believers that follow Jesus with faithful obedience, when we face the hardships and vicissitudes of life that are impossible for human thoughts, wisdom, and strategies to resolve, we bow on bended knees, crying out for God’s Help.

“Behold, I am YHWH, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB). Everyday, we must choose to practice the steadfast faith required to believe in and trust God’s Sovereign Power.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).

Whether experiencing life’s routine challenges or severe struggles, the righteous use their faith to believe and rely on God’s Promises that they have memorized; and the Holy Spirit encourages us by speaking through our thoughts, and reminding us of God’s Faithfulness, and His Commitment to always help us.

“You will keep him in perfect peace because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3). For those who live a lifestyle of worship, we choose to completely trust God.

“Peace, Be still.” Yes, we place our life in His Capable Hands, and enjoy His peace. How? We believe that Jesus is Sovereign, Loves us, and is Our Shelter and Deliverer when facing the raging storms of life.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. (Psalm 42:5, Amplified Bible).

At times, even the strongest Christians may feel discouraged, especially when our trials last for a long time; but from developing the habit of prayer as our First Response, we invite the Holy Spirit to encourage and empower us with Jesus’ Divine Peace and Strength. Pray continuously!

The Bible Keeps Us Anchored In Christ

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105). Through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word provides Spiritual Guidance, revealing that Jesus is our Guiding Light even when we are traveling on the dark Path of Adversity.

God’s Word is the Spiritual Catalyst that brings us back to our Spiritual Senses: Jesus tells us: “Take no thought for tomorrow; I will never leave you or forsake you; Fear not, for I am with you…”

The Holy Bible reveals God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways, always redirecting our faith and focus away from our circumstances and back to The Sovereign Power of Jesus Christ, El Gibbor, Heaven’s Mighty Warrior.

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37). The Bible gives us the intimate details of Yeshua: Jesus is our Mighty Warrior, promising to give us Victory when we place all of our faith and trust in Him.

Jeremiah 17:14: “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Every day, Jesus is still performing Supernatural Miracles of Healing and Restoration, giving us the Strength to persevere, and comforting us while we endure illnesses, griefs, and hardships.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). “Behold I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20). And we must never forget that Jesus, our Warrior is still reaching out to the heart of sinners to accept Him as their personal Savior.

Make the decision every day to put Jesus Christ as the Lord of your Life; He is a Loving and Faithful Shepherd, The Great Physician, Our Dedicated Protector, and Powerful Warrior, who tells us, “You will not have to fight,” Be still, and know that I am God.” Yes and Amen!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).

Lord God, we desperately need Your help. We are facing many struggles and hardships that we cannot resolve, and even if we could, Jesus, we bring our burdens to Your Throne of Grace, because You promised to help us in our time of need. Lord, we make the commitment to use our faith to trust You with our lives. We realize only You can give us the victory and bring glory to Your Holy Name. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Mighty Warrior, El Gibbor, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Preparing For Eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. …”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV)

What does Jesus mean when He says to Abide in Me? We abide or remain in Christ through the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study, dedicating ourselves to follow Jesus with faithful obedience.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“We love Him because He first loved us.” Because our heart is filled with love and gratitude for Jesus’ blood sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross, we realize that accepting Christ as our personal Savior is to live a life of daily surrender.

True religion is to worship God in spirit and Truth; daily surrender and faithful obedience acknowledges that we belong to Jesus Christ, Who fulfilled the Plan of Redemption to save our souls.

Being created in the image of God, Jesus Christ includes the ability to make choices, and to learn the difference between right and wrong and truth and error.

The Bible teaches us the attributes of God’s Loving and Righteous Character, His Moral Law—The Ten Commandments, Righteous Precepts, and the difference between holy and unholy behaviors, habits, and lifestyles.

Because we inherited hearts that are self-centered, our hearts instinctively rebel against God. We would rather pursue the things we desire than to live a disciplined life of self-denial. Study Romans 12:1-2.

Because God is Omniscient, He knew that our greatest battle would be the battle within our minds, therefore; Jesus created us with Spiritual gifts:

1. Faith: Every human being has received “a measure of faith,” that gives us the ability to believe in God, His Eternal Existence and His Love for us; we also believe God, Jesus Christ is our Creator and Savior, Who fulfilled The Plan of Redemption that covers us with His Righteousness; we believe in God’s Sovereign Authority and Power to perform miracles, and that His Promises are Absolute. Our beliefs also include Jesus’ Promises in John 14:1-3, and Revelation Chapters 21- 22.

2. Spiritual gifts: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7).

When our hearts are filled with dedication and love for God, we desire to put Him first, and it is not a burden or inconvenience to revere Him with faith, trust, and obedience.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). If we find it impossible to let go of our personal desires and agendas, our resistance to obey reveals a spiritual issue of our heart: We do not love God more than we love ourselves.

“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).

In His earthly life, Jesus always prayed for God, the Father’s guidance, wisdom, and the strength to fulfill God’s Divine Will and Plans, and He willingly obeyed His Father.

“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, ESV).

Reflection: If God, the Father required total surrender and obedience from Jesus, His Son then it is impossible for us to believe Satan’s lie that we can live as we please, and still inherit our reward of Eternal Life.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ESV).

The Foundation of Christianity is Christ: Our Salvation is dependent on having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep, who follow His guiding Voice, simply because we love Him.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). Jesus is Omniscient; He reads our hearts, Knows every thought, every desire, and every motive; therefore, we stand exposed, as naked babies before His glorious presence; we cannot pretend to love, obey, and follow Jesus.

Jesus Christ Is Our Spiritual Role Model: “But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31, ESV).

Most often, our dedication to Christ will result in a spiritual journey that does not include anyone else. There are many Christians who believe in God, but few who are willing to let go of all of their desires and follow Jesus.

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9).

When Jesus extended the invitation to Matthew to follow him, Matthew’s response was not one of spoken words; He got up, leaving the materialistic lifestyle that brought nothing, but spiritual emptiness.

Like Matthew, Jesus’ faithful disciple, who never looked back, everyday, we must choose to renew our covenant of faithful obedience to our Loving Shepherd.

When love for Jesus is flowing through our hearts as rivers of rapid waters, we will cry out, Yes, for the rest of my life, I will follow Jesus!

“Trust in the Lord, do not rely on your own thoughts and understanding… In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Christ is our Loving Savior and Shepherd, who is interested in even the small details of our lives; our loyalty to God is revealed by praying for His Divine Guidance in every decision.

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 24:4-5, ESV).

Our spiritual journey is one that requires the constant empowerment of Jesus’ Wisdom and Strength, given to us through the Holy Spirit. To discern and overcome Satan’s covert deceptions and temptations, pray continuously throughout your waking hours.

“Think about what you are thinking about!” Our thoughts and emotions are unreliable when making decisions. Go to God!

We must not let life’s duties and the rapid pace of “it needs to be done now” redirect our Focus and Faith away from Jesus. Because God perceives time as Eternal, there are no emergencies for Him.

“Wait patiently for the LORD {YHWH}; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, Berean Bible). We use our faith to pray and the self-discipline to honor God by waiting on His response.

Never be in a hurry! Impulsive decisions and impatience are unrighteous characteristics that reveal a spirit of willful disobedience against God’s Sovereign Authority.

Receiving God’s Guidance requires us to be led by the Holy Spirit, and the wait time is always a test of our faith, trust, and obedience to God. Despite the circumstances, we must keep our focus on God, and reverence Him with a spirit of humility, trust, and [long-suffering] patience.

Prayer keeps our hearts and minds aligned with the Righteousness of Christ. When we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, through daily personal worship, we instinctively ask His will for our lives to be revealed.

Key Meanings and Principles of Seeking God

• A Living, Unbroken Connection: Just as a plant branch draws sap constantly from the vine, the believer continuously receives spiritual life, strength, and grace from Christ. It is a permanent, day-by-day communion rather than an “off-and-on” feeling or routine.

• Unreserved Surrender: God’s Will requires yielding one’s will, plans, and life completely to His service, allowing Christ’s character and mind to replace human selfishness.

• Faith That Works: Abiding in Christ is not passive; it is an active, living faith that expresses itself in love, obedience to God’s commandments, and kindness toward others.

• Bearing Fruit Naturally: When a person remains united to Christ, the “Fruit of the Spirit”—love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance—appear naturally in their character and daily actions, just as healthy grapes appear on a vine branch.

• Overcoming Sin: Humans cannot conquer temptation or resist sin on their own strength. Victory over sin is only possible through the active, indwelling power of Christ, given by the Holy Spirit.

• Constant Communication: The channel of Prayer, studying and meditation on the Word of God, and a conscious awareness of His presence must be practiced in all environments—whether in the home, the workplace, or in our social environments.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Strength to live as victorious overcomers only comes from Christ: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). Yes and Amen!

Lord Jesus, we desire to follow You with faith, trust, and obedience, and ask You to please be our Strength. Lord, we acknowledge that You are our Shepherd, Who guides us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Teach us how to hear and recognize Your Voice, so that we can live a surrendered life as Your faithful followers. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

“How To Be Happy, No Matter What The Situation” Sermon

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NKJV)

In the Routine Challenges of Life, Unexpected Situations, Lingering Circumstances, and Life-Changing Adversities, we can experience Jesus’ Joy, Peace, and Happiness.

I pray that you are encouraged by this Life-Changing Sermon that teaches us: Jesus is Lord, Jesus Loves us, and Jesus is Omnipotent [All Powerful]! Yes and Amen!

Lord Jesus, please empower us to use our faith to trust in You and to perceive life with You as Victorious, despite our hardships. We ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

Trusting God Requires Knowing God’s Loving Character and His Promises

“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).

Those who pray and study the Bible, believing that God’s Promises are “Yes and Amen” will always have the strongest faith and trust in God’s Sovereign Power.

Throughout the Bible, God describes His Righteous, Loving, and Patient Character; The Holy Scriptures reveal His Sovereign Authority over humanity, and proclaim His Promises and Commitment to take care of the righteous.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NIV).

Knowing who God is strengthens our faith. And because we believe that God is who He says He is, we trust in His Power, which is the spiritual catalyst to having courageous faith!

Whether we are facing the routine challenges of life or an impossible adversity, knowing God gives us the courage to respond with an immediate prayer asking for God’s Divine Help.

God’s Response To Our Prayers of Faith: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

Good News Translation: “Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers.” (Isaiah 65:24).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we commit to establishing a relationship with Him that requires learning His Character, praying, studying the Bible, and following our Shepherd with a commitment of daily surrender and faithful obedience.

The Holy Spirit inspired four different writers to document The Life of Christ in the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which indicates that it is a spiritual priority [for us] to know who Jesus is.

Jesus Asks His Disciples, “Who do you say I am?”

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?'”

“They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'”

“But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?'”

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'”

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.'” (Matthew 16:13-17, NIV).

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18).

It is impossible for us to trust Jesus when He is a stranger. Only believing that God exists is not enough to be a faithful Christian; many unbelievers also believe that God exists, yet they will never accept that Jesus is God, the Son, and the Redeemer, Savior, and Sovereign Authority over humanity.

“But why do you call Me, ‘Lord Lord’ and not do as I say?” (Luke 6:46).

To love Jesus is to obey Him. When we love Jesus, we place all of our faith and trust in His Plans and Divine Guidance. Following Jesus always requires obedience, which is the true test of our faith.

Each morning, we have the opportunity to choose to follow Christ. If yes, the Holy Spirit guides and keeps us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, and empowers us with Jesus’ Wisdom, Strength, and Perfect Peace.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

When we know and trust Jesus as our Shepherd and Triumphant King, despite our circumstances, we can rely on our Mighty Warrior’s Promises to never leave us or forsake us, and to always fight our battles.

The Followers of Christ Daily Prayer: “Lord, I cannot fight my battles without Your help. Jesus, I am asking You to be with me. Help me to redirect my faith and focus from my circumstances to You. Jesus, I desperately need Your help. I confess that my faith is weak, still, I believe in Your Promises and Your Power. In Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen

When we pray, we are to believe that we have received the victory. Praise and thank God for the victory, even before it comes. Yes and Amen!

Why Is It So Difficult To Follow Jesus?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

Because God is Omniscient, He knew that our lives would include fighting daily battles, making decisions, and overcoming temptations that would leave us mentally and spiritually depleted.

Our Heavenly Father’s Promise: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8).

With great love, God, Jesus, the Son created us to totally depend on His Wisdom and Strength. We acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority by praying for guidance and obeying Him, simply because Jesus is our Creator, Savior, and King, and we are the creation.

To accept Christ as our Savior and Shepherd requires us to follow God’s Higher Thoughts and to resist our inclinations: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).

The failure to pray for and obey God’s Guidance reveals that we have rejected Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Following our thoughts reveals a deeper spiritual issue with our heart; making plans without God reveals a spirit of disobedience, and the failure to revere God’s Sovereign Authority over our lives.

God’s Free Gift of Grace: We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith

“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, NIV).

“The Transforming Power of Grace: Christ’s Grace does more than forgive past sins; it molds and changes human character to reflect the likeness of Jesus.”

“Grace Is Freely Given: It cannot be bought with money, earned by human works, or commanded by power—it is accepted only through faith and surrender.”

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

God loves us and has a definitive plan for our lives: His priority is to spiritually transform our mind, character, and personality: “Be holy, for I Am Holy” is God’s Command; yet, we cannot change ourselves.

Sanctification [Spiritual Growth and Transformation] requires letting go of the sin of self- reliance. Through daily consecration, we commit to abide in Christ by seeking His guidance through continuous prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures.

The Sacrificial 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).

Sanctification is the daily transforming spiritual work of the Holy Spirit that requires our cooperation and must be accomplished in our earthly lives before we take our last breath.

The Message of The Cross: With Amazing Love that the human mind cannot comprehend [without the Holy Spirit giving us a deeper spiritual understanding], God, the Father gifted us with Jesus, His Divine Son, who died to save our souls.

Jesus willingly gave His life to save us from the wages of sin [the second and final death] with the expectation that we would love, follow, obey, and worship Him as our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King.

God, the Father’s Spiritual Goals: For us to love God, Yeshua, His Son; to possess the Righteous Attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character [The Fruit of The Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23]; and for God, the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, in preparation for an eternity of worshiping Jesus [Revelation 22].

God’s Instructions For Striving To “Be Holy”

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, ESV).

We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV).

Why is it so difficult for us to follow Jesus and to live holy?

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29). Jesus proclaimed that He always obeyed God, the Father.

To be a Christian is to be Christ-like: To Follow Christ Is To Seek His Divine Will and Fulfill God’s Plans.

“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, ESV).

The Four Gospels reveal Jesus’ earthly life, and His commitment to teach and transform the 12 disciples. We study the Bible to learn how Jesus lived and overcame sin through continuous prayer.

If we pray for the strength and power to stand down sinful desires and temptations, we will immediately receive Christ’s Divine Power, given to us by the Holy Spirit to overcome.

Jesus’ earthly life reveals that He loved God, the Father; Jesus’ abundant love brought hope, healing, and peace to the multitudes of people, who were rejected by the Jewish leaders.

God, the Father, expects us to have the same Loving and Righteous Character as Christ, which is only possible when we dedicate ourselves to follow Jesus with daily surrender and faithful obedience.

Placing our faith and trust in Jesus and seeking His Guidance through continuous prayer reveals that our heart is overflowing with love for God.

Humility reveals itself through obedience, only then can the Holy Spirit empower us with Jesus’ Divine wisdom and strength to persevere in our earthly spiritual journey.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

Salvation is not Behavior Modification; it is impossible for us to change the condition of our inherited hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

God knows our struggles with sin and selfishness; therefore He gave us written Spiritual Principles and Commands in the Holy Bible, which provide the Divine Guidance to live as righteous overcomers.

Yes, The Bible is our Spiritual Blueprint. The Holy Scriptures teach us how to live holy; still, we require Jesus’ Divine Power every day, given to us through the Holy Spirit to win our spiritual battles.

Letting Go of The Unbelieving Mindset of Self-Reliance

Self-Reliance redirects our faith and focus to ourselves instead of on the Power of God. Following Jesus, our Shepherd requires a spirit of humility and the willingness to obey God.

We actively participate in our Salvation by making choices that honor God: “Do not be conformed to this world.”

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot overcome our heart’s desires for wealth, material possessions, and sinful people and pleasures.

Every day, our earnest prayer must be King David’s prayer: “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, KJV).

When we love God, daily surrender and faithful obedience to His Perfect Plans are not a burden.

Because we love Jesus and appreciate the gift of His Life on Calvary’s Cross, following Him on the Narrow Path of Righteousness is our greatest desire.

Our commitment to follow Jesus is renewed every morning; Personal worship includes the Prayer of Surrender, Praying for God’s Plan for the new day, and studying the Holy Scriptures.

Through continuous prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment to understand the deepest spiritual meaning of the Holy Scriptures, and how we are to live out the Scriptures day by day.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes, teaching us how to “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” The Holy Spirit also warns us of Satan’s covert temptations designed to deceive us.

One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to bring “unbelieving believers” into our lives; with their words they proclaim belief in God, but their lifestyle reveals a heart that is attached to the world.

Separation From Unbelievers and Unbelieving Believers: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV).

We must also separate ourselves from family and friends who do have a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. “You will know them by their fruits;” either we are righteous or worldly, no one can serve God with a divided heart.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NLT)

God, the Holy Spirit, guides and empowers us to choose right instead of wrong; to accept and live by God’s Truth instead of false teachings; and to renounce the unbeliever’s godless habits and lifestyles; still, our hearts must desire to willingly follow and obey Jesus.

Satan desires that we see God as a punitive Judge instead of a Loving Heavenly Father, Who desires to give us Eternal Life; but Jesus says that Satan is the “Father of Lies.”

The Hidden Traits of Disobedience: “But why do you call me ‘Lord Lord,’ but not do as I say?” Yes, following Christ requires giving up our desires for His Perfect Plans.

Although God desires for us to love Him with faithful obedience, God’s desires are rarely fulfilled. Because God is Just, we were created with a free will to choose. Sadly, humanity, who are the only beings created in the image of God frequently choose to rebel against His Sovereign Authority.

If we reject Jesus by embracing self-reliance and chasing our desires then we choose the destiny of Malachi 4, instead of God’s Plans to live forever with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Worship Is a Lifestyle Not a Weekly Event

The lifestyle of “Daily Personal Worship” is the only way to abide in Christ, which keeps our faith and focus on His Divine Love, Power, and Promises, building an unbreakable relationship with our Loving Savior.

“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, ESV).

Personal worship demonstrates our love and loyalty to Jesus, revealing that we worship the One and Only True God. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him commit to following His directives with unwavering faith, trust, and obedience.

Consistent worship reinforces our love for God, preparing us for an eternity of worshiping Jesus Christ, our Risen and Triumphant King. Yes and Amen!

It is in our earthly lives that we must utilize our gift of time wisely. Spending time in personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus’ glorious presence, filling us with peace, joy, wisdom, and the strength we need to keep following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Followers of Christ will never have an easy life, but it is a privilege to suffer for Jesus. Throughout the Bible, Jesus promises to give us His Strength, which empowers us to persevere and to keep moving forward.

“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). Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Lamentations 3

Lord Jesus, the Creator of this universe, we humbly approach Your Throne of Grace, bowing to your Sovereign Authority. Today, we renew our spiritual commitment to follow You with love and loyalty, and to use our faith to trust Your Perfect Plans for our lives.

Lord, search our hearts and reveal any hidden sins. We ask you to forgive us for our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. Jesus, You are our Faithful Shepherd, and we ask You to guide us in this spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.

As we follow You, give us peace, and the spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength to live as righteous overcomers. We love You because You first loved us. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King. Amen.

Loving God Is Revealed By Faithful Obedience – Evening Devotional – September 21, 2026

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” (Matthew 22:37, ESV).

In the Holy Scriptures, God specifies how we are to love, honor, and worship Him: Loving God means that we Him put First; Keeping our Focus, Faith, and Trust in the Power of His Son, Jesus Christ; and establishing and maintaining a spiritual relationship with Jesus through daily Prayer and Bible Study.

“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'” (John 14:23).

Abraham demonstrates that Faithful Obedience is our highest worship to God. (Genesis 22:1-19): When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, Abraham told his servants that he and his son were going to worship God and they would return.

At some point, every believer will stand at the junction of the Spiritual Crossroads:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The Narrow Path of Righteousness requires a deep abiding love for Jesus, a spirit of humility, daily surrender, and faithful obedience. Few believers dedicate themselves to follow Christ by living a sacrificial life of self-denial, as Jesus did in His earthly life.

Jesus Always Obeyed God, the Father in His Earthly Life: “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).

“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. 2 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 Broad Path [ruled by Satan] is traveled on by many people who profess to believe in God, but sadly, this group of Christians reveal that they are ritualistic worshipers.

Yes, they attend church every week, give tithe and offerings; and from their outward appearance they appear to the followers of Christ, but their hearts remain unconverted.

The “unbelieving believers” love themselves more than God and live a lifestyle that demonstrates faith in human abilities. “Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21).

But why do you call me “Lord, Lord” and not do the things I say to do.” (Luke 6:46).

Every day, unsanctified believers eagerly pursue their personal desires, and feel all is well between them and God; yet they do not realize that the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within those who possess a spirit of disobedience, as evidenced by self-reliance, a bitter fruit of sinful pride.

Reflection: “Be holy, for I Am Holy” is God’s command to every believer who accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior. Faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to perform the lifelong spiritual process of Sanctification, required to receive Eternal Life.

Daily surrender and praying for God’s guidance are also required for the Holy Spirit to sanctify us. The Holy Spirit is a Spiritual Catalyst, allowing the faithful to experience the Power of Jesus Christ; through Christ, we receive daily spiritual growth and character transformation.

Humility, Surrender, Faith, Trust, and Obedience are the characteristics of those who love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength. And these are they who will be guided by The Spirit of Truth, God, the Holy Spirit.

“The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28, Amplified Bible).

The gift of each new day gives us the opportunity to choose a Christ-Centered, Faith-based, heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd.

Our Hearts Must Be 100% Committed to Following Our Faithful Shepherd

“Choose this day who you will serve.” The nation of Israel attempted to serve God with a divided heart, but their love of pagan worship practices proved that they did not love God.

“Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.” (Numbers 14:29 BSB).

“In Numbers 20:12, God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Promised Land: “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

From the great number of emancipated Israelites [600,000 men, not counting women and children in the census], there were only two faithful men over the age of 20, Joshua and Caleb, who received their inheritance in Canaan, The Promised Land.

Our thoughts, habits, actions, pursuits, and lifestyle reveal who is priority in our lives, God or Self. Loving Jesus is to worship Him as our Savior, Shepherd, Redeemer, and Triumphant King with daily surrender and faithful obedience.

The commitment of daily surrender is expressed through the Prayer of Humility, “God not my will, but Your Will be done” revealing that we are willing to love and honor King Jesus’ Sovereign Authority.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13).

Because of God’s Divine Grace that flows from Jesus, God, the Son, [The Message of the Cross] to the righteous, we are saved by Grace through faith and covered with the Righteousness of Christ. Yes and Amen!

“Today when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Following our Shepherd compares to sheep following their shepherd.

Dedicating ourselves to be faithful and obedient sheep is not a burden or inconvenience when our hearts are overflowing with love, loyalty, and appreciation of Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross.

Reflection: Do you love God enough to do exactly what He tells you to do?

Luke 11:28: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.”

Bible Study: God, the Father, calls Jesus, God: [Study Hebrews chapter 1].

Lord God, we approach your Throne of Grace with humility and surrender. We commit to following Jesus with faithful obedience, and pray for the anointing, power ,and presence of the Holy Spirit. Please teach us how to be holy. Lord, we also pray for Spiritual Wisdom, Discernment, and the Power to overcome our desires and Satan’s temptations. Jesus, we love You and appreciate the greatest gift that humanity will ever receive, the cleansing Power of Your blood that washes away our sins, and restarts our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

“The LORD Will Rejoice Over You With Singing”

“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

“The elect of God are dear to His heart. They are those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, to show forth His praise, to shine as lights amid the darkness of the world…. God loves His children with infinite love. To Him the dearest object on earth is His church.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 165.

The Decision To Follow Jesus Requires Total Surrender and Faithful Obedience

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

God, the Father has an elect people, who love Him, and follow and obey God, His Son, Jesus Christ. Yes, we are the sheep, who live a life of surrender and humility, involving Christ in every aspect of our lives, by continuously praying for His guidance, wisdom, and strength.

“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).

The choices and lifestyle of true worshipers is based on obeying God’s command to live a life of sacrificial self-denial and separation from unbelievers [Romans 12:1-2].

True worshipers engage in personal worship every day, praising God with gratitude, praying, and studying the Holy Scriptures. Because we love Jesus, we seek His Divine guidance instead of thinking our thoughts, and following our inclinations.

Still, every day, we struggle with internal desires and fight against Satan’s external temptations, but we whisper prayers asking for the strength to overcome, and Jesus provides us with the strength to resist the devil.

No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. (1 Corinthians 10:13, Amplified Bible).

We live in a time filled with busyness, and the pursuit of personal desires and goals. Satan, the Ultimate Deceiver presents us with the temptations of seeking wealth, status, and relationships with unbelievers designed to distract and separate us from God.

Faith Triumphs in Trouble!

“In the Bible, Jesus acknowledges that His believers will face trials, teaching that suffering builds endurance, identifies followers with Christ, and is temporary compared to future eternal glory.”

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope…”

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1, 3-5)

Believers who are dedicated to following Jesus will suffer many trials, hardships, and adversities, designed to produce a spirit of humility, and keep our faith, focus, and total dependence on Christ.

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14).

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be My disciples.” (Luke 14:33).

As dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, we intentionally choose to obey His Commandments, including the command to separate ourselves from worldly activities and unbelievers, who Satan uses to influence us to sin against God.

Seeking God’s Will Through Much Prayer

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27: 8). Through consistent prayer and daily surrender, we receive the power of the Holy Spirit required to live a life of self-denial and faithful obedience.

We are Temporary Travelers living on a Temporary Earth intentionally preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12).

Our focus is heavenly! Because we love Jesus, we choose to follow and obey our Shepherd, and look forward to seeing Jesus, our Triumphant King, who will reward us with our Eternal Crown of Life.

Every day, through our prayers, Jesus affirms “His Abundant and Always Present Love:” “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

From using our faith to believe that God is Who He says He is, when studying the Holy Scriptures, we know that we can rely on God’s Promises, and the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort and empower us to keep moving forward.

“For YHWH your God is among you, the Mighty One who saves; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will be joyous over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, BLB)

Lord God, as we travel on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, which requires much faith, trust, surrender, and total obedience, we thank You for comforting and encouraging us with Your promise in John 14:1-3. We believe and are preparing for that Great Day when You will come and take us to Heaven. Lord, we look forward to the day when we will sing many songs of gratitude, worshiping You for leading us victoriously through our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven. In faith, we pray in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Experiencing The Turbulence of Trials and Hardships? Jesus Is Your Strength!

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NRSV).

Personal Testimony: Living on the East Coast of Florida is a wonderful place to live if you do not mind hot, humid weather, and love the ocean. However Florida has one drawback that almost every Floridian has experienced and that is the overgrowth of mold.

On August 10th, 2026, I looked under my bathroom vanity cabinet and could not believe what I was seeing, the wall was covered with black mold. So, I decided to look under the lower kitchen cabinet and that wall was also covered with mold.

At that point, I knew that my calm and peaceful life that God had blessed me with was interrupted. Yet, I did not know that this would be one of the toughest journeys of faith, I have experienced in many years.

What happened next was shocking, the property manager and maintenance supervisor insisted and agreed that it was only mildew.

The Property Manager refused to follow the company’s Mold and Mildew Policy, which required sending a licensed Mold Inspector to assess and perform testing of almost two hours duration.

At this point, I prayed and asked for God’s Divine guidance; “God, should I hire a Mold Inspector?” God revealed His answer of “Yes” in a Supernatural manner that you know that He is God.

Divine Intervention #1: On Wednesday, I called the Mold Inspection company that is located one hour from my home, explained the situation to the receptionist, who said they were booked, but she would speak to the owner. Within 30 minutes, she called telling me that my inspection was scheduled for Friday morning.

Divine Intervention #2: Instead of one of the company’s technicians performing the Mold Inspection, God sent Jared, the owner of the company, who performed extra testing at no charge.

Four days later, I received the Mold Inspection report along with the Lab results: The species of mold that was present is airborne, and from my nursing background, I know that it always attacks the Respiratory System, especially those with a diagnosis of Asthma, which I have.

“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers…” (Psalm 91:3-4).

Divine Intervention #3: Although this mold species is airborne, the test for airborne spores was negative: “No airborne spores present” in my apartment.” Hallelujah!

Further inspection revealed that the bathroom and kitchen subfloors were damaged by the hidden leaky water pipe in the wall leading to the bathroom faucet, and contained a large amount of mold growth.

I emailed the property manager the report and the Management company responded immediately by scheduling three Mold Remediation companies to inspect the apartment, and submit their bids.

The approved company was scheduled to begin the Remediation process today, Friday, September 18th.

Ten days ago, I received the preparation instructions, which required the relocation of all of the bathroom and kitchen items to my living and sleeping areas. I prayed, asking God for the wisdom and strength, and finally, after ten days, the rigorous task was completed.

Every day, I prayed for Divine guidance during the entire process; God answered my prayer by giving me the wisdom and strength to relocate two rooms into the 50% of the remaining areas, like playing with Legos, everything was stacked perfectly.

Because there were no vacant apartments available on the property, I was told that I would have to find temporary housing, during the Remediation process, and Florida State laws do not require the Landlord to cover the expenses.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV).

Divine Intervention #4: Jesus pays attention to the small details. He directed me to book an Airbnb that I thought was an apartment, but it is a separate house, on the owner’s property. I feel as if I am at a Spa; the host is friendly, and her flower garden is phenomenal, including beautiful orchids.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV).

Jesus, our loving Shepherd is also “Yahweh Yireh), which translates to ‘The Lord will provide.'” God provided the finances for a two-week stay, allowing me to have a wonderful vacation while my apartment is remediated and renovated.

“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5, ESV). there was one major concern of the Remediation process that I immediately prayed about when I was informed of the start date of Friday, 9/18/2026.

Still, there was one major concern of the Remediation process that I immediately prayed about when I was informed of the start date of Friday, 9/18/2026.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:8-9, NIV).

The Remediation crew planned on performing and completing the demolition, working from early Friday morning until late into Friday night, after sunset, which would be the beginning of the Sabbath. God honors and blessed those who honor and obey His Commandments.

Divine Intervention #5: This morning, 9/18, I was notified via email by the Property Manager of the delay to begin Remediation; Their Corporate office was still processing the payment to the Remediation company, and the pending date for the initial Remediation is rescheduled for Monday, September 21st.

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” (Psalm 24:1, NLT).

“Behold I am the God of all flesh, is there anything too difficult for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27).

In these Scriptures, God proclaims His Divine, Infinite Power and His Absolute Sovereignty over all creation. God has no limitations. And God will reveal His power to those who put their complete faith and trust in him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV).

The following are notes from a Sermon entitled “God Is On Your Side,” by Pastor Pavel Goia:

“Trust that God is Faithful! Do not look at your challenges, look to God. God has the necessary means; Pray and ask for His plans to be revealed instead of your own.”

“To know God is life eternal. We only worry when we do not know God’s Loving Character. God is always on our side and if God is for us, who can be against us?”

“When we focus on God, God will focus on us, and fight our battles. We are not supposed to fix our problems, we are supposed to give them to God.”

“Study and Believe in God’s Written Word (His promises in the Bible). Keep praying! God loves us more than we understand. Choose to believe and keep praying.”

“In faith, when we pray and ask Jesus for help, the prayer is answered. We may have to wait, which is a test of our faith. We may not see the answer, but trust God with all your heart.”

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:8-10).

The difference between Christian Believers and unbelievers is that our faith, trust, and focus are directed to God, Who loves us with an Everlasting Love, and promises to take care of us.

Brothers and Sisters, if we love God then why do we continue to distrust His love and countless promises to take care of us? The Sovereign God, who gave His only Son, Jesus to die for us deserves our love and loyalty.

We must let go of the self-reliance that unbelievers practice, revealing that they despise God’s Sovereign Authority.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23, ESV).

This overwhelming situation brought me to a Spiritual Crossroads, requiring me to make a choice: Would I make a covenant with Jesus to surrender myself completely to follow my Shepherd with faithful obedience, trust, and reverence?

When we face impossible situations, we cry out to God for help, but are we willing to live the sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience required to follow Jesus?

“Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21, ESV). God reads human hearts, knowing whether or not our commitment is genuine.

Today, I enjoyed the beauty of Melbourne Beach. Although the warmth of the sun and the warm breeze felt great, as I looked at the ocean, the waves were raging with visible strength, and no one attempted to enter the water, yet the sky was absolutely beautiful.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us that our Christian Journey will be one that includes many hardships and adversities, but to remain faithful and courageous because He has overcome. Hallelujah! Yes, Jesus loves us!

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).

Lord Jesus, we cry out to You, because we cannot live without Your Divine Help. Jesus, we thank You for being our Shepherd, Redeemer, Provider, Protector, Healer, and Risen King. We love You, Lamb of God, and with gratitude, we worship You for relinquishing Your Divinity to come to this earth to live in poverty, and suffer, bleed, and die a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross to save our souls. In Victory, from the grave You arose, proclaiming that You have the keys to hell and death, which will be destroyed when you come again as our Triumphant King. Hallelujah! This Sabbath, we honor You, King Yeshua with love, faith, obedience, and loyalty. This Sabbath, we worship You on the day that You made Holy. Jesus, we thank You, for loving us with an Everlasting Love. In faith and with reverence, we ask this prayer in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.