“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12).
Spending time with Jesus invites the Holy Spirit to perform the spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the Righteousness of Christ, only then can we reflect His perfect love to others.
One of the best benefits of intentional time with Jesus is when facing life’s overwhelming challenges, we are not anxious or worried because our first response is to humbly bow before the Throne of Grace asking for His help in our time of need.
And with confidence, we thank Him in the same prayer for giving us His perfect resolution, and a victorious outcome. Yes, we can always rely on Jesus’ promises to “never leave us or forsake us.”
Lord God, we thank You for loving us with a love so deep that we do not understand it, yet we are extremely grateful for Your Agape Love. We ask forgiveness for not spending enough time with You. In faith, we commit to daily personal worship. Teach us how to live and to live with grateful hearts. We ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus, Amen.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, NIV).
As Matthew, the corrupt tax collector, sat outside at the tax table, day after day, he frequently overheard many individuals talking about Jesus’ Love, Compassion, messages of Salvation, and the countless miracles of healing He performed on the multitudes.
Although Matthew was despised by the Jewish leaders and community, his social circle included men who were as wealthy and diabolical as himself. Yes, Matthew had everything that Satan offers: wealth, pleasure, social status, and an easy life.
“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33, ESV).
Matthew gave up the sinful pleasures of life and a prestigious job to follow Jesus. The Roman government was Matthew’s employer, and to walk away from a once-in-a-lifetime job that guaranteed forever wealth would destroy any chance of rehire.
Matthew was not intimidated by the cost of following Christ; he trusted that Jesus was exactly who He said He was, “the One sent from God.” The wealthy tax collector who immediately got up [without hesitation and with silence] from the table demonstrated the giant leap of faith that boldly says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”
The same leap of faith required to follow Christ is one that many of today’s believers are unwilling to take. We have been deceived by Satan into thinking that we can serve God and live as we please, but there is no reward for those who are not willing to be modern-day Matthews.
“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NLT). Jesus discerned the Tax Collector’s heart, knowing that Matthew was ready to embrace righteousness; Jesus extended the invitation, “Follow Me.”
Matthew’s decision to follow Christ did not happen at the time he received Jesus’ invitation. From previously hearing about Christ, Matthew used his faith to believe, which invited the Holy Spirit to perform immediate Heart Conversion when Jesus said, “Follow Me.” [In Genesis chapter 1, the Scriptures mention that God, the Holy Spirit, was present with God, the Father, and God, Jesus, the Son.]
Despite the hardships of rejection and hardships that all followers of Christ must endure, Matthew was 100% committed to love and obey God, love others, renounce his former sinful habits and lifestyle, and remain loyal to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
As one of the twelve apostles, Matthew traveled with Jesus for three years [the duration of Christ’s earthly ministry]. Spending time with Christ every day resulted in a complete spiritual transformation of his mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ.
The apostle Matthew proves that, despite our past, dedicating oneself to following Jesus results in a new heart overflowing with love, faith, obedience, and loyalty to Jesus Christ. Every day that we consecrate ourselves to faithfully follow and obey Jesus invites the Holy Spirit to perform the life-transforming spiritual process of Sanctification.
“The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14, NIV).
Not only will eleven of the twelve men [Jesus’ original disciples], and Matthias who replaced Judas, receive Eternal Life when our Triumphant King comes again, they will also have their names inscribed on the foundations of the New Jerusalem.
Righteousness by Faith: Our greatest desire should be to follow Jesus with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience. We only have one opportunity to become faithful followers, and that is in our earthly lives. Only those who are willing to let go of every desire, pleasure, and material treasure to follow their Savior and Shepherd will receive the Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: Matthew 9, Revelation 21-22
Prayer: Lord God, create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. We ask You to turn our eyes away from worthless things, so like Matthew, we are willing to follow You wherever You lead us. We ask this prayer in the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is it so easy for us to choose sin instead of doing what is right?” Although our answers may vary, many Christians have embraced the false belief that “Good people go to Heaven.”
According to Jesus, good people do not go to heaven. Only the righteous will receive Eternal Life. Study Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 22.
“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).
The other false teaching that promotes sinful habits and behaviors is “The Commandments” were nailed to the Cross. But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who do His Commandments…”
“The Ten Commandments are God’s Moral Law. The law of God reveals God’s character, who He is. As God is Holy, Righteous, and Good, so also is His law. Paul confirms: ‘So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good’ (Rom. 7:12, ESV).”
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15).
Without the Ten Commandments, Christian believers would not have boundaries, and we would practice the same sins that unbeliever’s embrace and commit everyday.
We are not saved by the Law, we are saved by faith through Jesus Christ. Still, the Law identifies sinfulness as defined by God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).
The struggle with sin has intensified because we are attending church, but not studying the Holy Bible. So we rely on our perception of holiness, which is the foundation for disobedience to God.
“And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:29, Amplified Bible). Jesus instructs us on the importance of obedience to God.
Without obedience, we do not have the covering of Christ’s Righteousness, nor can the Holy Spirit dwell inside of the unclean mind and body who rebels against God.
Personal testimony: When I began studying the Bible every day, I was shocked to find out that over half of what I believed [and was taught in my former church] was not in the Holy Scriptures.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26).
I knew nothing about living a consecrated and obedient life. Thankfully, I prayed and the Holy Spirit led me to a Christ-centered, Faith-based church. Still, I study the Bible everyday, asking the Holy Spirit to give me much-needed wisdom and discernment.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12-13). “What does this mean? It means that every day you are to distrust your own human efforts and wisdom.” Relying on God’s Directives is our Spiritual Safety Net. (Study Proverbs 3:5-7).
We are commanded to work on our salvation which includes much prayer, and studying the Holy Scriptures. When we pray and ask God to give us understanding of His One and Only Truth, our prayers are answered immediately by the Holy Spirit who gives us a deeper understanding of God’s Truth.
Jesus paid our sin debt with His sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross, and gave us The Bible, our Spiritual Guide Book, so we can search the Scriptures, obey, and live righteously. What more could Jesus have done for us?
“For it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am Holy.’ ” (1 Peter 1:16).
We must believe Jesus when He says we can do nothing without abiding in Him [John 15:5]. Because we inherited sinful hearts, we cannot judge ourselves, nor can we live holy, without being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14, NIV).
Our Triumphant King is coming sooner than we think. It is time for us to take God seriously by using our time and faith to study, believe, and obey His Righteous commandments, and instructions in the Holy Scriptures.
We choose our destiny, which is reflected by our thoughts, decisions, and our lifestyles. Throughout the Bible, Jesus consistently reminds us that only the righteous [faithful and obedient] will see God. Yes and Amen.
but just as it is written [in Scripture], “THINGS WHICH THE EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND THE EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].” (1 Corinthians 2:9, Amplified Bible).
Lord Jesus, You promised that when we call on Your Name, and believe, study, and trust and obey the Scriptures that you will complete the work of Sanctification in us. Lord, we desperately need Your help to overcome sin. We ask for Your Divine guidance and strength to live righteously. Thank you, for Your Steadfast love, and great sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross. Give us wisdom and discernment, as we study Your Word. It is in faith that we ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
“The One who loves you the most is the One who you need the most. Jesus is our Safe Place!”
The umbilical cord connecting mother to baby is the only way the vital nutrients required for the baby’s growth and development can be received.
“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).
Jesus says, “For apart from me you can do nothing.” The importance of daily personal worship is highly underrated. But without it, we suffer from Spiritual Malnutrition. There is no other way to receive our spiritual nutrients than to worship God everyday.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7).
Many believers practice self-reliance, and think, “I am doing well in life.” Yes, we may easily handle the routine duties of life, but without praying for God’s guidance, we are disconnected from Jesus, the Source of Life who gives us Spiritual wisdom and direction.
We were created with limited wisdom and discernment, which means that we must depend on God to receive His guidance. How can we fulfill God’s plans for our lives, if we do not know His plans?
It is easier to skip prayer and follow our own thoughts than to pray for God’s guidance, that is, until we face hardships and challenges that human effort cannot resolve. Relying on God should be our first response in every aspect of our lives.
God desires to give us our best life, not only on Earth, but also in Heaven. Yes, we are covered by Grace, but will be rewarded with Eternal Life because we faithfully obeyed God.
God also desires for us to seek His guidance, even in our routine activities of life. Relying on God requires a spirit of humility, surrender, obedience, and the faith to proclaim, I have decided to follow Jesus!
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT).
We are no match for Satan, our greatest enemy. Even the Believers who pray and study the Bible every day require God’s Divine wisdom and discernment to recognize covert temptations, and the spiritual strength to overcome those temptations.
The Answer to Living Victoriously: In our spiritual journey, it is vital that we stay connected to the One, [Jesus, our Loving Savior and Mighty Warrior] who loves us the most.
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you Great and Mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3).
Daily personal worship establishes and maintains our spiritual connection to Christ. We receive Divine guidance from praying and studying the Scriptures.
To “Pray without ceasing” means to pray continuously throughout our waking hours. We can pray silently, or audibly anywhere at any time. Talking to Jesus empowers us to live consecrated and holy lives.
Talking to Jesus Changes Our Priorities:
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ ” (Matthew 24:3).
Brothers and sisters, in these last days [2 Timothy 3], we desperately need Jesus, our Shepherd to lead us in our earthly journey. Staying close to Christ keeps us focused on our Heavenly goal of Eternal Life.
Who knows? We may be the generations of Christians who live to witness Jesus’ Second Coming [1 Thessalonians 4]. Yes and Amen!
Lord Jesus, we confess that we have excluded You from our lives. And right now, we make the commitment to ask for Your guidance before making decisions, and obey Your Will. We thank You for your matchless love and great sacrifice. We look forward to the day when sin will cease to exist, and we will live forever and ever with You. In faith, we ask this prayer in your Holy Name, Amen.
Jesus speaking to His disciples: “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me…” (John 14:30, NLT).
As Jesus hung on the cross, Satan thought He had won. But on that early Sunday morning, when God, the Father sent Heaven’s angels to roll back the stone. Our Savior awakened from the sleep of death, and walked out of the tomb, then Satan knew that he was defeated. Yes and Amen!
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians (6:12).
In Ephesians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul explains that every believer is involved in the battle of spiritual warfare. Yes, in the Great Controversy of Good and Evil, Satan is fighting Jesus for our souls.
But our greatest enemy does not have power over us, or our free will of choice. Satan cannot force us to sin against God, we willingly choose to embrace temptation.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV).
The Battlefield is Our Mind!
Every day, we are tempted to embrace the unbeliever’s lifestyle of chasing prosperity, pleasure, and the self-gratification of appetite, and sexual immorality.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Even believers have desires for wealth and success that do not align with the Righteousness of Christ.
Excessive spending, countless hours on social media, and relationships with unbelievers may appear to be insignificant, but every temptation has the ulterior motive of being a catalyst to forming habits that prevent us from praying and studying the Bible, which separate us from God.
Divine Intervention Is Always Available: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).
Jesus does not allow Satan to ambush us with countless deceptions, our Shepherd and King places limits on the enemy’s schemes and attacks against believers. Without Divine boundaries placed on Satan, we would feel hopeless, and defeated.
Feeling Defeated? Check Your Spiritual Connection with Christ.
When we face continuous battles, we are disconnected from Christ. Our desires, choices, and lifestyles indicate whether or not, we are spiritually connected to Christ.
Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are you loyal to Christ? Or, is your priority to please self?
The Compromise: Satan has deceived many believers who have detoured from the Path of Righteousness because they are pursuing their desires. Sadly, they don’t even realize they are disconnected from Christ.
We cannot blend Christ’s Righteousness with the sinful desires for wealth, success, and an easy life, and remain spiritually connected to Christ.
Ways We Disconnect from Christ: Failure to have daily worship. Not praying and studying the Bible. Never praying for God to reveal His plans, or asking for God’s guidance. Engaging in sinful behaviors and habits. Having relationships with unbelievers. Following our own thoughts, and seeking the advice of self-proclaimed influencers and experts.
The Lifestyle of the Disconnected
It may appear that Satan is good to unbelievers because they possess the world’s wealth. But one of Satan’s greatest deceptions are the worldviews that wealth produces wisdom, and a mindset of euphoric peace.
Unbelievers live a miserable life because their mind is always in a state of discontent. They are constantly developing strategies to increase their economic wealth and social status.
It is easy to boast about living the dream, but behind closed doors, unbelievers are anxious, worried, and stressed everyday. And yes, Satan constantly disturbs the minds of those who are loyal to him.
Unbelievers do not receive God’s gift of peace, nor, do they have the constant angelic protection given by Jesus to His faithful followers to fight Satan’s attacks of causing mental anguish and physical harm.
“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 12:2, NIV).
Disconnected? Seeking Restoration with Christ Requires Repentance and the Daily Commitment to Surrender and Obey
“Be holy for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
Run to Jesus! Reconnecting to Christ requires a change in our priorities and lifestyle. The commitment to living righteously includes choosing right over wrong when tempted, and being guided by the Holy Spirit when making decisions.
There is no logical reason for us to let Satan beat us down. Living righteously includes having Total Access to Jesus Christ. We can only fight Satan’s manipulative schemes and win when we are empowered with Jesus’ Divine strength.
Thinking and living according to God’s Righteous Principles requires Steadfast Faith, and the daily Spiritual Reinforcements of Prayer, Bible Study, Faith, Surrender, and Obedience, which keep us spiritually linked to Christ.
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33, CSB).
Yes, in our earthly journey, we will face spiritual warfare, but Satan is defeated! Invite Jesus Christ, our Mighty Warrior to fight your battles. He always wins!
Run to Jesus! He is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, Forever and Ever, Amen.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” (Revelation 19:11)
Lord God, with humility and surrender,we are running to You, asking you to forgive us for our sins of neglecting you as our First Love. Jesus, we are returning to You, asking for Your Divine wisdom, guidance, strength, and protection, as we face the Warfare in our lives. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in faith and in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Take this Sabbath day to nourish your soul and find rejuvenation in the simple beauty of nature. Like the ripening fruit on a tree, may this Holy Day bring you a sense of fulfillment and purpose.”
“The passage in the Book of Isaiah that refers to Sabbath worship continuing in the New Heaven and New Earth is Isaiah 66:23, which states, ‘And it shall come to pass, that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, says the LORD.’ ”
Isaiah 66:23 confirms that God never changed the Fourth Commandment given to humanity to honor and observe the Holy Seventh Day Sabbath.
Yes, Sabbath worship will continue after sin and sinners are destroyed and Jesus Christ creates the New Heaven and New Earth for the righteous to live in eternally, Amen!
Lord God, Your love is amazing. Not only did You leave Your throne, and suffer a gruesome death on Calvary’s Cross for us, but You blessed us by designating 24 hours for us to redirect our focus from the routine matters of life to worship You in the fullness of Your Glory. We ask for a spiritual renewal and empowerment from the Holy Spirit as we honor You with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience. We ask this prayer in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen.
“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? (Jeremiah 32: 27, LSB)
We can agree that life has many challenges which keep us distracted from focusing on the unlimited power of God. Still, God is who He says He is.
Take a moment to reflect on “Who” you are praying to, God reminds us in the Scriptures that nothing is too difficult or complicated for Him to resolve.
The many benefits of studying the Bible is that God defines His Loving Character, and provides us with the history of His Divine intervention in the lives of those who pray in faith, asking for His help.
Jesus, God, the Son, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead is our Heavenly High Priest and our Mediator who receives and answers all of our prayers.
The same Jesus who parted the Red Sea, delivered the three young Hebrews from the fiery furnace, and raised Lazarus from the dead is still performing Great and Mighty miracles in 2025.
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24, NLT).
Exchanging self-reliance for total dependency on God guarantees that we will enjoy a peaceful life. Prayer does not prevent or remove the trials, yet prayer combined with faith gives us the assurance that God remains committed to helping us.
Jesus promised to give us Divine strength to persevere when we are experiencing the hardships of life. Our role is to believe without doubt and wait on Him to resolve our challenges.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
When facing adversity, we use our measure of faith [even weak faith is still faith] to believe that God loves us, and He will intervene. Yes, we can pray with confidence knowing our Heavenly Father is always faithful in keeping His promises.
Lord God, we thank you for Your abundant love and Your willingness to help us when we pray in faith, believing that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. We know that nothing is too hard for you, and we ask forgiveness for our doubt and unbelief. Jesus, we ask for Your Divine Help in resolving the obstacles that we face, and thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we pray in Your Worthy Name, Amen.
Christ Defines His Followers: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9). Yes, this is our identity in Christ!
“Jesus did not tell His disciples, ‘Strive to make your light shine;’ He said, ‘Let it shine.’ If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence.”
In a world plagued with darkness, Christ has given us a spiritual assignment to fulfill: Witnessing to those who do not know Jesus’ Light, His Love, and His Sacrifice to Redeem us from the vice-grip of sin.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Every believer is a follower of Christ, which makes us disciples of Christ. We may not literally baptize others, but from witnessing, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to the hearts of those who we simply tell, “Jesus loves you.”
Although some individuals may not respond, or even reject hearing that Jesus loves them, we have fulfilled our role, and then the Holy Spirit will take over. Still, they must choose to accept or reject Jesus and the free gift of Salvation.
There is an extreme shortage of love in our present world. People need to know they are loved. When they repent and accept Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes them spiritually, cleansing their hearts from all unrighteousness.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20). This Scripture means that Jesus knocks at our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. Saying yes, opens the spiritual door.
We may never know who accepts Christ until we go to heaven, yet because we fulfilled our part as modern-day disciples, we will meet those who said yes to Jesus after we shared the love of Jesus with them.
Something is not right if we have no desire to witness: “If those who profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with [Christ] the Source of Light.”
Excerpt from “The Light of the World” Devotional by EGW
“As the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth. If the church of Christ were fulfilling the purpose of our Lord, light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness and in the region and shadow of death.”
“Instead of congregating together and shunning responsibility and cross bearing, the members of the church would scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ would speedily be carried to all the world.”
“…there are souls enslaved by Satan; they are waiting for the word of faith and prayer to set them free.”
Who will tell them if we refuse?
We come across people everyday who are anxious, depressed, discouraged, and feel hopeless. They desperately need to know that Jesus saves and delivers us from the strongholds of sin, addictions, and despair.
With courage, we can tell everyone that we come across, “Jesus loves you.” Yes and Amen!
Lord God, in humility and surrender, we bow before your Throne asking for strength to live righteously. We ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as we tell others of the Love and Saving Power of Jesus Christ. Teach us how to be shining lights that reflect Your love, grace, and mercy in a dark world. We pray for wisdom, discernment, and the courage to witness as we prepare for Your Soon Coming. We ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of King Jesus, Amen.
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