Faith Love Trust Obedience – Page 16 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

No Need to Worry: We Are God’s Responsibility

Recently, I decided to look through a bin containing some of my journals, and discovered six mini notepads inside of unfinished drafts for several devotionals. As a writer, I can never resist a blank piece of paper!

As I read the words “You are God’s responsibility, let Him take care of you,” the burden I was carrying immediately lifted. Jesus sent Spiritual Comfort that resonated within my heart, and I felt as if our Creator and Loving Shepherd had given me an everlasting hug.

God’s Responsibility to Care for Humanity: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27, ESV).

When Adam and Eve sinned, their choice to disobey required them to relinquish their home, the Garden of Eden; still, Christ did not forsake them. In fact, the first death [as the result of their rebellion against God] occurred when two lambs were required to die to clothe Adam and Eve with animal skins to cover their nakedness.

“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3).

From Jesus’ death on Calvary, He proved Himself Worthy to be our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Authority over humanity. From our choice to follow Christ, not only do we receive Redemption, but we also belong to King Yeshua, our Shepherd, who assumes all responsibility for His sheep.

“The relationship between the Shepherd and sheep is one of care, protection, and guidance, where the sheep are entirely dependent on the Shepherd for their well-being.” [John 16:33].

“The Shepherd provides for the sheep’s physical needs, leading them to food and water, protecting them from danger, and caring for them when they are sick or lost.” [Nahum 1:7; Philippians 4:19].

“The sheep, in turn, recognize the Shepherd’s voice and follow His lead, demonstrating trust and dependence.” [Romans 8:28].

How Does Jesus, our Shepherd, Lead Us? Through prayer, we communicate with Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and Mediator between God and humanity. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us by taking our prayers to Jesus, our High Priest. We receive our Shepherd’s comfort, strength, and answers from the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. Pray and Study the Bible!

The Sheep’s Responsibility: “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 [reverence] the Lord and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

The Wayward Sheep: The Believers who stray from the Shepherd, easily falling into sin, are the Christians who attend church, but do not have consistent personal worship, or consecrate themselves to God with faithful obedience every day through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures. They prefer to lead themselves by relying on their own thoughts and plans.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 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 10:12-13, NIV).

Jesus’ Divine Responsibility extends beyond our provisions of life; He also protects us from the unseen danger of spiritual warfare and the internal desires of our hearts, which lead us to pursue pleasure and prosperity. The Holy Spirit always warns us before we choose to say Yes to temptations. Still, if we continuously refuse to obey the Spirit of Truth’s inner voice, eventually the Holy Spirit ceases to warn us.

Fact: Lost sheep can never find their way back to the flock; the Shepherd must search for the sheep. Even when we fall, the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience, so we know that we are no longer walking on the Path of Righteousness with Christ. This is our opportunity to repent, yet God never coerces us to relinquish our free will to choose sin instead of obedience.

“And why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Excluding God from daily decision-making not only desensitizes us to sin’s terrible consequences, but also proclaims our preference to live independently of our Heavenly Shepherd’s Loving Care.

STEPS to Returning to Christ, Our Shepherd: Commitment and Consecration

“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, CSB). God’s abundant Grace and Mercies make it easy for us to return to Christ. We confess and repent for our sins, and then, like King David, we move forward in the strength of Jesus Christ with the commitment to obey, fulfill His plans for our lives, and renounce sin.

The Chosen Path: The Shepherd Always Guides His Sheep

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1, NASB).
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).

To abide in Christ is to live a sacrificial life of obedience and self-denial. Daily, we pray for God’s Divine Providence, in which the Holy Spirit reveals Christ’s perfect will and plans for our lives. Obedience is the requisite to receiving God’s blessings.

Surrendering ourselves to follow Christ invites Him to keep us on our Chosen Path. Yes, the believer’s journey always includes suffering, and life is unpredictable, but it is better to travel with Christ than to be lost and struggle alone, as the unbelievers live every day.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, NIV).

Our King and Faithful Shepherd guarantees to give us the strength to persevere, and when He returns, the faithful will receive their reward of Eternal Life. Victory is only through Christ!

Our Shepherd is Faithful, Always Desiring to Care for Us: “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).

The peaceful assurance that comes from having faith in God’s promises that we are His priority is priceless. Even when we forget, the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is love and we are His responsibility. Relinquish Self-Governance for Jesus’ Loving Care: The decision to let Jesus care for us is one that we will never regret. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we just want to thank You for Your Amazing Love. Thank You for reminding us that from conception to birth to breathing our last breath, You will take care of us. Because of Your unfailing love, we do not have to carry heavy burdens or figure out the solutions to the many challenges that arise in our lives. In faith, we pray this prayer of gratitude, in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Sabbath Peace and Blessings – August 8, 2025

Walking Through Life On Our Knees

Never fight the battle without God! We must have God’s help to win the battle of internal conflict [not giving in to our heart’s desires], and the external opposition of spiritual warfare [temptations designed to make us sin against God].

Living as Overcomers

Walking through life on our knees, gives us spiritual strength, and keeps us aligned with God’s perfect plans. The believers who consecrate themselves daily to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life always receive victorious outcomes.

Prayer keeps us connected to Christ who leads us on the Path of Righteousness. Learn to hear God’s Voice speaking to you. The Holy Spirit speaks through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. We desperately need God’s guidance to live righteously.

Surrender is seeking God’s will and obeying His plans. We receive God’s guidance, His plans, protection, and blessings from communicating with Christ through daily personal worship.

With a spirit of humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, only then can we perceive life through spiritual eyes, and choose right over wrong.

We were created to depend on God. Every day, we require Divine help to succeed in our spiritual journey. We cannot overcome the temptations, or resolve unexpected life events without God.

Most importantly, Sanctification, spiritual growth and transformation require the human effort of cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We must have the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to receive spiritual transformation. We cannot change ourselves.

One day the battle will end. But until then, we pray, obey, and persevere. Keep moving forward empowered by Jesus’ strength, given to us by the Holy Spirit who responds to our prayers.

All in heaven are committed to giving us Divine Help, according to our individual needs. Yes and Amen.

Lord God, we approach your Throne of Grace asking for wisdom, discernment, strength, and Your guidance. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

In Sync With God’s Purpose

” ‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts says the Lord and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8).

The young woman related her testimony of living a tumultuous life for many years. She prayed for direction, and was surprised when God instructed her to return to her parents’ home in a rural town, which she left 20 years prior, because “I was young and wanted to live my life in the big city.”

Although it appeared that God was taking her backward, because of her parents’ reputation as loving Christians, she was immediately hired for a prime position. And to her surprise, the quiet rural town had also progressed in its business operations and technologies.

She concluded her testimony with, “I never realized that my life could be so blessed. Whatever you do in life, pray, and obey God.”

” ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ ” (Jeremiah 33:3).

God’s Plans are intentional and always have the definitive purpose of drawing us closer in our relationship with Christ. Prayers of Faith align us with God’s plans of Moving Us Forward Spiritually!

Faithfulness to God is the highest form of worship we can offer. Out of steadfast Faith springs trust, obedience, and the desire to stay connected to the Source of Life, God, the Father.

Today’s sermons omit the most important part of our Christian Journey: A follower of Christ must live an obedient and sacrificial life.

Throughout the Bible, we learn that serving God always requires us to give a sacrificial offering. We have to let go of the things that we treasure the most.

Our personal goals, relationships, prosperity, jobs, and even our desired careers can be the things that we must relinquish. Yes, we will feel disappointed, or discouraged, still, we should focus our faith on God’s promises, and trust His plans.

“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 has Perfect Plans for you and me. His plans for those who are faithful and obedient include a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

When we love God and desire to stay in sync with His purpose then we willingly surrender and obey. Yes, it takes a giant leap of faith to follow and depend on His plans when we do not understand them. But, Just do it!

Our commitment of consecration requires a sacrificial prayer, “Lord God, I want what You want for me.” In faith, pray, and trust God’s Amazing Love and His Sovereignty. Our Father’s plans always produce Victorious Outcomes!

If the thought of asking God to reveal His purpose for your life makes you fearful, then you can be assured that your desires and your life are out of sync with His perfect will.

“Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:37, NLT). We cannot hope and pray that God will bless our desires when it is not in His will for us. No believer is exempt from sacrificial giving.

“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).

God, the Father required Jesus, His Only Son to be obedient, even though fulfilling the Plan of Redemption required dying a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross.

If Jesus was required to obey God in His earthly life then we can expect a change to our agendas if they are not in sync with God’s purpose.

The Holy Spirit is warning God’s true believers to prepare for our Triumphant King’s Second Coming. The events described in Matthew 24, and 2 Timothy 3 are happening now.

The natural disasters, escalation in violence and greed, worldwide hunger, global wars, the violation of human rights, and political corruption are signs of living in the Last Days of Earth’s history.

God has been transparent by telling us how this Earth and evil will end. From studying the Scriptures, we know the future plans that God has for the righteous.

Revelation chapters 19-22 describe how the battle between good and evil ends. We have the greatest hope of receiving our Heavenly reward when we intentionally align ourselves with God’s purpose and plans.

Our salvation and receiving our Crown of Life requires the active commitment of daily consecration and surrender to God’s will.

We should be very excited that Jesus, the King of kings left His throne to come to Earth, live in poverty, and suffer so we can have a perfect and eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we thank you for the blessing of a new day. We ask You to reveal your plan for today, and to guide us, so we stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask this prayer in the Matchless and Mighty Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Challenge: Accepting God’s Will

“Sometimes you enter the secret place expecting comfort, but God gives you correction. You go in wanting confirmation, but He gives you an assignment you didn’t ask for.”

You may pray, asking: ‘God, what do You want me to do? “And He replies: “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). Daily consecration, personal worship, prayer, and Bible study, along with witnessing, are every believer’s spiritual priorities.

How do we react when we hear the Voice of God telling us to do what opposes our plans?

“What You Want to Hear [Yes] Is Usually Not What You Need.”

We pray with joyful expectation, assuming that God will answer our prayers with “Yes.” But truthfully, unless we are asking for Divine strength, comfort, guidance, protection, or provisions, most of the time, God’s answers are to “Wait,” or “No.”

Although Satan, our enemy, has produced and afflicted humanity with every disease present on this Earth, God does not promise physical healing for every believer.

Why Do God’s “No” Answers Exceed His “Yes” Answers?

God’s ultimate goal is to Sanctify and Transform our character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Our earthly lives are the only time we have to prepare for Eternal Life.

Sadly, many are too distracted by Satan’s temptations, relationships with unbelievers, and fleeting treasures to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the lifelong spiritual process of growth and maturity.

God created us with a free will of choice to follow Christ or to follow our desires. Aligning ourselves with God’s will through surrender and faithful obedience is God’s greatest desire for us.

Yet, history reveals that Jesus Christ does not always become the Lord of our lives. Even believers struggle with surrendering and faithfully waiting on God to answer their prayers. Many give up and eventually answer their own prayers.

We have the crucial responsibility of choosing our destiny. If we desire heaven then we will acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority by living a life that proclaims love, loyalty, and obedience to Christ.

“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).

Follow Jesus’ example of obedience. Trust God’s plan for your life! Never exchange your Crown of Life for temporary relationships and meaningless earthly treasures.

We have this hope: Jesus Christ is coming soon to take the righteous to heaven! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we thank You for Your Holy Scriptures and the ability to communicate with You through prayer. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who gives us guidance, correction, protection, and teaches us how to recognize Your Truth from false doctrines. We ask for the strength to stand down our desires and overcome temptation. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Stop! Pray Before Making That Decision

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7, NIV).

Without God’s guidance, “our decisions and actual behaviors bring consequences. And the painful truth, which we all have experienced, is that we alone don’t suffer from the consequences of our wrong actions. Others, sometimes many others, even innocent others, suffer, as well. Such is the nature of sin.”

Reflection: “In what ways have you suffered from others’ sins? Or, what are ways others have suffered from your sins?

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

“What is our only hope?” Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who washes away our sins, and changes us into His likeness and Divine character is our only hope.

Lord God, we have made too many mistakes that have produced consequences. We pray for Your guidance in this tumultuous journey of life. God, we need Your Divine wisdom and direction before making this decision. Teach us how to distinguish Your voice from our thoughts. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Silence Invites Christ Into the Conflict

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” —1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV

Because of sin, conflict is a natural part of life. But regardless of the highly practiced worldview, “Conflict is healthy,” God clarifies that He is never present in disagreements, arguments, confusion, or strife.

“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Because Satan is shrewd, dissension presents itself in various [covert] ways. Something as simple as, “What are we going to eat for dinner?” can escalate into a tug of war when our hearts are not filled with Christ’s love.

“And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Do not be deceived by describing conflict as “a little disagreement.” Little conflicts invite the unrighteous spirit of confusion into our homes.

Dissension changes the atmosphere of our homes and our minds, characters, and personalities, which become instruments that Satan easily manipulates.

The Spirit of Strife not only destroys our internal peace but also separates us from God, placing us on the same unrighteous level as unbelievers. To “Agree to Disagree” is one of Satan’s deceptive theories of compromise, and is not Biblical, or a Righteous Principle.

Our earthly lives are the only opportunity given by God to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Through humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, the righteous are covered with Christ’s garment of spiritual peace.

“If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18, CEB). God’s expectation for every Christian believer is that we possess a pure, loving heart that reflects the Righteousness of Christ. A home that is peaceful and righteous is the home where the Spirit of God is always present.

“Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, GWT).

Satan’s most effective conflict strategy is to use people to provoke us, so we will react with angry thoughts and words, or impatiently blow our vehicle horn, an unholy substitute for irate spoken words.

Do not give Satan control of your mind and mouth by speaking emotionally charged words. Unrighteous responses are one of the easiest ways to sin.

Angry sarcastic words are thoughtless words that not only escalate the situation but are also hurtful. Fact: Apologies do not soothe or heal wounded hearts.

Seeing Conflict Through Spiritual Eyes: There are only two powers in this world, God, who is Good, and the Creator and Giver of Peace, and Satan, whose evil schemes always produce conflict with the intent to destroy harmony and peace.

Overcoming Satan’s Schemes of Conflict Requires the Teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention.

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14, NASB).

How to Handle Conflict With Unfamiliar People: Immediately pray for strength, remain silent, and walk away. No discussion is necessary. Walking away is our witness.

Handling conflict with familiar people [family, friends, coworkers] who are also believers is the true test of our love and loyalty to Christ. Unless they are immediate family living in the same home, we must separate ourselves from those whom the enemy is using to persecute us.

Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God reveals boundaries in interaction with our family and friends. Husbands and wives must pray together when animosity arises between them, and parents must be a godly example for their children when dissension arises.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Never harbor grudges: We must extend mercy as God extends Mercy to us.

The first response in the Christian home is not to hear what happened first, but to engage everyone present to immediately pray a prayer of repentance, and with humility invite God to resolve the conflict. Only then, when the Holy Spirit is present, should they hear the rest of the story. An effective way to resolve conflict and evaluate with fairness is, after the prayer, have each person write about their experience.

Dissension is often fatal to our spiritual growth and transformation. We must never forget that we accepted Christ to live righteously and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for a complete spiritual makeover of our mind, character, and personality. One thing is for certain: There will be no conflict in heaven.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV).

The Truth: Quick and intemperate responses reveal that our hearts are unconverted, and we do not possess the righteous character traits that align with the Fruit of the Spirit.

The Righteous Attributes of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Whether strife arises with familiar people, or strangers, remain silent! God has gifted us with the power of self control, React by breathing a silent prayer. Ask God for Divine Help. Using self-control, Stand down your anger!

Prayer and Silence accomplish two spiritual goals: We learn to totally depend on God to fight and win our battles, and our character is transformed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit necessary for us to receive our reward of the Crown of Life.

Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the many times we have thought or spoken angry words that did not reflect Your love. We ask you to give us the strength and the guidance to cultivate a spirit of meekness and to extend mercy when experiencing the persecution of conflict for serving You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Christ Invites Us to Give Him All of Our Challenges

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28).

Unexpected challenges do not knock, waiting for us to open the door so they can enter. No, hardships and adversities are unwelcome intruders who have master keys and enter with unpredictability. Even believers often find it difficult to agree on most subjects, but there is a strong consensus that suffering is always challenging and leads to discouragement.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

Although I followed God’s plans, this week, I faced two extremely difficult challenges that discouraged me. Obedience to God should always bring a deep sense of inner peace. So, what happened? I forgot Jesus’ warning that even when we obey God, unexpected adversity can arise, causing us to feel defeated.

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Truthfully, because we serve God, we feel that our lives should be easier, but an easy life is not Biblical. No Bible hero, and certainly not Jesus, the Son of God, was exempt from harsh trials.

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” (Psalm 42:6). David was a skillful musician and singer, but many do not understand “the man after God’s own heart.” He never pretended that all was well when it wasn’t. The Psalms are songs of prayer, and the longest book in the Bible. Prayer is a spiritual lifesaver, keeping us connected to the Source of Life.

God knows that our response to trials and troubles will not be positive. Through prayer, we receive answers from Scripture, making it essential for our spiritual well-being. Studying the Bible is not optional. Like David, I prayed, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to study Psalm 42.

Daily personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts. While writing this devotional, the Holy Spirit reminded me that “The Christian’s Journey on the Path of Righteousness Always Involves Suffering.”

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just like we are.” Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality, building our faith, and molding us into the righteous character of Christ are required to receive Eternal Life, and can only be accomplished through trials and adversities.

The hard times of suffering are a part of Christianity that we fail to embrace or appreciate. I am not a new believer, and throughout my journey, I have heard so few sermons on the suffering required to follow Jesus. Who is teaching or preaching the sermons telling us that the journey on the Path of Righteousness is tough, so when adversity comes in like a tsunami, we immediately fall to our knees in prayer, asking for help?

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”(Revelation 3:21).

“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot rely on anyone else to teach us the Gospel Truth of the Bible. Too many believers are giving up on God because they do not know the Truth. The book of Job reveals that Job lived a sinless life, still he endured extreme suffering, but overcame, and received many blessings.

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ESV).

Sanctification requires humility, long-suffering [patience], and the teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention. Spiritual transformation requires our entire [earthly] life. If we use our faith and obedience to cooperate with God, then every day the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us. Spiritual growth never happens in leaps and bounds; it is the little steps that keep us moving forward.

God’s thoughts, ways, and plans always take time. God is Eternal. He views our lives from beginning to end. Because God knows our lifespan, there is no need for Him to rush in giving us His blessings or fulfilling His promises.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).

Still, God always fulfills His promises. We know that from the story of Abraham and Sarah who were 100 and 90 years of age when Isaac was born. One thing is for certain, God’s timing will never align with our timing.

The worldview of “Do it now” strongly opposes the righteous characteristic of patience, which is a Fruit of the Spirit. Instant gratification is the downfall of any Christian who embraces the mindset of “I have to have it now!”

Not all adversity or roadblocks are related to the faith journey of spiritual growth. We must also consider if we became impatient and attempted to expedite the process by following our thoughts.

Our Plans: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (James 4:13-15, NIV).

Our God-given gift of Free Will of Choice allows us to choose following our thoughts and desires, or surrendering to and obeying God’s Perfect Plans, which always end in Victory.

God’s Plans: “O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]” (Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible).

Does God honor those who faithfully obey Him? The three Hebrew young men were not destroyed in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Daniel slept with the lions in their den, and yes, Peter lost faith when walking on the water, but he was the only one of the disciples who was courageous enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus saved Peter. And when the Apostle Paul was bitten by the venomous snake, the people waited for him to die, but he lived [Acts 28:3-6].

The same Christ who intervened in the Old and New Testaments is still waiting for the righteous to approach Him in prayer. Who else can help us but God?

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Trust Jesus with your life! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have a very patient and loving Shepherd who knows that our hearts, faith, and courage are weak. Still, our Loving Jesus, who is our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor, waits for us to ask for His help.

“The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer, specifically in conveying our prayers to Christ. The Holy Spirit acts as a Divine Intercessor, bringing our sincere, faith-filled prayers to the Father through Christ.” (EGW)

The lessons I learned: When we faithfully follow and obey God’s Directives, yes, we may still face adversity; even so, when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by committing ourselves to a life of prayer, asking for Divine Help and Strength, we immediately receive the ability to make it through our challenges. Not only did I learn more about God’s Loving Character and humanity’s weaknesses from studying the Psalms, but I also received Jesus’ strength, comfort, and a victorious outcome [a miracle]. Yes and Amen.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Jesus Christ is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!

Lord God, we thank You for creating us, loving us, intervening for us, and taking care of us. We love You, and worship Your Holy Name. Lord, teach us to pray that we can depend on You instead of ourselves. We also pray for a Divine blessing during the Holy Sabbath, and ask this prayer, in the Righteous and Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Remaining True to God In Perilous Times

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues’ ” (Revelation 18:4).

“God wants…people who will not be bought or sold, people who in their souls are true and honest, people who do not fear to call sin by its right name, people whose conscience is true to duty…people who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”

“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, BSB).

Reflection: Does your lifestyle and personal worship reflect a steadfast commitment to faithfully trust and obey God?

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

“A righteous character is the result of self-discipline of the subjection of the lower passions to the higher nature of God, and the surrender of self for the service of love to God and humanity.”

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. 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 22:13-14).

2 Timothy 3 is now. We are living in the last days of Earth’s history. The international wars, civil insurrections, famines, the loss of God-given human rights, political corruption, and the increase in horrific natural disasters are a few of the signs Jesus described in Matthew 24.

Jesus is calling for us to choose sides, either, we are worshipers of the Most-High God, and disciple making followers of Jesus Christ, or, we are living to please ourselves. The King Is Coming!

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Redemption, Divine Guidance and Correction given through your Holy Scriptures. We ask you to keep us on the narrow Path of Righteousness, and protect us from the covert schemes of Satan, our enemy. We thank You for the Holy Sabbath and ask you to bless us with joy and peace. In humility and obedience, we give You the honor and worship that You deserve. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

God’s Promise: Beauty For Ashes

Adversity is part of suffering for Christ, who promised to give us the Divine strength to overcome. Nothing is too hard for God to resolve.

There are three facts you should always remember, God loves you, God has perfect plans for your life, and God, our Father resolves every challenge for your good and His glory.

We can identify with Christ’s sufferings, knowing that through Him, we will overcome. Our circumstances may not change, yet, we receive hope from receiving His Divine and Powerful Strength to keep moving forward one step at a time.

Will you allow God to fulfill His plans for your life? Character transformation is required to receive Eternal Life. Yes, we must endure trials, still, God never crushes us, which would serve no spiritual purpose.

“Are you in the midst of [what appears to be] hopeless circumstances? Jesus is gentle, patient, and kind, and He is not giving up on you; you can count on that!”

Our Triumphant King always gives us hope when we surrender to His will with faithful obedience. Praying in faith for Divine Help lifts our burdens. We do not have to figure anything out, God has the solution!

Prayer: Lord God, I want what you want for me. Please give me the strength to persevere through my hardships. Thank You for Your love and perfect plans. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.