Wanted: Disciples Who Will “Follow Me” Devotional Reading and Podcast
“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9)
Matthew was of Jewish descent but worked for the Roman government as a tax collector. He was despised by the other Jews because of his habit of overcharging and oppressing those whom he collected taxes from. Yet, Jesus knew there was something in Matthew’s heart that yearned to know the truth. Jesus gave the command, “Follow me” [that has the option to say no] to Matthew and he followed.
Matthew walked away from his life to obey Christ and become a disciple including his financially lucrative position. He chose the Kingdom of God over money. Yes, Matthew gave up everything to follow Christ.
In the Scriptures, there are examples of others that Jesus called, the rich, young ruler, and the man who was in mourning for the death of a family member who chose not to follow Jesus. They were unable to become disciples because of their love for traditional beliefs and worldly possessions. Denial reveals their earthly priorities. Like many today who desire to serve God, yet, they are unwilling to give up all that is required to become one of Christ’s disciples.
Jesus says, “Follow Me” but the unspoken words “Not by Force” is understood by the fact that we were created with the free will of choice. Many will accept Christ as their personal Savior, but they do not desire to be a faithful and obedient disciple. Satan has deceived many Christians into thinking that we can develop the description of discipleship.
When an individual applies for a position the company’s advertisement must include a job description. The interviewer provides a breakdown of the duties required for the position. An experienced job-seeker is aware that the flexibility of the position is minimal. Usually, there are only a couple of negotiable areas, the starting salary and the work hours.
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ” (Mark 8:34)
Every person who accepts Christ as their personal Savior has the job description of being a full-time disciple. The difference between the employer’s job description and Jesus’ disciple, we are accountable to God 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Christians follow Christ–we move in the same direction and obey God’s will and plans.
Disciple’s Job Description: We are called to love and lead people to Christ. “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 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).
The Mindset and Behaviors of a Disciple–
True Disciples Follow Jesus, the Leader Faithful, Obedient, and Live a Sacrificial Life Called to leave everyone and everything Prioritize by always having Jesus first
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
We receive the discernment and power to use our spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit. Not everyone has the same gifts. Whether we are part of an Outreach Ministry in our church or have been directed to use our gifts in other ways, God never leaves us guessing about our role in discipleship. Praying and studying the Bible are the ways that we receive spiritual nourishment and God’s guidance.
God knows that most have secular jobs that require at least 40 hours a week. Even so, we are always required to put God first. Our godly lifestyle, our behaviors of demonstrating love and kindness, and the gentle tone of our spoken words portray the love of Christ which are non-verbal ways of witnessing.
God has allowed humanity to make advancements in technology for the advancement of the Gospel of Salvation. We can use our time to post an encouraging Scripture or make a video witnessing the love of Jesus every day on social media. Yet, we also have the responsibility to “Go!” We can volunteer at a food pantry or homeless shelter once a week. When at the store, we can easily say, God loves you. The diverse ways to use our gifts are endless.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
We are accountable to God for how we used or wasted our talents [spiritual gifts] and our time. In reading Matthew chapter 25, verses 31 to 46, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. The goats are also Christians who did not perform their duties of discipleship during their lifetime on earth.
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:44-46).
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work (Revelation 22:12).
When Jesus comes, His reward is not based on weekly church attendance or tithe and offerings. Daily study of the Bible is to be utilized for spiritual growth and for sharing Scriptures with others. We have neighbors who know nothing about Jesus. It is our work as a disciple, the time we spent witnessing and caring for others that Jesus will reward.
Who will tell them? We are called to lead people to Jesus, the Savior of the world. Our commitment to Christ is all or nothing. Remember, it is the non-negotiable duty of all disciples to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
Prayer: God, we pray for forgiveness for not fulfilling our role as a disciple. We ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the boldness to tell others about Jesus. Give us guidance and direction to use our spiritual gifts for Your honor and glory. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
The Cost of Following Jesus—Devotional Reading and Podcast
“And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.'” Luke 13:22-24
Most of us agree that Jesus’ sacrificial offering of dying on the cross at Calvary is a priceless gift and His love for humanity is incomparable which raises the question, “What am I willing to do for Christ?” For a relationship to be reciprocal, both individuals are required to do their part. Love, faith, trust, and going above and beyond for each other are the expectation for growth and stability.
Yet there appears to be a conflict in our relationship with Christ. We desire His love, grace, mercies, protection, peace, joy, and material blessings. Yes, we love to receive. When facing unresolvable challenges, we ask God for His Divine Intervention, yet we do not have the desire to reciprocate. We expect much from our Heavenly Father but give very little.
“…that if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Acknowledgment of Jesus’ deity and confession of our sins, allow us to receive righteousness by [our] faith which is imputed by Jesus through grace. Salvation is accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior and believing wholeheartedly that God raised His Son from the dead and we are saved from our sins. There are no complexities in the Plan of Salvation. Accepting Jesus is so simple that little children can understand. Thank You, Holy Spirit!
If salvation is simple, then why do so many Christians fall short of God’s expectations? Because staying on the Path of Righteousness requires daily entrance through the “Narrow Gate.” We are required to take up our cross and follow Christ. Surrendering our will every day to Christ is taking up our cross. Faith and obedience are two-character traits that God requires for everyone who proclaims, I am a Christian.
We struggle with righteousness because our hearts are not fully dedicated to Christ. Although we would never renounce our belief in God, we cannot enter the narrow gate because of one sin, Disobedience. Under the giant umbrella of disobedience are the personal sins of each person which grow from the desires of their hearts.
We are accustomed to abiding by governmental laws, city ordinances, and employer policies which only give room for the smallest margin of error, yet most breaches include a reprimand or disciplinary action. Sadly, we place a higher priority on laws and policies than on God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
The assumption of God freely giving us the benefits that are reserved for the righteous propels us to continue to live according to our desires. Our prevailing thought, God will forgive is true. Yes, He forgives us but true repentance is possessing the sorrow for our sins along with the commitment to cease sinning. Intentional and wilful sins create the sin of pride which is another detour from living righteously—now we have the sin of presumption to add to our growing list of sins.
Because God is loving and fair, “…He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).
Disobedience changes our spiritual status from righteous to unrighteous. The one sin that causes disobedience also compromises our morals, values, and loyalty to God. When we no longer feel guilt [having conflict in our minds] regarding our sins then we have grieved the Holy Spirit. Our free will of choice is a gift that God will never take away even if it leads to us being lost.
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;…” (Romans 1:28-31)
We are living in a modern Sodom and Gomorrah where every imaginable sin is at the highest level. No one is exempt from the internal war of carnal desires that rages within us.
We can’t live righteously without Divine Intervention. The only way for us to escape the penalty of sin and enter the narrow gate is to take up our cross and follow Jesus. With careful consideration, we can agree the cost of following Christ is cheap compared to the debt of sin which is the second and final death.
Surrender, confession, and repentance flows from the heart who is full of love for God. We need the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to enter the narrow gate. The cost of following Christ is to give up our natural desires of the heart. Our relationship with Jesus is one of a vine and branch. We are the branches who can do nothing unless we receive our spiritual nourishment from Jesus Christ, the Vine.
Prayer: God, we ask for forgiveness for our disobedience against You. We thank you for the greatest gift of Your Son, Jesus. We desire to enter the narrow gate every day and surrender and commit our hearts, minds, and souls to You. Jesus, we love You and ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
How Did the Focus Change from Jesus to Us? Devotional Reading and Podcast
Satan has invented a counterfeit for everything God has blessed as holy and righteous. Within the past five years, the focus of salvation has changed from Jesus to our emotions. Sermons on how to live a happy life with financial prosperity have replaced sermons on how to live a righteous, faithful, and obedient life.
“I Surrender All” has been replaced with songs entitled “Bless Me” along with one to two hours of singing-only worship services. How did we digress from Jesus to ourselves? Watching motivational videos has replaced daily worship, prayer, and studying the Bible.
We are distracted and too busy to have a meaningful relationship with Christ. We have readily embraced the false teachings of pursuing happiness because of the worldview of destroying boundaries to live your best life. Yes, we are victims of the ideology of self-worship.
Recently, one of the long-standing Pastors in Dallas, Texas stated in his interview that the subsequent generations who are in the church now do not understand the in-depth meaning of the Scriptures, so he had to change his style of preaching. There is a prevailing disinterest in all that is holy because of our desires and lifestyles.
Studying the Bible is no longer encouraged in the churches that promote happiness. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot discern the Truth which is God-breathed nor will we have a deeper understanding of who God is. The solution is to present one or two verses that will promote mental and emotional well-being. Truth is an area of debate that has led to various ideas. The erroneous ideas have caused many to commit sins that originate from presumption.
Presumption: an idea that is taken to be true, and often used as the basis for other ideas, although it is not known for certain.
An example of misinterpretation is the verse when Jesus tells us to ask anything in His name and He will do it. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
It is our preference to hear the verse found in John chapter 14 as opposed to the verse in 1st John chapter 5. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).
Because the spiritual meaning does not coincide with our desires, we misrepresent the Scriptures. Even so, Jesus will never give us everything we desire from a financial perspective. Although our prayers are not always financial, we cannot take for granted that we will be healed which is also an expectation of many Christians. We do not have the privilege of demanding anything from our Heavenly Father.
Satan has influenced the leaders whose messages contain a mixture of partial truth and worldviews. Churches whose focus is to keep their members happy will preach verse #1 from the pulpit. “All you have to do is pray and God will fulfill the desires of your heart, but you must first take action by pursuing the marriage partner, starting the business, and purchasing the house.”
The Bible Explains Itself by giving us examples of prayers that represent the things we should ask God for.
“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask! What shall I give you?'” (1 Kings 3:5)
“…Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 King 3:8-9)
“The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:10, 12)
King Solomon not only pleased God with His request for wisdom, but God also gave him the honor of being the wisest man who ever lived. Because of Solomon’s humility, God also blessed him with excessive wealth.
When Jesus was speaking to His disciples about Him going away, they were filled with sorrow. Jesus’ concern for His disciples, “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete” (John 16:24).
Sadly, like the disciples, we have an agenda of pleasing ourselves. We do not pray and ask Jesus for anything crucial to our spiritual growth. Instead of praying for the anointing of the Holy Spirit or for our characters to be transformed into Jesus’ likeness [Galatians 5:22-23] and the spiritual power to resist temptation, we are asking God to “Bless Me” with tangible things, relationships, and marriages that are not in alignment with God’s plans for our lives.
Creeping Compromise
There is danger in taking our eyes off Jesus and placing them on our heart’s desires. Worshipping God according to how we feel results in a compromised relationship with Christ. The earthly things we must have and pursue without God’s blessings will determine our destiny.
Whether we commit the sins of presumption because we fail to study and lack knowledge of spiritual things, from self-interpretation of the Scriptures, being misled by church leaders, or wilful disobedience, we are still held accountable for our sins of presumption.
Jesus Defines His Divinity and His Righteous Position: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'” (John 14:6). Jesus has provided us with the guidance we need to live righteously.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
“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).
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37-38).
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Jesus not only identifies the requisites for His followers, but He also reminds us of His Divine Authority, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13). “…I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).
Our earthly agendas determine our destiny–eternal life or the second and final death. We are rapidly moving forward from living in the last days to the end of time. Jesus says that we must choose whom we will serve. Choosing Jesus requires us to redirect our focus off of self. Invite the Holy Spirit into your life to learn the accurate meaning of the Scriptures.
Love for Christ keeps us grounded in a world where spiritual warfare includes self-worship. Our desires must align with God’s plans and purpose if our goal is to live eternally with our Lord and Savior. Give up the blended ideologies that are designed to make us lose our heavenly reward.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we pray for forgiveness for placing the focus on ourselves and our selfish desires. We surrender our hearts, minds, and souls to You. We ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and discernment. We need Your guidance and strength to continue to walk this spiritual journey. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Your Holy Name, Amen.
Restoring Our Relationship with Christ Sabbath Devotional Reading and Podcast
All relationships begin with a foundation of faith, trust, and love. At the beginning of the human relationship, we place our faith and trust in each other and as time passes, we begin to love. But in our relationship with Jesus, we act on the innate love that is in our hearts by responding to His invitation.
“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).
Reflect on the moment that you decided to accept Jesus as your personal Savior. Whether you were in church, watching a religious program, listening to a podcast, or in mental, emotional, or physical distress and called on God for help that was your moment of acknowledgment and surrender to a higher power outside of yourself.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me” (John 15:26).
We did not accept Jesus because of a decision based on our efforts alone, the Holy Spirit touched our hearts, and we responded to the invitation from Jesus by saying yes. Why do we make an immediate decision to accept Christ or call out to God even though we have never acknowledged Him before? We can thank Jesus for His promise of sending us a Helper the Holy Spirit.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). From Jesus’ love, He created us with the innate ability to love God and others. “We love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).
If we were born with the ability to love God, then why do so many reject Jesus Christ? We were created with the free will choice to accept or reject the only way that we can come to God, and that is through His Son, Jesus. In the New Testament, the two apostles and two disciples who wrote the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) documented the longstanding history of those who chose to openly reject Jesus.
Throughout the New Testament, we become aware that most of the Jewish people rejected Christ as the Son of God. In Nazareth, Jesus was reading from Isaiah, and the people listening accused Him of blasphemy. “On hearing this, all the people in the synagogue were enraged. They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff. But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way.…” (Luke 4:28-30).
Even so, their rejection led to Jesus’ crucifixion which was necessary for the Plan of Salvation to be brought to fruition. When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished!” He was referring to His sacrifice for the Redemption of humanity. Sadly, all who reject Christ will result in dying the second and final death as described in Malachi chapter 1.
The Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit
At Pentecost, when Peter used the writings of the prophet Joel and King David to explain they crucified Jesus, who was the prophesied Son of God, the multitude was filled with fear. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent and let every one of you is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ ” Acts 2:37-38).
Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we face a continuous struggle of staying in our relationship with Him. Jesus was aware that we would face many obstacles of spiritual warfare that would disrupt our commitment to becoming a follower of Christ.
We are pressured to accept worldviews that represent the decline of morals and values. Many proclaim the truth is what they believe it to be, and most Christians no longer separate themselves from unbelievers [which include those who acknowledge God, but do not have a relationship with Christ based on surrender and obedience].
Yet, the greatest obstacles are the constant busyness and overwhelming noise that have us distracted from our goal of loving God. We have acclimated to the constant noise of screen time, video games, digital programs, artificial intelligence, endless texting, and relying on our cellular devices as if they are a lifeline.
“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)
Our spiritual relationship with Christ is broken because we are mesmerized by the distractions that Satan has intentionally placed in our lives. Most Christians are detached from God, barely having time to spend with Him in prayer and a meaningful study of the Bible. Our time is wasted on self-seeking activities that enhance our knowledge and skills but do nothing for building our relationship with Christ.
We are living in the last days! The time is now for us to renew our commitment to Christ through surrender and repentance. Daily worship in this earthly life is preparing us to worship God eternally. Without loving God and putting Him first, we cannot do our part in the plan of Salvation.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—” Revelation 3:14-17
Spiritual transformation requires daily surrender, obedience, faith, trust, and hearing God’s Voice through prayer and Bible study. But most importantly, it’s about our love for God. The warning to the Laodecian church is for today’s 21st-century Christians which includes you and me. We are not upholding the standard of righteousness that God requires.
“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)
Christ was our role model on this earth. If he pursued solitude to pray for Divine guidance then we certainly need to separate ourselves from the noise of distractions to hear God’s Voice. We require Divine Intervention for direction to withstand temptations and to receive the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Silent Life—When that inner voice is not heard when a man cannot attain the Spiritual Peace that comes from being perfectly at one with His true self, his life is miserable and exhausting for he cannot go on happily for long unless he is in contact with the Spiritual Source of Life. Thomas Merton
We are pursuing the wrong sources to provide us with peace and contentment. Once we have accepted Christ and let our relationship falter, we recognize the change in our inner selves and lifestyles. Our thoughts, decisions, behaviors, and the people we socialize with fail to represent a Christ-like character.
“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)
Without Christ, we no longer have the Holy Spirit to lead, direct, and give us clarity [discernment] over any dilemma we face. Either we will make a change and renew our covenant with Christ or we will continue in our present state of disregarding the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
“The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit does not lie in any sudden word or deed; it is the firm, determined resistance of truth and evidence.” Ellen G. White
If you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, have gone astray, and do not feel any conviction or remorse with your current mindset and lifestyle then the Holy Spirit is no longer giving you promptings to repent.
The Apostle Paul tells us of the Perils of Not Progressing in our relationship with Christ.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6, NKJV)
A modern translation reads: “For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.” (Hebrews 6:4-6, NLT)
Restoration of our relationship with Christ is a personal decision that relies on each individual. God always requires the human effort of love, faith, surrender to His will, and obedience in the relationship with His Son. Without those intentional character traits, we lose our spiritual connection with God.
It is difficult to believe that one would reject Christ and suffer the consequences of the wages of sin. We may perceive ourselves as living acceptable to God because we do not engage in the worst worldly sins, yet, disobedience is a sin. Our Heavenly Father is doing all He can to give us a better life. His help is only a prayer away.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
As long as we have breath in our bodies and sound minds, we can decide to restore our relationship with Christ. Repentance—asking God for forgiveness requires humility and a contrite heart full of sorrow for our sins. And the prayer of forgiveness receives an immediate yes from God!
Staying on the Path of Righteousness requires the human effort of following Christ no matter the cost. When we do our part by remaining steadfast, we automatically receive the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit to give us strength and power. The walk with Christ requires the loss of relationships and surrendering our will to God’s will and plan for our lives.
Jesus is ready at any time to receive us when we desire to give up everything for Him. To be a disciple means to forsake all others and travel a life-long journey that includes suffering trials and sorrows. The reward: Living forever in a perfect, sinless, and majestic New Heaven and New Earth with Jesus, the King of Kings. Amen!
Prayer: Lord, we pray for those who have lost their love for You. We know that we are living in the last days and are easily distracted by the busyness and noise of this world. We pray this intercessory prayer for those who have rejected You that they will return. We ask this prayer in Your Worthy Name, Amen.
Like a Tree Planted by the Waters Devotional Reading and Podcast
Spiritual Growth and Transformation is a life-long journey that requires total dependency on God. We dedicate ourselves to God, pray, and study the Scriptures, yet, there is a missing piece in our walk with Jesus, we are not diligent in the self-improvement of our characters.
Character is who we are because of our relationship with Christ. It is something that can be built and learned as we follow Him. Furthermore, genuine Christian character is not just about our personality or our disposition. It is a description of who we are as Christians ̶ and what we are called to be in our entirety. Seattlechristiancounseling.com
A Noble Character is Formed by Stern Battles with Self—Christ has given us no assurance that attaining the perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-around character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. Mind, Character, and Personality, EGW
Throughout the Scriptures, we are admonished to overcome innate character traits that are a result of our desperately wicked hearts [Jeremiah 17:9]. James tells us a person who cannot control their mouth has a religion that is worthless [James 1:26]. The apostle Paul addressed the church in Galatia regarding their ungodly traits, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:26).
“…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. –Romans 12:3
God has given us the mental faculties to do our part in changing our unrighteous characters and cultivating the character traits that are acceptable to Him. Reflecting on our present thoughts, habits, and lifestyle and admitting that we are not in alignment with God determines whether or not we will experience character transformation.
Faith and obedience to God along with diligent prayer and study of the Word of God demonstrate our efforts to have a steadfast relationship with Christ. “…for without me, you can do nothing (John 15:5). The human effort of seeking righteousness requires willingness, intentional actions, and persistent faith.
Spiritual transformation–Sanctification is being changed into the likeness of Christ [His Character] which requires a lifetime effort.
Prepare yourself for a tough battle in forming a noble character. Do not react with emotions when things go wrong. From the long wait to the mix-up in your to-go food order, remember you will be tested and your trials will increase! Humility prompts us to pray for God to search our hearts and reveal all sinful traits, whether inherited or learned behaviors. Faith, determination, and diligence are the requisites of human effort that facilitate change, but spiritual transformation does not come from works alone.
We pray daily for strength from the Holy Spirit. Not only will the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit give us the strength to win the battle over self, but we will also receive the anointing and power to overcome all unrighteousness.
The Scriptures identify the character traits that God expects us to have.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. …'” (Matthew 22:37-39).
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 and 23).
Behave Like a Christian Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9 through 21).
Most of us struggle with our faith. Especially when we have to use it to overcome temptations and in the waiting periods when God is silent. Think about this, we use faith every day in a secular sense. We expect our employers to render fair treatment and pay our salaries on time, and use our credit and debit cards to make online purchases.
Based on Google reviews and recommendations from family and friends, we learn of the longstanding reputation of companies that propels us to commit to long-term contractual agreements to purchase vehicles and houses. During the business transaction, we do not doubt the company and think about filing a lawsuit for retribution just in case anything goes awry. We place our complete faith and trust in their reputation.
Although our global economy is unstable, most of us never think about researching the financial solvency of a business, before signing a contract. Every purchase we make including clothing, furniture, and food, we place our complete faith and trust in the businesses. Now it is time for us to have unwavering faith in God!
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord’” (Jeremiah 17:5). It’s time for us to stop placing all of our faith and trust in humanity who will fail us.
We have received the innate gift of a measure of faith. It is up to us to exercise the steadfast belief in an Omnipotent God which is necessary for our faith to grow from mustard seed to a mountain. Throughout the Scriptures, God reiterates that salvation comes by grace through faith.
Paul who was transformed from the murderer Saul to a faithful and godly apostle knows that our faith triumphs in trouble, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4).
Make the steadfast commitment to change your character. Keep persevering! We are the recipients of a crown and eternal life made possible by King Jesus who is telling us to keep going.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit (Jeremiah 17: 7 and 8).
Prayer: Lord, we pray for the strength, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to change our unrighteous character. We acknowledge that we need a spiritual transformation to receive our heavenly reward and wear the garments of righteousness. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Your Holy Name, Amen.
The Dilemma of Choosing the Familiar Over the Divine Devotional Reading and Podcast
There is a great reward for faithfulness! “In yet a little while, He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” –Hebrews 10:37
As we grow closer to the Second Coming of Jesus, our struggle to remain faithful will increase. Fighting the inner conflict of right versus wrong every day is making us weary. Although we desire to have a close relationship with Christ, our sinful nature is drawn to things that are new and exciting. Satan is using many deceptions that are readily embraced by believers whose hearts do not fully belong to Christ.
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Therefore, Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:14 and 17).
It is now acceptable in the church community to socialize with and have relationships with unbelievers. Trending reasons: We are witnessing, or demonstrating the love of Jesus to others, “Jesus hung out with sinners,” and they know that we are Christians, but they respect us.
Satan has introduced the corruptness of false doctrines and omissions into our churches. There are Pastors and church leaders who rely on the recommendations from their advisory committees to only preach on certain parts of the Bible. The sermons are constructed as professional letters with a non-offensive tone and the Scriptures as a recommendation to live your best life.
The escalation of membership numbers proves that today’s Christians embrace churches with watered-down doctrines and those who sing for a couple of hours. Because we do not pray consistently for God’s guidance or study the Scriptures, we are led astray. The result of self-governance has led us to accept the opinions of others instead of seeking knowledge of the Truth for ourselves.
Following our inclinations has produced many denominations under the umbrella of Christianity who agree on only one belief that God and Jesus Christ exist. Many churches and Christians do not believe in the Triune Godhead, the Holy Spirit, or baptism by water immersion. There are countless manmade versions of God’s Truth. And Satan continues to deceive us into thinking that we can treat salvation like a multiple-choice exam.
We avoid pursuing God’s Truth because it causes mental distress and does not fit into our lifestyles. Unless we have a faithful relationship with Christ, we choose to face the vicissitudes of life alone, which leave us too weary to study for ourselves.
Without biblical knowledge and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, we do not have a foundation based on the Word of God. We readily accept the half-truths preached from the pulpits of those who are pursuing wealth instead of eternal life. What are our beliefs and what does God require of us? With the various interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, we are confused, and console ourselves that we are doing the best we can.
Why do we desire the familiar of the past? And what has propelled us to form relationships with unequally yoked individuals? “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” –James 1:14
Many believers lost their closest relationships when they accepted Jesus. And as time passes, the life of being alone escalates into loneliness which Satan uses as a catalyst for compromise. Attending church once a week does not allow us to form bonds with fellow believers. We socialize with unbelievers because we desire to be around people that we know. Not studying the Bible leaves us with a void—even though we do not have the desire to return to a worldly lifestyle, we do not understand that God expects us to dedicate our lives to Him.
We begin to perceive the spiritual [Christian] journey as restrictive. Daily worship is not a priority. Our zeal for serving God rapidly declines which results in a change in our mindset and lifestyle. The inner conflict escalates and we begin to focus on our emotions. Being a Christian is not what we expected. Our heart desires the familiar friends and family we used to have good times with.
Without praying for strength, our resolve to live holy weakens. We contact our family who never understood our decision to become a Christian and former friends just to check and see how they are doing. And once we open the door of compromise, we make plans to visit and agree to attend select worldly activities that we determine to be acceptable.
The seed of compromise grows rapidly in our hearts. We justify our attendance at worldly social functions through rationalization. “It’s an opportunity to see my family or friends. Yes, there will be alcoholic drinks and smoking marijuana, but I don’t drink or smoke, so that has nothing to do with me.”
Common Ground: The workplace is an ideal environment for Satan to gradually introduce different philosophical theories, paganistic religious beliefs, relaxation techniques such as yoga, alternative lifestyles, modern worldviews, and diverse ways to pursue success in casual conversations between coworkers.
Most of us have a natural desire to be included at work and sit and chat, take breaks, and eat lunch with our coworkers. We passively participate by just listening but admit the information is interesting. We begin to think about researching and learning more about the various topics.
“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
Our enemy, Satan is a fallen angel. Without God, we are no match against His power over humanity. Our greatest earthly enemy is a mastermind of evil schemes. Easy targets are Christians who are naive, lonely, overly curious, overconfident, and prideful. Satan’s deceptions are personalized temptations. He is aware that each of us is unique in our desires.
Although Satan is not Omniscient and does not know our thoughts, evil angels observe our behaviors and lifestyle choices. Satan has many vices, but one characteristic that ensures his success in making us fall, Satan is patient! He uses the familiar people, places, and things, we like to make us fall hard into sin. Temptations are not presented in a threatening manner or else he would not be successful.
Satan’s favorite tactic is to use the familiar to deceive us. Familiarity leaves us vulnerable! We trust the people we are comfortable with, especially those whom we love and respect [family and friends, coworkers]. We reminisce on the places where we used to hang out or we tell others about a new restaurant with a live band. Our perception changes and we no longer view our friends, family, and coworkers as unbelievers. We desire to socialize with people we know.
The estimate of 6,000 years since the earth was created gives Satan the confidence we will choose the familiar over the Divine. The generations of people that he has presented earthly pleasures to and has fallen began with Adam and Eve. Our enemy knows without Divine help that He has the advantage over humanity.
His plan [with our name on it] will come to fruition because we become weary in well-doing. Giving in to our emotions or desires led us into the maze of temptation. At this point, either we will come to our spiritual senses or we will move forward into the depths of sin.
Reflect on your relationships. If the person or people you enjoy being with do not desire eternal life then they are living in darkness. In socializing with unbelievers, we do not fully understand righteousness or we desire companionship at any cost, including the loss of our reward of eternal life.
“If you dance with the devil, then you haven’t got a clue, for you think you’ll change the devil, but the devil changes you.” ― J.M. Smith. In this author’s book, the focus is on people who do not have a conscience. “…genuine and sincere feelings toward others are completely absent. In other words, they lack emotions, like love, kindness, compassion, remorse, and pity. Nevertheless, they pretend and impersonate those feelings, but theirs are superficial and false.”
Unbelievers are not aware that Satan is using them! Even with only basic knowledge of godly principles, we realize that we cannot serve God and hang out with worldly people. It is the familiar that Satan uses to set the background for his greatest deceptions to lure us away from God’s divine plan.
What makes a believer reject God and desire to return to their former life? It is a gradual process of desensitization to worldliness. Our habits and lifestyles reveal the reason we easily fall. The programs we watch, the music we listen to, and the conversations we passively engage in fail to honor God. We are double-minded.
Choosing one day [Saturday or Sunday] we put on the outward clothing of the appearance of righteousness, attend church, and listen to sermons, but we never make progress in our spiritual journey of transformation because of the sinful desires of our hearts.
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” –1 Peter 1:15-16
We attempt to blend oil with water to produce a worldly Christian. If you have ever thought or verbalized, “There is nothing wrong with…” then you have crossed over the line of righteousness into sinfulness. With God, there is no middle ground or gray area.
There is no doubt that we are living in perilous times. Whether we are steadfast or not, we recognize the decline in society’s ethics, morals, and values, the rise of global financial instability, and political corruption. There are wars, rumors of wars, nuclear preparations, and civil insurrections that indicate Jesus is coming soon. The Bible gives us concrete evidence of last-day events in Matthew chapter 24 and Second Timothy chapter 3.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16
God knows the dilemma we face from being born in sin and shaped by iniquity. He gave us the ultimate gift of Salvation and Redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we are in a state of confusion and ready to turn back, God uses the Holy Spirit to appeal to us to accept His love and obey His commands. Yet, we have free will of choice. To grieve the Holy Spirit is to continuously reject the Truth as evidenced by our disobedience.
Satan knows his time is short, he is working overtime to customize the temptations that satisfy our heart’s desires. During the Dark Ages, the Christian church fell into apostasy, embraced false doctrines, and became corrupt. History is indeed repeating itself in our era.
“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
To follow Jesus requires us to give our all to Him. We accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior because we love Him. Our role is to be Christ’s disciples who follow in His footsteps. Maintaining a steadfast relationship with Christ requires a do-right mind. We give up our relationships with unrighteous people along with avoiding all forms of worldliness because we love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds.
Our Helper, The Holy Spirit: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” –John 16: verses 7,8, and 13
God knows we cannot live holy without Divine Intervention! Before Jesus died, He promised the disciples a Helper, the Holy Spirit. As disciples, we have the help of the Holy Spirit who is only a prayer away. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher who leads, guides, and comforts us through our earthly journey, keeping us on the Path of Righteousness.
When tempted by thoughts of the familiar, pray fervently! The union of human effort and Divine Intervention is required for overcoming temptation. Delete phone numbers, pray for strength at work, and exclude yourself from godless conversations. Invite your family and friends to church. Either they will accept the invitation or leave you alone. Keeping your relationship with Christ requires self-control, discipline, and much prayer.
In our natural, sinful state, we cannot live holy or receive the eternal inheritance that Jesus promises us in Revelation 22:12. The human effort of determination and the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit keep us from falling and failing in our spiritual journey.
Spiritual transformation requires faith, trust, obedience, and perseverance. We must decide for ourselves whether or not we will surrender and love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. God loves us but we must never forget that He is a Righteous Judge who will not tolerate sin whether it is through compromise or total and wilful disobedience.
We have too much to lose! With the strength of the Holy Spirit, we can say goodbye to the familiar! Preparation for life in the New Heaven and New Earth begins now and continues throughout our lifespan or up until the day that Jesus returns to this earth. Nothing on this earth will ever compare to the glory of living forever with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
“For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. –1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17
Prayer: God, we ask You to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to withstand the temptation of choosing the familiar over the Divine. Lord, we need Your supernatural strength as we prepare for eternal life. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.
The Privilege and Power of Prayer Sabbath Devotional Reading and Podcast
Our Christian experience is like a stream of water always flowing forward from the source. Our Source of life is Jesus Christ. Consistent prayer keeps us connected to our Source which is the reason the apostle Paul admonishes us to pray without ceasing. Effective communication is the key to building a loving, faithful, and trusting relationship with Christ.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6, NIV).
Corporate prayer is not enough to build our relationship with Christ and produce the spiritual transformation necessary to receive eternal life. It is the daily one-to-one prayers that strengthen our faith and trust in God. We are promised rewards [not necessarily financial] for diligently seeking God.
Prayer is the precious privilege of speaking to our Heavenly Father—prayer is a two-way conversation between us and God. Our prayers are an essential element of worship. Personal prayers allow us to share our innermost thoughts which leads to an intimate relationship with Christ.
Establishing the habit of prayer draws us closer to God. We learn to recognize His guidance, and the various ways He speaks to us through the Scriptures, our thoughts, and sometimes other people who also have a close relationship with Him. “…Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” –Matthew 6:10
“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” –James 5:16
Prayer changes our perception of God. We begin to love God from the depths of our hearts. Willingly we surrender and obey our Heavenly Father. Time spent with God reveals the benefits, we have peace of mind despite our hardships. Our faith and confidence grow and we dedicate ourselves to doing His will. Consistent prayer builds an unbreakable bond between us and God.
As we witness His miraculous power, we place our complete trust in God. And the benefits of being fully reliant on our Father? Faith replaces fear and we enjoy the blessings of peace and joy. We have the assurance that God always keeps His promises. Never alone!
There is no need to worry about tomorrow, our lives are in His hands. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
We are not limited to praying only behind closed doors. Whether our prayers are silent or audible, we can pray anytime and anywhere. Regardless of the circumstances, minor or major, whisper a prayer for Divine Intervention immediately. Never let yourself become too busy to pray.
Despite our job or stay-at-home obligations, we can always incorporate a few 5-minute mini sessions of prayer to ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit who will give our souls a spiritual refreshment of comfort and strength. Feeling tired at work? Pray for strength instead of having a cup of coffee.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
How did we end up thinking that we had to travel this spiritual journey alone? God never expected us to live without His Divine Intervention. For us to have the reassurance that God will take care of us throughout our lifespan, we not only need to become prayer warriors, but we also require knowledge. Studying the Bible is not optional in the believer’s life. The Scriptures reveal God’s character and His promises to the righteous.
There is a reason the apostle Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. Much prayer brings much power! The vicissitudes of life are challenging. We will always feel overwhelmed when trying to resolve our trials and sorrows alone. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls'” (Matthew 11:28-29).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
None of us are exempt from the hardships that cause our emotions to escalate and drain our mental resolve and physical energy. When faced with adversity, weighed down with sorrow, feeling lonely, or out of options, do not let your emotions think for you. Do not do what you feel like doing! Pray! Pray even if the tears are flowing like a waterfall. You may have to take a day off of work to be alone with Jesus. Pray in faith, believing God’s promises.
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…'” (Isaiah 43:verses 1,2, and 3).
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
When we approach God in prayer, He requires us to have faith—believing that He will do exactly what He said in His promises. Perhaps you are a new believer or never committed to accepting Jesus as your Savior and do not understand the definition of faith. Grab your Bible or use an online version with audio and study Hebrews chapter 11. Pray a simple prayer and ask the Holy Spirit for an understanding of the Scriptures.
Even if you are not familiar with any of God’s promises in the Bible, proclaim your faith by accepting Jesus as your personal Savior. This may be your first prayer, “God, I don’t know Your promises, but I believe in Your Son, Jesus, and accept Him as my personal Savior. I am tired of living and feeling like there is no hope. I am asking you to come into my life and change my heart. I need Your help. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.” Although it appears that we are in a hopeless dilemma, remember nothing is impossible with God!
The love of God is matchless! With determination, believe that we serve an Omnipotent God who promises to take care of us. “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all…” (Psalm 34:19).
Praying in faith means that you trust God to answer your prayer according to His will. Yes, our heartfelt, honest prayer was received, but we may have to wait for the answer. The Holy Spirit intercedes by taking every prayer to Jesus, Our Heavenly Intercessor and High Priest.
Although, we do not have to beg God for help, praying once is never enough! Many pray and then worry or attempt to answer their own prayers by developing Plans A and B because they expect God to resolve their dilemmas immediately.
Never dishonor God by demanding Divine Intervention right now. There are times when God includes a period of waiting to test our faith. “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
Never give up! Keep praying and stay faithful. “Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16
Incorporating the habit of prayer into our lives strengthens us. Any time of the day or night we can have unlimited talks with Jesus. Silent prayers are just as effective as audible prayers. Many Christians miss out on the blessings of peace, joy, and a worry-free life because they let the seed of doubt enter their minds.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” –Hebrews 4:14
If you nurture doubt, the weed of worry grows and suffocates your faith. When feeling any negative emotion, immediately pray. Pray without ceasing to obtain victory! Forming the habit of much prayer provides confidence and courage. We have access to our High Priest, Jesus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who never sleeps or slumbers.
Prayer transforms our hearts. With humility, we recognize our dependency on God. Through prayer, we honor and glorify God and we receive the power to resist temptation and uphold God’s righteous standards. Prayer allows us to commune with God.
Prayer is our highest form of praise and worship to a powerful and loving God. Those who have a consistent prayer life possess a spirit of reverence for God. They desire to please Him by seeking His guidance and following His plans.
Jesus is our Divine Role Model: “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
“Those who have a humble, trusting, contrite heart, God accepts, and hears their prayer; and when God helps, all obstacles will be overcome.” Ellen G. White
Prayer keeps us in alignment with God’s will and His plans for our lives. From consistent prayer, we begin to recognize God speaking to us through the Holy Spirit who often uses our mind to give us answers. Have you prayed and then received the answer as a thought? Or you knew that the decision you were going to make didn’t feel right?
Always pray for protection from physical danger and spiritual warfare. Every day our prayers should include a request for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and discernment.
Prayer allows us to receive blessings and victorious outcomes even when the outlook is dismal. Pray, pray, pray to stay connected to the Source, Jesus Christ!
The Lord’s Prayer: After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Creator, Teacher, Savior, Intercessor, King of Kings, and Best Friend Devotional Reading and Podcast
“To Whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal? says the Holy One.” –Isaiah 40:25
From Genesis to Revelation, we read of Jesus’ overwhelming love for humanity. Sadly, like His disciples, many still do not understand that Jesus is our Savior and only Hope. Jesus Declares His Earthly Purpose to His Disciples: “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” –Luke 9:56
Jesus referring to Himself as the Son of Man has caused every religion other than Christianity to reject Him as the Son of God.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'” (John 14:6). “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
There are also growing controversies in the Christian community. Most believe that Jesus is God’s Son, He came to this earth, and died on the cross, but deny that complete surrender and obedience are required to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him. Nor do they believe that Jesus’ command to fulfill The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 to witness and make disciples applies to today’s Christians.
The price of disbelief is costly! Disobedience determines one’s destiny leading to the loss of the reward of eternal life.
What is Jesus doing in heaven now? Jesus’ commitment did not cease when He said, “It is finished!” on the cross. Jesus, our Savior, and High Priest is continuously working on our behalf as our Heavenly Intercessor.
“…It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16-17).
Although we are born in sin and shaped by iniquity, the apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is the Source of grace and mercy and we can approach Him with confidence through our prayers. Because of our sinful natures, we also require intercession from the Holy Spirit. “Now, in the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…”(Romans 8:35).
Salvation and Redemption extend beyond Jesus’ crucifixion. The message that Jesus saves is relevant today and will remain until the day of Jesus’ Second Coming. Prayer is vital in the believer’s life. We pray to God, and the Holy Spirit intercedes by transforming prayers from sinful beings into acceptable groanings to be received by our Heavenly Intercessor, the Perfect and Holy Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus, Our Best Friend–“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
Whether we are in the valley from trials and sorrows or on the mountain highs from victorious outcomes, we have a Best Friend who tells us to approach Him at any time. Prayers for God’s help always receive Jesus’ immediate Divine Intervention. “It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).
The ability of the Holy Spirit to intercede for an infinite number of people at the same time is a mystery. Not every prayer receives an immediate answer, but the prayers of forgiveness, help in times of distress when facing the temptations of spiritual warfare, and before studying the Scriptures are answered before we pray. We should be in awe of the Omniscience of the Godhead. During our prayer, the Holy Spirit comforts, strengthens, and gives us peace, and wisdom.
“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).
When our minds are in a state of confusion by Satan’s many deceptions, false teachings, liaisons with sinners appearing to be saints, and decisions regarding financial offers that would eventually bankrupt us, Pray! We do not have to succumb to the enemy’s spiritual warfare, pray for discernment from the Holy Spirit first!
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT).
God’s thoughts and ways will remain a mystery until the Second Coming of Jesus and we receive the completion of our Spiritual Transformation. With the measure of faith that we received, we believe and accept that Jesus is the Son of God, He is the second person of the Triune Godhead, and is in the Heavenly Sanctuary serving as our High Priest and Intercessor from whom we receive grace and mercy.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.” –John 1:1-3
The apostle John validates that Jesus was always present with God, His Father from the beginning of time. The Word is Jesus Christ who created the world and everything in it. From the commitment to die for us before creating humanity in His image to His lowly birth and gruesome death on the Cross at Calvary, Jesus demonstrates a heart filled with an overwhelming Agape love that we will never understand in our earthly existence.
By studying the life of Christ, we have evidence that He has always welcomed us with open arms. Jesus’ earthly life and ministry are documented in the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as witnessed by four men–Matthew and John, two of the twelve disciples, and Mark and Luke, two followers of Christ. The Son of Man’s sacrificial love is evident in His teachings, outward display of love and compassion, the innumerable miracles of healing, and His responses of reassurance.
Agape love revealed itself through spoken words of encouragement and comfort which provided spiritual and emotional healing to everyone who believed. Jesus displayed gentleness and kindness to those with whom He interacted.
To the woman with the 12-year history of the issue of blood [that in faith] touched the hem of His garment, He asked, “Who touched Me?” When she made herself known, Jesus was aware that she was fearful. But with gentle words, He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48).
And to Jairus, the father who was distraught because his daughter was dying, Jesus gave words of comfort by telling him to have faith.
“And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death…While He was still speaking, messengers came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.'” (Mark 5:verses 22, 23, 35, and 36).
Still, my favorite New Testament story is the Feeding of the 5000 plus when Jesus displayed His never-ending love and longsuffering toward the disciples who were faithless and self-centered.
“When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ ‘They do not need to go away,’ Jesus replied. ‘You give them something to eat'” (Matthew 14:15-16).
What a busy life Christ led! Day by day He might be seen entering the humble abodes of want and sorrow, speaking hope to the downcast and peace to the distressed. The poor and suffering received the greatest share of His attention. Children loved Him. Humble, gracious, tenderhearted, pitiful, He went about doing good, feeding the hungry, lifting up the bowed down, comforting the sorrowing. None who came to Him for aid went away unrelieved. Ellen G. White
With parables and sermons, Jesus provided the opportunity for Salvation and eternal life to all who believed. Jesus, the Teacher gave hope and healing to those who were impoverished, cast out, rejected, and oppressed by the hypocritical Pharisees who viewed themselves as the “righteous upper class. Jesus was approachable and He interacted with the publicans and sinners who were despised by the leaders of the synagogues.
The Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 is a powerful sermon full of promises that uplifts the downcast soul. Jesus’ sermons provided clarity that it was not the rich oppressors who would be rewarded by God.
“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:1-12).
Through the study of the Scriptures, we learn of Jesus’ character of love, meekness, and longsuffering [patience]. He called twelve rugged and rowdy men–at least three or four were bullies and one was a thief to become His disciples. Even though they observed Jesus’ loving character, their spiritual vision was blinded because they had an agenda built on selfishness and the desire for an elevated status in society. Their primary concern was, “Who would be the greatest?”
Despite their many character flaws including faithlessness, Jesus lovingly persevered with His twelve disciples. In John chapter 17, Jesus’ prayer for the disciples gives evidence of their spiritual transformation. “For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You, and they have believed that You sent Me” (John 17:8). All were converted except Judas of Iscariot.
Our Savior’s love and longsuffering along with His method of teaching is an example for us when witnessing. The outpouring of Jesus’ love was felt by the recipient and provided spiritual healing. The multitudes not only followed Jesus because He healed their mental, emotional, and physical maladies and performed miracles to alleviate their physical hunger, Jesus was a Balm to the destitute whose hearts were broken and scarred.
John the disciple whom Jesus loved because he had the desire to have the Character of Christ ends His Gospel with a loving summary of Jesus’ work on earth. “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen (John 21:25).
Where do we stand in our relationship with Christ? Is He our Savior and Best Friend?
Approximately 2000 years ago, on this earth, Jesus provided hope and healing to all who would receive Him. In 2023, we live in a world full of broken people who feel unloved and hopeless. Globally, countless individuals have never heard of Jesus or if they have, they do not possess the knowledge of Jesus Christ as a Savior. We have work to do! It’s time for us to follow Jesus’ example. We must do more than attend church, pray and study the Bible, and listen to sermons. Our Commission is to Go!
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” –Micah 6:8
As disciples living in the last days, Jesus gave us the command to share the Plan of Salvation with the unloved, abused, neglected, anxious, worried, depressed, and weary. We are the beacons of light that shine and reflect the love of Christ. Every believer is called to alleviate the anguish of hopelessness. Someone needs to know that Jesus loves them.
The message of God’s love and Salvation are not complex, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Give hope! Everyone needs to know, “Jesus loves you and if you believe in Him, you will have eternal life. And yes, He promises to bring comfort to your broken heart.”
Scripture: “For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).
Prayer: God, we pray for a spiritual transformation of our hearts. Lord, we have lost our love, and compassion along with the desire to tell others about You. Forgive us for the self-centered spirit we possess. We pray this prayer of surrender and commitment to do Your will. Anoint us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Give us the boldness to tell everyone that we interact with that Jesus loves them. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Worthy name of Jesus, Amen.
Traveling on the Path of Righteousness Devotional Reading and Podcast
Many professions, including attorneys, accountants, doctors, and nurses require a professional exam for licensure. The academic journey is tough and rugged because the student’s knowledge base is not only crammed with massive amounts of theoretical information, they must learn to evaluate, use critical thinking skills, and make astute judgments in a matter of a few minutes.
Achieving one’s goal not only requires the humility to let go of prior knowledge but also possessing the strength to withstand extremely intimidating professors who are deemed experts in their professions. The intimidation is useful in eliminating the students with weak characters who would succumb to the pressures of real-life rigors of professional practice.
Pursuing one’s dreams demands sacrifice. A lifestyle that included frivolous activities ceases to exist. With perseverance, the resolve to achieve long-awaited goals consumes most of the body’s energy. Time management is critical because study and preparation result in sleep deprivation leaving little to no time for socialization.
One of the most difficult transitions to cope with is the separation from family and friends which may progress to isolation for the first time. The long journey may dissuade those who promised their support at the onset, yet for various reasons are not able to fulfill their prior commitment to be there at goal completion. Still, prioritizing one’s life when achieving educational and professional goals is the key to a successful outcome even if you must do it alone.
Each of us has received innate talents and spiritual gifts along with the ability to dream. The pursuit of academic degrees, technical skills, and self-employment from start-up businesses are just a few of the countless options that we have. Although advancements have given us many choices, Christians must align their goals with God’s righteous principles.
We are not our own. God requires that we develop our talents and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and honor not only for our benefit. As Christ’s followers, we have the responsibility to minister to others. Our educational and professional pursuits reflect that we uphold godly standards and lifestyles. Our earthly pursuits reveal our desire for eternal life.
Walking and Staying on the Path of Righteousness is Our Priority
The same drive and perseverance that we possess to achieve our goals are also required to stay on the Path of Righteousness. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
Believers not only must remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving future goals, but we also have the additional responsibility of obedience to God by asking for His blessing of approval before taking steps to bring our plans to fruition. First, we present our desires to the Lord in prayer. Then we wait for God’s answer of yes or no. Our dreams must align with God’s plans for our lives to receive His blessing.
“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'” –Isaiah 55:8-9
But doesn’t God give us free will to choose? Yes, He does. If we decide to bypass God and move forward with our plans then we become players in the game of chance. Being powerless to predict the future outcomes of our endeavors places us in a lose-lose situation. Disobedience to God causes wayward thought processes. If we are willing to disobey God then we will not maintain our integrity when confronted by situations that demand compromise.
Overconfidence and Self-Reliance are Detours from the Path of Righteousness
Testimonial: The young woman explained that she was fixated on her dream to start a consultant business. Asking the church to pray for her endeavor and being prepared to move forward resulted in God speaking through someone to tell her to wait. But why wait? She had the funds to start, business contacts who gave her leads, and prospective clients. As the Women’s Ministry leader at her church, she and her team were active in the community. During the initial six months, the business thrived, but in the seventh month, the list of clients declined her consultant services and contacting business associates proved to be fruitless.
Without clients the business faltered, leaving her bankrupt. Not only did she lose her savings, house, and vehicle, but while the business was thriving, she stopped attending church and resigned as the ministry leader. But most importantly, she lost her relationship with Christ. In desperation, she applied for a high-interest loan to place a second mortgage on the house, but God intervened and the loan was denied. She explained that in God’s mercy, after losing everything she valued, there was just enough money to rent a small apartment. Her testimony ended with, “Please wait on God!”
Detours from the Path: Disobedience leads to the Compromise of our Integrity
Something happens when we invest time and money into our dreams and the tide turns to bring pending failure with it. Satan sees his opportunity and presents options that force us to compromise when attempting to save our business, financial investment or maintain a high academic standing. Temptations: A class you are barely passing and someone offers the answers to the exam or seeking a high-interest loan by putting a second mortgage on your home to save the failing business venture.
The quote by Pablo Escobar exposes the truth of humanity’s weaknesses: “Everyone has a price, the important thing is to find out what it is.” Human behavior is more predictable than most will acknowledge.
Without God’s approval, we chose to disobey God. The waiting season has caused many to stumble. We easily convince ourselves that it is the right time and we rely on our expertise to achieve our dreams. Overconfidence prevents us from anticipating failure. Suffering from the negative consequences of moving forward without God’s blessings results in one of two reactions, acknowledging our disobedience or blaming uncontrollable circumstances for the demise of our dreams.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). The NASB translation says, “He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.”
Self-measurement of our character will never equal God’s definition of integrity. The English meaning of the word integrity means to adhere to moral and ethical principles. The Spiritual meaning of integrity includes much more: “It is really the word for perfection and completion so we will know how to act perfectly before God and others.” https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2017/07/word-study-integrity/
The future belongs to God. Our Heavenly Father’s answer of no is His Divine protection to keep us from disaster. We often forget that God knows our lives from beginning to end and is aware of every temptation we will face and the situation that will cause us to compromise our integrity.
Pride is the Roadblock that Prevents Us from Staying on the Path of Righteousness
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” –Romans 12:3
Self-reliance is a bitter fruit of pride that causes us to trust our inclinations. Thinking too highly of ourselves is fueled by the mindset that we are in control of our lives. We boldly say, “I can do this and win!” Satan will attempt to use the Scriptures against God, “Didn’t God say that He would never withhold any good thing from the righteous?” And we think, Yes, I am righteous, and proceed with our plans for success.
However, the apostle Paul reveals our fight against carnal desires, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do (Romans 7:15 and 19). None of our exempt from playing the game of chance when we are driven to achieve our desires.
Knowing the propensity to choose our sinful desires, has God created impossible standards for humanity? For those who think, yes, He has. We can refer to those who pleased God. God has given us examples of those who stayed on the Path of Righteousness.
Joshua’s challenge: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
“Then it happened, as they continued and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11).
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed [shunned] evil” (Job 1:1).
“Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). “By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
God’s Exalted and Righteous Standards–God’s standards differ greatly from human standards. Acquisition of knowledge does not elevate our status with God nor does it produce the Fruit of the Spirit which reflects the anointing and transforming power of the Holy Spirit upon our lives. Faith, trust, obedience, and the Spiritual Transformation of our characters are requisites to serve God and to stay on the Path of Righteousness.
Satan desires that we embrace his lie that God’s righteous standards are impossible for us to reach. Some things are impossible: Pleasing God without faith, attempting to stay on the Path of Righteousness by using our efforts, receiving spiritual transformation without the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit, and the expectation of receiving the reward of eternal life when we possess pride and a spirit of disobedience.
Humility, Reverence, and Gratitude for God’s Divine Love, Grace, and Mercy Help to Keep Us On the Path of Righteousness.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:10-11)
King David’s prayer represents a righteous person who suffered a great fall because he pursued his carnal desires. Every day we fight the internal battle of giving in to our fleshly desires [anything that causes us to disobey God] and the spiritual warfare of temptations by Satan.
“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse” (Proverbs 24:16).
God knows the desperately wicked condition of our hearts and the inner battle we face every day. Even so, not only do we have access to Divine Help 24/7, we are gifted with a sound mind and the power [2 Timothy 1:7] to shun evil and resist temptation. The determination to stay on the Path of Righteousness begins with loving God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds.
The righteous who rise again possess hearts filled with humility and strive to please God by readily surrendering themselves wholly to God. With a contrite spirit, we recognize our desperate need for Christ. And Jesus promises us that we will receive the greatest blessings from God. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Receiving the Power to Resist Detours and Stay on the Path of Righteousness
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)
We are temporary sojourners on this earth–preparing for eternal life. The Devil is a liar! God has not left us helpless! Through prayer, we proclaim our love for Christ by surrendering our mind, body, and soul to Him. The daily prayerful plea for God’s Divine Intervention in our lives gives us the ability to rebuke temptations. It is up to us to use our free will of choice and live righteously. Surrendering our will allows us to receive the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power every day.
Divine Intervention always brings victory! The human effort of obedience and loyalty along with God’s power enables us to resist the detours of Satan’s deceptions. Remain steadfast! We have the intervention of our Spiritual team including guardian and messenger angels whose mission is to protect us and keep us on the Path of Righteousness.
“‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'” –Isaiah 41:10
Hold on to the Savior’s hand and never let go. With Jesus holding us and receiving the Divine gifts of strength and power, we will persevere! Staying on the Path of Righteousness in our earthly lives will allow us to receive our reward of Eternal Life!
Scripture: “Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Prayer: God, we pray for Your Divine Help! We are in desperate need of the redeeming blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins of pride and disobedience. We need Jesus to walk with us. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to enable us to stay on the Path of Righteousness. We love You! And ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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