My greatest desire is to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus. A relationship that brings confidence, courage, and steadfast faith in times of sorrow and darkness and peaceful times. But I have followed my feelings and let the pride of self-reliance dictate my decisions. In anguish, I feel that I am separated from my Father.
I admit that my actions are responsible for the anguish and weakened faith that I possess. Yet, in the height of despair, the Holy Spirit directs me to a video short on Ezekial chapter 36. The God who loves promises to perform a spiritual surgical procedure on those who love Him but have messed up.
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekial 36:25-27 NKJV)
Our Father reminds us that although we have profaned His name through disobedient thoughts, words, and actions, our Restoration brings honor and glory to His Name. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: ‘I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.'” (Ezekial 36:22 NKJV)
When we have veered off the narrow Path of Righteousness, demonic forces of evil attempt to deceive and convince us that God is punitive in His justice, leaving us feeling dejected. The truth is our Heavenly Father, whose very nature is Love, never crushes us or removes our hope. If we humble ourselves and repent, we will receive a new heart that desires to love and serve Him. We would be the recipients of the removal of sin, transformation, and complete spiritual restoration.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your loving-kindness. We have sinned against You. Our humble prayer is that you accept our confession and restore to us the joy and peace in our hearts that we have lost. We ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And we will give You the glory and the honor that You deserve. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
The Lord is good, a strong Refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7).
Our spiritual journey is uniquely developed according to our strengths and weaknesses as determined by God. What exactly does that mean? God is aware that we have unique life experiences, so He allows only the struggles that produce a character that reflects the character of Jesus Christ. God does not crush us as some would have us believe. We are not grapes going through a winepress! God is a loving Father who tells us, “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).
The characteristics of being Confident, Cautious/Careful, Carefree, or Careless are the mindsets and lifestyles that we have embraced. Those who are confident consider the cautious/careful cowardly. The carefree and careless consider the confident as rigid. And the cautious/careful consider everyone else as risk-takers. Yet whichever category we fit in when we face Adversity, the amount of courage we possess matters the most.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Courage is not a stand-alone characteristic. It requires faith and trust, either in oneself or God.
When the stormy hardships produce havoc, many think that their intellect, strategic planning abilities, prior experience, or people who always come to the rescue can resolve any challenge they face. Our demeanor changes once we apply all of our human efforts and tap out the resources of our family and friends, but the storm remains.
Two responses: Either we turn to God immediately and ask for the strength to go through the stormy trials, or we become overwhelmed, discouraged, or angry. The “Why me? or Why now?” questions that no human being can answer, God provides the answers in His Holy Scriptures.
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
Trials and sorrows change and build the character required for eternal life!
When it is evident that our mindsets and lifestyles demonstrate faith and trust in ourselves, God will allow trials and hardships to bring us back to Him. Eventually, we acknowledge that we have reached our limits and, in humility, confess, repent, and ask for Divine help. Unfortunately, some believers only have a superficial relationship with Jesus Christ. They become bitter, angry, or depressed, quickly blaming God for tough times. And willingly join the unbelievers because they do not desire to endure hardships.
If we only persevere, God has promised us a glorious future. Even in our earthly lives, the storms do not last forever! God always lets us know that He is here.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:16-17).
Know that God never expected us to live without His Divine Intervention. We were created to stay connected to God through prayer and study of the Scriptures. Imagine receiving spiritual nourishment from God through our spiritual umbilical cord 24/7. That is the access we have to our Father God, who desires for us to be overcomers.
Yet victory requires faith, trust, courage, strength, and endurance. God’s resources of love, compassion, and power are abundant. God will never fail us! His promises are Yes, to which we respond, Amen.
Bible Reading: James 1
Prayer: God, for too long, we have relied on our abilities. And for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We need You and ask for the strength and endurance to overcome. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen.
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12
A concept is causing significant dissension and division among Christians–prosperity! When we hear messages based on God promising us wealth, we will react in one of two ways, “It’s a false teaching” or “Yes, Jesus says to ask anything in His name, and He will do it.” Yet, Jesus has told us “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…” Matthew 6:19, first part.
Sin has given us a natural longing to desire the things we do not have. Is it possible for us to be content? The answer of yes or no is an individual one, which reveals our relationship with Jesus Christ. We will explore the response of no, which many hesitate to say. They usually respond with, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). And the conflict of truth versus error begins.
The Desire–Are you familiar with the phrase, “Some people are their own worst enemy?” We begin the decline into sin by our heartfelt desires. We have entered Satan’s Game of Chance as inexperienced players at this stage. But Pride continually urges us to pursue our dreams. Unsure of ourselves, we seek and select people who agree that we should follow our hearts. We make sure that we keep our strategies a secret, especially from the Saints of God who always say, “Pray and wait on God.” We grow weary of God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11. So, we begin listening to…the Influencers.
The Influencers persuade us to chase our dreams now. Many have become successful in the financial arena. We readily listen to the testimonials of social media’s elite, successful entrepreneurs or peruse the websites of powerful investment companies. JP Morgan advertises, “Set up a call or virtual meeting with a J.P. Morgan Advisor to discuss your investment goals and help keep them on track.”
An unequally yoked relationship is today’s believers’ second most prevalent deception. We have lost control of our senses, especially our eyesight. When children are younger, they are immature and desire the pleasant things they see. Yet, as they mature if taught restraint, they learn that not everything pleasing to the eyes is good for you.
The Rebellion–In these last days, Satan’s two deceptions are causing an internal conflict for first place in our hearts, seeking prosperity and having unequally yoked relationships with unbelievers. Chasing wealth and giving into lustful desires has many “Christians” renouncing God. Because compromise has overtaken the desire to obey God, they worship God with works–attending church or making tax-deductible contributions. But their minds are far from giving God the reverence of total obedience. “For let, not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:7-8).
The desire for what we do not possess has existed since the conflict with Lucifer in heaven. Adam and Eve gave up immortality and face-to-face communion with Jesus in the Garden of Eden for the deceptive lie of having God-like omnipotence–knowing all. We do not care! The Bible provides God-breathed historical accuracy in the Scriptures of fallen humanity and proof of God’s love, grace, mercies, and restoration. Yet, pursuing our desires becomes the driving force, and we willingly become players in the Game.
The Knockingon the Door of Our Hearts–“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
The Failure–Because our Heavenly Father loves us, He intervenes, and our dreams that we brought into fruition fail. The loss of our financial investment, or the business falters into bankruptcy, and the relationship [no matter how dedicated you loved] is over when the unbeliever continually disappoints or walks away without remorse.
The Choice–God’s Restoration: With heartfelt sorrow, we confess and repent, [leaving the sinful Game] and receive spiritual restoration from the blood of Jesus Christ. “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight…” (Psalm 51:3-4).
The Choice–Remain a Player: Many become angry and depressed, blaming God for not blessing their pursuits or relationships. They embrace the trending belief, “You can’t have success without failures,” and they decide to develop different strategies and continue to pursue their desires. Pride consoles them as they up the ante, “I’ll develop different strategies or find another individual with different values.” Now they have no need for God’s divine direction. They think of themselves as experienced players in the Game of Chance.
The Apostle Paul has forewarned us in 2 Timothy 3 regarding the condition of the last days. There is no middle ground. The player is seeking earthly rewards. But the righteous believe Jesus’ promise to supply all of our needs. We ask in prayer for God’s will to be done and patiently wait for God’s blessings. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” (Revelation 21:7).
Prayer: God, we thank You for seeking us to save our souls when we have wandered away. We pray for forgiveness, not because of the devastating consequences we have suffered. But because we desire to leave the Game of Sinful pleasures. Today, we surrender our hearts and ask to renew our covenant vow with You. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
“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)
Faith is dynamic–ever-growing through trials, sorrows, hardships, and the everyday challenges of life. Faith is based on the child-like belief that if Mommy or Daddy said it, then they believe it.
Throughout the Old Testament, God performed many supernatural miracles based on a prayer of faith. We must know [and believe in] God’s promises found in the Scriptures to receive Divine Intervention. God’s promises are for His believers. The human effort of knowledge, obedience, and faith enables us to live a worry-free life.
So, if faith is that simplistic, why do we suffer from anxiety, fear, and frustration? Answer: We have accepted and adopted the world-view of pursuing success–Doing it for yourself, chasing your dreams, following your heart, etc. We possess faith in our financial status, material possessions, and careers. Our future plans rarely include prayers that ask God for guidance.
Our most significant obstacle is self-reliance, which leads to disobedience. Many Christians do not believe in God’s promises. They acknowledge that God exists but have placed Him on reserve. Trusting in self results in happiness that vacillates like a roller-coaster. The believers who please themselves have an internal war. When their lives are peaceful, they celebrate the blessings of God. Yet, when the unexpected hardships arise, doubt escalates, and they ask, “Where is God?”
Hardships, Trials, and Sorrows Reveal Faith or Faithlessness
How do you perceive God? If you accept God as your Heavenly Father, then you believe that He has perfect plans for your life. When overwhelming challenges rise up, we must ask ourselves? Is the hardship self-inflicted? Did I make decisions based on my experience or desires? Was my plan developed and presented to God without waiting for His approval? “Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the transgressor [unfaithful] is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15).
Or is the hardship a trial to strengthen my faith and develop my character? “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12). Living in obedience gives us the assurance that God will deliver us at the appropriate time.
Our Response Reveals Our Relationship with God
The “Ephesian chapter 6” soldier of God responds to unexpected challenges with fervent praying. They pray for Divine help, and include God’s promises in their petitions. With confidence, they approach God because obedience is practiced daily in their walk with God. Yes, their faith is steadfast: “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 NLT).
With the desire and a simple prayer of confession, we can become faithful soldiers of God. There is a better way to live. Develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father. He has promised to take care of us. And God’s promises are “Yes, and Amen.”
God’s People Are Comforted
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
Prayer: God, we ask for forgiveness of the sin of self-reliance. Hear our prayer and give us the strength to withstand our consequences. And if our hardships are fiery trials to develop our characters, we pray for the strength and patience to wait for You. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us of the life His disciples will face: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Faith takes effort! Remembering our former blessings and supernatural miracles from the Giver of Life waters the seed of our ever-growing faith. A heart filled with gratitude expressed through prayer is the only way to strengthen our faith.
This verse represents the hardships of our tribulations: “If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people…” (2 Chronicles 7:13)
Yes, the trials and sorrows are too great for us to resolve. Victory is impossible without unrealistic faith, trust, hope, and confidence in God. We do not have to analyze or try to figure it out. A prayer based on belief in a Loving and Omnipotent Father God never escapes the ears of God.
God tells us what is required to receive His Divine Intervention: “…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 7:13-14)
Faith is the response of our hearts to God’s gracious appeals for our fellowship with Him. It is the healing relationship with the One who is the Source of all life, health, and happiness. Faith restores us to our rightful state, to the condition in which we were created to live: union with our Creator. His Healing Love, D. Winn
Lord, I Believe, Please Help My Unbelief!
Prayer: God, please forgive us for the sin of self-reliance. We desire to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Lord, we desperately need You in times of peace and afflictions. Hear our prayer, and give us the direction and the strength to live as one who is faithful. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
Our spiritual journey of Sanctification–spiritual transformation is lifelong. And for those mercies, we should be forever grateful and full of joy. After reading 1 John chapters 1-2, I have concluded that we can negatively impact our spiritual growth and development by seeking after our desires and pursuits. Jesus forewarned us in John 16:33 that His disciples would suffer a life of trials and sorrows, but to be courageous because He has overcome every challenge.
Grace and Perseverance: If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:12-13
Heavenly Father, please create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer. Amen. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
But now, O Lord you are our Father, we are the clay, and you our Potter; And all of us are the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Timothy constantly sought Paul’s advice and instruction. He exercised consideration and calm thought, inquiring at every step, Is this the way of the Lord? The Holy Spirit found in him one who could be molded and fashioned as a temple for the indwelling of the divine Presence. TT 109.1
The question is, Are we surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit and allowing Jesus Christ to transform our character? God is not intrusive. He does not force us to change into His image. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
Prayer: God, we desire to be molded in the Character of Christ. We pray for forgiveness of our sins. We ask to be molded in your hands. As we prepare for your soon coming, we pray for guidance in every aspect of our lives. In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
During my employment with a major health insurance company, a severe issue arose not covered by a company policy. In a clinical environment, a Registered Nurse is the licensed professional that the paraprofessional staff must report to as regulated by the Board of Nursing. Our team consisted of one lead RN and several LPNs responsible for monthly physician statistical reports indicating the level of care met for patients with chronic diseases. The lead RN of one of the teams discovered a deficit in the data submission of one of the nurses and addressed it in a 1:1 meeting with the LPN. Emotions escalated, not because of the error, but focus on the statement, “You are not in charge of me.” It led to a significant conflict and fiasco that eventually was reported to Human Resources.
The outcome From HR’s intervention required the development of a new [immediate] policy: Because we were in a non-clinical environment, the lead RN was not responsible for the deficiencies of the members on the team. All concerns would require a description in writing from the Lead RN or the LPN to the Departmental Manager. Although the policy addressed the hierarchy of command, an unhealthy relationship developed in the majority of the teams, which affected the cohesiveness of the department.
The Apostle Paul Addressing the Conflict in the Early Churches
God designated the Apostle Paul to witness to the Gentiles. From reading the books that he wrote–letters to the churches and to Timothy, we become aware of the confusion in the churches. The dissension was due to the rivalry between the new converts who were former unbelievers with pagan practices–the worship of gods and goddesses. Many were high-ranking priestesses and individuals with significant wealth and influence who assumed they would keep their worldly status in the church. And yes, they were highly offended by Paul’s teachings: All believers are of the body of Christ and equal, regardless of social or financial status. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 1 Timothy 5:21
2021–The multitude of believers with an Unhealthy Relationship with God
Many modern churches have protocols that give recognition to the wealthiest congregants. The front rows are assigned based on social status, and they are readily elected to the most prominent positions in the church. Recently, I listened to a sermon by Dr. Sonnie Badu, which addressed a most heart-wrenching situation, “members that esteem their Pastors above Jesus Christ.”
At first, one would think that this is a cultural belief. However, worshipping one’s pastor has permeated Christianity on a global level. I was sent a question by a young woman who asked, “Why do certain Christian women dress modestly?” She rejected the scriptural answers by proudly affirming that her pastor stated, “It doesn’t matter how we dress because we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness.” I said a silent prayer for the Holy Spirit to reveal her error. No, I did not send a reply. When individuals desire to disobey God’s truth and follow their desires, it is a matter between them and God.
Sadly, many who know the biblical truth do not possess the desire to obey God. One of the defining characteristics is the refusal to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For I am the Lord, I change not…Malachi 3:6. This scripture is all-inclusive, not limited to the subject of tithe and offerings. With a sound mind, we can reason that if nine of the ten commandments remain unchanged, and only the fourth commandment has changed, it is false teaching and definitely not of God. [Research Emperor Constantine and his change of Saturday- Sabbath.] “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” James 2:10
God is not a religion or denomination, nor has He changed any of His laws except for Ceremonial laws. When Jesus [the Lamb of God] was crucified and died, the veil ripped from top to bottom. See Matthew 27:51. There was no longer a need for the sacrifice of animals to cover humanity’s sins.
Jesus defines the relationship that he requires of His disciples:
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me, and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.… Matthew 10:37-38
It is not easy to follow Jesus. We will be excluded from family, friends, society, and government. Even so, we must have the courage to obey the scriptures.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 1 Timothy 3:16-17
Daily Prayer, the study of the Scriptures, Obedience, Faith, and Trust in God are the foundation of a healthy relationship with God. Indeed, our lives must be in alignment with God’s requirements. Pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher. God never withholds the truth from those who diligently seek Him.
We will hear “Well-done” from Jesus Christ if we have given 100% to faithfully following Him. Nothing else is above having a healthy, thriving spiritual relationship with Jesus based on love and obedience.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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