Faith – Page 14 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Worship Music – Sister Renee Lawrence – Trust His Heart

Good and Lovely Thoughts

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8, NIV

There are many changes that have occurred in the six decades that I have been alive, some good and many not so good. One practice that has virtually disappeared is the giving and exchange of compliments among adults, especially women. In fact, the typical reaction of most recipients of a compliment is silence.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Is the giving and cordial receiving of compliments part of a lost era or rules of etiquette that were never learned? Have we forgotten how to extend ourselves to make others feel good? Even so, God’s expectation is for Christians to express genuine thoughts and spoken words that reveal “God is love.”

There are various possibilities as to why we have ceased to give positive and thoughtful praise to others; even so, the most logical explanation is that we possess a negative outlook because we do not have a loving heart.

Have you thought about the type of thoughts that dominate your mind and how those thoughts impact your way of life? Our thoughts dictate our behaviors and actions. If negative thoughts permeate your mind, then it is not possible to feel good about yourself or others.

How does negativity impact your relationship with God? It is not possible to really exercise faith and trust in God or to be thankful and possess joy when our thoughts and moods fluctuate according to our circumstances.

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We are reminded to think on and possess thoughts which are excellent and praiseworthy. So, if the circumstances of life have shaped your character and you are a negative person then God has provided the answer for change, pray prayers of gratitude. The transition of thinking altogether-lovely thoughts has many positive benefits with the most important is that your character is molded to prepare you for Eternal life.

God is in the business of changing our characters! Start your journey by giving God positive praises everyday: Prayers of Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship with Songs and Uplifting Inspirational Music and study His Word, the Holy Bible to learn how deep His love is for you.

Identify your qualities and embrace positive thoughts about yourself. Begin to give yourself compliments on the small accomplishments that you make on a daily basis. This is a process that builds a positive self-image and self-esteem. God desires for us to embrace that He created us in His image, and are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

It is wonderful to live with a spirit of thanksgiving–a positive way of life emerges–your connection with God remains consistent, you begin to love yourself as God loves you, and you are able to readily extend gracious compliments to others.

Jesus Christ, God, the Son created us with unique features from the texture of our hair to the fingerprints that represent His love and creativity. We are created from Agape love that validates our existence and value. It is a beautiful life and it wouldn’t be complete without you or other people in it!

God, we thank you for all of the wonderful blessings. Help us to appreciate Your love, grace, and mercy. We ask for Your strength as we strive to transition from a negative mindset to a positive life filled with gratitude and praise. In Jesus’ name, we pray in faith. Amen.

2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Evidence of Our Love and Loyalty to God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 13, 2024

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” —John 10:27-30

What is Love and Loyalty to God? What does it mean to hear Christ’s Voice? What is the evidence proving we are preparing for eternal life? What are the characteristics and the righteous lifestyle demonstrating that God is first in our lives?

God Is LOVE: Jesus’ Command to All Believers: “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 great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-39

God’s Command to All Believers: “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

The Test of Knowing God—”First, get to know God properly by coming into a right relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Don’t make assumptions where your salvation is concerned.” AngieBroks

Every day, We Pursue Righteousness—”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). Seeking God’s will is of the utmost importance and reflects whether or not we serve Him with surrender and faithful obedience.
Jesus is Our First Love—”For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Daniel prayed three times a day to ensure he stayed in God’s will. We pray and obey: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands” (1 John 2:3).
We Pray Continuously for Guidance: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). “Jesus often withdrew to secluded places to pray alone, including in the morning, on mountains, and in gardens.”
Study the Scriptures: “Study to show youself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible is the Voice of God. God’s expectations of us, His commands, the righteous characteristics we must possess, and the Christian lifestyle are identified in the Holy Scriptures.
Strive for Christ’s Righteousness and Character: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:22-26).
We Hate Sin and Love the Sinner—”Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9). Our role is to pray for others, not to focus on their sinful lifestyles. We demonstrate Agape love [God’s Unconditional Love] through kindness to everyone including our enemies.

In Our Christian Journey, We Face Two Great Challenges: Consistently Loving God and Loving Others

God’s Love and Sacrificial Offering for Sinful Humanity: “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Loving God is understanding that He is Love. He gave Jesus, His only Son to save our souls.

Love Every One! Our Righteousness is Nothing: For those who judge others and fail to realize that Christians are also sinners saved by grace who chose to surrender and give our hearts to God, God says, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). With humility, we acknowledge every day that we must be covered with the Righteousness of Christ to be saved from sin.

Only those who possess hearts filled with love and loyalty for God and love for others will receive the reward of Eternal life, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

Evidence of Our Love and Loyalty to God: “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” —John 3:21

Lord God, we ask You to search our hearts and reveal all character traits preventing us from possessing unconditional love for You and others. In Jesus’ Holy and Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Love for the World or Love for Christ?

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 10, 2024

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —1 John 2:15

The greatest challenge for today’s Christian believers is to remain loyal to Christ. People and distractions are the two avenues of detour [spiritual warfare] implemented by Satan to lead us away from the Path of Righteousness. How much time do we spend worshiping God outside our working hours?

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” —Proverbs 3:7-8

Although God tells us not to follow our thoughts, our daily routines and habits are etched into our brain’s neural pathways. We do not even think about our daily routines, it is so easy to automatically perform duties on our mental to-do list. Because of life’s busyness and rapid progression, we no longer reflect deeply on our behaviors and schedules.

Recently, I watched an animal documentary that revealed a slow but steady process of a beaver felling a tree. “Technique: Beavers start by whittling a tree’s trunk to a point. They often start on the side of the tree closest to water…They then make a second cut on the opposite side of the tree, higher than the first cut, so that the tree falls toward the water. Time: It can take a beaver family up to three weeks to fell a large tree.” Mass Audubon

The beaver’s instinct is to perform the technique that guarantees success and safety. As the documentary revealed, the beavers also stop frequently to perform visual checks, which alerts them to move in the opposite direction of the falling tree. How are we living our lives? Have we succumbed to practicing the world’s rapid rhythm and pace resulting in a counterproductive lifestyle that includes taking chances because we have excluded God from directing our steps?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘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

Loving Christ is to follow in His footsteps. Living by faith includes daily surrender and faithful obedience through worship—personal prayer and Bible study. Allowing God to reveal His thoughts, ways, and plans increases our faith and trust in Him. From our willingness to obey, the Holy Spirit directs our steps empowering us to live as victorious overcomers, and our characters are daily transformed for our future lives in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5

Taking the time to reflect on our priorities and lifestyles reveals whether we love God or we love the world. Money is not evil, the love of money is evil! The rich young ruler walked away sorrowfully because he loved his wealth more than Christ [Matthew 19:16-22, NKJV]. Any person, thoughts, habits, or pleasures that consume our time redirect us from loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds to the pleasures of this temporary world.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-38

Jesus tells us our love and loyalty can’t be divided between God and the world. When we love God, He is first and foremost! Each new morning is a precious gift of life from God, our Father. It is His breath that fills our lungs. It is His Agape [unconditional] love that sustains our lives. Every day, God reveals His loving kindness by opening the windows of heaven allowing us to receive His provisions.

Never forget, the converted believer lives to hear “Well Done” from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ when He comes again. Only what we do for God is eternal, redirect your love and loyalty to Christ, and prepare daily for His soon coming. Amen.

Lord God, we admit that we have not put You first. We ask You to forgive us and to give us direction. We proclaim our love for You and desire eternal life. Thank You for Your love and the many blessings we receive daily. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Recognizing [Covert] Spiritual Warfare Designed to Separate You From God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 9, 2024

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind…” —James 1:5-6, BSB

“In the life of a Christian believer there are no coincidences, luck, karma, or ‘out of nowhere, it just happened.’ ” Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

We know this because, in Psalm 91, God says, “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:9-11).

Our lives are monitored under God’s Omnipotence [Power] and Omniscience [Knowledge]. Not only are we protected by guardian angels who consistently obey Jesus Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, but nothing arises in our lives without Jesus’ permission. Satan is restrained by the power of God when attempting to wreak havoc in our lives. [Read Job chapter 1 for God’s boundaries on Satan during Job’s tribulations].

The Conditions of Participation God Requires of Believers

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” —Psalm 91:1-2

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

Because we were created with free will of choice, God never coerces us to love and serve Him, yet, we must cooperate with Divinity to receive God’s blessings and protection against our greatest enemy and his evil surmisings. We cannot live as victorious overcomers without Divine Intervention. Abiding in Christ requires faith, daily surrender, obedience, much prayer, and knowledge of the Scriptures which are the Voice of God.

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

The Whole Armor of God
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:10-13

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to a Roman soldier who was always prepared to fight in their many battles. Our weapons: Prayer and diligent Bible study. We intentionally keep ourselves in the presence of God by whispering prayers throughout our waking hours. Memorize Scriptures of God’s promises and protection. Study the book of Joshua.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures and our thoughts and alerts us of spiritual and physical danger. Have you experienced discomfort or not feeling right when facing a given situation? That is the Holy Spirit’s warning that all is not well, and you should walk away. Safety comes from praying before you make decisions, even in the routine activities of daily life, we should seek God’s guidance.

Qualities and Habits Required of Christian Soldiers

Knowing Jesus’ Character. Study the Four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Knowing God’s Righteous Principles and Standards for Pursuing Righteous Living: “Be holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Study the book of Philippians.
Do what is Right! Never compromise under pressure or give in to those with “bad characters” who attempt to influence your walk with Christ. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear [timidity], but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Pray without ceasing [Never stop praying, ESV]” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In His earthly life, Jesus prayed constantly, always seeking God, the Father’s will. Pray over every aspect of your life. God is our Guide and Protector, always giving us perfect outcomes.
Study the Bible every day. When Christ was tempted, He quoted the Scriptures,”Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test ‘” (Matthew 4:7, ESV). “This would amount to testing God to keep His Word, instead of obeying God by following His will…” Bible Reference

Enoch, Elijah, Job, Abraham, Esther, Mary, Daniel, and Paul are examples of those who lived according to the will of God. Even when we fall into temptation because we fail to pray and obey, God forgives and comforts us: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8).

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

God, we thank You for being our Heavenly Father who loves us with everlasting love and always forgives and guides us on the Path of Righteousness. Forgive us for our disobedience when we choose self-reliance which opposes Your Perfect will and Your Sovereignty. We ask for wisdom as we seek knowledge. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Praising God Promotes Health, Happiness, and Healing

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – September 6, 2024

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.” —Psalm 89:15, NKJV

The Result of Trusting God: “I am content, grateful, happy, joyful, and hopeful because my Heavenly Father loves me.” If you can proclaim these words then you fully understand God’s abundant love, His Sovereign power, and believe in His faithful promises of Divine intervention, provisions, and protection.

God is Love! God accepted the loving and voluntary gift of Jesus, His only Son’s life for you and me. Depression, anxiety, and worries in the Christian believer’s life not only reveals the lack of faith and trust in God’s love and power, but we also fail to appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice of the Plan of Redemption to save our souls.

The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were written so we could learn of Jesus’ Righteous Character and His earthly life. From studying the Scriptures, we find that Jesus was hated by the Jewish leaders who constantly plotted to kill him. Jesus prayed for the strength to persevere despite the constant rejection He faced and with God’s power, our Precious Savior completed His earthly mission.

The Holy Scriptures reveal Jesus as patient, loving, kind, and compassionate Savior who was on a spiritual mission to save all who would believe. Christ’s heart overflowed with love for humanity, always performing more miracles of healing than He taught and preached sermons.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS” —Matthew 11:29, NASB

NOTHING TENDS MORE to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings—as much as a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners and complaining all along the way to our Father’s house? The Ministry of Healing

“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” —Hebrews 10:38

Who are the “Just?” How can we maintain a spirit of gratitude and praise especially when our circumstances are challenging? By Walking in Faith!

The just are the righteous believers who trust God and wait for His perfect timing. If you want someone acting in your behalf, whether it is health, family issues, or finances, only God has all the knowledge, wisdom, and power to bring us victory despite our challenges. God expects us to depend on Him for spiritual healing as well as resolving the adversities of life.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:1,14

David wrote the Psalms which are songs of praise. Yes, many times, he was discouraged because his enemies [including his sons, except for Solomon] plotted continually to take his life. Yet, David never lost hope. In the Psalms, he expressed despair but always transitioned to praising God by expressing faith and trust in our Heavenly Father.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We have one opportunity (our earthly lives) to exercise complete faith and trust in God and to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so our character can be changed into the likeness of Christ. For the gift of His precious blood, we have more than enough reasons to be happy and joyful, and to live a life full of praise and contentment, daily preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming.

“I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.” —Psalm 13:6

God, we commit to faithfully trusting You with our lives. Thank You for the gift of Jesus to redeem us from the consequences of sin. And we praise You because You are always faithful. We pray for a new heart filled with courage, love, faith, and trust. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Happy, Cheerful, and Joyful In Christ

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – September 5, 2024

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” —Psalm 16:11

THOSE WHO ABIDE IN JESUS will be happy, cheerful, and joyful in God. A subdued gentleness will mark the voice, reverence for spiritual and eternal things will be expressed in the actions, and music, joyful music, will echo from the lips; for it is wafted (conveyed) from the throne of God. This is the mystery of godliness, not easily explained, but nonetheless felt and enjoyed. EGW

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26, NLT

A stubborn and rebellious heart can close its doors to all the sweet influences of the grace of God and all the joy in the Holy Spirit, but the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. EGW

Lord God, we thank You for Your amazing grace. May we continue to embrace Your loving-kindness and reflect Your love in our interaction with others. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Tag: Faith