Faith – Page 23 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Improving the Quality of Our Lives

Improving the Quality of Our Lives -Devotional – January 16, 2024

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” —Isaiah 46:4

Having steadfast faith in God is the first step to improving the quality of our lives. Despite our rocky journey, if we remember that nothing comes as a surprise to God then we can live in peace. Christ is the Solid Rock. As long as we maintain our relationship with Him through surrender, faith, obedience, and prayer, we have the assurance that the Holy Spirit will guide us through every adversity and bring victory to our lives.

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8). Begin and end your day with worship. Separate yourself for uninterrupted time with God. When we enter the presence of God, we receive spiritual strength and peace. Despite our circumstances, we can trust God to give us victory.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies…” (Psalm 103:1-5). Always focus and meditate on the faithfulness and goodness of our Great God. Pray little prayers of gratitude throughout your waking hours for continuous spiritual refreshment.
“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). Practice need over greed. This earth is our temporary home.
“Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies” (Psalm 27:11). Pay close attention to the spiritual warfare of distractions. We should not involve ourselves in matters that consume our time and steal our joy and peace. God never places us in chaotic situations. Always pray before you say yes.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Strive for a gentle, Christ-like character. Live peacefully with others. Exercise self-control by using silence when facing confrontation. Pray for Divine intervention. God always resolves our battles when we surrender to His power.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Do not harbor a spirit of offense! Unforgiveness is a sin. Anger, resentment, and vengeful thoughts are bitter fruits of hate. Establish boundaries, but let go of all unloving tendencies. We have too much to lose [our heavenly reward]. Christ never retaliated.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). King David realized that our eyes must be lifted above the highest earthly point toward heaven to live courageously. Dependence on God is an outward sign of internal surrender. Our Omnipotent Father waits for us to seek His help.
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:1-2). We were created to worship God. Our lives are sustained by Him. Praise defeats all anxieties and worries. Give glory and honor to our Loving God because He gave us His Son, Jesus.
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV). Our minds, bodies, and souls belong to God. Taking care of our mental, emotional, and physical health is vital for a steadfast relationship with Christ. Choose the most nutritious foods, learn to cook, and incorporate exercise into your lifestyle [preferably in nature]. Reduce stimuli by limiting the things you watch and listen to. Cease negative thoughts and spoken words. Pray often, laugh, and possess a heart of gratitude.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Change your definition of love according to the Scriptures.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37

Our foundation is Christ with whom we must have a loving, heart-to-heart relationship based on our love for God. Our quality of life is directly linked to the amount of love that we have for God. His plans for us are above and beyond all that we could imagine.

“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

Have you ever thought about how we often try to outdo God by striving for the best possible quality of life? It’s tempting to think that we can control everything and make our lives perfect, but we should take a step back and consider whether this is really the right approach. Trust God with your life!

Prayer: God, we surrender to Your loving plan for our lives. We ask for forgiveness for not trusting You. Thank You for never-ending grace, mercies, provisions, and protection, yet, most of all we thank You for the gift of Jesus and the plan of Redemption. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.

Can We Identify the Truth?

Can We Identify the Truth? – Devotional – January 15, 2024

Years ago, I served as a juror on a murder trial involving war between two gangs. As jurors, we were heavily guarded by New York State Troopers and escorted through an underground tunnel. The trial was long. We heard many testimonies, pre-meditated perjury, and a Defense Attorney who skillfully defended his client for 4-6 hours, giving us 2 hours to deliberate. At the end of the trial, we could not distinguish the truth from the perjured testimonies due to overwhelming discrepancies.

Spiritually, Can We Recognize God’s Truth versus Deception?

Plan A: Satan develops customized distractions to prevent us from thinking clearly and to wear us down. Adding distractions to our crammed schedules leaves us searching for quick remedies. The busyness that we succumb to has decreased our ability to recognize that something is not right. As a result of the rapid pace, we are too exhausted to focus on God and worship Him in spirit and truth. There is no free time for meaningful personal worship. We know that prayer and studying the Bible provide knowledge and give us spiritual renewal, so we tell ourselves hopefully, we will have time tomorrow.

Satan’s Plan B: The quick fix of social media has become the pastor and church for many who proclaim Christ as their Savior. Watching a 1 to 3-minute reel is easier than taking the time to pray and study the Bible. We scroll to gain Biblical principles from people who appear to be credible. Yes, it sounds as if they are speaking the Truth. Once we establish social media as our main resource for Scriptural knowledge, the Deceiver has lured many into the web of accepting convoluted or false beliefs. If we decide to let social media content feed our souls then we will be deceived.

Test the Spirits—”Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” —1 John 4:1

Companies use celebrities and sports figures to endorse their products. They are fully aware the person’s name and reputation will increase their profit margins. Satan uses believers whose hearts are filled with pride to deceive others. Social media attention can become addictive. The majority of comments posted are giving praise to the presenter. Presenting the Scriptures as suggestions instead of requisites makes it easier to increase followers and likes, but undermines God’s Righteous standards.

We live in an unprecedented era of hearing spoken words from never-ending voices. Satan is aware that it takes minimal effort to deceive the spiritually unlearned. Without the Holy Spirit, and self-study of the Bible, we cannot discern the difference between the truth of the Holy Scriptures and false doctrines blended with a little truth designed to entice and deceive.

Not everyone in the media is intentionally mismanaging the Word of God. Still, we have become too comfortable with trusting human knowledge and interpretation of the Scriptures. How can one tell if they are hearing God’s Truth if they do not possess Biblical knowledge and receive discernment given by the Holy Spirit?

Obvious Red Flags: Giving opinions without Scripture, Deviating several times from the main point, choosing one Scripture to justify the presenting “truth,” never mentioning the name of God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, and the once saved always saved concepts. The lack of Bible study has many Christians asking the same question as unbelievers, “What is Truth?”

We should study the Bible every day. Always pray, search the Scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Truth so you will have knowledge of God’s expectations for the righteous. If a spoken message does not coincide with the Scriptures then you know that it is not God’s Truth. Thankfully, we have God’s Righteous Standard—the Holy Scriptures for comparison. Be certain that your beliefs are Biblical truth.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” —John 14:16-18

From our desire to grow closer to God, we can receive the same spiritual power as those in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. As believers who are living in Perilous Times, we desperately need the Divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live righteously. Not only are we facing an escalation of worldly temptations, but the warfare of false doctrines has invaded the Christian community.

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path.” —Psalm 119:105

Studying the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is spiritually refreshing and uplifting. We receive God’s Truth which sustains our minds, bodies, and souls. Studying the Bible every day is the human effort required to receive spiritual transformation and have a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. Daily we commit ourselves as a living sacrifice to God through personal worship. Allow uninterrupted time for prayer, Bible study, and reflection on the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead who gives us the deeper meaning of God’s Truth and teaches us how to apply the Scriptures to our lives. God has provided all that we need to abide in Christ, to live righteously, overcome temptation, and recognize false teachings. Through His Spirit of Truth, we receive the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, discernment, and the spiritual ability to recognize God’s Truth.

Prayer: God, we pray for wisdom and discernment as we study Your Holy Scriptures. We ask You to guard us from the many deceptions designed to make us fall. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Trusting in the God of Completion

Trusting in the God of Completion – Devotional – January 8, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” —Jeremiah 29:11

When studying the Bible, we learn about God’s Divine character. God is consistent and dependable, He always gives definitive instructions that result in victory. Believers are instructed to “Wait on the Lord, ” and “Do not trust your own understanding.” We are never told to follow our thoughts, develop strategies, or move forward unless directed by God. We know that the Holy Spirit is directing us because the outcome always brings glory and honor to God.

“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

Always pray and take your burdens, trials, and hardships to the throne of Grace first. Be very cautious when sharing your dilemma with others. Do not ask for answers or recommendations. When asking for prayer only disclose that you are facing a hard trial. An anointed prayer warrior will never ask you for additional information. Sometimes God uses a man or woman of God to relay His answer, but the person He uses is completely unaware of your circumstances.

Free will of Choice: Completion or Consequences

If we desire Divine intervention, God requires a prayer of faith asking for His help. Yet, there is a time of waiting. During the wait, either we will acknowledge [honor and reverence] God demonstrated through faith, trust, obedience, and patience, or, we will despise the waiting that we perceive as God’s silence and inactivity and follow our inclinations which results in suffering consequences.

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” —Psalm 37:7

The righteous do not have to suffer consequences! Only when we choose to disobey God can we reap sorrow and regret. There is a well-kept secret in the Christian community regarding, “I did it my way.” Many believers fail to share their true testimony—from their act of disobedience [following their thoughts and strategies] it appeared that all was well for a long time, yet, the consequences came to fruition many years later.

God’s Way: Completion and a Victorious Outcome!

“Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20

Based on the miracles of the parting of the Red Sea, Naaman being healed of leprosy, Kings Asa and Hezekiah winning impossible battles, and Hannah, Sarah, and Elizabeth having babies after years of infertility, we witness the love and power of a God who gives victory to those who obey and wait.

Yes, it is a struggle to patiently wait. During the wait, pray without ceasing, study the Scriptures, and use your power of a sound mind to stand down all wayward thoughts and feelings of impatience. Ask for help! The Holy Spirit empowers us to exercise self-control and resist our thoughts.

Obedience to God is always rewarded! When you experience the blessings [spiritual, material, healing…] pouring down from the windows of heaven because of the decision to be a faithful follower of Christ, your perception of God and relationship with Christ deepens. You will have a testimony to share that focuses on the goodness of God!

We have a loving Heavenly Father who desires the best for us and deserves our faith, trust, and obedience. Who else can we trust with our lives? The righteous who wait on the Lord stay in His perfect will and live peaceful and abundant lives without suffering consequences. It’s time that we trust in the God of completion and experience His victorious outcomes. Amen.

Prayer: Thank You God for providing stability in our lives. We desire to put our faith and trust in You because we love You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

The Nature of the Holy Spirit – A Mystery

The Nature of the Holy Spirit – A Mystery Today’s Devotional – January 3, 2024

“And I will pray the father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever—the Spirit of Truth.” —John 14:16-17

“But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” —John 14:26

“What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” —1 Corinthians 6:19

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Triune Godhead who guides us into all Truth, transforms our minds, characters, and personalities, comforts us with Christ’s peace, gives us godly wisdom, and spiritual discernment, convicts our consciences of sin, and takes our prayers to Christ.

“And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ ” —1 Peter 4:18

God knows we are impacted by our earthly [evil] environment and the countless voices promoting worldviews filled with compromise. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot fight the satanic power of spiritual warfare including daily temptations presented by Satan who uses masterful deceptions.

The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom and discernment to understand God’s love, righteousness, grace, mercy, and the deeper meaning of the Scriptures. We require Spiritual guidance and strength to stay on the Path of Righteousness and to live every day as overcomers. Without the Holy Spirit, we are like the unbelievers who rely on their thoughts, live without a spiritual purpose, and seek peace in all the wrong places.

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:7-8).” Where do we stand as disciples of Christ who are living in these last days? Revelation prophecies are soon to be fulfilled. We are living in times comparable to the abject sinfulness of Noah’s times.

Christ’s Disciples: The disciples were face-to-face and walked with Jesus, the Son of God for three years. Because of their hidden agenda of always wondering who would be the greatest their faith and spiritual understanding remained weak for most of Christ’s earthly ministry. Except for John, the other disciples fearfully abandoned Jesus when He was crucified.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

When Christ ascended, His disciples finally realized their desire to be great in an earthly kingdom would not happen. Yet, on the Day of Pentecost, all of Christ’s love, patience, and teachings given to His disciples, the Holy Spirit brought to fruition. Do we have a hidden agenda? Christ’s command to live holy and to be witnesses not only applied to His eleven disciples but we are also given the same spiritual responsibilities.

Yes, we desperately need the advocacy and power of the Holy Spirit! Most believers are familiar only with the name of the Holy Spirit. One of the reasons we suffer needlessly and become discouraged is that we attempt to use our strength to change and to live righteously. In the Scriptures, Jesus explained who the Holy Spirit is—the Spirit of Truth and His definitive purpose.

Because we do not enjoy studying the Bible, we seek human-derived explanations of the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit which leads many to believe that He is optional in the believer’s life. Thankfully, God decided to only disclose certain aspects of His great power. We have enough on our plates without seeking human explanations regarding the mystery of the Spirit of Truth.

Reflection: Describe yourself from a spiritual perspective. It’s okay to be unsure. Everyone has weaknesses based on the desires of their hearts. What are your weaknesses? Since we cannot judge ourselves, the Spirit of Truth always reveals our sins.

Once we acknowledge, confess, and repent of our sinful traits, learned behaviors, and unrighteous desires, we receive God’s forgiveness and Divine intervention. Although we receive the supernatural strength to discard all unrighteous behaviors and habits, we must also practice self-control.

“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.” —Psalm 37:24

Do not become discouraged when you fall! Confess, repent, and start over that same day. Spiritual transformation into the likeness of Christ’s character takes a lifetime of the Holy Spirit’s power and human cooperation.

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Our only strength is a heart filled with overwhelming love for God. Our love and loyalty produce the fruits of humility, faith, trust, and obedience [all of these characteristics are a result of using our free will of choice]. We choose to surrender to God’s will and plans. When we have a love relationship with Christ then we receive spiritual attributes given to us by the Holy Spirit.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” —Romans 8:26

Do we need the Holy Spirit? He is the One who takes our feeble prayers and presents them to King Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor who hears and answers our prayers. God, the Holy Spirit delivers our prayers to God, Jesus the Son. “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4).

Prayer: God, we thank You for Your overwhelming love and dedication to humanity. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thank You for interceding on our behalf. Thank You Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit to lead us from our earthly journey to our heavenly home. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray. Amen.

Wait Patiently on the Lord

Wait Patiently on the Lord – Today’s Devotional -December 31, 2023

Believing in God’s love and faithfulness provides peace and strength when facing impossible situations. We serve an All-knowing God who tells us to live with courage because He has promised to take care of our difficulties. All God desires is our faith and much patience.

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29

Pray in faith, thank Him for His Divine intervention, and wait. God always gives perfect completion and victory!

Prayer: God, on the last day of 2023, we want to thank You for all of the blessings we have received. Your love is amazing! In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, – Today’s Devotional -December 25, 2023

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” —Isaiah 9:6-7

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:28

When we read Isaiah’s description of King Jesus and Jesus’ self-description and His mission to humanity, it is quite inconceivable. The Second Person of the Triune Godhead willingly lowered Himself to the level of a servant. What kind of love is this?

Unless the Holy Spirit permeates our mind, character, and soul, we will never understand the love required for one to possess this level of humility. If we comprehended the magnitude of the lovely Christ, we would live a humble and obedient life always seeking the Father’s will.

This morning as I meditated on King Jesus willingly surrendering Himself to be a servant to humanity [knowing that most would reject the gift of His life—Salvation], I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to give me a deeper understanding of agape love, salvation, grace, and mercy, and humility. Without discernment from the Spirit of God, none could ever live righteously based on our human thoughts and efforts.

For now, we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. —1Corinthians 13:12

We were born with a selfish carnal heart that is driven to pursue the sensational pleasures of this world—therefore, without the Holy Spirit, we cannot perceive the significance of the precious gift of our Savior’s life and the spiritual transformation required to receive our reward of eternal life. Yet, all is well, because spiritual discernment is just a prayer away.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” —James 1:5, NIV

We were created with the inability to discern spiritual things without Divine wisdom. God placed these boundaries to curtail the innate trait of self-reliance. He invites us to pray for spiritual wisdom, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

If we surrender and ask for spiritual wisdom, our lives will change! Wisdom will open our eyes to understand the character of Christ. Yes, we will sing loudly, “Joy to the World, the Lord has Come!” because His earthly arrival and victory over death frees us from the enslavement of sin.

But there is more! Our King who wears the Crown of Honor and Glory still wears the crown of humility, serving as our Heavenly Intercessor, Christ receives every prayer, forgives us of our repented sins, and covers us with never-ending grace. Not only will we strive to live righteously, we will cease pursuing the pleasures of life.

As we celebrate the life of Christ, pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom to comprehend the gift of life that all of humanity has received from our “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Prayer: God, we thank You for the Gift above all gifts, Jesus, Your Lamb who washes away our sins. Give us a clean, pure heart so we can receive the wisdom to understand great and mighty things. We desire to live righteously as one who is grateful for receiving such a precious inheritance. Thank You, Jesus, for Your love and Your life! In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed and wonderful Spirit-filled holiday season!

Let Jesus Be the Reason for Your Life

Let Jesus Be the Reason for Your Life – Today’s Devotional – December 24, 2023

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” —Philippians 2:8

Jesus was born in a barn and for His first bed, He was lovingly placed by Mary into a feeding trough. Throughout His life, Jesus maintained the same humility. No home to call His own, our Savior lived to serve humanity. Yes, during His ministry, Jesus was homeless. Though guiltless, He obeyed His Heavenly Father and drank from the cup of sorrow [death], so we would not have to suffer the second and final death.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” —James 4:10

Humility is the posture we take in surrendering our thoughts and ways to seek God’s direction. If we seek and abide in Christ, we are the recipients of His promises to give us abundant spiritual blessings. Yet, in His loving mercies, we do not have to be homeless or hungry because Christ has promised to supply all of our needs [Matthew 6:25-34].

Just as God required faithful obedience from His only Son, Jesus, we must also be willing to drink from the cup of sorrow every day by surrendering our will to God. Only then can we be led by the Holy Spirit to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness that leads us from our earthly journey to our forever heavenly home. Let Jesus be the reason for every season in your earthly life.

Prayer: Jesus, we are in awe of Your great love and sacrifice. We ask for the strength to dismiss our desires and to surrender willingly to Your perfect plans. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.

The Hardest Decision—Trusting God

The Hardest Decision—Trusting God Today’s Devotional December 22, 2023

Recently I listened to a sermon entitled “Trusting God.” The pastor stated, “Trusting God with your life is the hardest decision that you will ever make in your lifetime.” Daily surrender to the unseen God requires faith!

Although we study the Bible and gain intellectual knowledge, knowledge does not increase our faith in God. The trials and hardships that pop up and change our peaceful lives into a dark storm are allowed so we can redirect our focus to God. I had to accept that although I know that God is powerful from the diligent study of the Bible [especially the Old Testament stories], my promise to trust Him with my life wasn’t genuine.

How could I get past this major stumbling block? I recall watching an Instagram reel from a psychologist who promotes speaking positive affirmations out loud. An example, “I am going to have a great day” needs to be spoken as soon as you awaken and throughout your day. Okay, I agree that our spoken words are powerful, but would affirmations be effective in building my faith and trust in God?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Jesus forewarned us that life’s troubles are guaranteed. Yet we do not have to face our challenges alone. Faith is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. Distrust in God is a result of self-reliance. At some point, we will face a dilemma that is unresolvable by human effort. When our best fails, we become discouraged and our little faith plummets into non-existence.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” —Jeremiah 33:3, NIV

Without steadfast faith, our emotions will escalate and we will find ourselves in the abyss of hopelessness. Even when all is well, if we establish the habit of including God in life’s normal routines, we will immediately pray and ask for His Divine Intervention when we face the giant trials and lingering tribulations.

Build your faith in God! Choose a scriptural promise, memorize it, and speak it over your life every day. Pray a prayer of affirmation and gratitude to accompany your chosen Scripture.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27

I am sharing my personal “Trust God” prayer affirmation that I speak a few times a day to help build my faith.

Prayer Affirmation: “God, I know that nothing is too hard for You. And I know that You have wonderful plans for my life. I am asking You to resolve this challenge and to give me the strength to persevere. I thank You for already working everything out for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

God knows our hearts. Pray an honest prayer. There is no pretense with God, He knows our anxieties, fears, and worries. Separate yourself and pray to God in secret. Most of our prayers should only be heard by God. Although our faith is the size of a mustard seed, committing to trust God is a giant leap of faith that acts as a catalyst to build our faith and trust in God.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise. —Psalm 51:17, NIV

It is the prayers of the weak that God honors and readily answers. Only those who admit they desperately need God will trust Him with their lives. The pure in heart receives strength from the Holy Spirit who gives us spiritual understanding of the power and majesty of God. Yes, relying on Divine Intervention has its perks—we are the recipients of Jesus’ gift of peace.

With determination, we make the choice to place our lives in God’s Righteous Hands. Prayers that declare trust in God move His arms to pour out blessings upon blessings—peace, joy, happiness, and the endurance to keep moving forward.

When we put our trust in God, we can live a life free from the burden of dealing with the consequences of our thoughts. It’s a liberating feeling to know that we have the Highest power in the Universe to depend on, our God who guides us through life’s challenges and gives us the only solution. So, let’s keep our faith strong and stay positive!

Prayer: Thank You God for Your Great love and faithfulness. We admit that our faith is weak. Yet we are striving to build our trust by placing our lives in Your hands. We ask You to lead us on the Path of Righteousness from earth to heaven. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.

Never an Unanswered Call with God

Never an Unanswered Call with God -Today’s Devotional – December 20, 2023

Have you ever desired to speak with a friend or loved one, but they enjoy texting? Unanswered calls are a primary source of causing the caller to feel defeated. Caller ID allows the recipient to look at the name and number, silence their ringer, or respond with a pre-populated message. The desire for human interaction, coupled with love and empathy, has significantly decreased in the last five years.

“Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist based in New York City, says people tend to text or email instead of calling because of convenience…” “33% of American adults prefer texts to all other forms of communication. (Pew Research Center) (Tweet this!). Text is the most used form of communication for American adults under 50.”

God to the Rescue: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15). “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Prayer is underutilized. Many believers do not understand the importance of prayer nor do they comprehend that prayer is our connection from earth to heaven. Prayer is for the renewal, restoration, and recovery of our mind, body, and soul from the harshness of daily life.

Even at work, we should find a quiet place to whisper a prayer for clarity, wisdom, and strength. Silently pray throughout your waking hours expressing gratitude for God’s faithfulness and Divine Intervention in your life. Prayer increases our dependency on God. We have peace, joy, and happiness because we are aligned with His perfect will and plans for our lives.

“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

We posture ourselves to invite the presence of God into our personal worship by separating ourselves from others and giving God time to respond. Our prayers are expedited to Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor by the Holy Spirit. It is indeed a privilege to have an open invitation to “come boldly to the throne of grace.”

Pray and ask God to teach you how to hear His voice. Pray, Pause, and Wait until you feel Christ’s strength and peace flowing through your mind, body, and soul. Once you experience the power of God’s peace permeating your entire being, you will possess experiential knowledge of the greatness of our Heavenly Father!

Make God Your First Response—Call Him Up and Tell God What You Need

We may feel defeated at the beginning of our prayer, but we will never leave God’s presence without total victory. Prayer gives us 24/7 access to a God who never sleeps. There is no limit on the number of times we can call on Him. One thing is for certain, we will never experience the defeat of an unanswered call with God.

When we feel the need to hear a human voice, there are options available to us. Always make praying out loud a priority [when possible]. While having personal worship incorporate the use of an audio Bible when studying the Scriptures, or use your voice to read the Scriptures out loud. The combination of learning God’s promises and the Biblical stories of His overwhelming love for humanity will provide much encouragement.

Make prayer your first choice when you need to talk to someone. Not only will your relationship with Christ become a priority, but your perspective of receiving a text or automated response will change. Instead of feeling defeated or annoyed, you will smile because you have 24/7 access to our Great God who works out every challenge and leaves the caller feeling spiritually energized!

Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of prayer and Your Love Letter of the Holy Bible. We pray for peace, wisdom, and discernment as we navigate through this journey called life. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Gift of a New Heart

The Gift of a New Heart – Today’s Devotional – December 19, 2023

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17

God performs the spiritual transformation of our hearts. The Holy Spirit [the Spirit of God] works within us to change our hearts [our minds] and character into the righteousness of Christ. Still, the human effort of surrender and faithful obedience is the requisite for the Spirit of God to exercise His transforming power within us.

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” —John 14:15

Blended human concepts say we can be half-Christian and half-worldly. Yet, Jesus gives us the simple explanation that loving Him means total obedience to His righteous commands. Every day, we fight an internal battle to receive a new heart. Will we surrender to God or the innate cravings of our carnal hearts and appetites?

Our dilemma: “The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9

Our thoughts always gravitate toward ourselves. Think deeply about your desires. The human heart [without Christ] naturally desires pleasure. Two areas that we easily succumb to are material treasures and appetite [food and sex]. The desire for tangible possessions and self-seeking gratification is inherent [within us] from birth.

God’s Goal: For Us to Reflect, Reveal, and Resemble Jesus

“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

The power of God supersedes all hereditary traits, learned behaviors, habits, and addictions. With our measure of faith, we accept Christ as our Savior. The Bible teaches us about the righteousness we must possess. By studying Christ’s life in the Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] we learn by His example the character and lifestyle required for eternal life.

As followers of Christ, God expects us to represent and reveal the Righteousness of Christ in our behaviors, attitudes, and spoken words.

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” —Deuteronomy 6:5

Our love for God is the catalyst for letting go of relationships with unbelievers and all worldly pleasures and practices that fail to reflect a life of holiness. The human effort of daily prayer of surrender invites the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength required for the transformation of our hearts.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5

Loving God includes trusting Him with our earthly lives because He is the only One who can lead us into eternal life. His promise to give us a new heart also includes receiving the spiritual power to overcome and be victorious over all of our carnal desires!

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Prayer: Lord, we pray for the strength to surrender and to faithfully obey You. We desire new hearts. Help us to become the people You created us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.