Faith – Page 4 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Psalm 23 – The Lord Is My Shepherd – Audio Bible

The Plot

Have you ever read a great book, and the plot begins to evolve? You pause for a few moments as you perform a mental sweep, after assuring yourself that all tasks are completed, you place yourself on a “Do Not Disturb” status. Eagerly, you continue your journey prepared to transition into the exciting depths of the unknown.

The Holy Bible is the Greatest Book of All! Never can we exhaust our acquisition of spiritual knowledge and wisdom when the Holy Spirit is our Teacher.

The Plot we will explore explains the sacrificial life of suffering that our Protagonist, King Jesus, endured to free us from the chains of sin.

The Place: The Synagogue, The Day: The Holy Sabbath.

Mark tells us of Jesus’ practice of attending the weekly Sabbath Service, where one would expect to receive God’s blessings of spiritual renewal and transformation. But as soon as Jesus entered the synagogue after a busy week of teaching and healing the multitudes, He faced controversy initiated by the Jewish leaders.

“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath” (Mark 3:1-2).

For the believers who attend church [in-person services], verses 1-2 should immediately raise a Spiritual Red Flag. Can you imagine, after a mentally, emotionally, and physically draining week, you look forward to attending church only to face controversy as soon as you enter?

Opening the Door of Controversy: Jesus Heals On the Sabbath

The Command: “Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone’ ” (Mark 3:3, NIV).

The Unanswered Question: “Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent” (Mark 3:4, NIV).

Jesus’ Righteous Anger: “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored (Mark 3:5, NIV).

The Plot Twist: Evil Hearts Revealed: “Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus” (Mark 3:6).

“In Jesus’ time, Jewish leaders were primarily priests, scribes, and Pharisees, holding positions of religious authority and influence. They oversaw the temple, interpreted and applied the law, and played a role in the legal and political spheres.”

“These leaders, particularly the Sadducees and Pharisees, were often in conflict with Jesus, challenging His teachings and authority.” The leaders manipulated the religious practices to include extreme burdens and unreasonable goals that were humanly impossible to achieve. Yet, they did not adhere to their rules, which were only for the common people.

The Jews Reject Jesus: John 10
“The Festival of the Dedication of the Temple took place in Jerusalem during the winter. Jesus was walking on Solomon’s porch in the temple courtyard…”

“The Jews surrounded Him. They asked Him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly…'”

“Jesus answered them, ‘I have told you, but you do not believe me. The things that I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf…”

“However, you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, and I give them eternal life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me…”

“My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than everyone else, and no one can tear them away from my Father. The Father and I are one…'”

The Plot Twist: “The Jews had again brought some rocks to stone Jesus to death. Jesus replied to them, ‘I have shown you many good things that come from the Father. For which of these good things do you want to stone me to death?…'”

“The Jews answered Jesus, ‘We are going to stone you to death, not for any good things you have done, but for dishonoring God. You claim to be God, although you are only a man'” (John 10:22-33, GW Translation).

As we immerse ourselves in reading just one of the diabolical situations in the Scriptures, which document the continuous hatred and rejection that Jesus faced, we should deeply reflect on the extreme suffering that our Savior was willing to endure to save our souls.

The Reveal of the Religious Antagonist’s True Condition of Their Hearts: “‘You claim to be God, although you are only a man.'”

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). In our Book of Life, the only way that we can receive the Crown of Life is if Jesus Christ, the Triumphant King, is the Righteous Protagonist, and we are covered with His Righteousness.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

Unless we surrender daily with a spirit of humility by seeking God’s Sovereign Will and Plans for our lives, then just like the Jewish leaders, Pharisees, and Sadducees, we are antagonists who demonstrate by following our own thoughts that Jesus is only a man.

Our cooperation with God’s Divine Plan is revealed by a life of sacrificial surrender. Only from receiving Jesus’ Divine strength and wisdom can the Holy Spirit lead us daily on the Path of Righteousness.

The lifelong Spiritual Transformation of our Character, Sanctification, requires daily teamwork between the Holy Spirit and ourselves.

“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).

The Holy Spirit does not enter unclean bodies—our hearts must be pure to mature spiritually. Through faithful obedience, we worship God with love and in spirit and in truth.

Yes, we have received God’s Grace, still God requires total surrender and obedience as demonstrated by Jesus in His life. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity we have to surrender and let go of all unrighteousness.

Without compromise, God requires us to exchange our desires for His will. And sadly, this stringent requirement causes many believers to abandon God’s Personal Plan Book for their lives. But rewriting our story has devastating consequences.

Obedience is the character trait that paves the road of the Christian’s Spiritual Journey. Our priorities and lifestyles must align with the Holy Scriptures, which Jesus will use to judge everyone.

By fulfilling the sacrificial role of obeying God, we proclaim that Jesus Christ is truly the Righteous Protagonist, King, Lord, and Savior in the books of our lives.

Lord God, we ask You to search our hearts and reveal everything that prevents us from receiving Eternal Life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Are They Spiritually Compatible?

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” —1 Corinthians 15:33

“You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, ESV).

The roaring lion [Satan] is using various methods of temptation to lure us into the trap of meeting “Unbelieving Believers.” What? Many people believe that God exists, but they have not consecrated their lives to follow The Shepherd, Jesus Christ, with surrender and faithful obedience.

In the area of relationships, the Chasm of Compromise has grown wider and deeper in the Christian Community. Let’s face it, the life of a believer often involves traveling on the journey with Jesus without close friends, romance, or marriage. Wait on the Lord!

The Enticement: Online chats and Christian dating sites are not God’s ways to meet friends, nor are these God’s methods for finding husbands and wives. And today’s Christians can no longer assume that those attending church have surrendered their hearts to Christ. The churches are filled with ritualistic worshipers who practice sin seven days a week.

If you are thinking, “Times have changed,” then you do not understand Satan’s powerful and effective methods to separate us from God. The enemy exploits vulnerable individuals to execute his malicious schemes. We are often approached by unbelievers who appear to fulfill our desires to have close friends, dating partners, and marriages that are not God approved.

Like Eve, we are being deceived. Why is it so easy for Satan to deceive us? God’s Answer: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The fallen angel has 6,000-plus years of experience dealing with human nature. King Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the Sun. Our senses, especially our eyes and ears, are the channels that Satan uses to successfully deceive us.

“And Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me, for she pleases me well’ ” (Judges 14:3). The Bait: If the individual is pleasing to our eyes, and their words sound like music to our ears, then Satan has us hooked.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We are so accustomed to using our senses and emotions to make decisions that very few Christians use their rational thought processes (sound mind) when meeting new people who spark an internal desire. Keep your spiritual guard up!

Met someone at the Mall, Supermarket, or Library? Immediately focus your conversation on God. Verbalize this statement: “Jesus Christ is number one in my life.” I attend (Name of your church). Where do you attend church?

Observe their spoken words, habits, behaviors, clothing, and social circle, especially if they are with friends. Worldliness cannot be hidden! If they practice the world views of pleasure, prosperity, and success, then you know their character is unholy.

“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” —1 Samuel 16:7

Do not make hasty decisions! Stop, Pray, and Ask God if He sent the person. Do not exchange cell numbers! Desperation is the precursor to downfalls. If God is involved, be patient; He will direct the individual to your life again. The Bible reveals that one of God’s Characteristics is that He is never in a hurry.

Studying the Bible gives us God’s instructions and a spiritual point of reference before engaging in relationships. Samson and King Solomon are profound examples of suffering the consequences of having liaisons with unbelievers. Do not trust your feelings!

“Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7). Unless God chooses our friends and spouses, we will choose the wrong person [people] who will lead us away from God.

Never follow your heart! Always pray and wait before choosing friends and romantic relationships. The Holy Spirit always reveals when people are not part of God’s plans for your life.

“Be Holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

A True Believer has nothing in common with those who do not put God first. We often assume that the unbeliever or uncommitted believer will eventually change, but it is the believer who changes by embracing worldly habits.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

What can we do when we have already exchanged numbers, started dating, or engaged, but the internal Red Flag of “Something Isn’t Right” creates a spiritual unrest in our hearts?

We have a protective Heavenly Father who does not desire that we fall into temptation, or remain in a relationship that separates us from Him.

The Holy Spirit warns us that we are in a Spiritually Incompatible relationship, regardless of the stage of dating. Yet, God respects our free will choice to ignore His warning.

Beginning Stages: Chatting but never met. Or, 1-2 dates, still an uncommitted status.
Agreed Commitment: Dating exclusively only with each other, without engaging in sexual immorality. This is the ideal situation if God has placed the person in your life. But eventually, if seeking romance online, it will end in disaster.
Consensual Commitment with Physical involvement: Fornication immediately separates us from God. The believer has forfeited their relationship with Christ and holds the same spiritual status as the unbeliever—both are lost.
Long-term with Regret: Not married. You know this person is not a gift from God, but you feel that you are too deep into the relationship to get out. Sexually involved, may have children with the partner, or be living together.

Scenarios 1-2 Guidelines: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, ESV).

Searching online for romance demonstrates a lack of faith in God or disobedience to God’s answer of No! It is too easy for Satan to use people who create a fake persona. A Holy and Righteous God is Not found in Chat Rooms and on Dating Sites.

Scenario 3-4 Guidelines: “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5, ESV).

Sexual immorality places us in a lose-lose situation. Not married, move out. Children? Financial support is required. Yes, it’s a tough decision and may involve legal issues, but if marriage is not an option, save your soul by living a celibate life alone.

Sin always has serious consequences. Pray, fast, and seek Divine guidance and strength.

“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

For diehard pro online romance seekers who listen to others praise their current relationships and marriages, and the true love they found on dating sites, are in the honeymoon stage, when secrets are still secrets. Some are paid to promote the sites, and others have had to compromise God’s righteous values for their relationships to work out. Go with God!

Certain sins place us in bondage to Satan: Sexual immorality, drug and alcohol use, gambling, pornography, stealing, and overeating. Sexual immorality comes with heavy-duty chains; it weakens our resolve and causes us to compromise in every area of our lives. Yet, if we repent and exercise self-control, the power of God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. God restores!

“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 goal of restoration is to recommit one’s life to live holy, and reconnect us to Christ. God honors our willingness to live a pure, obedient life. Yes, we can receive Jesus’ supernatural strength to overcome all temptation, still, we must put forth the human effort to renounce and walk away from the demonic activities that bind us to Satan.

We must never forget that we inherited sinful hearts. Our greatest daily battle is the internal conflict of choosing right over wrong. From searching the Scriptures, we learn why God’s Righteous Standards for separating from unbelievers are life-saving commands.

Reflection: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).

We will never fall into temptations and suffer consequences if we live a sacrificial life of trusting God’s plans. God is Omniscient—All-knowing. Yes, God knows who will finish the Spiritual Race and receive eternal life. He also knows who will follow the desires of their hearts and leave their relationship with Jesus Christ for the temporary gratification of relationships with unbelievers.

Certainly, God was disappointed when Adam and Eve chose to sin against Him. Our Heavenly Father’s original plan was not for us to be alone, but because of sin, we live in a fallen world.

Not every believer will have the opportunity to enjoy marriage or close friendships. We accept our Father’s will, consecrate ourselves to God, and trust His perfect plans.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28

Jesus described Himself as a Man of Sorrows. Yes, loneliness is a valid feeling. Forming relationships with immoral individuals is not the solution. Do we have too much empty time with nothing to do but focus on ourselves?

Every believer has received spiritual gifts and talents that God expects us to use to witness. If we do nothing for God, then our hearts will drive us to sin against God.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT).

Not one relationship on this Earth is worth losing our reward of eternal life over. Satan, our enemy, knows his time is short, so he uses people to distract us from fully dedicating ourselves to Christ.

We must decide between choosing sinful relationships or aligning ourselves with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives. God, the Father, and God, Jesus Christ, the Son, have fulfilled their roles in offering humanity the Plan of Redemption, which frees us from the curse of sin.

Keep your eyes on the Eternal prize of inheriting a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4)

Our present lives are temporary. If we just hold on, Jesus has promised the faithful and obedient believers a Crown of life in the New Heaven and New Earth, where we will never be alone or lonely.

Wait on God, and with faith accept His Perfect Plans for your life. The King Is Coming! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we ask you to comfort the hearts of your sons and daughters who are experiencing loneliness and discouragement. Give them the strength to redirect their focus to fulfilling their spiritual assignments, and to look forward to receiving Your wonderful reward of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS to Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

“My Thoughts Are Higher Than Your Thoughts”

Resetting Our Priority to God First

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:25-26

Surrendering to God’s Sovereignty is the daily, intentional decision to put God First. By asking for God’s will to be done, our love for God is revealed by the desire to consecrate ourselves to Him. Faith, surrender, and obedience are the righteous attributes that keep us connected to Christ, who taught us by His earthly life what it means to put God First.

The ‘God First’ commitment is renewed each morning. We use our faith to invite God to perform the miraculous. Asking our Heavenly Father for help is always answered immediately. Our prayer invites the Holy Spirit to impart the spiritual wisdom required to recognize God’s Voice and to align us with His will.

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Since the human heart naturally rebels against God, we always need Divine help to fight Satan’s continuous spiritual warfare and the internal conflict of pursuing our desires. Consistent prayer is our Spiritual Lifeline to our Advocate, Jesus Christ.

The Christian Journey is tough! We need the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit to live as overcomers. Receiving supernatural strength is Christ’s response to the faithful who know we must depend on our Shepherd to persevere and resist distractions and temptations.

Putting God First requires us not to react with feelings. Failure comes from following our natural thoughts and inclinations. Even with the best strategies, human wisdom cannot predict outcomes.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Believers do not awaken with a mindset of defeat, but each day, our desires, goals, and to-do lists also awaken, always posing the threat for us to exclude God. Our response will either include God by asking for His Divine intervention, or completing our agenda using the risky behavior of relying on our strength.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” —Proverbs 3:7

Human wisdom is often praised, but it always leads to unforeseen consequences. God warns us not to rely on our thoughts. Without God, we exchange internal peace for racing thoughts. Focusing on the present circumstances instead of God’s Faithfulness creates pressure, anxiety, worry, and doubt.

The Bible says that unbelievers always stumble by making the wrong decisions because their faith is displaced from God to themselves. Faith in God separates us from unbelievers; therefore, we should not embrace and practice their worldviews of self-reliance and following one’s heart.

Unbelieving believers only acknowledge that God exists; they do not trust God’s faithfulness, love, and power. But most importantly, trusting in self excludes God and places us outside of His perfect will, which is disobedience against God.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). God First is a lifestyle of surrender and faithful obedience. It is also God’s command to the righteous. Self-reliance reveals our rejection of God’s daily blessings. Unless we travel on the Narrow Path of Righteousness paved by humility and faithful obedience, we forfeit our reward of Eternal life.

How to Live a “God First” Lifestyle

Accept God’s Truth: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Through obedience, we fight against internal conflict.
We must acknowledge that spiritual warfare against believers does exist. Satan’s greatest goal is to make us feel that God does not care about the small details of our personal lives, leaving us alone to figure it out. But Satan is the master deceiver whose modus operandi is the skillful use of lies and chaos. Study Matthew 6. We are loved! Yes and Amen!
Choose to stand down unreliable emotions with prayer. We cannot see clearly when we follow our feelings instead of praying. Asking “Why now?” only escalates emotions and diminishes our faith. Feeling overwhelmed occurs when we try to create strategies to tackle our challenges. Turn it over to Jesus!
Putting God first requires a dedicated lifestyle of much prayer. Prayer is our highest priority. We can expect a perfect outcome when we obey God. Pray for help and thank God in the same prayer. Our Heavenly Father already has the answer.
Describe the attributes of God’s Character. We must know Who our Faithful God is to completely trust Him. The Bible is the least read among Christian believers. Something is not right! Even pagan worshipers know the attributes of their deities. For Beginners: Study Genesis 1-3, and the Life of Christ found in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].

Putting God First is a matter of the heart: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”(Mark 12:30).

God’s Invitation: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8).

Our Responsibility: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).

God’s Faithfulness: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

We Have This Hope: “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).

Turning our hearts to Christ, even in the smallest matters, guards against developing a spirit of self-reliance and increases our faith. Total dependency on God is living the most beautiful life filled with peace. Why? When our response to adversity is praying in faith, we possess courage and confidence in the Power of God!

Lord God, we desire to change our response to life’s challenges by putting You First. We admit that we cannot resolve our current challenges, and ask for Your Help. Lord, teach us how to recognize Your Voice above our thoughts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

The Internal Peace that Comes from Following Jesus

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -John 14:27

This week, the postal worker delivered my package to the wrong mailbox, and whoever received it kept it. I contacted the seller, whose response was surprising: “We have no control over the package once we mail it.” Yet, I reminded the manager of the company’s policy to assign tracking numbers and insurance, which requires filing a claim if the buyer did not receive the merchandise.

Although I filed the missing package claim, the postal email reminded me that it was the seller’s responsibility to file a claim for the missing package, and they closed my case without resolution. I prayed for Divine intervention and guidance, and the Holy Spirit reminded me I had another option.

Thankfully, I paid for the purchase with my credit card [that I rarely use], so I had the option to file a dispute, which I did. The next day, I received an email from the seller stating they filed a claim for the missing package, and the post office sent an email informing me they reopened my claim.

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” -Isaiah 65:24

Prayer, Bible Study, Faithful Obedience, and total dependency on God are the habits of a converted and consecrated Christian. Prayer is a privilege. Although we have unlimited access to a Sovereign God, seeking His help is usually not our first response to adversity.

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” -Psalm 4:8

Not using human wisdom to resolve our challenges changes the trajectory of our lives. With God involved, who can challenge His Authority? Honoring God by praying for His intervention means never suffering consequences or losing our peace. We can sleep like newborn babies when God is involved. No worries because we know that our God is always faithful.

“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” -2 Chronicles 14:11

A prayer of faith moves the arms of Jesus Christ, our Mighty Warrior, who commands angel armies to fight the spiritual warfare that threatens to discourage and overpower us. Pray, wait, and be still.

“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” -Matthew 6:6

We must learn to distinguish God’s voice from the voices of human opinions; therefore, do not involve family and friends in developing resolutions, for God’s thoughts and ways never coincide with human strategies. If human intervention is needed, then God will speak to the hearts of the individuals He chooses, and they will help us.

Have you ever misplaced something important, searched, and just couldn’t find it? Say a prayer. God desires to be involved in the routine duties of our lives. Even when we think we can resolve the issue, if we choose to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), not only will we develop the habit of immediately praying, but our faith will be redirected from ourselves to God who rightfully deserves our faith.

Adversity has a spiritual purpose; God requires that 100% of our faith is in Him. To save our souls, eventually, He allows a trial that human effort cannot resolve. Yes, standing at the Crossroads of decision reveals our limitations, still, God does not infringe on our free will. He knows the true feelings of our hearts, and many believers have chosen the path of least resistance by rejecting God’s help.

Obedience gives us confidence and courage, and our faith, hope, and peace are renewed.”I will never leave you or forsake you.” Surrender invites the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength to persevere. Divine guidance empowers us with spiritual perception and wisdom.

When our faith is weak, God reminds us of His Omnipotence: “Who then is able to stand against Me?…Everything under heaven is Mine” (Job 41:10-11).

The Holy Bible is our Spiritual Guide. Spending time in the Scriptures is life-changing. In Jesus’ humanity, He no longer knew the thoughts of God, His Father, as He did in heaven. Mary, His mother, had the responsibility to teach Jesus the Old Testament Scriptures, but at the age of 12, the Holy Spirit empowered the child Jesus to discuss the Holy Scriptures with the formally educated Rabbis.

One of my favorite Scriptures is John 8:29, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” Obedience is Jesus’ answer to enjoying His ever-present gift of internal peace. If God expected obedience from Christ, then His expectations are the same for every believer.

Consider Jesus’ tumultuous earthly journey of living in poverty and being despised by the Jewish leaders who consistently schemed to trick Him with never-ending questions that appeared to have no right answer. In the Four Gospels, the writers reveal that Jesus always relied on God, the Father for His spiritual strength and wisdom.

Jesus knew his human limitations. With humility and surrender, the Scriptures reveal that our Savior spent hours in prayer with His Father. Prayer is our only channel for receiving the Divine wisdom and strength to overcome the continuous challenges of spiritual warfare. We cannot guide ourselves on the Path of Righteousness; we desperately need Divine guidance and resolution to receive victory!

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

Prayers of Faith asking for Divine help are immediately answered by Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor. Our reward for approaching the throne of Grace is received through the Holy Spirit, who gives us Spiritual Wisdom, Strength, and Peace. Yes, the ways of the Triune Godhead are a mystery, but we do not have to understand, we just need to pray and believe.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” -Psalm 121:1-2

King David reminds us that in every challenge, we are just a prayer away from receiving help from our Loving Creator, Jesus Christ, who is always Faithful. In faith [even when weakened] like a trusting child, we simply believe God’s promises to resolve our challenges.

Faith is a spiritual muscle, we must exercise our faith to believer that God loves us and knows what is best. The decision to include God in every aspect of our lives requires that we let go of the disobedient spirit of self-reliance.

“Trusting and obeying God” is our greatest challenge, yet it is the key to living a peaceful and victorious life that is perfectly aligned with God’s Will and plans for which we will receive our reward of the Crown of Life.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” -Isaiah 26:3

Lord God, we thank you for Your faithfulness even when we are unfaithful, for which we ask forgiveness. We pray for the desire and strength to overcome our habit of self-reliance that opposes Your Perfect Plans for our lives. With this prayer, we renew our covenant to be faithful, obedient, and to depend on You by seeking Your guidance every day. We ask You to shower us with Your Divine Peace, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Maintaining Our Connection to the Source of Life

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” —Proverbs 3:5-7

We can agree that successful personal relationships require love, forgiveness, quality time, creating goals, and working together to achieve them. For a relationship to thrive, the individuals must align their morals and values, agree to become interdependent, and communicate using loving, compassionate, and respectful responses, which are the primary building blocks for bonding with each other.

“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 Scriptures teach us that we were created to depend on God. Every day, our Heavenly Father desires that we approach Him in prayer to seek His will and plans for the day. How do we describe our relationship with Christ? Strong and thriving, or weak and wavering? Many believers do not have a personal relationship with Christ because of the character trait of self-reliance.

“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9:9, NASB

“Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and Matthew immediately leaves everything and follows.” Although our Christian experience differs, accepting Jesus as our Savior is comparable to sheep following their Shepherd. Dependency on God requires us to redirect our faith from ourselves to God and to relinquish our desires in exchange for His Divine plans for our lives.

“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28). One of Satan’s most effective deceptions in the Christian Community is for us to believe the Holy Scriptures [God’s Spoken Word] are optional suggestions. Jesus refutes this false doctrine of having the privilege to decide whether or not to obey and practice God’s Righteous Commands.

Consider this: Every employer has policies and procedures that comply with State, Federal, or National Labor laws. Upon hire, the legal contractual agreement between an employer and an employee is presented and accepted based on a written agreement between both to adhere to the existing policies.

“Corporate Compliance and Human Resources departments ensure their organizations adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards.” All employer/employee infractions are immediately dealt with and resolved with disciplinary measures, and may escalate to legal action.

The Bible, spoken to righteous men by God, is our Spiritual Guide and Blueprint, teaching us how to live holy and acceptable lives pleasing to God. Without studying the Scriptures, we are relying on our thoughts, which will never coincide with God’s command to “…Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46, ESV

Something is not right when we can pledge faithfulness to obey employers who can only offer us salaried compensation, but we practice disregard for God’s Righteous Precepts. The acceptance and daily practice of the worldviews of self-governance have caused many believers to reject seeking God’s guidance, resulting in a life of disobedience.

Before Jesus took on humanity, His mind was one with God the Father, perfectly synchronized to His Father’s thoughts and desires. Although it is a mystery, Jesus always knew exactly what His Father was thinking. In Jesus’ earthly life, He did not have the privilege of knowing God’s thoughts and plans as He did in the Heavenly Courts.

Born as a human, Jesus had many limitations. Without prayer, He could not know God’s will. Jesus spent countless hours praying, which empowered Him to live a sinless life. He knew the importance of communing with God in personal worship. With humility and surrender, our Savior always asked for His Father’s will to be revealed. If Jesus required spiritual guidance, may God have mercy on us, we desperately need God’s Divine Help!

Jesus, Our Role Model: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

In John 17, Jesus prayed, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (verse 4). To love God is to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. King David reminds us, “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

The Plan to Reconnect to Christ: What steps can we take to align ourselves with God’s will and plans?

Every morning, we consecrate ourselves as followers of Christ through personal worship. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before making all decisions. Invite God in every aspect of your life, and you will learn to hear His voice. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, and the Scriptures [Study Romans 12, Galatians 5:22-23, and Ephesians 6].
Do not believe everything you think! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and teach you what God requires to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Learn to whisper prayers for Divine strength throughout your waking hours.
Humility Cures Worldliness: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we commit to following and obeying Christ, we face the spiritual warfare of temptations on a greater level. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remain prayerful, and study the Scriptures every day.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7). We were given spiritual gifts meant to be used with prayer. We need Jesus’ Divine strength to renounce sinful temptations that Satan creates based on our personal desires. Still, we cannot be coerced into sin against God. It is a free will choice to say yes to temptation.

Will we accept God’s mandate for the righteous? “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” ( Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). If yes, we will receive the spiritual power from the Holy Spirit to live as victorious overcomers.

Trusting in God is the willingness to let go of one’s thoughts, inclinations, and desires. We use our faith to honor and reverence God because He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. When we accept our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God, we begin to think differently, and our choices reflect holiness.

Last week, I consecrated myself to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Honestly, it is the toughest journey I have ever encountered. Our battle against Satan is one of External Opposition. We have the power to resist temptations with Divine strength. Thankfully, Christ sets limits on Satan; if it were Satan’s choice, he would aggressively pursue and intimidate believers, leaving us worn out and hopeless.

Still, our greatest battle is the battle of the mind! We inherited carnal hearts that are driven to pursue prosperity and pleasure. The Internal Conflict of renouncing our heart’s desires is one in which we must have Divine help. Not all temptations are easily discerned, especially after an 8 -12 hour, busy day.

After work, we are tired and just want to relax, so one of our favorite podcasts or programs just happens to be on, so we choose screen time instead of worship. If exhausted, pray for strength and spiritual clarity, listen to the audio Bible of one of the Psalms, and pray again before falling asleep.

Prayer is Power! When we pray continuously for Divine strength and guidance, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities daily into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Sanctification is the lifelong process of spiritual growth and transformation performed by the Holy Spirit when we strive to live faithful and obedient lives.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26, Amplified Bible

Faithful obedience is our highest worship. As time draws closer to Christ’s Second Coming, we must decide whether we will surrender and faithfully obey God or continue to operate with a mindset of self-governance. Nothing on this present Earth is worth giving up our reward of the Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!

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

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for living according to our thoughts and plans. We seek Your guidance because we love you, and desire to live a faithful and obedient life that we may receive our reward of eternal life, and meet our Triumphant King who willingly gave His life for us. We pray for the strength to live as faithful overcomers awaiting Your soon return. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.

Consider Who Is On Your Side

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…” -2 Chronicles 20:17

Often we forget that God is Omniscient and He knows every aspect of our lives from beginning to the end. The hardships, adversities, and spiritual warfare we face, God is already aware of, and He waits for us to ask for help.

The LORD is on our side! Who can stand against our Warrior God? Use your faith to believe in His Sovereign Power! Pray for help. Remain silent. Be patient. And watch God give you victory that honors His Holy Name. He is a God Who protects the righteous. Yes and Amen!

LORD God, our world is in turmoil, and we are facing obstacles that we cannot eliminate, and problems we cannot resolve. You commanded us to come to the Throne of Grace, and ask for Your help in the times of need. Jesus, we always need You. Thank You in advance for a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ Powerful Name we pray, Amen.

The Risen Savior is Our Triumphant King!

Jesus, God, the Son is the Second Person of the Triune Godhead, and our Triumphant King. The King of kings stepped away from His throne, leaving His Magnificent Heavenly Home where the Angels bow in obedience and cry Holy, Holy, Holy to the Lamb of God.

Before the creation of humanity, Christ volunteered to die a heinous death on Calvary’s Cross, so we would not have to pay the wages of sin [Romans 6:23]. Yeshua willingly condescended to live as a Man of Sorrows and endure rejection and hatred to save our souls. Thank You, Jesus!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31

The only thing we can do that is worthy of His Love and Excellence is consecrating ourselves daily to live a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyle reflect our dedication, appreciation, love, and loyalty to our Triumphant King, who will soon take the righteous home with Him. Yes and Amen!

Thank You, Jesus, for the shame and spilling of Your precious blood. We honor You with surrender and faithful obedience as we wait with joyful anticipation for Your soon return. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

YAHWEH Mephalti – The LORD My Deliverer

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 18, 2025

“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, NIV

Believing that we are loved by God increases our faith. Yes, our God is Faithful, even so, how well do we know His Character? We cannot love and trust a stranger. Learning God’s Character can only be accomplished by diligently studying the Holy Scriptures.

An attribute of God that we can appreciate is that He never changes—His yes is yes and His no is no. We do not have to guess who God is; from Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His love and the attributes of His Righteous Character: Lover of our Souls, Savior, Deliverer, Rescuer, Healer, Mighty Warrior, and so much more.

The Bible is God’s Spoken Words given to righteous men through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the only historically accurate book documenting His continuous intervention in the lives of the righteous. God desires to guide us victoriously through our journey of life, but we must decide if we will accept and trust Him with our lives.

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ ” —1 Samuel 17:45

David’s young life as a shepherd required dedication and the courage to place himself in jeopardy to protect the sheep from predators. David’s father, Jesse, taught his son to trust in God, which prepared him to use his faith when he fought vicious animals and volunteered to courageously slay Goliath, the Philistine giant.

Still, David’s greatest faith test of trusting God with his life occurred when King Saul’s jealousy and rage grew into a killer instinct against David, causing him to flee for his life. Bible scholars estimate that David lived as a fugitive in the wilderness for approximately 10 years.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). From studying the book of Psalms, we learn that David never forgot that God was His Protector and Deliverer.

Although every believer understands that we are saved by Jesus’ sacrificial offering of His life on Calvary, from the failure to study the Holy Scriptures, many do not have knowledge of the history of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy, and how He has consistently intervened in human life for 6,000 years.

From performing the first animal sacrifice to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness [Genesis 3:21] to protecting the Apostle Paul from many accounts of physical danger [2 Corinthians 11:22-29], Jesus Christ—YAHWEH Mephalti is committed to saving us from sin, rescuing us from the temptations of Satan’s spiritual warfare [1 Corinthians 10:13], protecting the righteous with guardian angels, and giving us His strength to persevere through life’s adversities.

What more can Christ do for us? Our Creator God desires that we invite Him daily [through prayer] to live a victorious life empowered by His wisdom and strength given to us by the Holy Spirit. Are we willing to comply with the Spiritual Conditions of Participation that require the human effort of daily surrender and faithful obedience?

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

We were created to have a relationship with Christ based on faith, obedience, and complete dependency. Although God desires to give us the best, sadly, many believers are using their free will of choice to live in a state of rebellion against God. Many decades ago, Frank Sinatra wrote a song entitled “My Way.” The lyrics included, “I can continue until the end my way.” This is the unbeliever’s bold proclamation of rejecting God.

Satan deceives us into believing we can live according to our desires as long as we attend church once a week. Faithful obedience keeps us in right standing with God. Beware of embracing and practicing Satan’s deceptions that persuade us to live according to our thoughts and strategies to gain wealth and success.

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) highlights the importance of actions aligning with words, emphasizing that true discipleship involves not just professing faith but also obeying God’s commands. This rhetorical question challenges those who outwardly acknowledge Jesus as Lord but fail to live according to His teachings.”

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23

The Christian journey is one in which we desperately need Christ, our Deliverer, to keep us on the Path of Righteousness. Without seeking and obeying God’s will, we are practicing self-governance that always includes risks and consequences. Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us not to use our limited human wisdom to make decisions, as we can never see beyond the present day. Regret is painful!

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” -Psalm 34:17

Every day, we face Satan’s covert, intricate schemes of temptation, not only designed to separate us from God but also to cause instability and financial loss. The financial investment, starting the new business, purchasing a house or vehicle because of a low interest rate, or relocating for a new job may sound promising, but “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Pray, asking God if the presenting situation is a blessing or a temptation, and wait for His answer.

God’s Providence: When we pray for clarity in our lives, we will not understand “the why” of God’s thoughts, ways, and plans. Without questioning or analyzing, we acquiesce to God’s will with a mindset of reverence and total obedience because He loves us, has the best plans, and knows the future.

We can only be tempted by the things we desire, and this is when the struggle of internal opposition begins, between God’s will and our desires. Always trust and obey God. If His answer is Wait or No, then He is saving us from devastating consequences. Learning to rely on God in everything leads to a rewarding life of peace and blessings.

When we include God in the small things that seem insignificant, our perspective of our Heavenly Father changes. The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual wisdom, and we develop a heart filled with love and loyalty for Christ. As time continues, our bond with Christ grows deeper, and Jesus becomes our All and All.

It is the heart-to-heart relationship with Christ that gives experiential knowledge and a personal testimony that our Lord and Savior is “יהוה מְפַלְתִי (YAHWEH Mephalti)… the God who rescues, delivers, and saves.” Yes and Amen!

Jesus, our Savior, Rescuer, Deliverer, and Triumphant King, we love You, Amen.