forgiveness – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Past Cannot Be Changed! Do Not Regret Your Past Mistakes!

Saul before his conversion was responsible for the death and imprisonment of many Christians including the death of Stephen [Saul gave his approval and witnessed the stoning of Stephen, a faithful Christian].

With the exception of the Apostle John, Jesus’ disciples died as martyrs. If Christ did not restrain Satan’s enmity against Christians, he would attempt to eradicate believers. But Jesus always places limitations on Satan’s Warfare against the righteous.

While Saul was traveling on the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians, from Heaven, Jesus spoke to Saul.

Saul’s Conversion: “As he journeyed he [Saul] came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?…’ “

“And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ ” (Acts 9:3-6).

Not only did Christ completely transform Saul, who after his conversion used the name Paul, Jesus gave the persecutor of Christians the spiritual assignment of witnessing to the Gentiles, and starting the early Christian church.

“Although Paul had Roman citizenship, he was Hebrew by birth. Paul identified himself as both ‘Jewish’ and ‘Hebrew,’ most notably stating that he was ‘a Hebrew of the Hebrews.’ ” (Philippians 3:5).

“In the Apostle Paul’s time, paganism was the dominant religious landscape of the Greco-Roman world, characterized by polytheism and idol worship, which Paul’s ministry challenged by advocating for exclusive devotion to the one true God…”

Paul Proclaims His Mission of Witnessing to the Gentiles: “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it! And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.” (Acts 28:28-29).

The Gentiles were hated by the Jewish leaders and community because their lifestyles and pagan rituals had no boundaries. “Their pagan rituals included idol worship, sacrificing animals, food, and, in some cases, humans, and the practice of sexual immorality as part of worship to their deities.”

From fulfilling God’s mission to preach to the Gentiles, Paul was also rejected by the Jewish community. The Sanhedrin even attempted to coerce the Roman government into executing Paul.

But as a Roman citizen, Paul exercised his right to appeal to Caesar, which guaranteed a trial. But, the apostle remained a prisoner, and many years later was executed by Nero.

“The Apostle Paul was not executed for any specific legal charges, but rather fell victim to Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians following the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64.”

During the time of his imprisonment, the Holy Spirit gave the apostle Paul, God’s spoken words that are documented in 14 books of the New Testament.

The conversion of Saul to Paul, the Apostle reveals that when we repent, God completely forgives us of every past decision, behaviors, and actions, including heinous crimes.

Repent: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

Like Paul, we repent, receive forgiveness, and move forward by fulfilling God’s spiritual goals for our lives. Christ has won the victory over sin, and through His redeeming power, and from striving to live holy, we are covered with His Righteousness.

The Story of Redemption

Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb: “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.’ (John 19:28, 30).

God’s Forgiveness: “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25).

“Justification is God’s legal act of declaring a sinner righteous, not based on the sinner’s merit, but by imputing the Righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in us.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB).

“Justification is the complete act of Grace that provides the sinner with complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God, providing a clean slate rather than changing their inherent character.”

Sanctification: God, the Holy Spirit performs the lifelong transformation of our minds characters and personalities into the likeness of Christ. Still, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit through daily surrender, faithful obedience, renouncing sin, and striving to live holy.

The Fruit of the Spirit is Christ’s Righteous Character

Sanctification: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering [patience], gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).

The Believer’s Responsibility: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24-25).

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).

Like the apostle Paul, God’s forgiveness includes becoming a new son or daughter in Christ Jesus. We ask God to reveal our spiritual assignment and in Jesus’ strength we fulfill God’s plans for our lives.

“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19, NIV).

Two of the most dangerous mindsets are harboring feelings of guilt and believing that God has not forgiven us when we repent of our past sins.

It is impossible to live righteously, or receive Eternal Life if we fail to use our faith to believe in The Plan of Redemption, which includes God’s Love, Grace, Mercies, and His promises to forgive us despite the nature of our past atrocities.

Fact: Satan will use people to remind us of our past. Separation is required from those who desire to confront us regarding our past lives. Neither can we have relationships with people who refuse to forgive us.

1. If it is possible to ask those who we have harmed to forgive us then God expects us to do so. Also remember, we cannot force others to forgive us.

2. If the person is deceased then it is impossible to ask them for forgiveness [“…the dead know nothing.” Ecclesiastes 9:5], we ask God to forgive us, and move forward.

3. If a legal restraining order exists, we pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to comfort the person or people we have injured. Resist the urge to intervene. Once we have asked God to send comfort, we step aside, and move forward.

There were many individuals who remembered Paul as Saul, the former Christian Killer. Even after his conversion, he was often feared, and hated by many who knew his past life.

If you are thinking, Wait, is it this easy to receive God’s forgiveness for my past? Yes, it is!

God’s Answer: “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. “(Isaiah 1:18).

To every believer, God knows our past, but, when we ask for forgiveness, God forgives us, and He expects us to move forward in the Power of His Might [Divine Strength]. With God, we will not be able to justify our decision of not “letting the past go.”

Paul tells us how to Redirect Our Spiritual Focus: “…dear brothers and sisters…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…” (Philippians 3:13).

Reminder: “Our past decisions and actions were determined by the knowledge, or the lack of knowledge that we possessed at that time.”

“Now, that we are converted believers and live according to God’s Holy Word, we would do things very differently, but there is no opportunity for that.”

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12).

Pray and ask God to reveal His plans for your life, and like the Apostle Paul, move forward in the Power and Strength of Jesus Christ who is coming soon. Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Acts 9

Prayer: Lord God, create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit of righteousness within us. We ask You to give us the strength to move forward in our spiritual journey as we fulfill our spiritual assignments. Lord, give us the wisdom to live as one who is forgiven, and one who is cleansed from all unrighteousness by the precious blood of Jesus Christ whose Holy Name, we ask this prayer.

Escaping the Demise of Nurturing Unforgiveness

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44).

God has established His commands found in the Holy Scriptures for forgiving our enemies. When Jesus was nailed to Calvary’s Cross, He prayed a prayer forgiving His enemies. Before we accepted Christ, we were also His enemies, and He immediately forgave us.

The Big Reveal: Love and hate cannot coexist in our hearts.

Unforgiveness reveals that we possess an unconverted heart that is not transformed by the Holy Spirit. We cannot love God and hate others. It is a sad choice to lose one’s reward of Eternal Life for harboring the deep rooted sin of unforgiveness.

The Holy Scriptures do not support or justify our demand to receive an apology from those who have harmed us. We must forgive even when they feel no remorse for what they did.

I endured childhood abandonment, abuse, betrayal, and hatred. Still I forgave, because 30 years later someone told me to pray for my enemies.

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6: 14-15).

Praying for others set me free from the bondage that threatened to keep my heart, mind, and soul in a hopeless abyss of the darkness of hatred. When we forgive, Jesus completely heals our broken hearts, and there are no residual scars.

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NLT)

There is nothing deeper than God’s spoken words in the Holy Bible, which soothes our souls, and transforms our minds and characters in preparation for a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth where love will abound!

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord…’

To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

God says that vengeance belongs to Him. We have this hope, the world as we know it, saturated with so much evil, will not always exist. Study Revelation chapters I9-22.

We choose to ask Jesus to fill our hearts with His Agape love to replace the bitter feelings of unforgiveness. To love God is to love others unconditionally.

Obeying God’s Commands and Righteous Principles is required of every Christian believer. Forgiving our enemies is a requisite for receiving Jesus’ promise of the Crown of Life.

As we are forgiven, we must forgive. Never be willing to die for your enemy’s sins because that is the spiritual outcome of nurturing the sin of unforgiveness. Peace and Blessings.

Lord Jesus, You experienced much hatred and many atrocities in Your earthly life, still you forgave your enemies. We pray for those who are in the bondage of unforgiveness that they will allow Your Righteous Love to permeate their hearts and heal their wounds. In faith, we ask this prayer, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Unrequited Love Relationships

Our Daily Walk with Christ – January 9, 2025

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

The Spiritual Definition of Unrequited Love: “In a spiritual context, unrequited love refers to a one-sided, unreciprocated love that is given by God for humanity, but that love is not returned or acknowledged by the object of affection [humanity].

Are we certain that we are not in an unrequited love relationship with God? We have the assurance that God loves us, but what is our response to His love? We must love God beyond spoken words to receive eternal life. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Because God is Sovereign, He predetermined humanity’s appropriate response to receiving His love and salvation. We must serve Him with surrender and faithful obedience to demonstrate our love and loyalty. Our response of obedience is our highest form of worship and demonstrates reverence for Yahweh. Without obedience, we do not have a love relationship with Christ who is our Mediator between us and God, the Father.

An Unrequited Love Relationship Between Human Beings exists when Love is given to an individual who does not return the giver’s love.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” —1 John 4:7-8, NIV

Have you loved someone with everything you have and at some point, the person exhibited signs that they did not love you? When Christian believers experience this dilemma, it is a spiritual dilemma. We do not fall asleep one night and awaken the next morning not loving God and our family. The individual who verbalizes, “I just don’t love you anymore” has been disconnected from God for a while.

When the love of God ceases to exist, carnal feelings overpower and rule the heart, therefore the qualities of Christ-like love no longer exist in the hearts of spouses, the anticipated wedding is called off, and best friends part ways for no apparent reason.

If we cannot understand how Christians lose interest in the people who love them, it is an issue of the heart, they have lost interest in God. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We must be intentional in maintaining our heart-to-heart connection with God. Without meaningful worship, the desire to serve God easily diminishes.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13

We are impacted by our environment to seek success and to pursue whatever makes us happy. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t require much for us to embrace worldly practices. We cannot subdue our heart’s desires without the power of God. The once loyal believer transitions to an unbelieving believer [acknowledging God’s existence but no spiritual connection to God].

Sadly, the dissolution of marriages and long-term relationships has escalated in the Christian community. Many Instagram posts reveal the hurt and anger of spouses, fiancés, and friends who are attempting to move forward from experiencing the devastating heartbreak of unrequited love. Reading the emotional responses that arise from lost love is quite shocking, yet, even when suffering the greatest disappointment, as believers, we cannot justify possessing a heart overflowing with malice.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].” —Ephesians 4:31, Amplified Bible

When our best is not appreciated, we feel devalued and grief easily escalates into anger, bitterness, resentment, and depression. Although we have immense love and devotion for God, even steadfast believers struggle with controlling the aftermath of roller coaster emotions from heartbreak.

The true challenge lies in maintaining a heart filled with love. Overcoming the escalation of carnal feelings requires much prayer asking for Divine strength. When love ends, we need Divine help to empower our self-control to resist plummeting into an abyss of dark emotions.

Nothing is hidden from God! “I, Yahweh, search the heart; I test the inmost being, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10).

Unrequited love hurts! We cannot deceive God who knows the true condition of our hearts. Pray an honest prayer of confession and forgiveness, “God, I am angry, hurt, resentful…” Forgive and pray for the person who failed to return your love and redirect your focus from yourself to God. Asking God to reveal His plan for moving forward keeps us connected in our time of emotional distress.

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Acknowledging that you still love the person is a healthy response that prevents the entry of unforgiveness. Obeying the command to forgive is crucial because our character traits determine our destiny. God commands that we love and forgive those who hurt us. Pray! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to love even when experiencing extreme emotional pain.

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” —Psalm 147:3, [Amplified Bible]

Love and Forgiveness are the spiritual catalysts to receive healing. Jesus asks, “…Will you be made whole?” (John 5:6). Thankfully, God promises to heal our broken hearts. We have a compassionate Heavenly Father who knows and understands the pain of a wounded heart. Surely, God endured heartbreak to see His Son on the cross and mocked and despised by those He came to save. Because emotional pain impacts our relationship with Jesus Christ, our spirit of forgiveness invites God to begin a journey of healing that includes receiving Jesus’ Divine Strength and Comfort.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29, NRSV

Do not allow yourself to become hard-hearted! It is better to cry a river of tears and express immense sorrow than to become bitter and resentful. All is not lost! God promises to heal and restore joy to our hearts. Our Loving Father is compassionate and kind. The duration of our journey of healing is determined by God who never requires us to hurry up and heal.

Pray as often as needed and study the Scriptures, especially the life of Christ. Ask God every day for the courage and strength to keep moving forward even when performing routine duties. The perplexities of emotional healing remain a mystery, yet, we know that faith and trust in God lightens the heavy burden of sorrow, and day by day, we become stronger through Christ.

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” —Psalm 86:5, NIV

Have you hurt someone? Believe that God loves you! The Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience when we have inflicted emotional, mental, or physical pain on others. Confession and repentance are vital to be in the right standing with God. Seek the forgiveness of those you have hurt. “To change, we must desire change, and surrender our hearts to God who changes us through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Those who inflicted severe pain on their loved ones are still loved by God. Asking the person/people for forgiveness is the first step that God requires before we confess and repent [Matthew 5:23-24]. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances [court orders, deceased, or unknown location] that prevent one from contacting the person or people who suffered. Even so, with a contrite spirit, pray for forgiveness, and ask God to touch and heal the hearts of those who were impacted by your actions.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” —Philippians 3:13

“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

Before Saul’s spiritual transformation to the apostle Paul, he was responsible for most of the deaths of the early Christian believers. The apostle Paul is proof that God redeems and restores. God used Paul to establish 14 churches and write most of the New Testament while imprisoned. We cannot carry a load of guilt. Move forward by praying for the Holy Spirit to transform your heart into one of unconditional love. God redeems and restarts our spiritual journey with the expectation that we will love as Christ and reflect His love to others.

“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

Because our perception of love varies, we must learn and practice God’s Righteous definition of love toward all people. We invite the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love, including loving those who reject us. We always forgive and pray for those practicing unrequited love, but we also exit the relationship or marriage if the spouse or friend refuses to restore their love relationship with God.

Agape love is the love that is the foundation of our heart-to-heart connection with God and imparts health and happiness to the giver and receiver. The Christian home is to be filled with love, joy, and peace. Unrequited love creates an environment void of love, causes suffering, fosters hate, and is not blessed by God. The atmosphere of our homes should reflect God’s love and peace which is needed to maintain a viable [thriving, growing daily] love relationship with Christ which is our priority.

“For I will restore you to health, And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares Yahweh…” —Jeremiah 30:17

Our fractured earthly relationships may never be restored, but God keeps His promises. With joyful expectation, we exercise faith to believe our emotional wounds will be healed. Yeshua [Jesus] is the Spiritual Balm who heals us completely by giving us a new heart without residual scars and freeing us from all guilt and remorse. Yes and Amen, I am a living witness that God restores and heals broken hearts.

We are looking forward to the day when unrequited love relationships will not exist. But until then, we invite the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts with Agape love and move forward in faith. Our Savior’s earthly ministry focused on healing, which always required faith in God’s power, and today, Jesus says, “I have loved you with everlasting love, have faith in Me, and I will heal you.”

“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

Lord God, we thank You for being a healer of broken hearts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Please share this Devotional with anyone who is impacted by an unrequited love relationship. Peace and Blessings.

Live As One Who Is Forgiven

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 25, 2024

“This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and rescued you from Saul. 8 I gave you your master Saul’s house and his wives. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if this weren’t enough, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise my word by doing what I considered evil? You had Uriah the Hittite killed in battle. You took his wife as your wife. You used the Ammonites to kill him. 10 So warfare will never leave your house because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” —2 Samuel 12:7-10, GNT

King David’s Prayer of Repentance for the Sin Against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah: Psalm 51

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

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— Verses, 1-4

With a Father’s love, God granted King David mercy following his sinful actions. Although he suffered the lifelong consequences of his decisions, God continuously protected David from his enemies [including his sons, Absalom and Adonijah]. David proves that with God, we can strive to live as one who is forgiven by renouncing sin and staying before the Throne of Grace.

“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

Because we acknowledge that our God is Sovereign and His thoughts and plans for our lives are perfect, we would think trusting and obeying Him would be easy. But the reality is that we fight an internal battle every day to overcome the desires of our hearts. Many believers fail to pray for God’s will. Every day they pursue their desires never perceiving their actions as disobedience against God.

Satan deceives us into believing that God measures sins as great or insignificant, big or little, yet, God declares that all sin is the transgression of His law. Wilful disobedience challenges God’s Authority and signifies overt rebellion against His Righteous Character. From the history of the Israelites, we learn the sins we choose to commit occur because the desire for the particular sin is hidden in our hearts.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” —James 1:14-15

Every sin arises from our inherited heart filled with the desire for self-gratification. None of us are exempt from seeking sinful pleasures. Even, the Apostle Paul confessed, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing (Romans 7:19). Truthfully, we do not understand our hearts, it is easier to do wrong than to live righteously.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).

We need the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom to perceive sin for what it really is—any thought or action we commit outside of God’s will [for us] is sin. Every morning, we receive the gift of new mercies of another day of life. Either we choose the path of disobedience—rebellion against God by choosing our plans or the path of faithful obedience through our initial prayer: “Lord, I surrender myself and ask You to reveal Your plans for my life today.”

“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). The failure to surrender reveals the heart issue of loving ourselves more than we love God and the desire to live according to our earthly plans. If God required His only Son to live a life of poverty, and rejection, and to die a criminal’s death then with heartfelt love for Jesus, we reveal our appreciation for the gift of salvation through obedience to God’s Divine plans.

Christ’s Testimonial of Obedience: “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

Jesus’ Internal Struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane: ” ‘Abba, Father,’ He said, ‘all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.'” —Luke 22:42-43

Even if we have little knowledge of the Scriptures, reflecting on the life of Christ and His inner struggle in the Garden reflects God’s unchangeable requirement of Faithful Obedience. The Father honored His Son for His obedience. God intervened in Jesus’ struggle to fulfill the Plan of Redemption for us.”…an angel appeared, strengthening Him.” Thank You Jesus for Your unfailing obedience!

All praises to God, the Father for giving Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb the supernatural strength to complete the Plan of Redemption to save our souls. Through prayer, we receive Jesus’ strength to empower us to overcome all temptation and live dedicated and obedient lives.

Still, God’s gift of Grace does not give us the leeway to follow our thoughts and inclinations. Every believer who desires the Crown of Life must seek God daily for His will to be revealed by the Holy Spirit and fulfill His Divine plans for the given day. Love propels us to obey!

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” —Matthew 22:37

To love God is to know His Righteous and Loving Character and follow in Jesus’ steps through surrender and obedience. The Holy Bible is our Guidebook for traveling the spiritual journey from earth to heaven. Because it is an immediate response for us to follow our desires, God, the Father sent His Spirit—the Holy Spirit also known as the Spirit of Truth to teach, reveal, and guide our steps in our wilderness journey.

In our daily activities, adherence and obedience to laws are essential, extending from governmental regulations to county and city ordinances that govern human behavior and delineate criminal activity. Employers have policies that coincide with labor laws, enforce nondiscriminatory treatment, and define productivity guidelines, and appropriate behaviors. Termination is the standard penalty for character deficits and infractions of established policies.

Reflection: If we obey human laws what prevents us from obeying God’s Sovereign Laws and Precepts?

Like Eve, we have been deceived by Satan who tells us, “You will not surely die” from our acts of disobedience. So we attend church, give tithe and offerings, treat others respectfully, and do not commit outrageous sins. To compensate for our failure to obey God through surrender and faithful obedience, like Cain who offered God his idea of the sacrificial offering, we try to please God with our actions, believing He is satisfied.

Worldviews are built on sinful habits. Whether we chase success, spend money frivolously (the love of money is the root of all evil), engage in friendships and romantic liaisons with unbelievers (Do not make mismatched alliances with them, it is inconsistent with your faith), or practice sexual immorality (the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body), our sin is against God.

The violation of God’s Righteous Precepts and Moral Law is a matter of life or death, they are the Standards for receiving the reward of Eternal Life. God says He does not change. There is no leniency as Satan desires for us to believe. “Middle of the Road or Compromised Christianity” is still a sin. If we truly love God, we do His will. Pray, listen, and obey. We cannot overcome the innate desires of our hearts without surrendering to God and asking for His Divine Help which we receive through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Daniel, and Job lived sinless lives. With determination, and the desire to live holy and acceptable lives, they prayed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, dedicated human beings overcame sin by the power of Jesus’ strength. God gifted us with the power of self-control and the privilege of praying for help when tempted.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” —2 Timothy 1:7, AMP Bible

The human effort of total surrender to God invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine strength to say No to sin. We are soldiers in the Army of God. We prepare for spiritual war daily through prayer, consecration, and surrender. In our battle with evil, we always need God’s help. Angels fight spiritual warfare that we cannot see. Still, we must be courageous in standing down invitations designed to separate us from God.

God is Love! When we fall, in humility, we repent. God’s Promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Yes, and Amen! We Can Live as One Who Is Forgiven by stepping into our role as surrendered and faithful warriors anointed with the Matchless Strength of Jesus Christ.

“I call heaven and earth to witness this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—that you and your offspring shall live.” —Deuteronomy 30:19

“Choosing life involves: Loving God, Walking in God’s Ways, Keeping God’s Commandments, and Having a Radical Change of Heart.” Yes, and Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for the precious gift of Jesus Christ. We ask for forgiveness of the sin of rebellion against Your Sovereign Authority. We desire to live as one who is forgiven and pray for direction and protection from the evil one. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

God’s Abundant Gift of New Mercies

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 15,2024

Every day Christ covers us with His love, grace, and mercies. What will we do to honor Him for the gifted mercies of this new day? With a grateful heart, strive to live holy by giving up sinful habits and asking God to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Make the commitment to really love God and you will begin to view life through the spiritual eyes of Christ.

Mercy is one of God’s greatest love blessings that we often take for granted. What will we do to honor God for His continuous mercies? Every believer has access to the Divine Help of the Holy Spirit who empowers us with Christ’s strength to live committed and holy lives. Through prayer, we ask for and receive God’s supernatural power. We desperately need heavenly intervention to live as righteous overcomers.

We cannot afford to cherish and practice sin. Our lifestyle reveals whether or not we love God and appreciate His free gifts. Our thoughts, spoken words, habits, friends, and pursuits reveal if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our character and heart into the likeness of Christ. Embrace God’s new mercies with an open heart. Amen.

“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 AMP Bible

Lord God, thank You for Your unfailing love, grace, and mercies. Because we love and honor You, with gratitude, we commit ourselves to serve You with surrender and faithful obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Repentance and Restoration

My greatest desire is to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus. A relationship that brings confidence, courage, and steadfast faith in times of sorrow and darkness and peaceful times. But I have followed my feelings and let the pride of self-reliance dictate my decisions. In anguish, I feel that I am separated from my Father.

I admit that my actions are responsible for the anguish and weakened faith that I possess. Yet, in the height of despair, the Holy Spirit directs me to a video short on Ezekial chapter 36. The God who loves promises to perform a spiritual surgical procedure on those who love Him but have messed up.

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekial 36:25-27 NKJV)

Our Father reminds us that although we have profaned His name through disobedient thoughts, words, and actions, our Restoration brings honor and glory to His Name. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: ‘I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.'” (Ezekial 36:22 NKJV)

When we have veered off the narrow Path of Righteousness, demonic forces of evil attempt to deceive and convince us that God is punitive in His justice, leaving us feeling dejected. The truth is our Heavenly Father, whose very nature is Love, never crushes us or removes our hope. If we humble ourselves and repent, we will receive a new heart that desires to love and serve Him. We would be the recipients of the removal of sin, transformation, and complete spiritual restoration.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your loving-kindness. We have sinned against You. Our humble prayer is that you accept our confession and restore to us the joy and peace in our hearts that we have lost. We ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And we will give You the glory and the honor that You deserve. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.