Life is a wonderful blessing. We can learn to use our talents and spiritual gifts, choose our careers, and use our emotions to smile, laugh, and celebrate our accomplishments.
Yet, at some point in our lives, every human being shares the common experience of the abyss of emotional pain. When loss occurs, we experience disappointment and a sense of helplessness, often wondering if we had done things differently, could the loss have been prevented? The answer is usually no.
Loss happens in various ways: We lose jobs, our homes from the inability to pay the mortgage and from natural disasters, and wars; relationships, engagements, and marriages end; our health deteriorates; but the most devastating is the death of a loved one, which threatens to consume our very existence.
Jesus tells us that our earthly lives will include hardships: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [hardships and adversity]; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
As Christian believers, how are we supposed to respond when we experience loss? True Peace and Rest are Found in Jesus: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
We use our faith to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us, He is faithful, and keeps our hope alive and thriving by always fulfilling His promises in the Holy Scriptures.
Jesus Promise: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3).
Yes, we will cry many tears in our earthly lives, yet if we invite Jesus into our pain, He promises to heal us. Although physical healing is not promised, Jesus always heals our mental and emotional distress because remaining unhealed interferes with our spiritual growth and transformation.
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 30:17). Jesus Christ created us, and He is the One who promises to apply His Healing Balm to soothe our pain and heal our shattered hearts.
Jesus is our Compassionate Shepherd, gently guiding and moving us forward day by day, in little steps; Our Savior never expects us to take giant leaps in our Healing Journey.
Yes, even in our disappointment and despair, we are expected to use our faith to pray daily for strength and believe in Jesus’ infinite love, power, and promises.
Jesus’ Promise of Restoration: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all Grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).
When we use our faith [even if it is weak] to trust Jesus, He promises to restore and strengthen us and to give us New Beginnings.
“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, ESV)
Lord God, we come to you in our sorrow and brokenness, asking you to heal our hearts and to give us the strength to keep moving forward. We thank You for always loving us and Your never-ending faithfulness. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).
Beginning each new day with a heart filled with praise and gratitude to God is a life-changing experience! From focusing on our blessings, our hearts are filled with love, joy, and peace.
Prayers of Gratitude redirects our focus from our desires to God’s overflowing blessings of life, health, an alert and oriented mind, and angelic protection from all harm.
Every day, we should express, “Thank You, God” for our consistent blessings of His guidance, resolving our challenges, and receiving all of our provisions.
Another blessing that we may take for granted, is the freedom to worship God without suffering persecution. Thousands of Christian brothers and sisters must worship God secretly, and we pray that God will give them strength to persevere.
“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).
Because God loves us and we trust Him, we know that we have all that we need. Grateful hearts also receive [from Christ] the spiritual gifts of peace, joy, and happiness.
By maintaining a spirit of commitment, we reveal our love, loyalty, and appreciation to Jesus Christ, Yahweh Yireh, our Faithful Provider, who deserves our praise and worship.
King David reminds us throughout the Book of Psalms to place our “full hope, trust, and joy in the LORD, who is our Shield and Helper.”
True joy comes from trusting in Jesus’ Holy Name and thanking Him for His Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercy. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, You have blessed us with another day of life, and we come to You with hearts filled with gratitude for all that You do for us. Yahweh Yireh, our Faithful Provider, we thank You for the sacrificial gift of Your life, for shielding us from unseen spiritual warfare and physical danger, and giving us hope, joy, and peace. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27, NLT)
Although the Monarch of Egypt could have easily commanded that Moses be put to death for relaying God’s message of freeing Israel from slavery, Moses placed his faith in God, courageously telling Pharaoh ten times, “God said, ‘Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'”
It was not until the tenth and final plague, “the death of the Egyptian firstborn males, both human and animal,” that Pharaoh was humbled, allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt, initiating the Exodus.
Because God, the Father, loved humanity, He required Jesus to die on Calvary’s Cross to redeem us from the slavery of sin [Romans 6:23]. Yes, Jesus paid the price of our freedom, still, love must be reciprocal; we must also serve God with love, faithful obedience, and a daily sacrificial offering:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [Romans 12:1-2, ESV].
The believer’s life is one of sacrifice. We must renounce sin, secular music, violent games, pornography, same-sex programs, gambling, drinking, using mood-enhancing substances, sexual immorality, unmarried and living together, relationships with unbelievers, and employment where covert corruptness exists.
With faith and humility, we must let go of all selfish desires to follow Christ. Yet one of the Christian community’s greatest mistakes is the practice of “Self-reliance.” If we awaken with a personal agenda and the strategies to complete our goals without ever praying and asking God to reveal His plans for the new day, then God is not first in our lives.
Through self-evaluation, we should pray, asking God to reveal any stumbling blocks in our lives that would prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We have become too comfortable in our earthly lives. Instead of seeing ourselves as “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” our focus is on pursuing our desires and goals, leaving little time for a personal relationship with Christ.
Truthfully, we know how we are spending our time. Jobs, personal habits, and relationships that cause us to put God in second place, we must let go of. The day will come when God commands us to “Let go” of whatever is causing us to place God as number two.
God’s Command to Abram: “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1).
Abraham’s Response: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8). God moved Abram from a pagan land, changed his name to Abraham, and made him the father of a great nation.
Reflection: Think deeply on how you would respond if God commanded you not to marry the person you are deeply in love with, resign from your job, not purchase the home or vehicle, or relocate to another state or country?
Because we have redirected our faith and trust from God to ourselves, when God commands us to let go or to perform a task that requires a giant leap of faith, we will respond with doubt and fear. Self-reliance destroys our faith and trust in God’s Sovereign and Absolute Power.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Our independent lifestyles shape our perception of God. Instead of seeing God as the All-Powerful God that He is, we place God on our level, as if He possesses the same human limitations that we were created with.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). When God gives us a command, He already has the entire plan worked out that always ends in victory! Know this:
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:19).
Steadfast Faith Anchors Us to Jesus Christ: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4).
Our faith and courage must be anchored in Jesus Christ, the Rock. Consistent personal worship [Prayer and Bible Study] establishes and maintains our relationship with Christ, and builds our faith and trust in God’s Sovereign Power.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Prayer elevates us spiritually into God’s presence, where we receive a supernatural blessing of the strength to persevere, and the reassurance that God will help us, resulting in renewed hope and peace.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25). Throughout the Bible, we learn that God always helps the righteous when in faith, we pray, ask, and thank Him in advance for His Divine Intervention.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). Every day, we must actively participate in our Salvation. Spiritual growth and transformation can only happen when we do our part: Follow Jesus, pray for guidance, and study the Holy Scriptures to learn God’s Loving and Righteous Character, and do exactly what He requires of us.
In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul tells us that Sanctification requires the decision to surrender, practice self-denial, and the willingness to faithfully follow Christ, trusting and obeying His plans for our lives.
Manage Your Time Wisely: Designating specific times for worship strengthens our faith and courage because the Holy Spirit provides us with deeper spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and discernment of the Scriptures, God’s Righteous Character, and His promises to deliver us.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Our relationship with Jesus Christ is a daily spiritual journey that requires faith and the courage to trust in God’s Sovereign Plans and Power.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
The life of a believer is one of total surrender and faithful obedience. We strive to maintain a Christ-Centered, Faith-based commitment to God by praying for the continuous guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14). Jesus warns us that following Him is a daily, intentional decision to use our faith to trust and obey God. The Path of Righteousness is a “Challenging Road of Faith and Obedience leading to Eternal Life.”
We were created to trust and depend on Christ. It is spiritually impossible to use only human thoughts and efforts to keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
“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). If we use our faith to completely trust and rely on Jesus’ wisdom, we will receive spiritual guidance from the Holy Spirit.
The Creation story in Genesis chapters 1-3 reveals God’s Loving Character. From the beginning, Jesus created a most beautiful earthly home that provided all that we would ever need.
Because God is Omniscient [All-Knowing], God knew that Adam and Eve would choose to disobey. Yet, the Plan of Redemption requiring Christ to die on Calvary’s Cross was already established before the creation of humanity.
Reflection: Where do we really stand in our faith journey with Jesus Christ?
“For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good, and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s goal is for the righteous to live forever with Him. Still, every human being chooses their destiny. Only with steadfast faith, trust, and obedience, and the power of the Holy Spirit, can we receive our Eternal reward.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).
Lord God, we thank You for Your amazing love and the gift of Your only Son, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. Lord, we confess that we are not steadfast in our faith and trust, and for this we ask for forgiveness. We desire Eternal Life and ask for the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us in our choices. Give us the wisdom to prepare ourselves as we seek you through daily prayer and study of the Scriptures. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will…” (Ephesians 1:3-5).
While having worship this morning, I listened to the powerful words of a song that said, “God chose us.” And with deep reflection, I thought about the spiritual responsibility of being chosen to follow Christ; What does it mean to be chosen by God, the Father?
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus always answers our questions regarding our salvation and spiritual matters. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways, which requires us to separate ourselves from distractions and worship God in solitude and silence when we desire to hear His Voice.
While studying my daily Bible Lesson, Ephesians 1:3-5, a Scriptural reference was the answer to my question. The apostle Paul explains that before Christ created the world, God, the Father, predestined us for adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.
“We love Him, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
“Divine Initiative: 1 John 4:19 highlights that God loved humanity first, even before we existed or chose to follow Him.”
“The Cause of Our Love: Our capacity to love God and others is not self-generated; it is a response to His grace and love, which is described as Agape (unconditional/sacrificial love).”
“A Reaction to Redemption: Because Jesus sacrificed Himself for humanity (as mentioned in 1 John 4:10), our love is a response of gratitude.”
Jesus Chooses Matthew as His Disciple: Matthew, the rogue tax collector, was chosen by Christ to be one of His twelve disciples. His response was not one of spoken words: “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9).
Jesus knows our hearts and, through the Holy Spirit, He extends the invitation to accept Him as our personal Savior: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).
“Our work is to open the door of the heart and let Jesus come in. He is knocking for entrance….Will you open the door? Jesus is standing at the door of your heart. Let Him in, the Heavenly Guest.” Our High Calling
“Many have so much rubbish piled up at the door of the heart that they cannot admit Jesus. Some have difficulties between themselves and their brethren to remove; others have evil tempers, pride, covetousness; with others, love of the world bars the entrance. All this must be taken away before they can open the door and welcome the Saviour in.” Our High Calling
For those who have opened the door of their hearts by accepting Christ as their personal Savior have been intentionally chosen by God, the Father, before the world was created, and we have at least one spiritual assignment to fulfill.
Will we accept our Holy Assignment of being chosen? If yes, then our lifestyle and priorities must reflect a “God First, Christ-Centered, Purpose-Driven” commitment to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Daily surrender and faithful obedience are required to live the sacrificial life of a chosen follower of Jesus Christ:
A Living Sacrifice: “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.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).
“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 12:2, NIV).
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
The Commitment: “I have decided to follow Jesus, and through His strength, I will move forward to fulfill my Spiritual Assignment!” Yes and Amen.
Lord God, we thank You for Your amazing love and for predestining and choosing us to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Lord, we accept our Spiritual Assignment. As You reveal Your plans to us day by day, we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to recognize Your Voice above other voices, including our own thoughts. You told us in Your word that we will face many distractions designed to turn our focus away from You, and we ask for Spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to fulfill Your plans as we tell others about the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. In faith, we pray in Jesus’ Righteous Name. Amen.
Jesus Frequently Prayed Alone: “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” (Luke 5:16).
“Looking at the passages where Jesus prays alone, one thing that is evident is that He took action in order to make His quiet (alone time) time happen.”
“The seasons of prayer which the Savior spent in the mountain or in the desert were essential to prepare Him for the trials He must meet in the days to follow….”
Every day, we face many spiritual battles that we cannot resolve without the Divine Intervention and Power of Jesus Christ.
The first step to establishing a consistent prayer life is to set aside a time in the morning before beginning the routine duties of your day.
Separation, Solitude, and Silence invite the Holy Spirit to place us in God’s Holy Presence.
“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend…Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.”
By separating us from distractions and others, the Holy Spirit makes us aware of the reverence required in the majestic presence of Jesus, God, our Heavenly Intercessor.
“And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” (John 11:41-42).
Because Jesus was without sin, He always began his prayers with gratitude to God the Father.
Although the format of our prayers varies, we should always ask for the forgiveness of our sins and then express gratitude to God for His Love, Grace, and Mercies, and the new day of life, as we begin our prayers.
Prayer is our greatest asset! “There is a condition that we must fulfill if we expect God to hear and answer our prayers: We must feel that we need help from Him.”
“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). Make prayer your priority!
To live as victorious overcomers, we must stay connected to Jesus, the Source of Divine Power. Whether our prayers are silent or spoken, there is no limit to petitioning the Throne of Grace, which should be done several times a day to receive Jesus’ strength to stand against our desires and Satan’s temptations.
“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray?”
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16). Within ourselves, we are powerless, but fervent prayers are answered and empowered by Jesus Christ, the Source of All Power. Yes and Amen!
For the Christians who pray continuously, Satan can never deceive us. Prayer connects us to Jesus Christ, our High Priest, Intercessor, and Mediator, who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to perceive life through spiritual eyes, and to recognize and resist Satan’s temptations.
The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3, the behaviors of sinful people in the Last Days: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…”
Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the last days of Earth’s history! “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to recognize the Voice of God.
Every day, we must pursue our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, through continuous prayer to receive the spiritual wisdom, strength, guidance, and discernment to fully understand the Truth of the Holy Scriptures, and to prepare for Jesus’ Soon Coming.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:17-18, NIV).
Lord God, we thank You for the privilege of prayer. And we ask You to strengthen us and to give us wisdom as we prepare day by day for the soon coming of Jesus Christ. Lord, teach us how to recognize Your Voice and open our minds so that we can understand the depth of the Holy Scriptures. In faith, we pray in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear [revere] Him…” (Psalm 103: 8, 11).
Every day, we must make decisions and choices that should always include God’s Divine wisdom. With God, our faith grows, and our minds are filled with peace, because we know that our Heavenly Father will always give us a perfect outcome.
Maintaining a spirit of gratitude, praying, and studying the Holy Scriptures are daily faith-building activities, giving us knowledge of God’s Character and His steadfast Promises. Daily personal worship indicates that we are actively participating in our journey of spiritual growth and development.
Loving God gives us the desire to be in His presence. Personal worship not only reveals our love and loyalty to God, but also invites the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment of the Scriptures and the strength to live righteously.
In John 14:1-3, Jesus reveals the expected end for the faithful, believers who let go of their desires and the world’s treasures and pleasures to follow Christ. God has gifted everyone a measure of faith. Either we use our faith to believe in ourselves, or in God.
Jesus compared “faith” to a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, yet it is…” considered strong, hardy, and resilient, and capable of withstanding harsh conditions and providing shade.” By trusting God, the Holy Spirit keeps us aligned with God’s Divine purpose of Eternal Life.
To remain on the narrow Path of Righteousness, we use our faith to trust that Christ is the King of our lives, and we study the Bible with the intent to obey: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).
The Holy Scriptures reveal God’s promises and faithfulness in helping the righteous; still, we need more than knowledge of the Scriptures, faith requires the childlike belief of, “If God said it, He will do it.”
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
Hardships are guaranteed to happen. All is well, and then it isn’t. If we choose Christ, then we are never alone. In faith, we ask God for His help and guidance, and in the same prayer, we thank God for His intervention.
God never expected us to carry the burdens of life that we readily take ownership of, wearing ourselves down to the point of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. Burdens also prevent spiritual growth and restoration because they cause us to lose our faith in God.
“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). God commands us to “Cease striving.” Our Loving Heavenly Father does not require us to resolve our challenges; God requires us to have steadfast faith in His promises to always help us.
When we pray for help, if God desires our participation in the resolution, the Holy Spirit will guide us in understanding what we need to do. However, in many cases, God simply asks us to have faith and patiently wait for His intervention.
In fact, God tells us that He has already answered our prayer of faith: “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24, NLT).
You may think, “But God has not answered my prayer because nothing has changed.”
God is Omniscient [All-Knowing], so He already knows every adversity we will face in our lifetime. And His answers to our challenges have existed, even before we were conceived.
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14). God’s timing is never our timing. We live in an environment of immediate answers and resolutions, but God uses the time of waiting to test our faith in Him.
“Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21). Although we say that we believe in God’s power, God already knows whether our faith is weak and wavering or strong and steadfast.
Waiting on God places us at a Spiritual Crossroads. Either we will choose to place 100% of our faith and wait with gratitude for the anticipated resolution, or we will attempt to resolve the challenge ourselves.
The Big Reveal: Waiting on God has two purposes: Waiting is a powerful act of faithful obedience, and waiting reveals whether or not we really believe in and trust God’s love, power, and promises.
During the wait, if we have anxious, worried thoughts about our challenges, wondering how and when God will intervene, then our hearts are filled with doubt and unbelief.
“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'” (Mark 9:24).
Jesus is our Savior and Heavenly Intercessor whose heart is filled with love and compassion, and He knows our weaknesses. With humility, we pray an honest prayer of confession: “God, my faith is weak, but I believe that You love me and will keep Your promises to help me.”
Reflection: What is your knowledge base of God’s promises? We should know at least 3-4 Promises of God, and meditate on them every day.
Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Intercessor, Provider, and Protector!
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). Trusting in God’s promises of never abandoning us, and believing that God is faithful, always keeping His promises, gives us hope even when facing harsh adversity.
“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.” (Lamentations 3:25-26).
Steadfast faith in God also gives us the confidence that He always answers our prayers. God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Weak faith? Pray anyway!
“Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.” (Mark 1:35).
Separation, Solitude, and Silence: In personal worship, we need to hear from God. “…go to a private, secluded, secret place to pray, God is there in that secret place.” Whisper the short prayer of humility: ‘Lord, I need Your help.”
“But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).
Close your eyes, meditate on God’s love and promises. The Bible reveals that it is in the quiet places where the Holy Spirit enters, giving us comfort and guidance, and empowering us with Jesus’ strength.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'” (Isaiah 41:10).
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). The Triune God: God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit, not only love us, but the Triune God is Agape Love.
February 14th is designated as an annual day of Love, and causes many to become discouraged because they do not have someone who loves them. Even in a relationship or marriage, human love may also disappoint because our love is always conditional and often moody.
God’s Love Qualifiers: “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 NIV).
The words “I love you” are only words if the actions contradict God’s definition of true love. Every believer has received the spiritual gift of Godly Love [2 Timothy 1:7] and is expected to give love that is consistent, respectful, patient, kind, and, most importantly, forgiving.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3). Thankfully, we can always depend on God’s Agape Love to remain unchanged. Yes and Amen!
And it was from Divine Love that God said, “Let us make man in our image.” We were created by Jesus, Who is Divine Love. Although Adam and Eve disobeyed and humanity continues to reject God, He still loves us!
“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). We received undeserved, unmatched Divine Love and the opportunity to live forever with God when Jesus died on Calvary’s Cross to complete the Plan of Redemption [that was in place before the world was created].
God reiterates His, “Love never fails.” Every day, our hearts beat, and we breathe God’s Ruach breath flowing through our lungs. We are showered with the Divine gifts of love, peace, provisions, and angelic protection that human hearts and hands cannot give us.
Although the Holy Scriptures assure us of God’s Consistent Love, many believers feel unloved and that God is distant because they do not reciprocate God’s Love. If we fail to pray and study the Bible, then we are spiritually disconnected from God, and yes, we will feel empty.
“Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say?” (Luke 6:46, CEV). Without using our faith to trust and obey God, we demonstrate that we are involved in a one-sided love relationship. Sadly, we accept God’s love, but fail to love Him.
“But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24, BSB).
Loving God is more than attending weekly church services; loving God flows from unselfish hearts overflowing with gratitude, and is revealed through trusting, obeying, praying, singing, studying the Holy Scriptures, and thanking Him by placing Him first in our lives.
Jesus, Our Great High Priest: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, BSB).
Separation, Solitude, and Silence invites the Holy Spirit to lift us up into the Most Holy Presence of God, Jesus Christ, our High Priest, Heavenly Intercessor, and the Only Mediator between God, the Father, and humanity.
Spending time alone with God every day is needed to build a faith-based relationship with Christ. True love for God can only arise from hearts that invite the Holy Spirit to sanctify them in daily personal worship.
True love for God reveals itself through the desire to obey and follow Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. We were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ and cannot think and live as unbelievers who worship themselves by following their thoughts and personal agendas.
Prayer and Bible Study invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Divine Love and to sanctify us—Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of growth and transformation that requires human effort and Divine Intervention. By giving God the firstfruits of our time, we receive spiritual guidance, peace, comfort, and contentment.
God rewards us when we dedicate our gift of time to worship Him in daily personal worship. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the Divine Agape Love that transcends human love. It is impossible to feel unloved or hopeless when we take the time to be in God’s Holy and Loving presence.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).
All of Heaven is lovingly devoted to humanity: Christ is our Mediator between God, the Father, and humanity. We receive God, the Father’s and Jesus’ Love through the Holy Spirit.
Prayer, Patience, and Perseverance reveal our love and gratitude for God, the Father, who did not hesitate to give Jesus Christ, God the Son, to redeem us from the only outcome of sin [Romans 6:23].
Lord God, we come to You in humility, surrendering our hearts to You, because You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise for saving our souls. We thank You for Your Faithfulness and never-ending Love, Grace, and Mercies. Thank You for the Divine Gift of Jesus, God, Your Son, who has promised to complete the work in us, if we are faithful. Lord, teach us how to love You and to love others. We pray for wisdom, strength, and guidance from the Holy Spirit as we continue our spiritual journey. Today, we ask You for a double spiritual blessing on Your Holy Sabbath; a blessing that will permeate our mind, body, and soul and empower us to redirect our love, faith, and focus from ourselves and this temporary Earth to You and the promise of living in our Forever Home. In faith, we ask these things in Jesus’ Holy and Loving Name, Amen.
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.”
51 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
53 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
54 “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
When we believe Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3, our worship, thoughts, and lifestyles reflect that we are “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” preparing every day for the Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Sacrificial Life: (Romans 12:1-2).
“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.”
(2) “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.”
A God First life is purpose-driven and requires daily surrender and faithful obedience. Our personal agenda includes our thoughts, decisions, pursuits, goals, and lifestyles that are never placed above God’s Will and Plans.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
Because it is impossible for us to change ourselves, achieve spiritual growth, or stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness without Divine Intervention, through personal worship, we include God by prayerfully seeking His guidance before making decisions, even when we feel they are insignificant.
Spiritual Time Management: “See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
“Redeeming the time” is God’s directive for believers to make the most of our precious gift of time to grow closer to Christ.
We ask and rely on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom: “…so we act with spiritual diligence, using our gift of time for God’s purpose rather than wasting life on seeking the trivial things of earthly treasures and pleasures.”
“What could this world possibly offer that’s worth forfeiting what Christ offers us?”
Every Believer’s Spiritual Status: “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” preparing every day for the Soon Coming of Jesus Christ.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12).
“Why is the promise of Eternal Life so crucial to all that we believe?”
It is not enough to know Jesus promised us eternity with Him. Spiritual preparation is a dally endeavor that requires the Human Effort of seeking God, and relying on the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome our heart’s desires and Satan’s temptations; gives us wisdom and discernment, teaches us the One and Only meaning of God’s Truth; corrects us when we disobey by following our thoughts; and guides us in using our faith to trust and obey God.
No, we will not understand His Highest thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9], but because He is The Sovereign God of the universe, Who sustains our lives, we honor and revere Him.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
The Christian journey is the toughest experience that we will ever endure. To stay on the Path of Righteousness requires daily surrender, self-denial, and faithful obedience. But when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we receive Jesus’ Divine Strength, which is guaranteed to empower us to live as victorious overcomers. Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: John 14:1-3
Lord God, we desire to receive Jesus’ promise of a Forever Home in the New Heaven and New Earth. Lord, we need your help! In faith, we obey Your command to come before Your Throne of Grace, because we need Your Divine Wisdom, Guidance, and Strength to continue our journey. We renew our commitment to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20)
God is making preparations for us to inhabit the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must do our part by striving to: “Be holy, for I AM Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
God’s Spiritual Conditions of Participation: We must meet the spiritual conditions required by God to be received into the Lord’s family: Daily surrender, faithful obedience, renouncing sin, self-denial, prayer, and Bible Study.
“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).
We must strive to reach God’s higher standard by coming out of the world and separating ourselves from sin and sinful influences, including unbelievers and unbelieving believers [those who believe in God, yet practice worldly behaviors].
“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].” (James 1:22, Amplified Bible).
As believers in God’s Truth, we are to pray continuously and diligently study the Holy Scriptures, so we can represent the Light of Christ to an Earth overcome by the darkness of Satan’s evil.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
Throughout the history of Christianity, God has always had the faithful: Moses, Abraham, Rahab, Esther, Job, Daniel, eleven of Jesus’ disciples, Paul, Timothy, and others who are resting in their graves, but will receive their Heavenly Inheritance when Jesus comes again.
To live a Christ-Centered, faith-based life requires a spirit of humility and a covenant vow of daily surrender, faith, and obedience to God.
Our Sovereign God still has believers who consecrate themselves to follow Christ every day, and we are living proof that through the Power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to live righteously and to put God first.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9).
Christianity is much more than attending church. When our hearts are converted by the Holy Spirit, the Love and Righteousness of Christ permeate our thoughts, spoken words, behaviors, habits, and lifestyles. We live to please God.
“We have received the highest honor that God can give to mortals by adopting us into His family and giving us the privilege of calling Him Father.”
The Plan of Redemption reveals God’s overwhelming love for us. God lovingly gifted His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born as a human, live in poverty, and suffer an excruciating death on Calvary’s Cross, so we would not have to die for our sins [Romans 6:23].
From consecrating ourselves to live a sacrificial life of self-denial, through the Holy Spirit, we receive Jesus’ strength to overcome the internal conflict of our heart’s desires and the external opposition of temptation.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body…” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, BSB).
The Holy Spirit’s Presence: The Holy Spirit dwells within believers who strive to live a holy, consecrated life, spiritually and morally acceptable to God. It is the Holy Spirit who converts our hearts and transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.
Because we inherited hearts that always desire more than God gives, following and obeying Christ requires constant self-denial and praying for Divine strength and guidance. Personal worship reveals our steadfast love and loyalty to our Shepherd and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, and keeps our lamp filled with Oil [The Holy Spirit].
Preparation to receive our Heavenly Citizenship requires the spiritual commitment to think, worship, and live as “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” who await with joyful anticipation the most Glorious Day of Jesus’ Second Coming. Yes and Amen!
“To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21).
Bible Study: Romans 12; Revelation 19-22.
Lord God, we consecrate ourselves to follow Christ. Teach us how to live a sacrificial life that honors You. We look forward to the day when we can leave this Earth and receive our Heavenly Citizenship for eternity. Lord, Jesus, we thank You for Your amazing sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross, and we look forward to the day when You will come and take us to our Forever Home. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13).
When Jesus Christ appeared to the apostle John in visions [The Book of Revelation], He proclaimed Himself as the Beginning and the End, symbolizing Eternal Existence, Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Divine Sovereignty.
From Genesis to Revelation, we have written evidence of the righteous placing their faith and trust in God’s Sovereign Authority and Power, and God’s response, giving them victory.
In 2 Chronicles 20, when King Jehosaphat faced the three combined armies, his first response was a prayer recognizing God’s Sovereignty that also revealed humility and reverence for God:
“O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?…For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 12).
The king readily acknowledged that they could not fight the armies using their strength. And from studying the rest of the story, God performed a supernatural miracle, giving them victory.
“Since God’s Eternal Truth has no place in such a world, with the rise of postmodernism we have witnessed a commensurate decline in Biblical knowledge.”
The failure to study the Bible results in the failure to recognize and revere God’s Sovereign Authority over this universe and our lives. Self-reliance excludes God, proclaiming that we do not need His Divine Help.
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2).
Yet, to live as followers of Christ, who are preparing for eternity with Christ, our Triumphant King requires that we honor, revere, and obey Jesus Christ, who is our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Intercessor, and the Only Mediator between God the Father and humanity.
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do the things that I say to do?” (Luke 6:46). God, the Father, expects all believers to follow God, Jesus, His Son, our Shepherd, with faithful obedience.
Living as victorious overcomers requires a spirit of humility, accepting that Christ created us with limitations; we can only perceive life with limited knowledge, never knowing our future adversities. And we know this to be true because we can plan our day, yet unexpected challenges will always change our agendas.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
Because God sees time as eternal, He already knows every adversity that will enter our lives. God’s original plan was for us to completely rely on His Strength and Divine Intervention before making decisions. Involving God is the only way we can enjoy the peace, happiness, and joy that come from Jesus’ Divine Strength.
We also cannot rely on human effort alone to resolve life’s unexpected events, such as bankrupt businesses, job loss, illnesses, financial insolvency due to disability, divorce, or the death of a loved one, which often requires new beginnings that may include relocation.
“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). Praying and studying the Bible are faith-building activities. By including God in our daily lives, we enjoy peace and an unbothered mindset even in the raging storms of trials and life-changing events.
The Holy Scriptures strengthen our courage and confidence in God. When we face challenges that human effort cannot solve, our first response should be a prayer for Divine help, rather than succumbing to fear, anxiety, or despair. This is only possible because we use our faith to believe God’s promises of victory.
“And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15).
The Prayer of Faith: The most powerful prayer is the simple childlike prayer of faith, “Jesus, I need your help.”
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3).
Children pray with the expectancy and excitement of knowing their prayers for God’s help will be answered. They do not think about how God will answer; they believe that He will answer, and they are willing to wait for His answer.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus loves us and desires that we live our best lives, which can only be done through His Guidance and Strength given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Lord God, we repent of our desire to follow our thoughts and exclude Your Divine wisdom and intervention from our lives. We realize that we cannot stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness without You leading us. Give us the strength to overcome the habit of self-reliance and to redirect our faith and trust from ourselves to follow You in our spiritual journey. In faith, we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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