God Jesus Holy Spirit – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Surrendering to Jesus Christ Is The Spiritual Solution: “My Sheep Hear My Voice”

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'” (Matthew 16:24).

Self-denial, Faithful Obedience, and Daily Surrender of Our Will and Desires To God Is Taking Up Our Cross

“When we choose to let God’s Will become the dominant prevailing force over our will and desires; we are carrying our cross.”

The Plan of Redemption: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

Jesus gave His life on Calvary’s Cross to fulfill the Plan of Redemption required to save humanity: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:30–31).

Reflection: “What must I do to be saved?” is answered by God in the Holy Scriptures.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

“Salvation is received strictly through personal faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, not through human effort or good works:”

“If you love Me, keep My Commandments,” (John 14:15).

“Harmony with God’s Law: Grace and the Moral Law (the Ten Commandments) do not oppose or cancel each other out. Instead, Divine Grace works in harmony with the law, empowering believers to overcome evil, resist Satan, and render pure, heartfelt obedience.”

Grace Requires The Human Effort of Cooperation With The Holy Spirit: Self-denial, Faithful Obedience, and Daily Surrender of Our Will and Desires To God.

“Grace is not a passive substitute for human action. It operates in cooperation with a surrendered human will, earnest prayer, self-denial, and a living faith.”

Sanctification is the dally spiritual process of spiritual growth and transformation, requiring total cooperation with God, the Holy Spirit. We pray and obey God’s directives.

“O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].” (Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible).

Letting go of self-reliance and consecrating ourselves to live a life of faithful obedience is the only way for the Holy Spirit to [Sanctify] transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character [Matthew 22:37-39; Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:32].

Jesus Proclaims His Faithful Obedience and Daily Surrender to God, His Father: “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 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 8:28-29).

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Faithful Obedience Is a Requisite to be saved and inherit our reward of Eternal Life.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ESV).

Loving God more than ourselves is the spiritual catalyst that reveals itself through daily surrender and unwavering obedience to the will of God.

We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. “Be holy, for I Am Holy.” Jesus tells us that we can do nothing without Him. To abide in Christ requires daily surrender and a sacrificial life of self-denial and faithful obedience.

Sanctification is not Behavior Modification: We cannot change ourselves.

Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” “God reveals that He is the One who performs the internal heart transformation that humans cannot do for themselves.”

Sanctification requires the Human Effort of daily surrender, faith, and obedience, and the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit’s transforming Power, required to receive our reward of Eternal Life.

God commands us to live a sacrificial life of self-denial. Every morning we consecrate ourselves to think and live a life based on God’s Plans, which reveals His Higher Thoughts and Ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Self-denial: “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.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

Reflection: Are we willing to live a consecrated life devoted to worshiping, following, and obeying our Faithful Shepherd?

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28).

Daily Surrender is required to hear Jesus’ Voice: Our lifestyle and choices reveal whether or not, we are following Jesus and worshiping God in spirit and Truth.

“Reflection: Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God.

“In order to serve Him [in spirit and Truth], we must be born of the Divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God.”

Loving God and following Jesus Christ invites the Holy Spirit to perform true heart conversion and sanctifying us, resulting in giving us a willing obedience to all His righteous requirements. “This is true worship.”

“PRINCIPLE: Wherever a soul reaches out after God, the Holy Spirit’s working Power manifests, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking.”

What Is Worship? Worship is a lifestyle of daily surrender and faithful obedience to our Savior, Redeemer, and Heavenly Intercessor God, Jesus Christ.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24).

“Worship is the response of your whole being [mind, body, and soul] to the Glory of God. It is the submission of all our thoughts; our mind, and our nature to the Will and Word of God.”

“True worship is willing and faithful obedience to the Will and Word of Jesus; it is obedience to the Will and Word of the One you hold in highest reverence.”

Lord God, with love, we express gratitude for Your Love, Grace, and Mercies freely given to fallen humanity. We ask You to forgive us for our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and to anoint us with the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit. In faith, we consecrate ourselves to follow Jesus on the Narrow Path of Righteousness with faithful obedience. Lord, we cannot do this using our own strength and power; therefore, we ask You to give us the wisdom and discernment to perceive life through spiritual eyes, and to empower us with Your strength to persevere in our journey with Jesus. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Growing Closer to Christ – Striving For Optimal Spiritual Health

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)

Strive For The Best Spiritual Health: Christ created us to live in harmony with God’s Laws of Health. Our mental, emotional, and physical health impacts our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

The concept “We are what we eat” is a reality, yet healthy intake extends beyond nutrients [food]. Every day, we use our Five Senses [sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch] to either build or tear down our Spiritual Health.

Satan entices us by appealing to our Senses; still, it is our hearts’ desires that propel us to say yes to temptation. “The mind influences the body and the body influences the mind.” We are shaped by what we watch, listen to, the habits we practice, and the people in our inner circle of family and friends.

God’s Standard for Believers: “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).

Because we live in a time when Satan has used digital and virtual platforms to covertly present compromising entertainment, many Christians are being deceived and engaging in sinful activities.

For example, I prefer playing logic games, so I chose one that had good reviews. All was well until it wasn’t. As I advanced to higher levels, I noticed an unusual number of words related to the occult, mythology, and criminal activity. And the Ads progressed from family appropriate to covert but suggestive immorality.

Although I diligently pray and study the Bible every day, I was focused on the game, which was challenging, and I had achieved a high score; I gradually became desensitized to the content. I thought, “It’s only a game, I don’t believe in those false teachings.”

Yahweh Nissi—Jesus Christ, Our Mighty Warrior Against Satan’s Deceptions

“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8, BSB).

Jesus loves and protects those who love Him. On the day I dismissed the game’s promotion of false teachings, during evening worship, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Do not love the things of this world.” And yes, I knew that I had a decision to make: Obey God and let go of the game, or continue in disobedience.

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (1 John 2:15, NLT).

In 2026, Blended Christianity, the integration of “soft” worldly activities, has been accepted and is being practiced by many believers:

Hanging out with people who acknowledge that God exists, but do not serve Him, watching programming and playing games with violence, sexual content, or gambling, listening to secular music [Rock, Jazz, R&B, etc.], taking sleep gummies, recreational drugs, alcoholic drinks, using profanity, and the list is endless.

“Moral perfection is required of all believers. We should never lower the standard of Righteousness in order to satisfy our desires. We need to understand that nurturing character imperfections is wilfully sinning against God.”

Christ Is Our Righteous Standard and Role Model

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-17).

If unbelievers love and promote the activities, then we know they are not of God. Aggressive sports [hands-on contact], animal fights, parties with secular music, alcoholic beverages, and recreational use of marijuana, legal or not, are activities that will prevent us from receiving Eternal Life.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). We may not agree, but Jesus loved us unconditionally, paying with His life to save our souls. We cannot afford to let this Earth’s temporary trinkets corrupt our minds, making us apathetic toward receiving our Crown of Life.

The habits and lifestyles that we practice now either allow the Holy Spirit to transform us [Sanctification] to live righteously forever in a loving and peaceful New Heaven and New Earth with God, or they do not.

Every aspect of our being, our thoughts, choices, activities, and friends must reflect God’s Holiness. And yes, it is a tough decision, but we cannot justify socializing with unbelieving family members. It is always the Christian who must compromise when they choose friends who do not follow Christ.

We must ask ourselves, Does this activity or individual represent the Righteousness of Christ? Pray before embracing fun and relaxing activities, and let God choose your friends.

Reflection: We cannot judge ourselves. Our lifestyle reveals if we are following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Still, we should pray and ask God, “Does my heart and lifestyle represent the Righteousness of Christ?

“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).

Lord God, we ask You to reveal the habits, activities, friends, and family members who are preventing us from living holy and receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to create a pure heart within us. As we live to honor Your Holy Name, Lord, we ask for Your guidance, wisdom, and strength as we strive to live righteously. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

God’s Promises Are His Mercies, Giving Us Hope When Facing Life’s Challenges

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV).

One thing is for certain, every individual [believers and unbelievers] will experience “Life-Changing Adversities” that human effort cannot resolve. Still Jesus promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Because God loves us and desires that we trust Him as our Heavenly Father, everyone has received a measure of faith empowering (Romans 12:3) us to believe in and trust God.

God, Jesus Christ created us with free will of choice, and too often, we allow ourselves to be influenced by our secular environment that is permeated with unrighteous morals and values, which easily happens from the failure to study the Holy Bible.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

Satan has presented compromise as an acceptable way to serve God, and many Christians are practicing the sins of self-reliance and self-governance, which separates them from God; they are unbelieving believers, who live outside of the will of God.

Not only do these unrighteous character traits destroy one’s desire to depend on God, through disobedience Satan easily influences the mind, redirecting our faith and focus from God to human wisdom, theories, and fulfilling our desires to chase the pride of life’s temporary treasures and pleasures.

Reflection: Where do we stand in our faith journey with Christ? Do we follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd with faithful obedience? If yes, then our response to changing circumstances is an immediate prayer asking for God’s Help.

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help for every need” [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. (Hebrews 4:16, Amplified Bible).

Challenges, trials, and adversity always reveal the true status of our faith and focus. If our faith is in Jesus then our dependency on Him is revealed by faith-based prayers; if our faith is in our abilities then our first response is, What am I going to do?

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

Unbelievers use their faith to trust in limited human insight, often seeking advice from those who they consider capable of giving expert advice. And many believers are also in a spiritual dilemma because they have redirected their faith from God to themselves.

God’s Response: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.'” (Jeremiah 17:5, NLT). Following the advice of others [instead of God’s Truth] is disobedience, which leads us into spiritual darkness.

Faithful obedience to God is a requisite for the righteous believer. God gives His sons and daughters the command to completely trusting in Him by seeking His Higher Thoughts, Ways, and Plans.

“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).

Jesus’ Warning and Comforting Promise To Be With Us In Our Trials and Tribulations

“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.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).

Even if we are faithful, obedient, and living a life of total surrender to God, Jesus tells us that we will experience adversity, distress, and suffering. The strength or weakness of our faith, trust, and obedience to God determines our response to life’s unpredictable storms.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24).

The Faithful Prayer Warrior: True worshipers enter God’s Presence through daily personal worship, dedicating themselves to follow and obey Jesus Christ. Worship is their lifestyle.

Those who worship God in spirit and Truth, as soon as they awaken, realizing that God has blessed them with the mercies of a new day thank Him with a prayer of gratitude and our commitment to follow His Perfect Plans (Jeremiah 29:11).

God Always Blesses Those Who Honor Him

God is Love. We have a Heavenly Father, who tells us to come to Him: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, ESV).

Prayer warriors have steadfast faith because they are anchored in The Rock, Jesus Christ. To abide in Christ requires much prayer and diligent study of the Holy Scriptures. True worship is a lifestyle of a 24/7 commitment to God.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25). When we love God, we honor God through daily worship, inviting the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom to perceive our Journey with Jesus through spiritual eyes.

Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the blessings of Jesus’ Divine Strength to persevere through our hardships with courage and confidence; and if we possess a childlike faith, trust in His Promises to always help us, Jesus covers us with His Perfect Peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV).

Confession, Repentance, and Restoration

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.” (Hebrews 4:13).

Self-reliance is a grievous sin against God’s Sovereign Authority; Self-reliance feeds off of disobedience, changing our heart and mind to rebel against God; and our choices and lifestyles reveal that we despise surrender and faithful obedience to God’s Will and Plans.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV).

There is no pretense with God, who knows the true selfish condition of the human heart [Jeremiah 17:9]. Never asking for and obeying God’s Will places us in the same spiritual status as unbelievers: Spiritually Separated from God.

“Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.” (John 9:31).

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Living outside of the will of God is disobedience, making our first priority a prayer of confession and repentance for our sins of rebellion against God.

“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).

God is Love, and He is Faithful. The gift of Jesus Christ, His only Son reveals God’s love and desire for us to “Be holy, for I am Holy,” which requires a life of self-denial, daily surrender and faithful obedience [Romans 12:2].

God’s Majesty and Sovereignty Over Creation

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.” (1 Chronicles 29:11)

“Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:11). Daily personal worship reinforces that God is God, He is Holy and Sovereign, and we are not. The creation can never be greater than the Creator.

Living a Christ-Centered Faith-based Life

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

Surrender is demonstrated by letting go of our desires and seeking God’s Will through consistent prayers of faith, which honor and revere God. Our Heavenly Father is interested in the smallest details of our lives, we should never make a decision without praying and waiting for His direction.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near…” (Isaiah 55:6); And the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s Plan through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit always gives us specific instructions, clarity, and the wisdom to carry out God’s Perfect Plans.

Sanctification is a lifelong spiritual process of Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality into the righteousness of Christ’s Character. Study John 8:29, Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 4:32.

From our willingness to follow Christ with faithful obedience, we invite the Holy Spirit to change us from within: “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT).

The Purpose of Suffering: Although we surrender daily, striving to worship God with faithful obedience, our faith must continually grow. We will never reach the point in our spiritual journey where our faith is strong enough.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

God’s Divine Providence determined that we must experience hardships to build our faith, trust, dependency on God, and to sanctify our mind and character. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:16).

Suffering gives us the opportunity to honor Christ, who suffered immensely to rescue us from the wages of sin. Our Loving Savior promises to give us the strength to persevere, and His Divine Peace, which removes all worry and fear.

Hope While Suffering Trials: “The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him! 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 3:24).

Lord God, we come to You, confessing and repenting for our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. In faith, we ask for restoration and Your Divine Help to overcome the internal desires of our hearts and Satan’s temptations. We surrender our will and desires to your Sovereign Authority, asking for strength, wisdom, and guidance in our daily lives. Lord, speak to us, give us clarity, and anoint us with the Oil of gladness, the Holy Spirit. We commit to a life of worshiping you with daily surrender and faithful obedience. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Living Our Best Lives

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

Steadfast Faith, Trust, Peace, Joy, and Courage are enjoyed by followers of Christ who love Him and worship God in spirit and Truth.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13).

Daily Surrender and Obedience is our highest worship to God, and is rewarded with receiving many spiritual benefits and blessings.

Yes, God promises to bless us, but the false prosperity message of wealth building that Satan wants us to believe that we deserve, Jesus tells us that earthly prosperity has no spiritual purpose for His followers.

Jesus teaches that the accumulation of earthly treasures is not aligned with God’s Spiritual Precepts.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…”( Matthew 6:19). Unbelievers feel that living one’s best life includes wealth, social status, material possessions, and a lifestyle of pleasure.

Sadly when those with unbelieving hearts face life-changing circumstances, they realize that their earthly treasures are meaningless, and that reality fills their minds with hopelessness and despair.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that our spiritual journey will always include challenges, adversity, loss, and changing circumstances; yet he encourages us, “But, Be of good cheer.”

Good cheer does not refer to the pretense of being happy and overjoyed when experiencing life’s overwhelming hardships; yet, as followers of Christ, praying and knowing He will take care of us, gives us spiritual comfort.

Always pray an honest prayer, “Jesus, I am devastated by this situation.” invites the Holy Spirit to permeate our mind and soul with jesus’s Divine Peace, instead of hopelessness and despair.

Embracing Jesus’ Love and Promises of Peace absorbs the impact of sorrow, disappointment, and loss: “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [sorrows].” (Psalm 147:3).

When tears are flowing from heartbreak, we can maintain a spirit of Hope, because Jesus has promised to give us the strength to overcome our daily battles and to give us beauty from ashes.

“The Divine Exchange: God promises to trade despair and mourning for joy, praise, and restoration.”

Only Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior can give us our best life: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Jesus’ Promise: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the spiritual catalyst that keeps us connected to Jesus, who empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live victoriously: “You can do nothing without Me.”

The Narrow Way
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Daily personal worship must become our lifestyle. Consistent Prayer, Bible Study, and the Commitment to Surrender to God with Faithful Obedience keeps us spiritually anchored to Christ.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). Unless we know and believe that God is Faithful, memorizing His Promises to always be with us throughout our difficulties, then we will experience the same emotional distress as unbelievers.

The Holy Scriptures teach us that God is our Father, and is committed to lovingly taking care of His Sons and Daughters: God’s Character is the definition of Love! Study 1 Corinthians 13.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15).

God’s perspective of giving us “our best life” is spiritually focused; The Father gave Jesus, His Son to save our souls, because His goal is to prepare us for Eternal Life.

Just As I Am: “We come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way.”

God’s Love Always Includes Divine Purpose: He allows us to experience only the hardships that are designed to Sanctify our mind and character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23].

Because this Earth is only a temporary home, we must not allow Satan to distract us from cooperating with the Holy Spirit, who performs daily spiritual growth in every faithful believer, who trusts, obeys, and follows Christ.

“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, ESV).

Our Risen and Triumphant King is serving as our Heavenly Intercessor, receiving and answering all of our prayers. Every day we must make the intentional decision to pray, redirecting our faith, focus, and gratitude back to Jesus.

The righteous are receiving their best earthly lives: King Jesus commands His angels to protect us from satanic spiritual warfare and physical danger, and blesses the faithful with all of life’s necessities.

Because we cannot keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness, or maintain a consistent spirit of Hope, through prayer, we receive Christ’s abundant Peace, Joy, and Strength needed to endure our spiritual journey from Earth to Heaven.

Eternity with God in the New Heaven and New Earth is Jesus’ Promise to give us a Perfect Life of Eternal Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness, and Magnificent Beauty.

“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).

The Holy Scriptures give us the assurance that God is always in control, and changes the way we think and live.

Like young children who believe exactly what they are told, we use our faith to trust that if God said it, then it is so. His Promises are Yes and Amen!

Yes, Living our best life requires a sacrificial life of self-denial. but if we love Jesus and appreciate His Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross then it is a joy to follow our Shepherd and Triumphant King on the Narrow Path that leads from Earth to Heaven.

Every morning, we receive the gift of New Mercies, and with immense love and gratitude, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Jesus, who promises to give us a Victorious Life.

In Proverbs 3:5-8, God teaches us how to live our best life, one with a Spiritual Focus, and complete dependency on His Sovereign Authority:

“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;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.”

Lord God, we come to You, asking for Your Help. Please give us the wisdom, guidance, and strength to redirect our faith and focus back to Jesus. We confess that we cannot overcome life’s challenges using our little strength. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness [the Holy Spirit], and teach us how to prepare every day for the Soon Coming of Jesus Christ. We look forward to Eternity in a Perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus, thank You for Your Divine Love and Your Ultimate Sacrifice on Calvary. We love You and ask this prayer for Your Divine Help, in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

Search The Scriptures – They Are The Word of The Living God

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40).

God’s Gift: Eternal life is a free gift from God rather than something earned by human works. Accepting Christ is the only way to receive eternal life:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). Exclusivity in Christ: The spiritual life exists only from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” (Matthew 22:37).

When our hearts are overflowing with love for God, the Father’s Gift of Jesus, His Son, who suffered on Calvary’s Cross to save our souls, we will reciprocate our love for Christ through daily surrender and faithful obedience to God.

“The Holy Scriptures, they testify of Christ for He is Life Eternal.” To know Jesus requires us to accept His offer of Salvation; confess and repent of our sins; and to maintain a heart to heart relationship with Jesus through the daily Personal Worship of Prayer and Bible Study.

Prayer is our Spiritual Life-Line, connecting us to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Heavenly Intercessor.

Our morning prayer is one of expressing gratitude for the gift of a new day, and asking for God’s Will to be revealed. Our obedience is rewarded by receiving spiritual wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is actively involved in our daily journey with Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

“Prioritize Spiritual Matters: Putting God first in daily prayer, worship, and service ensures that life’s temporal concerns are not a priority over our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.”

We reveal our desire to actively participate in our salvation through daily prayer and Bible Study. Praying for spiritual wisdom invites the Holy Spirit to teach us the One and Only meaning of God’s Truth.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Studying the Bible Is Not Optional: The Holy Scriptures are necessary to learn God’s Righteous Character, His Commandments, and the Precepts that teach us how to be holy.

Human Effort and Divine Intervention are required for us to obey God’s Command, “Be holy, for I am Holy,” which requires a life of self-denial and self-control.

To live for Christ also requires discipline through a sacrificial life of obedience. As followers of Christ, we must have a God First mindset, which prevents us from pursuing our personal desires instead of following God’s plans.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” (Acts 5:9, ESV).

A spirit of humility, daily surrender, and the commitment to follow our Shepherd with faithful obedience invites the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey of spiritual growth and character transformation.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Because we inherited hearts that naturally gravitate toward pursuing our desires, it is only through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can stay on The Narrow Path of Righteousness.

“The more we search the Bible, the deeper our conviction is that it is the Word of the Living God, and human reason bows before the Majesty of Divine Revelation.” — Steps to Christ

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11).

Lord God, we thank You for the Holy Scriptures, which reveal Jesus Christ is the Only Way to receive Eternal Life. You are a Loving and Merciful Father, who desires for us to live holy. Thank You for giving us the Bible, Your Spiritual Guide that teaches us the difference between righteousness and sinful habits, behaviors, and lifestyles. Through Jesus Christ, we received the power to overcome our desires and temptations. Lord, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the blessings of wisdom, discernment, and divine strength as we continue our journey on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Risen and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Prayer of Surrender — Stop Striving: Jesus Is The God Who Sees

“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).

In our Spiritual Journey with Jesus, we will face disappointment, sorrow, loss, conflict, and uncertainty. Study John 16:33.

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18).

When the intrusive vicissitudes of life threaten to devastate us mentally and emotionally, we must come to our spiritual senses, and use our faith to believe Yeshua, our Loving Shepherd’s promises to always take care of us.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2).

Jesus Is Our Shepherd; He is The God Who Loves, Sees, and Takes Care of His Sheep. Yes, our Shepherd promises to give us Spiritual Peace and Comfort to soothe our troubled and weary minds. Thank You, Jesus!

“Hebrew Name: El Roi (or El-roi), which translates to “The God Who Sees” or “The God Who Sees Me.”

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'” (Genesis 16:13, NIV).

“Who Spoke It: Hagar, an Egyptian slave of Sarai (Sarah).”

“Context: Hagar was mistreated by Sarai and fled into the desert, pregnant, and feeling alone, afraid, and overlooked. Jesus, Who is called “The Angel of the Lord” found her by a spring, comforted her, and promised descendants.”

“Significance: Hagar is the only person in the Bible who personally gives God a Name.”

“Related Well: The well where this happened was named Beer Lahai Roi, meaning “Well of The Living One Who Sees Me.”

“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).

The Bible is the Word of God: The Word of God is Alive and Active,” filled with His Infinite Power, and is guaranteed to soothe and comfort us.

God’s Promises keep us anchored to Christ the Solid Rock. When we study and meditate on the Holy Scriptures, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ gift of Spiritual Peace.

God has given the righteous many promises that we should memorize: He will never leave us or forsake us; He will heal our broken hearts, He will provide for us, and He will protect us from our enemies.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear [reverence] Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love…” (Psalm 33:18, ESV).

What does it mean to surrender to God? Everyday, we pray for His Divine Will and Plans to be revealed to us. And then we pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and the strength to fulfill His Plans.

Because God is Perfect and can never make a mistake, following God’s Plans alleviates all anxiety, worries, and eliminates the chance of suffering from unknown future consequences.

Pray, Wait, and Obey. Our faith is being tested during the wait; will we obey God, or will we rely on our own thoughts when we get tired of waiting?

“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).

God Declares His Sovereign Omnipotence

“Who then is able to stand against Me?
Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him?
Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:10-11).

“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB).

Whether facing the routine challenges of everyday life, the devastation of life-changing adversity, or people who Satan is using to bring chaos and confusion into our lives, our First Response must be a Prayer of Faith.

“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). (Psalm 55:22, Amplified Bible).

In faith, we ask God for His Help, and then we patiently “Wait on God,” whose timing will never match our mindset and lifestyle of rapid response. God sees time as eternal, so He has no need to hurry.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” (Psalm 37:7-8, NIV).

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God,” reminds us to stop striving and acknowledge God’s Sovereign Authority and Power.

“I Am The God Who Sees. I am the God, Who sees you in your wilderness, in your brokenness, and your empty spaces. My power will bring you to your knees!” And then I will lift you up again with My Righteous Right Hand,” because I Am the God Who Sees.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that 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 have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15).

Lord Jesus, we approach Your Throne of Grace, asking for Your Divine Help and Guidance in our time of need. Lord, we admit that our faith is weak, still we ask for Your guidance, peace, and stability in a time of uncertainty. We have experienced many challenges and disruptions this week; Lord, thank You for giving us the Holy Sabbath to redirect our focus from the tumultuous events in our lives and in this world back to You. Jesus, as we prepare for Your Soon Coming, we pray for every believer to redirect their faith and focus from the natural to the supernatural. Anoint us with the Oil of Gladness, the Holy Spirit in our hearts, so we can experience the blessings of the joy and peace of following Christ. Lord, help us to prepare for eternity by teaching us how to place God First in everything we do and say. In faith, we pray this prayer of surrender in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd, and the God Who Sees, Loves, and Cares, Amen.

Jesus’ Spiritual Encouragement and Comfort For His Followers Facing The Fiery Trials of Persecution and Hatred

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18).

When Joshua and the nation of Israel were facing their enemies in Jericho: Yeshua, The Commander of Angel Armies, said these words to Joshua: “Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.'” (Joshua 6:2, NIV).

“Who then is able to stand against ME? Everything under Heaven is Mine. (Job 41:10-11).

For those of us who are experiencing persecution, be encouraged! Jesus tells us that He has already given us the victory.

Jesus sees time as Eternal, so He already knows the final outcome of every fiery trial that we face. Remain courageous!

“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14).

Our responsibility is to use our faith to wait, trusting His Sovereign Authority and Power, by totally depending on Jesus to Fight All of Our Battles.

“There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30).

jesus, Our Mighty Warrior has already won our battle for us and that is the mindset that we must possess as we endure and persevere through the fiery trials of persecution.

Personal Testimony: Recently a very interesting video appeared in my YouTube feed: Nigerian Christians are enduring active persecution that involved the burning and destruction of their homes along with the loss of all their personal possessions.

Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ and their children are currently in a displaced community living in small tents.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

Despite their overwhelming circumstances, they appeared peaceful, happy, and were singing and praising God.

The reason that God allowed me to watch this video: Because of my Christian beliefs, I am facing open hatred from my property manager in the complex where I live.

And yes, I did report her verbal offenses to the corporate office, who have reiterated professional boundaries; yet, for believers who have endured open dislike and hatred, we know that people can communicate hatred in the tone of their voice and demeanor.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Dealing with persecution and open hatred is one of the toughest trials that we will ever experience in our Christian Journey with Jesus; yet, Jesus gives us peace, comfort, and strength when we consistently ask for His Help.

The Love of Christ Constrains Our Responses

“For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.” (2 Corinthians:14- 15, Amplified Bible).

“The Spiritual death of dying to self means the total surrender of our human will, pride, and selfish inclinations to God so that Christ can live and work through us.”

“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way.”

Spiritual Transformation is accomplished through fiery trials resulting in the Holy Spirit purging [spiritual cleansing] us from the sinful dross of unrighteous thoughts, spoken words, habits, and lifestyles.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12, NIV).

The Fruit of the Spirit represents Jesus’ Righteous Character Attributes: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV).

The Righteous Character of Christ is our Righteous Standard. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, daily, our mind, character, and personality are Sanctified and Spiritually Transformed, which requires total surrender, humility, faithful obedience, and self-control.

There are requisites to receive Spiritual Transformation: The Holy Spirit cannot change us without our cooperation and active participation:

“Jesus said to him, ”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”” (Matthew 22:37-39).

1. We must possess a heart overflowing with love for God and humanity.

“Pray continuously.” (1Thessalonians 5:17).

2. We pray, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our unrighteous character traits.

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness” [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. (1 John 1:9 Amplified Bible).

3. We acknowledge and verbalize our unholy traits with a prayer of confession and repentance.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10, ESV).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, ESV).

4. Every day, we pray a Prayer of Surrender asking for God’s Divine Strength to overcome, and use our spiritual gift of “self-control” to fight against hereditary tendencies and learned behaviors.

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV).

5. When experiencing open hatred, we must pray throughout our waking hours, asking Jesus to give us the strength to endure.

Jesus’ Promise: “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).

Pray every hour! The Holy Spirit responds by empowering us with Jesus’ Supernatural Strength, giving us His Divine Joy and Peace while we are enduring our hardships.

12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)

Core Christian Principles for Responding to Hatred

“Recognize the Spiritual Source: Hatred and revenge originate from Satan, who uses slights, gestures, or harsh intonations to provoke bitterness in the human heart; recognizing this helps prevent you from taking the bait.”

“Handling open hatred and hostility from another person requires rejecting retaliation, holding fast to Christ by faith, and responding with quiet self-control rather than bitterness.”

Refuse Retaliation: Jesus did not threaten or retaliate when reviled and abused; believers are instructed to follow His pattern and prefer to suffer wrongfully rather than vent wrath or seek self-defense.

Exercise the Power of Silence: Meeting angry or hateful words with a sharp reply acts like a whip that stirs up greater fury, whereas remaining silent and silencing the tongue allows anger to quickly die away.

Purge Bitterness from the Soul: Clinging to resentment, malice, or a desire for revenge opens the heart to Satan and destroys harmony with God. True Christian character replaces hatred with kindness through Divine Grace.

Maintain Love and Forbearance: Even when facing false reports, jealousy, or mistreatment, Christians are called to avoid fault finding, remembering that God exercises tenderness and forbearance toward human defects.

Hold to Christ by Faith: Human strength alone cannot withstand open hostility; you must unite human weakness with divine strength through prayer and faith in Jesus Christ.

Check Your Own Spirit: Guard against embracing wrath or magnifying grievances, and resist the temptation to gloat or rejoice if an enemy stumbles or falls.

The New Living Translation: “Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” (2 Corinthians: 14-15, NLT).

Lord Jesus, we know that Your earthly life was filled with religious enemies, who hated You because You were Righteous, revealing God’s Love for all humanity, whether poor or wealthy.

You gave hope through your Sermons and Parables, giving spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical healing to the multitudes. You explained that You were the Way, the Truth, and the Life to Heaven.

Jesus, you exposed the evil traits of self-righteousness, pride, prejudice, oppression, and greed residing in the hearts of the religious leaders: And you were hated and repaid with suffering a criminal’s death of crucifixion on Calvary’s Cross. Yet, we thank You for the Cross and for giving Your Life to save our souls.

LORD, we also pray an Intercessory prayer for all Christian believers, globally, who are experiencing persecution, including myself. Jesus, it is a privilege to suffer for You. We ask for the Blessings of Strength, Guidance, Wisdom, and Your presence in our lives.

Thank You for Your Promises of never leaving or abandoning us. Thank You for providing our necessities, and giving us Your Divine Peace that comforts our hearts, and redirects our faith and focus to You instead of our circumstances.

Jesus, we love You! Thank You for Your never-failing Faithfulness, and in faith, we ask this prayer for continuous Mercies in Your Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.

“The LORD Will Fight For You”

Victory Belongs To Jesus: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18)

In Job Chapters 38-41, The LORD declares His Omnipotence to Job, who desires to question God because of his trial of extreme suffering.

“The LORD asks: ‘Who then is able to stand against ME? Who has proceeded ME, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. (Job 41:10-11).

Throughout the Holy Bible, Reverence for God’s Holiness and Sovereign Authority has always been required to receive His Divine Intervention.

“And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'” (Revelation 4:8). This Scripture refers to the angels in heaven, who worship God, the Father and God, Jesus, the Son with love, loyalty, and reverence.

Reverence for God’s Divine Authority is demonstrated through daily surrender, faithful obedience, and prayerfully asking for His Plans to be revealed for the given day.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37).

Loving God is to put Him First, as revealed by a life of self-denial, praying for guidance, and following and obeying His plans.

Studying the Bible with the desire to learn and practice God’s Commands and Righteous Precepts invites the Holy Spirit to transform us spiritually, preparing us for an eternity of worship.

Steadfast Faith, Surrender, and Obedience are Spiritual Requisites revealing that our heart is overflowing with love for God, and that our minds are aligned with the Righteousness of Christ.

If we desire God’s Divine Help and to receive our reward of the Eternal Crown of Life [Revelation 2:10; Revelation 22:12] then our thoughts, attitude spoken words, habits, attitude, and lifestyle must reflect God’s command, “Be holy for I Am Holy.”

Reflection: Does our lifestyle and worship reflect that we revere and honor God’s Sovereign Authority and Power?

“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).

Brothers and Sisters, we live in a time in which, many believers feel intimidated to serve God as He requires. Those who say they are Christian believers, but practice the irreverent lifestyles and actions of other “Christian Believers,” God tells us that He considers them as sinners.

The Lord will not hear a sinner’s prayer unless it is a prayer of confession and repentance: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him.” (John 9:31).

“Then they will cry to the Lord, but He will not answer them; He will hide His face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.” (Micah 3:4).

Consider this, if you have prayed for God’s Divine Help and never received an answer, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if you are practicing any sins that have separated you from God.

“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.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV).

Unless we surrender and consecrate ourselves to God, we cannot perceive God as the Holy and Sovereign Authority of this universe, or the Sustainer of Life. Spiritual discernment is a Spiritual gift that requires faithful obedience to God.

“And the Lord said: ‘…this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me'” (Isaiah 29:13).

Although we attend weekly church services, and do not engage in the worldly practices of sinners, often we are too distracted and too tired to worship God in Spirit and Truth.

God tells us that He must be First in our lives, which includes giving Him a reasonable portion of our gift of time every day through personal worship.

Many believers do not worship God through the daily personal worship of Prayer and Bible Study. If we exclude worship in our earthly lives, how are we preparing for an eternity of worshiping God?

“…let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Core Principles of Reverence

“Reverence for God is a sacred grace of the soul, cultivated through an awareness of His Infinite Presence.”

Core Principles of Reverence

Approach to Prayer: Believers should approach God in Jesus’ name with confidence, but avoid a bold, presumptuous, or overly casual attitude as if addressing an equal or inferior.
The Name of God: God’s Name and titles are holy and must never be spoken lightly, thoughtlessly, or repeated needlessly in conversation or prayer.
Posture in Worship: Kneeling is emphasized in both public and private prayer as the biblical example modeled by Jesus, the apostles, and prophets.
Behavior in the Sanctuary: The house of worship is treated as the ‘gate of heaven,’ requiring sobriety, order, and neatness. In the Bible, spiritual sobriety refers to being reverent, watchful, and disciplined in your faith rather than spiritually intoxicated by worldly distractions.
Believers are advised to avoid common business, using cellular devices to text, idle talking, whispering, laughing, or lingering/gossiping in the aisles after services.
Respect for Scripture: Printed Bibles and sacred words should be handled with deep respect, never used carelessly, and never quoted in jests or light banter.
Living God’s Character: True reverence extends beyond outward [ritual practices of worship] to embodying God’s merciful, gracious, and righteous character in daily life.
Embodying: To show a character trait so clearly that a person or thing becomes a living example.

Throughout the years most Christian churches have dismissed the practice of reverencing God by bowing on one’s knees when praying, but it was not always like this.

As a child, I was taught when to revere God by always bowing on my knees when praying , or if sitting at the table, say a Prayer of Gratitude for the food, still, we always closed our eyes and bowed our heads.

Faithful obedience demonstrates reverence for God: God rejected Cain’s offering, as recorded in Genesis 4:3–5, because of Cain’s heart attitude of disobedience, lack of faith, and reverence.

Like Cain, Adam and Eve’s oldest son, who offered God a sacrifice based on his thoughts, we have been deceived by Satan to think that we can offer praise and worship to the Most-High God based on our thoughts, emotions, and worship practices.

Proper worship invites the Holy Spirit to place us in the presence of God, where we receive the spiritual blessings of Jesus’ gifts of peace, joy, and the strength to persevere in our spiritual journey with Jesus.

We were created to obey and worship the Most-High God. Self-reliance is Sin: To worship God when we feel like it, reveals that we think our human thoughts are superior to God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways. Study Isaiah 55:8-9.

Bible stories clearly indicate that only the righteous who honored God by revering His Sovereignty, Supremacy, and Holiness through faithful obedience received His Divine Help and Guidance, ending in Victory.

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.'” (Exodus 14:13-14)

The Holy Scriptures teach us how to revere God: Study Psalm 95.

Lord God, we humbly bow in Your Holy Presence, asking for the forgiveness of our sins. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with Your Holy Spirit. Lord, we desperately need You to lead us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. We ask for wisdom and the strength to persevere in our spiritual journey. Lord we admit that we can do nothing without You. Although we have tried, we realize that we cannot change ourselves. Lord, reveal any unrighteous characteristics, habits, and people that we need to let go of. Teach us how to be holy. We desire to worship You in Spirit and Truth, reverencing Your Holiness and Sovereign Authority. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Savior and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

The True Tests of Faith Produce Righteousness and Character Transformation

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, Amplified Bible).

The challenges, disappointments, and hardships, we experience are allowed for the purpose of strengthening our faith, trust, obedience, and dependency on God.

“Be holy for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). We can come to Jesus just like we are, but we cannot stay that way.

The Holy Spirit can only sanctify those who willingly live a life of daily surrender and faithful obedience to follow and obey Jesus Christ, our Shepherd.

Our earthly lives are the only opportunity that we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, Who gradually [day by day] changes our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Jesus’ Righteous Character.

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8, NIV).

Lord God, Creator of this universe and every living thing, we humbly bow in Your Holy Presence on the Holy Sabbath asking for the forgiveness of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord, we have faced a week filled with many challenges, including spiritual warfare that has left us depleted. We are in need of the blessings of spiritual renewal, restoration, and healing of our mind, body, and soul. We pray for a Christ-like spirit to love others, including our enemies. Jesus, we thank You for loving us unconditionally; we praise You for the blessings we received, including angelic protection from all harm. Thank You for giving us the Sabbath, a time to rest, and redirect our focus to reflect deeply on Your Love, Grace, Mercies, and Faithfulness. We also ask You to strengthen the global Christian Community, especially those who are being persecuted for accepting and following Jesus. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Savior and Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Who Can Win Against Jesus, El Gibbor, Our Mighty Warrior?

The Enemy’s Challenge: King Sennacherib’s Threat

“Then the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish.”

“And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, ‘Look, he has come out to make war with you.’ So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

”Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.””

‘Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered?'” (2 Kings 20: 8-11).

King Hezekiah’s Prayer

“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.”

15 “Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: ‘O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.’

16 ‘Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.’

17 ‘Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them.’

19 ‘Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.'”

God, Jesus, El Gibbor—The Mighty Warrior’s Response

32 “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it.’

33 ‘By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city, ‘Says the Lord.”

34 ‘For I will defend this city, to save it
For My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.'”

El Gibbor—The Sovereign God’s Victorious Outcome

Sennacherib’s Defeat and Death
35 “And it came to pass on a certain night that the Angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.”

36 “So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh.”

37 “Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.”

The Sovereign God Is Unknown To Most of Today’s Christian Believers

“My people perish for the lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). From redirecting our faith and focus to ourselves and the world’s temporary wealth, success, and pleasures, truthfully, we do not know who the Sovereign God is.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13).

From not studying the Bible, we do not know Jesus’ Love, our Mighty Warrior’s Faithfulness, Promises, and His Perfect Record of Absolute Victories.

Unless we develop a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ through daily personal worship, surrendering to follow our Shepherd, praying continuously, and studying the Holy Scriptures in the Bible, we will redirect our faith and focus to ourselves.

But from embracing the unbeliever’s life of trusting in human thoughts and strategies, we travel on the road of Self-Reliance, which places us on a Spiritually Dead End Street.

“And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10).

At some point, when we have suffered enough consequences from excluding God, we realize our human limitations, and feeling defeated, instead of repenting, we begin to blame God for abandoning us.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28).

For the Believers that follow Jesus with faithful obedience, when we face the hardships and vicissitudes of life that are impossible for human thoughts, wisdom, and strategies to resolve, we bow on bended knees, crying out for God’s Help.

“Behold, I am YHWH, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB). Everyday, we must choose to practice the steadfast faith required to believe in and trust God’s Sovereign Power.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).

Whether experiencing life’s routine challenges or severe struggles, the righteous use their faith to believe and rely on God’s Promises that they have memorized; and the Holy Spirit encourages us by speaking through our thoughts, and reminding us of God’s Faithfulness, and His Commitment to always help us.

“You will keep him in perfect peace because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3). For those who live a lifestyle of worship, we choose to completely trust God.

“Peace, Be still.” Yes, we place our life in His Capable Hands, and enjoy His peace. How? We believe that Jesus is Sovereign, Loves us, and is Our Shelter and Deliverer when facing the raging storms of life.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. (Psalm 42:5, Amplified Bible).

At times, even the strongest Christians may feel discouraged, especially when our trials last for a long time; but from developing the habit of prayer as our First Response, we invite the Holy Spirit to encourage and empower us with Jesus’ Divine Peace and Strength. Pray continuously!

The Bible Keeps Us Anchored In Christ

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105). Through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word provides Spiritual Guidance, revealing that Jesus is our Guiding Light even when we are traveling on the dark Path of Adversity.

God’s Word is the Spiritual Catalyst that brings us back to our Spiritual Senses: Jesus tells us: “Take no thought for tomorrow; I will never leave you or forsake you; Fear not, for I am with you…”

The Holy Bible reveals God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways, always redirecting our faith and focus away from our circumstances and back to The Sovereign Power of Jesus Christ, El Gibbor, Heaven’s Mighty Warrior.

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37). The Bible gives us the intimate details of Yeshua: Jesus is our Mighty Warrior, promising to give us Victory when we place all of our faith and trust in Him.

Jeremiah 17:14: “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Every day, Jesus is still performing Supernatural Miracles of Healing and Restoration, giving us the Strength to persevere, and comforting us while we endure illnesses, griefs, and hardships.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). “Behold I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20). And we must never forget that Jesus, our Warrior is still reaching out to the heart of sinners to accept Him as their personal Savior.

Make the decision every day to put Jesus Christ as the Lord of your Life; He is a Loving and Faithful Shepherd, The Great Physician, Our Dedicated Protector, and Powerful Warrior, who tells us, “You will not have to fight,” Be still, and know that I am God.” Yes and Amen!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).

Lord God, we desperately need Your help. We are facing many struggles and hardships that we cannot resolve, and even if we could, Jesus, we bring our burdens to Your Throne of Grace, because You promised to help us in our time of need. Lord, we make the commitment to use our faith to trust You with our lives. We realize only You can give us the victory and bring glory to Your Holy Name. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Loving and Righteous Name of our Mighty Warrior, El Gibbor, Jesus Christ, Amen.