“I have loved you with an everlasting love…” No other love can compete with God’s love. We do not have to earn His love. Even when we stray by following our own thoughts, He still loves us.
In times of correction and hardships, we may not feel loved, but our Heavenly Father has an Eternal plan of a Forever Life living with Him where abundant Agape love will permeate the New Heaven and New Earth.
So, He uses trials and hardships to chisel away the inherited stubbornness and selfishness in our hearts that threatens to destroy His perfect plans.
God blessed us with the Holy Sabbath to receive a much-needed 24 hours of rest, and a time in which, we receive spiritual renewal, and mental, emotional, and physical restoration.
The Sabbath is a God-given gift. We place the cares of our lives into His hands, and intentionally redirect our focus to God, our Father by worshiping Him with love, reverence, honor, and adoration.
Lord God, we thank You for Your love and Your beautiful gift of the seventh-day Sabbath. We look forward to the time when we will worship with You and the angels from Sabbath to Sabbath. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
In Jesus’ earthly life, He faced constant opposition from the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees who possessed knowledge of the Old Testament, but the conditions of their hearts prevented them from receiving the deepest spiritual wisdom and transforming power of the Holy Scriptures.
In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus was challenged with a question contrived to deceive Him. “If a woman was married and her husband passed away, and she married his succeeding seven brothers who also passed away, whose wife would she be when resurrected?” [Study Matthew 22:23-33].
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.’ ” (Matthew 22:29-30).
Their question not only revealed their inability to discern the spiritual meaning of the resurrection, but also exposed their disbelief that Jesus was who He said He was, “The One sent from God who fulfilled the prophecy in the book of Isaiah of the coming Messiah.”
In the Holy Scriptures, Jesus has revealed everything we need to know to actively participate with the Holy Spirit in our earthly journey of spiritual growth, maturity, and transformation.
“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).
“The Bible is a book which discloses the principles of right and truth. It contains whatever is needful for the saving of the soul, and at the same time, it is adapted to strengthen and discipline the mind.”
No time or desire to study the Bible has permeated today’s Christian Community. We should let nothing prevent us from searching God’s Spoken Words of Wisdom.
The failure to understand why we accepted Christ as our personal Savior, and what God requires of us to participate in our spiritual transformation has many thinking that all we have to do is attend church weekly to be saved and receive Eternal Life.
The Bible was written to reveal God’s Love, His Righteous Character, and to provide guidance on how to live a sacrificial life. We cannot stay on the Path of Righteousness without receiving Divine guidance every day.
Can you imagine being hired for a position where you were not offered an initial orientation and continuous updates to learn the company’s policies, and the protocols required to fulfill your job description and achieve the company’s productivity standards?
Without guidelines, not only would you fail to function in your fullest capacity, it would be impossible to achieve your personal career goals, and the company would never fulfill its Mission, Vision, and maintain its viability in a highly competitive global business arena.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).
Satan has deceived us into believing that we can live righteously from thinking our own thoughts. Faithful Obedience to God is required for the Holy Spirit to transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.
Praying and asking for God’s will to be done in our lives, and studying the Bible reveals our willingness to honor God by learning His Plans and Promises.
Every aspect of God’s plans for our lives has the definitive purpose of transforming our character in preparation to receive our reward of Eternal Life.
Every day, through personal worship, we must seek God’s guidance and plans for the new day. Communicating with God in prayer invites the Holy Spirit to direct our lives according to God’s Divine Flow Chart for every believer’s life.
Without Divine Intervention, it is impossible for us to determine our Chosen Paths. With His Omniscient wisdom, God designs every believer’s spiritual journey according to our individual spiritual needs.
God is loving and patient. He knows that we are unique in our levels of knowledge and understanding of His Truth, and that our character strengths and weaknesses also differ.
“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).
Every believer’s journey is designed to correct their individual character deficits and produce the vital spiritual growth and transformation, Sanctification required to receive Eternal Life.
Still, each of us share the responsibility of working on our salvation by living a Christ-centered, Faith-based life of self-denial, and obedience to God.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.” (Galatians 6:7, Amplified Bible).
We cannot see beyond today, but God views time as Eternal. Yes, God is a Faithful God of Love who is patient, doing all He can to save our souls from the final death, the cost of sin, but we must never forget that He is also the Righteous Judge who does not excuse sin.
What more could God the Father, Jesus, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit do for humanity that has not already been done?
We have received the most precious, life-saving gift from God the Father, His only Son, Jesus, who died on Calvary’s Cross, so we would not have to die for our sins.
Reflecting on Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees, “that we will be like angels of God in heaven” gives us insight into the magnificent spiritual transformation God has planned for those who cooperated with the Holy Spirit in their earthly lives to strive for righteousness. Yes and Amen!
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).
Lord God, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and baptize our hearts with the Holy Spirit. We pray for daily strength, wisdom, and discernment as we seek Your will through continuous prayer and the study of the Holy Scriptures. We thank You for revealing Your plan to transform us into angels of God when Jesus comes again. Lord, we give you the honor, glory, and praise, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Today, take some time away from all the distractions, and Google, the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep.
The behavior of sheep reveals the Love, Faith, Trust and Obedience that we should have for Jesus Christ, Our Shepherd.
We were created to follow Christ. Make the commitment to have personal worship twice a day. Whisper a prayer throughout the day. Study Genesis chapters 1-3 and Revelation chapters 21-22.
Jesus, is our Intercessor. We cannot save ourselves! You and I desperately need the power of God to save us!
Every day, we choose our destiny by the way we live. Our thoughts, habits, pursuits and lifestyle reveal whether or not we are loyal sheep.
Study and memorize John 14:1-3. Do not let anything distract you from preparing every day to receive your promised Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we ask for Your Divine Help. Please reveal all obstacles that prevent us from following Christ with faith, love, loyalty, obedience, and perseverance. Our desire is to receive the precious promise of Eternal Life when Jesus comes again. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Name of Jesus, our Shepherd and Triumphant King, Amen.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3).
September 18, 2025 is a date that God changed my life by giving me a deeper understanding of His plans for my life. The Holy Spirit helped me to prioritize my time and goals, so my relationship with Jesus Christ would grow, and my faith in God would become steadfast.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).
This deep spiritual connection happened because I made the intentional decision to spend the entire day with Jesus in the personal worship of prayer, singing, and studying the Holy Scriptures.
Yes, it was an intense effort to discipline my mind to meditate on the written words of God and His goodness. I prayed often for the Holy Spirit to give me the strength to redirect my focus to God.
Jesus tells us that He is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. Although I did not engage in a complete fast yesterday, I ate a minimal diet of mostly fruits and lentil flatbread along with keeping myself hydrated with water.
“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).
The sacrificial life results in total dependency on God, which is greatly rewarded. Not only do we receive spiritual wisdom, peace, and God’s guidance from spending intentional time with Him, but we also receive answers to the complexities in our lives that are impossible for us to resolve.
Christ Delivers Us From the Chains of Sin
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1).
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16).
Attempting to use our strength against the internal desires of our hearts and the external temptations of this world always results in failure. We must have the strength of Christ to live as a Victorious Overcomer!
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10).
Many times it is difficult for us to realize the overwhelming love Jesus has for us. From Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross, God proclaims that we are valued beyond our finite understanding. Yes, we are Heaven’s priority. Yes and Amen.
Our decision to consecrate ourselves daily to God by dedicating frequent time in solitary worship [free from distractions and other people] invites the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, gifting us with deeper spiritual insight, and empowering us with the strength of Christ.
“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, ESV).
Everyday, we have an opportunity to bond with Christ. Our love for God is the foundation for using our faith to prayerfully consecrate ourselves in surrender to God with the commitment to follow Christ, our Shepherd.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
“Knowing the time means recognizing the urgency and significance of life, especially in light of Christ’s imminent return and the brevity of human existence, and therefore should be lived with wisdom, a focus on God’s will, and the mindful use of every opportunity to honor God.”
Time is precious. Doing our part is to be grateful for God’s gift of time. Many believers do not even give God one hour a day in personal worship.
With a God-first commitment, we let go of the habits of time-consuming recreational activities, and distractions which prevent us from worshiping God in Spirit and Truth.
Intentional time with God in daily personal worship is essential for the Holy Spirit to transform our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character, which is required to receive our reward of Eternal Life.
LORD God, we thank You for the gift of a new day. We confess our sin of wasting the precious time that You have given us. We ask you to help us to prioritize our lives according to Your perfect will and plans. And ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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).
Our world is in chaos. The unprecedented global events indicate the progressive loss of our Religious Liberty. Yes, Bible Prophecy is rapidly being fulfilled.
Study Matthew 24, [Jesus answering the disciple’s questions about the signs of the End Times], and Revelation chapters I9-22.
“But mark this: There will be [perilous] terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV).
In 2025, we are the generations living in the Perilous Times, which the Apostle Paul warned us about in 2 Timothy 3. Yes, it is time for Christian Believers to Separate Ourselves from sin in all forms.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 1:15-17, ESV).
Unless we are witnessing, we have no reason to socialize with unbelievers. From hanging out with unbelievers, and participating in their secular activities, it is the Christian who changes, not the unbeliever.
Sanctification requires us to cooperate daily with the Holy Spirit who transforms our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ when we strive to live righteously. Let go of every habit and practice that does not honor and revere God.
Every day, Pray for God’s Guidance and ask Jesus for the Divine strength to overcome temptations, and to stand down your heart’s desires. In Jesus’ Strength, we will be one of the number of people standing on the Sea of Glass. Peace and Blessings.
Bible Study: Revelation chapters 19-22
Lord God, we worship and honor You because You are God. We thank You for the Holy Scriptures, which identify Satan’s various covert deceptions, masterminded to separate us from our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask for Spiritual strength, wisdom, and the discernment to recognize and overcome the temptations of success, prosperity, and a life of ease.
Lord God, with gratitude, we thank You for the Victory of a safe passage through another week. Lord, we approach Your Throne of Grace because we are always in need of the spiritual blessings of strength, wisdom, and discernment. Jesus, as we reflect on Your love and faithfulness, we consecrate ourselves to follow You because You are Worthy and deserve all honor, glory, and praise. We ask for forgiveness of our sins of rebellion. Thank You for giving us the Sabbath, a time to rest from our cares, and a time to redirect our faith and focus to worship You in Spirit and Truth. In faith, and with joyful expectancy, we pray in the Holy Name of Jesus, 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).
With deep reflection, I began to think about the relationship between sheep and their shepherd. We can learn from the animals who consistently demonstrate love, loyalty, and obedience to their shepherd.
“Sheep behave with loyalty, recognition, and trust toward their shepherd, responding to their voice, scent, and presence, which signals food, safety, and care.”
“Their behavior includes following the shepherd, calming in their presence, recognizing their unique traits, and learning routines associated with their herder.”
“This bond is built on the shepherd’s consistent provision of resources and protection.”
Following and Guidance: “Sheep will follow their shepherd willingly, knowing that the shepherd provides food, water, and guidance for their well-being.”
I began to think about our relationship with Jesus, our Loving Shepherd who desires to provide for us and protect us from Satan, our enemy. Yet, we must willingly choose to follow Jesus.
Our Greatest Challenge: We inherited hearts overflowing with desires that rebel against God’s plans for our lives.
It is easier to pursue our desires than to surrender in faithful obedience and follow our Shepherd.
Ask yourself, “What is keeping me from following Jesus, my Shepherd?”
Set aside some alone time to think about the desires, habits, and pursuits preventing you from making the commitment to become a faithful follower.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…” (John 10:14).
Jesus reminds us that He knows the pure motives of His sheep. They are the Believers who abide in Him by maintaining a heart-to-heart relationship through daily surrender.
The Characteristics of Faithful Sheep
Through daily personal worship, we consecrate ourselves utilizing Jesus’ prayer to His Father, Not my will, but Your will be done.” (Luke 22:42).
When our hearts are converted, we readily surrender ourselves to worship God in Spirit and Truth. Love and loyalty for our Shepherd is demonstrated by intentional obedience, which is our highest act of worship to God.
As time slips rapidly into eternity, we are confronted with the choice, Who will I follow? Jesus, or myself?
Our Triumphant King’s promise: “…Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the Crown of life. (Revelation 2:10).
The behaviors of the righteous: Follow Jesus, renounce sin, relinquish your desires, and prepare daily for His Soon Coming.
“Commit everything you do to the Lord [YAHWEH]. Trust Him, and He will help you.” (Psalm 37:5, NLT).
Lord God, thank You for giving us freedom from a sin debt that left us spiritually bankrupt. Jesus, You are our Shepherd, we give ourselves to You. Lead us, correct us, protect us, and cleanse us from the unrighteousness of our heart’s desires. With praise and faithful obedience, we thank You, God, and lift Your Name on High for the gift of Jesus. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
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