Never fight the battle without God! We must have God’s help to win the battle of internal conflict [not giving in to our heart’s desires], and the external opposition of spiritual warfare [temptations designed to make us sin against God].
Living as Overcomers
Walking through life on our knees, gives us spiritual strength, and keeps us aligned with God’s perfect plans. The believers who consecrate themselves daily to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life always receive victorious outcomes.
Prayer keeps us connected to Christ who leads us on the Path of Righteousness. Learn to hear God’s Voice speaking to you. The Holy Spirit speaks through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. We desperately need God’s guidance to live righteously.
Surrender is seeking God’s will and obeying His plans. We receive God’s guidance, His plans, protection, and blessings from communicating with Christ through daily personal worship.
With a spirit of humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, we invite the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, only then can we perceive life through spiritual eyes, and choose right over wrong.
We were created to depend on God. Every day, we require Divine help to succeed in our spiritual journey. We cannot overcome the temptations, or resolve unexpected life events without God.
Most importantly, Sanctification, spiritual growth and transformation require the human effort of cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We must have the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to receive spiritual transformation. We cannot change ourselves.
One day the battle will end. But until then, we pray, obey, and persevere. Keep moving forward empowered by Jesus’ strength, given to us by the Holy Spirit who responds to our prayers.
All in heaven are committed to giving us Divine Help, according to our individual needs. Yes and Amen.
Lord God, we approach your Throne of Grace asking for wisdom, discernment, strength, and Your guidance. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
” ‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts says the Lord and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8).
The young woman related her testimony of living a tumultuous life for many years. She prayed for direction, and was surprised when God instructed her to return to her parents’ home in a rural town, which she left 20 years prior, because “I was young and wanted to live my life in the big city.”
Although it appeared that God was taking her backward, because of her parents’ reputation as loving Christians, she was immediately hired for a prime position. And to her surprise, the quiet rural town had also progressed in its business operations and technologies.
She concluded her testimony with, “I never realized that my life could be so blessed. Whatever you do in life, pray, and obey God.”
” ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ ” (Jeremiah 33:3).
God’s Plans are intentional and always have the definitive purpose of drawing us closer in our relationship with Christ. Prayers of Faith align us with God’s plans of Moving Us Forward Spiritually!
Faithfulness to God is the highest form of worship we can offer. Out of steadfast Faith springs trust, obedience, and the desire to stay connected to the Source of Life, God, the Father.
Today’s sermons omit the most important part of our Christian Journey: A follower of Christ must live an obedient and sacrificial life.
Throughout the Bible, we learn that serving God always requires us to give a sacrificial offering. We have to let go of the things that we treasure the most.
Our personal goals, relationships, prosperity, jobs, and even our desired careers can be the things that we must relinquish. Yes, we will feel disappointed, or discouraged, still, we should focus our faith on God’s promises, and trust His plans.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
God has Perfect Plans for you and me. His plans for those who are faithful and obedient include a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
When we love God and desire to stay in sync with His purpose then we willingly surrender and obey. Yes, it takes a giant leap of faith to follow and depend on His plans when we do not understand them. But, Just do it!
Our commitment of consecration requires a sacrificial prayer, “Lord God, I want what You want for me.” In faith, pray, and trust God’s Amazing Love and His Sovereignty. Our Father’s plans always produce Victorious Outcomes!
If the thought of asking God to reveal His purpose for your life makes you fearful, then you can be assured that your desires and your life are out of sync with His perfect will.
“Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:37, NLT). We cannot hope and pray that God will bless our desires when it is not in His will for us. No believer is exempt from sacrificial giving.
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29).
God, the Father required Jesus, His Only Son to be obedient, even though fulfilling the Plan of Redemption required dying a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross.
If Jesus was required to obey God in His earthly life then we can expect a change to our agendas if they are not in sync with God’s purpose.
The Holy Spirit is warning God’s true believers to prepare for our Triumphant King’s Second Coming. The events described in Matthew 24, and 2 Timothy 3 are happening now.
The natural disasters, escalation in violence and greed, worldwide hunger, global wars, the violation of human rights, and political corruption are signs of living in the Last Days of Earth’s history.
God has been transparent by telling us how this Earth and evil will end. From studying the Scriptures, we know the future plans that God has for the righteous.
Revelation chapters 19-22 describe how the battle between good and evil ends. We have the greatest hope of receiving our Heavenly reward when we intentionally align ourselves with God’s purpose and plans.
Our salvation and receiving our Crown of Life requires the active commitment of daily consecration and surrender to God’s will.
We should be very excited that Jesus, the King of kings left His throne to come to Earth, live in poverty, and suffer so we can have a perfect and eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we thank you for the blessing of a new day. We ask You to reveal your plan for today, and to guide us, so we stay on the Path of Righteousness. We ask this prayer in the Matchless and Mighty Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ. Amen
“Sometimes you enter the secret place expecting comfort, but God gives you correction. You go in wanting confirmation, but He gives you an assignment you didn’t ask for.”
You may pray, asking: ‘God, what do You want me to do? “And He replies: “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). Daily consecration, personal worship, prayer, and Bible study, along with witnessing, are every believer’s spiritual priorities.
How do we react when we hear the Voice of God telling us to do what opposes our plans?
“What You Want to Hear [Yes] Is Usually Not What You Need.”
We pray with joyful expectation, assuming that God will answer our prayers with “Yes.” But truthfully, unless we are asking for Divine strength, comfort, guidance, protection, or provisions, most of the time, God’s answers are to “Wait,” or “No.”
Although Satan, our enemy, has produced and afflicted humanity with every disease present on this Earth, God does not promise physical healing for every believer.
Why Do God’s “No” Answers Exceed His “Yes” Answers?
God’s ultimate goal is to Sanctify and Transform our character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Our earthly lives are the only time we have to prepare for Eternal Life.
Sadly, many are too distracted by Satan’s temptations, relationships with unbelievers, and fleeting treasures to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the lifelong spiritual process of growth and maturity.
God created us with a free will of choice to follow Christ or to follow our desires. Aligning ourselves with God’s will through surrender and faithful obedience is God’s greatest desire for us.
Yet, history reveals that Jesus Christ does not always become the Lord of our lives. Even believers struggle with surrendering and faithfully waiting on God to answer their prayers. Many give up and eventually answer their own prayers.
We have the crucial responsibility of choosing our destiny. If we desire heaven then we will acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority by living a life that proclaims love, loyalty, and obedience to Christ.
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29).
Follow Jesus’ example of obedience. Trust God’s plan for your life! Never exchange your Crown of Life for temporary relationships and meaningless earthly treasures.
We have this hope: Jesus Christ is coming soon to take the righteous to heaven! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we thank You for Your Holy Scriptures and the ability to communicate with You through prayer. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who gives us guidance, correction, protection, and teaches us how to recognize Your Truth from false doctrines. We ask for the strength to stand down our desires and overcome temptation. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
In the United States, the overwhelming effort to rid the country of all immigrants has empowered governmental agencies with the right to abuse individuals who were created in the image of God.
Those with money and political power think, act, and breathe as if they are demigods and have the authority to persecute, dehumanize, and reinterpret the laws of the land.
As worshipers of the Most-High God, we must perceive these actions through spiritual eyes, Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled!
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the End of the Age?” (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus answered His disciples question: What will be the signs of the end of the world? “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:11-12).
Many Christians are trampling on God’s Commandments and Righteous Principles because they live to please themselves.
The false doctrines of “Once saved, you are always saved because you are covered by Grace,” “Live as you please, heaven is your home,” and “God knows your heart, He knows that you really desire to do what is right” was developed by Satan, humanity’s greatest enemy.
These doctrines have permeated the Christian Community as if we can determine the Spiritual guidelines for receiving Eternal Life. Yet, God has established Righteous Standards in the Holy Scriptures that have never changed.
Too many Christians are really not concerned about God’s command to, “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)., because their faith is in their interpretation of God’s Truth.
The practice of Compromised Christianity is so prevalent we can no longer recognize the difference between most believers and unbelievers.
The worldly believer who probably attends church but embraces selective sins, is practicing “a form of godliness” where one appears to be living a sanctified and holy life.
“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV)
Fact: Unbelievers make no effort to obey God and live their earthly lives to please themselves.
It is the double-minded believers who attend church, but love prosperity, sinful pleasures, and the people who make life exciting that Satan has deceived into believing they will bring their unholy character into heaven.
Jesus has not withheld the spiritual criteria that is required for us to receive our Crown of Life.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).
We cannot walk in the way of sinners and expect to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. In my past life of compromise, whenever I heard of Jesus’ Second Coming my heart was filled with dread because I knew that I wasn’t ready. And how did I know that?
The Holy Spirit will not stay quiet when we are no longer walking on the Path of Righteousness. We receive warnings when we are not in right standing with God. Yet, God never tramples on our Free Will of choice to serve Him or not.
The Apostle Paul tells us, eventually, those who continue to live the sinful life of compromise, feel no remorse for their sins because they have grieved the Holy Spirit who no longer warns them of your sins against God.
When God’s Mercy Ends: “Romans 1:28 states: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”
“This Scripture, along with (Romans 1:24-32), describes a process where, because people reject God and His knowledge, God allows them to descend further into sin and a depraved state of mind.”
The Christian journey is the toughest battle we will ever face in our earthly lives. Yet Paul proclaimed, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
Fulfilling Our Spiritual Role: Pray and study the Holy Scriptures like never before. Daily consecration and asking God to baptize our hearts with the Holy Spirit empowers us with the edifying Righteousness of Jesus Christ.
God’s Promise of Sanctification to His Righteous Believers: “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).
“This verse expresses the Apostle Paul’s confidence in God’s work within believers. Jesus Christ, who initiated the process of salvation and spiritual growth in us, will continue that work until its completion on the day of Christ’s return.”
Sanctification is the daily process of Spiritual Transformation that requires the human effort of cooperation with the Holy Spirit who performs “the daily Sanctification required for the transformation of our character into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.
We have this hope! The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and Triumphant King is sooner than we think! Hallelujah and Amen!
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ ” (Revelation 7:9-10).
Fact: In the Book of Revelation chapters 19-22, Jesus reveals how the Great Controversy of Good and Evil ends.
Fact: Jesus did not sacrifice his life in vain. Throughout the history of this Earth, God has always had a remnant of faithful believers who consecrated themselves daily through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and obedience.
Reflection: Where would you stand if Jesus came today?
“If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” (Joshua 24:15, World English Bible).
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness after His 40-day fast, all he could offer Christ was the temporary power, prestige, and pleasures of this world. And Satan is still using that same old deception to pull us away from God.
Yes, Satan’s goal is to keep us distracted by offering us trinkets when God is offering us the Crown of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Brothers and sisters, separate yourself from all unrighteousness! Fight the good fight of faith in the Mighty Power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The King is Coming! The King is Coming! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, in a world filled with deception and distractions, we desperately need Your help to keep us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. God, we ask You to create a clean heart within us, and give us a steadfast spirit and desire to serve You. Lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us, as we continue in this journey of life. We ask this prayer in the Righteous and Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.
Lord God, in faith, we ask You to reveal the hidden things that we need to know to prepare for Your soon return. Our desire is to receive everlasting life in a perfect world filled with love and unity. We thank you for the Sabbath, a day of rest, in which, we can worship You in spirit and in truth. We pray for a spiritual blessing of strength and wisdom along with the courage to keep moving forward in the power of Your Holy Name. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who searched for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26 NLT
Good Morning!
It is a cold and rainy Sunday, even so, we have been blessed with another day of life.
In 2001, I was searching for a new job and had sent out several resumes. I can recall interviewing for the position as a Home Health Nurse. I excitedly thought about the autonomy of developing my daily schedule, and the freedom of traveling as opposed to working in the confinement of an office setting for 8 hours a day.
While I was waiting for the completion of the Agency background check, I received a call from Eve, a Camp Administrator in New York City who relayed that she had received my resume and was interested in hiring me for the summer.
As she explained the responsibilities of the position, I mentally laughed at the thought of a “New Jersey City Girl” working in the Catskill mountains of Upstate NY. I half-heartedly listened to the duties of the position, realizing that I had never been camping, and really was not interested at the age of 43 in new beginnings.
My thoughts took a 360 spin when Eve spoke about the compensation-the salary was based on the NYC wage scale for nurses. With the salary I would receive for the summer, it would be possible to be selective in choosing a permanent job with the right fit when I returned home.
I had a decision to make; based on the completion of a successful background check, the position was mine, if interested. Honestly, my affirmative decision was influenced solely by the money.
The next day, I received a Fed-Ex package with New Hire documents, pictures of the camp, and a very lengthy list of the required clothing, shoes, and supplies.
There were three modules with a one-week away from camp break, which equated to 12 weeks of rendering care to girls ages 7-17, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including the On-Call duties.
Although my motives for accepting the position were not the best, my life experience expanded in a way that I never thought possible. The unadulterated beauty and peaceful environment of the land with it’s serene lake and majestic trees were simply breath-taking. I became Nurse-mother to 325 girls during that summer who often visited the infirmary (in tears) for various reasons.
It was hard work! The temperatures plummeted to 30 degrees at night, and my cabin had the only indoor shower in the camp with a reservoir of 5 gallons of hot water that was only to be utilized for the nursing staff. I received many offers of money and gifts from staff to take a hot shower; nonetheless, I adhered to the rules.
Preparation for Nightly Bear Visits: Bears! The most daunting thoughts were fueled by a history of watching too many horror movies (a habit that has ceased). During orientation week, we were taught to make Honey pots that were set out every night at the entrance of the campsite to deter the bears from entering.
Thankfully, the camp counselors were responsible for the honey pots. Still, I must admit that my prayer life increased during that summer. God is awesome! Nightly, we could hear the bear eating from the pot; however, never once did the bears enter the campsite.
“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7 NLT).
With God all things are possible, I have come to appreciate the beauty of nature, and know that only a loving God could provide an earth filled with such magnificent splendor for our enjoyment.
“Exposure tonaturenot only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production ofstresshormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists such as public health researchers Stamatakis and Mitchell.”
Challenge for today: Reach beyond your comfort zone…enjoy a stress-free day in a natural habitat, and thank Jesus, the Creator for His Amazing Love and Gift of Nature.
“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD…” (Psalm 24:1 NLT).
LORD God, Thank you for blessing us with the beauty of nature. Thank you for the elements that enhance our lives and total well-being. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!
Reposted this Devotional from 2019. As I read about my first real experience in nature, I must admit that it was God’s love that granted me a summer that was life-changing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Peace and Blessings.
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3).
We have received many priceless blessings this week including God’s Ruach Breath flowing through our body and angelic protection from spiritual warfare and physical danger.
Expressing Prayers and Praises of Gratitude invites the Holy Spirit to give us abundant peace, joy, and happiness even when we are experiencing tough times in the dark valley of trials.
Do you feel loved? God’s Love is Everlasting and all that we need, yet, we receive so much more. It is impossible to count our blessings.
Agape Love is always between the Giver [God] and the Receiver [You and Me]. Have you expressed your love everyday for Yeshua, our Savior, Shepherd, and Triumphant King?
“…I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
Take some alone, quiet time to offer Praises [Pray, Sing, and Read the Scriptures] of Celebration to Jesus, our Redeemer, Intercessor, and Mediator.
Lord God, we lift Your Holy Name with praises of gratitude for Your Amazing Love and Steadfast Faithfulness. We pray for the blessing of spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical renewal as we celebrate your Holy Sabbath. Yeshua, we love You, and ask this prayer in your Holy Name, Amen.
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues’ ” (Revelation 18:4).
“God wants…people who will not be bought or sold, people who in their souls are true and honest, people who do not fear to call sin by its right name, people whose conscience is true to duty…people who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”
“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, BSB).
Reflection: Does your lifestyle and personal worship reflect a steadfast commitment to faithfully trust and obey God?
“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).
“A righteous character is the result of self-discipline of the subjection of the lower passions to the higher nature of God, and the surrender of self for the service of love to God and humanity.”
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:13-14).
2 Timothy 3 is now. We are living in the last days of Earth’s history. The international wars, civil insurrections, famines, the loss of God-given human rights, political corruption, and the increase in horrific natural disasters are a few of the signs Jesus described in Matthew 24.
Jesus is calling for us to choose sides, either, we are worshipers of the Most-High God, and disciple making followers of Jesus Christ, or, we are living to please ourselves. The King Is Coming!
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
Lord God, we thank You for Your Amazing Love, Redemption, Divine Guidance and Correction given through your Holy Scriptures. We ask you to keep us on the narrow Path of Righteousness, and protect us from the covert schemes of Satan, our enemy. We thank You for the Holy Sabbath and ask you to bless us with joy and peace. In humility and obedience, we give You the honor and worship that You deserve. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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