God loves us – Page 15 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Sola Scriptura – By Scripture Alone

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – May 1, 2024

Sola Scriptura: The Scripture is our Supreme authority in all spiritual matters and gives us the God-breathed Truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual transformation. The Scriptures reveal the Eternal Triune Godhead: God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, God, the Holy Spirit, who has no beginning and ending and the attributes of their Righteous Characters.

History of the Bible

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16-17

“…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” —2 Peter 1:20-21

From Genesis to Revelation, the theme of the Bible is God’s Agape Love for humanity and every living animal and plant. Yet, as humans created in their image, we are the apple of His eye. To save our souls, God gifted Jesus, His only Son to step down from His throne to suffer, bleed, and die so that we would not experience the penalty of the wages of sin.

God’s love, grace, and mercies are abundantly revealed in every promise, Divine intervention, and corrective discipline. The Holy Scriptures were given for us to know God’s Righteous Character, His Commandments, and Precepts, and is the only Standard of Truth by which we are commanded to live. Great His is love, faithfulness, and mercies.

Martyrdom Paved the Way for Us to Receive the Bible

The history of Christianity includes the Bible’s translation into English by William Tyndale in the 1500s for which he was condemned of heresy and burned at the stake in Germany. Although he was called to be a martyr, God demonstrated His Sovereignty and proved that despite Satan’s evil plans, He is the Supreme Ruler of this world. Four English translations were published within four years following William Tyndale’s death.

Before his execution, William Tyndale prayed that God would impress upon King James to complete the English translation, interpretation, and printing of the Bible. A group of 54 Bible scholars were appointed to be used by God to complete the task. In 1611, the King James Version (English) of the Bible was printed. Tyndale’s sacrificial offering of his life for the Bible to be made available to millions of people globally gives us something to reflect on, how far are we willing to go in taking up our cross to follow Christ?

The Light to Guide Us on the Narrow Path

The Bible is our Spiritual Guide to living holy. Our desire to study and obey the Scriptures has waned. Without Scriptural knowledge, we cannot experience spiritual transformation or know the will of God. Many are studying the Bible for intellectual knowledge instead of praying for God to give them a clean heart.

We require astute knowledge and spiritual discernment to understand the Scriptures and strengthen our faith. God, the Holy Spirit is not intrusive, we must pray for His presence, power, and Divine wisdom before we study the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit will only enter a clean temple. We ask for forgiveness of sins before we open our Bibles—an unclean heart cannot be in God’s presence. The Bible is Holy—filled with God-breathed words of life. Studying the Scriptures invites the presence of God into our worship.

Full cooperation is required for the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts and transform our characters. We are saved by Grace through faith. Our faith is the spiritual conduit that connects our hearts to Christ’s heart. It is Christ who imputes and imparts His Righteousness to every surrendered believer to live holy, sanctified lives pleasing to God.

Satan’s Deceptions

Satan age old trick is to plant the seed of doubt in our hearts. He deceives many believers with “Did God really say?” How are we falling for his lies? He begins with the Scriptures. By twisting and blending a little Truth with his interpretations, he uses others to entrap us into believing false doctrines. Many believers refuse to study and obey the Old Testament because someone preached a sermon that the New Covenant abolished the law given at Mount Sinai.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” —Matthew 5:17

“And on the seventh day, God ended His work which He had done…and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” —Genesis 2:2-3

God clearly states the Old Testament is still valid [not one jot or tittle will change]. The Ten Commandments are the Moral Code we live by. The first four commandments are man’s duty to God and the remaining six are man’s duty to one another. Satan’s first attack was to place doubt in Eve’s mind and he continues to make us doubt that God’s Original Plans are not valid in 2024.

The 24-hour rest from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset is a God-given time of Spiritual Restoration in which we enjoy the highest level of spiritual worship with God. All secular activities are ceased. Sabbath rest, restoration, and relaxation increase our dependency on our Heavenly Father and provide optimal spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health.

The Sabbath is Holy. The Fourth commandment is a covenant between God and the righteous. God was fully aware that we needed to give Him one-seventh of our week to break the bonds of spiritual warfare and draw us close to Him. Satan is cunning, he knows that if we believe the seventh-day Creation Sabbath was changed, he can easily convince us to live a life of compromise and disobedience.

Still, one must consider that if Jesus says all of the commandments are valid then all of Heaven observes and has worshiped on the Seventh-day Sabbath every week since Creation. The seventh-day Sabbath is eternal, we will worship on the Creation Sabbath in Heaven and the New Heaven and New Earth. God never abolishes what He deems as Holy.

When conflict arises between human modifications and God’s law, it is best to obey God. What difference does a day make to God? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if God changed His command to keep the seventh-day Sabbath Holy. All human-made thoughts result in disobedience. Cain offered the sacrifice that he determined God should receive, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain…” (Jude 11)

When Christ cried, “It is finished!” His sacrificial offering for our Redemption was accepted by God, the Father. The veil tearing from top to bottom indicated the Ceremonial Law—animal sacrifice was done away with. We do not acknowledge the magnitude of false doctrines and the impact of satanic evil on believers as the Apostles Paul and Peter did. How far will we allow Satan to go in appealing to our heart’s desires and separate us from God?

Every day, our love for God is challenged by the raging war within our hearts, prevailing worldviews, and the delightful earthly treasures that appeal to our senses. Some believers are so hypnotized and spiritually blinded that they no longer worship God in Spirit and Truth. We cannot think wrong and do right. Without daily consecration and fasting, the enticement of temptation and sinful desires will always gain victory.

If we truly love God then our love and loyalty are evidenced by changing our mindset to obey every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The righteous live by Sola Scriptura—by Scripture alone, therefore our agonizing prayer is for God to search our hearts and reveal any evil thing that results in disobedience.

From the Scriptures, We Learn These Truths

God is love and He is Just. Faithful Obedience to His Righteous commands and precepts are non-negotiable. We were created with the free will of choice, but cannot save ourselves through self-governance. Faith produces spiritual works, but our works will not save us.

The Evolution theory is a feeble attempt to replace the Power, Glory, and Majesty of Jesus Christ, our Creator, Sovereign King of kings, and Lord of lords. The anatomy and physiology of the human mind and body are a replica of Divinity and will always supersede every human-made technological advancement that attempts to minimize the spiritual wisdom we receive from the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is our road map. We do not have to develop counterproductive strategies when facing hardships, we pray and study to receive God’s guidance even in our daily routine activities. Through the Scriptures, God reveals His will and plans for our lives. When we give God our best, our prayers change, in faith, we not only pray a daily prayer of surrender, but saints of the Most High are praying, Come, Lord Jesus, and take us away from this sin-cursed earth.

Some study for intellectual knowledge, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). How is it possible for us to delve into the Holy Scriptures and remain the same? Only one obstacle stands between us and the conversion of our hearts—disobedience to God. How long will we tread on God’s love and mercies?

“For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times” (Proverbs 24:16). “Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand” (Psalm 27:34).

Even in our disobedience, we receive our Father’s loving mercies. God is not punitive or vengeful. Yes, we suffer the consequences of disobedience, still, we are never alone or abandoned in our spiritual journey whether we are suffering consequences or the hardships of trials.

In John 16:33, Jesus forewarned us of a life of trials. Tribulations and suffering are not punitive actions of an unjust God—they pave the way for our characters to be transformed into Christ-like Characters. Every surrendered and obedient believer receives Jesus’ strength and the power to endure and persevere through their fiery trials and to live as Overcomers.

We open our Bibles, pray for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit, and receive God’s Divine resolution for our challenges and we receive the strength to walk on the water in faith when suffering from tumultuous trials and tribulations. Although our trials can be severe and lengthy, God gives us the strength to endure.

God does not withhold blessings. Every good gift is from the Father above. God’s blessings always glorify and honor His Holy Name. His answer of no reflects the things we ask for in the long run will compromise our salvation and reward of eternal life.

We must give up the pursuit of earthly prosperity, The love of money and tangible possessions demonstrates the worship of mammon—the idol of materialism. God does not choose our final destiny, we decide or not to live as Christ lived, a sacrificial life of humility and obedience to God, the Father which is required to receive our Crown of Life.

How deep the Father’s love for us! Through His Divine Love, the Spirit of Truth was sent to teach us the absolute Truth of every Holy Scripture. We can renounce sin, abolish all false doctrines, and with a made of mind, worship God with immense gratitude in the power of His might!

Not one book or human-made theory can challenge the authenticity of the Holy Writ. The Scriptures are all-inclusive, not only do we receive the spiritual power to “Be holy, for I am Holy,” but Jesus promises, “I will heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

The Scriptures shine joy upon our sorrow, hope upon our discouragement, light upon our darkness. They give direction for our confusion, certainty in our perplexity, strength in our weakness, and wisdom in our ignorance. When we meditate upon the Word of God and by faith trust its promises, God’s life-giving power energizes our entire being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. ssnet.org

“And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, ‘Strike this army with blindness.’ So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.” —2 Kings 6:17-18

Our unfailing duty to God is to revere and honor Him through faithful obedience and to live by Scripture alone! It is the contrite and surrendered heart that receives the deepest spiritual discernment. The Holy Spirit works great and mighty feats of imparting wisdom and discernment to open our eyes to perceive the Power of God. We serve the same Mighty and Powerful God that Elisha served. It’s time to live a faith-based, consecrated life that brings God’s unlimited power into our lives.

The Bible is the greatest Book of all. Our faith and trust in God are strengthened when we study the faith and courage of our Biblical heroes. They prayed in faith because they believed in the Mighty Power of God. The Old Testament reveals God’s love and Divine Intervention to give victory in the most daunting situations. From living a consecrated and obedient life, our God will demonstrate that He is God alone, every day He is still parting Red Seas.

To surrender is to receive Jesus’ peace. Live by Sola Scriptura: The Holy God-breathed words of Righteousness.

Christ is waiting for us to turn our focus from distractions, discard false teachings, and live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. We have an enemy working overtime to steal our souls and our reward of the Crown of Life. Fight using the Scriptures as Jesus did when tempted in the wilderness.

It is time for us to study the Scriptures and pray for heart conversion and spiritual transformation into the likeness of Christ, and we will receive Divine Power. Only then can we boldly proclaim, Satan, I rebuke you in the Mighty Name of Jesus, and he will flee. The Struggle is Real, but Victory is Sure through Christ Jesus! ©2024 SDJ

“Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25

Well Done, Good, and Faithful Servant

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 24, 2024

“As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” —Deuteronomy 33:25

The perplexities, lengthy trials, and hardships we endure will never overpower us. “We have the promise that…God is faithful. “He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT). (Joy in Tribulation).

The converted believer’s earthly journey is tumultuous because all unrighteous character traits, sinful desires, and habits must be removed. The journey on our chosen paths differs, yet, God’s goal of the spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities will reach completion until the day before Jesus comes if we are living.

We are granted the mercies of enough time to choose Christ and experience spiritual growth, but the moment we close our eyes in the sleep of death, our spiritual transformation ceases. “For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward…” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The Apostle Paul explains the state of the dead in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4.

Salvation is a gift but includes Spiritual Conditions of Participation—we embrace and align our lives with God’s Righteousness. Our human cooperation with the Holy Spirit is manifested by daily surrender and faithful obedience. The Holy Spirit transforms us if we place our faith and trust in God, only then can our hearts be connected to Jesus, our High Priest, and Intercessor. The Holy Spirit teaches, imparts wisdom and strength, and convicts us of our cherished and hidden sins.

“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 14:2-3

When planning spiritual goals, we look beyond our present circumstances, this earthly home is temporary. We must let go of our love for the life we have on Earth. Few believers memorize Revelation chapters 21-22 and reflect on Jesus’ promise to have true happiness in a sinless, most beautiful New Heaven and New Earth. Nothing should distract us from reflecting on the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to see Him face to face and receive our Crown of Life.

In times like these [the last days of Earth’s history], we desperately need to study and memorize the Scriptures that convert our hearts and reveal God’s will for living righteously. We cannot face spiritual warfare without the Spiritual Ammunition of the Word of God. Now is the time to ask the Holy Spirit to fortify our strength so we can live as overcomers destined for heaven.

Our trust and obedience to God must be solid and built on Christ the Solid Rock. Jesus has not only brought us through past trials, but He also promises to hold us in His Righteous Right Hand to guide us safely through our present hardships, temptations, and future tribulations.

Christ rewards our faithfulness by giving us His strength to keep us moving forward on the Narrow Path. We receive Divine wisdom from the Holy Spirit to recognize and overcome satanic deceptions that we cannot discern with our human ability. Our role is to pray and filter the stimuli of the many voices who proclaim their messages are God’s Truth.

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). Never place your confidence in human wisdom. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal all beliefs that are not in agreement with God’s Bible-Based Truth. Jesus’ battle plan of sending the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth prevents us from accepting Satan’s erroneous interpretations of the Holy Scriptures.

“The conditions of receiving spiritual discernment and wisdom require that we have an honest, pure heart, and the desire to know God’s will, which can only happen when we surrender to God.” Pastor M. Finley

Pray before you study. Our love, loyalty, and allegiance are to the Most High God. The Spirit of Truth supersedes all human interpretations of the Scriptures. One of our greatest challenges is letting go of beliefs not substantiated by the Bible. Only an unconverted heart refuses to acknowledge their belief system does not coincide with God’s Truth when the Holy Spirit reveals error. We cannot worship God in Spirit and Truth by holding onto misinterpretations and false beliefs that hinder our spiritual growth.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” —Jeremiah 33:3

Our goal is to hear well done. Monitor the time spent on entertainment, disruptions, and distractions by creating a Spiritual cease-and-desist order to take back control over your God-given time. Make Jesus your Best Friend. We form an unbreakable bond by talking to Christ throughout our waking hours. Our spiritual goal is to grow stronger and become part of the remnant who have the Faith of Jesus Christ.

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.” —Revelation 14:12

According to the Daniel and Revelation prophecies, we face a future of end-time prophetic turmoil with intense spiritual conflict that will challenge our faith in God. Preparing now through consistent prayer, fasting, and study invites the Holy Spirit to give us a continuous outpouring of spiritual reinforcement. The Holy Spirit is our only guarantee of remaining steadfast. We desperately need to go deeper in our spiritual walk with Christ and like John become the disciples that Jesus loves.

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters…” Revelation 1:12-15

The Roman Emperor Titus exiled John the Revelator [affectionately known as the disciple that Jesus loved] to the Isle of Patmos. Even so, John’s banishment was part of Christ’s perfect plan. The disciple’s tribulation of isolation was for our benefit—the book of Revelation contains the history of the early Christian churches to the future End Time prophecies that foretell a repeat of Christian persecution.

Covered by God’s grace and living off of abundant mercies is a blessed privilege that we do not deserve. We have received Jesus’ warning and directive to His Apostle for future believers: “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7). Praise God, Revelation ends with Christ and the righteous as Victors standing on the Sea of Glass and Satan and all evil destroyed!

Since Jesus cast Satan and his angels to the Earth, we have always been his focus in the Great Controversy between good and evil. Now is the time to cultivate an aversion to the evil of sin. The truly converted heart does not suffer from an internal conflict of choosing Christ over Satan. We know that we cannot save ourselves and our only hope is Jesus Christ!

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” —James 4:10

God has given Christ, His Son, and sent the Holy Spirit, our Teacher so we can live as overcomers who receive their blessed reward of immortality when Christ comes again with majesty and glory. Take sufficient time and study the book of Revelation under the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Revelation’s plain truth prophecies will impact you as no other book of the Bible.

If you truly desire Eternal life then study the books of Daniel and Revelation. Your perception of this Earth will radically change, and you will strive to live a sacrificial, surrendered life pleasing to God. From our failure to study Bible prophecies and the Old Testament, we only have a limited understanding of the Characters of God, the Father, and Christ, God, the Son.

The lack of knowledge of Redemption, Sanctification, the Judgment, and Eternal life makes it impossible for us to live holy and surrendered lives because there is missing knowledge vital to our salvation. Not knowing the complete story tempts us to fill in the blanks with our interpretations, leaves us vulnerable to Satan’s many deceptions, and we do not possess the spiritual enthusiasm for the Second Coming of Christ.

Throughout the Old Testament, God revealed the earthly arrival of the Messiah. From Adam and Eve to Jacob, Daniel, and King David, to Malachi chapter 4 which describes the Great Day of God, we have Scriptural evidence the plan of Salvation was revealed to those living in the Old Testament times, “The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever” (Psalm 37:29).

Our Triumphant King is coming soon! One day the righteous will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Yes, the King of Glory will introduce us to our Heavenly home, “…’ Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ ” (Matthew 25:34). Amen and Amen! © 2024 SDJ

Lord God, we pray for the strength to persevere in this earthly journey and to keep our eyes focused on You as we walk on our Chosen Path. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

The Season of Transition

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 21, 2024

“Out of the ground, the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” —Genesis 2:19

Christ revealed God’s plan of excellence for the human mind on the sixth day of creation when Adam named every living creature. According to PLOS BIOLOGY, in November 2023 when asked how many species exist on Earth? “Projections range from millions to trillions.” Even the experts admit we can only project the number of species in the animal kingdom.

Nature reveals the overwhelming love, Omnipotence, and Omniscience of the God who not only humbled Himself in death so we can experience perfection in the New Heaven and New Earth but also gave those created in His image a fulfilling life on planet Earth amidst magnificent beauty that still exists.

God created the world as a dynamic wonder for us to behold its splendid beauty, pursue opportunities to excel and reach our fullest potential, and most importantly understand His loving character. “God intends that improvement shall be the lifework of all His followers and that it shall be guided and controlled by correct experience.” (Reaching Forward to Perfection).

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” —James 3:13

The Holy Spirit empowers us with the gift of wisdom to understand the Scriptures and God’s Divine plan of restoration for fallen beings. His goal is for us to achieve continuous spiritual and intellectual growth through studying the Scriptures, experiencing the natural world, and personal and professional development.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” —1 John 3:1

So why do so few believers grasp the Godly concept of setting our standards high? “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). From the diligent study of Creation’s story we learn of God’s infinite plan for humanity. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament revealing that our true identity is in Christ our Creator.

“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ ” —Galatians 4:6

Christ proclaims “We are sons and daughters of God, we are bought with a price, our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are a royal priesthood.” Instead of recognizing the privilege of our spiritual birthright, we classify ourselves according to the world’s standards of family ancestry, academic achievements, and social and financial status.

“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8 Amplified Bible

Our refusal to consecrate ourselves to God has strengthened Satan’s influence in the Christian Community. Blended truth with human-made concepts is accepted because we harbor a spirit of discontentment. Instead of praising God for our blessings of provisions, and studying the Bible under the direction of the Holy Spirit, we listen to podcasts on “How Successful People Think.”

“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” —John 14:14

Satan twists the Holy context of the Scriptures to appease our desires for earthly treasures. He uses misguided human interpretation, “Didn’t Jesus say to ask anything in His name and He would do it?” to incite our passions. We pray, follow our inclinations, and answer our prayers based on the false teachings of the Name It and Claim It prosperity message and the worldview of pursuing one’s desires.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven …For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Our focus has shifted to building wealth and elevating our social status instead of seeking the intangible [intellectual and spiritual growth] blessings. “There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self.” ( COL 67).

“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.” —Hebrews 4:12

The focus of spiritual warfare is our soul! Satan is using two effective strategies to turn our attention away from seeking the Kingdom of God. Never-ending Distractions: Our schedules are filled with secular activities. The busyness of today has left us depleted. We are just too exhausted to experience meaningful worship in the presence of God.

You Have Time: Today was a taxing effort, tomorrow will be better. We rarely appreciate the new mercies of the given day because our focus is on the future. When the children are older and the mortgage is paid in a few years from now life will not be so hectic. The Deception: We think time is ours to manage. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom ” (Psalm 90:12).

” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’ ” (Matthew 15:8).

Many Christians are unaware the last few years including 2024 is the time Jesus identified as “The Beginning of Sorrows” (Matthew 24). We desperately need to consecrate ourselves to live sacrificially. Only then can the Holy Spirit open our natural eyes and empower us with the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize and rebuke Satan’s deceptions.

The times are perilous and Satan attempts to deceive the very elect. Too many rely on their intellect, quick wit, and life experience instead of being guided by the Holy Spirit. According to today’s pastors, a new term for 21st-century Christianity has been adopted, we are Middle-of-the-Road Christians, not engaging in abject wickedness, but living an uncommitted life of self-seeking behaviors.

Think on These Things: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.…” —Philippians 4:8

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” —Matthew 5:48

How often do we think of life in the New Heaven and New Earth? This season of life should be utilized for the transition of shifting our focus from distractions, busyness, and worldly gain to the pursuit of spiritual excellence. Filtering the stimuli that we allow to enter our minds requires heightened spiritual awareness—Is this information beneficial for my spiritual or intellectual growth? Every newsworthy event should not consume our valuable time.

A Call to Worship and Obedience: “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. Today, if you will hear His voice: ‘Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion…’ ” —Psalm 95:5-7

Christian believers do not need to seek the world’s advice. We have the Teacher, God, the Holy Spirit who refreshes and empowers our minds with Godly wisdom and keeps us on the Path of Righteousness. Still, our activities of daily living must be secondary to allow adequate and unhurried time to worship God in Spirit and in Truth which is necessary for spiritual clarity, growth, and transformation.

Changing Our Lifestyle: Transition from Technology to the Outdoor Life

The things of nature are God’s blessings, provided to give health to the body, mind, and soul. Surrounded by the wonderful works of God, our minds are lifted from the things that are seen to the things that are unseen. The beauty of nature leads us to think of the matchless charms of the earth made new, where there will be nothing to mar the loveliness, nothing to taint or destroy, nothing to cause disease or death. (The Health-giving Value of Outdoor Life)

“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:18-19, BSB

Without surrendering ourselves to God, we cannot perceive the new blessings God desires to give us in our earthly lives to prepare us for life with Him. Letting go of counterproductive behaviors includes people and pleasures that serve no purpose in our spiritual journey with Christ.

God has a definitive plan for every faithful and obedient believer which begins in our earthly lives and culminates at Jesus’ Second Coming. To receive the Heavenly Crown of Life requires that we live an earthly life as the Sons and Daughters of God—Spiritual Royalty.

Lord, we pray for ourselves. We on traveling on a detour road instead of the Path of Righteousness and for this we ask for forgiveness. God, like the prodigal son, we have come to our senses. We surrender. Please reveal Your will and plans for our lives. Holy Spirit empower us with Your presence and lead us to the Narrow Path. In Jesus’ Matchless Name, we pray. Amen. © SDJ April 2024

Overcoming the Sorrow of Emotional Loss

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 18, 2024

“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation…” —1 Corinthians 1:5-6

Why We Suffer in Our Earthly Lives: During a pastoral panel discussion, the questions of why God allows bad things to happen to dedicated believers and why He doesn’t intervene to protect the earth’s natural resources were addressed. Answer: God does not interrupt the natural courses and effects of sin. The original sin of disobedience created a continuous negative domino effect on humanity and the earth which will not cease until Jesus comes.

Understanding God’s Purpose for Trials and Enduring Hardships

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. … In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Jesus forewarned us the righteous will suffer many trials and tribulations in their walk with Him. God knows every hardship we will experience in our earthly lives including the heartbreak of emotional loss. The fulfillment of our dreams can be cut short by a breakup, divorce, or the passing of a loved one. Emotional loss is life-altering because we love the individuals who are no longer a part of our daily lives which leaves a void in our hearts.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” —James 1:12

Although we cannot process the loss of a loved one as a privilege to share in Christ’s sufferings, no hardships arise in our lives without Christ’s approval. Emotional loss is a byproduct of the original sin. Only suffering produces the spiritual growth and transformation required to inherit our reward of eternal life.

Because we inherited corrupt hearts [it is easier to do wrong than right] God allows severe trials in which no amount of human effort will bring resolution. Why? To save our souls! And to draw us into a heart-to-heart relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. God has a goal—To give us Eternal life.

Our spiritual journey is unique according to the growth required to change us into the likeness [character] of Christ. Every day we receive tests of faith that require a decision, will we use our faith to depend on His Divine Help? Active faith strengthens our relationship with Christ and fosters a spiritually dependent mindset that prevents our grief from overpowering us.

To be of good cheer is often misunderstood, we do not express joy and happiness over our devastating loss. To be of good cheer is to remain hopeful despite our circumstances because we use our faith to rely on Christ’s never-failing love and power.

Overcoming the Emotional Loss of Relationships

“…I will never leave you or abandon you.” —Hebrews 13:5, CEB

Emotional loss [usually] cannot be recovered, those who are impacted face disorienting grief and sorrow. Grief is a natural emotional response to the loss of someone close and cannot be measured. Believers often are challenged in the area of emotional loss. Because we pray daily for God’s Divine Intervention we expect that we will be spared from the devastating loss of a loving marriage due to the death of a spouse, divorce, or separation, or experience abandonment. Yet, we are not spared—the marriage ends, the engagement is called off, or the best friend walks out of our lives. Will we turn to Christ and allow Him to heal our grieving hearts?

Christ Comfort to Parents—The Death of Children

“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces…” —Isaiah 25:8

The greatest blow from the sting of death is when a child passes away. Losing a baby, child, or children permanently changes the trajectory of their parent’s existence. A parent’s love for their children, living or deceased, is steadfast and protective. No spoken human words can comfort the sorrow of losing a child. Only God’s promises in the Scriptures will provide peace and calm the raging storm of grief.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8). Continuous prayers of faith asking for Jesus’ strength to move forward [in little steps] must be spoken often during immense grief. Only Divine love and power can give parents the strength to press on despite their shattered hearts.

Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? Lloyd Newell

The song, It is Well with My Soul was written by Horatio Spafford following the loss of his son from scarlet fever and the loss of his four daughters from the collision of the ship they were on with their mother. “Upon arriving in England, his wife sent a telegram to her husband that read: ‘Saved alone. What shall I do?’ “

“Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me” —Isaiah 27:5

Emotional loss is the most devastating loss we experience. We face two challenges, 1. We desire for the loved one to be with us again., 2. Grief is a powerful and uncontrollable emotional response—grief penetrates the mind, heart, body, and soul. The very core of our existence is shaken. The human response to the loss of a loved one is not predictable. Many have lost their will to live from losing their spouse, soul-mate, children, or parents, and best friends.

“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:1-2

Christ is our only hope when overwhelming sorrow fills our lives. He is the Giver of Peace and the Holy One who prevents our grief from escalating into a hopeless state of despair. We acknowledge that our hearts are broken, we do not have the strength to move forward, and we continuously pray for Christ’s Divine Help.

“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

We rely on our faith in God to accept His will even when the death of a loved one occurs. For those who died in Christ, they will be raised first when He comes again. For strength, we meditate on the Scriptural promises of God is with us. Yes, believers also experience the deepest sorrow from death, divorce, and breakups, yet, we embrace our loving Savior’s invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

From the depths of our grieved and weakened hearts, we pray, Jesus, I need Your help and Christ begins our journey of healing and restoration. Amen.

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” —John 21:25

Enduring the loss of loved ones is a spiritual struggle. Christ suffered from a broken heart. He humbled Himself to live an earthly life that was so grievous, that He called himself, A Man of Sorrows. Only Jesus has the power to discern the magnitude of grief and soothe the mother’s heart who lost her only child and bring peace to the widow or widower who lost their lifetime forever love.

Truly, Christ loves us. Our love for Christ joins our hearts to His heart. Remain faithful through much prayer. Search the Scriptures every day to learn the loving characters and promises of God, the Father, and God, the Son. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter who gives us the supernatural strength to keep pressing forward in Jesus’ Name.

Overcoming the Natural Responses to Emotional Loss

“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

Our response to emotional loss reveals the true status of our relationship with Christ. If we ask, How could God allow this to happen? then we blame God for the failure to intervene which nurtures unbelief. The escalation of anger or depression easily overpowers faith. Do not believe the psychological theories that lingering anger, unforgiveness, and depression are normal responses to emotional loss. Immediately, seek Christ through fervent prayer. Sustained anger, unforgiveness, and sinking into the darkness of depression indicate our rejection of Christ’s love and prevents us from receiving spiritual, mental, and emotional healing.

Restoring Our Will to Breathe and Move Forward

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds…” (Jeremiah 30:17). Although we focus on the physical healing of Jesus’ earthly ministry, His divine priority was spiritual healing and restoration. Emotional loss requires spiritual healing that is only available through Christ. We pray, Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor responds, and the Holy Spirit anoints us with supernatural power and peace.

God is love! He never allows even the severest trial to crush us which would serve no purpose in our journey of spiritual transformation. Christ promises healing when we faithfully trust Him. Although it seems impossible, I am a living witness that our grief dissipates, and the emptiness in our hearts is filled with Christ’s love and peace.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in him I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” —Psalm 18:2

During our journey of healing and restoration, day by day, the Holy Spirit imparts Christ’s strength to carry us through. Yes, you will experience days that leave you breathless. And on those days, call His Name out loud, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The spiritual comfort we receive from placing our lives in Christ’s hands is life-changing! He fills our empty void with His love, joy, and peace. If we pray without ceasing and faithfully depend on Jesus, we will receive complete healing and restoration. Each day, Christ patiently guides us through our journey imparting His healing, abundant love and peace into our hearts.

” ‘…Do you want to be made well?’ ” —John 5:6

Spiritual Healing is Supernatural and Divine! Grief and sorrow cannot stay in our hearts when we place our faith and trust in Christ. One day we awaken and we know that we are healed because our hearts are free from pain and sorrow! And our tears express our gratitude for His love, long suffering, and the time we were given with our loved ones.

Jesus’ Divine healing power abolishes the residual of emotional loss and we are made whole. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” —Isaiah 53:5

Lord God, we pray for those who are hurting from losing their loved ones. We ask You to shower them with love and strength and to give them peace as You bring healing and restoration to their broken hearts. We ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus. Amen. © April 2024

Restructuring Our Time to Put God First

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – April 12, 2024

Did you know that the busyness of life is a significant strategy of spiritual warfare? Distractions are Satan’s number one tactic to keep us from maintaining a close relationship with God. Social media, cellular devices, and the little unexpected but obsolete things that provide entertainment often waste our valuable time.

Well-meaning individuals who ask for favors can also add additional burdens to our already full schedule. At the end of the day, we are too exhausted to worship God. So, we promise to do better tomorrow, say a quick prayer, and fall asleep.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31

Reflection: What exactly am I doing with my time?

Certainly, it is not our intention to waste the blessing of each new day. Yet, every believer is accountable for how they use the 24 hours received from God’s faithfulness and mercies. Take immediate action! Pray a prayer of repentance and ask for the wisdom to restructure your life. Thinking about yesterday and how we failed to accomplish the important tasks on our to-do list and feeling guilty over days of missed worship is counterproductive. We can never retrieve lost time.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” —James 1:5

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal all time-eating obstacles including the behaviors of procrastination. Be honest! Do you allow others to interrupt your daily schedule? Pray for the courage to respectfully decline and say no [even to your whims of spontaneity].

With enthusiasm, approach your plan to identify and eliminate time-wasting activities, and move forward with determination. Begin today by making a written time log of the activities you have completed and the unfinished tasks. Revise your schedule and make worship with God your number one priority. Be consistent with the designated times that you choose for worship.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:6

Restructuring your life to achieve the highest level of productivity appears to be the goal. But spending time in worship with God every day is our spiritual goal which is the believer’s priority. Minute Devotionals are fine for a quick read while taking a work break, but do not substitute for the Prayer and Bible Study needed daily to enrich our relationship with Christ.

Every morning and evening, we need uninterrupted time with God [which includes spiritual meditation] to receive the blessings to replenish our minds, bodies, and souls. A hurry-up mindset produces ritualistic worship. As a result, we miss out on spiritual blessings necessary to maintain our relationship with Christ. No time for God results in spiritual depletion. Rushing through worship does not include time for the Holy Spirit to respond to the needs of our soul.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” —1 Peter 3:12

When I transitioned from direct patient care to a corporate setting, the constant grind produced extreme mental fatigue. By 2 pm, my stamina was down, and I had little energy to work for three more hours plus drive the hour-long journey home. The overwhelming fatigue threatened to overpower my ability to cope with the complexities of the job.

When I applied for the job, I prayed and was confident that transitioning to a non-clinical setting was God’s blessing. But my faith was weak, and I began to doubt whether or not God had blessed me. Discouraged, I made plans to look for another job. When God blesses us, He does not allow Satan to rob us of our blessings.

Holy Spirit to the rescue! One evening, I read a Devotional on using one’s lunchtime and work breaks to pray for strength. Believe me, I never thought about having worship while on the job. On my afternoon breaks, I separated myself and prayed for the blessings of mental acuity and physical strength.

Does God answer our prayers for help? Yes, He does! The Holy Spirit gave me the spiritual strength to complete my day and the guardian angels watched over me as I drove home.

Although the Quality versus Quantity concept does not apply to worship, we do not have to conduct lengthy worship sessions on our jobs. From the whisper of short but meaningful prayers, we receive supernatural power for our minds and bodies.

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” —Matthew 14:23

One thing is for certain when we invite the presence of God to come into our hearts through prayer, we will always receive the spiritual blessings of strength, wisdom, and peace. We have the privilege of praying any time of the day or night. With Divine Intervention, the activities of daily living and meaningful worship can easily be accomplished when our lives are in sync with God’s plans.

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

Scripture: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer: God, we love You and we just want to say Thank You for your amazing love, grace, and mercies. We need help in identifying and eliminating the behaviors and activities that are consuming our time and keeping us from having meaningful worship with You. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen. © April 2024

Preparing for Our Destiny of Kingdom Life – Sabbath Peace and Blessings

“Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]…” 2 Peter 1:10, Amplified Bible

We need not have a supposed hope, but an assurance. To make our calling and election sure is to follow the Bible’s plan to closely examine ourselves, to make strict inquiry whether we are indeed converted, whether our minds are drawn out after God and heavenly things, our wills renewed, our whole souls changed. To make our calling and election sure requires far greater diligence than many are giving to this important matter. Manuscript, 1844, (Published in Our Higher Calling)

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ ” —Revelation 22:17, 20

Biblical prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled in our era. Choosing to follow Christ wholeheartedly allows us to receive the transforming power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through surrender and faithful obedience, we can be assured that our destiny is eternal life. Amen. Happy Sabbath! ©April 2024

Breaking Down the Wall of Resistance – Part 1

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 1, 2024

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” —Romans 7:19, NIV

Think about a time when you experienced an overwhelming inner conflict between right and wrong. Despite the obvious consequences you still chose to do wrong. Psychologists suggest that the teenage stage is characterized by rebellious behavior. However, is it truly the most rebellious period in one’s life?

Since the 2020 pandemic that brought lockdown and sadly, many deaths, some Christian believers have not resumed their steadfast relationship with Christ. The bold revelation of increasing resistance to obeying Biblical principles can be seen in social media responses. Trending is the decision to pursue and fulfill one’s desires versus seeking the will of God and waiting on the Lord.

Recently, a pastor in Fresno, California was asked, “What is the greatest problem you face in your church?” He lamented over the Christians in his congregation who choose unbelievers for relationships that evolve into premarital sex, living together, or marriage.

The number one desire of single Christian women of all ages is to have a financially stable husband. For most single Christian men, financial success is their first desire with few expressing an interest in marriage at present, but would consider marriage in the future.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:21, 24, 34

Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus addressed the desires and worries that would override our devotion to God. Instead of enjoying our gift of peace, pastors are preaching sermons on how to rid oneself of worries, anxieties, and depression. Disobedience creates internal ambivalence.

To live holy requires the daily practice of self-denial and self-control. Surrendering to God is reflected in our daily worship and lifestyles. We invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and are required to strengthen our relationship with Christ.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9

Currently, prophetic signs [Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3] indicate we live in the perilous times of the last days. Instead of preparing daily for the Second Coming of Jesus, many are distracted by their heart’s desires. Sadly, we have built an impenetrable wall of resistance to the warnings and promises in the Holy Scriptures. In Revelation, we are told this earth is temporary and will be destroyed and replaced by the sinless New Heaven and New Earth.

Breaking Down Our Wall of Resistance

What steps are necessary to redirect our focus to Eternal life when we are constantly praying for God to fulfill our desires or we become impatient and are fulfilling our desires?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). An immense love for God motivates us to serve God through surrender and faithful obedience. The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds by giving us spiritual wisdom and discernment.

Love for God allows the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts. Our responsibility is to bring our minds into harmony with God. Instead of thinking our thoughts, we pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. God has given us the Holy Bible which contains the Only Truth to live by.

Intellectual knowledge does not convert our hearts. From our love, surrender, and faithful obedience, the power of God transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” —Psalm 32:8

We must face the inner struggle to choose righteousness over unrighteousness every day. And that’s when we cry out as many times as needed for Jesus to give us strength to overcome. “David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far the most pleasant and comfortable.” Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

“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

To believe this beautiful promise, we must think outside of the box [beyond life on this earth]. A future refers to our forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth. The hope that burns within our hearts must be for the Second Coming of Jesus. Daily we ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds by giving us spiritual wisdom and discernment.

Study Revelation chapters 21 and 22 until you can form a mental image of the New Jerusalem. Can you imagine having a conversation with Jesus? What would you say to Jesus?

Lord God, we are distracted by too many earthly activities that are preventing us from having a relationship with You. We ask You to search our hearts and reveal all unrighteousness. Forgive us of our past and present sins. We desire eternal life. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray. Amen. [End of Part 1 of 2]

Sabbath Blessings—Pray for Peace

Globally Mental Health has reached a Crisis. While Christians have their faith in God to rely on, many individuals who know nothing about Jesus are suffering. They ask, “What is my purpose in life?” Many are losing their will to live.

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” —Romans 10:1

As a Christian believer who worked as a Behavioral/Mental Health Nurse, I am asking every believer to pray for those who are fighting mental and emotional diagnoses. Jesus died for every human being that has lived and is living on the planet Earth. “For this reason, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve” (James 5:16, CEB).

Lord God, we come to You this Sabbath asking for Your healing touch for those who have no hope. We pray for Your Divine Intervention to touch the hearts of the believers who are eager to be disciples and tell others that Jesus loves them. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

The Victory Received from Spending Time with God

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 24, 2024

“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” —Psalm 90:12, Living Bible

There are 168 hours in a week. The hours of our days move faster than we anticipate. In reflecting on our lifestyle, can we account for the time that slips away? Is our to-do list unrealistic? Still, most importantly, how much time are we spending with God?

Ten percent of our day is 2.4 hours. Although most cannot sit and worship for the entire chunk of 2.4 hours, even with 8 hours of sleep and 8-10 hours of working and transit, we have at least 6 hours left of unaccountable time. Does our schedule reflect that worshiping God is a priority?

The desire to praise, pray, and worship arises from the love for God within our hearts. Our determination to stay in God’s presence requires actively fighting against the spiritual warfare of distractions and excessive busyness. With perseverance, we pay attention to the interruptions that threaten to steal our time, leading to excessive fatigue, both mentally and physically.

It takes courage to say no to the invitations, requests and desires that result in an out-of-control busy lifestyle. We have the power to make the necessary changes in our lifestyle to ensure God is the center of our lives. Break up the 2.4 hours into smaller blocks of time to study the Scriptures, sing, pray, and meditate on God’s never-failing love, faithfulness, grace, and mercies.

“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” —Psalm 91:15

Get rid of the restrictions of asking God for help! Pray over every aspect of your life. Need an energy boost? Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee, pray for strength. When unexpected life events arise or even if our daily schedule is sabotaged, we do not hesitate to pray for Divine Intervention. Our cries for help are answered immediately.

“Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” —Psalm 33:20

Be still! Let go of all mental and emotional anguish. Do not struggle with self-directed resolutions. Our role is to pray, wait for God’s answer, and to remain spiritually in tune with the voice of God so we do not miss His words of guidance. Remember, God is never in a hurry. “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14) .

Pray and Praise God throughout your waking hours. Whether our praise and prayers are silent or audible, we receive an anointed blessing when we come into His presence. Staying connected to God changes our perception, gives us the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize deceptive temptations, and produces spiritual maturity.

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” —Psalm 136:1

Praise, prayer, and dedicating time for worship demonstrates our reverence for God’s Sovereignty. God is the Source and Sustainer of our lives who is worthy to be praised and worshiped with our time that He gifted to us. Reflect on the blessings of your life. We are truly loved. Return your love by whispering sweet words of gratitude to our Lord God. Praise Him! Praise Him!

Worship in our earthly lives allows us to receive the presence and power of the Holy Spirit necessary to live as victorious overcomers. The habit of consistent praise and worship prepares us for the life of worship in the New Heaven and New Earth. To love God is to shower Him with praise and prayers of gratitude.

Lord God, we thank You for the time You have given us. We ask You to reveal the distractions that waste our precious gift of time and keep us separated from Your presence. We love You and give ourselves as willing vessels to serve You according to Your plans for us. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

The Love of God—Sabbath Blessings

We are blessed that we serve a loving God who promises us that He will never change. No other person or entity on this earth can make the steadfast promise of always being consistent, “For I am the LORD, I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6).

God’s Love is the Foundation of Life

Love is the Character of the Triune God
Love is the foundation for Accepting Christ
Love is the foundation for Dependence on God
Love is the foundation for Striving for Righteousness
Love is the foundation for Surrender
Love is the foundation for Faithfulness
Love is the foundation for Obedience
Love is the foundation for Compassion
Love is the foundation for Loving Others
Love is the foundation for Helping Others
Love is the Foundation for True Christianity

Prayerfully, during this Sabbath, we will rededicate ourselves to loving God through a prayer of consecration and obedience. Agape love gives us the courage to always strive for righteousness as we prepare daily for the soon coming of Jesus Christ.