Fact: “Thoughts repeated become thoughts ingrained [like tire tracks] in our minds. When our thoughts are firmly fixed and established the brain responds by making us think those thoughts repeatedly.” Pastor Mark Finley
Fact: Feeding our minds with false information, gossip, fantasy, principles of evolution, sensationalism, profane, and vulgar information produces a mind that automatically rejects God’s Truth.
Fact: We cannot empty our minds as the myth of Eastern mysticism promotes. Replacing currently-held traditions and beliefs with biblical truths is the only way for us to experience a change in our thoughts.
Fact: We do not have empty spaces in our minds. Either our minds will be filled with good, wholesome thoughts that reflect the righteousness of Christ or bombarded with all that is unholy.
Our Responsibility: “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” —Ephesians 4:22-24
Changing our habits requires a significant amount of effort. It’s essential to be critical of what we watch and listen to and guard our minds. Discipline is crucial in altering the things we feed our minds, but spiritual transformation also necessitates Divine Intervention. Seeking the Holy Spirit’s assistance through prayer can aid in changing the habits of our past that we brought into our new life in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: God, we confess that our habits are worldly. Lord, we desire to think pure thoughts and speak positive words that reflect Your Righteousness. We pray for Your Divine Help for a spiritual transformation of our minds. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Staying Alert in the Enemy’s Territory Devotional Reading—May 8, 2023
The drought lasted eight months in the African savannah, leaving only one remaining water hole. Jackals, giraffes, elephants, and gazelles risked their lives to nervously drink just enough water and quickly run away. This was the enemy’s territory. The only remaining water hole was ruled by a strong and ruthless lion pride with two mature male lions and four lionesses who were skillful hunters.
All of the animals were at their weakest point due to the intense heat and lack of rain. Yet the lions maintained their strength and resilience. As the water level continued to drop, the prey animals were at a disadvantage—they could not drink and watch for a lion attack. The narrator emphasized paying attention to the lead lioness who exhibited an unusual behavior–she began watching the giraffes dipping their heads low into the deep ravine to drink and that’s when she stalked her prey and completed the kill.
The lions were able to maintain their strength as they no longer had to go after their prey. The bigger animals, who are not usually caught by lions, were caught off guard as they were focused on quenching their thirst. Despite weighing only 300 lbs, the lioness’ sharp observation skills helped her take down a giraffe that was 18 feet tall and weighed approximately 4,000 lbs while it was drinking water.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. –1 Peter 5:8, BSB
The rapid pace of life and the never-ending busyness of the activities of daily living has robbed many of having a close relationship with Jesus. When our spiritual reservoir is depleted from no time to have daily worship, we are left in a weakened condition. Like the animals who had to bend their heads deep into the ravine, we become prey to Satan’s covert tactics because we lose our spiritual eyesight [discernment].
Without daily communion with God, our perception is skewed. We lose the ability to discern Satan’s deceptive strategies that separate us from God. On Sunday, we attended church, received a spiritual refresher, and made the commitment to study the Bible every day. When we arrive at work on Monday, an email is asking for volunteers to work overtime for the next two weeks including weekends. We choose to work overtime because we could use the extra money.
“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6
Studying the Bible daily is a commitment that pleases God and helps us gain knowledge and wisdom. Our faithfulness to God is evident in our loyalty to Him.
As Christians, we face daily challenges from the “Roaring Lion,” but we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus, the Commander of the angel armies, protects those who remain faithful, loyal, and obedient. We must remain vigilant and seek refuge in our Savior, who promises to deliver us from Satan’s schemes and temptations. We were not created to become prey to the spiritual warfare we face daily.
“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” —1 Peter 5:9-11
Prayer: God, we thank You for Your love and Divine Intervention to keep us protected from the enemy’s spiritual warfare. Jesus, we desire to have a closer relationship with You and commit to spending time worshiping You every day. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
The Dream: “At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” —1 Kings 3:5, NIV
Solomon’s Request: “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in…Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” —1 Kings 3:7 and 9
God’s Answer: “…behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.” —1 Kings 3:12 -13
The Condition: “So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days (1 Kings 3:14).
Because of Solomon’s humility and recognition of his human limitations, he was blessed with the wisdom that no other man or woman will ever receive on this earth. God also honored young King Solomon by giving him the wealth that no other king possessed during his reign.
Although we read this biblical story many of us do not understand that God is not a God of yesteryear. The same loving God who blessed King Solomon will also bless us with the wisdom of elevated knowledge and discernment.
Recently, Pastor Mark Finley of Hopelives365.com shared his experience as a teenager who struggled through school always making C’s and D’s in his classes. At the age of 17, he accepted Christ as his Savior and began studying the Bible. As time passed, he noticed a complete transformation of his mind and school grades. From studying the Bible and praying for wisdom, his grades changed to “A+,” and continued through his studies as a collegiate student.
Pray for Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” —James 1:5-6
The Condition: We must be faithful and obedient to receive godly wisdom and knowledge.
In Proverbs chapter 8, Solomon says, “Wisdom is Excellence.” Can you imagine thinking and making decisions on a higher level that honors God and prevents all mistakes? Yes, we can have the same wisdom God gave to the faithful throughout biblical history.
“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.” —Proverbs 8:17
Our steadfast commitment to God comes with spiritual benefits when we surrender, pray, and ask for wisdom and discernment. The dreams that we have of pursuing our degrees, starting a business, purchasing a house or vehicle, relocating, or starting a ministry will not fail when God is involved.
“Now, therefore, listen to me, O you children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.” —Proverbs 8:32-33, MEV
Every believer should pray daily for the gifts of wisdom and discernment. As we seek God in prayer for His will and plans to be revealed for our lives, we will grow closer to Him. Praying invites the Holy Spirit to give us the perfect gift of wisdom that allows our minds to be transformed.
As we start to perceive things from a holy and righteous perspective, we become aligned with our Heavenly Father. With wisdom, we can avoid having regrets. We will no longer partake in the foolishness of this world or make decisions based solely on our emotions, which can lead to mistakes and devastating outcomes.
“For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor of the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.” —Proverbs 8:35-36, MEV
Prayer: God, we pray for wisdom, discernment, and Your guidance in every aspect of our lives. We desire to receive spiritual transformation of our minds and to live in complete alignment with Your will for us. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers that we ask in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Spiritual Checkpoint: Day 125 of 2023 and Strategies for Change
Time is passing quickly, we are already into the fifth month of 2023. Many of us made promises on day one of this year to change so we are functioning at our highest level of productivity. We identified goals but failed to develop realistic strategies to complete them. Desperately striving to have a work-life balance, we find on day 125 that we are still in the struggle with tasks and commitment overload.
What is your reference point? Is sensory and task overload your norm? Do you have a hectic schedule that keeps you from completing most of your to-do list? Most importantly, are you still promising yourself every night that tomorrow you will spend more time with God? Yet when tomorrow comes, you rush through personal worship, saying a quick prayer and reading only one Bible verse?
Life is so jam-packed with must-do tasks and the unexpected that we may feel helpless or victims of the rapid pace of life over which we have no control. Yet there is something we can do. Be intentional and set a time block of at least two hours to write down your daily and weekly responsibilities in a journal. Even though it has probably been a while or maybe never since you have used a pen and paper for organizing your responsibilities, it’s worth a try.
TCK Publishing has compiled a list of the top benefits of handwritten documentation.
8 Benefits of Writing Things Down Improve Your Understanding. … Strengthen Your Memory. … Process Emotions. … Reduce Stress. … Improve Your Focus. … Clarify Your Goals and Priorities. … Create a Physical Copy of Your Thought Process. … Record Your Journey. TCK Publishing
Another company expounds on the benefits of writing things down from the viewpoint of achieving success [especially if you purchase their products].
Writing Things Down Makes You More Focused In our society, we’re constantly bombarded with information that prompts more thoughts in your head. Counteract the information overload by writing things down! When you write things down, you’re forced to focus on one idea at a time. And when you’re able to dedicate the time each thought requires, you’re able to really flesh it out and get every thought related to it out of your system and your head. Your brain is meant for creating ideas, not storing them!
Writing Things Down Helps Clarify One huge benefit to writing things down is the ability to clarify. Clarity is what helps people become successful because they’re able to clarify their goals, priorities, and intentions. It’s one thing to have goals, hopes, and dreams, but it’s another to have them written down. If they’re written down, then they’re real and require your attention if you want to make them true. Plus, once they’re written down, you can expand on them and make them more specific so they can become a reality. https://thepaperandplanco.com/blogs/news/the-science-behind-why-writing-things-down-makes-you-more-successful
By journaling, I have made many personal achievements. It has allowed me to prioritize my life by identifying distractions and activities that use up valuable time but accomplish very little. Yet the most important change is that I am finally able to worship God by studying the Bible and spending more time praying throughout the day.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33, ESV
Our most important goal in life is to remain close to God and strengthen our relationship with Christ. We should pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance to recognize any individuals or activities that are hindering our peace of mind and consuming our time. By prioritizing God in our lifestyles, we can lead happy, healthy, and content lives that align with God’s Divine purpose.
Prayer: God, we admit that we need Your Divine help in eliminating the distractions which prevent us from spending time with You. We invite You into our daily routines and ask for wisdom and guidance to live healthier, productive lives. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
Relying On the Strength of His Righteous Right Hand Devotional Reading
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10
In our relationship with Christ, the greatest challenge comes from within our minds. Yes, we love Jesus, but we do not trust in Him. We have been influenced and molded by the worldview of “Self-reliance.” Readily embracing DIY [Do-It-Yourself] has caused us to exclude God from every aspect of our decision-making.
DIY results in disobedience. without Divine guidance, we practice self-governance which opposes God’s righteous standards. Yet the reality is that we were not created to live using prior experience, strategies, or guesswork in choosing the best option. Belief in our limited abilities over God’s power leaves us faithless and feeling alone, producing anxiety, worry, and stress.
“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:18-19
Pray and Wait! Pray for guidance in every aspect of your life—even the little things. Fight the urge to live with a DIY mentality. We don’t have to stumble and fall as unbelievers who live in darkness. The righteous have access to Divine Guidance and Strength 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Achieving a victorious life requires faith, trust, and obedience to God’s will and plans. Throughout your journey, visualize Jesus holding You in His Righteous hand and guiding you toward perfection. Although restoring furniture is a great DIY skill, it’s not worth taking chances using DIY guesswork with our precious lives and suffering unnecessary consequences.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14
Choose Christ and His gifts of peace, joy, and contentment by renouncing all self-reliance. Turning your life over to Jesus every day reveals steadfast faith and trust in the Lion of Judah. You will never regret staying in His Righteous Right Hand!
Prayer: God, we have suffered from the anxiety and worry that the DIY mentality produces. We desperately need Your Help! Please lead, guide, and direct us in our journey. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Disconnect Between Us, God, and Others Devotional Reading and Podcast
Believe it or not, there was an era in which people called and visited each other to provide emotional and spiritual support. I can recall when my Aunt passed, I received numerous bereavement text messages, but not one person actually called to speak to me.
I love the advancements in technology, but unfortunately, the Christian community has adapted to the ways of the world—sending text messages, only calling if there are no other options. With this mindset, we are not only disconnected emotionally from family and friends but we are also disconnected spiritually from God.
“The voice is the main communication tool. It gives features to language that go beyond cognitive communication. It translates feelings, emotions…” Viva Voice: The Power of the Human Voice
“Research by Chicago Booth’s Nicholas Epley suggests that no matter what the next innovation in communication might be, there is no substitute for the human voice when it comes to conveying one’s humanity, intelligence, and state of mind.” https://www.chicagobooth.edu/
Pew Research Center performed a survey among American Christians on the Frequency of daily prayer. From ages 18-29, only 15% prayed once a day and only 30% between the ages of 50-64 prayed daily.
The habits we form easily become a permanent part of our characters. The marked decrease in verbal communication with others has also impacted our communication with God. Yet, we cannot approach the lack of prayer from a behavioral aspect. Considering that prayer is our only method of communication with the Divine-Triune God, statistics indicate that we are in a spiritual crisis.
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” —Matthew 6:6
Prayer connects humanity to Divinity. Jesus created us to rely on His Strength and Divine Intervention. Every day, we face the battles of Spiritual Warfare that we cannot win from our efforts. Without praying daily for strength and help, we will never receive victory over the rigorous vicissitudes of life.
Trust God and Go Deep [With Your Faith]
Don’t hesitate to pray. In your private moments, lift your hands in complete surrender to God. Pray whether aloud or silently, consistently throughout your day. Our prayers reach heaven anytime, day or night. Praying during times of peace strengthens your faith and trust in God, helping you to rely on His promises when faced with adversity that lingers.
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” —Psalm 150:6
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” —Colossians 3:16
Reflecting on our earthly habits and comparing them to the Scriptures provides us with our right standing with God. Thanking God with Prayer and Praise is our sacrificial offering of gratitude for the love and sacrifice of God, the Father, God, Jesus, His Son, and God, the Holy Spirit for the love, grace, and mercy we receive every day.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” —Romans 12:2, NLT
We are disciples, followers of Christ, and missionaries. Take the time to use your voice by calling someone to speak words of encouragement. We live in a world of chaos, despair, and sorrow. The very person who we think would not accept prayer [and we use this as a reason not to ask if we can pray for them] will probably say, yes. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Pitfall: Do not allow your prayers to become all about yourself. Our prayers are usually asking God for blessings. When we pray for others, God honors our love and compassion and also blesses us. Praying for others also allows our characters to be molded into the likeness of Christ.
Develop a habit of consistent prayer and praise, allowing it to permeate your daily life. The frequency of our communication with God is a direct reflection of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit is able to bestow upon us anointing, power, wisdom, and discernment. Without prayer, we cannot receive healing or attain eternal life.
Our worship on earth is preparing us for a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Changing our lives to include prayer and praises of thanksgiving prepares us to receive our Heavenly Crown and Robe of Righteousness.
Remember only the prayer of humility can soften our stony, selfish hearts. Faith flourishes when we have a close relationship with Christ. Prayer and Praise change our outlook. We gain courage from Prayer and Praise. Prayer is the key to Victory through Jesus. Our strength comes from the Lord!
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:1-2
Prayer: God, we come to You desperately seeking forgiveness for our lack of consistent prayer and praise. We ask You for Divine guidance for our journey of life. We desire to have a closer relationship with You. And we pray for those who are in despair, sorrow, and in need of daily provisions. We ask You to bless them by providing for their needs. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.
Fear of the Final Judgment Devotional Reading and Podcast
If you love Me, keep My commandments.” —John 14:15
In this Scripture, Jesus tells us that love and obedience to all of His commands and precepts are required to have a steadfast relationship with Him. Because we were created with free will, God gives us His commandments which require total obedience, yet He does not coerce us to obey. We are free moral agents who can choose eternal life or death.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” —John 5:39-40
The Jewish rulers, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees searched the Scriptures [the Old Testament] and highly revered Moses who spoke of the Messiah, yet they did not believe that Jesus of Nazareth could be the Messiah. Their preconceived ideas of the coming Messiah included a powerful and wealthy King who would free them from Roman oppression, which led to their rejection of Jesus as the Son of God.
Sadly we possess the same characteristics. We have preconceived ideas of living righteously. Because we desire to live according to our thoughts and desires, many Christian believers avoid studying the entire Bible [especially the Scriptures on obedience]. Disobedience reveals the true condition of the person’s heart who has not surrendered to accept and obey God’s commandments.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22
Half-hearted commitments to God produce spiritual unrest. The Holy Spirit warns us that we are making the wrong choices. Our response is one of fear [punishment from God]. Because we are not ready to fully obey, we lose the battle of wavering between obedience and disobedience.
Eventually, deception takes over our hearts. By continuously ignoring the Spirit’s warnings, we lose our spiritual discernment and are unable to differentiate between God’s truth and our version of the Truth. We hear God’s Word but cannot apply His principles to our lives because our true desire is to live according to our dictates.
Life Requires Us to Choose
In simple terms, choice refers to the act of making a decision or selecting an option from various possibilities. As we start each day, we encounter several situations that require us to make choices. One of the foremost choices we face is whether we will surrender ourselves to God through prayer. This decision sets the tone for our thoughts and actions, indicating whether we are committed to following Christ or merely focused on our desires.
Positive Choices or Poor Choices either Lead us to God or Away from God
There is no middle ground or neutrality in serving God. Life demands that we choose right or wrong, truth versus error, and reveals our commitment to God. Our choices are based on things and situations, including all the uncertainties that life offers. Whether good or bad, our decisions determine our eternal destiny.
Self-Reflection: Are my choices and decision-making guided by a Spirit-directed conscience? Are my decisions guided by the Righteous principles of God’s Word?
Before Our Commitment to Christ: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…” (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Acceptance of Christ: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:verses 4,5, and 10).
Love produces Obedience. When we love Jesus, we do His will without hesitation. Obedience is a choice that demonstrates our love and commitment to God. We have confidence and peace when we follow Christ and stay on the Path of Righteousness.
For many years, I possessed fear when I heard a sermon or read Scriptures concerning the Second Coming of Christ and the Judgment. Always feeling uncertain whether or not I would be saved, I did not have the peace that comes from serving God.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46).
Fearing Judgment is a result of vacillating between obedience and disobedience and demonstrates that we are half-hearted Christians. Through self-reliance, we place ourselves in a state of spiritual unrest when we do not choose to fully serve God. Disobedience places us in a worse situation than the unrighteous who do not fear God or Judgment. Our wavering status with God causes us to fear the Final Judgment.
“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” —John 5:26-27
Jesus is our Judge and our Defense Attorney. He is our Advocate. The Judgment reveals God’s justice and mercy. Although we have lived a prior life of pursuing and satisfying the sinful desires of our hearts, our daily surrender proclaims the love and gratitude we have for Jesus’ great sacrifice to save our souls. We no longer fear Judgment because we have chosen to obey. From our faithful obedience, we are saved under the Righteous Merits of Christ.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” —John 5:24
We are saved by grace. Grace causes us to live obedient lives. In faith, we experience a spiritual transformation of our minds. Our overwhelming love for God produces faith and trust in His will and plans for our lives. Obedience is faith in action which proclaims that we only have one choice: to obey God. Because we love Christ, we desire to do His will.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” —Ephesians 2:8
Good works are a product of obedience that is strengthened by the Holy Spirit. While our works do not save us, they serve as evidence of our sincere faith. Throughout the Old Testament, numerous individuals demonstrated their unwavering faith and trust in God through their obedient actions. Joseph, Joshua, Moses, Rahab, Esther, and Ruth are among those who followed God’s guidance with steadfast obedience.
When we choose Jesus, our commitment includes total obedience to the will of God. Remember, even Jesus in His earthly life had to learn obedience. Our choice to be obedient to God results in a spiritual transformation into the likeness of Christ who is waiting to give us our reward of eternal life based on His merits.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” —1 John 4:18
Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for your never-changing love for us. We desire to wholeheartedly serve You. We pray for forgiveness for our wilful disobedience. Lead, guide, and direct us so that we can make the right choices. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
When we make prayer an intentional habit, we invite the presence and power of the Holy Spirit into our lives. We have challenges that require Divine Help! Praying once or twice a day is never enough. It is not necessary to pray long, tedious prayers. Use honest words from your heart. Tell Jesus. He loves to hear from us. Begin praying every hour, not always asking but also expressing gratitude 🙏
Prayer: Lord, we come to You, not asking for anything, but to say Thank You for being our Best Friend, our Provider, and our King. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name. Amen.
Sabbath Devotional Reading and Podcast—Crowns and Robes for the Righteous
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ ” —Matthew 25:34
We are not only in a continuous struggle against spiritual warfare but must also fight against the inner desires of our hearts. Satan promotes the pleasures of this world because he knows his destiny. His goal is to prevent us from receiving our crown, robe, and eternal life.
Our situation may appear hopeless because we failed to overcome spiritual warfare and the battle within from inheriting deceitful and desperately wicked hearts. Yet, we are not in a losing predicament because we have a Savior, Jesus Christ.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” —Deuteronomy 31:8
As our Heavenly Father, Jesus protects us from the many satanic attacks that we know nothing about. Christ has assigned His army of angels to fight our spiritual battles [seen and unseen]. To receive Divine help in our activities of daily living, we place our thoughts and strategies aside by praying every day for God’s Divine Intervention for guidance and protection.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.” —John 15:5
The word, “Abide” may be a mystery to us. What does it mean to abide in Christ? Self-reliance is not included in the Plan of Salvation. Throughout the Scriptures, we read that Jesus stayed connected to God by praying without ceasing. He always sought to do His Father’s will even unto death. To abide in Christ is to surrender ourselves and rely on Him through prayer and consecration.
Total Obedience is required to receive our crown and robe. We were created to be spiritually dependent on God. Without the human effort of staying connected to Jesus by surrendering ourselves in faith, trust, and obedience, we do not have a fighting chance of overcoming the temptations which are designed to make us sin. Pray to stay connected to Christ!
“If you love Me, keep my commandments.” —John 14:15
A relationship with Christ is based on love. And from our love for Him, we make a covenant to become a disciple. We are followers of a Savior who created us from love. Jesus was aware that Adam and Eve would fall. Yet because of His love for all of humanity, He gave His life—for us to overcome sin and live eternally with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.
The Apostle Paul tells us, I die daily. And we must also commit to die daily to the sinful desires and temporary pleasures of this earthly life. To remain steadfast requires the strength of Jesus Christ. Our commitment is renewed every day through our prayer of surrender.
Starting the day off with God requires our first prayer to be one of surrendering to God’s will. In humility, we admit our weaknesses and ask for the anointing, power, presence, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Lord, I belong to You, please reveal Your will for me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The Holy Spirit gives us Divine strength to overcome covert temptations. Yet, we must put forth the effort to live holy and acceptable lives that are pleasing to the Lord by rejecting sin. Staying on the Path of Righteousness is not easy! Never limit the times you pray throughout the day and evening! We may have to pray several times a day to gain victory over sin. In prayer, present even the little things to Christ for His Divine guidance.
For today’s Christians, Satan is using another obstacle to prevent us from receiving our crown and robe. Worrying and feeling anxious about the declining status of our global economies distracts us and diminishes our faith in God. Violence, famine, social injustice, and climate change are not in our power to change.
This is our Father’s world! Biblical prophecies forewarn us of the changes which indicate we are moving forward toward Jesus’ Second Coming. Study Matthew chapter 24 and 2nd Timothy chapter 3.
Facing opposition is harder when our minds are overwhelmed with life’s challenges. Nor can we focus on Christ when constantly thinking about the pending status of the future. We do not have to watch or listen to every newscast. Yes, the global economy is failing. Without warning, we may lose our jobs and earthly possessions. Worrying about our lives and the future prevents preparation for eternal life. Jesus says, “Take no thought for tomorrow.”
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [Unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:31-34).
Many lose out on their blessings of daily strength and the gift of peace because they are overthinking tomorrow, the next month, and the next year. Never allow the vicissitudes of life to make you lose sight of receiving your crown and robe. Verbalize your faith, “Today, I will have Victory through Christ!”
The Apostle James gives us wisdom on the downside of making plans for the future without God’s Divine blessings.
Do Not Boast About Tomorrow [The Sin of Presumption]
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow;’ we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil (James 4:13-16).
Two important aspects of living as a follower of Christ are our love for Him as demonstrated by our daily Prayer of Surrender and living day-by-day. The future belongs to God. Faithfully trust and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit for this day.
Tomorrow is not promised to us. One future event requires intentional focus, preparation, and joyful anticipation—the Second Coming of King Jesus. Surrender and Faithful Obedience to Christ will be rewarded with a forever Crown and the Robe of Righteousness.
Scriptures: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” —1 Corinthians 15:51-52
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
“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
Prayer: God, we are inundated with the worries of tomorrow. Lord, our faith is weak. We desperately need Your Divine Intervention to change our focus. Today, we surrender ourselves to You. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Please give us peace and spiritual direction. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
The Little Things [Our Tests of Obedience] Devotional Reading and Podcast
Scripture: “So the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.’ ” —Genesis 4:6-7
It is hard to imagine that Cain had a heart full of hate against his brother and Christ. The murder of Abel was easily committed because every day his rebellious heart produced hatred that grew like an uncontrollable weed that overtakes that which is planted in the ground [unless it is removed]. Cain could not worship God with obedience because of the desire to please himself.
Disobedience begins with self-will and manifests itself through little compromises that do not include God’s guidance and blessings.
We begin our day with a rushed prayer and the promise to study the Bible after work or worshiping God becomes ritualistic. Our free time is used 100% for pleasurable activities. We make purchases without praying for guidance, or we invite bad company into our lives. By excluding the daily Prayer of the Surrender of our Will and Obedience, we half-heartedly serve God as evidenced by our decisions and lifestyles to please ourselves.
According to many pastors, most of today’s Christian believer’s disobedience is demonstrated by the wilful use of our time and money. Truthfully are we praying for God’s Divine guidance regarding our daily schedules or do we plan our to-do list without ever thinking of including God? “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42).
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother or sister in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” —1 John 3:17
Are we watching our bank accounts and investments grow without a thought of people we know whose life circumstances have changed, yet we never offered to help? Christ was our Ultimate example of helping others. “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).
Helping those in need extends beyond the tax-deductible church contributions of our tithes and offerings. The Great Commission includes sharing our earthly blessings. Just as Cain’s disobedience began with the compromise of the little things which represent our daily love and loyalty to God, we also place ourselves in the same dilemma of receiving God’s rejection by not obeying His commandments and precepts.
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23
From Cain’s act of rebellion and disobedience, we can safely say that he did not possess a heart full of love for God. The first step of obedience is to surrender your will to God. Loyalty to God is evidenced by every act of obedience. When we obey God, the Holy Spirit molds and shapes our character to become closer to the likeness of Christ’s character—Sanctification is a lifelong spiritual journey.
“He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much.” — Luke 16:10
Too many of us stumble at the simplicity of the small things God tells us to do. God has called us to be faithful in the little things. If Jesus had to learn obedience then so do we. Obedience is Sanctification. Obedience is a continuum of faithfulness. Faith must be accompanied by Obedience. Every time you choose to obey God’s will, the Potter shapes and molds you into a closer likeness of the character of God. Pastor Wintley Phipps
A change of heart begins with an overwhelming love for Christ and a spirit of humility. Every day, go into your secret closet. Begin to pray differently by committing to obey God. Ask God to teach you how to hear His voice. Sanctification—the daily spiritual transformation into the likeness of Christ requires us to live a holy and righteous life demonstrated by continuous obedience.
Prayer: God, I choose today to walk in obedience. Like Cain, I have given You the sacrificial offering of my choice. I ask forgiveness for a heart filled with rebellion by living to please myself. Please reveal the ways that You desire for me to use my time and money to glorify You. I desire to change by living a life of total obedience.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
You must be logged in to post a comment.