“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? (Jeremiah 32: 27, LSB)
We can agree that life has many challenges which keep us distracted from focusing on the unlimited power of God. Still, God is who He says He is.
Take a moment to reflect on “Who” you are praying to, God reminds us in the Scriptures that nothing is too difficult or complicated for Him to resolve.
The many benefits of studying the Bible is that God defines His Loving Character, and provides us with the history of His Divine intervention in the lives of those who pray in faith, asking for His help.
Jesus, God, the Son, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead is our Heavenly High Priest and our Mediator who receives and answers all of our prayers.
The same Jesus who parted the Red Sea, delivered the three young Hebrews from the fiery furnace, and raised Lazarus from the dead is still performing Great and Mighty miracles in 2025.
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24, NLT).
Exchanging self-reliance for total dependency on God guarantees that we will enjoy a peaceful life. Prayer does not prevent or remove the trials, yet prayer combined with faith gives us the assurance that God remains committed to helping us.
Jesus promised to give us Divine strength to persevere when we are experiencing the hardships of life. Our role is to believe without doubt and wait on Him to resolve our challenges.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
When facing adversity, we use our measure of faith [even weak faith is still faith] to believe that God loves us, and He will intervene. Yes, we can pray with confidence knowing our Heavenly Father is always faithful in keeping His promises.
Lord God, we thank you for Your abundant love and Your willingness to help us when we pray in faith, believing that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory. We know that nothing is too hard for you, and we ask forgiveness for our doubt and unbelief. Jesus, we ask for Your Divine Help in resolving the obstacles that we face, and thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we pray in Your Worthy Name, Amen.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who searched for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26 NLT
Good Morning!
It is a cold and rainy Sunday, even so, we have been blessed with another day of life.
In 2001, I was searching for a new job and had sent out several resumes. I can recall interviewing for the position as a Home Health Nurse. I excitedly thought about the autonomy of developing my daily schedule, and the freedom of traveling as opposed to working in the confinement of an office setting for 8 hours a day.
While I was waiting for the completion of the Agency background check, I received a call from Eve, a Camp Administrator in New York City who relayed that she had received my resume and was interested in hiring me for the summer.
As she explained the responsibilities of the position, I mentally laughed at the thought of a “New Jersey City Girl” working in the Catskill mountains of Upstate NY. I half-heartedly listened to the duties of the position, realizing that I had never been camping, and really was not interested at the age of 43 in new beginnings.
My thoughts took a 360 spin when Eve spoke about the compensation-the salary was based on the NYC wage scale for nurses. With the salary I would receive for the summer, it would be possible to be selective in choosing a permanent job with the right fit when I returned home.
I had a decision to make; based on the completion of a successful background check, the position was mine, if interested. Honestly, my affirmative decision was influenced solely by the money.
The next day, I received a Fed-Ex package with New Hire documents, pictures of the camp, and a very lengthy list of the required clothing, shoes, and supplies.
There were three modules with a one-week away from camp break, which equated to 12 weeks of rendering care to girls ages 7-17, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including the On-Call duties.
Although my motives for accepting the position were not the best, my life experience expanded in a way that I never thought possible. The unadulterated beauty and peaceful environment of the land with it’s serene lake and majestic trees were simply breath-taking. I became Nurse-mother to 325 girls during that summer who often visited the infirmary (in tears) for various reasons.
It was hard work! The temperatures plummeted to 30 degrees at night, and my cabin had the only indoor shower in the camp with a reservoir of 5 gallons of hot water that was only to be utilized for the nursing staff. I received many offers of money and gifts from staff to take a hot shower; nonetheless, I adhered to the rules.
Preparation for Nightly Bear Visits: Bears! The most daunting thoughts were fueled by a history of watching too many horror movies (a habit that has ceased). During orientation week, we were taught to make Honey pots that were set out every night at the entrance of the campsite to deter the bears from entering.
Thankfully, the camp counselors were responsible for the honey pots. Still, I must admit that my prayer life increased during that summer. God is awesome! Nightly, we could hear the bear eating from the pot; however, never once did the bears enter the campsite.
“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7 NLT).
With God all things are possible, I have come to appreciate the beauty of nature, and know that only a loving God could provide an earth filled with such magnificent splendor for our enjoyment.
“Exposure tonaturenot only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production ofstresshormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists such as public health researchers Stamatakis and Mitchell.”
Challenge for today: Reach beyond your comfort zone…enjoy a stress-free day in a natural habitat, and thank Jesus, the Creator for His Amazing Love and Gift of Nature.
“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD…” (Psalm 24:1 NLT).
LORD God, Thank you for blessing us with the beauty of nature. Thank you for the elements that enhance our lives and total well-being. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!
Reposted this Devotional from 2019. As I read about my first real experience in nature, I must admit that it was God’s love that granted me a summer that was life-changing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Peace and Blessings.
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” —1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV
Because of sin, conflict is a natural part of life. But regardless of the highly practiced worldview, “Conflict is healthy,” God clarifies that He is never present in disagreements, arguments, confusion, or strife.
“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Because Satan is shrewd, dissension presents itself in various [covert] ways. Something as simple as, “What are we going to eat for dinner?” can escalate into a tug of war when our hearts are not filled with Christ’s love.
“And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Do not be deceived by describing conflict as “a little disagreement.” Little conflicts invite the unrighteous spirit of confusion into our homes.
Dissension changes the atmosphere of our homes and our minds, characters, and personalities, which become instruments that Satan easily manipulates.
The Spirit of Strife not only destroys our internal peace but also separates us from God, placing us on the same unrighteous level as unbelievers. To “Agree to Disagree” is one of Satan’s deceptive theories of compromise, and is not Biblical, or a Righteous Principle.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity given by God to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Through humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, the righteous are covered with Christ’s garment of spiritual peace.
“If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18, CEB). God’s expectation for every Christian believer is that we possess a pure, loving heart that reflects the Righteousness of Christ. A home that is peaceful and righteous is the home where the Spirit of God is always present.
“Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, GWT).
Satan’s most effective conflict strategy is to use people to provoke us, so we will react with angry thoughts and words, or impatiently blow our vehicle horn, an unholy substitute for irate spoken words.
Do not give Satan control of your mind and mouth by speaking emotionally charged words. Unrighteous responses are one of the easiest ways to sin.
Angry sarcastic words are thoughtless words that not only escalate the situation but are also hurtful. Fact: Apologies do not soothe or heal wounded hearts.
Seeing Conflict Through Spiritual Eyes: There are only two powers in this world, God, who is Good, and the Creator and Giver of Peace, and Satan, whose evil schemes always produce conflict with the intent to destroy harmony and peace.
Overcoming Satan’s Schemes of Conflict Requires the Teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention.
“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14, NASB).
How to Handle Conflict With Unfamiliar People: Immediately pray for strength, remain silent, and walk away. No discussion is necessary. Walking away is our witness.
Handling conflict with familiar people [family, friends, coworkers] who are also believers is the true test of our love and loyalty to Christ. Unless they are immediate family living in the same home, we must separate ourselves from those whom the enemy is using to persecute us.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God reveals boundaries in interaction with our family and friends. Husbands and wives must pray together when animosity arises between them, and parents must be a godly example for their children when dissension arises.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Never harbor grudges: We must extend mercy as God extends Mercy to us.
The first response in the Christian home is not to hear what happened first, but to engage everyone present to immediately pray a prayer of repentance, and with humility invite God to resolve the conflict. Only then, when the Holy Spirit is present, should they hear the rest of the story. An effective way to resolve conflict and evaluate with fairness is, after the prayer, have each person write about their experience.
Dissension is often fatal to our spiritual growth and transformation. We must never forget that we accepted Christ to live righteously and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for a complete spiritual makeover of our mind, character, and personality. One thing is for certain: There will be no conflict in heaven.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV).
The Truth: Quick and intemperate responses reveal that our hearts are unconverted, and we do not possess the righteous character traits that align with the Fruit of the Spirit.
The Righteous Attributes of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Whether strife arises with familiar people, or strangers, remain silent! God has gifted us with the power of self control, React by breathing a silent prayer. Ask God for Divine Help. Using self-control, Stand down your anger!
Prayer and Silence accomplish two spiritual goals: We learn to totally depend on God to fight and win our battles, and our character is transformed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit necessary for us to receive our reward of the Crown of Life.
Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the many times we have thought or spoken angry words that did not reflect Your love. We ask you to give us the strength and the guidance to cultivate a spirit of meekness and to extend mercy when experiencing the persecution of conflict for serving You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28).
Unexpected challenges do not knock, waiting for us to open the door so they can enter. No, hardships and adversities are unwelcome intruders who have master keys and enter with unpredictability. Even believers often find it difficult to agree on most subjects, but there is a strong consensus that suffering is always challenging and leads to discouragement.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
Although I followed God’s plans, this week, I faced two extremely difficult challenges that discouraged me. Obedience to God should always bring a deep sense of inner peace. So, what happened? I forgot Jesus’ warning that even when we obey God, unexpected adversity can arise, causing us to feel defeated.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Truthfully, because we serve God, we feel that our lives should be easier, but an easy life is not Biblical. No Bible hero, and certainly not Jesus, the Son of God, was exempt from harsh trials.
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” (Psalm 42:6). David was a skillful musician and singer, but many do not understand “the man after God’s own heart.” He never pretended that all was well when it wasn’t. The Psalms are songs of prayer, and the longest book in the Bible. Prayer is a spiritual lifesaver, keeping us connected to the Source of Life.
God knows that our response to trials and troubles will not be positive. Through prayer, we receive answers from Scripture, making it essential for our spiritual well-being. Studying the Bible is not optional. Like David, I prayed, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to study Psalm 42.
Daily personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts. While writing this devotional, the Holy Spirit reminded me that “The Christian’s Journey on the Path of Righteousness Always Involves Suffering.”
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just like we are.” Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality, building our faith, and molding us into the righteous character of Christ are required to receive Eternal Life, and can only be accomplished through trials and adversities.
The hard times of suffering are a part of Christianity that we fail to embrace or appreciate. I am not a new believer, and throughout my journey, I have heard so few sermons on the suffering required to follow Jesus. Who is teaching or preaching the sermons telling us that the journey on the Path of Righteousness is tough, so when adversity comes in like a tsunami, we immediately fall to our knees in prayer, asking for help?
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”(Revelation 3:21).
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot rely on anyone else to teach us the Gospel Truth of the Bible. Too many believers are giving up on God because they do not know the Truth. The book of Job reveals that Job lived a sinless life, still he endured extreme suffering, but overcame, and received many blessings.
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ESV).
Sanctification requires humility, long-suffering [patience], and the teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention. Spiritual transformation requires our entire [earthly] life. If we use our faith and obedience to cooperate with God, then every day the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us. Spiritual growth never happens in leaps and bounds; it is the little steps that keep us moving forward.
God’s thoughts, ways, and plans always take time. God is Eternal. He views our lives from beginning to end. Because God knows our lifespan, there is no need for Him to rush in giving us His blessings or fulfilling His promises.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
Still, God always fulfills His promises. We know that from the story of Abraham and Sarah who were 100 and 90 years of age when Isaac was born. One thing is for certain, God’s timing will never align with our timing.
The worldview of “Do it now” strongly opposes the righteous characteristic of patience, which is a Fruit of the Spirit. Instant gratification is the downfall of any Christian who embraces the mindset of “I have to have it now!”
Not all adversity or roadblocks are related to the faith journey of spiritual growth. We must also consider if we became impatient and attempted to expedite the process by following our thoughts.
Our Plans: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (James 4:13-15, NIV).
Our God-given gift of Free Will of Choice allows us to choose following our thoughts and desires, or surrendering to and obeying God’s Perfect Plans, which always end in Victory.
God’s Plans: “O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]” (Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible).
Does God honor those who faithfully obey Him? The three Hebrew young men were not destroyed in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Daniel slept with the lions in their den, and yes, Peter lost faith when walking on the water, but he was the only one of the disciples who was courageous enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus saved Peter. And when the Apostle Paul was bitten by the venomous snake, the people waited for him to die, but he lived [Acts 28:3-6].
The same Christ who intervened in the Old and New Testaments is still waiting for the righteous to approach Him in prayer. Who else can help us but God?
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Trust Jesus with your life! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have a very patient and loving Shepherd who knows that our hearts, faith, and courage are weak. Still, our Loving Jesus, who is our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor, waits for us to ask for His help.
“The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer, specifically in conveying our prayers to Christ. The Holy Spirit acts as a Divine Intercessor, bringing our sincere, faith-filled prayers to the Father through Christ.” (EGW)
The lessons I learned: When we faithfully follow and obey God’s Directives, yes, we may still face adversity; even so, when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by committing ourselves to a life of prayer, asking for Divine Help and Strength, we immediately receive the ability to make it through our challenges. Not only did I learn more about God’s Loving Character and humanity’s weaknesses from studying the Psalms, but I also received Jesus’ strength, comfort, and a victorious outcome [a miracle]. Yes and Amen.
“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).
Jesus Christ is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!
Lord God, we thank You for creating us, loving us, intervening for us, and taking care of us. We love You, and worship Your Holy Name. Lord, teach us to pray that we can depend on You instead of ourselves. We also pray for a Divine blessing during the Holy Sabbath, and ask this prayer, in the Righteous and Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17
All praises and glory to Jesus, our Savior, who redeemed us from the ravages of sin. Because of Christ’s great devotion, love, and loyalty to humanity, as evidenced by the sacrificial gift of His life, every day, we are covered with Grace and receive abundant Mercies.
God’s love did not stop at Redemption. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus reveals that faithful and obedient believers will receive the reward of Eternal Life. Yes, we know how the Amazing Story ends: a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Our God-given Gifts: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible).
Winning The Fight to Stay Free
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).
To follow Christ requires total sacrifice. More than human effort is needed to live as Victorious Overcomers. It is the Holy Spirit, AKA The Spirit of Truth, who empowers us to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Our role in the Plan of Redemption is to dedicate ourselves each morning with the prayer to do God’s will.
“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:17).
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14). Yes, we inherited hearts always gravitating toward wrongdoing, still, Jesus created us with the ability to fight for our spiritual freedom from the chains of sin by praying for Divine strength and using self-control.
Satan cannot use coercion to make us sin; it is always a willing choice to sin against God. Every day, we face the external opposition of temptations, but our greatest battle is the internal conflict between following our heart’s desires and staying loyal to Christ.
Not only do we have the power to say “No” to all temptations, but when Satan attempts to deceive us with stealth moves, the Holy Spirit warns us that we are facing covert deception. The hesitation and the uncomfortable feeling inside are from the Holy Spirit. Immediately remove yourself from the temptation.
When tempted by another person, immediately cease the conversation by stating, I love and serve God. The longer we listen to deception, we become weakened, and our chances of saying no become impossible. If fighting an internal desire, immediately get on your knees and pray. It doesn’t matter who sees us, pray!
Many people feel, based on their personal experience, that it’s too hard to be a Christian, so they return to a life of sin. So let’s look at Christianity from God’s Perspective using Biblical God’s Truth.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (John 6:46 ). The Christian journey is one of humility, surrender, and faithful obedience. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us He has predetermined plans for our lives.
“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” (Matthew 6:2). Our mind is divided, we attend church, but the majority of our thoughts are on fulfilling our desires, so we chase success and prosperity.
Truthfully, I have never heard of an unbeliever complaining by saying, It’s hard being an unbeliever. Their minds are not divided. Unbelievers are focused on their goals and will do whatever is necessary to achieve them. Yes, Sin is enticing, but the bondage is devastating!
The reason we cannot devote ourselves fully to Christ is that we also want what we want. But a believer who does not follow God’s plans reveals that their heart is unconverted. To receive spiritual growth and transformation requires humility, faith, and obedience.
Loving God means fulfilling His desires. This is our greatest obstacle to enjoying spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ. We must love God more than ourselves. God defines truth and error, and right and wrong.
Without Biblical knowledge of the Scriptures, Satan easily manipulates our minds to feel that God is withholding the best from us. It is Satan who has introduced the erroneous beliefs of the middle road, an imaginary gray area in serving God.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
We embrace spiritual freedom by letting go of worldviews and secularism by renouncing the darkness of sinful pleasures. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Every day, we practice boundaries against breaking governmental and state laws, and adhere to the employer’s policies. If we can use self-control to live as law-abiding citizens, then through the power of Jesus Christ, we can live righteously. Salvation is free, but Jesus paid our sin debt, so God, the Father, requires that we follow and obey our Shepherd.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Yes, we are warriors in the relentless battle against sin that will last until Jesus comes. Staying on the Path of Righteousness is the toughest challenge we will ever face in our lives! Prayer is our weapon, use it frequently!
“The fear [reverence] of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble” (Proverbs 19:23, NIV). Consecrating our minds and bodies to serve God is the only way we can live righteously in this continuous fight against Satan and his evil angels.
From possessing the mindset, “I will not sin against God,” all of heaven engages to help us in our fight against all temptations.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
Jesus Christ is a Mighty Warrior! We are never alone. Through the Holy Spirit, we have total access to Jesus’ Divine Power, 24/7. Help is only a prayer away. Jesus promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’ ” (Psalm 91:2)
The Prayer of Consecration: “Lord God, I want what You want for me. And I desperately need Your help to think and live a holy life pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”
Prayers of humility and surrender asking for help are answered immediately! Through studying the Scriptures and praying, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us with powerful words of Divine guidance and encouragement. We can never become entangled in the bondage of sin when we maintain our connection with Christ through personal worship.
Live one day at a time. If we continue striving with courage and in the power of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, we have the guarantee of receiving our Greatest Reward of a Forever Life when our Triumphant King Jesus comes again. Hallelujah, Yes, and Amen!
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to become faithful followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. We pray for strength, guidance, wisdom, and the steadfast faith to overcome internal desires and the external opposition of temptation. We claim the victory in the Powerful Name of Jesus, and ask this prayer in our Mighty Warrior’s Name, Amen.
Have you ever read a great book, and the plot begins to evolve? You pause for a few moments as you perform a mental sweep, after assuring yourself that all tasks are completed, you place yourself on a “Do Not Disturb” status. Eagerly, you continue your journey prepared to transition into the exciting depths of the unknown.
The Holy Bible is the Greatest Book of All! Never can we exhaust our acquisition of spiritual knowledge and wisdom when the Holy Spirit is our Teacher.
The Plot we will explore explains the sacrificial life of suffering that our Protagonist, King Jesus, endured to free us from the chains of sin.
The Place: The Synagogue, The Day: The Holy Sabbath.
Mark tells us of Jesus’ practice of attending the weekly Sabbath Service, where one would expect to receive God’s blessings of spiritual renewal and transformation. But as soon as Jesus entered the synagogue after a busy week of teaching and healing the multitudes, He faced controversy initiated by the Jewish leaders.
“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath” (Mark 3:1-2).
For the believers who attend church [in-person services], verses 1-2 should immediately raise a Spiritual Red Flag. Can you imagine, after a mentally, emotionally, and physically draining week, you look forward to attending church only to face controversy as soon as you enter?
Opening the Door of Controversy: Jesus Heals On the Sabbath
The Command: “Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone’ ” (Mark 3:3, NIV).
The Unanswered Question: “Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent” (Mark 3:4, NIV).
Jesus’ Righteous Anger: “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored (Mark 3:5, NIV).
The Plot Twist: Evil Hearts Revealed: “Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus” (Mark 3:6).
“In Jesus’ time, Jewish leaders were primarily priests, scribes, and Pharisees, holding positions of religious authority and influence. They oversaw the temple, interpreted and applied the law, and played a role in the legal and political spheres.”
“These leaders, particularly the Sadducees and Pharisees, were often in conflict with Jesus, challenging His teachings and authority.” The leaders manipulated the religious practices to include extreme burdens and unreasonable goals that were humanly impossible to achieve. Yet, they did not adhere to their rules, which were only for the common people.
The Jews Reject Jesus: John 10 “The Festival of the Dedication of the Temple took place in Jerusalem during the winter. Jesus was walking on Solomon’s porch in the temple courtyard…”
“The Jews surrounded Him. They asked Him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly…'”
“Jesus answered them, ‘I have told you, but you do not believe me. The things that I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf…”
“However, you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, and I give them eternal life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me…”
“My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than everyone else, and no one can tear them away from my Father. The Father and I are one…'”
The Plot Twist: “The Jews had again brought some rocks to stone Jesus to death. Jesus replied to them, ‘I have shown you many good things that come from the Father. For which of these good things do you want to stone me to death?…'”
“The Jews answered Jesus, ‘We are going to stone you to death, not for any good things you have done, but for dishonoring God. You claim to be God, although you are only a man'” (John 10:22-33, GW Translation).
As we immerse ourselves in reading just one of the diabolical situations in the Scriptures, which document the continuous hatred and rejection that Jesus faced, we should deeply reflect on the extreme suffering that our Savior was willing to endure to save our souls.
The Reveal of the Religious Antagonist’s True Condition of Their Hearts: “‘You claim to be God, although you are only a man.'”
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). In our Book of Life, the only way that we can receive the Crown of Life is if Jesus Christ, the Triumphant King, is the Righteous Protagonist, and we are covered with His Righteousness.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
Unless we surrender daily with a spirit of humility by seeking God’s Sovereign Will and Plans for our lives, then just like the Jewish leaders, Pharisees, and Sadducees, we are antagonists who demonstrate by following our own thoughts that Jesus is only a man.
Our cooperation with God’s Divine Plan is revealed by a life of sacrificial surrender. Only from receiving Jesus’ Divine strength and wisdom can the Holy Spirit lead us daily on the Path of Righteousness.
The lifelong Spiritual Transformation of our Character, Sanctification, requires daily teamwork between the Holy Spirit and ourselves.
“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).
The Holy Spirit does not enter unclean bodies—our hearts must be pure to mature spiritually. Through faithful obedience, we worship God with love and in spirit and in truth.
Yes, we have received God’s Grace, still God requires total surrender and obedience as demonstrated by Jesus in His life. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity we have to surrender and let go of all unrighteousness.
Without compromise, God requires us to exchange our desires for His will. And sadly, this stringent requirement causes many believers to abandon God’s Personal Plan Book for their lives. But rewriting our story has devastating consequences.
Obedience is the character trait that paves the road of the Christian’s Spiritual Journey. Our priorities and lifestyles must align with the Holy Scriptures, which Jesus will use to judge everyone.
By fulfilling the sacrificial role of obeying God, we proclaim that Jesus Christ is truly the Righteous Protagonist, King, Lord, and Savior in the books of our lives.
Lord God, we ask You to search our hearts and reveal everything that prevents us from receiving Eternal Life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Every day we fight external opposition, and the internal conflict of our heart’s carnal desires, which requires Christ, our Mighty Warrior’s Divine help.
“A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me” (Psalm 3:1).
David understood what it meant to fight against principalities, powers, and people [David’s son Absalom attempted to kill him]. He acknowledged the power of the evil darkness of this world, designed to separate us from God. The Psalms reveal the spirit of humility to accept our [human] limitations, and the desperate need for God’s Sovereign power.
Many who study the Psalms misinterpret David as having a clinical diagnosis of Depression. David was not depressed. His childhood included the enjoyment of parental love and nurturing. Yes, David was the young boy who lovingly cared for a large flock of sheep, guiding and protecting them from harm.
Because God allowed him to live as a fugitive for 15-20 years to prepare him for rulership as King, David possessed steadfast faith and the courage to overcome his obstacles. Yet, he perceived the Believer’s daily battle through spiritual eyes. David acknowledged that we are powerless against our desires and temptations, unless we seek God through prayer, asking for His Divine intervention.
God extends the invitation to come and reason together with Him: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8). The Psalms reveal our true spiritual status, God’s desire to save our souls, and rescue us from adversity. Our only hope of living as Victorious Overcomers is to continuously cry out through prayer for Divine strength.
Dedicating ourselves to a life of worship means completely trusting in God’s Providence and relying on His guidance and protection. We cannot trust in our limited abilities to live righteously; it is impossible to fight satanic forces without the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” —Ephesians 6:13
Jesus Christ, our Mighty Warrior, is our Defender against the enemy’s attacks. Our Triumphant King is the Commander of Angel Armies, the angel’s primary role is to protect believers. Psalm 91 gives us the promise of angelic protection. Regardless of whether spiritual warfare is seen or unseen, the righteous are protected 24/7, still, we must choose to renounce sin by choosing right over wrong.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” —Proverbs 18:10
We have the privilege of Divine Help 24/7. The Prayer of Faith, asking for supernatural help, is answered immediately. Something is not right within our hearts if we only seek God when we cannot resolve our challenges. Like King David, we must stay on bended knees whether times are peaceful or not.
A life of worship is reflected by easily bringing our petitions and prayers before Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor and Savior. It is in the Name of the Lord that we receive the wisdom to discern covert temptations, and the Divine power to say no to sinning against God. It is in the Name of the Lord that we receive the spiritual wisdom and discernment to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.
“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” —Acts 7:11
The Scriptures reveal God’s Righteous Character. A false belief is that the God of the Old Testament was unforgiving, as evidenced by His punitive actions, and the God of the New Testament is lenient. God’s Character has never changed; He is Loving, Long-suffering, Gracious, and Merciful, but He is also “The Righteous Judge” who abhors sin.
We have been deceived by Satan into believing that we can live a life of disobedience [following our thoughts and plans], and receive Eternal life. Sadly, Contemporary Christians are repeating the behaviors of the Nation of Israel.
The apostle Paul warns New Covenant believers: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
God’s Invitation and Warning: ” ‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken’ ” (Isaiah 1:18, 20).
Worship is a lifestyle of sacrifice, faithful obedience, trust, and seeking the will of God. Only from the commitment to dedicate ourselves to a Christ-centered, Faith-based life, and total dependency on the Name of the Lord, we are promised victory over sin, daily spiritual transformation, and our Crown of Life when Jesus comes.
Lord God, today we accept Your invitation to come to You. We repent of our self-reliance. In humility and surrender, we confess that we desperately need Your Divine guidance, strength, wisdom, and discernment to live righteously. Teach us how to live a sanctified life depending on the Mighty Power of Your Holy Name. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:25-26
Surrendering to God’s Sovereignty is the daily, intentional decision to put God First. By asking for God’s will to be done, our love for God is revealed by the desire to consecrate ourselves to Him. Faith, surrender, and obedience are the righteous attributes that keep us connected to Christ, who taught us by His earthly life what it means to put God First.
The ‘God First’ commitment is renewed each morning. We use our faith to invite God to perform the miraculous. Asking our Heavenly Father for help is always answered immediately. Our prayer invites the Holy Spirit to impart the spiritual wisdom required to recognize God’s Voice and to align us with His will.
“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Since the human heart naturally rebels against God, we always need Divine help to fight Satan’s continuous spiritual warfare and the internal conflict of pursuing our desires. Consistent prayer is our Spiritual Lifeline to our Advocate, Jesus Christ.
The Christian Journey is tough! We need the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit to live as overcomers. Receiving supernatural strength is Christ’s response to the faithful who know we must depend on our Shepherd to persevere and resist distractions and temptations.
Putting God First requires us not to react with feelings. Failure comes from following our natural thoughts and inclinations. Even with the best strategies, human wisdom cannot predict outcomes.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
Believers do not awaken with a mindset of defeat, but each day, our desires, goals, and to-do lists also awaken, always posing the threat for us to exclude God. Our response will either include God by asking for His Divine intervention, or completing our agenda using the risky behavior of relying on our strength.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” —Proverbs 3:7
Human wisdom is often praised, but it always leads to unforeseen consequences. God warns us not to rely on our thoughts. Without God, we exchange internal peace for racing thoughts. Focusing on the present circumstances instead of God’s Faithfulness creates pressure, anxiety, worry, and doubt.
The Bible says that unbelievers always stumble by making the wrong decisions because their faith is displaced from God to themselves. Faith in God separates us from unbelievers; therefore, we should not embrace and practice their worldviews of self-reliance and following one’s heart.
Unbelieving believers only acknowledge that God exists; they do not trust God’s faithfulness, love, and power. But most importantly, trusting in self excludes God and places us outside of His perfect will, which is disobedience against God.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). God First is a lifestyle of surrender and faithful obedience. It is also God’s command to the righteous. Self-reliance reveals our rejection of God’s daily blessings. Unless we travel on the Narrow Path of Righteousness paved by humility and faithful obedience, we forfeit our reward of Eternal life.
How to Live a “God First” Lifestyle
Accept God’s Truth: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Through obedience, we fight against internal conflict.
We must acknowledge that spiritual warfare against believers does exist. Satan’s greatest goal is to make us feel that God does not care about the small details of our personal lives, leaving us alone to figure it out. But Satan is the master deceiver whose modus operandi is the skillful use of lies and chaos. Study Matthew 6. We are loved! Yes and Amen!
Choose to stand down unreliable emotions with prayer. We cannot see clearly when we follow our feelings instead of praying. Asking “Why now?” only escalates emotions and diminishes our faith. Feeling overwhelmed occurs when we try to create strategies to tackle our challenges. Turn it over to Jesus!
Putting God first requires a dedicated lifestyle of much prayer. Prayer is our highest priority. We can expect a perfect outcome when we obey God. Pray for help and thank God in the same prayer. Our Heavenly Father already has the answer.
Describe the attributes of God’s Character. We must know Who our Faithful God is to completely trust Him. The Bible is the least read among Christian believers. Something is not right! Even pagan worshipers know the attributes of their deities. For Beginners: Study Genesis 1-3, and the Life of Christ found in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].
Putting God First is a matter of the heart: “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).
God’s Invitation: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8).
Our Responsibility: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
God’s Faithfulness: “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).
We Have This Hope: “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).
Turning our hearts to Christ, even in the smallest matters, guards against developing a spirit of self-reliance and increases our faith. Total dependency on God is living the most beautiful life filled with peace. Why? When our response to adversity is praying in faith, we possess courage and confidence in the Power of God!
Lord God, we desire to change our response to life’s challenges by putting You First. We admit that we cannot resolve our current challenges, and ask for Your Help. Lord, teach us how to recognize Your Voice above our thoughts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
No Time for Prayer and Bible Study? Christ alone gives spiritual strength to those who worship Him through the daily consecration of their minds, characters, and personalities.
Only the power of God can recalibrate our mind from focusing on the prosperity, pleasures, and success of a world that is falling apart to preparing for an eternity of Kingdom Life. It is impossible for us to keep ourselves on the Path of Righteousness. We must have Jesus!
Lord Jesus, our Triumphant King, we thank You for Salvation, Redemption, and the promise of Eternal Life. As we dedicate ourselves to being Your followers, we ask You for the strength to overcome the internal conflict of pursuing the desires that are meaningless. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
You must be logged in to post a comment.