Tag: God loves us

Do the Circumstances Demand a Goodbye?

Practical Solutions for Impractical Times – Devotional – November 17, 2025

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NIV).

My siblings and I were raised by Christian parents who obeyed God’s command “to separate ourselves from unbelievers.” Our friends were the children of Christian parents who also had a relationship with our parents. And yes, we attended Christian schools, where we were taught Biblical Principles, with emphasis on loving and obeying God.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Mathew 7:21).

Disobedience always demands payment! Sadly, as I matured, although I attended church, I did not continue to practice the godly principles that our parents, schools, and church taught us. I formed relationships with unbelievers, and gradually, I transitioned from striving to live righteously to living a compromised life of sin.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?”(1 Corinthians 6:9). “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NLT).

From Genesis to Revelation, God repeatedly commands us to separate ourselves from unbelievers, which includes romantic liaisons and socializing with family members and coworkers who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior.

“…The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT).

Because we are living in the Last Days, many Christians feel lonely and often meet individuals [Satan’s temptation] who appear to be believers. The initial conversation captures their interest, and yes, they may attend church, [which is not an indicator of love and loyalty to God], so we assume the person is God-sent.

Satan’s schemes include placing people in our path who appear righteous, often verbalizing that God is good, but the Apostle Paul says, they are pretenders “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5).

Without praying and asking God to reveal whether or not He sent the person, the only other choice is to follow our emotions. If we exchange numbers and quickly begin a relationship with an unbeliever who has no real relationship with Jesus Christ, then time will reveal their true nature. From excluding God, either we choose a life of compromise, or end up suffering from a broken heart.

Satan’s Playground: There is no need to elaborate on the Online Chat and Dating sites because a Holy and Righteous God would never condescend Himself to bless sites where sin is masked behind fake characters that are easily masterminded to deceive others.

Never Place the Familiar Over the Divine!

Satan knows the believers who worship God with dedication and obedience are usually tough as nails in their love and loyalty to God, so he uses another covert strategy, “the path of least resistance.” The roaring lion uses his strongest tactic: Satan uses our family members to entice us.

The Invitation: Yes, our unbelieving family members know we are Christians, but they cannot think on a spiritual level. The invite to the baby shower, birthday party, or a night out is genuine because it has been a long time since they have seen us. Without praying for Divine guidance, even the strongest Christian is subject to embracing temptations when family ties are part of the temptation.

The Compromise: You said yes, and it was wonderful being around your family. Yes, they served alcoholic drinks, and profanities filled the atmosphere, but we justify their behaviors because that is their lifestyle.

The Fall: We are excited; it feels good to be around our family. As we leave, with hugs and smiles, we decide to interact with our relatives by attending future get-togethers.

Satan Wins: Inclusion boosts our self-worth, so we tell ourselves, I need to be more involved with my family, and at that moment, our life of compromise begins. We follow our thoughts in every aspect of our lives instead of praying for Divine Wisdom.

The Spiritual Decline of Disobedience: When a believer forms relationships with unbelievers, the believer has denied loyalty to Christ by choosing wilful disobedience to God’s command to separate ourselves from those who are walking in spiritual darkness.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV). Disobedience to God is the spiritual indicator that the believer’s heart has already changed. The decision to compromise and socialize with “bad company,” without repentance, places the believer on equal ground with the unbeliever—from a spiritual perspective, the believer is also lost.

“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13). Compromise requires that we begin a life of pretense, appearing godly to others, but God knows our hearts.

“The Narrow and Wide Gates: “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, NIV).

Leaving the Path of Righteousness begins with the one disobedient choice that places us on the detour exit leading to the Path of Disobedience. Satan is happy; he feels that he has taken another believer away from Christ.

Disobedience is a Catalyst for a Domino Effect: From disobeying one of God’s Commands, we lose our spiritual connection to Christ, which predisposes us to committing multiple sins against God.

Satan continues to tempt us in other areas because distractions keep our focus on ourselves, which is required to keep us traveling on the Broad Road. Sin not only separates us from God, but it also impairs our judgment and desensitizes us to the point that we can no longer discern truth from error.

Christ Knocks On the Door of Our Hearts: Our Loving Shepherd attempts to bring His lost sheep back into His arms. The Holy Spirit begins speaking to our conscience, so we can never say that we didn’t know that we were living outside of the will of God.

Because we were created with the free will of choice, God will never coerce us to return to His safety. There is no middle road. Either we will continue in our rebellion against God, or, like the prodigal son, come to our senses and repent.

We Are the Generation of Believers Living In the Last Days: “…In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 1:18-19, NIV).

Satan does not care about the unrighteous or half-committed Christians; they are already serving him. Since Lucifer was cast out of Heaven, now known as Satan, he is in a spiritual battle with Jesus Christ, vying for the souls of believers who are striving to faithfully follow Christ.

Yes, that is you and me! Our enemy’s goal is to manipulate the righteous heirs of Christ into abandoning God by tempting us to engage in spiritually incompatible relationships. And many have fallen into his trap, exchanging their Crown of Life for short-lived pleasure.

God’s Character and Ways remain the same. Nowhere in the Bible do we find where a stranger suddenly enters someone’s life and they become romantically involved with each other.

God Requires That We Put Him First: To receive his promise, God instructed Abram to leave his family and relocate to the land that He promised him.

When Our Relationships Lead to Either Choosing Them or God, Then the Circumstances Demand An Immediate Goodbye!

Reflect on your relationships; if they do not lead you closer to God, then the people you have given access to your life are pulling you away from God. Let them go!

If you are thinking it’s too late, I have been in this relationship for a long time. Unless you are married, you have already crossed the line of living a pure and holy life. Living together or engaging in sexual immorality indicates you have chosen to relinquish your reward of Eternal Life [Revelation 22:15].

If children are involved, they must be taken care of emotionally and financially. Pray for God’s guidance. He has the answers to all of our dilemmas. But we cannot continue to live in sin and be saved.

The Road to Restoration: What does God require of us? Our Father is Love! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:9).

Pray and repent, asking God to forgive you for the sins against Him. Establish a New Covenant with Christ by ceasing all relationships that do not honor God, whether romantic or with unbelieving family and friends.

“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 14:6, NIV).

Establish a time for morning and evening worship. We must honor God with Faithful Obedience, which is our highest worship. Pray and ask God to direct you in all of your decision-making, including future relationships.

The Road to Restoration Also Requires Spiritual and Emotional Healing: God knows that letting go of relationships causes deep heart wounds. We may feel as if our breath has ceased to exist. Expressing our sorrow is healthy as long as we are not embracing anger or bitterness.

New Beginnings require a lot of prayer. We can ask our Loving Savior a thousand times a day for comfort and strength. Christ experienced immense grief and sorrow at a level that no human could tolerate, and live.

Establish a time for morning and evening worship. Begin to study the Bible: Genesis 1-3; Psalm 23; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 12; and Revelation 21-22 are good for starters.

Listen to Christian music that honors God. David tells us to praise God with our voice. Praise God with singing; Inspirational music reaches deep into the depths of our souls, soothing our emotional pain.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Today’s believers face many challenges in our Christian Journey, but living righteously should not be one of our hardships. Through prayer, we have 24/7 unlimited access to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor and Triumphant King, who promises to heal our broken hearts and strengthen us in times of weakness.

Keep Your Eyes Focused on Christ: Our Primary Goal Is To Experience the Daily Spiritual Growth and Transformation Required to Receive Our Reward of Eternal Life

Our relationship with Christ is a priority! We are the generation of believers who are living in the Last Days described in 2 Timothy 3. Considering the current conditions, we do not have time to waste being involved in meaningless relationships. There is an old spiritual song that says, “If you don’t want to go [to heaven], don’t hinder me.”

The King is Coming Sooner Than We Think: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

Lord God, we love You and desire to renew our covenant vow to worship You with faith, loyalty, and obedience. We ask the Holy Spirit to reveal all relationships in our lives that do not honor and glorify You. Lord, we ask for the strength to persevere through this journey of life as we prepare for eternity. We ask this prayer in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Created With the Free Will to Choose Christ

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).

A few years ago, I watched a YouTube documentary on adopting a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle. The Japanese professor shared her amazing story of changing her lifestyle, which included relocating to a rural setting and strictly practicing the concept of “Need Over Greed.”

Although the professor said she was not religious, she verbalized that her entire psyche changed, and she felt peace within. Because of her commitment to making positive lifestyle changes, including healthy boundaries, she indicated that she was caring for her mind and body with love and respect.

Yes, every living creature has basic physiological and psychological needs that must be fulfilled; if not, healthy growth and development cannot occur. Yet that is not our dilemma; many believers have excessive tangible goods and wealth beyond their basic needs, yet we still desire more.

Need Over Greed Is a Spiritual Concept

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Jesus is not teaching us the world’s concept of frugal living—Minimalism, which does not promote obedience to God, or give the principles to transform one’s character into the Righteousness of Christ.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

Jesus is teaching us to have our priorities straight, so we can actively participate in the transformation of our characters, minds, and personalities required to receive our reward of Eternal Life. It is impossible to pursue wealth and success and actively participate in the journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

The Current Plight of Christianity: We are too distracted by our desires to have the daily personal worship that keeps us anchored in Christ. Prayer and Bible Study invite the Holy Spirit to give us clarity, wisdom, discernment, and Jesus’ strength to fight against our internal desires.

“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).

Without setting aside daily time for personal worship, not only are we excluding ourselves from the presence of God, but we are also living a life of self-direction.

King David’s Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV). David admitted that we cannot judge ourselves; therefore, he continually asked God to search his heart.

Redirecting Our Faith and Focus to God: Every day, we have the opportunity to communicate with God in prayer to learn His perfect will for that day, obey, fulfill His plans, and receive the Divine wisdom, discernment, and strength to overcome our desires.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV). Without a heart-to-heart connection with Christ, we instinctively rely on our human wisdom, which never aligns with God’s Divine Will and Plans.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Not having Scriptural knowledge and the desire to obey God redirects our faith and focus from God to ourselves. From thinking our own thoughts, our lifestyle of self-gratification reveals that we are living in opposition to God’s Righteous Principles.

“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” (Luke 12:15, ESV).

God is not surprised that we have not obeyed His command to deny ourselves. Every human heart is driven to please self, which we cannot overcome without the Divine strength of Jesus Christ.

The Onset Begins After Birth: “Babies are naturally self-centered during early development, a stage often beginning around 18 months when they develop a sense of self and possessiveness.”

As we mature through the lifespan, the joy of self-gratification is reinforced through learned behavior, the media, and the assimilation of a materialistic mindset.

For a short time, we are happy, but happiness based on materialism is short-lived, so we must continue to participate in the cycle to maintain our contentment through the acquisition of wealth and possessions.

God’s Command: “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 12:2, NIV).

The Scriptures should not be viewed as unyielding restraints. God is a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who has given us the Spiritual Boundaries [in the Bible] to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.

Chapter 2

Although the Apostle Paul [who was anointed by the Holy Spirit to write most of the New Testament] was a very spiritual and dedicated Christian man of God, he also experienced the battle within: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, NIV).

We were not created to fight the good fight of faith alone. God’s perception of time is Eternal. God knew that in 2025, we would be inundated by the concept of “Pursue Your Desires, More Reveals Power and Prosperity.” The temptations of material acquisition appear overwhelming, but still, we were not created to be helpless.

“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).

The Christian Journey will always include the struggles of internal conflict that arise from the inheritance of a self-gratifying heart, and the external opposition of Satan’s personalized schemes and temptations.

But through the sacrificial offering of Jesus, the Lamb of God’s life, we are freed from the bondage of an insatiable, greedy heart. Divine Help is always a prayer away.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

We have all of Heaven—The Triune God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit], along with a countless number of angelic armies who are dedicated to protecting us from spiritual warfare, physical harm, scams, identity theft, and the rest of Satan’s schemes. Yet God’s promises and protection are conditional, and receiving His blessings depends on our willingness to obey our Heavenly Father.

Brothers and Sisters, consider the unbelieving Japanese professor who used discipline and self-control to change her life. Something is not right when unbelievers can successfully use their strength to exercise restraint, and we who accepted Christ as our personal Savior, who promises to give us Divine Help available 24/7, so easily give in to our desires.

Chapter 3

The Sacrificial Life Is the Only Way to Obey God’s Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will

“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)

By choosing to love God, we instinctively desire to obey Him. Personal worship expresses our gratitude to God, our Father, for His Love and the gift of His Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Our morning worship begins with the commitment to living a holy and acceptable life of self-denial. We surrender to God because He deserves our loyalty and faithful obedience; therefore, we use the discipline of self-control to renounce our desires.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Yes, we approach God in prayer for help to resist temptation, still there are times when we give in to our weaknesses. Our Father is still gracious. Through prayer, we have total access to ask for His Divine Help and forgiveness.

God’s love and mercy are always extended when we repent. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father never changes. Not only does Christ promise to never leave or forsake us, He tells us to move forward and continue to fight against our internal desires and external temptations using His strength: “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”

From engaging in consistent Bible Study, we learn God’s Loving Character and His history of intervening when the righteous run to Him for help, which strengthens our faith. We can never pray too much. Continuous Prayer connects us to Christ, who gives us His Spiritual strength to live day by day as Victorious Overcomers!

God knows that we cannot fight this Spiritual War alone! Heaven responds immediately to our cries for help. Still, we must put forth the human effort to choose to use our spiritual gifts of power and self-control to courageously renounce our desires by remaining steadfast to the conviction, “I will not sin against God!”

Throughout the Bible, we have examples of dedicated worshipers who did not sin against God. Their lifestyle reveals the habit of consistent communication with God. Daniel prayed three times a day, and for his faithfulness, he was chosen to receive prophetic visions of the future, which he did not understand.

“And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.” (Daniel 10:11).

Because of Daniel’s love, faith, and loyalty, Jesus Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel the interpretation of his visions. Yes, Daniel admits he was terrified, but Gabriel’s words, “Daniel, man greatly beloved…” were a message directly from Christ.

When we choose to live a sacrificial life, determined to faithfully obey God, dedicating ourselves to a life of prayer is easily accomplished. Prayer is our Spiritual Lifeline to Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor; there is no other way for us to receive spiritual nourishment and strength.

Prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures not only keep us anchored in Christ, but we also recognize our identity as royal heirs who will inherit our Eternal Crown of Life, which consistently reminds us of who our allegiance is to.

Sanctification is the gradual [daily] spiritual process of growth and transformation required for every believer to, yet character transformation depends on our willingness to obey God.

If we are participating with the Holy Spirit, then we will begin to notice changes in our behaviors. Not only do we stop desiring the things we used to pursue, but we also receive wisdom and the discernment to perceive life through the eyes of Christ.

“You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 11:27, NLT).”

The Nation of Israel struggled to obey God because they were mesmerized by the practices of pagan worship. If we expect to be blessed, which includes receiving our Crown of Life, we must cease pursuing our desires.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

The continuous challenge for every believer is to remain loyal to God by staying connected to Christ; only then can we win the battle of Obedience versus Disobedience to God. Without surrendering ourselves in faith and humility to God, we are driven by our internal desires that we cannot control.

How do we win? We choose to have a “God First” mindset that only comes from loving the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. A spirit of humility invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine Strength to overcome and win the battles within and externally.

“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). All of Heaven is dedicated to helping us overcome our innate character traits of a selfish heart. Preparing for Eternal Life One Day At a Time.

Lord God, we desperately need Your help. You know our hearts and the consequences of embracing and pursuing greed. Lord, we confess that we have followed our hearts instead of obeying Your command to not seek earthly treasures, and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We ask You for guidance and strength. Teach us how to hear Your Voice speaking to us instead of following our wayward thoughts leading to self-gratification. We look forward to the day when Your Son, Jesus, and our Triumphant King will come again. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer Guidelines: Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty; Live by His Righteous Commands and Principles; Ask God to Reveal His Will and Plans; Ask for Spiritual and Physical Nourishment; Always Ask for the Forgiveness of Sins; Tell God You Forgive Others Who Intentionally Mistreat You; Immediately Call for Jesus’ Help When Facing Temptations; Acknowledge that God is the Sovereign Ruler and Authority Over the Universe.

Our prayers should not be limited to these principles. Go to your secret place, and pray honest prayers, casting all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus.

There are many other specific needs that we have. Our Shepherd cares about every aspect of our lives. Make your prayers personal. Talk to Jesus as if He is your best friend because He is.

Lord God, we thank You for the privilege of Prayer. We thank You for the invitation to come to the Throne of Grace in our time of need. And God spiritually, we were always in need. As we redirect our faith and focus to You on this Holy Sabbath Day, we ask for the forgiveness of our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and anoint us with the Holy Spirit. Lord, we also ask You to give us the Triple Blessings of peace, rest from the stressors of this world, and the renewal and restoration of our minds, bodies, and souls. We thank You for the gift of 24 hours, in which we can reflect on Your amazing Love and Faithfulness. We desperately need Your Divine Help to make it through this journey of life. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

You Are Not Your Provider

At some point in our lives, we will reach the Red Sea that no amount of human effort can open or resolve. Through daily personal worship, we acknowledge God’s love and His faithfulness, trusting that He will give us our provisions.

Our Heavenly Father is not only Faithful, He is always true to His Character. If he said it, He will do it. Praises of gratitude increase our faith in God.

“Bless the LORD, oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy name! Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.. ” (Psalm 103:1-2).

From living a sacrificial life of serving God with humility and daily prayers of gratitude for all His blessings, we immediately fall to our knees, whispering a prayer in faith knowing that God will provide in every season of life.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).

Our Response: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17).

So, when life events create lean times of financial deficit from job loss, or unexpected sickness, those who have developed a total dependency on God are confident they will receive God’s Divine Help.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

We were not created to figure it out, or use our thoughts to develop solutions that place us as players in the risky Game of Chance. In Matthew 6, Jesus reiterates that He will provide for us. Only trust Him! Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, we are thankful and grateful for Your love and continuous care. With all of our hearts, souls, and minds, we worship and praise your Holy Name because you are God.  We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, our Triumphant King, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

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“The Authority of Jesus Questioned”

Matthew 21:23-27…

23 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ “

24 Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin? ‘ “

“They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, From heaven, He will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ “

27 “So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’ “

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

The commitment to follow Christ has always required surrender and faithful obedience to His authority, which was given to Him by God, the Father.

When we fail to consecrate and commit ourselves to God through daily personal worship, our thoughts and actions supersede our spoken words.

But what we do not understand is that we are questioning God’s Authority, which places us in wilful rebellion against God’s Sovereignty.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Jesus’s earthly life reveals that obedience to God is non-negotiable.

Remain Faithful to God

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4).

Never Trust Your Own Thoughts

“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).

Reverence God Through a Spirit of Humility

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7).

Embrace God’s Promise of His Faithfulness

“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).

Honor God’s Sovereignty, Because He Is God

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Our Allegiance and Loyalty Is To God, or To Ourselves

Reflection: By whose authority are you living your life? Every day, we choose our destiny, our choices and lifestyles reveal if we are obeying God, or not.

If we live according to our thoughts and desires, then we choose to forfeit our reward of The Crown of Life. Our only reward will be whatever we pursued and accomplished in our earthly lives.

Jesus’ Promise To the Faithful

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV).

Bible Study: Revelation 19, 21-22

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for the sins of  self-reliance and disobedience. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and remove the stubbornness in our hearts. We desperately need Your Holy Spirit to baptize our hearts, and minds, so we can see life through spiritual eyes, and live a sacrificial life of obedience. Lord, we consecrate our lives to follow Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, and ask for the daily Spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment required to live as overcomers. God, we acknowledge that You are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of our Triumphant King, Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

God Is the Help to Those Who Seek Him

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

“The psalmist affirmed, ‘The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5–6).

“No matter what we face, day or night, the Lord stands over us as a protective shield. Through every trial and storm, God is our constant shelter and refuge (Psalm 46:1; 91:1; Proverbs 18:10). Our good and loving Lord will protect us from every evil (Psalm 121:7).”

“If a believer should ask you, ‘Where does my help come from?’ You can offer them this remarkable assurance: At all times, no matter where you go, and for as long as you live, the Bible declares, ‘Your help comes from the Lord!’ ” (Psalm 121:8).

Lord God, we thank you for giving us the Holy Scriptures that reveal Your overwhelming love for us and Your desire for us to put You first in our lives. We commit to living a consecrated life, dedicated to following Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, Protector, and Triumphant King who is coming soon. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

We Pray, Ask, Wait, and God Says, No

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14).

Although our spiritual journey is unique, every believer has experienced the disappointment of God saying, “No,” to our heartfelt prayers requesting the things we desire.

God immediately denies requests that He knows are guaranteed to prevent our spiritual growth, development, and transformation, which is required for Eternal Life.

Everything God does brings honor and glory to His Name; therefore, He does not bless us if we do not possess the spiritual maturity to focus on the Giver instead of the gift.

“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV).

With love, God agreed to Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice to die on Calvary to save us from the penalty of sin, which is the final death. God’s ultimate goal has always been to save our souls.

Sadly, many Christians disagree with God’s greatest desire for us to live with Him throughout eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Wait! Who would accept Christ as their personal Savior and not desire His promise to give us the reward of Eternal Life?

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible).

When we ask God to bless us with a specific request and His answer is No, many of us are upset, especially when we see others with an abundance of money and material possessions.

God’s future plan of giving us a Crown of Life is steadfast, yet it is conditional. From the time we awaken, with a prayer of faith, we seek God’s plans, asking for the spiritual strength to obey, persevere, and complete His plans. 

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29). Jesus reveals that the character trait of faithful obedience is required to stay aligned with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives.

The Believer’s Struggle is not only against the daily External Opposition of temptations, but we also must fight against the never-ending Internal Conflict of our desires.

It is easier to desire financial and material abundance instead of living a Christ-centered, faith-based life of self-denial. Because we inherited sinful hearts, enough is never enough. In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, The human heart is never satisfied!

When God says, No, we often feel that He is not a Loving and Gracious God. Regardless, God reminds us that He will not change His decision.

“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).

God does not perceive time as we perceive time; His Omniscient perspective of time is Eternal. Since He knows how long we will live, there is no reason for God to hurry up and bless us. Abraham was 100 years of age when Isaac was born.

There are 8 billion plus people on the planet Earth, and God knows every hardship, setback, disappointment, acts of obedience, and willful disobedience, along with every temptation, and victory we will experience in our lives from conception to birth to death.

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” (James 4:14, CSB).

We can pray for and receive spiritual wisdom, but God tells us that we cannot look beyond today, so focus on the responsibilities and blessings of the given day. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).

We feel slighted when God says “No,” because we have been deceived by Satan to think that we have the time and the right to pursue whatever makes us happy.

Signs of Living in the Last Days

In America, Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, two Constitutional Rights, are gradually being withdrawn. Many individuals have lost their employment for posting personal opinions regarding current global events on Social Media.

If the Christian Community began diligently studying the Bible, we would understand God’s refusal to give us what we are asking for. According to Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, we learn that Bible Prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled, and we are currently living in the Last Days.

Although we do not know the exact time, those who are praying and preparing every day for Revelation 22:12, we recognize that Jesus, our Triumphant King, is coming sooner than we think.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). We need Scriptural knowledge to fully understand our Heavenly Father’s Love and His desire to keep us from losing our spiritual focus, so the Holy Spirit can perform the work of Sanctification in our lives.

Misalignment with God’s Will and Plans

In 2016, I was employed as a Quality Nurse reviewing medical documentation for a national Home Healthcare Company. I imagined a very long career, possibly leading to retirement.

In my 8th month of employment, we received notification from the Corporate office that the branch would be relocated to a beautiful business park 45 minutes away from our current location.

I was very excited, but also realized that my high-mileage vehicle was not reliable for traveling 2.5 hours per day. Without praying for God’s approval, I went to the Nissan dealership and purchased a new vehicle.

God’s Warning Was Not Perceived!

Just before my purchase, I had a very interesting conversation with the office secretary. We became friends, and when I shared my plan to purchase a new vehicle, the answer she gave me was very disconcerting.

“Sonya, how do you know that everyone in this location will be relocated to the business park?” I simply did not respond because to me, it did not matter.

I rationalized that the office could not meet healthcare regulations without a quality nurse who reviewed and approved all medical documentation before submission for Medicare reimbursement.

Two months later, following our conversation, I met with the Director, who informed me that Corporate had made the decision to eliminate the position of all branch office Quality nurses. All quality reviews would be sourced to the Corporate office, which was located five hours from our branch office.

Because of my desire to have a new vehicle, I did not recognize that God was speaking to me through our office secretary, who was aware of the Corporate plan before the nursing staff was informed.

Sadly, three of the staff nurses were also unable to travel the additional distance, but were not eligible for unemployment because they were offered additional compensation to work from the new location, but could not travel due to school-age children.

Although I immediately found a 35-week contract assignment that paid well, I was not prepared for a change in my health status. I began to experience severe pain in both knees, which indicated the progression of my diagnosis of Osteoarthritis. 

I can recall the shock of leaving my Orthopedic Doctor’s office with a mid-thigh to mid-calf brace on my left leg. Yet, from listening to the Doctor’s treatment plan, I knew my nursing career had ended. His recommendation to immediately apply for Social Security Disability [SSD] made me realize that we should never plan our lives according to our thoughts.

Because I did not pray for guidance before purchasing a new vehicle, instead of keeping my vehicle that was paid for, I was facing the consequences of making a decision outside of the will of God.

The new monthly note, along with sustaining the vehicle’s insurance and routine maintenance costs, consumed 100% of my unemployment compensation and was draining my savings.

Not only did the constant worry keep me mentally and spiritually drained, but the stress from not having internal peace also exacerbated my physical level of pain,

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

God is still merciful and does not leave us stranded when we genuinely repent of our wrongdoing. Although there was a 3-year waiting list for SSD applications, God rerouted my disability packet to another state, and my disability was approved in a record time of two months.

Fast forward to 2025, and from studying the Bible, I have learned that the human heart never loses its desire to acquire material possessions [the non-essentials], but we must practice our God-given gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7] with the commitment to live a sacrificial, obedient life, holy and acceptable to God.

“God, reveal Your will to me and I will obey,” is the daily prayer of surrender that honors God’s Sovereignty, and is not an easy prayer! But to love God is to honor Him with faithful obedience, which reveals our desire to be aligned with His perfect will.

Pray, Wait, and Obey!

God’s Love never changes. And His answers of No are not punitive, but demonstrate His immense love for us. We should never compare ourselves to others, often wondering why God is blessing them, but not us. Many believers step outside of God’s will by blessing themselves [like I did]; not every material acquisition is a gift from God

When God says “No,” our response should be, “Thank you, God for loving and protecting me from the future consequences that are impossible for me to anticipate.”

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17, Amplified Bible). Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: James 1, Revelation chapters 21-22.

Lord God, we thank You for being a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who knows every temptation we will endure in our lives. Lord, please give us the strength and the courage to overcome the internal conflict in our hearts of choosing loyalty and obedience to Your plans versus pursuing our desires without Your Divine blessing. In faith, we accept Your perfect will for our lives. We love You, thank You, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Sabbath Peace and Blessings – Our Heavenly Father Loves Us

“I have loved you with an everlasting love…” No other love can compete with God’s love. We do not have to earn His love. Even when we stray by following our own thoughts, He still loves us.

In times of correction and hardships, we may not feel loved, but our Heavenly Father has an Eternal plan of a Forever Life living with Him where abundant Agape love will permeate the New Heaven and New Earth.

So, He uses trials and hardships to chisel away the inherited stubbornness and selfishness in our hearts that threatens to destroy His perfect plans.

God blessed us with the Holy Sabbath to receive a much-needed 24 hours of rest, and a time in which, we receive spiritual renewal, and mental, emotional, and physical restoration.

The Sabbath is a God-given gift. We place the cares of our lives into His hands, and intentionally redirect our focus to God, our Father by worshiping Him with love, reverence, honor, and adoration.

Lord God, we thank You for Your love and Your beautiful gift of the seventh-day Sabbath. We look forward to the time when we will worship with You and the angels from Sabbath to Sabbath. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry