Tag: God loves us

Speaking Words of Gratitude Is Life-Changing

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 27, 2024

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” —Psalm 34:1

From a shepherd boy to the King whose bloodline Jesus was born, David is our ultimate example of praising God even when adversity seeks to take your life. Although the prophet Samuel anointed David as God’s Chosen King as a teen, David remained a fugitive [Approx. 15 years] fleeing from King Saul whose jealousy and rage produced the desire to take David’s life.

During his time on the run, David, hid in caves, navigated through mountainous terrain, experienced nature’s changing climates, often lacked food, was under the constant threat of spies, and had to provide for himself and the men who banded together as warriors like him. The one time he was caught, David pretended to be deranged in front of the foreign king Abimelech [Psalm 34] who quickly released him.

God developed righteous character traits [including humility and obedience] and a warrior spirit in David during his years of adversity. Once David became king, the palace was always tumultuous due to the ongoing animosity from his advisors and subordinates, who could not openly disrespect the king; however, their eyes revealed the covert hostility hidden deep within their hearts. Anarchy emerged from two of his sons, Princes Absalom and Adonijah who attempted to overthrow David, but God intervened, and who can win a battle against God?

“This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.” —Psalm 34:6

As a boy, David tended sheep and played the harp, yet, he was born with a courageous warrior spirit. God empowered [the boy] David to kill a lion and bear with his hands. As a young man, he led King Saul’s armies, defeating countless pagan armies. As King, the command to annihilate his enemies required only a few spoken words, yet, he humbled himself in obedience to God and withstood his grievous trials.

The book of Psalms reveals the King’s constant cries for God’s help and strength, yet, the Psalms are prayers of adoration, gratitude, and trust in the Lord. David, a gifted musician and writer loved God, his praises of gratitude comprise 150 chapters. God called David, “a man after His own heart.” Throughout his life, God reassured David that he was loved and protected—King Saul and David’s sons never had the opportunity to kill David.

“I, the LORD, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” —Jeremiah 17:10

Would our praises, prayers, and songs fill a book? When our love and loyalty are genuine, we readily honor God with much gratitude expressed through praise, prayers, and diligent study of His Holy Scriptures. Praise and worship are also reflected through daily surrender and obedience.

Many believers have conflicted feelings toward God as demonstrated by the failure to surrender and obey. It is easy for our worship to become ritualistic. Without loyalty and obedience, we cannot experience spiritual growth. Praise extends beyond church services. When we are in the right standing with God, our praise flows like a boundless waterfall—Abundant love for God produces endless praise!

“Yet I have this against you—that you no longer love Me as you did at first.” —Revelation 2:4

Where do we stand in our love relationship with Jesus Christ who is the Truth, the Life, and the Way? God is Love! We were created to love, praise, and worship God with our hearts, souls, and minds. Whether our sins are unintentional or from the refusal to surrender ourselves completely to the will of God, His love and faithfulness remain steadfast.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” —Ezekiel 36:26

God never abandons us! Great is His Faithfulness! Our Heavenly Father always extends mercies and gives us hope by admonishing us to repent, receive His mercies of forgiveness, and begin again. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). All praises to our Loving Father. Amen.

We are the recipients of Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross. Even in adversity, God is Good. Praise in our earthly lives prepares us for the reward of our forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Love for God is revealed in consistent praise—adoration is a righteous character trait. True Christianity consists of a heart filled with gratitude to God expressed through spoken and written words, prayers, and singing.

El Shaddai is one of the ways that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) is referred to in the Jewish Bible. The phrase is Hebrew. It can be understood as “God Almighty or All-Sufficient God the Sustainer/Provider.”

Only El Shaddai can bless us with the breath flowing through our lungs. The song, “Count your blessings, see what the Lord has done” reminds us of God’s Sovereignty and awakens us from our spiritual sleep. God is our only Source of Life. Today was another day of life, personally gift-wrapped by El Shaddai. Expressing gratitude to God redirects our focus from the receiver (ourselves) to God, the Giver of all good things.

Anxiety, worry, frustration, and defeat cannot exist in those whose hearts are overflowing with gratitude for their daily blessings. David is our example of expressing real love for God through praise and thanksgiving. Every day speak affirmative words, sing songs, and lift your hands in surrender to our Heavenly Father who deserves love, joy, honor, and adoration! Yes and Amen!

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear [reverence] the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” —Psalm 34:8-9

Lord God, we lift Your Holy Name in praise by giving You the honor and glory that is rightfully yours. Lord, we love You and thank You for the continuous blessings of breath in our bodies, health, strength, and our necessities of life. Thank You for Your Divine Intervention when facing adversity and for the peaceful times. Thank You for Your faithfulness, love, grace, and mercies. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

I Then Shall Live As One Who Is Forgiven – Performance Worship Video – GVB

“About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. —Matthew 27:46, 50

For Jesus’ sacrificial offering for humanity, with gratitude, we can strive to live as one who is forgiven through daily surrender and faithful obedience. Amen.

©2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Because of God’s Loving Kindness, Always Rejoice!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 19, 2024

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness, I have drawn you.” —Jeremiah 31:3

To understand God’s love, we must diligently search the Scriptures. From tolerating the rebellion of the Israelites for 40 years to His intervention of giving them victory over enemy armies to the gift of Redemption through Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross, we have infallible proof that God’s love for humanity is steadfast.

Yet intellectual knowledge does not affirm or give us confidence in God’s love. Worship must evolve into a lifestyle in which we consistently reflect on God’s Loving and Righteous Character and His faithfulness. From our many challenges, deep within our hearts, we know with conviction that God has given us victory.

“I will never leave you or forsake you is Christ’s promise. God is the Sustainer of our lives. “The Hebrew word ruach (רוּחַ) refers to the breath of God in the Bible and is translated as ‘spirit’ or ‘wind.’ It is a representation of God’s essence, which sustains life and animates all living things.”

God’s Love Revealed in Adversity: “As long as my breath is in me, And the breath of God in my nostrils, My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.” —Job 27:3-4

Although Job did not understand the severe adversity in his life, he maintained his integrity and the goodness of God by proclaiming his life was sustained by the breath of God. Something is not right when we receive our Heavenly Father’s blessings beyond measure and our temperament reveals unhappiness, anxiety, worry, and fear. Do we believe that God desires our happiness?

Scripture Validates God’s Desire for Our Happiness: The Story of Creation reveals a perfect and breathtaking world that Christ created for Adam and Eve. The planet we live on was made for humanity. Even with Earth’s rapid decline, through actual or virtual traveling, nature still gives us evidence of Jesus, the Master Artist’s love of resplendent beauty.

The apostle Paul tells us to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). If God promised to give us all of our provisions, Jesus died to redeem us from our sins, protects us from the enemy’s spiritual war, sustains our lives, and is waiting to provide us with a forever home in the New Heaven and New Earth, why aren’t we praising God for His goodness?

King Solomon Identifies Our Source of Unhappiness: Everything Has Its Time: “To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

1. God’s timing never coincides with our desire for instant gratification. God rarely fast-tracks. With faith, we must “Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

2. Our goals do not align with God’s plans to prepare us for Eternal life. We desire total fulfillment in our earthly lives instead of focusing on John 14:1-3.

3. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Our heart desires self-governance and self-reliance which opposes God’s requisites to surrender and obey.

“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

Obedience to God is the gateway to living happy, peaceful lives. Every morning, with thanksgiving, we proclaim our love to our Heavenly Father through our vow of surrender and faithful obedience. Our prayer for God’s will to be done demonstrates our love, reverence, and honor to His Sovereignty because we owe our very existence to Him.

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” —Genesis 2:7

We rejoice because we are alive! Yes and Amen to receiving God’s mercies of this new day. We show our appreciation of God’s Agape love with praise and singing. Our Heavenly Father is the Supreme Source of Life. Each breath represents God’s breath flowing in and out of our lungs. Thank You, God. Amen.

“In the Bible, there are many benefits to living a faithful and obedient life, including Protection: The Lord saves and protects the righteous from trouble and the wicked. “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience], And He rescues [each of] them.” —Psalm 34:7, Amplified Bible

“…When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). Despite facing adversity and temptation, Job Chapter 1 shows that our Loving Savior, Jesus Christ protects us by restricting the harm Satan wishes to inflict on righteous believers. Thank You, Triumphant King!

Another gift we seldom acknowledge as a blessing is our careers and jobs. King Solomon reminds us that work is designed to be a blessing and a source of happiness and satisfaction. “What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” —Ecclesiastes 3:9-11, NIV

Career/Job Dissatisfaction: According to TeamStage statistics, “globally almost half of the employees love their job.” So let’s place a guestimate of 48% of those who love their jobs and the majority, 52% are dissatisfied with their present career choice. Not one Christian believer should fall into the majority of individuals who are dissatisfied with their jobs.

After creating Adam, Christ gave the first man the responsibility of naming every living animal and caring for his home, the Garden of Eden. When we seek God and ask Him to reveal His plans for our lives, it also includes His choice of our career path. If we obey, we receive His blessing and the empowerment to use our innate gifts and talents for His honor and glory.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” —Colossians 3:23

When we commit and surrender to God’s will, we enjoy His plans for our lives. With a spirit of humility, we gain satisfaction from our daily work because our priority is to please God. The promotion you hoped for that did not come to fruition was not God’s plan for your life. We may never receive human validation, yet, the true believer does not require praise from others.

The Overwhelming Root of Dissatisfaction: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” —Hebrews 13:5

Nothing should motivate us and create happiness more than a job well done. Money is not a motivator! Many individuals receive less compensation than their qualifications, yet, they enjoy peace, joy, and happiness because they obediently fulfill their God-given purpose. Self-sufficiency separates us from God who created us to depend on His plans and power.

Tests, Trials, and Adversity: “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.” —1 Peter 4:12

Fiery trials are God’s method of saving our souls. Many believers’ characters and personalities do not align with Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 4:32], therefore God allows hardships to test and strengthen their faith and obedience and purge their character defects. Still, we must admit our faults and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for spiritual transformation.

The Prophet Jeremiah Reminds Us of God’s Loving Kindness: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” —John 17:24

©2024 Steps to Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Keeping Ourselves Before the Throne of Grace

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 11, 2024

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” —1 Peter 5: 7

This morning, I began a season of prayer for a situation I cannot resolve without Divine Help. As I was praying, the Holy Spirit spoke to me [through my thoughts] with instructions to begin fasting at that moment. During, my worship, I also studied Joshua chapter 6 which gives us the story of God’s exact instructions to Joshua on marching around Jericho.

God desires to give us a victorious life, but we must depend on Him by dedicating ourselves to setting aside uninterrupted time through prayer and fasting. When the disciples could not cast out the child’s demons they asked Jesus, “Why not?” Jesus’ answer: “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’ ” (Mark 9:28-29).

The disciple’s lack of faith prevented them from performing the miracle. We can never reach the point of having too much faith. Building steadfast faith requires more than our daily routine of 20 to 30 minutes of prayer and Bible study. To live as an overcomer means we must deny ourselves by dedicating more of our time to God and learning to hear His Voice.

As of today, I am a witness that obedience is the gateway to victory. I no longer carry the burden from last week that disrupted my peace of mind night and day. During my fast, from much prayer and studying the story of Jericho’s walls falling from the people marching around the city, I have a deeper understanding of God’s faithfulness. Still, I had to use faith to acknowledge His Sovereign Power and yes, I thanked Him for the victory in advance.

Excerpt from “The Privilege of Prayer” by EGW

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).”

“His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice.”

“There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest.”

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.” —Psalm 147:3-5

“The relationship between God and each soul is as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watch care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.” [End of Quote]

“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” —Romans 8:26-28

Through Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and Mediator, we are given complete access to God’s Divine Power and Presence through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only imparts Jesus’ strength in our weaknesses but He [God, the Holy Spirit] also takes our prayers that ascend as sweet incense to God, Jesus Christ, our High Priest in the Heavenly Holy of Holies.

Committing to surrender and faithfully obeying God is a sign that we love and honor Him. God also honors us by intervening against our enemies and resolving life’s challenges. We have a Loving Father who grants us spiritual blessings beyond measure. Yes, we have the assurance that the Triune God will intervene on our behalf when we keep ourselves before His Throne of Grace. Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for loving us and the privilege of seeking Your help without constraint in our time of need. We give you the honor and glory that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

©2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry

Gaining the Victory Over a Spirit of Offense

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 10, 2024

“Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” —Proverbs 19:11 (RSV)

There is a wonderful power in silence. When impatient words are spoken to you, do not retaliate. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually act as a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh, impatient words. With the tongue bridled, he may be victorious in every trial of patience through which he is called to pass.

In his own strength man cannot rule his spirit. But through Christ he may gain self-control. In his strength he may bring his thoughts and words into subjection to the will of God. The religion of Christ brings the emotions under the control of reason and disciplines the tongue. Under its influence the hasty temper is subdued, and the heart is filled with patience and gentleness.

Hold firmly to the One who has all power in heaven and in earth. Though you so often fail to reveal patience and calmness, do not give up the struggle. Resolve again, this time more firmly, to be patient under every provocation. And never take your eyes off your divine Example.

You are reading an excerpt from a Devotional, “Reflecting Christ” by Ellen G. White.

We may think nothing will offend us, but words are powerful! As Christians, our goal is to possess the Character of Christ. In Jesus’ earthly life, the Pharisees and Jewish rulers consistently dishonored His proclamation of being sent from God. In John chapter 8, verses 37-44, the conversation is recorded by the Apostle John between Jesus and angry Jews who claimed they were holy because of their descent from Abraham.

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God” (John 8:44-47).

The Crowd’s Reaction: “Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).

Even though we are Christian believers, God tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The worldview of “You have your truth and I have my truth” has permeated the Christian Community. No longer does “Iron sharpen iron” where one believer attempts to help another believer return to God’s Truth.

“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.…” —James 5:19-20

We must study the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to avoid using our thoughts to discern God’s Truth. How do we respond when a fellow believer tries to guide us back to God’s righteous precepts? Do we react with offense? God uses believers to help each other because our highest earthly goal is to receive our Crown of Life.

If another believer rejects God’s Truth do not try to convince them with a sparring match. Pray for them, if their hearts are receptive, the Holy Spirit will take over.

We can expect Satan to use people to keep us offended. But a spirit of offense reveals a proud, haughty heart. The Apostle Paul tells us in perilous times, “People will be lovers of themselves…” We cannot afford to be above correction! Sanctification, the lifelong journey of the Holy Spirit transforming our minds, characters, and personalities requires our active cooperation as reflected in possessing a spirit of humility and admitting when we are wrong.

May we pray as King David prayed, “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

Lord God, we repent for harboring the spirit of offense. We ask You to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment to know when we are in error. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen

©2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions