Recently, I read that when Satan forms weapons to use against us, whether he is using people to hurt us, damage our reputation, or deceive us with covert temptations, if our First Response is to remain silent and pray, Jesus, our Mighty Warrior fights our battles. And we know that Jesus always wins! Yes and Amen!
Always Trust God, who tells us: “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17).
“God promises us His Divine protection, assuring believers that Satan’s attacks will not succeed because God [always] vindicates His faithful servants.”
“This promise is a pledge for the safety of God’s people to mean that no plan of the enemy will succeed against those in a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Lord God, we thank You for Your promises to protect us from spiritual warfare and all mental, emotional, and physical danger. Lord, help us to have a heart filled with humility and surrender, so that our first response is to call on Your Sovereign Name for help, when we are facing adversity. We pray for the strength not to react with our emotions when facing conflict and opposition. This Holy Sabbath, we ask You for the Spiritual Blessings of increased faith, wisdom, and discernment. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26). This conversation between God, the Father, and God, Jesus, His Son, reveals the Christian believer’s identity.
In John chapter 17, Jesus prays for Himself, His twelve disciples, and His future disciples, which included everyone who accepts Christ as their personal Savior.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, NASB).
Matthew’s silence and his decision to abandon his corrupt job and lifestyle revealed that deep within his heart, he desired to give up sinful habits and follow Jesus Christ on an unknown spiritual journey.
Reflection: Do we perceive ourselves as committed disciples who desire to follow Christ with love, loyalty, and obedience?”
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Yet for the Holy Spirit to live in us, we must fulfill God’s Spiritual Qualifier: “Be holy, for I AM Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). How does holiness affect the minds and lives of true believers?
Can you imagine being invited to an event requiring formal evening wear, only to hear in the closing remarks an invitation to play volleyball in your finest clothing? As absurd as this sounds, many believers accept Christ as their personal Savior, but engage in the world’s sinful, filthy habits.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). To be clothed with Christ’s Righteousness, we must renounce sinful thoughts, habits, behaviors, and spoken words, and live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life of daily surrender and obedience.
Since we cannot live holy without Divine Power, through daily personal worship, we establish a heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit begins the lifelong process of Spiritual growth and transformation. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).
Every day, our priority is to renew our spiritual commitment to follow Christ, which connects us to our Shepherd and reinforces our status as Sons and Daughters of God. We ask God to reveal His plans for the new day, and the Holy Spirit instructs and gives us guidance on fulfilling God’s Will.
Yes, God knows that we have jobs and the routine duties of life to take care of, yet we are commanded to put God first. Time Management is God’s Specialty. With His guidance, we can accomplish our daily tasks and still have time and energy to fulfill our spiritual assignments.
The Challenge of Remaining Faithful and Obedient to God, Our Father
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). As Sons and Daughters of God, we have a spiritual requirement to always obey God. We honor God’s Sovereign Authority through faithful obedience because He is God, our Father, who loves us, and we love Him because we are His heirs.
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). Always pray for Divine guidance before making decisions. Although the challenge can appear insignificant, following our thoughts and solutions is disobedience to God, “I say, ‘My purpose will stand.'” (Isaiah 46:10).
When we love and honor God, how can we justify playing the Game of Chance by trying to resolve our challenges, which can result in escalation and consequences that we can avoid by asking God for the answers?
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9). God is always faithful! Each new day brings unknown obstacles, temptations, and dangers that only our Protective Heavenly Father knows and can resolve.
Pray, Wait for God’s Answer, and Obey: Dependency on God is not a burden when we desire to follow Christ with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience. Obedience is the worship that keeps us aligned with God’s Will because God’s Intervention always ends in Victory!
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). Without Christ, we are no match for Satan. Praying for Spiritual Guidance keeps us aligned with God’s plans and invites Jesus, our Mighty Warrior, to send angels to intervene when we face daily unknown obstacles, temptations, and dangers.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1, NIV).
As children of God, we maintain our spiritual connection with Christ through Prayer and Bible Study. Every day, we pray for God’s Will to be revealed, relying on the Holy Spirit to instruct us in our Heavenly Father’s plans for each new day.
In John chapter 10, Jesus tells a parable of the loving and tender relationship between a shepherd and his sheep: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). “But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:5, NIV).
Not only are we bombarded by the world’s voices, promising that if we follow their suggestions, our lives will improve and we will live peaceful and contented lives, but we must also fight against thinking our own thoughts [Proverbs 3:5-7] and Satan’s temptations.
Let go of self-reliance! To avoid embracing Satan’s schemes, we must do as Jesus did in His earthly life; Jesus prayed continuously. Whisper prayers at work and throughout the day and night. Always pray for Spiritual Wisdom and Discernment, and the Holy Spirit will empower you with spiritual insight and guide your steps.
Loving God and Following Christ With Surrender Is A Daily Choice
In Matthew 22:37, Jesus reiterates the command given in the Old Testament to love God with immense love: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
When we love God with our all, we will not hesitate to pray and obey our Heavenly Father, who loves us and desires to give us our best lives, including the reward of Eternal Life. Yet, we were created with free will, and we must choose to obey God, which reveals the true condition of our hearts.
Many believers have their own agendas, plans, and goals, never considering that we must love and obey God by following Christ, our Shepherd. Sadly, if we refuse to surrender, then we have chosen to disinherit ourselves as Sons and Daughters of God, for which there is no reward, except the life we are living now.
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind.” (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV). “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, ESV). Since it is impossible to hide secrets from God, He knows who genuinely loves Him and desires to surrender and obey His Will and Perfect Plans.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6, NIV). When we love God, we strive to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, with faithful obedience. Jesus tells us that He is the Living Water and the Bread of Life, and that we should seek Him daily through Prayer and Bible Study.
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). As Sons and Daughters of God, accepting our spiritual identity is the catalyst for making definitive changes. We no longer participate in worldly habits and behaviors, and our thoughts and spoken words reveal God’s Love.
Using our faith to trust and obey our Heavenly Father, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who performs the lifelong, daily spiritual process of Sanctification—Spiritual growth and transformation into the Righteousness of Christ.
By studying the Holy Scriptures, we learn Christ’s Character and how to live righteously. Prayer invites God, the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth and our Teacher, to give us spiritual wisdom and discernment of God’s One and Only Truth, instructs us on how to recognize Jesus’ Guiding Voice, and empowers us to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
God Speaks With a Quiet and Peaceful Voice: The Holy Spirit conveys God’s messages through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. God meets us where we are spiritually; His instructions are clear and concise, so that even a child can understand.
John 16:13: “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” (The Holy Spirit reveals truth and direction). We recognize the difference between human thoughts and God’s higher thoughts and ways, because His instructions always glorify and honor His Holy Name.
From eliminating distractions and putting God First, we will see ourselves through spiritual eyes as Sons and Daughters of the Most-High God. Jesus, our Savior and Triumphant King, is preparing us [through the Holy Spirit] to receive the Eternal Reward of our Forever Home in the New Heaven and New Earth with Abba, God, our Father, and Jesus, our Triumphant King. Hallelujah! Yes and Amen!
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16, 21-25).
Lord God, with surrender, we acknowledge that we are the temple of the Living God, in which the Holy Spirit resides. Today, we accept our identity as Your Sons and Daughters, with the commitment to strive every day for righteousness by not embracing the darkness of worldviews or following the path of self-gratification. Lord, it is only through your strength that we can remain faithful, and today, we ask for Your Strength. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)
Ask God for a Pure Heart: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). Planning for eternity with our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, requires daily preparation.
Morning worship is our daily priority. Prayer establishes and maintains our spiritual connection to Jesus Christ. We pray, expressing gratitude for the gift of a new day, thanking God for His faithfulness and blessings.
And most importantly, we ask God to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes, every day, we must ask for a pure heart, spiritual wisdom, discernment, and the strength to overcome our desires, and to stand against the enemy’s temptations.
In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that our lives will include exposure to the world’s love for and promotion of wealth, material possessions, and relationships, which always require compromise.
Satan’s goal is to entice us to embrace his redefined morals and values instead of preparing for Revelation 22:12.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:12-13).
Although it is common for us to think that Jesus’ Promise of making a New Heaven and New Earth was given first to John, the Apostle in Revelation, the prophet, Isaiah, also received Jesus’ Promise: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17).
We Are Temporary Travelers Living On A Temporary Earth: Sadly, the goals, pursuits, and lifestyles of many believers reveal they are not preparing to receive their Eternal Crown of Life. Salvation is free; Eternal Life is a reward.
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” (Romans 12:2, Amplified Bible).
Because we are affected by what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, we must be on high Spiritual Alert, intentionally filtering the stimuli we allow into our brains.
Yes, we love God, still, every believer has inherited a sinful heart and struggles with unfiltered thoughts and desires running through our minds.
When unrighteous thoughts and desires enter our minds, we must react as if it is an emergency! Immediately separate yourself to pray, asking God for strength.
If we continue to dwell on impure thoughts, Jesus tells us, “We are already guilty of committing the sins we are thinking about.”
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). For over 6,000 years, Satan has presented his highly skilled covert temptations as minor deviations from God’s Truth that really are not so sinful.
The Devastation of Embracing Satan’s Temptation
Satan told Eve: “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.'” (Genesis 3:4). Not only did Adam and Eve lose their immortality, but the first death was required to give them animal skins for clothing, Cain killed his brother Abel, and the Earth was cursed with human, animal, and plant death, which will last until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Covert Temptations: Conversations and activities that entice us to compromise and disobey God, resulting in our separation from the Righteousness of Christ.
The work environment is one of the easiest ways that Satan uses to expose us to conversations involving pleasure-seeking activities. Active listening always piques our mind’s interest, easily persuading us to compromise God’s command “Be holy, for I AM Holy.”
Political Debates: The statement, “We can agree to disagree, ” is a deceptive entrapment. Conversations involving opposing viewpoints produce hidden and lingering emotional feelings of anger and resentment.
As believers, if we are connected to Christ, we should easily avoid the obvious sinful activities of watching programs and games with sexual content and violence, but “Secular Music” also produces unholy effects on the brain:
“Music profoundly impacts the mind by activating multiple brain areas…It boosts dopamine for pleasure and motivation, lowers cortisol to reduce stress, enhances memory retrieval, and [redirects] our focus. Music evokes strong emotional responses… .”
Covert Temptation [Example]: Grape vineyards are phenomenal plants that produce beautiful and delicious grapes. However, as Christian believers, we should avoid attending winery tours, even if we do not participate in wine tasting. If the event is promoted by unbelievers, then Christ would never attend or approve our participation.
“Jesus hung out with sinners,” is a malicious lie that has permeated the Christian Community for a long time to attempt to justify our friendships with unbelievers.
Jesus’ Response to All Accusations Against Him: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:44).
God’s Command: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV).
No, we should not have close friendships with unbelievers, including family members. It is always the Christian believer who must compromise to remain in a relationship with those who do not love, honor, and obey God.
Two weeks ago, our neighborhood experienced a 6-hour blackout. And then the following week, we experienced another blackout for 2 hours.
One of our newest neighbors approached me and began discussing the frequency of the blackouts, to which I responded, Yes, it does occur at a higher rate than I have experienced in the past.
And from my response, she stated, “I was in my house cussing for hours,” and her next words included a flood of profanity, to which I responded, “Yes, it is upsetting to experience a blackout, but tell me how did your cussing help the situation?” And she was silent.
For the next few days, her profane spoken words replayed in my brain. It took much prayer, Bible Study, and listening to Inspirational music for my mind to be cleansed from those filthy words.
Now, when we see each other, I simply wave and enter the safety of my home. My love and loyalty are dedicated to Jesus Christ, and I will not allow Satan to use people to disrupt my relationship with Christ and destroy my gift of peace.
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flows springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). We guard our hearts by maintaining a strong relationship with Christ by praying throughout our day for Jesus’ Strength and Guidance.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Guarding our hearts is accomplished through prayer, which keeps us connected to the Power and Strength of Jesus Christ, which we receive from the Holy Spirit.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). We guard our hearts by studying the Scriptures under the guidance and teachings of the Holy Spirit, and incorporating God’s Holy Word into our daily lives, which keeps us anchored in Christ, the Rock.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4).
Lord God, you know our struggles and the temptations we will face, yet You promised in 1 Corinthians 10:1, “And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Lord, we ask for the wisdom and discernment to recognize and the spiritual strength to overcome Satan’s covert temptations and the conflicts of our internal desires, which oppose Your Righteous Plans for our lives. In faith, we ask this prayer, knowing that You will help us, in Jesus’ Loving and Powerful Name, Amen.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)
Strive For The Best Spiritual Health: Christ created us to live in harmony with God’s Laws of Health. Our mental, emotional, and physical health impacts our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
The concept “We are what we eat” is a reality, yet healthy intake extends beyond nutrients [food]. Every day, we use our Five Senses [sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch] to either build or tear down our Spiritual Health.
Satan entices us by appealing to our Senses; still, it is our hearts’ desires that propel us to say yes to temptation. “The mind influences the body and the body influences the mind.” We are shaped by what we watch, listen to, the habits we practice, and the people in our inner circle of family and friends.
God’s Standard for Believers: “Be holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
Because we live in a time when Satan has used digital and virtual platforms to covertly present compromising entertainment, many Christians are being deceived and engaging in sinful activities.
For example, I prefer playing logic games, so I chose one that had good reviews. All was well until it wasn’t. As I advanced to higher levels, I noticed an unusual number of words related to the occult, mythology, and criminal activity. And the Ads progressed from family appropriate to covert but suggestive immorality.
Although I diligently pray and study the Bible every day, I was focused on the game, which was challenging, and I had achieved a high score; I gradually became desensitized to the content. I thought, “It’s only a game, I don’t believe in those false teachings.”
Yahweh Nissi—Jesus Christ, Our Mighty Warrior Against Satan’s Deceptions
“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8, BSB).
Jesus loves and protects those who love Him. On the day I dismissed the game’s promotion of false teachings, during evening worship, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Do not love the things of this world.” And yes, I knew that I had a decision to make: Obey God and let go of the game, or continue in disobedience.
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” (1 John 2:15, NLT).
In 2026, Blended Christianity, the integration of “soft” worldly activities, has been accepted and is being practiced by many believers:
Hanging out with people who acknowledge that God exists, but do not serve Him, watching programming and playing games with violence, sexual content, or gambling, listening to secular music [Rock, Jazz, R&B, etc.], taking sleep gummies, recreational drugs, alcoholic drinks, using profanity, and the list is endless.
“Moral perfection is required of all believers. We should never lower the standard of Righteousness in order to satisfy our desires. We need to understand that nurturing character imperfections is wilfully sinning against God.”
Christ Is Our Righteous Standard and Role Model
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-17).
If unbelievers love and promote the activities, then we know they are not of God. Aggressive sports [hands-on contact], animal fights, parties with secular music, alcoholic beverages, and recreational use of marijuana, legal or not, are activities that will prevent us from receiving Eternal Life.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). We may not agree, but Jesus loved us unconditionally, paying with His life to save our souls. We cannot afford to let this Earth’s temporary trinkets corrupt our minds, making us apathetic toward receiving our Crown of Life.
The habits and lifestyles that we practice now either allow the Holy Spirit to transform us [Sanctification] to live righteously forever in a loving and peaceful New Heaven and New Earth with God, or they do not.
Every aspect of our being, our thoughts, choices, activities, and friends must reflect God’s Holiness. And yes, it is a tough decision, but we cannot justify socializing with unbelieving family members. It is always the Christian who must compromise when they choose friends who do not follow Christ.
We must ask ourselves, Does this activity or individual represent the Righteousness of Christ? Pray before embracing fun and relaxing activities, and let God choose your friends.
Reflection: We cannot judge ourselves. Our lifestyle reveals if we are following Christ on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Still, we should pray and ask God, “Does my heart and lifestyle represent the Righteousness of Christ?
“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 ask You to reveal the habits, activities, friends, and family members who are preventing us from living holy and receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to create a pure heart within us. As we honor Your Holy Sabbath, Lord, we ask for Your guidance, wisdom, and strength as we strive to live righteously. In faith, we ask this prayer in Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, Amen.
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18, NKJV; NIV)
“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself…” (John 5:26). Contrary to the false doctrine that has permeated Christianity, human beings did not kill Jesus, the Divine Son of God. The creation cannot kill the Creator. Yes and Amen!
“So when Jesus had received the [vinegar], He said, ‘It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.'” (John 19:30).
The “spirit” is the breath of life that Jesus breathed into Adam: “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7).
“Formation (The Physical): God used the dust of the ground (adamah), emphasizing humanity’s physical, earthy origin.”
“Breath (The Spiritual): God breathed directly into the man, representing a direct impartation of life and spirit (Ruach) from God.”
As a student, I studied Greek Mythology, and it is the Greek belief that a separate ghost-like spirit exists in the human body:
“Ancient Greek mythology and popular belief heavily featured spirits, known as eidola or phasmata (shadows or shades).”
“These were considered the lingering souls of the deceased, separate from the gods, which appeared when someone died improperly, prematurely, or violently, often seeking rest or vengeance.” Greek Mythology
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten…never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, NIV).
From using our faith to surrender to God, the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s One and Only Truth contained in the Holy Scriptures: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV).
In His earthly ministry, Jesus Gives Definitive Proof of His Divine status as the Son of God: “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Jesus Raises Lazarus: [John 11:17-18, 23-27]
“So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.” (Verses 17-18)
23 “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.'”
24 “Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.'”
25 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'”
27 “She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'”
Reflection: Do we really believe that Jesus is who He says He is? “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Our religious beliefs reveal whether we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who is God the Son.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, and our Teacher to give us the spiritual discernment to understand God’s higher thoughts and ways revealed in the Scriptures. Our heavenly destiny relies on knowing and practicing God’s Truth.
“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” (John 5:22-23).
Yeshua will judge every believer by the Words of the Living God found in the Holy Scriptures. We must study the Bible for ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do not let human wisdom persuade you to believe erroneous concepts that are not found in the Holy Bible.
True Followers of Christ surrender to Him daily through the commitment of personal worship. Prayer, Bible Study, and Praising God with singing reveal our true love and dedication to our Savior, Redeemer, and Triumphant King.
Up From the Grave He Arose Lyrics
“Up from the grave He arose With a mighty triumph o’er His foes, He arose a Victor from the dark domain And He lives forever with His saints to reign He arose! (He arose) He arose! (He arose) Hallelujah! Christ arose!” Songwriter: Robert Lowry
Bible Study: John Chapters 10-11
Lord God, we praise Your Holy Name for Your love and the gift of Your Precious and Holy Son, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. We celebrate the Divine Gift of Your Love, Life, and Salvation, not because of a designated Holy Week; Jesus, with gratitude, we celebrate You every day. Thank You for the gift of Your Life, allowing us to be saved from the sin’s devastating consequences. We love, revere, and praise your Holy Name. Thank you, Jesus, for Your Life and Your Love, and ask this prayer in Your Righteous and Holy Name, Amen.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)
When Jesus, our Precious Redeemer and Savior, suffered, lovingly giving His life on Calvary’s Cross, He gave us the power of choice to receive Salvation through His Grace.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV). “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV).
We usually do not consider this amazing aspect of our Savior’s sacrificial gift: God the Father and God the Son are Omniscient [All-Knowing], and knew that the majority of humanity would reject their Free Gift of Salvation.
Jesus On Calvary’s Cross: The Reaction of the Majority
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!'” (Matthew 27:39-40, NIV).
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if He wants him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:41-43, NIV).
It is difficult for the human mind to process giving a valuable gift to a person who would not only despise and reject the gift, but also despise and reject the Giver of the Gift.
Jesus Christ’s Death On The Cross: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (Matthew 27:50).
God, the Father, Reveals Jesus’ Identity As His Son and Acceptance of Jesus’ Sacrificial Offeringof His Life on Calvary
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city [Jerusalem] and appeared to many.” (Matthew 27:51-53).
The Impact of Jesus’ Death on the Centurion and Guards: “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!'” (Matthew 27:54).
How is God’s gift of Jesus impacting our spiritual journey? We were created to honor God by abiding in Christ, which requires us to be in alignment with God’s Will and Perfect Plans.
“Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, [that requires] a life of unreserved surrender to His service.”
Yet, even as dedicated Christians, we struggle with inherited hearts that drive us to practice self-reliance, following our thoughts, and plans. But we must pray for strength and fight daily to overcome our natural tendencies through the Power of Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us, “Do not follow your thoughts…or be wise in your own eyes.” Yes, we love God and Jesus, but our hearts will always lead us against God’s higher thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9].
Our True Spiritual Status: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6-7).
Many Who Mocked and Condemned Christ When He Was On the Cross Repented on the Day of Pentecost:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?'”
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (Acts Chapter 2:36-39, 41).
Yes, once a year, there is a global religious acknowledgment of Jesus’ gift of Salvation on Calvary’s Cross and His resurrection from the tomb, yet true Believers whose hearts are converted by the Holy Spirit celebrate Jesus’ gift of Salvation with a faithful commitment of love, loyalty, obedience, and gratitude every day.
Reflection: Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3). Are you in right-standing with God? Pray and ask Jesus to reveal any obstacles preventing you from receiving your Crown of Life.
“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…” (John 10:27). Through personal worship, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us [through the Holy Spirit] on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
As Believers, every day, we celebrate our freedom from sin’s bondage because God, the Father, gifted us Jesus, His Son, redeeming us, so we would not have to die for our sins. Yes and Amen!
Every day, we celebrate God’s gift of Redemption by living a sacrificial life of obedience, self-denial, and by renouncing all worldly morals, values, and sinful practices [Romans 12:1-2]. Our love, honor, and reverence for the Triune God are revealed through our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyles.
Every day, we celebrate Jesus, our Redeemer, by dedicating ourselves as faithful, obedient followers of our Savior and Shepherd. Our love, loyalty, and faith to God are steadfast because we separate ourselves to commune with Christ, our Intercessor, for daily personal worship, prayer, and Bible Study.
From striving to follow Jesus, yes, we will be severely tempted in various ways by Satan, who desires to redirect our faith and focus from God to ourselves. When facing temptation, conflict, and uncertainty, remind yourself, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13), and immediately pray for Divine Help!
Because it is easy for us to become distracted and forget about Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, and His Role as our Mediator, the Apostle Paul tells us to work on our salvation with fear and trembling [Reverencing and Honoring God with Faithful Obedience].
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11, 16).
Lord God, in faith, we express our love, loyalty, and appreciation for the Plan of Redemption and our Salvation. We commit to honor and revere Jesus Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, with surrender and faithful obedience. Thank You for giving us the choice to be saved from the consequences of sin. In faith, we commit to celebrating Jesus’ Gift of His Life, Resurrection, and the fulfilled Plan of Redemption every day. Thank You, God, for Your Amazing Love, and we ask this prayer in the Righteous and Redeeming Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Life is a wonderful blessing. We can learn to use our talents and spiritual gifts, choose our careers, and use our emotions to smile, laugh, and celebrate our accomplishments.
Yet, at some point in our lives, every human being shares the common experience of the abyss of emotional pain. When loss occurs, we experience disappointment and a sense of helplessness, often wondering if we had done things differently, could the loss have been prevented? The answer is usually no.
Loss happens in various ways: We lose jobs, our homes from the inability to pay the mortgage and from natural disasters, and wars; relationships, engagements, and marriages end; our health deteriorates; but the most devastating is the death of a loved one, which threatens to consume our very existence.
Jesus tells us that our earthly lives will include hardships: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [hardships and adversity]; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
As Christian believers, how are we supposed to respond when we experience loss? True Peace and Rest are Found in Jesus: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
We use our faith to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us, He is faithful, and keeps our hope alive and thriving by always fulfilling His promises in the Holy Scriptures.
Jesus Promise: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3).
Yes, we will cry many tears in our earthly lives, yet if we invite Jesus into our pain, He promises to heal us. Although physical healing is not promised, Jesus always heals our mental and emotional distress because remaining unhealed interferes with our spiritual growth and transformation.
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD…” (Jeremiah 30:17). Jesus Christ created us, and He is the One who promises to apply His Healing Balm to soothe our pain and heal our shattered hearts.
Jesus is our Compassionate Shepherd, gently guiding and moving us forward day by day, in little steps; Our Savior never expects us to take giant leaps in our Healing Journey.
Yes, even in our disappointment and despair, we are expected to use our faith to pray daily for strength and believe in Jesus’ infinite love, power, and promises.
Jesus’ Promise of Restoration: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all Grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV).
When we use our faith [even if it is weak] to trust Jesus, He promises to restore and strengthen us and to give us New Beginnings.
“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, ESV)
Lord God, we come to you in our sorrow and brokenness, asking you to heal our hearts and to give us the strength to keep moving forward. We thank You for always loving us and Your never-ending faithfulness. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).
Beginning each new day with a heart filled with praise and gratitude to God is a life-changing experience! From focusing on our blessings, our hearts are filled with love, joy, and peace.
Prayers of Gratitude redirects our focus from our desires to God’s overflowing blessings of life, health, an alert and oriented mind, and angelic protection from all harm.
Every day, we should express, “Thank You, God” for our consistent blessings of His guidance, resolving our challenges, and receiving all of our provisions.
Another blessing that we may take for granted, is the freedom to worship God without suffering persecution. Thousands of Christian brothers and sisters must worship God secretly, and we pray that God will give them strength to persevere.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).
Because God loves us and we trust Him, we know that we have all that we need. Grateful hearts also receive [from Christ] the spiritual gifts of peace, joy, and happiness.
By maintaining a spirit of commitment, we reveal our love, loyalty, and appreciation to Jesus Christ, Yahweh Yireh, our Faithful Provider, who deserves our praise and worship.
King David reminds us throughout the Book of Psalms to place our “full hope, trust, and joy in the LORD, who is our Shield and Helper.”
True joy comes from trusting in Jesus’ Holy Name and thanking Him for His Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercy. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, You have blessed us with another day of life, and we come to You with hearts filled with gratitude for all that You do for us. Yahweh Yireh, our Faithful Provider, we thank You for the sacrificial gift of Your life, for shielding us from unseen spiritual warfare and physical danger, and giving us hope, joy, and peace. In faith and with gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27, NLT)
Although the Monarch of Egypt could have easily commanded that Moses be put to death for relaying God’s message of freeing Israel from slavery, Moses placed his faith in God, courageously telling Pharaoh ten times, “God said, ‘Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'”
It was not until the tenth and final plague, “the death of the Egyptian firstborn males, both human and animal,” that Pharaoh was humbled, allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt, initiating the Exodus.
Because God, the Father, loved humanity, He required Jesus to die on Calvary’s Cross to redeem us from the slavery of sin [Romans 6:23]. Yes, Jesus paid the price of our freedom, still, love must be reciprocal; we must also serve God with love, faithful obedience, and a daily sacrificial offering:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [Romans 12:1-2, ESV].
The believer’s life is one of sacrifice. We must renounce sin, secular music, violent games, pornography, same-sex programs, gambling, drinking, using mood-enhancing substances, sexual immorality, unmarried and living together, relationships with unbelievers, and employment where covert corruptness exists.
With faith and humility, we must let go of all selfish desires to follow Christ. Yet one of the Christian community’s greatest mistakes is the practice of “Self-reliance.” If we awaken with a personal agenda and the strategies to complete our goals without ever praying and asking God to reveal His plans for the new day, then God is not first in our lives.
Through self-evaluation, we should pray, asking God to reveal any stumbling blocks in our lives that would prevent us from receiving our reward of Eternal Life. We have become too comfortable in our earthly lives. Instead of seeing ourselves as “Temporary Travelers on a Temporary Earth,” our focus is on pursuing our desires and goals, leaving little time for a personal relationship with Christ.
Truthfully, we know how we are spending our time. Jobs, personal habits, and relationships that cause us to put God in second place, we must let go of. The day will come when God commands us to “Let go” of whatever is causing us to place God as number two.
God’s Command to Abram: “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1).
Abraham’s Response: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8). God moved Abram from a pagan land, changed his name to Abraham, and made him the father of a great nation.
Reflection: Think deeply on how you would respond if God commanded you not to marry the person you are deeply in love with, resign from your job, not purchase the home or vehicle, or relocate to another state or country?
Because we have redirected our faith and trust from God to ourselves, when God commands us to let go or to perform a task that requires a giant leap of faith, we will respond with doubt and fear. Self-reliance destroys our faith and trust in God’s Sovereign and Absolute Power.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Our independent lifestyles shape our perception of God. Instead of seeing God as the All-Powerful God that He is, we place God on our level, as if He possesses the same human limitations that we were created with.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). When God gives us a command, He already has the entire plan worked out that always ends in victory! Know this:
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:19).
Steadfast Faith Anchors Us to Jesus Christ: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4).
Our faith and courage must be anchored in Jesus Christ, the Rock. Consistent personal worship [Prayer and Bible Study] establishes and maintains our relationship with Christ, and builds our faith and trust in God’s Sovereign Power.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Prayer elevates us spiritually into God’s presence, where we receive a supernatural blessing of the strength to persevere, and the reassurance that God will help us, resulting in renewed hope and peace.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25). Throughout the Bible, we learn that God always helps the righteous when in faith, we pray, ask, and thank Him in advance for His Divine Intervention.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). Every day, we must actively participate in our Salvation. Spiritual growth and transformation can only happen when we do our part: Follow Jesus, pray for guidance, and study the Holy Scriptures to learn God’s Loving and Righteous Character, and do exactly what He requires of us.
In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul tells us that Sanctification requires the decision to surrender, practice self-denial, and the willingness to faithfully follow Christ, trusting and obeying His plans for our lives.
Manage Your Time Wisely: Designating specific times for worship strengthens our faith and courage because the Holy Spirit provides us with deeper spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and discernment of the Scriptures, God’s Righteous Character, and His promises to deliver us.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Our relationship with Jesus Christ is a daily spiritual journey that requires faith and the courage to trust in God’s Sovereign Plans and Power.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
The life of a believer is one of total surrender and faithful obedience. We strive to maintain a Christ-Centered, Faith-based commitment to God by praying for the continuous guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14). Jesus warns us that following Him is a daily, intentional decision to use our faith to trust and obey God. The Path of Righteousness is a “Challenging Road of Faith and Obedience leading to Eternal Life.”
We were created to trust and depend on Christ. It is spiritually impossible to use only human thoughts and efforts to keep ourselves on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.
“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). If we use our faith to completely trust and rely on Jesus’ wisdom, we will receive spiritual guidance from the Holy Spirit.
The Creation story in Genesis chapters 1-3 reveals God’s Loving Character. From the beginning, Jesus created a most beautiful earthly home that provided all that we would ever need.
Because God is Omniscient [All-Knowing], God knew that Adam and Eve would choose to disobey. Yet, the Plan of Redemption requiring Christ to die on Calvary’s Cross was already established before the creation of humanity.
Reflection: Where do we really stand in our faith journey with Jesus Christ?
“For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good, and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s goal is for the righteous to live forever with Him. Still, every human being chooses their destiny. Only with steadfast faith, trust, and obedience, and the power of the Holy Spirit, can we receive our Eternal reward.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).
Lord God, we thank You for Your amazing love and the gift of Your only Son, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. Lord, we confess that we are not steadfast in our faith and trust, and for this we ask for forgiveness. We desire Eternal Life and ask for the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us in our choices. Give us the wisdom to prepare ourselves as we seek you through daily prayer and study of the Scriptures. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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