God – Page 20 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Letting Go of Our Lifestyles

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 7, 2024

When a company recruits new employees they utilize predetermined standards for productivity and core character traits to select the best candidates. Integrity, loyalty, dependability, and flexibility comprise the list of must-haves for possible hire consideration. To be successful, every business requires an employee mixture of various skill levels and personalities.

The worker bees are the foundation of every business. They are loyal and steadfast because they usually desire to remain with the company until they retire if things remain as they are. Their happiness and satisfaction arise from established routines. However, this trait usually prevents them from welcoming new ideas of progress. Unfortunately, many people lose their jobs due to their resistance to change.

To remain competitive, every company needs high achievers who possess innate qualities above minimal standards and have definitive goals for their future. Not only do they accept and believe in the company’s vision and mission, but they are innovative and driven to soar like Eagles in their careers by seeking professional and personal growth and development.

Although the achievers move the company forward, their drive for personal success can create a spirit of disloyalty. The movers and shakers will stay with the company as long as they are climbing the career ladder. If their goals are not met within a certain timeframe then they secure another job and will resign without remorse.

Still, many develop their vision and mission by paving the road to entrepreneurship—self-employment. With much courage, they learn how to operate a business, research, follow their instincts, and develop successful business plans to propel their dream of providing essential services to customers.

Entrepreneurs are driven and usually succeed because they seek the savvy advice of those who possess expertise in their given area of business. Many entrepreneurs are also employed because they desire to learn the business culture and operations. To maintain a competitive edge, all three distinctive personalities are required for a company’s economic stability and growth.

“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

Our lifestyles reflect our core beliefs and practices. For the Christian believer, the independent mindset, values, and goals we develop in our personal lives to satisfy our desires and remain competitive in this world will always present conflict with God’s Commandments, Righteous Standards, Holy Principles, and plans for our lives. Surrendering to God means that we let go of all the unrighteousness in our characters and present lifestyles.

A Living Sacrifice: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, given 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). To faithfully serve God, we must surrender to this lifelong commitment, “My life is not my own.” You may think, “If only it was that easy.” To overcome this roadblock, we must identify the traits that intensify our struggle and prevent surrendering to God.

The Dissatisfied Believer is always striving for more: “He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,’ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman” (Genesis 3:1-4).

Deep within her heart, Eve desired more than the perfect life God gave to her and Adam. When our hearts desire more than God has blessed us with, our focus becomes distorted. Our rational thought processes cannot compete with our heart’s carnal desires. If we begin to think deeply about our desires then [like Eve who added a command that God never gave, “and you must not touch it…”] our minds become confused, “Did God really say that?” and we fall hard.

The Believer Who Relies on Themselves: Let’s fast forward to 2024. You are a business owner who is thriving as is, but a family member or friend informs you of a current trend in which other businesses are making a lot of money. Instead of saying no, you begin to think about the small amount it would take to invest but the mark-up of 125% return would be great. In your mind, this is a win-win situation. Yes, your profit margin would increase.

Instead of praying, waiting, and seeking sound advice, you develop a no-fail plan to expand the business by investing two to three thousand dollars. Sadly without knowing the market was already saturated with these non-essential trendy products, three months later you still have cases of products without any sales.

The Believer Who Loves to Receive Blessings: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Jesus clarified that the love of money always separates us from God. We tell ourselves that we do not love money because our definition of loving money never aligns with God’s definition. But we love things. Reflect on the past four weeks, how many people have you helped? “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ ” (Acts 20:35).

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

The Secular Christian: Last week, I learned about the humanmade concept of Secular Christianity. The premise is “You don’t have to live in fear as a nonsecular Christian. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, not works.” Sadly, the person who believes in God and loves worldliness is in a worse predicament than the unbeliever because they truly believe they will have eternal life.

“They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.” —Titus 1:16

Although Secular Christianity appears to be a new heretical theory, many believers have practiced secularism by disobeying God for the majority of their Christian experience. Not only do they attempt to redefine God’s Grace to cover their sins, but they also attend church as an act of contrition to absolve their unrighteousness. They have fallen prey to Satan’s deception that all is well between themselves and God.

“So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound?” Paul replies with a resounding “God forbid” (Romans 6:2). “To desire to continue in sin shows a misunderstanding of this abundant grace and a contempt for Jesus’ sacrifice. Either we believe what God says is true or we don’t.” (Grand Canyon University, Spiritual Life Blog)

Gifting God with our Hearts: “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). To be who God has called us to be, we cannot give Him a piece offering [only a piece of our hearts]. It’s all or nothing. As one songwriter expressed, “It takes our everything to serve the Lord.”

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him” (Matthew 9:9). Matthew’s response to Jesus’ invitation is more powerful than human words can express. He left the tax table and immediately followed Jesus. Not only did He acquiesce to Christ’s Sovereignty, Matthew gave up His lifestyle and never looked back.

Humility, Surrender, Faith, and Obedience are Core Christ-like Characteristics

Like the worker bees, we must be faithful, loyal, and obedient disciples who desire to complete our spiritual tasks. As followers of Christ [working disciples], we remain steadfast and persevere in our spiritual assignments until we retire [breathe our last breath]. Unlike the employer’s worker bees, we embrace every change required for our spiritual transformation.

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” —John 17:4

Although we cannot pray Jesus’ exact prayer, we can pray, “God, I am doing my best to honor and glorify You with my love, surrender, and faithful obedience.” As spiritual high achievers, we accept God’s vision and plans for our lives. We pray for the Holy Spirit to empower us with the strength and wisdom to complete our God-given goals. Unlike the corporate high achievers, we remain loyal to Christ by discarding our pursuit of personal goals and remaining on our Chosen Path.

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” —Psalm 25:9

To follow Christ requires the courage of an entrepreneur. We must be prepared to get out of the boat and walk on the water of adversity. The reason we can move forward despite our hardships is because we trust Christ. Our relationship with Him is steadfast because worship is our core practice. The Bible is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

“Sola Scriptura means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture…” We have the Holy Bible to guide us on the Righteous Path. As followers of Christ, we believe that all Scripture was given by God and is still relevant today [the exception is the Ceremonial Law—no more animal sacrifice—Jesus paid it all].

Although we are tempted by many deceptive schemes, unlike the entrepreneur who may take a risk, we rely on God’s Divine wisdom for guidance. Not only do we invite the presence of God into our lives every day, we faithfully pray for God’s will to be revealed, and wait to hear His Voice instructing us. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).

“Be holy, for I am Holy” is God’s command that will never change. If we are willing to let go of all unrighteousness in our present lifestyles [thoughts, spoken words, habits, and people] then Christ intervenes by covering us with His righteousness. We pray daily and receive the supernatural strength to overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Never begin your day without praying for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit. We desperately need the spiritual wisdom, strength, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of Truth, we cannot live holy. Our characters must endure a spiritual makeover to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit and the Righteous attributes of the Character of Christ.

Life on earth is our only opportunity to receive spiritual transformation. All Divine and holy beings in heaven are involved in our earthly journey to prepare us to live in the New Heaven and New Earth. Like Matthew, we must let go of every sinful aspect of our lifestyles that threatens us from receiving our greatest reward, eternal life with King Jesus!

God, we ask You to search our hearts and reveal all unrighteousness that prevents us from giving our all to You. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

The Power of Our Thoughts

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 5, 2024

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” —Philippians 4:8, NIV

Have you ever been deep into thought and then thought about what you were thinking about, and had to pray for forgiveness? The greatest battle we face is from within. Every day, we fight the internal battle of carnal desires versus faithful obedience to God. Unless we pray for God’s Divine help throughout our waking hours, we will think unrighteous thoughts and pursue unrighteous desires.

Not all of our contrary thoughts are for carnal desires. Doubt, disbelief, and discouragement also reflect negative [unrighteous] thinking. Many of us know individuals who always speak negative words causing us to take measures to intentionally avoid them. But what if we are the negative person? How we think determines the direction of our lives. A mindset of negativity catapults us into a world of darkness filled with trepidation and the inability to progress in life.

“But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come…” —2 Timothy 3:1

Today’s believers share a unique status from the believers of the past, we are living in the last days and biblical prophecy is being fulfilled. Jesus describes our era as living in the time of the “beginning of sorrows” [Matthew 24:4-8]. Through prayer, we receive the spiritual discernment to recognize and avoid manipulative worldviews and habits that compromise our right standing with God.

Whether or not we embrace the concept that our environment overflowing with negativity impacts our lives, it is almost true. When our relationship with Christ is built on steadfast faith, surrender, obedience, a consistent prayer life, and studying the Bible, the Holy Spirit gives us Divine wisdom, strength, and protection from the negative influences of this world. Without spiritual wisdom, we are as vulnerable as unbelievers.

“Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:19, BSB

Many times our character traits include the learned behaviors of negativity and pessimism from enduring unhealthy backgrounds. God’s intervention also extends to the children and adults whom He will heal and give them the strength to rise above their past dire circumstances. Our Heavenly Father knows our beginning, past, and future suffering. Still, He is our hope for healing and giving us a positive and blessed future.

Even when facing life-changing events or past trauma, God promises, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it? God is a God of completion and victory.

“For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD…” —Jeremiah 30:17

Although we are never promised physical healing, God always heals mental illness and emotional trauma because these conditions prevent us from believing in and trusting Christ. We cannot embrace and practice negative, pessimistic thinking and have a relationship with Christ. Pray for healing! The flicker of faith allows us to receive complete healing, look beyond our past, and enjoy a brighter future.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

There is something that we must love about Jesus, throughout the Scriptures, He has given us prior warnings of the trials we will face and the perilous times we will live in. Yet, our Loving Savior also gives us hope, “…be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The key to thinking beyond the world’s conditions and life’s challenges is to have a thriving relationship with Christ and to believe that we are His total responsibility.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” —John 14:27

Our thoughts are positive and uplifting because Christ our Creator promises us peace and joy during our hardships. Persevering Prayer Produces Peace! To possess internal peace and joy doesn’t mean we will never cry or experience sadness. But emotions are difficult to control. Prayer puts our emotions into a checkpoint. We maintain unwavering confidence and speak words of faith and courage because we believe in God’s Sovereign Power and Promises. If He said it then He will do it!

“Strength of character consists of two things—power of will and power of self-control.” (The Faith I Live By)

Are we going to allow our past or present circumstances to dictate our thoughts and miss out on our healing and blessings? Emphatically, No! Redirecting our focus on God is within our human power. Stand down all negative thinking with prayer, God, I believe that You already have the solution, and I will wait in faithful obedience because You have promised to give me a Victorious Outcome. Amen. Pray often. Prayer is spoken on earth but heard and answered in heaven!

“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

Yes, life on earth is ever-changing, but we have a Triune God who proclaims, “I change not!” Despite the wars, political, and social uprisings, and the negativity of hatred, remind yourself that God created us in His image and gifted this beautiful earth to us. God will never allow human beings or demonic wickedness to cause mass destruction of His created world.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Nature testifies to Jesus’ love for humanity and every insect, bird, fish, and living animal He created. Let go of a dominant screen life. Go outside. Look at the starry nighttime sky, explore nature, and become a virtual traveler, you will perceive life differently. God desires that we live peaceful lives that are full of joy and laughter.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” —Proverbs 17:22

As believers we have everlasting hope, Christ victoriously overcame the harsh vicissitudes of life. This fragmented earth is not our final destination. Yes, we accept the reality of the worsening conditions of this world, yet deep within our hearts, we have pure love, joy, and peace. Like David, we should sing with vigor and speak praises of gratitude to our First Love and Best Friend who reminds us, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

From studying Revelation chapters 21-22, we replace all negative thoughts with a mind filled with happiness, joy, laughter, and contentment. We have the hope within our hearts that our Triumphant King is coming for us! Let words of praise and rejoicing flow from ever-grateful hearts. One day, we will shout, See what the Lord has done! Hallelujah! Amen!

“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. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” —John 14:1-3

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and our gift of the power to choose life by thinking positive thoughts of faith and victory. Lord, we love You, worship You, and praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Triumphant Name, we pray. Amen

Keep Moving Forward Step By Step

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 1, 2024

The world was created to be dynamic as evidenced by the changing seasons. Even during the coldest winter season, not all plants are dormant. According to HouseBeautiful, 17 flowers thrive during the coldest months of the year, including the beautiful snowdrops. Twenty species of evergreen trees including the Douglas Fir, Pine, and Spruce trees also maintain their hues of green throughout the harsh winter. The plant kingdom provides visual proof of God’s plan for continuous new growth.

There is another phenomenon of nature that produces new beginnings—fire. Although we view forest fires as destructive they are the catalyst for new growth. “Forest fires remove low-growing underbrush, clean the forest floor of debris, open it up to sunlight, and nourish the soil.” Wildfire ash provides essential nutrients to dormant seeds, enabling them to thrive and emerge from the soil with remarkable strength following the eradication of the existing vegetation.

“Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” —Genesis 1:26

From the cries of newborn babies to the continuous growth of the plant and animal kingdoms and the planet Earth revolving on its axis containing the exact mixture of elements required to fill our lungs with life-sustaining air, God reveals His love for all created beings. Our very existence along with the anatomy and physiology of our minds and bodies should raise our awareness that God has definitive plans for those created in His image.

“To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die…” —Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Death was not part of God’s original plan! After the Fall of Adam and Eve, sin resulted in both death and new life occurring simultaneously. We are living in the wintry season of the last days [Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3]. Take the time to be alone and reflect deeply on your life. Are you living your best life because you have aligned yourself with God’s plans? We must be careful in our decision-making, unwise choices not only waste our precious time but also jeopardize our reward of eternal life.

“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” —Psalm 90:12

Time is not our friend! We progress quickly through the life cycle. The cuddly newborn develops into a toddler and is school-age before parents can catch their breath. As we reflect on our lives, our journey of growth and development occurred like a whirlwind. From children to teenagers who quickly matured into young adults with varied responsibilities, we became parents, raised our children, advanced to the plight of empty-nesters, and then joyfully embraced the stage of grandparenting.

“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.” —Psalm 39:4

David prayed for wisdom when his heart was hot with anger. He had reached his limit of dealing with wicked people. Yet, he was aware of the frailty of human life, “like a vapor.” Like David, we cannot waste our precious days harboring anger, bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness in our hearts against those who have caused us mental, emotional, or physical harm.

Jesus forewarned us of the tribulations that every faithful believer would suffer. From studying the Bible, we learn that our trials and hardships are not setbacks, they are the Righteous fire that burns away our unrighteous character traits and behaviors. We are being transformed for a most wonderful eternal life with our Lord and Savior, King Jesus.

First Step: Are we putting forth the human effort to obey God’s plan that is designed to save our souls? We will also endure the wintry seasons of adversity that produce the newness of spiritual change in our minds, characters, and personalities. If we desire eternal life then we will not despise our hardships and things gone wrong. With steadfast faith and obedience embrace the journey on your Chosen Path. Yes, it gets rough at times, but keep moving forward, we are never alone.

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:18-19

Each new day is our gift of mercies for new beginnings. Step 2: The mistakes we made in the past that we repented for, even if they brought consequences, we forgive ourselves and live for today. God promises us restoration and from this promise, He expects us to move forward. We pray for His guidance and reverence Him through obediently fulfilling His plans for the given day. God created every human being, animal, and plant to experience continuous growth and development. Keep moving forward!

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” —2 Corinthians 12:9

We were given the new beginnings of a spiritual rebirth [we are a new creation in Christ] when we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior. Sanctification is a lifelong step-by-step spiritual journey of transformation that requires human effort and Divine Intervention. The goal is to have the Character of Christ. To ensure that we receive our reward of immortality when Jesus comes, all of heaven is involved in our earthly journey of spiritual transformation.

Step 3: To experience the highest level of spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth, we must fully cooperate with the Holy Spirit who gives us Christ’s strength to move forward. The theory of once saved always saved is human-made. Nor can we achieve a level of spiritual self-actualization by using human works alone. Spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities will never feel good. Keep praying, remain faithful, and strive to live a holy and acceptable life pleasing to God.

Step 4: Consistently remind yourself to rely on Christ’s strength! We are God’s responsibility. Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us. Although we are impacted every day by spiritual warfare, plans that do not come to fruition, and unexpected life events, every hardship was approved by Christ for our spiritual growth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ is guiding us to possess a new and righteous character.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Step 5: Study Revelation chapters 21-22. Our journey is not in vain! One day this corrupt earth with all its evil will cease to exist. Jesus’ promise of giving us a new immortal life filled with love, peace, happiness, and joy in a sinless and perfect world will come to fruition. If we do our part, in Philippians 1:6, Jesus promises us that He will finish the work within us. Having the Character of Christ prepares us for the greatest transition—from this earth to our perfect home in the New Heaven and New Earth.

God, we thank You for New Beginnings, our trials and tribulations, the gift of Jesus, and the opportunity for Eternal Life. We pray for strength and direction as we travel in our journey. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

“You Are My God”

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Devotional – February 26, 2024

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” —Psalm 63:1

Can you imagine dedicating fifteen years of your life to fulfill God’s plans even if it involved harsh conditions? When David lived as a fugitive in the wilderness of Judah, he proclaimed, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You” (Psalm 63:3). David obeyed God’s will and faithfully remained on his Chosen Path of adversity for 15 years living in caves and the open wilderness.

David was born with the spirit of a warrior but was an obedient child who was taught to love and obey God. His life as a shepherd reveals that he was skillful with a slingshot, yet, his character revealed the fruit of love, patience, gentleness, kindness, and courage. His youthful habits of singing and playing his harp in loving praise and worship to God are evidenced by the book of Psalms.

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward…” —1 Samuel 16:13

Despite David’s future downfalls, God selected and chose him before birth to be a king. At the age of 15, David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to become Israel’s next king. Although he was aware of God’s divine calling on his life, David never attempted to rush the process by using his own strategies.

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God…that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” —Deuteronomy 28:1

Before David became king, his character reflected the utmost love, loyalty, obedience, and reverence for the Almighty God. Even when he had the opportunity to take King Saul’s life but instead cut off a piece of the king’s robe, David felt guilty. “…The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD” (1 Samuel 24:6).

During the greatest tribulation of his life, David remained faithful and obedient to God by not using his thoughts and desires to modify God’s path for his life. Are we striving to faithfully obey God in the most trying seasons? “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” —James 1:2-3

The willingness to embrace the sacrificial life of tribulations is demonstrated by the Old Testament prophets, the men and women who are Biblical faith heroes, the Apostles, and most importantly, Christ. Even unto death, Christ was obedient. On Calvary’s cross, Christ portrayed the love, faith, surrender, obedience, and loyalty that God requires from every believer.

From studying the Scriptures, we find that God has always required suffering to be a significant part of the believer’s life. If we know tribulations are sure to come, how does a committed believer refuse to follow in Jesus’ footsteps of suffering? The desire to disobey God is only found in those with unconverted hearts. The modern proclamations of “We are New Covenant believers” and “God’s mercies are never-ending” are an attempt to justify one’s disobedience to God’s Commandments and Righteous Principles.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, But his heart is not with you.” —Proverbs 23:7

“What you see in this verse is a person who is saying one thing with their mouth—but their heart is in a completely different place.” (Crosswalk)

Too much emphasis is placed on church attendance instead of teaching us that our purpose in life is to possess a Christ-like character and a spirit of obedience. Our service to God becomes ritualistic when we stop praying, “I surrender all.” Without humility, surrender, and obedience to God, we do not have a relationship with Christ. Every thought, decision, and action outside of God’s will is evidence of the same rebellious spirit that Cain possessed.

Rebellion against God is not only committing worldly sins, it is also the failure to obey Scriptural instructions and to ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit. From our commitment to follow Christ, we agree to accept our Chosen Path with the trials and tribulations needed to change our characters. We embrace God’s plans [that always bring victory] and discard our plans because we love and revere God.

The sin of presumption is to take the necessary steps to ensure that our plans come to fruition and when the outcome appears favorable, we proclaim that God has blessed us, yet, this is far from the truth. Disobedience not only changes our desire to please God but our destiny of receiving eternal life is also forfeited.

When believers initially rebel against God, the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sins. But if they continue to disobey then the Holy Spirit is grieved. God always respects our free will of choice and withdraws His Spirit. The Holy Spirit cannot abide in an unclean temple.

Biblical Proof of God’s Mercies Ending

God’s Death Sentence of the Rebellious: “The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.” —Numbers 14:29-30

There is No Middle Ground: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” —Joshua 24:15

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’ ” —Matthew 22:37-38

If only we loved God as much as He loves us, we would not place boundaries on our dedication and obedience to Him. Love for God and following Christ requires devotion and the daily decision to humble ourselves in total surrender. Hearts that are overflowing with love for God have the fruit of faith, trust, obedience, and loyalty. Every day, embrace God, the Father by proclaiming, I love God and will not sin against Him!

“My sheep hear my voice and they follow me.” We begin our day with worship, praying for God to reveal His will for the given day, meditating on the Scriptures, and staying in His presence until we hear His voice. Worship allows us to receive the blessings and anointing of God in our lives. Even when our Chosen Path leads us into the wilderness, like David, we cry out, “You Are My God!” And Jesus responds, I will never leave you or forsake you.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. —Psalm 63:3-4

Peace in Uncertainty

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Devotional – February 25, 2024

When transitioning from self-reliance to total surrender to God, you must stand down your habitual thoughts and strategies with much prayer. Remind yourself that you made a covenant with Christ to surrender, obey, and reverence His Sovereignty as Lord and King of your life. The good news is when we persevere in replacing our thoughts with prayer, gradually we stop thinking our own thoughts.

Our love and honor for Christ increases our faith and trust, and He becomes our First Love.

Jesus, You have given me Your life, Your love, mercy, and grace. I give my all to You, my life, my love, my mind, body, and soul belong to You. Amen.

The Righteous Cry Out!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 20, 2024

“LORD, I cry out to You; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” —Psalm 141:1-2

Psalm 141 is David’s prayer asking God to keep him safe from the wickedness that existed in his environment. “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds.”

David was aware that our greatest battle is to overcome the influence of the unbelievers whom Satan uses to entice us into worldly conversations and activities that later we will need to repent for. We live in a time when spiritual wickedness permeates our societies. We cannot overcome the constant stream of temptations without God’s Divine intervention.

David’s life began as a humble and obedient shepherd boy in the pastures playing his harp and singing songs to God. Young David demonstrated wisdom and courage beyond his years because God had chosen him to be king of Israel. From his obedience and a slingshot, an angel of the Lord guided the stone to kill Goliath, the terrorizing Philistine giant. David’s 15 years living as a fugitive in caves [King Saul desired to kill David] prepared him to become a mighty warrior King that God would use to defeat pagan kings and their armies.

The Fall of King David: Compromise always changes our perception of right and wrong. We lose our ability to discern between God’s Truth and erroneous beliefs. Instead of measuring our behaviors by God’s righteous principles, we measure ourselves using human standards. David’s practice of polygamy fed his carnal desires and corrupted his moral code. Even when David was told that Bathsheba was married, he continued in his quest.

The Domino Effect of Sin: How did David, a man of God easily commit these heinous sins? It is impossible to engage in sin and think about God. Sin makes us [temporarily] forget that God exists. Sin desensitizes our sound minds and leaves us powerless. Sin causes spiritual blindness and numbs our perception of the magnitude of our wilful rebellion against God.

In Jeremiah, God says that the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. It is easier for us to choose wrong over right. Without humility, a believer relies on self-confidence and human strength to overcome the personalized and pleasing temptations that Satan develops from our observable behaviors.

“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

Jesus tells us that we are not powerless! No one including Satan can force us to sin. When facing temptation the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience and we feel uncomfortable in the situation. As believers, we can never say that we did not know that we were being tempted. When tempted, begin praying out loud for God’s help and remove yourself from the person or place.

If we do not stand down our carnal desires by falling on our knees and praying for as long as necessary for spiritual strength, our senses will draw us into the web of temptation. We see, hear, taste, smell, touch, and if we do not pray and turn away, we pursue, and then we fall.

“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

Since we cannot judge ourselves, we must go to God in prayer, and ask for the big reveal of our sinful habits and behaviors. The Holy Spirit will always reveal our sins. Pray for spiritual discernment to understand sin for what it really is, transgression against God. To overcome temptation requires the human effort of practicing self-control and praying for spiritual strength without ceasing.

Acknowledging that we are in a spiritual battle for our soul should produce a come to the Throne of Grace reaction. Like David, falling on our knees and petitioning for help, “LORD, I cry out to You; make haste to me!” is our only option. We need God! Living in these last days is a struggle, wickedness has increased, and we are Satan’s targets.

Now more than ever, we desperately need a steadfast relationship with Christ. Increasing our prayer life, studying the Scriptures at least one hour a day, and incorporating spiritual fasting into our lifestyle allows the Holy Spirit to give us reinforcement against the enemy.

The Discipline of Fasting: Every believer should fast at least once a week. Unless your health is severely compromised, Biblical fasting is abstaining from food. Fasting is self-denial and places our flesh into subjection. Fasting is worship. We also pray, study the Scriptures, and set aside all electronic distractions for a specified time.

Begin with 2 to 4 hours of fasting and pray a prayer of consecration and re-dedication to God. Fasting connects us to Christ, strengthens our minds, and gives us spiritual discipline. With determination and the strength of the Holy Spirit, we let go of sinful thoughts, behaviors, and habits.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.” —Psalm 51:3-4

David repented for his sins. Although God’s judgment demanded death, through His loving mercies He spared David’s life, but David suffered greatly for his sins. God placed a lifelong curse of strife in his household. Although sin brings life-changing consequences, God never crushes us and leaves us hopeless, nor will our Heavenly Father allow the enemy to harm us.

From the book of Psalms, we learn of David’s intimate relationship with God. Each chapter is a song of prayer. From his rebellion against God, David learned the believer’s greatest need, to stay close to God. King David recognized and continuously proclaimed his desperate need for the Lord.

David’s prayers were cries for God’s forgiveness, intervention, comfort, guidance, protection, deliverance, and the wisdom to live righteously. God’s favor was on the life of David because he truly loved God. And God described David as a man after God’s own heart.

Reflection: Are we women and men after God’s own heart? In our daily struggles of life, do we continuously cry out for God’s Divine Intervention? Would our prayers comprise a book of 150 chapters?

Not only do we have the Book of Psalms dedicated to honoring God with prayers and praises of love and gratitude, but David’s prayers exemplify humanity’s desperate need for God’s continuous Divine Intervention in every aspect of our lives.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” —Psalm 119:105

Although he was a born warrior, David was never ashamed or too proud to reveal his desperation for God. From the diligent study of the Old Testament Scriptures, David knew God’s Character was Loving, Righteous, and Merciful. King David humbled himself before God and cried out like a child who was totally dependent on his parents. David’s reverence of God’s Sovereignty is a living example for every child of God.

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.” —Jeremiah 33:3, Amplified Bible

The book of Psalms reveals the key to living a victorious life—possessing a heart filled with love for God as evidenced by our absolute reverence and devout obedience. We should be forever grateful for the Plan of Redemption. With contrite hearts, every day, we repent, receive forgiveness, renew our covenant vow to follow and obey Christ, and we are covered by the righteousness of Christ. Hallelujah! Amen!

“Create in me, a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10

Taking Control of Our Thoughts

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 18, 2024

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”. —Philippians 4:8

“Every day, our minds are flooded with a constant stream of thoughts, ranging from mundane daily tasks to deeper contemplations about life and the world around us. According to research, the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day.” (Insight)

Anxiety and worries reflect the internal helplessness we feel regarding our lives. Unexpected life events, job instability, financial debt, troubled family dynamics, and an unstable marriage represent a few situations that cause us to worry and lose sleep. Yet, anxious thoughts about the unknown future plague the minds of 76% of adults and 60% of younger people.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Yes, we live in a world where political corruption, social unrest, natural events, and unstable economies prevail, and to add fuel to the fire, many times we also suffer the consequences of using our escalated thoughts for resolution. When our emotions rise above our rational thoughts, we will perceive even our routine challenges as out-of-control events.

“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

Do not embrace your thoughts! Use your mustard-seed faith by accepting Christ’s invitation and immediately pray. Form the habit of letting your first response be prayer. Pray an honest prayer, confess your true feelings, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength. Close your eyes and meditate on the past victories God has given to you and your family. God is Faithful!

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 37:17-19

To live as overcomers, we must change our mindset of “How am I going to resolve this situation?” When we include God in the routine activities of daily life, our immediate response to the vicissitudes of life will be to stop and pray. Still, we must have a spiritual foundation of knowing Scriptural promises.

By studying the Scriptures, we embrace Christ’s promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” “Cast your cares on me…” The battle within our minds cannot withstand the power of the word of God. Take the focus off your thoughts by repeating out loud the Scriptures that promise God’s Divine Intervention.

Through prayer and Bible study, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual strength. Our mustard seed faith grows and our confidence builds as we learn to rely on God. Make a decision every day to place your trust in God. He knows every challenge that arises in our lives.

“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” —Psalm 91:15

Do not become discouraged! We fall through self-reliance, our solutions fail—we repent, we are forgiven, and we move forward. Our spiritual journey is one of slowly moving forward in little steps every day. Using our faith is the only giant leap we take because God requires blind faith.

Talking to God throughout our waking hours with little prayers of gratitude and simply praying, “God, I need Your help!” are lifeline prayers. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Learn His character by studying the Old Testament stories of humanity’s defeats, God’s interventions, and the many victories they enjoyed.

Biblical knowledge plus faith in God changes our thoughts of defeat into courageous thoughts because we can rely on His Power. The Human Effort of faith, prayer, and Bible study plus God’s Divine Intervention always equals Victorious Outcomes.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for loving and caring for us. We relinquish our self-reliance by asking You to guide us in our daily lives. We surrender ourselves to Your will and plans. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Yes! Our Heavenly Father Cares

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 15, 2024

“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” —Matthew 5:4

We can quote Scriptures to those who are hurting, but Jesus in His earthly life had an up close and personal ministry of encouragement and healing. The most effective way to witness our Heavenly Father’s love, grace, and mercies is through our personal testimonies. Did God heal you from an illness or provide for you and your family when you were laid off from your job? Someone who is feeling hopeless needs to know that Jesus cares.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ‘ ” —Matthew 11:28

We live in a world of uncertainties. Many feel as if they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Those who are discouraged need to know that although God sits on high, He is actively involved in our lives when we choose to include Him. Teach someone the simple but powerful prayer, God, I need your help. We have been appointed the spiritual assignment of sharing God’s love, I have some great news for you, our Heavenly Father cares, and you never have to face your burdens alone!

If we pay attention, we can see weariness on the strangers’ faces. Tell someone today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life that Jesus loves you, have a blessed day. If the person is receptive, ask if you can pray with them. It is the unplanned or impromptu conversations where the Holy Spirit does His greatest work. Not only are we blessed, but the Holy Spirit touches the person’s heart and gives them peace. Can you imagine feeling so overwhelmed that you are ready to give up and someone prays for you?

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

Love is a rare and precious commodity. It’s important to share with others, in person or on social media, that we have a loving Savior who is always ready to help us with life’s challenges. Sharing our testimonies reinforces our faith in God. Witnessing Christ’s love has its benefits, our faith grows, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us. When adversity comes knocking on our door, instead of feeling discouraged, we possess unwavering faith.

Experiential knowledge of God’s love and His promises to always provide fills our hearts with confidence and courage despite our tribulations. As we reflect on our lives and the many victories that God has given to us, we cannot keep His amazing love to ourselves. Every day comfort someone by telling them that our Heavenly Father cares. Truly God is love!

“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” —Isaiah 43:1-3

Lord, we pray for the holy boldness to witness your love to those who are hurting and hopeless. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Standing As the Accused

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Devotional – February 14, 2023

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” —Psalm 118:6

Have you ever been falsely accused? It is a terrible feeling to know that you are innocent but unable to prove it. Our initial response will include feelings of anger or hurt to the accusations, still, we must follow Jesus’ example of maintaining silence. Pray and “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

In 1994, I interviewed for a nursing position in a transition program operated by the New York State Division of Parole. Four grueling interviews were required with the Deputy Director, the Assistant Deputy Director, the Administrator, and the Executive Director. Three months later, I received a phone call and an offer letter.

The Assistant Deputy Director, Mr. B. [who was a Christian] was assigned the task of my training which included recognizing the skillful art of manipulation used by the residents. On the first day, he shared something that placed me on high alert. The Administrator voted against hiring me because I was a Christian but used the covert explanation that “she did not have what it takes to work with this population.” Although it was illegal to discuss one’s religious beliefs when interviewing, it was evident by his response during the interview when he verbalized that a weak person [someone who did not have street life experience] would never make it on this job.

For the first year, the Administrator frequently made rounds to visit the Medical Clinic, but by the second year, his visits decreased to once a week. In the third year, I was accepted as a patient at a Dental school in New Jersey which required numerous appointments. Still, I prepared by saving my PTO time to use for the appointments. For a time, all was well on the job. But one morning when I arrived at work, my nursing colleague informed me that I had an appointment with the Administrator, he asked, “Okay what did you do?” We both laughed and I left for my appointment.

When I read the three-page disciplinary report, it was no laughing matter. In fact, I was shocked by its content. There were multiple infractions listed for 3 years, but the primary offense was my deliberate attempt to use PTO time that I did not have. Human Resources contacted the Administrator to relay that due to their error, I had used 32 hours of unaccrued time. And His response was to immediately Institute disciplinary action.

Although Mr. F. [the Administrator] approved each of my requests for time off, he had the skills of a high-powered prosecuting attorney, and I was accused of knowingly taking advantage of the error. Thankfully, I kept my check stubs as they matched the PTO time that I had utilized. The disciplinary action indicated probation for six months followed by another evaluation. At the end of the meeting, Mr. F. stated, “I think it’s best if you look for another job.”

It was a heart-wrenching moment. When I returned to the medical clinic, my co-worker recognized that something was seriously wrong. I handed him my copy of the report, to which he responded, Sister, stay strong, none of these accusations are true. We immediately read the policy manual for instructions on filing a grievance. I silently prayed for Divine Intervention. Although I felt as if my favorite balloon burst, I knew that I was innocent, and this was my test to trust in God.

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

The Holy Spirit gave me the wisdom and the words to follow the detailed format for filing the lengthy grievance. Although I was still allowed to work, I was placed on an investigation status. The process was a timely one and lasted for three weeks. I can remember the Administrator coming to the clinic to relay the message that I had an appointment with the Executive Director that afternoon, he smiled and walked away.

When I met with Dr. C. [the Executive Director], he relayed that I was no longer under investigation and the excessive usage of PTO would be deducted from my monthly accrual until it reached zero. Dr. C. gave me his business card and advised if there were further episodes of harassment, I was to contact him immediately. After a few years, the Administrator, Mr. F. was terminated from his position.

Jesus Stands As the Accused: “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad…Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.” —Luke 23:8-9

Jesus is our example of how to face our accusers, He used silence. At some point in every believer’s spiritual journey, whether in our personal life or professional career, like Christ, we will stand as the accused. Our goal is to emulate His righteous character. Yes, we will endure slander, become the focus of gossip, and face false accusations, yet, as children of the King, our integrity will stand.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding…” —Proverbs 3:13

“The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience.” (Oswald Chambers). When accused, immediately, we present our petition for God’s Divine Intervention. God is not surprised that we are standing as one who is accused. He is interested in our reactions. Use your faith. Study Daniel chapter 6 as evidence of God’s Divine Intervention. Ask for wisdom, strength, and include fasting along with much prayer.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Yes, God has given us emotions to express our dismay at daunting situations, still, we must never allow our emotions to overrule our sound minds. If we embrace feelings of anger or defeat then we have given Satan the upper hand. Remain silent. Do not share your story with too many people. At this point, your focus is on praying for strength and the action God desires for you to take. Never let your emotions or too many voices prevent you from hearing God’s Voice.

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles” —Proverbs 21:23

There is no need for us to retaliate. Every spoken word fueled by anger or hurt will end in grievous consequences. We cannot control the behaviors of others, but we can control our responses. If we exercise self-control by remaining silent or keeping our responses to a minimum then we have the assurance that our Warrior God will defeat our enemies.

The Battle is Not Yours, but God’s!

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

We must travel the road of suffering. Still, God does not allow any trial or hardship to crush our hopes. We are never alone! Rely on God to fulfill His promises of protection. Our confidence comes from knowing that we are loved by God. Boldly approaching the Throne of Grace in our time of need gives us courage and builds our faith and trust in God.

Walk in humility and faith in your spiritual journey and our Mighty Warrior God will always give you victory!

Lord, we thank You for being our Mighty Warrior. We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout this world who are suffering from the persecution of false accusations. Give them peace and the assurance that the battle is already won. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.

The Lord is Merciful

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional -February 6, 2024

“Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes, I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.’” —2 Samuel 12:9-11

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.’” —2 Samuel 12:13-14

Psalm 119 reflects David’s heartfelt plea to God, “Do not leave me to my oppressors.” Although God forgave the king for his wilful sins of adultery and murder, David’s sins brought severe consequences to his life. The Lord extended abundant mercies by sparing David’s life, but His judgment would remain. The curse of oppression and strife was fulfilled and enacted by those in his household just as the prophet foretold.

God is always merciful. David was surrounded by enemies during his entire reign including two of his sons, the princes Absalom and Adonijah who were his greatest enemies. But God did not allow the son’s plans to come to fruition and harm their father. God appointed David’s and Bathsheba’s second son, Solomon to be the heir to David’s throne. Not only was Solomon the wisest man that ever lived, he was allowed to build the temple.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9

We must reflect deeply on the terrible condition of the human heart. David’s sins were heinous, but he felt no remorse. The sin of entitlement resulted in King David abusing his position to pursue his desires. Only when God sent the prophet Nathan to expose David’s sins did he confess and repent. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.” —Deuteronomy 5:33

We cannot condemn David because we are also following our hearts. Our focus has turned from God to ourselves. As one pastor stated, “We have become the idol that we worship.” When we fail to include God in our daily routines by asking for His guidance, we move forward in our decisions to purchase houses or vehicles, pursue success, and enter into relationships and marriages that are contrary to His will.

Yet there are consequences for the Christians who fulfill their heart’s desires without God’s Divine Blessing. When our perception of what it means to live a faithful and obedient life pleasing to God does not align with His Righteous principles, we lose our right standing with God. Our failure to surrender and seek His will every day is disobedience. From our decision to please ourselves, we exchange the freedom of righteousness for the enslavement of sinful oppression.

God’s desire is for us to worship Him with faithful obedience. “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence…” (1 Timothy 2:2). God does not excuse any acts of disobedience. Do we understand that our independent thoughts and actions reflect a decision to live according to our dictates? God knows the motives of our hearts and our level of spiritual understanding.

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger, and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.” —Psalm 145:8-9

Following our hearts [unless it is pursuing Christ] is disobedience and disobedience separates us from God. Yet, even in our sinfulness, our Heavenly Father extends abundant mercies. Using conviction, the Holy Spirit tugs on the heart of the believer who has veered from the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Because of Christ, we have the life-saving option of not staying on the detour road paved by disobedience.

Although the Holy Spirit uses various ways, [feeling the discontent of wrongdoing in our conscience, using our thoughts, Scriptures, sermons, spiritually mature people, and even a post on social media] to expose our sins of disobedience, we never have to use guesswork regarding our specific sins. Every sin secret or open is exposed by God.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Yes, it is a struggle to live holy! We have traveled too far in our spiritual journey to throw away our reward of Eternal life for the temporary pleasures of this world. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to bring our flesh into subjection to the will of God. With faith and courage, determine that you will stay in the right standing with God.

Prayer: “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:37