God – Page 6 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Best Is Yet to Come!

Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 28, 2025

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” —Romans 12:1, RSV

In the 1980s, I was having a conversation about the Christian lifestyle with my Aunt, whose words were shocking: “Oh, niece, you are very naive. Not every Christian desires to go to heaven.” At the time, I thought it was the worst perception of believers that I had ever heard. Fast-forward to 2025, and now I realize her words were prophetic.

Pleasure, Prosperity, and Politics Have Changed the Culture of the Church

Although attending weekly church service is our duty to God, it does not supply the spiritual food and strength to sustain us for the six subsequent days of the week. Many believers are neglecting the necessary spiritual preparation for eternal life [Daily personal worship]. Instead of seeking God, we are too focused on our earthly pursuits of self-gratification.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” —2 Timothy 4:3

Many pastors have also promoted the trend of Compromised Christianity by not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Entire church services are led by worship leaders and consist only of singing, or sermons are watered down containing only selected Scriptures that do not offend the members.

The desire to keep members happy and content has resulted in the switch from Christ, Salvation, and Sanctification to motivational messages promoting the emotions of happiness, serenity, and prosperity.

Sadly, the pulpit has also become a political arena—sermons include defending political leaders even when the politicians clearly contradict the Christian values found in the Bible. Instead of a unified body of members, we are experiencing the same division that occurred in the churches the Apostle Paul started.

Challenges in Christianity have existed since the Early Churches. The Apostle Paul had a tough spiritual assignment when God appointed him to preach to the Gentiles. Most of the new members had a history of pagan worship and engaged in worldly habits and practices they enjoyed and were not ready to give up.

Christian Code of Conduct: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:14-16).

Paul was loving but straightforward when addressing the member’s unrighteous behaviors including the continuous conflict with fellow believers. In his letters to the churches, the apostle’s focus was to “Behave As a Christian” by possessing a Christ-like character filled with loving kindness for one another which revealed a heart filled with God’s love.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s perspective of this world and our earthly lives is very different from our thoughts and goals. To receive eternal life, our minds must align with God’s ultimate goal to save our souls.

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. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” —Proverbs 3:5-7

God warns us that our knowledge and wisdom are limited—we cannot foresee the future or anticipate the possible consequences of decisions that exclude God. If we choose to rely on God’s Providence, we will enjoy peace despite our circumstances because Divine Intervention only produces victorious outcomes.

God’s Instructions On How to Live Our Best Lives

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” —Romans 12:2, NIV

To live our best lives, we must faithfully obey God’s Blueprint for living righteously. Many are well-fed from secular information but starving spiritually from the lack of personal worship and studying the Holy Scriptures. Prayer connects us to Christ, our Intercessor, and strengthens our relationship with Him.

Knowing Jesus’ words of promise fill our hearts with encouragement: “…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 14:2-3). Yes and Amen!

Reflection: Where do we stand in our relationship with Christ? Every day we receive the gift of time to worship and ask for Divine wisdom and the spiritual strength to overcome temptations. Our lifestyle and choices indicate whether or not we are preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming.

Time is fleeting! We must return to the basics of the Bible by devoting ourselves to the service of God. Because of Divine love, we are covered by God’s Grace. We use our faith to surrender, repent, and begin a new relationship with Christ built on humility and faithful obedience.

Pray King David’s prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).

God’s Promise: “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:12-13

Every day we receive the opportunity to use our faith to dedicate ourselves to God. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Helper who reveals God’s will, gives us wisdom and discernment when studying the Scriptures, and speaks to us through our thoughts, conscience, and the Bible.

“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).

God desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Pray daily for the physical and spiritual strength to complete life’s tasks and to renounce sin. The Holy Spirit also gives us spiritual wisdom to recognize sin, and the spiritual strength to overcome temptation. When facing questionable situations, Pray for Divine Help.

“Be holy for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Because we inherited hearts that are driven to fulfill carnal desires, we cannot use our thoughts to define righteousness. The human effort of faithful obedience is the worship that God requires. And from our willingness to honor God, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ—Sanctification.

“I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.…” —John 15:5

With Christ, we can live our best lives now. He will empower us to win the battle against the Pride of Life. Pray an honest prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your status with God. Repent and make the necessary changes to follow Jesus. Fight the good fight of faith! We cannot allow Satan to deceive us with worthless trinkets and false promises designed to make us lose our reward of the Crown of Life [Revelation 22:12].

God never leaves us alone to fight against Satan. When we pray for Divine help, Christ sends His army of angels with His Glory and Power and Satan must fall back. If we exercise steadfast faith and self-control, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously and to overcome all desires and temptations.

The Best Is Yet to Come! Have you considered the magnitude of the reward Jesus is offering us? “Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear seen has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’ ” (1 Corinthians 2:8-9). Live as if your greatest desire is to receive your heavenly reward on that Great Day.

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

Day by day, from devoting ourselves to following Christ, our Triumphant King, He will become our Greatest Influencer leading and empowering us with His strength to live as Victorious Overcomers! From Earth to Heaven, our Savior is longing to give us His Best! Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we desperately need Your guidance and strength to make it through this spiritual battle of life filled with temptations designed to separate us from You. We ask you to reveal the blueprint for each of our lives. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Morning Manna – Redirecting Our Faith and Trust From Self to God – March 27, 2025

Daily personal worship is a time of transparency between ourselves and Jesus Christ, our Intercessor, and Mediator between us and God, the Father. Without shame, we come to the Throne of Grace confessing and asking for forgiveness of our sins.

During our time of worship, we seek the blessing and favor of God in our lives by asking for His Divine help to live as Victorious Overcomers. We use our faith to believe in God’s promises to take care of us, give us spiritual guidance, and to receive the wisdom, and discernment to distinguish between truth and error, and to recognize and resist covert temptations.

Most importantly, we trust God’s Providence by asking Him to reveal His plans for our day, and teach us to hear the Holy Spirit speaking through our thoughts and conscience. To receive the greatest of God’s blessings with humility, we surrender ourselves daily by intentionally placing our faith and trust in Him and obeying His Perfect will.

Lord God, we pray for direction, protection, and correction as we prepare for Kingdom Life one day at a time. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Morning Manna: Bless the Lord! March 25, 2025

Peace and Blessings

Whose Side Are We On?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 24, 2025

Can you imagine being an employee not fully trained to perform a crucial part of your job description?

I was a nurse case manager at a company that provided home health care for seniors. The week payroll was due, the Vice President was on a cruise out of the country. The accounting clerk received a call from corporate inquiring why she was late submitting payroll which was due by noon that day. And that is when the big secret was revealed.

The VP not only failed to train the accounting clerk on processing payroll, an essential part of her job, but also informed the accounting clerk during her initial training that the job description had changed. As the young woman wrote the incident report tears were in her eyes and her hands trembled. Jobs were extremely hard to find and she feared termination.

At this point, our Nursing Manager informed us that she would handle all nonclinical calls until the young woman was trained by the corporate office via phone to process the payroll. Since this was the era before direct deposit, processing payroll was a lengthy endeavor. The training was successful and we received our paychecks on time the following week. Although the Vice President had a tenure of 20 years with the company, she was immediately terminated on her return.

“Your eyes will see it, and your ears will hear it: ‘This is the way; walk in it…” ” (Isaiah 30:21). From our prayers and study of the Scriptures, “God promises to give us clear guidance, leading us on the right path and helping us to discern His will.”

We have a loving Heavenly Father who is very protective and has made a loving and sacrificial investment in our lives including the future of eternal life. Through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, we receive guidance, spiritual wisdom and discernment, correction, and protection through the Holy Spirit.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12

God who knows the beginning from the end has given us the Bible so we can learn His Righteous Standards and Precepts, discern Truth from error, and recognize and renounce sinful temptations. We were not created to govern ourselves. Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is impossible to judge oneself. To know and practice what God expects of us requires the diligent study of His Holy Words.

“Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). What is holiness? God defines holiness in the Scriptures.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” —Romans 12:1-2, NIV

Every day we must fight the good fight of faith to prevent practicing Compromised Christianity. Our spiritual journey of Sanctification is a lifelong journey on the Path of Righteousness which requires our faith, obedience, consent, and cooperation with Christ.

God has one goal and that is for every believer to receive their reward of a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth [Revelation 21-22], yet, He never forces us to choose salvation. From the moment we awaken, we choose to commit ourselves to God or not.

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” —Romans 6:16, NIV

2 Timothy 3 identifies that we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. We must choose who we will serve in this great controversy of Good and Evil. “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).

“Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements…Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor Him.”

Consider this, Jesus died to save us from death, the costly price of sin, what possible reasons could substantiate sinning against God and dying for our sins? There is no guesswork with God. We receive clarity of Righteousness through the Holy Spirit.

“…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). Reflect on the reason you chose Jesus Christ as your Savior. Everything we possess is temporary including this earthly home. Choosing Christ requires doing our part in the spiritual journey of Sanctification—Daily surrender, faithful obedience, and seeking God’s will and plans through prayer and Bible Study.

Heaven is waiting for us! Reach for the highest goals of living holy and receiving eternal life with God in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, the struggle is real! Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit and using self-control, we can renounce the temporary pleasures and profits of this world for which we will be greatly rewarded. Choose Christ! Choose Life!

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ ” —1 Corinthians 2:9

Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3

Prayer: “Into my heart, Into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Lord God, we ask you to reveal any hidden sins that are within our hearts and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Teach us Your Righteous ways and how to live holy. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

What More Could He Do?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional — March 16, 2025

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

“What more could He do? The Father loved us so much ‘that He gave His beloved Son’ (John 3:16).” Because of Redemption, we demonstrate our love for God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, God, the Son for their plan to save our souls through daily personal worship, surrender, and faithful obedience.

Prayer is our connection to Jesus who is still serving humanity as our Heavenly Intercessor [Jesus receives our prayers], Forgives our sins, and Mediates for us. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” (John 14:6).

Daily worship includes consecrating oneself to a sacrificial life—living a Christ-centered, faith-based life. Surrendering our desires in exchange for God’s plans is the greatest challenge in our Journey with Jesus. Although we are gifted with self-control, we must pray for the Divine Strength to overcome temptation.

Worship invites the Holy Spirit to convict our hearts when pursuing our desires and allows us to receive in-depth wisdom to understand and appreciate God’s greatest gift to humanity, The Plan of Redemption. Humility is the spiritual catalyst required to actively participate with the Holy Spirit to receive spiritual wisdom and character transformation.

“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12

Christianity is much more than attending church every week. Our salvation requires continuous cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We cannot change ourselves! Heart conversion begins our spiritual journey. Sanctification is the spiritual lifelong process of daily spiritual growth and character transformation.

Yes, the Holy Spirit performs our transformation, but God also requires the human effort of faith, obedience, and works: “Those who have genuine love for God will manifest an earnest desire to know His will and to do it.” Personal worship demonstrates our love for God which is revealed by separating ourselves from life’s distractions to enter into His presence [at least twice a day].

“We have the responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith with humility and reverence, recognizing that God is the Source of our salvation and ability to live a life pleasing to Him.” Without the commitment to faithfully seek God through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, the depth of Christ’s amazing love for humanity cannot be understood, nor will we desire to seek and fulfill God’s plans.

“Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” — John 15:4 (Good News Translation)

We desperately need Jesus to live as overcomers. It is the transforming power of God’s Spoken Words that keeps us grounded and faithful in our relationship with Christ. Scriptural knowledge must include the Life of Christ with an emphasis on His Righteous Character. Still, knowledge alone cannot save us, discipline, self-control, surrender, and obedience demonstrate our willingness to live as faithful followers [disciples] of Christ.

“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion]” (Luke 5:16). Christ revealed the importance of solitude to maintain His connection to God through prayer. Many believers do not feel that Jesus lived as a human being with limitations as we have, the Scriptures prove that Jesus did not possess the same Divine power on earth as He possessed in heaven.

Jesus’ question to Peter at the time of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals that Christ was 100% human and had to depend on God, the Father for the strength to live Holy and to perform miracles: “Or Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

We have the same access to God’s Divine Power as Jesus did in His earthly life. How do we accomplish this? “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ ” (Matthew 22:37).

Loving God is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We study the Bible to know who He is and maintain our earth-to-heaven connection to Him through much prayer. From studying “The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John” we gain an intimate, heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. Heartfelt love and faith combined with Biblical knowledge allows us to fall in love with Yeshua and our response will be to do His will.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Yes, without fail, Jesus loves us, but He also clarifies that He must be our first love. Without committing John chapters 16-21 to memory and reflecting on Jesus’ sacrificial gift every day, Calvary’s Cross will not have a life-transforming impact on our hearts. Jesus’ greatest gift to you and me will only be perceived as a historical event. What more could He do?

A Time to Reflect: When we first accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we were excited and readily shared our decision and commitment to becoming a Christian. As time passed, the journey became tough. We had to choose right over wrong, truth instead of worldviews, and we succumbed to the busyness of life. The believer’s lifestyle involves a daily decision to resist the temptations that interfere with the personal worship required to strengthen our relationship with Christ.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8

What more can we do? For Christ to remain our First Love requires intentionality, courage, and time management. Our spiritual perception must be highly sensitized to recognize the desires, interruptions, distractions, and screen time that threaten to keep us from inviting the presence of God into our lives. Consistent worship invites the Holy Spirit to shower us with the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength that we desperately need to renounce sin.

From the Earth’s beauty that is still intact and the progression of technology, we know that God desires us to be well-rounded—possessing a diverse set of skills, experiences, and interests. Even so, our highest priority is to remain a steadfast Christian amidst the constant presence of evil. Without hesitation, we learn to say No to time-wasting activities that do not enhance our spiritual and personal growth.

“Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.” —Isaiah 5:1-2

“What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it?
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?” —Isaiah 5:4

The parable identifies our spiritual status of whether we are good grapes or wild grapes. Every day our decisions, habits, and lifestyles demonstrate love for Christ or love for ourselves. Only the good grapes seek to do more for Christ through a sacrificial life of faithful dedication.

God gave His beloved Son, Jesus to save our souls by giving us the option of choosing Redemption and living forever in the New Heaven and New Earth. Now Jesus asks, “What more can I do for humanity?” “It is finished!”

Lord God, we surrender ourselves to Your perfect will. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and dying on Calvary. Thank You for giving us the option to overcome sin and choose a life of righteousness. We realize that You have given Your all. Lord, we pray for the desire and strength to love You by faithfully doing our part through daily consecration. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Courageous Christianity

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 6, 2025

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

Spiritual courage comes from believing that God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] is Sovereign, Omniscient [All-Knowing], and Omnipotent [All-Powerful].

With faith and trust, we believe in God’s unconditional love and faithfulness to humanity [we were created in His likeness, and Jesus gave His life to save our souls], and acknowledge He knows what is best for our lives, therefore, we honor and revere His Holy Name through faithful obedience.

[Spiritual] Courage is a choice to obey and move forward on God’s Chosen Path for our lives even when we do not understand. Because we love God, even when facing the harsh vicissitudes of life, we courageously ignore our thoughts of self-reliance, pray for God’s guidance, and wait for His answer.

Courage is the righteous attribute that tells us to use our blind faith to Keep Moving Forward in Jesus’ Divine Strength. Courage requires us to take giant leaps of faith despite the continuous roadblocks of trials and hardships. From our willingness to obey God, the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith and confidence in God even when we do not understand the reason for His directive.

“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 reminds us that His thoughts will always supersede our understanding, yet, obedience touches God’s heart, when we obey His plans, we know the outcome is always victorious. Providence is “God’s involvement in every aspect of our lives, from birth to death, and from heaven to earth.” Every faithful and obedient believer can live with the joyful expectation of receiving God’s Divine Providence in their lives. Yes and Amen. Great is His Faithfulness!

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28

“God leads people in ways that are best for them, even if those ways seem mysterious.” Throughout the Bible, we find that God gives directives without giving an “explanation of why.” Jesus Healing the Blind Man: “And He [Jesus] said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing” (John 9:7).

When praying for Divine Help, we may have the expectation of knowing all the intricate details, but God will never comply according to our wishes. We must pass the test of faith by obeying His instructions as given. One certainty that we know from the Scriptures is that God’s directives are never vague or confusing, we do not have to guess what He wants us to do, yet we will never receive the rationale.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7). Every day we decide whether to choose Divine Providence or to fulfill our desires and plans. To follow Christ, we must accept that human knowledge and perception are limited and influenced by many factors including our life experience. We cannot know what is best for us. Much prayer for an increase in strength is required to maintain a spirit of humility and faithfully obey Yahweh [“I Am Who I Am”].

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23

Without God, there is a certain level of chaos and confusion that always resides in a person’s life. When everyone around us is relying on their human wisdom, and it appears that all is well, behind the scenes, the Scriptures reveal their minds will never experience a moment of God’s peace. Do not be deceived, unbelievers readily give advice but rarely discuss the consequences of their misguided decisions.

Our Heavenly Father does not want us to live a life filled with anxiety, worries, or suffering the consequences of excluding Him from our decisions. Despite our resourcefulness and accomplishments, we cannot control circumstances, predict the future, or guarantee outcomes even when utilizing the best strategic planning.

“But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:19

Unlike the unbelievers who reject God and His Divine Providence, we cannot afford to play the Game of Chance—renounce self-reliance by choosing to seek God’s will through daily surrender. When everyone else says yes, we use our spiritual courage to swim against the tide. Never feel coerced to make an immediate decision. Always pray and wait for God’s guidance.

“Now the just [righteous] shall live by faith…” (Hebrews 10:38). Obedience keeps us aligned with God’s perfect plans, always includes much-needed blessings, and guarantees we will not suffer from delayed consequences that we did not anticipate, but are guaranteed to happen.

What does Courageous Christianity look like in real life?

At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on the minor inconveniences you encountered but easily resolved. Chances are you never thought about asking God for help. The downside is that self-reliance does not always reveal itself as wilful disobedience. God knows our weaknesses and will allow our faith to be tested in various ways. Pray about everything!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

Nothing that produces opposition in our lives just happens. One temptation that every believer fails is giving into Self-Reliance. Not all tests of faith and obedience are on a grand scale [trials that are impossible for human effort to resolve], it is life’s small disturbances and issues that lead us to make quick resolutions and exclude God.

“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

The trusting heart involves God in every aspect of their lives. Pray over your life [and your family] and wait for God’s answer. Yes, we can resolve many situations, but we pray for Divine guidance because we trust in God and will never experience regrets. Steadfast courage is not only essential in resisting our internal urges to move forward without involving God but also needed to actively participate in our journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

“…I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” —John 8:28-29

From praying daily for God’s will to be revealed, the Holy Spirit empowers us with Jesus’ Divine strength, which deepens our faith and strengthens us to overcome temptation. To pray in faith means we refrain from making decisions until we receive an answer from God.

The struggle against our desires is real! Renouncing self-reliance is a daily internal battle that requires true worship in spirit and truth. Every day, we need Divine power to strengthen our spiritual courage, as we have the responsibility to cultivate the spirit of humility required to depend on God.

“Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the LORD rescues him from them all.” —Psalm 34:19, Amplified Bible.

Daily surrender prepares us for when the major storm arrives. Instead of thinking, What am I going to do? our immediate response is to pray for God’s help. Because we have established the habit of depending on God, we pray in faith with the confidence that God will bring resolution. Despite the circumstances or the time required to wait on God, we should remain hopeful and courageous.

“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

A spiritual chain of reaction occurs when we use our faith to pray and patiently wait for Divine Intervention. Not only do we receive God’s guidance but we also gain spiritual wisdom—an attribute required to live courageously which allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT

From trusting God, we are empowered daily with Christ’s strength and gifted with His inner peace which allows us to courageously walk through life even when the storms are raging without anxiety, worry, or fears. And this brothers and sisters is real-life Courageous Christianity!

Prayer: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:7-8). Amen.

Waiting On the Lord Is the Test

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 26, 2025

Waiting isn’t just a passive attitude about life, rather it is active stillness. To wait on the Lord means to use one’s faith to pause and expect further instructions. It means to remain in your present circumstances doing whatever you are doing until God gives you a word of instruction to do otherwise.

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” —Psalm 27:13-14

Waiting on God is intentional, focused, and fully believing in His desire to grant us victory. Waiting requires that we posture ourselves to hear God’s Voice and surrender through obedience. There is no such thing as waiting on God without praying for His guidance and obeying His plans. Often, the duration of a lengthy wait causes us to lose hope and we begin to worry and strategize.

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

We must remember that God is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! Faith requires Courage and Dependency on our Loving and Omniscient Father. God uses time to accomplish His goal of strengthening our weak and wavering faith. Faith is believing that God’s covenant promises are steadfast regardless of how we perceive our circumstances. Pray, Praise, and Wait!

“But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” —Isaiah 40:31

Lord God, even though it doesn’t feel good, we thank You for the wait because Your thoughts and plans always end in victory. We ask for a change of heart due to our habits of self-reliance to one that desires to honor and reverence You through faithful obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray for increased faith and the strength to wait despite the length of time. Amen.

The Mother Bird Knows Where to Go for Safety. Jesus is our Rock Who Shelters Us In Every Storm.

Facing Job Loss? Our God Is Faithful

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – February 24, 2025

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” —Matthew 6:26

Recently, after sunrise, I heard a bird singing to the top of its voice to which I responded, “Sing little one, sing!” As I started singing, I reflected deeply on God’s blessings to His creations, human beings continuously receive showers of blessings that we often forget to thank God for. Like the birds, we should sing praises of gratitude every day because we are blessed and highly favored.

The Dilemma: Within the past three years, thousands of individuals have lost their primary source of income due to job loss. “Financial hardship due to job loss refers to a difficult financial situation that arises when someone loses their job, leading to a sudden drop in income and making it challenging to cover essential expenses like housing, food, utilities, and debt payments.”

Jesus’ Response to Our Dilemma: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:31-33

Do not worry! We cannot possess a heart filled with faith and gratitude if we are anxious and worried [seeds of fear] about tomorrow, next week, or next month. Live one day at a time! Limit your conversation regarding your loss of income with everyone but God. This is the time to establish a season of prayer and learning to recognize when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV

“While many people believe that God must always get what He wants, the Bible tells a quite different story. Over and over, Scripture depicts God as experiencing unfulfilled desires. In many instances, God explicitly declares that what is happening is the opposite of what He wants.” SSNet.org

Redirecting Our Faith and Focus: Yes, it is extremely heartbreaking and painful to face financial loss, yet as believers, we should not possess a spirit of hopelessness nor should we think that our loss is due to God punishing us. Do we believe that our Heavenly Father cares and His promises are a binding covenant to provide for us? When chaos disrupts our stable lives, we use our faith [weak or strong] to believe in God’s love and pray for Divine Help!

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ ” —Isaiah 46:10

God is Omniscient—He knows the end from the beginning. Yes, He knows that you have not been faithful in serving Him. Move forward by confessing your sins with genuine repentance, and renew your covenant of surrender and faithful obedience. With joyful expectation, ask God for help and thank Him in the same prayer for sustaining you in your time of need. Faith proclaims, I believe God has a plan for taking care of me [and my family]. Yes and Amen!

When faith-based prayer is our first response and the Bible is our spiritual compass, we receive the Divine wisdom that allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes. The spiritual path we travel leads to victory because it is paved by the footsteps of Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit. True worship is giving ourselves daily through the covenant of total surrender and consecrating oneself to follow and obey Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

God testifies of His Righteous Character and Unlimited Power. The Lord is capable of anything and can overcome any obstacle! Both converted [depend on God and obey His will] and unconverted believers [self-reliance is their roadblock to faithfully trusting God] acknowledge that God exists. The believers with converted hearts know that God is always Faithful, so they acknowledge His Sovereignty by coming daily to the Throne of Grace to ask for help every day.

“So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). It is only by trusting in God’s promises and immutable power that keep us faithful when facing life’s extreme challenges. From establishing and maintaining a lifestyle of devout prayer, consistent Bible Study, and thanking God daily for our provisions, our faith strengthens.

“I the LORD do not change…” (Malachi 3:6). The righteous know their only option for victory is to constantly depend on their Heavenly Father. Financial loss is a storm that is not easily resolved. To persevere through the storm, we must put forth the human effort of faith in God which is reinforced by studying the Scriptures, where God reveals who He is and how He intervenes in our lives.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:25-26

God is never in a hurry. The wait is testing our faith. Jesus promises to always be with us. Even if the waves are crashing against the boat [Mark 4], He asks, “Where is your faith?” Our Father does not want us to strategize or ask others to help us financially. He will reveal His Divine plan and send dedicated believers who give without expecting repayment to help in your time of need. Do not think or speak words of doubt or discouragement that reveal distrust in God’s Love and Sovereignty.

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14

Spending time with God at least twice a day in personal worship is imperative to receive His guidance and strength. In the season of waiting, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of downsizing to decrease your financial expenses. God promises to supply our necessities, and we use our faith to depend on our Heavenly Father’s promises, still, we must become good stewards of our finances by eliminating unnecessary expenditures.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…” —Ecclesiastes 3:1

Yes, at times, the storm lasts longer than we expected, still, the storm cannot last forever. Do not let the flashing lightning of circumstances [Bills due] become a diversion! The loud thunder [Satan presenting high-interest loans] is designed to weaken our faith. The blessings of God are never in deceptive tactics that promise quick resolutions of fast money.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:34

In Isaiah 65:24, Jesus says, “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Calculate your necessary expenses for the month. Pray and present the monetary amount to Jesus who is our Intercessor and thank God in advance for His blessings of the financial provisions. We do not have to beg continuously asking God to help us. Pray in faith and believe that God will provide.

“In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” —Psalm 4:8

When we trust Jesus, we can sleep in peace. By praying and proclaiming steadfast faith in God, we remain focused on Yahweh Yireh, The LORD will Provide. Not only will we receive our provisions, but Jesus navigates us safely through the tumultuous waves and empowers us with His Divine strength to persevere through the duration of the storm.

“But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.” —Luke 8:23

Unlike Jesus’ disciples, we must not wait until our situation is out of control before we ask for Divine help. From the moment the storm begins, pray! The storm not only tests and strengthens our faith but also reminds us that human effort has its limits. “God, Your will be done in my life” is our daily request. Believe, Pray, Praise, and Wait.

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). Yes, it is in the raging storms that we learn to depend on our Triumphant King Jesus who is in the storm with us and promises to always give us peace. Thank You, Jesus!

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2, NLT

Lord God, we admit that our faith is weak. Still, we approach Your Throne of Grace in faith, asking You to supply all of our provisions in a time of devastating loss. We pray for the strength to endure and the wisdom to identify the things we need to let go of. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Changing Our Focus to Christ

Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – February 7-8, 2025

“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” —Psalm 103:2, NLT

“God desires that the whole life of His people should be a life of praise.” Every day we should devote at least 10 minutes in solitude to reflect deeply on the benefits and blessings God has showered down from heaven into our lives.

Having breath in our bodies and being in our right minds—alert and oriented—are two of the greatest blessings we receive daily, yet, we often fail to include the gifts of life and cognitive abilities when thanking God for our blessings.

Today, my reflection on God’s Faithfulness even in the countless times I forgot to say, “Thank You, God” prompted the writing of this Devotional of Gratitude. Today we can begin a new habit of thanking our Heavenly Father daily for His continuous love. Amen.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles” (Psalm 103:1-5).

Lord God, Thank You for Your love, faithfulness, grace, and mercies. You are wonderful, You are Holy, Holy, Holy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Faith In Action

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – January 30, 2025

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” —Hebrews 11:1

“Faith is believing and trusting in God’s love, faithfulness, and miraculous power that you cannot physically see but believe to be real based on who God says He is, resulting in heartfelt conviction and hope.”

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” —Romans 12:1-2

From the moment we awaken to a new day, we exercise our faith by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice to God through a prayer of surrender, asking for His will to be revealed, and the wisdom and guidance to fulfill His plans. Christ receives our prayers and sends His spiritual strength and wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“You will show me the path of life, in Your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” —Psalm 16:11

Because life is unpredictable, even though we possess the knowledge to resolve our daily activities, we should ask God for His help in our routine duties. If you have ever experienced a situation that took minimal effort to resolve but escalated into a major obstacle, then asking God to intervene in every aspect of your life should be your first response. Who else but our Heavenly Father can promise to always give us victory?

“Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’ ” —Psalm 16:1-2, NIV

We can make plans but life always includes unforeseen challenges. Financial instability due to job loss, health issues, unhealthy family dynamics, natural disasters, and many other events can change the trajectory of our lives. Despite our trials, total dependence on God gives us a Spiritual Safety Net, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

“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

“Pray continuously” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Living a faith-based life requires much prayer. Form the habit of having little talks with God throughout your waking hours. We can pray audibly, silently, through singing, and even reading from the book of Psalms [songs of prayers]. Faith in Action prevents doubt and depression from taking root in our hearts.

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” —Lamentations 3:25

From our willingness to take a giant leap of faith and give our cares to God, we have the reassurance that God will bring resolution and completion. But know this, God’s answer usually does not come immediately, the wait is testing our faith. God’s answer may or may not require us to take any action, at times, He wants us to “Be still.”

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

Faith in Action: Believe that God is who He says He is. God’s timing is never our timing. In the waiting season, many believers lose faith by dwelling on the passing of time and God’s seeming lack of response to their prayers. Instead, focus on God’s miraculous power and fight feelings of doubt with prayer, studying the victories in the Scriptures, and reminding yourself of God’s promises. Pray every day, “God, thank You for resolving my challenges” while waiting.

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” —Isaiah 65:24, NLT

When the harsh vicissitudes of life come rushing in like a flood, we have no worries because our confidence is in God’s power and promises. In this lifetime, we will encounter obstacles that human effort cannot resolve. True faith in action is demonstrated by bringing every challenge to God before engaging in an extensive discussion with family and friends. If the challenge involves your family, invite everyone to participate in family prayer, and thank God for His intervention.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” —Numbers 23:19

Believe that God is who He says He is. The Red Sea parted, the walls of Jericho fell down, King Asa won the battle although the Ethiopian army was one million strong, and the apostle Paul bitten by a poisonous snake did not die. It is time for us to think differently about our Sovereign, Omnipotent, and Loving God who waits for our cries asking for His Divine Help.

“Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” —Psalm 37:5

Prayer is our spiritual connection to God, the Sustainer of lives. Prayers of faith invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to endure whatever trials and obstacles we face. Every challenge is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to increase our faith in God. We must believe that our Heavenly Father cares! Take every burden to God and wait for His answer.

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

The inner peace that comes from placing ourselves into God’s hands is beyond spoken words. When we commit to live a Faith-based, Christ-centered life, we are honored by God. Despite our circumstances, when we faithfully rely on God, He promises to give us victorious outcomes. Yes, our Heavenly Father cares!

Lord God, thank You for Your love, grace, and mercies. We ask for Your Divine Intervention for every believer facing unresolvable obstacles. Lord, we admit many times our faith is weak, yet, we come to You asking for the strength to keep persevering in Your power. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.