Recently I watched four Instagram reels on disobeying God, but the word Disobedience was skillfully avoided in the presentations. It is better for us to know the Plain Truth than to lose our reward of Eternal life because we never obeyed God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you…” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot depend on social media, sermons, and podcasts to save our souls.
Worship God everyday through prayer and careful study of the Scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom and discernment to understand the depth of God’s Transforming Word.
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Jesus is our perfect example of obedience to God. In The Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “…nevertheless, not my will but Your will be done.”
Our Savior’s death on Calvary’s Cross reveals that He loved God, the Father more than He loved Himself. Obedience to God in every aspect of our lives reveals that our hearts are converted, and filled with more love for God than for ourselves.
If we willingly obey our employer’s policies because we are rewarded with keeping our jobs and receiving our salary, how much more emphasis should we place on our destiny of eternal life?
Disobedience to God’s Sovereign Authority always brings devastating consequences to our lives. Not only do we lose our desire to please God, but we pray calculated prayers filled with request for blessings instead of praying for Spiritual transformation.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:36). From studying the Book of Revelation, we know this Earth is our temporary home. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 to be content with His blessings.
Why are we chasing the raggedy things of this Earth, and entering into relationships with individuals who do not desire the Forever reward Jesus has promised us?
Eternal Life Is the Reward for Faithful Obedience to God
The only thing we can take with us to Heaven is a “Righteous character” that must be developed in our earthly lives through daily surrender, faith, and obedience to God. We honor and reverence God through the worship of obedience to His plans for us.
From our daily prayer of submission to Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, and our Mediator, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform our unrighteous minds, characters, and personalities daily into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.
The spiritual journey is a tumultuous experience, yet, if we seek God’s will, and willingly obey His directives, day by day, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
We are never alone in our walk with Jesus. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Obedience allows the Holy Spirit to give us Christ’s Supernatural Strength to overcome the internal conflict of pursuing our desires, and the external opposition of temptations.
Proclaim out loud everyday, “I am going to heaven!” Amen!
For the faithful, Jesus is waiting to reward us with our golden crowns, and Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth. Hallelujah and Amen!
“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—’ ” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we as forgiveness for disobedience, and pray to have a heart that loves You, filled with steadfast faith and obedience. We ask you to reveal the behaviors and habits that prevent us from being aligned with Your perfect will and plans. It is our desire to receive Eternal Life. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 25, 2024
“This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and rescued you from Saul. 8 I gave you your master Saul’s house and his wives. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if this weren’t enough, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise my word by doing what I considered evil? You had Uriah the Hittite killed in battle. You took his wife as your wife. You used the Ammonites to kill him. 10 So warfare will never leave your house because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” —2 Samuel 12:7-10, GNT
King David’s Prayer of Repentance for the Sin Against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah: Psalm 51
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
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— Verses, 1-4
With a Father’s love, God granted King David mercy following his sinful actions. Although he suffered the lifelong consequences of his decisions, God continuously protected David from his enemies [including his sons, Absalom and Adonijah]. David proves that with God, we can strive to live as one who is forgiven by renouncing sin and staying before the Throne of Grace.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11
Because we acknowledge that our God is Sovereign and His thoughts and plans for our lives are perfect, we would think trusting and obeying Him would be easy. But the reality is that we fight an internal battle every day to overcome the desires of our hearts. Many believers fail to pray for God’s will. Every day they pursue their desires never perceiving their actions as disobedience against God.
Satan deceives us into believing that God measures sins as great or insignificant, big or little, yet, God declares that all sin is the transgression of His law. Wilful disobedience challenges God’s Authority and signifies overt rebellion against His Righteous Character. From the history of the Israelites, we learn the sins we choose to commit occur because the desire for the particular sin is hidden in our hearts.
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” —James 1:14-15
Every sin arises from our inherited heart filled with the desire for self-gratification. None of us are exempt from seeking sinful pleasures. Even, the Apostle Paul confessed, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing (Romans 7:19). Truthfully, we do not understand our hearts, it is easier to do wrong than to live righteously.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).
We need the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom to perceive sin for what it really is—any thought or action we commit outside of God’s will [for us] is sin. Every morning, we receive the gift of new mercies of another day of life. Either we choose the path of disobedience—rebellion against God by choosing our plans or the path of faithful obedience through our initial prayer: “Lord, I surrender myself and ask You to reveal Your plans for my life today.”
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). The failure to surrender reveals the heart issue of loving ourselves more than we love God and the desire to live according to our earthly plans. If God required His only Son to live a life of poverty, and rejection, and to die a criminal’s death then with heartfelt love for Jesus, we reveal our appreciation for the gift of salvation through obedience to God’s Divine plans.
Christ’s Testimonial of Obedience: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” —John 8:29
Jesus’ Internal Struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane: ” ‘Abba, Father,’ He said, ‘all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.'” —Luke 22:42-43
Even if we have little knowledge of the Scriptures, reflecting on the life of Christ and His inner struggle in the Garden reflects God’s unchangeable requirement of Faithful Obedience. The Father honored His Son for His obedience. God intervened in Jesus’ struggle to fulfill the Plan of Redemption for us.”…an angel appeared, strengthening Him.” Thank You Jesus for Your unfailing obedience!
All praises to God, the Father for giving Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb the supernatural strength to complete the Plan of Redemption to save our souls. Through prayer, we receive Jesus’ strength to empower us to overcome all temptation and live dedicated and obedient lives.
Still, God’s gift of Grace does not give us the leeway to follow our thoughts and inclinations. Every believer who desires the Crown of Life must seek God daily for His will to be revealed by the Holy Spirit and fulfill His Divine plans for the given day. Love propels us to obey!
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” —Matthew 22:37
To love God is to know His Righteous and Loving Character and follow in Jesus’ steps through surrender and obedience. The Holy Bible is our Guidebook for traveling the spiritual journey from earth to heaven. Because it is an immediate response for us to follow our desires, God, the Father sent His Spirit—the Holy Spirit also known as the Spirit of Truth to teach, reveal, and guide our steps in our wilderness journey.
In our daily activities, adherence and obedience to laws are essential, extending from governmental regulations to county and city ordinances that govern human behavior and delineate criminal activity. Employers have policies that coincide with labor laws, enforce nondiscriminatory treatment, and define productivity guidelines, and appropriate behaviors. Termination is the standard penalty for character deficits and infractions of established policies.
Reflection: If we obey human laws what prevents us from obeying God’s Sovereign Laws and Precepts?
Like Eve, we have been deceived by Satan who tells us, “You will not surely die” from our acts of disobedience. So we attend church, give tithe and offerings, treat others respectfully, and do not commit outrageous sins. To compensate for our failure to obey God through surrender and faithful obedience, like Cain who offered God his idea of the sacrificial offering, we try to please God with our actions, believing He is satisfied.
Worldviews are built on sinful habits. Whether we chase success, spend money frivolously (the love of money is the root of all evil), engage in friendships and romantic liaisons with unbelievers (Do not make mismatched alliances with them, it is inconsistent with your faith), or practice sexual immorality (the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body), our sin is against God.
The violation of God’s Righteous Precepts and Moral Law is a matter of life or death, they are the Standards for receiving the reward of Eternal Life. God says He does not change. There is no leniency as Satan desires for us to believe. “Middle of the Road or Compromised Christianity” is still a sin. If we truly love God, we do His will. Pray, listen, and obey. We cannot overcome the innate desires of our hearts without surrendering to God and asking for His Divine Help which we receive through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13
Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Daniel, and Job lived sinless lives. With determination, and the desire to live holy and acceptable lives, they prayed, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, dedicated human beings overcame sin by the power of Jesus’ strength. God gifted us with the power of self-control and the privilege of praying for help when tempted.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” —2 Timothy 1:7, AMP Bible
The human effort of total surrender to God invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine strength to say No to sin. We are soldiers in the Army of God. We prepare for spiritual war daily through prayer, consecration, and surrender. In our battle with evil, we always need God’s help. Angels fight spiritual warfare that we cannot see. Still, we must be courageous in standing down invitations designed to separate us from God.
God is Love! When we fall, in humility, we repent. God’s Promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Yes, and Amen! We Can Live as One Who Is Forgiven by stepping into our role as surrendered and faithful warriors anointed with the Matchless Strength of Jesus Christ.
“I call heaven and earth to witness this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—that you and your offspring shall live.” —Deuteronomy 30:19
“Choosing life involves: Loving God, Walking in God’s Ways, Keeping God’s Commandments, and Having a Radical Change of Heart.” Yes, and Amen.
Lord God, we thank You for the precious gift of Jesus Christ. We ask for forgiveness of the sin of rebellion against Your Sovereign Authority. We desire to live as one who is forgiven and pray for direction and protection from the evil one. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – October 27, 2024
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —1 John 2:15
When we fully surrender to God and consecrate ourselves to live as dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, our mindset and priorities must change to become Christ-like. Yes, the line of separation between righteousness and sinfulness, God’s Biblical view, and the Worldviews, and our relationships with family, and friends grows wider. The converted Christian believer who desires eternal life cannot participate in worldly relationships, conversations, and activities “just to fit in.”
Spiritual Guidelines for Christian Believers
“Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.” —2 Timothy 2:4
“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” 2 Timothy 2:23-24
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy [who he was mentoring to be a pastor], Paul advises him to perceive the Christian’s role as soldiers in the Army of God who live to please God. Right standing with God excludes us from most conversations our coworkers initiate and participate in. Discussions to avoid: Political, prejudices, biased opinions, “it is their fault” when referring to socioeconomic status, abortion, alternative lifestyles, and child-rearing practices. Step away from conflict with silence.
Last week, I chatted with one of the delivery drivers who expressed that although his goal is to avoid conflict, his circle of friends love controversy and attempt to coerce him into participating in their rowdy conversations. I told him there are two ways to avoid feeling pressured into verbal sparring. He asked me to explain, “The best option is to remain silent! If asked, “What do you have to say?” respond with this answer, “Nothing.” The second option is to change his social circle.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2
The Christian believer must uphold Righteous standards. Accepting Christ as our personal Savior changes our motives, desires, mindset, character, and personality. We were created to fulfill a higher purpose that requires a steadfast relationship with Christ. Our love and loyalty belong to God; therefore, we should avoid conflict, reject the world’s focus on success and financial wealth, and not support sinful lifestyles.
Many believers who dedicate themselves to God by consistently studying the Bible and praying for Divine guidance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit will experience separation and loneliness. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
In studying the life of Christ, we find that He was rejected and hated by the Jewish leaders who controlled the people through fear and manipulation. In fact, the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] give us the historical account of Christ’s earthly life. Not only did the Pharisees and Sadducees consistently challenge Jesus, they sent spies to monitor His activities, and constantly planned ways to cause His death. Yet, God, the Father sent angels to protect His Son from harm’s way and Jesus completed His God-given earthly journey.
“Jesus got up early in the morning, left the house, and went out to a secluded place to pray.” —Mark 1:35
Although Jesus had 12 disciples, the Scriptures portray Him as spending much time alone in prayer with God, Jesus proclaimed, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Jesus describes His earthly life as “A Man of Sorrows.” Still, He fulfilled God, the Father’s Spiritual Assignment—to complete the Plan of Redemption and now sits on the Right Hand of God, the Father as our Triumphant King! Hallelujah and Amen!
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:10-11, Amplified Bible
To serve God fully, we must walk our Chosen Path with steadfast faith, courage, and perseverance. Pray and ask God to reveal your spiritual purpose. Walk in humility and boldness in your Divine Purpose. We must never let Satan’s deceptive strategy of using familiar people deceive us into living a life of compromise.
“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
With courage, we pray to stand down Satan’s continuous temptations of compromise to have relationships with unbelievers who do not desire the reward of eternal life. Our strength is from Jesus and given by the Holy Spirit to every believer who asks. We receive strength by accepting Jesus’ invitation to approach His throne of grace in our time of need.
“Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’ ” —2 Corinthians 6:17
Every day, tell yourself, “I am here because of the will of God. If I do not fit in with others it is God’s purpose that I do not because I have been set aside to fulfill His Divine purpose.”
The Light of Christ has nothing in common with darkness. Our relationship with Christ is a personal one-to-one relationship and is our priority! We use silence as Jesus did when facing His accusers. Every believer should have knowledge of Christ’s earthly life. Every day, study the Bible. The Scriptures are God speaking to us. Our prayers express our innermost secrets to God. Prayer is our greatest weapon and keeps us connected to God.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” —James 1:5
Christ created us to live a life of excellence. If we ask God for His wisdom the Holy Spirit empowers us with Christ’s wisdom to develop our spiritual gifts and natural talents. Fight loneliness through prayer, study the Scriptures, witness by telling strangers, “Jesus loves you, and spend time in nature.
The Christian’s goal is, “I am going to heaven!” We desperately require Divine Intervention to overcome our desires and avoid confrontations that oppose God’s will. Adopt Jesus’ habit by separating yourself daily to pray for the Supernatural strength to live holy. Pray for discernment. Let the Holy Spirit guide you when to speak. Pray fervently before accepting friendships or choosing a spouse.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’ ” —Matthew 7:21
“…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” —1 Samuel 16:7
Our earthly relationships impact our spiritual standing with Christ. Let God [who examines every human heart] choose your relationships. Our lives are a continuous struggle that requires people dedicated to God who will pray for and with us, and tell us in love when we are outside God’s perfect will. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
When we truly commit to loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, Jesus becomes our Best Friend. Fulfill your spiritual purpose for which you will receive the Crown of Life. Our ultimate goal is to receive our Heavenly reward of eternal life. The New Heaven and New Earth will be our Forever Home.
Yes, to live with Christ in a perfect world filled with Agape love and forever friends is worth the sacrificial offering of our lives to God. Daily, affirm your allegiance to God! Only what we do for Him will be rewarded in the end. Yes and Amen! Peace and Blessings.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” —Revelation 22:12-14
Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – August 24, 2024
If your life is difficult, study the lives of Joseph, Abraham, Naomi, Ruth, and Job. The Bible gives us true knowledge of people who struggle with the same issues we face. King Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Until we accept our God-given purpose, our lives will never reflect spiritual growth and transformation nor will our earthly accomplishments produce the faith and works that indicate we are preparing for eternal life.
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” —Psalm 32:8
Resistance to letting God lead us results in practicing Compromised Christianity—attending church but never changing and growing spiritually. Deciding to commit and consecrate oneself to follow Jesus Christ gives us true peace and victory despite our trials and hardships. Throughout the Scriptures, we find righteous men and women who dedicated themselves to surrender and faithfully obey God. Yes, they had the assurance of receiving the Crown of Life.
“I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand on the earth… And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” —Job 19:25-27
Job suffered greatly but still proclaimed victory because he truly believed in Jesus’ promise that He would come again to take the righteous to heaven. Where do we stand? Live for Christ. True victory can only be obtained through the Righteousness of Christ. Heaven is real. We cannot afford to choose the temporary things of this earth and forfeit the reward that Jesus died on Calvary’s cross to give us.
Declaration of True Surrender: “I have decided to follow Jesus and whether I lose family, friends, or wealth, I am going to heaven to receive my reward, Revelation 22:12.” Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – August 19, 2024
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ ” —Mark 8:34
There is a stark difference between Jesus’ requirements to follow Him and the Compromised Christianity practiced by many of today’s believers. Jesus says that we must deny ourselves, and take up our cross to be His disciple. The life of a true converted believer is not easy. We must relinquish our desires by surrendering ourselves to God daily: “God, not my will, but Your will be done.”
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Mark 8:36-37
Pursuing success, financial wealth, relationships, and pleasure has never been included in the spiritual journey of the followers of Christ. Chasing the world’s prosperity and marrying unbelievers is history repeating itself [the days of Noah]. Jesus forewarns us of the consequences of choosing the world, the loss of one’s soul is the loss of the reward of Eternal life.
“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” —Joshua 24:15
“In the simplicity of humble faith ask the Lord to open your understanding, that you may discern and appreciate the precious things of His Word. Thus you may grow in grace, grow in simple, trusting faith.” God’s Amazing Grace, EGW
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.” —John 15:4
“Our Saviour compares Himself to a vine, of which His followers are the branches. He plainly declares that all who would be His disciples must bring forth fruit; and then He shows how they may become fruitful branches.” Reflecting Christ, EGW
“…Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16
Faith, humility, surrender, obedience, much prayer, fasting, and study of the Holy Scriptures along with abandoning all worldly habits, desires, and lifestyles including liaisons with unbelievers are required to follow Christ. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity for our characters, minds, and personalities to be changed into the likeness of Christ.
The human effort of cooperation with God joins us with God’s plan to save our souls. We choose Christ and the Holy Spirit transforms us daily into the likeness of Christ’s Character. Sanctification is evidenced when our desires change and we pursue righteousness. We stop watching, listening, and chasing sinful pleasures, nor do we seek success because Jesus is our First Love.
The believers whose hearts are converted love God and cherish Jesus’ selfless sacrifice on Calvary. We do not have ambivalent feelings over giving up everything for Christ. When we are dedicated followers of Christ, we prepare daily for Kingdom life with our Triumphant King. Reflection: Where do you stand in your relationship with Jesus?
Study Mark chapters 8-10: “…the follower of Jesus—whether the disciples 2,000 years ago or disciples in the twenty-first century— [must prepare daily] for the challenges that come with discipleship.” SSNET
Lord God, we pray for the strength to persevere on this tumultuous journey. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to lead us on the Path of Righteousness. We love You for Your great sacrifice that we have the opportunity to inherit eternal life. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
During every passenger plane landing, the instructions are given to prepare for landing. Because this directive may be perceived in many various ways the flight attendants give specific directions for preparation to land. They perform a final walk through to complete the pre-landing regulations before taking their seats.
Jesus has given us precepts and commands to guide us to our final destination in the New Heaven and New Earth.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.'” –Revelation 22:20
With urgency, in Revelation chapter 22, Jesus gives us a promise that is also a warning. Three times He says, I am coming quickly. We are given a preview of heaven, we are told that the time is near, and we receive information on how to prepare by keeping His Commandments. The chapter ends with the repetitive and third promise/warning from Jesus that His coming is timely and definite.
Note: In studying the Scriptures, Jesus rarely repeated His words while ministering to others. We become aware that “I am coming quickly” is a life or death warning for us to do our part [daily preparation] if we expect to receive eternal life.
Most of us possess the skills of preparing ahead. We have our mental to-do lists and are accustomed to preparing the night before or early morning to identify and achieve daily repetitive tasks. Yet, when preparing for vacations or an intentional getaway, we use focused planning strategies. If you need some quiet time, you would not book an Airbnb in a city with never-ending noises.
How many Christians are excitedly preparing day-to-day to live eternally?
Preparation for eternal life is intentional. Every aspect of our earthly activities of daily living require heightened awareness and intentional planning. Without complete knowledge of how we use our time, distractions will prevent us from preparing for eternal life. We never fully comprehend the meaning of Jesus coming quickly because we are unaware of the shortage of time we have to get ready.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
Jesus also clarifies that we have spiritual assignments for which we will receive the reward of living with Him forever and ever. Our Heavenly reward is not given because we were dedicated employees working 40-hour work weeks that provided the necessary income to sustain our lifestyles.
The question, What did you do with your spiritual gifts that I gave you? Did you strive to live a righteous life? The conviction to remain faithful and obedient by overcoming temptations, the courage to say no to sin, [even if it means losing family and friends], and the commitment to love and put God first are righteous standards mandated by the law of God.
Use your spiritual gifts and the resources of time, effort, and money for discipleship–service to God and to others which is the work that Jesus Christ rewards. Read The Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the changes in your lifestyle that you need to make to be ready for Jesus’ Second Coming. Live everyday with the mindset that Jesus is coming quickly! We have wasted too much time watching, listening, and doing things that do not count toward preparation for eternal life.
The Journey of Sanctification
We can only take one thing to heaven and that is our character. The Holy Spirit breathed the words of God to the apostles, Paul, James, Peter, and John of the necessary characteristics that we must have in our lives now to be holy and acceptable for life in heaven.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. –Galatians 5:22-23
Most are familiar with the righteous traits of the Fruit of the Spirit. Still, “1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 6, Hebrews 11, James 1-2, and 1 Peter 1” also give us a foundation for possessing a Christ-like character. Sanctification, the lifelong spiritual journey of spiritual growth and development requires human effort plus Divine Intervention through Jesus Christ.
Secretly, some Christians think that striving for righteousness is overwhelming and that God has placed a burden on us to be holy.
Consider your employer who has greater demands than our Heavenly Father. You are expected to have almost 100% competency in performing your job duties, reach productivity standards, possess time management skills, complete ongoing educational trainings, and have an acceptable attendance record. Nor will you receive continuous help from management staff.
We have the Divine Intervention of the Spiritual Team of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the angels to help us every day. Doing our part requires putting God first and praying for help. Pray and Study the Bible every day. We determine our destiny!
Why is it taking so long for Jesus to come? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9
Thankfully, we have a merciful Father who patiently loves us. Even so, our lifespan remains a mystery Tomorrow is not promised to us. Prepare everyday and stay ready.
Prayer: God, we pray for ourselves today because we realize that we are not preparing for Jesus to come. Holy Spirit please reveal the obstacles in our lives that are causing roadblocks in our spiritual journey. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
God, we thank you for the blessing of the Sabbath day. We pray to receive peace as we extend agape Love to others. We pray for each individual that is in conflict regarding the 7th day Sabbath. We love you. Please accept our worship of humility and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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