Tag: Holy Spirit

Integrity: The Righteous Standard

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 22, 2024

“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. (2) With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? (4) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’ “

“When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. (6) Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.” —Acts 5:1-6

Integrity reveals righteousness. Believers live by God’s righteous standards—always speaking and acting according to the righteous moral and social laws given by God. The lack of integrity is a heart issue. It reveals that sin is ruling our hearts instead of the righteousness of Christ.

“When it comes to human integrity, the Apostle Paul, quoting from various Psalms says, “There is no one righteous, not even one….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:11-23), so the opposite of righteousness is sin. As much as this word is avoided, and even hated today, the truth is that lack of integrity is not merely an issue of behaviour that can be improved…”(Cross Current).

“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

Many years ago, I was hired for a nursing management position in one of the best nursing homes. After many years of clinical nursing, I was very excited that God blessed me with the opportunity to develop my skills. When I was introduced to the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), all but one welcomed me. One of my responsibilities was to make supervisory rounds to assess staff challenges while rendering resident care. As I slowly opened the door to *Mr. Smith’s room, I witnessed an act of horror—the CNA slapped the patient’s face in response to his combative behavior. The CNA was unaware that I had entered the room until the patient cried out, “Miss help me, she hit me in the face.” She let go of his arm, turned to me, and stated, “I did not hit him! He hit me!” My response was, “Yes, you did slap his face!” As I turned to leave, she immediately followed me and without remorse stated, “I have five children to support.”

The Outcome: I reported the incident to my Director who informed the Administrator. Not all of the state agency’s protocol was followed, yes the CNA was reported to the State Department responsible for Certification, but the facility’s responsibility to file criminal charges for assault and battery was not carried out [a decision by the home’s administrator]. The reason given was to protect the facility’s reputation.

The restoration of humanity’s lost righteousness is a central theme of the Bible. The only person in human history whose life was absolutely integrated, in whom there is nothing to blame, whose beliefs, words, and deeds were in perfect harmony was Jesus Christ. His character and life is a perfect example of integrity. (Cross Current)

“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him” (verse 14 NIV) “…beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:17-18, NKJV)

Our faith and righteousness are tested when facing situations that require a compromise of integrity. To possess spiritual integrity under all circumstances is not a work we can accomplish without the Holy Spirit. From praying daily for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, we receive the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize and respond to corrupt situations as Christ would respond.

“The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.” —Proverbs 11:3

We have to make a decision. The courage to do what is right in God’s eyes is not given to us by the Holy Spirit. Courage comes from within. Will we stand strong although we may endure loss? Choosing right reveals our love for God and our true character. The decision to stand for God’s Righteous moral code reveals that we faithfully trust in God’s promise to never leave us or forsake us. We boldly proclaim, “No, I will not agree to do that!” when our morals and values align with the holiness of Christ, our Rock of Righteousness.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” —Matthew 7:13-14

Without the humility to surrender and be led by the Holy Spirit, we will live a life of compromise, never growing spiritually. Because our hearts are desperately wicked, we were born with the inner drive to choose evil over good. Yes, the Christian life is a continuous struggle! Temptation is covert—always concealed as the best option, but sin requires a compromise of sanctified holiness.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” —Matthew 5:6

Integrity flows from a converted and committed heart that seeks after the Righteousness of Christ. Christ completed His spiritual mission on earth. God clearly defines our responsibility in the plan of Salvation, to seek righteousness. To overcome the enemy’s tactics, we need Divine Help continuously.

Prayer invites all of heaven’s supernatural power to give us the strength to face every struggle and overcome it! Our mindset must be one of spiritual awareness which only comes from a life of prayer on bended knees. When we do our part by remaining steadfast in the Lord, the Holy Spirit anoints us with the power to live holy, sanctified lives possessing uncompromised integrity. © SDJ April 2024

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” —Matthew 5:8

Preparing for Our Destiny of Kingdom Life – Sabbath Peace and Blessings

“Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]…” 2 Peter 1:10, Amplified Bible

We need not have a supposed hope, but an assurance. To make our calling and election sure is to follow the Bible’s plan to closely examine ourselves, to make strict inquiry whether we are indeed converted, whether our minds are drawn out after God and heavenly things, our wills renewed, our whole souls changed. To make our calling and election sure requires far greater diligence than many are giving to this important matter. Manuscript, 1844, (Published in Our Higher Calling)

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ ” —Revelation 22:17, 20

Biblical prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled in our era. Choosing to follow Christ wholeheartedly allows us to receive the transforming power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through surrender and faithful obedience, we can be assured that our destiny is eternal life. Amen. Happy Sabbath! ©April 2024

Fulfilling the Desires of Our Hearts

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 4, 2024

Scenario: Your son, age 10 asks for a bicycle. Both of you develop a plan based on merit to be completed within a reasonable time frame and if the conditions are met, he will receive a new bike. Excitement has driven him to excel and with expert advice from the manager at the bicycle shop, he chooses his new bike. Despite your best efforts, things didn’t go as planned. You didn’t anticipate his negative reaction to the tight fit of the bicycle helmet, and you also didn’t foresee the need to use wrenches to lower the seat and remove the pedals temporarily for balance training without an end date. Yet the greatest surprise is your son’s anxiety due to his fear of falling. The look on his face displays that his joy has quickly turned into disappointment. Despite feeling frustrated, you verbally express positive affirmations to keep his hope alive.

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” —Genesis 2:15, 19

With Adam, God’s desire for beings created in His image and to worship Him was fulfilled. Christ gave Adam tasks that not only challenged him intellectually, but also promoted spiritual growth, happiness, creativity, and optimal physical health. When we think of the animal kingdom, we realize that Adam’s heart was filled with love and intent when naming the animals. Can you imagine a lion, tiger, or eagle being called by any other name?

“…And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (verse 19). In the Creation story, we have proof that humanity was created with the free will of choice. Not only did we receive innate talents, the ability to dream and strive for excellence, but we also received spiritual gifts, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you” (Reflecting Christ, p 299).

Throughout our lifespan, we must continue to strive for excellence by developing realistic short and long-term goals that utilize our talents and spiritual gifts. If we pray and align ourselves with God’s plans, He guarantees victory. Yes, the road is rough, but we were created with the resilience to persevere despite the obstacles and setbacks. The goal is life with Christ.

Job dissatisfaction is one of the primary complaints when pursuing personal and professional growth. We grow tired of suffering hardships, but still, our prayers for a new job remain unanswered. God is using adversity to develop the Fruit of the Spirit in our character. Because we do not know what to pray for, God closes doors and gives us the answer of “no” to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.

Our Father uses the ordinary things of life to produce extraordinary character transformation. Even our chosen professions are designed for continuous intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth and development. Our role is to pray for the strength to endure the struggle of being transformed into righteous saints of the Most High God.

“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

When Christ brought the animals to Adam, we find that God’s original plan required humanity to cooperate with Divinity. If our talents and spiritual gifts are used to glorify and honor God then we invite the Holy Spirit to work His transforming power within us. Praying for God’s plans to be revealed and waiting on the Lord for an answer demonstrates faithful obedience.

Spiritual upward mobility results in the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities. This life is our only opportunity to prepare for Eternal life. Sanctification is a lifetime’s work and is directed and guided by the Holy Spirit. If we compare ourselves to the Scriptures, the Standard of Righteousness, we would surrender and seek God’s will without fail. To have the Character of Christ requires consecration, fasting, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures Defining Righteous Character Traits

  1. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…” (Mathew 22:37).
  2. “Love your neighbor as yourself…” ( Matthew 22:39).
  3. “A man’s insight gives him patience…” (Proverbs 19:11).
  4. “The Fruit of the Spirit is…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
  5. “If you forgive men their trespasses…” (Matthew 6:14-15).
  6. “Be kind and tender-hearted…” (Ephesians 4:32).

“O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].” —Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible

We easily pursue the desires of our hearts, yet, in doing so, we have strayed from God’s original plan—praying and accepting His will. The worldview of success has enticed us and crept into our values. Never, ever trust your heart! Our hearts lead us to believe that social status, titles, financial wealth, and tangible things equate with striving for excellence. Without the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance, we hold the same status as the unbeliever, to direct our steps places us in spiritual bankruptcy.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” —Isaiah 55:6

The parent and son were not prepared for the amount of effort and practice required to learn how to ride a bike. As a result, they both ended up feeling disappointed and frustrated. This could be attributed to the parent relying too heavily on prior experience and underestimating the challenge involved in teaching a child to ride a bike. We can avoid disappointments and chaos by relying on God in every aspect of our lives.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31

The war raging between God’s will and our desires never experiences a cease-fire. Still, we have the power of self-control—making godly decisions is a choice. Whenever our hearts strive for control, we must put our wayward desires in check: Does this action or decision honor God? Will the outcomes align with God’s plan for the spiritual transformation of my character?

“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

If we acquiesce to God by allowing Him to navigate our pursuits then we will receive spiritual transformation, intellectual and emotional growth, and optimal physical health. We have come too far in our spiritual journey to settle for earthly trinkets. Make a commitment to surrender to God in humility and patiently wait for His perfect plans.

Surrendering our desires is the test that proves our love for Christ. To be in sync with God’s plans is the daily challenge every believer faces. Our goal is to live forever. We should remind ourselves every day of God’s definition of upward mobility: “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” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Lord God, we pray for the strength to overcome our innate desires which are enmity against Your will and plans. Lord, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask You to give us wisdom and discernment in our daily lives so that we recognize the temptations designed to make us fall. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Teach Us to Pray

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 29, 2024

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ ” —Luke 11:1

One day, after observing [and listening] to Jesus praying, His disciples humbly approached Him, saying “Lord, teach us to pray.” From walking with Christ, they finally grew tired of the bickering about who would be the greatest and began to desire spiritual transformation. The disciples realized the wisdom and power that Jesus possessed came directly from God, the Father.

“They had a deep longing to connect with God the way Jesus did. As they traveled with him, they witnessed the power of his prayers and the intimacy he shared with the Father.” (christianwebsite.com).

“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14

Christ’s Model Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13. What do we pray for? According to Jesus, our priority is for God’s will to be done. God has one agenda: To save our souls. Our minds, characters, and personalities require spiritual transformation to receive eternal life. The foundation of our daily prayer is for God’s will to be revealed. We also pray for spiritual growth and transformation, wisdom, discernment, and the strength to overcome temptation.

In the morning and evening, we should pray for repentance of sins and ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of our known and unrecognized sins. Each of us practices habits and behaviors that do not reflect the righteous character of Christ. Because we are influenced by the world we live in, our standards are not in alignment with God’s command to be holy. The Holy Spirit reveals the hidden sins that prevent us from receiving our heavenly reward.

Pray Over Every Aspect of Your Life: Pray for confession, repentance and forgiveness, peace, comfort, provision, guidance, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Pray for healing, for God to fight your battles, for safety, and intercession for others. When answering our prayers, God always prioritizes our spiritual needs.

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find instructions to pray for material wealth or tangible items. If we practice excellent stewardship over our financial blessings then God knows that we desire the house or vehicle and He will perform the supernatural miracles for us to receive our tangible desires that are within His will and plans.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” —Ephesians 2:8-9

Initially, the Holy Spirit touches our hearts with the invitation to accept Christ as our personal Savior. Once we say yes then God always requires human effort before He intervenes. A dedicated life of prayer reveals our desire for God’s continuous intervention. The spiritual prerequisites of humility, a contrite spirit, and faithful obedience allow the Holy Spirit to perform the daily work of spiritual growth and transformation.

“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” —Romans 7:14-15

Even the Apostle Paul recognized his pitiful state by proclaiming, ” O wretched man that I am!” Christian believers are often offended by the statement that we are sinners saved by grace through faith. Without recognizing our desperate need for God, the Holy Spirit cannot perform the work of heart conversion.

The Converted Heart: Conversion is a change of heart, a turning from unrighteousness to righteousness. Relying upon the merits of Christ, exercising true faith in Him, the repentant sinner receives pardon for sin…fighting against natural inclinations and selfish desires and bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily he seeks the Lord for grace, and he is strengthened and helped. (A Change of Heart Devotional)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5

The reason we fail to consistently use our privilege of prayer is that we do not recognize our constant need for Christ. If we have a list of the challenges that we can resolve ourselves without praying for Divine help then we develop a spirit of self-reliance. This mindset results in self-satisfaction that not only separates us from Christ but also produces a false sense of our true status with God—when life flows smoothly, we feel spiritually content.

“Let us therefore come boldly [with confidence] to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” —Hebrews 4:16

For the converted heart to remain so, we must view ourselves as “spiritually wretched” and live a life of total surrender and faithful obedience to God by staying on bended knees. “It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer!” The quality of our worship and the persistence of our prayers indicate our desire to be transformed by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The penitent soul always realizes its’ need for God.

In Revelation 12, “the remnant of her seed” refers to those who follow Christ. Like Christ’s disciples, we also need to ask Him to teach us to pray. Those who come to the throne of grace with persistent prayers receive the continuous spiritual blessings of peace, joy, and confidence. Despite life’s challenges, a consistent prayer connection with Christ gives us the strength to endure the hardships and suffering required to receive our greatest reward of eternal life.

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” —Romans 8:26-27

Through the Holy Spirit, we have the assurance that our prayers of faith ascend as sweet incense to Jesus our Heavenly Priest and Intercessor. Our misspoken words are accepted by the Holy Spirit who translates our prayers and intercedes for us by taking our pleas and presenting them with clarity and reverence to Jesus, our King, Lord, and Savior. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both making intercession for us. What more can Divinity do for us?

Lord God, teach us how to pray. We ask for Your Divine Intervention, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 20, 2024

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin’ ” —John 8:31-32, 34

“He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.” —Proverbs 21:21

To abide in Christ is to delve into the Scriptures and to obey and follow His commands. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is Truth! The Omniscient eyes of God roam the earth and He sees the true status of our hearts [Hebrews 4:13]. If our love for God is genuine and we desire to know the Truth then we are spiritually connected to the heart of Christ, and the Holy Spirit imparts the wisdom to understand the deeper meaning of the Scriptures and the Righteousness of Christ.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” —Matthew 5:6

Recently I read a post entitled “When will sermons change from feel good and return to the Gospel Truth?” To commit oneself to live a surrendered life, strive for holiness, pray fervently, and study the Scriptures only to hear “feel-good sermons” with selected truths must be a profound disappointment. Yet, one must not despair. Loving God with all of our hearts not only increases our faith, but our dedication allows the Holy Spirit to strengthen our bond with Christ.

“O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.” —Psalm 63:1

The believer who wrote the post on seeking sermons based on spiritual sustenance was alerted by the Holy Spirit [our Spiritual Alarm] that something was not right. Not only will the Holy Spirit convict us of the sin within our hearts, but we will also receive warnings regarding the half-truths of omission when preached, written in many Inspirational books, and posted on the Christian blogs. Sadly, pastors and authors exist who are more interested in member and reader recognition than in Christ’s saving grace and teach messages that reinforce the false belief that eternal life is an easy reward.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” —John 7:38

The believers who are desperately thirsting for Christ, the Living Water receive immediate Divine intervention. God does not allow those who seek to remain spiritually empty nor does He leave them in the darkness of only hearing the feel-good messages. The Holy Spirit responds to our prayers of faith for guidance by always revealing a Bible-based church whose pastoral staff is preparing its members for eternal life.

The apostle Paul wrote a warning for the church: “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).

“The Greek word translated ‘itching’ literally means ‘to itch, rub, scratch, or tickle.’ To want one’s ears ‘tickled’ is to desire massages rather than messages—sermons that charm rather than challenge, entertain rather than edify, and please rather than preach.” Gotquestions.com

The reality is that Biblical prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled. We are the “Last Days” generation who desire to hear and read the all-is-well sermons and blogs that promote happiness and to enjoy one’s life because Christ paid it all. The messages of doing nothing for our spiritual transformation because we are covered by grace, or to do good and believe in your heart that you are going to heaven along with the “Name it and Claim It” prosperity and healing concepts are not Bible-Based.

“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” —Hebrews 12:1-3

How did we transition from praying for the strength to persevere and run daily in the tumultuous Christian race to desiring an earthly life of bliss and contentment? “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).

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus addressed Judging Others, Asking and Seeking Spiritual Blessings, the Narrow Way versus the Broad Way, Recognizing Signs of False Prophets and Teachers, I Never Knew You, and Building Our Spiritual Foundation on Christ, the Solid Rock. Jesus forewarned us that our lives would be filled with tribulations, yet, we must never lose hope because our victory is found in Him.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” —1 Peter 3:15

Every member of the church is a disciple and was left with the responsibility to do our part in sharing the Gospel Truth. Whether we are Christian bloggers, writers, digital content and social media creators, prayer warriors, musicians, singers, poets, missionaries, Bible teachers, or on the maintenance crew in the upkeep of the church, every believer has the responsibility to tell others that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Praying for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to speak through us and for us only has one outcome, we post the One and Only Entire Truth, not from our perspective, but as willing vessels whom the Holy Spirit anoints. Yes, we have the freedom to use our individual styles of creativity, yet, we must never present God’s Truth as watered-down or carefully designed buffered messages of omission that flatter the readers, viewers, or ourselves.

Too much is given, much is expected. We must use our spiritual gifts to scratch itching ears with the powerful, life-changing Truth of the Word of God. Christ has chosen us to write, speak, sing, pray, and share the Scriptural messages of Truth given by the Holy Spirit that challenge, edify, and provoke both the creator and the viewer/hearer to experience deep conviction and desire true conversion of the heart.

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” —Luke 12:40,43

God, we thank You for the gift of Jesus, Your Son that we may receive eternal life if we so choose. Lord, we pray for the courage to share the One and Only Biblical Truth without hesitation even when we are rejected and scorned. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

God’s Divine Nature is Love

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 17, 2024

“And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 4:10

“We love Him because He first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

For an understanding of the origin of love, we refer to the Scriptures. The Characters of God, the Father, God, Jesus the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit are Love. Only human beings were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. We are the only living beings for which Christ died which is a powerful indicator of His overwhelming love.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

God gifted us with the innate characteristics [present at birth] of power, a sound mind, self-control, free will of choice, and a heart filled with love. Because of the ravages of sin not everyone has a sound mind but all can freely love God and others. Even those who are developmentally disabled can love and respond to love. If we prayed for the wisdom to grasp the magnitude of God’s love and appreciated our gifts, we would readily consecrate our lives to Him.

“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

Christ’s Divine Nature is Love—”Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Every believer is commanded to love like Christ: “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1 John 4:12). Because we are impacted by our various backgrounds and life experiences, we must learn God’s definition of Love by studying 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

God’s character and Divine nature reveal that He is a Holy and Righteous God. “…because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy…’ ” (1 Peter 1:16), God requires that we strive for righteousness. The Holy Spirit with our cooperation empowers us to accomplish above and beyond our human abilities.

Our steadfast love for God and the commitment to make Jesus our First Love results in the Holy Spirit guiding us every step on our Chosen Path of spiritual transformation. We are never alone in our spiritual journey. Our love for God produces devout faith and obedience which overrule our natural desires and we acquiesce to His Sovereign plans.

Surrender and obedience are the fruits of love that keep us grounded in our relationship with Christ. If we love Christ then our hearts are connected to Him. And from that connection, we receive our Savior’s abundant love which acts as a spiritual catalyst to dedicate ourselves to God. Daily consecration and surrender to God’s will requires courage and perseverance. When we proclaim, “Jesus, I will follow You,” we may lose the support of family and friends who will not understand our spiritual commitment.

What does it mean to commit ourselves to God? The Apostle Paul’s answer is “…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…” (Romans 12:1).

The simple answer is that we must stop choosing sin. Is it possible to live a sin-free life? Enoch and Job are two men of God who lived a sinless life. How can we walk with God? Spiritually, we are never alone. God honors our decision when we dedicate ourselves to following Christ. Not only do we receive God’s Divine promises of resolution in our hardships, but we also receive wisdom, strength, and comfort through the Holy Spirit.

Christ the Commander dispatches angels who fight the evil forces of spiritual warfare and assist us in staying on the narrow Path of Righteousness. The righteous are truly loved by God.

As long as we stay spiritually connected to Christ, we are promised the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit to live as victors. Through daily worship, we reinforce our love relationship with Christ. God opens the windows of heaven to give us the blessings of spiritual guidance, wisdom, strength, and discernment. Making prayer our first and continuous response keeps us connected to the Source of Life.

The Win-Win Spiritual Strategy: “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion].” —Luke 16, AMP Bible

In studying the life of Christ, we are given the key to keeping our love alive and remaining loyal to God, much prayer! Twice daily worship is not enough. We cannot run and win this Christian race using spurts of spiritual energy. Stay in God’s presence by whispering short prayers throughout your waking hours.

The Nature of God: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:22-25

To be like Christ, the Holy Spirit with our cooperation transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ’s righteousness. The believer’s journey includes praying morning, noon, and night. Much prayer reinforces our love for God, forms an unbreakable bond that allows us to abide in Christ, and invites the Holy Spirit to empower us to live righteously!

“…You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.” —Psalm 40:17

To receive spiritual strength, use your time wisely. Fight the enemy’s plans with prayer. The earnest prayer of surrender that we offer in morning worship requires a prayer of reinforcement for Divine Help when the afternoon and evening temptations arise. Every prayer we speak even when all is well should include the request for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

The mercies of a new day will always require a struggle against our carnal desires. When facing temptation, respond with prayer, ask for the Divine Help of the Holy Spirit, and stand your ground by declaring No to sin. We can proclaim much love for God and live disciplined lives, but we were not created with the ability to overcome temptation and sin without the Holy Spirit’s power.

The Holy Spirit [our Teacher] empowers us with Jesus’ spiritual strength to perceive life through spiritual eyes and to overcome temptation. Still, we must use our God-given attribute of self-control to rebuke our heart’s carnal desires. The Holy Spirit always warns us of temptation before we step into sin’s danger zone. The decision is ours to make. Either, we use our free will to choose righteousness or we succumb to sin.

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” —1 John 3:9, NIV

If choosing between right and wrong is a struggle then we have a heart issue. We cannot measure love for God in increments—loving God is all [100%] or nothing [0%]. When our hearts are overflowing with love for Christ, we do not have the desire to willingly sin against God. Our love for God remains steadfast because we remember Jesus paid for our freedom with His blood sacrifice that God, the Father required for our redemption.

Loving Christ fuels our desire to remain loyal and to stay in the safety of Jesus, our Shepherd. We steadfastly proclaim, Because I love God, I will not compromise! Every believer is dependent on the Holy Spirit to change us into the image of Christ. The heart filled with love for God, others, and self [in that order] is the only heart that is acceptable to God and the only heart that the Holy Spirit will enter.

The Human Effort of Love + Surrender + Obedience + The Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit = God’s Goal of Our Spiritual Transformation

God, teach us to love. We desire to have a heart overflowing with Agape love for You and others. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. When we are thinking our thoughts, we ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins. God, we love You, worship You, and praise Your Holy Name. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we pray in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

The Love of God—Sabbath Blessings

We are blessed that we serve a loving God who promises us that He will never change. No other person or entity on this earth can make the steadfast promise of always being consistent, “For I am the LORD, I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6).

God’s Love is the Foundation of Life

Love is the Character of the Triune God
Love is the foundation for Accepting Christ
Love is the foundation for Dependence on God
Love is the foundation for Striving for Righteousness
Love is the foundation for Surrender
Love is the foundation for Faithfulness
Love is the foundation for Obedience
Love is the foundation for Compassion
Love is the foundation for Loving Others
Love is the foundation for Helping Others
Love is the Foundation for True Christianity

Prayerfully, during this Sabbath, we will rededicate ourselves to loving God through a prayer of consecration and obedience. Agape love gives us the courage to always strive for righteousness as we prepare daily for the soon coming of Jesus Christ.

Jesus, The Triumphant King!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 3, 2024

“And He said to me, ‘It is done!’ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life free to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” —Revelation 21:6-7

If you were to send a letter to Jesus, how would you salute Him? Jesus, My Lord, Savior, and King would certainly give Him the utmost honor and reverence He deserves. For some, they would make their salutation more personal, “Jesus, My First Love, My Shepherd, and My Best Friend” which would express the love they feel in their hearts for Christ. Yet, for us to prepare for a lifetime with Christ, in our earthly lives, we must perceive Jesus as the Triumphant King.

Our daily prayers are the love letters we send to Jesus, our Triumphant King, High Priest, and Heavenly Intercessor. As we reflect on the content of our prayers, what is their primary focus? Do we express our love by thanking Jesus for His grace and the mercies of a new day? Do we renew our covenant vow to faithfully surrender ourselves, and speak words of adoration, gratitude, praise, and honor, or do we skip the consecration and directly ask for [material] blessings?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus provides the qualifier [true love for Him produces obedience] that proves whether or not we love Him. We can gain intellectual knowledge of Christ’s character and earthly life by studying the Four Gospels but still not have an intimate heart-to-heart relationship with Him. The believers who accept Christ and do the works, but disobey God’s Righteous Principles and Commandments, Christ says they do not love Him.

To the Ephesus Church: “…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” —Revelation 2:4

Jesus instructed the apostle John to write letters to the seven churches regarding their spiritual status. The church of Ephesus was identified as the one that lost its First Love—Christ. Although the members performed the required works [attending church, giving tithes and offerings, feeding the hungry, giving aid to the poor, and witnessing], Jesus was not the King of their hearts.

“We love him, because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

Our love relationship with Christ is initiated by Christ. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” The door of our hearts will open or remain closed when the Holy Spirit [yes, it is a mystery] knocks and invites us to accept Christ with the innate love we received [2 Timothy 1:7].

Before the Second Coming of Christ, every human being will receive an invitation to accept Christ as their personal Savior. Some will reject Christ immediately, yet rejection is also revealed by saying yes, and then living according to our desires.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” —Matthew 19:29

How far are we willing to go for Christ? Jesus identifies our love for tangible assets and people as the roadblocks that prevent us from giving Him 100% of our love and loyalty. The rich, young ruler walked away in sorrow when Jesus instructed him to sell all and follow Him. Jesus knew the ruler loved Him and truly desired to be a disciple, but He exposed that wealth was the young ruler’s first love.

The thriving bank account that we cherish, or the money spent on frivolous trinkets instead of helping those in need reveal that Christ is not our First Love. Many Christians do not struggle with loving money but their first love is people. The spouse we please above obeying God, the unequal relationships with unbelievers, or the person who we have dated for years, but is not God’s chosen one will never receive His blessing of approval.

The believer’s challenges also extend to spoiling our children and having relationships with unbelieving and [middle-of-the-road Christian] family members and friends whom God has not designated to be a part of our spiritual journey, but we hold on to them as if they are the giver of eternal life. Let them go!

“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

Many times we fall by repeating old behaviors. The next step is to pray and ask God to search our hearts and reveal all unrighteousness. We whisper a prayer of confession and repentance, God forgives us, and we start over.

When the Holy Spirit convicts us of our unrighteous character traits, disobedient desires, and worldly habits, along with the people who are standing in our way of eternal life, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit by praying for strength and using the spiritual process of elimination.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:29-30

The Bible is a love letter to all believers. From studying Christ’s life, our heart should react with an abundant love and loyalty to Christ that supersedes all earthly love for others. Our relationship with Christ begins from our innate gift of love and if our love is genuine, we become one with Him.

When Jesus is our First Love, we willingly surrender to God’s will and plans by seeking Him in every aspect of our lives. Only those who consecrate themselves as Followers of Christ will possess the desire to persevere with faithful obedience to God.

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ ” (John 21:20). Bible scholars define the disciple that Jesus loved as not identified.

“But the one who loves God is known by God.” —1 Corinthians 8:3

As time passed, John observed Jesus’ loving and gentle manner with everyone He came in contact with which resulted in a transformation of his heart. He let go of his selfish desire to be the greatest and to sit on the right hand of Christ. With faithful obedience, the Son of Thunder was transformed into a humble and loving disciple. John became one of the first disciples who desired to have the loving heart and righteous character of Christ.

John truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. From studying the book of John, the tone of the Scriptures indicates that Jesus became John’s First Love. For his love and loyalty, the apostle John was rewarded by having a vision in which Jesus, the Triumphant King spoke the Holy prophetic words of the book of Revelation directly to His apostle.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6

Every steadfast believer understands that Jesus is their Lord, Savior, and Best Friend. As we continue in our faith journey of Sanctification, the Holy Spirit gives us a deeper level of spiritual discernment which strengthens our relationship with Christ. Continue to pray daily for spiritual wisdom.

The day will come when your life will forever change. The Holy Spirit will empower you by opening your spiritual eyes to perceive Christ as the One and Only Triumphant King with whom you will spend eternity. And on that day, you will be in awe of the power of the Holy Spirit because you will fully understand what it truly means to worship Jesus, the King Triumphant in Spirit and in Truth.

“Lamb of God, You Are Seated at the Right Hand of the Father, You Are Holy, Holy, You Are God!” One day soon, we will see our Triumphant King face to face and behold His Beauty and Majesty as we fall to our knees in worship and adoration. Amen.

“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

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

To Have the Mind of Christ

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 27, 2024

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” —Romans 12:2

As believers, we have a blessed advantage, Jesus Christ is our Friend, Savior, and King who tells us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. When we renew our minds through prayer and study of the Scriptures, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities. We pray for God’s will to be revealed with the commitment to obey. To have the mind of Christ requires steadfast faith, surrender, and obedience.

To have the mind of Christ requires the study of the Scriptures and much prayer. The Bible provides us with knowledge of the characters of God and Jesus. When we invite the Holy Spirit to our study, we receive spiritual wisdom and the Holy Spirit teaches us how to apply God’s Commandments and Righteous Principles to our everyday lives.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). From prayer, we receive spiritual strength, guidance, comfort, answers to the perplexities of life, and most importantly forgiveness of our sins. Day by day, our thoughts change to reflect the mind of Christ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

To have the mind of Christ is to believe that God, the Father loves us. In Jeremiah 29:11, we are assured that God has “thoughts of peace, not evil, to give us a future and hope.” Many believers are worried about the unknown future, yet, they fail to realize that events of the given day are also unknown.

“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). Jesus forewarned us of the hardships we would face every day, still, we do not have to worry when we place both the unknown and the known into God’s hands.

To have the mind of Christ requires astute knowledge of His character. The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide us with the attributes of Christ’s character, He was loving, obedient, humble, compassionate, considerate of others, and possessed the Fruit of the Spirit: “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).

Christ is our Role Model who taught us how to love and demonstrate kindness to everyone regardless of their lifestyle or belief system. Study John 8:1-11 [The woman caught in adultery]. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31, NIV).

In difficult temptations, use silence, self-control, and prayer, not only will God intervene to resolve your battles, but the Holy Spirit will empower you with the strength to change and use His Divine power to produce daily spiritual growth. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

It is our character that must be changed into the Character of Christ. Although we cannot change ourselves without the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit, we must put forth the human effort of learning to love God and everyone who Christ died for.

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” —Psalm 86:12

Christ loved, honored, obeyed, and reverenced His Father. We know this because of the countless hours He spent communing with God in prayer. Every aspect of Jesus’ earthly life was guided by God’s Divine will. Before Christ chose the 12 apostles, He spent all night in prayer alone with His Heavenly Father. One significant habit that we must embrace is to emulate Christ’s prayer life of constant communication with God.

To have the mind of Christ requires total surrender. Our daily prayer is, God, I surrender myself to You. We receive God’s will and plans for our lives by praying continuously. We do not fulfill this command by speaking repetitious words all day long. We discipline our minds to make prayer our first response to all challenges.

Do not pick and choose the matters that you pray about, whether routine or out of the ordinary, like Christ did, present everything to God in prayer, and thank Him in the same prayer for His Divine Intervention.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” —John 14:6

To have the mind of Christ is to become one with Him as He became one with God in His earthly life. The love we were gifted with (2 Timothy 1:7) connects our hearts to Christ’s heart. Intimacy with Christ is to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him. We proclaim our love for Jesus, accept Him as our Savior, confess and repent our sins, and we are covered with His Righteousness.

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

To have the mind of Christ is to have extraordinary faith and trust in God’s Omnipotence. Even when the people in the synagogue became angry, [“Their city was built on a hill with a cliff. So they got up, forced Jesus out of the city, and led him to the cliff. They intended to throw him off of it” (Luke 4:29).] Jesus did not fear the angry mob nor did He use His Divine power to save Himself, Jesus knew that His Father would send angels to protect Him from all harm.

“…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5

We prepare ourselves for the unpredictable day through morning worship, praying prayers of faith, “God, my life is in Your hands. Thank You for taking care of me and my family.” Prayer is our lifeline to God, the Source of life. Pray often! Ask for Divine Intervention, guidance, wisdom, strength, and discernment of deceptive temptations and the power to overcome for today. Live for today!

To have the mind of Christ is to rise above our natural inclinations by surrendering ourselves to God. When facing opposition, if we pray, the Holy Spirit intervenes by giving us the strength to think and function above and beyond our human abilities.

Do not become offended by how you are treated. Christ is our example of living a peaceful and victorious life. Despite the harsh treatment, rejection, and hatred He faced every day, Jesus’ joy came from knowing, “I have a Father who loves me with everlasting love.”

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” —Romans 8:37

From our faith and total reliance on God’s Divine Love and Sovereignty, we can enjoy our God-given gifts of happiness, peace, and contentment. With steadfast determination to have the mind of Christ, we will receive the same victory He received in His earthly life!

God, we thank You for Your amazing love and faithfulness. Jesus, we thank You for being our living example of surrender, obedience, and faithfulness to Your Heavenly Father. We ask for Your Divine intervention in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries