Holy Spirit – Page 30 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Jesus Makes a Difference in Our Lives

Jesus Makes a Difference in Our Lives – Today’s Devotional – December 27, 2023

The pastor’s question, “Does your heart belong to Jesus?” was not rhetorical, yet the congregation remained quiet. Not one person responded with an affirmative answer. He then stated, “I expected to hear a resounding Amen to that question.”

“Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin…” —Romans 6:12-13

Documentaries have always been my absolute favorite. I enjoy learning about different cultures and ways of life around the world. My interest was piqued by the previews of a particular documentary that focused on amazing homes throughout the world built by indigenous persons.

The first hour was amazing—the creativity and skills revealed men and women using natural materials to build structurally sound homes that rivaled many of the proven architectural concepts. But halfway through the documentary, the content shifted from exploring different types of homes to an in-depth explanation of how one can enter the spirit world and worship the spirits of deceased ancestors.

I had a decision to make, would I ignore the discussion of pagan practices and continue watching the program?

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” —Proverbs 4:23, NLT

All stimuli that we embrace through our eyes and ears impact our morals, values, and most importantly our relationship with Christ. Satan always appeals to our senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch to pull us into sinful activities. Striving to live holy is a challenge we face every day. Do not make your life harder by embracing worldviews and habits that are not easily forgotten.

The Old Testament documents the inner struggle of the Israelites who were mesmerized by the sensuality of paganism. Sadly, the chosen people who cried out to God for deliverance from Egyptian bondage never let go of idol worship. Due to a history of wilful disobedience, God only granted Joshua and Caleb from that generation and those who were under the age of 20 to enter the Promised Land.

Today’s idols are not wooden statutes nor would most Christians ever consider an in-person visit to a pagan church, yet modern Christians have more idols than documented in the Bible. Our money, jobs, relationships, entertainment, pursuit of desires and goals, and the use of our time are dedicated to pleasing ourselves.

Yet, we worship technology! Families no longer communicate with each other or enjoy meals together because everyone is on their devices. Advanced technology along with social media has pulled many Christians into embracing the corrupt content of popular programs, games, and online worldly conversations. Whether in ancient or modern times, idols still accomplish the same purpose—to separate us from God.

None are exempt from the influence and desensitization by the worldviews, violence, and greed that are an accepted way of life. Guarding our hearts [minds], eyes, ears, and spoken words every day is a tough assignment. Our activities will either draw us closer to Christ, or we will live as once-a-week Christians, attending church but never having a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ because of our misaligned habits.

Reflection: The answer to “Does my heart belong to Jesus?” is revealed by our decisions, actions, and lifestyles. We may be perplexed about many things, but we know whether or not our hearts belong to Jesus.

Old Testament: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” —Deuteronomy 6:5

New Testament: “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

How can we understand Agape love? 1 Corinthians 13 is the Love Chapter from God’s heart to our hearts. For us to surrender our hearts to Christ, we must love as Jesus loves God, His Father, and fallen humanity. Surrender requires faith! Once we consecrate ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to understand the magnitude of Jesus’ Righteous Love.

David prayed often for God to search his heart and reveal all wickedness. Much prayer is needed daily for our hearts to remain connected to Christ. Whether your prayers are silent or audible, talk to Jesus throughout your day. With the innumerable distractions we face, building a relationship with Christ requires steadfast dedication and great communication. We can never pray too much.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” —Philippians 4:8

The Bible reveals God’s great love for humanity. Most of the stories of God’s Divine intervention are in the Old Testament. The books of Joshua and Judges reveal that we serve a Warrior God. Yes, our Defender empowered a fickle people to win seemingly impossible battles against the massive armies of pagan kings. Although the children of Israel had a track record of disobedience, God revealed His tender heart when they repented of their sins by giving them victorious outcomes.

The Love and Life of Christ

The Four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give four perspectives of Jesus’ earthly life. His Righteous Character impacted and changed the hearts of these men whose minds were focused on who would be the greatest. From studying the Scriptures, we learn our Savior’s character—His life demonstrated love, grace, and compassion that no human being will ever possess, still, we can strive to become Christ-like in our characters and temperaments.

Certainly, if we took the time to learn who Jesus is, and love Him, we would surrender our hearts to the One who says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly [humble] in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

Internal Spiritual Transformation is Always Silent

Yes, Jesus makes a difference in our lives! When our hearts belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the temptations of sinful pleasures. We love, think, and act differently because we are being transformed from the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us the Divine strength needed to change our character and habits.

Christ’s Love Removes the Stains of Our Sins. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Prayer: Jesus, we love You and thank You for Your amazing love. We invite You into our hearts and ask You to change us into Your likeness. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Never an Unanswered Call with God

Never an Unanswered Call with God -Today’s Devotional – December 20, 2023

Have you ever desired to speak with a friend or loved one, but they enjoy texting? Unanswered calls are a primary source of causing the caller to feel defeated. Caller ID allows the recipient to look at the name and number, silence their ringer, or respond with a pre-populated message. The desire for human interaction, coupled with love and empathy, has significantly decreased in the last five years.

“Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist based in New York City, says people tend to text or email instead of calling because of convenience…” “33% of American adults prefer texts to all other forms of communication. (Pew Research Center) (Tweet this!). Text is the most used form of communication for American adults under 50.”

God to the Rescue: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15). “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Prayer is underutilized. Many believers do not understand the importance of prayer nor do they comprehend that prayer is our connection from earth to heaven. Prayer is for the renewal, restoration, and recovery of our mind, body, and soul from the harshness of daily life.

Even at work, we should find a quiet place to whisper a prayer for clarity, wisdom, and strength. Silently pray throughout your waking hours expressing gratitude for God’s faithfulness and Divine Intervention in your life. Prayer increases our dependency on God. We have peace, joy, and happiness because we are aligned with His perfect will and plans for our lives.

“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

We posture ourselves to invite the presence of God into our personal worship by separating ourselves from others and giving God time to respond. Our prayers are expedited to Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor by the Holy Spirit. It is indeed a privilege to have an open invitation to “come boldly to the throne of grace.”

Pray and ask God to teach you how to hear His voice. Pray, Pause, and Wait until you feel Christ’s strength and peace flowing through your mind, body, and soul. Once you experience the power of God’s peace permeating your entire being, you will possess experiential knowledge of the greatness of our Heavenly Father!

Make God Your First Response—Call Him Up and Tell God What You Need

We may feel defeated at the beginning of our prayer, but we will never leave God’s presence without total victory. Prayer gives us 24/7 access to a God who never sleeps. There is no limit on the number of times we can call on Him. One thing is for certain, we will never experience the defeat of an unanswered call with God.

When we feel the need to hear a human voice, there are options available to us. Always make praying out loud a priority [when possible]. While having personal worship incorporate the use of an audio Bible when studying the Scriptures, or use your voice to read the Scriptures out loud. The combination of learning God’s promises and the Biblical stories of His overwhelming love for humanity will provide much encouragement.

Make prayer your first choice when you need to talk to someone. Not only will your relationship with Christ become a priority, but your perspective of receiving a text or automated response will change. Instead of feeling defeated or annoyed, you will smile because you have 24/7 access to our Great God who works out every challenge and leaves the caller feeling spiritually energized!

Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of prayer and Your Love Letter of the Holy Bible. We pray for peace, wisdom, and discernment as we navigate through this journey called life. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Gift of a New Heart

The Gift of a New Heart – Today’s Devotional – December 19, 2023

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” —2 Corinthians 5:17

God performs the spiritual transformation of our hearts. The Holy Spirit [the Spirit of God] works within us to change our hearts [our minds] and character into the righteousness of Christ. Still, the human effort of surrender and faithful obedience is the requisite for the Spirit of God to exercise His transforming power within us.

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” —John 14:15

Blended human concepts say we can be half-Christian and half-worldly. Yet, Jesus gives us the simple explanation that loving Him means total obedience to His righteous commands. Every day, we fight an internal battle to receive a new heart. Will we surrender to God or the innate cravings of our carnal hearts and appetites?

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

Our thoughts always gravitate toward ourselves. Think deeply about your desires. The human heart [without Christ] naturally desires pleasure. Two areas that we easily succumb to are material treasures and appetite [food and sex]. The desire for tangible possessions and self-seeking gratification is inherent [within us] from birth.

God’s Goal: For Us to Reflect, Reveal, and Resemble Jesus

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26

The power of God supersedes all hereditary traits, learned behaviors, habits, and addictions. With our measure of faith, we accept Christ as our Savior. The Bible teaches us about the righteousness we must possess. By studying Christ’s life in the Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] we learn by His example the character and lifestyle required for eternal life.

As followers of Christ, God expects us to represent and reveal the Righteousness of Christ in our behaviors, attitudes, and spoken words.

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” —Deuteronomy 6:5

Our love for God is the catalyst for letting go of relationships with unbelievers and all worldly pleasures and practices that fail to reflect a life of holiness. The human effort of daily prayer of surrender invites the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength required for the transformation of our hearts.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5

Loving God includes trusting Him with our earthly lives because He is the only One who can lead us into eternal life. His promise to give us a new heart also includes receiving the spiritual power to overcome and be victorious over all of our carnal desires!

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Prayer: Lord, we pray for the strength to surrender and to faithfully obey You. We desire new hearts. Help us to become the people You created us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jesus is LORD – Sabbath Blessings and Peace

Investing in Your Future with Christ

Investing in Your Future with Christ – Today’s Devotional – December 7, 2023

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” —3 John 1:2

Although the world associates material wealth with prosperity, God defines prosperity as having an intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus, and receiving the daily transforming power of the Holy Spirit for one’s character to be changed into the likeness of Christ. To live a prosperous life has nothing to do with the accumulation of wealth!

Prosperity is the abundance of life given to us by God and requires human effort and Divine Intervention. It is the Holy Spirit who imparts the Divine power and wisdom necessary for our souls to prosper. Transformation is not passive, we must surrender and faithfully obey to actively participate in our spiritual growth and transformation.

The preparation required to receive our reward of a heavenly life with Christ occurs every day in our earthly lives. The Voice of God is heard through the Scriptures. We pray for daily spiritual guidance and strength from the Holy Spirit to prevent our drive to follow our inclinations [which are always in opposition to God].

The believer who attempts to live on human effort alone cannot maintain their earthly spiritual walk with God. Nor can they achieve optimal mental, emotional, and physical health according to God’s Righteous Standards.

Steps for Investing in Your Future with Christ

Spiritual Health: Nurturing our souls requires human cooperation with the Holy Spirit who transforms our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ.

Our morning prayer includes the request for the power, presence, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout our activities for the given day. We are responsible for keeping the channel of communication open between heaven and earth by maintaining a life of continuous prayer, praise, and worship.

Without knowledge of Biblical principles and godly wisdom, our spiritual perception is nonexistent. Studying and obeying the Scriptures provides us with the sustenance to live as victorious overcomers. Thankfully, we have the Bible as our Spiritual Roadmap which instructs us in every aspect of life. In the Scriptures, God has given us the righteous standards that He expects us to obey.

Our responsibility in God’s Divine plan is to surrender to His will and remain faithful and obedient as we strive for holiness.

Everything we need to know about God and living holy is spoken as the plain Truth in the Bible. There is no guesswork in serving God. Through the Scriptures and our conscience, the Holy Spirit speaks to us providing the daily instructions to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.

Yes, we will always face temptations, still maintaining an optimal level of spiritual health is not a challenge because we have the Divine Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit who is just a prayer away.

Knowing our Status in Christ and Living According to the Word of God

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” —1 Corinthians 6:19

Mental and Emotional Health—We entrust our minds to those who are not in alignment with God. The prevailing theories that exist in the Mental/Behavioral Health arena are in direct opposition to the Scriptures. The forgiveness of those who abused, mistreated, betrayed, and abandoned you is a spiritual area of major conflict in the Christian community.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32

Psychologists and therapists tell us it takes time to process forgiveness. Since we are not promised tomorrow, the best option is to forgive our enemies by praying for them every day that they will accept Christ as their personal Savior. Praying for others changes our perception—we begin to view life through the eyes of Christ.

Stop listening to other people who are not responsible for your destiny. Always obey God! We know that God says we must forgive to be forgiven by Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor, so we trust and obey Him and move forward.

“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” —Jeremiah 17:14, NIV

Like the prophet Jeremiah, pray and ask Dr. Jesus to heal your mind, body, and soul. No, we cannot change our past atrocities but Jesus is willing to make us well. And when He heals there are no residual mental or emotional scars.

Once we rid ourselves of grudges and forgive those who have dealt with us treacherously, we will receive our healing through the mighty power of Christ Jesus! Reinforce your faith by studying the Bible. The Scriptures redirect our focus from ourselves to Christ. By memorizing Bible stories and God’s promises, we receive hope to live abundant prosperous lives.

Through the Divine power of the Holy Spirit, we receive restoration and the supernatural strength to function beyond our normal abilities. Instead of hurtful memories, Yehovah Rapha [our Healer] will perform a clean sweep and give us the strength to move forward into the New Beginnings of a brighter future.

Our Physical Health impacts our spiritual, mental, and emotional health. If our bodies are unhealthy from the intentional input of fast food high-calorie, sugary, non-nutritional junk foods then every aspect of our minds and bodies is suffering.

Although the focus of the medical community remains on patients who are overweight, some individuals have a normal body weight, yet, their blood work reveals hidden abnormal diagnoses.

The homeostasis that Jesus created our minds and bodies to possess does not exist without the intake of health-sustaining food and exercise. Although many prefer the gym, walking outside in nature is the best exercise.

When our bodies and minds are sluggish from disease-producing foods and the lack of physical inactivity, we will not have an interest in studying the Scriptures or doing our part to receive spiritual growth and transformation.

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony [overeating]. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.” —Proverbs 23:1-3

You are what you eat! Satan uses appetite to enslave many believers. They focus on the pleasure of satisfying their tastebuds which pull us into the pride of life. Appetite is a vice when uncontrolled and develops into the worst addiction!

The scavengers of the earth were created to clean the debris of dead animals. The pig, warthog, hyenas, vultures, crab, shrimp, and lobsters are just a few examples of animal cleaners who will eat everything they can swallow. Sadly many believers think nothing of eating scavenger animals that society has deemed as gourmet delicacies.

Invest in your health: God’s instructions in Leviticus on clean and unclean food are not outdated.

“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.” —Proverbs 26:2

The Food and Drug Administration’s warnings on food-borne diseases and contamination are at the highest peak in the history of humanity. We live in a society where Instant Gratification rules. But the innate cravings for what we desire to be available immediately have penalties—internal damage to our mental, emotional, and physical health.

We trust the second-hand preparation of our foods and drinks to others. We eagerly order processed foods prepared behind closed doors or assume the preparer’s hygiene is as meticulous as our hygienic habits. There is a problem with empowering strangers to handle the most important aspect of our God-given responsibility—caring for our minds, bodies, and souls using godly wisdom.

Improper handwashing is the number one cause of disease transmission. Unless a child is trained to practice personal hygiene principles, they live with compromised standards as an adult. Food-grade gloves do not prevent pathogens [disease-causing organisms] from invading food and drinks.

Change your schedule, cease buying processed foods, incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, and clean fish and meat into your diet, and [learn to] prepare and cook your meals.

Pray for wisdom from the Holy Spirit to guide your food choices and give you an in-depth understanding of God’s health principles. An unclean diet consists of more than food intake. Let go of all profane people, programs, and habits that introduce the degradation of sin into your temple.

Invest in your Destiny: The Divine Spirit of God will not enter an unclean and unholy person who intentionally abuses themselves through pride of appetite, laziness, and sinful pleasures.

The Excellence of Wisdom

“All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands And right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. —Proverbs 8:8-11

Invest in your heavenly future: Live as one who is forgiven. Acknowledge that your mind and body are the temple in which the Holy Spirit resides and ensure that your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health are truly prospering. In our earthly lives, God has allowed us to learn and practice the righteous principles that prepare us for the transition from earth to heaven when Jesus comes again.

Prayer: God, we pray for spiritual wisdom as we invest in our future to gain and maintain optimal health. Thank You for the privilege of being created in Your image. We pray for a closer relationship with Christ. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

The Woman Who Reverences God

The Woman Who Reverences God – Devotional Reading – December 3, 2023

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ” (Matthew 22:37)

Hannah, Ruth, Esther, Rahab, Mary, Dorcas, and Lydia were women who loved, reverenced, and obeyed God by surrendering their hearts to Him. These women did not have conflict in their hearts when they decided to follow God. In studying their stories, we find that they possessed love, loyalty, and dedication demonstrated by their faithful obedience.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” —1 John 5:4

The reverent woman always puts God first by seeking His will. Loving God is reflected in her healthy lifestyle, modest clothing, and loving, compassionate, and patient temperament. Emulating the Character of Christ, her smile lights up the room and her words are as sweet as honey. She possesses a gentle and soothing voice that makes you feel at ease in her presence because her heart is filled with the joy of the Lord.

“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” —Colossians 3:2

The woman who reverences God appreciates His blessings by practicing the frugal habits of stewardship. She does not follow the fashion trends or seek to purchase material goods, no, this dedicated woman is content with God-given blessings. She is a daughter of the Most-High God who worships Him by obeying His commandments to love others and uses her financial abundance to help those in need.

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” —Psalm 47:6

Most importantly, she sends up prayers and songs of praise to God thanking Him for His never-ending love, grace, and mercies. The reverent woman prays for God to extend His mercies to the brokenhearted and the displaced members of society. She accepts her calling as a disciple always ready to witness to others. “Have a blessed day” and “Jesus loves you” are easily spoken by her to everyone she comes into contact with because her heart fully belongs to Jesus.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” —Matthew 6:6

As a devout woman of God, she seeks His will through personal worship, inviting the Holy Spirit to breathe the anointing of wisdom and strength into her mind, body, and soul. Her desire to seek righteousness is reflected in the time she spends studying the Scriptures. She embraces the word of God as the Light that guides her to stay safely on the Path of Righteousness.

“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

Although this woman lives courageously she also faces the challenges of temptation and the feelings of discouragement. Yes, the righteous woman has suffered many losses, disappointments, and sorrows, but still, she faithfully clings to Christ’s promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Because her trust is in Christ she readily accepts His invitation to come boldly before the Throne of Grace knowing that she will receive Divine Help in the time of need. The reverent woman seeks guidance and supernatural strength from the Holy Spirit to live righteously.

This inspiring woman is determined to lead a life of holiness. She puts her unwavering faith, trust, and hope in Christ, and strives to be intentional in all her actions. Every day, she aligns herself with the will of God revealing her desire to receive the heavenly reward of Eternal life.

“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

Yet, the reverent woman holds fast to Christ for her strength is not found in her husband, children, family, or friends. Because this woman remains steadfast in the storms of life she has found favor with God. Christ knows this daughter has a fragile, caring heart often leaving her weary while doing good for others.

“…Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” —Jeremiah 31:3

From her fervent prayers, she receives comfort and strength from the Holy Spirit. As she performs her earthly duties she is waiting in joyful expectation for Jesus’ promise to come to fruition. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

“In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people… —Isaiah 28:5

The reverent woman is part of God’s faithful remnant who keeps their lamps filled with oil [the Holy Spirit] and she will be ready to enter the marriage feast when the Bridegroom comes. Yes, she has prepared herself for a heavenly life to worship at the feet of Jesus forevermore. Hallelujah! Amen.

The qualities of a reverent woman are found throughout the Scriptures in the stories of godly women who persevered in harsh times—in times when they were not independent but were owned by husbands or masters. Yet, these faithful daughters of God were strengthened and guided by the Holy Spirit to obey the will of God.

Today’s women can receive the same empowerment from the Holy Spirit to excel in their walk with Christ. As we draw closer to the Second Coming of Christ, it is time for us to become reverent women of God!

Prayer: God, we pray for the strength to become a dedicated reverent woman of God. We realize that our lives our not our own. And we ask You to order our steps according to Your Divine will and plan for our lives. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Live As One Who is Forgiven

Live As One Who is Forgiven – Today’s Devotional – November 30, 2023

“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” —Proverbs 16:9

This journey called “life” is challenging. Yet, we do not have to manage our lives without God’s Divine Intervention. Are we willing to surrender and put forth the human effort to faithfully obey God?

Created with the free will of moral choice, like Adam and Eve, we do not have to obey God’s Righteous precepts. If we choose to travel on the broad path, we live our best lives on this earth and openly declare our refusal to serve God [through surrender and obedience].

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:1-2

If we make the intentional decision to live as one who is forgiven then we readily submit to God’s will. We establish a spiritual connection with God through fervent prayer and study of the Scriptures. Our faith and obedience are rewarded as the Spirit of Truth leads us in our earthly journey on the narrow Path of Righteousness.

God the Help of All Who Seek Him

“The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.” —Psalm 121:7-8

Prayer: God, we trust You with our lives. We ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us and reveal the perfect will of God for our lives. We thank You for Your Divine Help. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we ask this prayer, Amen.

The Gift of Spiritual Wisdom

The Gift of Spiritual Wisdom – Today’s Devotional – November 28, 2023

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” —James 1:5

What is Wisdom? Omniscient Wisdom: “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

Wisdom is spiritual discernment, a gift from God that we receive by praying [every day] and asking the Holy Spirit to impart in us. James reminds us of the importance of asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s perspective, thoughts, and ways. Wisdom is possessing the godly knowledge to respond to a given situation as God would respond with His higher thoughts and ways.

Even in our routine activities of daily life, we require Divine wisdom. Wisdom is the spiritual ability to perceive the true nature of a situation and to implement the will of God in that situation. Wisdom is the practical application of God’s truth to every aspect of our lives. The Holy Spirit imparts the wisdom to empower us with knowing what God wants us to do and giving us the strength to do it.

Most of us are familiar with King Solomon who requested an understanding heart. God’s Answer: “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (1 Kings 3:12).

Yet there is another Bible character who possessed the “spirit of wisdom,” one that we have most likely overlooked, Joshua.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the ‘spirit of wisdom’ for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.” —Deuteronomy 34:9

To be full of the spirit of wisdom, Joshua possessed the character trait of total reliance on God. Yes, Joshua’s character revealed the faith, trust, humility, and surrender required to receive godly wisdom. He was not prideful or overconfident in his abilities, Joshua was a true worshiper. Yet God revealed another spirit in his heart, the spirit of fear.

“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

From reading the story of Moses whom God considered the greatest prophet in Israel, we can only imagine Joshua’s insecurities of being appointed as the next leader of the nation of Israel. He possessed the righteous characteristics to be chosen by God, yet, Joshua had a character defect that God would require him to relinquish before they entered the Promised Land.

The modern viewpoint is to embrace Joshua’s feelings as normal anxiety, but we must accept God’s perfect discernment of the spirit of fear within Joshua. The spirit of fear is from Satan. Fear manifests itself in various forms such as anxiety, worry, doubt, and trepidation, which are all bitter fruits that prevent us from doing God’s will.

We fear because we are fixated on the presenting challenge and our limited abilities instead of God’s Divine power. Confessing that we do not trust God is something that no believer desires to come to grips with, but we must.

Reflect deeply on this question: How can we possess spiritual wisdom that gives us the spiritual ability to perceive the true nature of a situation and to implement the will of God in that situation when we possess a spirit of fear?

God is aware of the fragility and fears resulting from life’s uncertainties in the human heart. The unknown future is the number one reason that fear overpowers and reigns in the hearts of unbelievers. Fear among unbelievers is justified. How can unbelieving humanity rely on their perception and abilities when this is our Father’s world?

The Believer’s Creed: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

Since we have Three Divine Powers and guardian angels working on our behalf 24/7, God has definitive and righteous expectations of all believers: Humility, surrender, faith, trust, wisdom, confidence, courage, and perseverance are the core characteristics we must possess to serve God.

Again we must self-reflect, What is preventing us from placing our faith and trust in God? We can only have experiential knowledge of God’s character when we study the Scriptures, rely on God’s promises, pray for the manifestation of God’s power, and share our testimonies of His faithfulness in our lives.

Both the spirit of wisdom and the spirit of fear cannot reside in our hearts. Fear cancels out spiritual wisdom and prevents God from fulfilling His purpose for us which always results in His honor and glory. God has chosen us to possess and display the love, wisdom, and courage that Christ demonstrated in His earthly life. Many believers miss out on their greatest blessings because of the spirit of fear.

When God calls us, His Divine Wisdom and Providence will change a situation that would prevent bringing glory to His Holy Name. Moses dealt with people who were rebellious, and disobedient, and who loved pagan practices. But God intervened and Joshua would not experience the heartaches that Moses endured, Joshua would lead the younger generations into the Promised Land.

God’s Divine Intervention: “ ‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly’ ” (Numbers 32:11-12).

God chose Joshua to succeed Moses because he possessed the spirit of wisdom that demonstrated he would be just as faithful as his predecessor. Yes, Joshua’s character was one of total reliance on God, but his fear caused him to doubt God’s power to empower him as a spiritual leader.

God’s Command: “Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel” (Joshua 1:2). Although Joshua possessed leadership abilities, his fear produced cowardice instead of relying on the godly wisdom he would receive to lead Israelites to the Promised land.

God’s Promises to Joshua: “…as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-7).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9

In verse 9, we notice a change in God’s tone when speaking to Joshua. God instructed Joshua twice to be strong and courageous. Because nothing in the human heart is hidden from God, He knew Joshua was still holding on to fear. But the third time, God confronted Joshua, “Have I not commanded you?” Because Joshua possessed a spirit of wisdom, he understood that God considered his fear as disobedience.

When studying the Bible, we become aware of God’s Character and how He instructs the righteous. God does not coddle or indulge our feelings. God did not say, “Joshua, because this is your first leadership position, I know that you are fearful and that’s to be expected.”

When God chooses us to fulfill His work, He is aware of our character strengths and weaknesses and is prepared to empower us with godly wisdom and strength when we pray to receive His Divine Help and Attributes.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” —Psalm 32:8

Throughout the Scriptures, God reminds us of His Divine Providence and Power and commands us to be strong and courageous in all situations. Hallelujah! We serve the Most-High God who proclaims, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:8).

Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of receiving Your Divine wisdom. We ask for the anointing, presence, power, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.

Know Why You Believe What You Believe

Know Why You Believe What You Believe – Today’s Devotional – November 25, 2023

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8

Many years ago, I became severely troubled regarding some of my religious beliefs. The life of Christ demonstrated a loving and compassionate Savior who alleviated the mental, emotional, and physical suffering of everyone who had the faith to believe. Not only was He faithfully dedicated to seeking and saving the lost, but Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to die for us on Calvary’s Cross.

I could not grasp how God, the Father who lovingly gave His only Son would allow the righteous to live a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth while at the same time, the wicked suffered in an eternal hell.

“You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.” —Psalm 139:2

I am so thankful that God knows what is hidden deep in our hearts. The Holy Spirit came to my rescue, and I listened to a sermon entitled “No Eternally Burning Hell.” Many Scriptures were given yet the primary focus was on Malachi chapter 4 and Revelation chapter 20.

The Great Day of God: “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.” —Malachi 4:1

In Revelation chapter 20, Verses 1-3: Satan is Bound for 1,000 years; Verses 4-6: The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 years; and Verses 7-10: The Satanic Rebellion Crushed.

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” —Revelation 20:7-10

“Why did John emphasize the idea of eternal if he didn’t mean it to be taken literally? “…the word ‘eternal’ means that the judgment will be thorough rather than lasting forever.” Some things burn up quickly, but with the day and night description, it doesn’t appear the devil will have an instant death. Yet, he knows his demise and still wreaks havoc on the people of God attempting to take us with him. But, no, no, no, we refuse to travel on his path of destruction!

The book of Jude, verse 7, “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” In Genesis 19, verse 28, “and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.”

We know that Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding plains were burned and nothing was left. The Bible explains itself. God has predetermined what we need to know to live righteously. Jesus also clarifies in Revelation chapter 21, there will be no eternally burning hell-fire.

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” —Revelation 21:8

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” —John 14:26

There are many theological debates among Bible scholars regarding the original language in which the Bible was written and its accurate interpretation. Yet, we must remember the Bible never requires updates. Any new human developed theologies should be excluded from our spiritual belief system. We have all the spiritual knowledge we need in the Bible for our calling and election to be steadfast through Christ.

Perilous times are separating many from God. Every day, we have daily distractions, voices, worldviews, temptations, and an internal battle against our carnal heart, but with unwavering faith, if we take God at His word, rely on the Holy Spirit to give us clarity and dispel any confusion regarding the Scriptures, we will receive the strength to fight the good fight of faith.

Reflection: What are your doctrinal beliefs? Can you validate your present beliefs using the Scriptures?

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15

Many of us have not searched the Scriptures to check the credibility of our beliefs. Yes, the Bible contains symbolism, parables, similes, metaphors, analogies, juxtapositions, etc., but the Scriptures [if] studied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, allows us to receive perfect spiritual wisdom and discernment of God’s Truth.

When the Holy Spirit is involved in studying the Bible, He imparts wisdom and discernment even to young children. Studies have proven that children who study the Scriptures have wisdom beyond their age and excel in their studies. It is their genuine faith and trust that acts as a catalyst to receive imparted knowledge and wisdom from the Holy Spirit that would confound a professor who holds a Ph.D.

” ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and [inaccessible] mighty things, which you do not know.’ ” —Jeremiah 33:3

We are forever Bible students. Believers never reach a summit of Scriptural knowledge. Before we open our Bible, with humility, we ask for and rely on the Divine Wisdom of the Holy Spirit to discern the Scriptures. If you have never asked the Holy Spirit to reveal any false doctrines that are in your belief systems then you should because they are stumbling blocks to knowing and practicing God’s Truth in your daily life.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding…” —Proverbs 2:6

We cannot receive spiritual growth and transformation based on erroneous beliefs and doctrines. Pray for understanding! Once we know the Truth, then we must take another step, letting go of traditional or learned beliefs that are not in agreement with the Scriptures.

Be prepared, Truth always results in separation from others! No, they will not understand. Yet, our salvation and reward of eternal life require total acceptance of Biblical Truth and dependency on God. Every day pray and invite the Holy Spirit into your personal worship, you will receive deeper and deeper spiritual insight into the word of God that will produce spiritual growth and transformation.

As long as we remain a student of the Holy Spirit, we will know why we believe what we believe. Every day, we receive a greater measure of spiritual wisdom because we have faithfully called on the Lord and He has kept His promise by revealing to us great and mighty things. Amen.

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with the power, presence, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Reveal your precious Words of Truth and empower us to discard all other fallacies. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

The Creation Sabbath

In Genesis chapter 2, verses 2-3, God says He blessed the seventh day and made it Holy. From Genesis to Revelation, we cannot find evidence of God abolishing or changing the Fourth Commandment-Saturday Sabbath.

So I made the decision five decades ago that since God is the Righteous Judge who says not one jot or tittle of His word will change [Matthew 5:18], then all of the Ten Commandments are still valid.

Despite the fact that none of my family agrees, I decided to obey God’s declaration that Friday Sunset to Saturday sunset is the 24 hours that He blessed and made holy. Following Jesus by surrendering and faithfully obeying Him according to the Holy Scriptures usually separates us from those who keep man-made religious traditions.

Have a blessed Sabbath! Amen.