Today, I started reading a Devotional entitled, God Is With Us, but I could never get past the introductory Scripture [Job 19:25-27], which is Job’s proclamation of steadfast faith and hope during his worst suffering.
As I read the Scripture again, Job’s faith made me reflect deeply on the status of my wavering faith. What were the obstacles preventing me from having steadfast faith?
“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith [in God].” (Habakkuk 2:4, LSB).
The only way for our faith to grow is to let go of our pride and self-will. Unfortunately, the thought of redirecting our faith from ourselves to being totally dependent on God, usually results in feelings of ambivalence.
But, what if we started asking God to resolve our minor interruptions instead of using our thoughts to quickly resolve them? It is our habit of excluding God from the minor challenges that reinforces the unrighteous characteristic of self-reliance.
The flat tire, the call from the school nurse that your child is sick and you need to come now, and the unexpected living expenses are just routine matters of life that we can easily resolve, but they are also faith-builders that provide the perfect opportunity to whisper a prayer, asking God for His Divine Help and Strength.
Best Spiritual Practice: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).
“…Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:23, 25).
The decision to redirect our focus and faith from ourselves to God reveals our desire to surrender our will completely to God’s Sovereign Authority, and to trust His Faithfulness. Take the leap of faith, and just do it!
“The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17). As our faith grows, we begin to live with the conviction that God is always faithful, and we freely exchange self-reliance for dependency on God.
Whether we are facing the routine matters of life, or major challenges, we respond with a prayer of faith, which eliminates all frustration, fears, and worries.
Because Steadfast Faith believes that God is who He says He is, we proclaim a sincere, Thank you, God, knowing that our Heavenly Father will give us an outcome that glorifies His Holy Name. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, in faith, we approach the Throne of Grace asking for Your Divine Help in our time of need. We believe in Your promises to intervene and give us a complete resolution, and thank You in advance for giving us the victory. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“From one man He [Jesus] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26).
Sociology was one of my first academic classes required for my nursing degree. I can recall an assignment of openly confronting prejudice by exposing our inner feelings of “I dislike this group of people because…”
Being truthful required a spoken answer of identifying the individuals who we targeted our discrimination against, and giving the reasons for our prejudice.
As we listened to each other’s [mostly absurd] answers, we realized that learned behaviors [usually from parents and family members] produced unsubstantiated discrimination and prejudice against those who had never harmed us.
Shame and embarrassment permeated the atmosphere, yet there was an interesting twist when I verbalized my answer of, “I am not prejudiced,” which was met by a sharp rebuttal from our professor, “It is impossible for you not to be prejudiced!”
With confidence, I disclosed to my professor and classmates that I was raised by parents who taught us to love everyone.
From a young child, my mother taught us the magnitude of God’s love by singing this song, “Jesus loves the little children of the world. Whether red, or yellow, black, or white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
“We love because He first loved us.”(1 John 4:19).
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:19).
Possessing the Loving Heart of Christ
The Love Commandments: “And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV).
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11).
The sign of a converted heart is one that is filled with God’s love. God is love. We were Created from Love, and Redeemed by Love.
“The Samaritan woman said to Him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” (John 4:9, NIV).
Jesus demonstrated love in His ministry by speaking powerful messages of hope. He exhibited patience, compassion, and the healing of countless multitudes of people without regard to their backgrounds.
God’s love will permeate Heaven’s atmosphere. And only believers who love others freely in their earthly lives will receive the glorious reward of living forever in the Lovely New Heaven and New Earth.
Reflection: Are there any biases or prejudices hidden in your heart that would prevent you from receiving your reward of Eternal Life?
“Prejudice can stem from the perception that certain groups or ideas pose a threat to one’s own belief system or way of life.”
In the Scriptures, God reveals that either we love or hate. There is no middle of the road feeling of “dislike” identified in the Bible. Disliking others reveals that we do not have the loving heart of Christ.
Because the manner in which we were raised varies, our different experiences define our perception of love, and define our boundaries of inclusion. But once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we embrace love as defined by God.
God gives us His characteristics of Agape love in 1 Corinthians 13.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV).
Love Your Enemies “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…’ ” (Matthew 5:43-45).
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12).
God will never condone biases for any reason. If we focus on our differences then it is easy to target those who embrace unbelief in God, practice pagan worship, celebrate various cultural customs, and live alternative lifestyles.
Yes, God hates sin, but He loves humanity, including sinners. “Jesus was and is absolutely inclusive. There is no ‘them versus us’ at the foot of the cross; Jesus paid the highest price for each one of us.”
Love Is the Catalyst for the Spiritual Transformation of Our Hearts
Sanctification is the lifelong, daily, and gradual Spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the Righteousness of Christ’s Loving Character, performed daily by the Holy Spirit.
The Prerequisite of Sanctification: We must possess the Righteous Characteristics of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).
Christians who have hearts filled with Christ’s love shine brightly. They will know we are Christians when our temperament is gentle, our smile is genuine, and our spoken words are positive and uplifting.
“Heaven will be more diverse than we can imagine, with every people, nation, color, tongue, and gender (Revelation 5:9). Father, grant us your grace, that as Christians we may display your inclusive outlook, here and now. In Jesus’ Loving Name, Amen!”
Prayer: King David’s prayer must be our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV). Yes and Amen.
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” —1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV
Because of sin, conflict is a natural part of life. But regardless of the highly practiced worldview, “Conflict is healthy,” God clarifies that He is never present in disagreements, arguments, confusion, or strife.
“Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Because Satan is shrewd, dissension presents itself in various [covert] ways. Something as simple as, “What are we going to eat for dinner?” can escalate into a tug of war when our hearts are not filled with Christ’s love.
“And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Do not be deceived by describing conflict as “a little disagreement.” Little conflicts invite the unrighteous spirit of confusion into our homes.
Dissension changes the atmosphere of our homes and our minds, characters, and personalities, which become instruments that Satan easily manipulates.
The Spirit of Strife not only destroys our internal peace but also separates us from God, placing us on the same unrighteous level as unbelievers. To “Agree to Disagree” is one of Satan’s deceptive theories of compromise, and is not Biblical, or a Righteous Principle.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity given by God to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Through humility, surrender, and faithful obedience, the righteous are covered with Christ’s garment of spiritual peace.
“If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18, CEB). God’s expectation for every Christian believer is that we possess a pure, loving heart that reflects the Righteousness of Christ. A home that is peaceful and righteous is the home where the Spirit of God is always present.
“Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. (Proverbs 12:17, GWT).
Satan’s most effective conflict strategy is to use people to provoke us, so we will react with angry thoughts and words, or impatiently blow our vehicle horn, an unholy substitute for irate spoken words.
Do not give Satan control of your mind and mouth by speaking emotionally charged words. Unrighteous responses are one of the easiest ways to sin.
Angry sarcastic words are thoughtless words that not only escalate the situation but are also hurtful. Fact: Apologies do not soothe or heal wounded hearts.
Seeing Conflict Through Spiritual Eyes: There are only two powers in this world, God, who is Good, and the Creator and Giver of Peace, and Satan, whose evil schemes always produce conflict with the intent to destroy harmony and peace.
Overcoming Satan’s Schemes of Conflict Requires the Teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention.
“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14, NASB).
How to Handle Conflict With Unfamiliar People: Immediately pray for strength, remain silent, and walk away. No discussion is necessary. Walking away is our witness.
Handling conflict with familiar people [family, friends, coworkers] who are also believers is the true test of our love and loyalty to Christ. Unless they are immediate family living in the same home, we must separate ourselves from those whom the enemy is using to persecute us.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God reveals boundaries in interaction with our family and friends. Husbands and wives must pray together when animosity arises between them, and parents must be a godly example for their children when dissension arises.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Never harbor grudges: We must extend mercy as God extends Mercy to us.
The first response in the Christian home is not to hear what happened first, but to engage everyone present to immediately pray a prayer of repentance, and with humility invite God to resolve the conflict. Only then, when the Holy Spirit is present, should they hear the rest of the story. An effective way to resolve conflict and evaluate with fairness is, after the prayer, have each person write about their experience.
Dissension is often fatal to our spiritual growth and transformation. We must never forget that we accepted Christ to live righteously and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for a complete spiritual makeover of our mind, character, and personality. One thing is for certain: There will be no conflict in heaven.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV).
The Truth: Quick and intemperate responses reveal that our hearts are unconverted, and we do not possess the righteous character traits that align with the Fruit of the Spirit.
The Righteous Attributes of Christ: “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).
Whether strife arises with familiar people, or strangers, remain silent! God has gifted us with the power of self control, React by breathing a silent prayer. Ask God for Divine Help. Using self-control, Stand down your anger!
Prayer and Silence accomplish two spiritual goals: We learn to totally depend on God to fight and win our battles, and our character is transformed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit necessary for us to receive our reward of the Crown of Life.
Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the many times we have thought or spoken angry words that did not reflect Your love. We ask you to give us the strength and the guidance to cultivate a spirit of meekness and to extend mercy when experiencing the persecution of conflict for serving You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28).
Unexpected challenges do not knock, waiting for us to open the door so they can enter. No, hardships and adversities are unwelcome intruders who have master keys and enter with unpredictability. Even believers often find it difficult to agree on most subjects, but there is a strong consensus that suffering is always challenging and leads to discouragement.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
Although I followed God’s plans, this week, I faced two extremely difficult challenges that discouraged me. Obedience to God should always bring a deep sense of inner peace. So, what happened? I forgot Jesus’ warning that even when we obey God, unexpected adversity can arise, causing us to feel defeated.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Truthfully, because we serve God, we feel that our lives should be easier, but an easy life is not Biblical. No Bible hero, and certainly not Jesus, the Son of God, was exempt from harsh trials.
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me…” (Psalm 42:6). David was a skillful musician and singer, but many do not understand “the man after God’s own heart.” He never pretended that all was well when it wasn’t. The Psalms are songs of prayer, and the longest book in the Bible. Prayer is a spiritual lifesaver, keeping us connected to the Source of Life.
God knows that our response to trials and troubles will not be positive. Through prayer, we receive answers from Scripture, making it essential for our spiritual well-being. Studying the Bible is not optional. Like David, I prayed, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to study Psalm 42.
Daily personal worship invites the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our thoughts. While writing this devotional, the Holy Spirit reminded me that “The Christian’s Journey on the Path of Righteousness Always Involves Suffering.”
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
“We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just like we are.” Spiritual growth and transformation of our mind, character, and personality, building our faith, and molding us into the righteous character of Christ are required to receive Eternal Life, and can only be accomplished through trials and adversities.
The hard times of suffering are a part of Christianity that we fail to embrace or appreciate. I am not a new believer, and throughout my journey, I have heard so few sermons on the suffering required to follow Jesus. Who is teaching or preaching the sermons telling us that the journey on the Path of Righteousness is tough, so when adversity comes in like a tsunami, we immediately fall to our knees in prayer, asking for help?
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”(Revelation 3:21).
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We cannot rely on anyone else to teach us the Gospel Truth of the Bible. Too many believers are giving up on God because they do not know the Truth. The book of Job reveals that Job lived a sinless life, still he endured extreme suffering, but overcame, and received many blessings.
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ESV).
Sanctification requires humility, long-suffering [patience], and the teamwork of Human Effort and Divine Intervention. Spiritual transformation requires our entire [earthly] life. If we use our faith and obedience to cooperate with God, then every day the Holy Spirit gradually transforms us. Spiritual growth never happens in leaps and bounds; it is the little steps that keep us moving forward.
God’s thoughts, ways, and plans always take time. God is Eternal. He views our lives from beginning to end. Because God knows our lifespan, there is no need for Him to rush in giving us His blessings or fulfilling His promises.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, NLT).
Still, God always fulfills His promises. We know that from the story of Abraham and Sarah who were 100 and 90 years of age when Isaac was born. One thing is for certain, God’s timing will never align with our timing.
The worldview of “Do it now” strongly opposes the righteous characteristic of patience, which is a Fruit of the Spirit. Instant gratification is the downfall of any Christian who embraces the mindset of “I have to have it now!”
Not all adversity or roadblocks are related to the faith journey of spiritual growth. We must also consider if we became impatient and attempted to expedite the process by following our thoughts.
Our Plans: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (James 4:13-15, NIV).
Our God-given gift of Free Will of Choice allows us to choose following our thoughts and desires, or surrendering to and obeying God’s Perfect Plans, which always end in Victory.
God’s Plans: “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).
Does God honor those who faithfully obey Him? The three Hebrew young men were not destroyed in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Daniel slept with the lions in their den, and yes, Peter lost faith when walking on the water, but he was the only one of the disciples who was courageous enough to step out of the boat, and Jesus saved Peter. And when the Apostle Paul was bitten by the venomous snake, the people waited for him to die, but he lived [Acts 28:3-6].
The same Christ who intervened in the Old and New Testaments is still waiting for the righteous to approach Him in prayer. Who else can help us but God?
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Trust Jesus with your life! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We have a very patient and loving Shepherd who knows that our hearts, faith, and courage are weak. Still, our Loving Jesus, who is our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor, waits for us to ask for His help.
“The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer, specifically in conveying our prayers to Christ. The Holy Spirit acts as a Divine Intercessor, bringing our sincere, faith-filled prayers to the Father through Christ.” (EGW)
The lessons I learned: When we faithfully follow and obey God’s Directives, yes, we may still face adversity; even so, when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by committing ourselves to a life of prayer, asking for Divine Help and Strength, we immediately receive the ability to make it through our challenges. Not only did I learn more about God’s Loving Character and humanity’s weaknesses from studying the Psalms, but I also received Jesus’ strength, comfort, and a victorious outcome [a miracle]. Yes and Amen.
“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).
Jesus Christ is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory!
Lord God, we thank You for creating us, loving us, intervening for us, and taking care of us. We love You, and worship Your Holy Name. Lord, teach us to pray that we can depend on You instead of ourselves. We also pray for a Divine blessing during the Holy Sabbath, and ask this prayer, in the Righteous and Loving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“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
All praises and glory to Jesus, our Savior, who redeemed us from the ravages of sin. Because of Christ’s great devotion, love, and loyalty to humanity, as evidenced by the sacrificial gift of His life, every day, we are covered with Grace and receive abundant Mercies.
God’s love did not stop at Redemption. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus reveals that faithful and obedient believers will receive the reward of Eternal Life. Yes, we know how the Amazing Story ends: a perfect life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Our God-given Gifts: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified Bible).
Winning The Fight to Stay Free
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).
To follow Christ requires total sacrifice. More than human effort is needed to live as Victorious Overcomers. It is the Holy Spirit, AKA The Spirit of Truth, who empowers us to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Our role in the Plan of Redemption is to dedicate ourselves each morning with the prayer to do God’s will.
“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:17).
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14). Yes, we inherited hearts always gravitating toward wrongdoing, still, Jesus created us with the ability to fight for our spiritual freedom from the chains of sin by praying for Divine strength and using self-control.
Satan cannot use coercion to make us sin; it is always a willing choice to sin against God. Every day, we face the external opposition of temptations, but our greatest battle is the internal conflict between following our heart’s desires and staying loyal to Christ.
Not only do we have the power to say “No” to all temptations, but when Satan attempts to deceive us with stealth moves, the Holy Spirit warns us that we are facing covert deception. The hesitation and the uncomfortable feeling inside are from the Holy Spirit. Immediately remove yourself from the temptation.
When tempted by another person, immediately cease the conversation by stating, I love and serve God. The longer we listen to deception, we become weakened, and our chances of saying no become impossible. If fighting an internal desire, immediately get on your knees and pray. It doesn’t matter who sees us, pray!
Many people feel, based on their personal experience, that it’s too hard to be a Christian, so they return to a life of sin. So let’s look at Christianity from God’s Perspective using Biblical God’s Truth.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (John 6:46 ). The Christian journey is one of humility, surrender, and faithful obedience. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us He has predetermined plans for our lives.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:2). Our mind is divided, we attend church, but the majority of our thoughts are on fulfilling our desires, so we chase success and prosperity.
Truthfully, I have never heard of an unbeliever complaining by saying, It’s hard being an unbeliever. Their minds are not divided. Unbelievers are focused on their goals and will do whatever is necessary to achieve them. Yes, Sin is enticing, but the bondage is devastating!
The reason we cannot devote ourselves fully to Christ is that we also want what we want. But a believer who does not follow God’s plans reveals that their heart is unconverted. To receive spiritual growth and transformation requires humility, faith, and obedience.
Loving God means fulfilling His desires. This is our greatest obstacle to enjoying spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ. We must love God more than ourselves. God defines truth and error, and right and wrong.
Without Biblical knowledge of the Scriptures, Satan easily manipulates our minds to feel that God is withholding the best from us. It is Satan who has introduced the erroneous beliefs of the middle road, an imaginary gray area in serving God.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
We embrace spiritual freedom by letting go of worldviews and secularism by renouncing the darkness of sinful pleasures. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Every day, we practice boundaries against breaking governmental and state laws, and adhere to the employer’s policies. If we can use self-control to live as law-abiding citizens, then through the power of Jesus Christ, we can live righteously. Salvation is free, but Jesus paid our sin debt, so God, the Father, requires that we follow and obey our Shepherd.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Yes, we are warriors in the relentless battle against sin that will last until Jesus comes. Staying on the Path of Righteousness is the toughest challenge we will ever face in our lives! Prayer is our weapon, use it frequently!
“The fear [reverence] of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble” (Proverbs 19:23, NIV). Consecrating our minds and bodies to serve God is the only way we can live righteously in this continuous fight against Satan and his evil angels.
From possessing the mindset, “I will not sin against God,” all of heaven engages to help us in our fight against all temptations.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
Jesus Christ is a Mighty Warrior! We are never alone. Through the Holy Spirit, we have total access to Jesus’ Divine Power, 24/7. Help is only a prayer away. Jesus promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’ ” (Psalm 91:2)
The Prayer of Consecration: “Lord God, I want what You want for me. And I desperately need Your help to think and live a holy life pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.”
Prayers of humility and surrender asking for help are answered immediately! Through studying the Scriptures and praying, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us with powerful words of Divine guidance and encouragement. We can never become entangled in the bondage of sin when we maintain our connection with Christ through personal worship.
Live one day at a time. If we continue striving with courage and in the power of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, we have the guarantee of receiving our Greatest Reward of a Forever Life when our Triumphant King Jesus comes again. Hallelujah, Yes, and Amen!
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to become faithful followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. We pray for strength, guidance, wisdom, and the steadfast faith to overcome internal desires and the external opposition of temptation. We claim the victory in the Powerful Name of Jesus, and ask this prayer in our Mighty Warrior’s Name, Amen.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).
“The biblical story of the ten lepers, found in Luke 17:11-19, tells of Jesus healing ten men afflicted with leprosy. While all ten were cleansed, only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus, prompting Jesus to question the absence of the other nine and to commend the thankful Samaritan’s faith.”
The spoken words, “Thank you” have almost been phased out of our minds. Unfortunately, most of us live with a sense of entitlement, feeling that we deserve God’s life-sustaining blessings that He graciously gives every day.
The Proof: Even our prayers have transitioned to asking God for more things than thanking Him for what He has already provided for us.
As I reflected on my prayer history, I can never recall praying this unselfish prayer of faith and gratitude, “God, I don’t need anything else, but Your Love, Grace, Mercies, Guidance, and Protection. Amen.”
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).
The gifts of a new day, our mental, emotional, and physical strength along with spiritual guidance, and angelic protection are gifts freely given that we often take for granted.
Every day, we can express heartfelt praises of prayers and songs of gratitude to God for the precious gifts of His unwavering love, Jesus, our Redeemer, Salvation, daily provisions, and so much more.
“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).
Gratitude changes our heart from one of discontentment which drives us to pursue and acquire more money and tangible possessions to one of contentment filled with love, peace, and joy.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17, ESV).
Daily expressions of gratitude for God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies produces steadfast faith in the power of God to resolve life’s issues. When challenges arise, the grateful heart [fueled by faith] responds with an immediate prayer for Divine help.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
When the storms of life rage, grateful hearts are filled with confidence and courage because they remember that God is faithful, and His promises are Yes to which we say Amen!
Yes, a heart overflowing with gratitude for God’s faithfulness reveals appreciation for our Heavenly Father who deserves to hear our love expressed through the spoken words, “Thank You, God,” every day.
Lamentations 3:22-26
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him…'”
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lord God, we ask you to forgive us for nurturing a spirit of ingratitude. We thank you for the precious gift of your Son, Jesus Christ who redeemed us from sin. Thank you, for giving us the choice of eternal life when death was the only consequence for being born into sin. We thank You for Your love, compassion, provisions, and the gift of time. God, we love You because You first loved us. Help us to have a heart filled with love, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of Your Agape Love. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we ask this prayer in faith, Amen.
“But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows” (Luke 12:7).
“Overcoming Fear and Anxiety: The parable of sparrows is used to remind us of two concepts: We are loved by God, and we are His priority.
“Jesus uses the example of sparrows to reassure His followers that God cares for us even more deeply than for sparrows. He points out that humans are of greater value, as evidenced by the fact that God even numbers the hairs on their heads.”
“I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I’ve drawn you with love and kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).
The Bible is a love story. In Genesis, we learn of God and Jesus’ conversation: “Let us create humanity in our image,” which establishes our identity in Jesus Christ as created human beings. Genesis also reveals God’s Divine intervention when facing the impossible, as well as the many victories given to the faithful.
Revelation chapters 20-22 reveal Jesus’ return as the Triumphant King, give us the conclusive knowledge of how sin and death will be destroyed, and a magnificent overview of the New Heaven and New Earth prepared for the righteous.
When God, the Son, Jesus Christ, created humanity, He equipped us with spiritual gifts and the spiritual capacity for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We were given the highest intellect of all created beings, Free Will of choice, the ability to love, and the power to choose right over wrong.
The Omniscient [All-Knowing] Triune God knew that Adam and Eve would choose to disobey His command, “Do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” The Scriptures verify that Jesus’ vow to give His life, the Plan of Redemption, was established between God, Father, and God, the Son, before the world’s creation, and before sin entered the Earth.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
God, the Father, approved Jesus, His only Son, to leave His Heavenly throne, come to Earth, live in poverty, suffer hatred, and die a gruesome death on Calvary’s Cross because we are loved.
How often do we think about and thank Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, for sacrificing His life for us? Yes, we are covered by Grace, yet if we choose Him as our personal Savior, then God expects us to learn and obey His Commandments and Righteous Principles.
The Book of Ruth is a love story of God’s Redemption. Often, we associate the story with God giving us the perfect husband or wife, yet there is a deeper spiritual meaning of Boaz redeeming Ruth.
In the Old Testament, God established a law that a person and his property could be redeemed by the closest relative. Boaz redeeming Ruth represents Christ, who redeemed us from the wages of sin, which is death.
God’s Promise to Provide for the Righteous
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).
God Protects the Righteous
Psalm 91 tells us that we have angelic protection. God has assigned us guardian angels to protect us from unseen spiritual warfare and physical danger.
Our Royal Identity Is in Christ
“We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:17).
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. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new…’ ” (Revelation 21:4-5)
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4).
Today’s Christian believers live with troubled minds, overwhelmed with anxiety, worries, and do not enjoy Jesus’ gifts of peace, joy, and happiness. How did we end up with the same troubles that unbelievers suffer from?
There are many reasons why we are as discontent, weary, and burdened as unbelievers. We are suffering because we are focused on fulfilling our desires to be wealthy, successful, and in love. Because we do not enjoy a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, the external opposition of temptations is the catalyst that results in continuous internal conflict. Righteous priorities result in peace of mind.
According to religious surveys, less than 30% of global Christians study the Bible. Satan has deceived us into thinking that church attendance satisfies God’s requirements, “Be holy, For I Am Holy (1 Peter 1:16). Because we lack knowledge of God’s Holy Scripture, we cannot abide in Christ.
Reading the Scriptures versus Studying the Scriptures: We may not realize that many historians and atheists also do not believe in Darwin’s erroneous theory of evolution. They utilize the Bible for an accurate history of the planet Earth. But they are never transformed spiritually because salvation is not their goal.
Reading the Bible differs from studying the Bible under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, which transforms our mind and character. Unless our hearts are converted, the Spirit of Truth cannot give us the wisdom and discernment to fully understand God’s loving character.
If we accept Christ and do not know His earthly life of revealing and rebuking Satan’s deceptions, temptations, and His ministry of healing mental and emotional oppression, and physical illnesses, or study his parables and sermons, then Jesus is a stranger, and we feel no connection to Him.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? (Matthew 16:26, AMPC).
Sadly, because our beliefs are a mixture of world views and little bits and pieces of the Scriptures that we hear in weekly sermons, we have convinced ourselves that we are living righteously.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV).
For over 6,000 years, Satan’s deceptions have been effective. Believers, we have allowed Satan to abuse us by manipulating our minds, convincing us that, like Cain, we can give God the sacrifice we determine to give Him. We have accepted Compromised Religion as our standard for serving a Holy and Righteous God who reminds us in Malachi 3 that He does not change.
Our lifestyles reveal that we are in agreement with satanic concepts of redefining sin into categories of least to greatest. We believe that if we do not commit grievous sins according to our definition of sin, then we assume that all is well with our right standing in God.
Most of the Christian Community is suffering from internal conflict because we are not living consecrated and surrendered lives. The internal restlessness that we attempt to appease by seeking material wealth, success, and forming relationships with unbelievers is the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts, warning us that we are no longer traveling on the Path of Righteousness.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Our sin of disobedience and rebellion against God is demonstrated by our failure to bow before God every day through surrender, and seeking and obeying His will.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matthew 22:36-40).
Not only must we love God more than ourselves, but we must also love our brothers and sisters, which God defines as everyone. Although we attempt to challenge the concept that hatred is in our hearts, Christ tells us that either we love or hate; there is no concept of disliking others, and unforgiveness reveals that we do not love God. We must possess Christ’s love, forgiveness, and character.
The Attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character are also defined by Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 4:32.
The converted heart seeks to worship God with love, trust, faithful obedience, and surrender. Daily surrender, prayer, and studying the Bible are the only way that we can maintain our relationship with Christ. Worship is a lifestyle.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Who is Jesus Christ? The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were written by four writers inspired by the Holy Spirit who used great detail to reveal the Righteous and Loving character of Christ. Loving Jesus is Knowing Jesus.
The Holy Scriptures encourage believers to use our gift of faith to completely trust in God’s love, provision, and protection. God knew that we would face many false teachings and doctrines. Yes, God knew that Satan would constantly tempt us to follow our hearts and pursue the world’s empty promises and prosperity.
God has given us the Righteous Ammunition to fight the spiritual war with 66 Righteous Books that comprise the Holy Bible to guide us on the Path of Righteousness.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come ” (John 16:13).
Human effort alone is inadequate to live righteously. The Holy Spirit is also God. Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as He. Yes, the Spirit of Truth is a mystery; we do not have to understand how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.
From a whisper of Prayer, we have access to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Intercessor, who gives us His Divine guidance and the supernatural strength we need to overcome sinful desires. It is the Holy Spirit who imparts Jesus’ Righteous Attributes to believers who commit to following Him.
What more could Jesus have done for us?
Brothers and sisters, we must fight the good fight of faith and persevere until the Second Advent of Jesus’ Coming. Reflect deeply on why you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
With holy conviction, we must use our faith to love God and pledge our loyalty to King Jesus. With humility and unwavering faith, we strive to live righteously because we appreciate His Agape love and great sacrifice to save our souls. Only then can we enjoy God’s peace, joy, and happiness.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. (Jeremiah 31:3).
We are loved! Therefore, we prepare ourselves every day, and with joyful anticipation, live as the righteous heirs of our Triumphant King who is coming sooner than we think! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, as we worship You in spirit and truth on the Holy Sabbath, we ask for a revival of our hearts and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are overwhelmed by the many false teachings and ask for spiritual clarity. Please reveal Your One and Only Truth. We repent of our sins and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We desire to receive our Crown of Life. Thank You for Your great sacrifice, and Your love, grace, and mercies. In Jesus’ righteous Name, we ask these things in faith, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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