Holy Spirit – Page 7 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Morning Manna: Bless the Lord! March 25, 2025

Peace and Blessings

Whose Side Are We On?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 24, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3

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

We Cannot Judge Ourselves

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional

At some point, in our Christian experience, we should be very concerned about our spiritual status with God. Yes, there are obvious sins that we can identify, but it is the hidden desires of our hearts that we need the Holy Spirit to identify as unrighteousness. Pray and Obey. Study the Scriptures and Strive for Spiritual growth. Live righteously!

We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit to receive the daily transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ. Revelation 22:12 is sooner than we think. Peace and Blessings!

What More Could He Do?

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional — March 16, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We Have This Hope In the Coming of King Jesus — I Shall Wear a Crown – Worship Music Video

Oh My Soul – Rebekah Dawn and Mary Monari – Praise and Worship Music Video

No More Chains – Rebekah Dawn – Praise and Worship Video

Speaking Words Of Gratitude

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.” —Romans 8:18

One aspect of life that every Christian believer experiences is disappointment. Yet, with tears and words of gratitude, we thank God for His ever-loving care. Our struggles encourage us to seek comfort through Christ and prepare us for an eternal life filled with love, peace, joy, and happiness.

Jesus says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” which is our Heavenly Father’s encouragement to remind us that He is always with us.

Praying for comfort and peace is a prayer that is immediately answered by our Savior and Intercessor, Jesus Christ. Thanking God for His amazing love always soothes our emotions. Words of gratitude invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen us with Jesus’ healing power, and our hopelessness transitions to hope. God will not allow our circumstances to remain unresolved. Yes and Amen.

Lord God, we thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us. We ask for the blessings of comfort, peace, and strength in our times of suffering and distress. Thank You for our Spiritual Respite of the Sabbath. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray in faith, Amen.

That’s Who You Are — Megan Tibbits

God’s Relentless Love

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Sabbath Devotional – February 28, 2025

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” —Matthew 5:17

The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20], God’s Moral Law not only gives us the attributes of a righteous character but also reveals God’s boundaries for our behaviors and lifestyles. The Fruit of the Spirit is the Character 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).

Although our nation’s laws were originally developed from the Ten Commandments, compromised values have introduced plea bargaining, and loopholes, yet, God’s Commandments and Righteous Precepts are valid [only the ceremonial sacrificial law of animals has been abolished]. With love, God reminds us, “I do not change” so we are not deceived by false teachings that His Law was done away with or nailed to the cross.

“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6: 20

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 4:9-10

Many Christians do not understand the relentless love required of God to give His Only Son, Jesus, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead to become human and suffer on this earth to save our souls. And we certainly do not understand our active role in our salvation, or we would faithfully seek and obey God’s will and plans every day.

“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, NIV). With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Living sacrificial lives is revealed through the spoken words, Lord, I surrender myself to You, I ask You to reveal your plans for today. And then we actively work on our salvation by obeying God instead of fulfilling our desires.

“Abraham said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’ ” —Genesis 22:5

Abraham teaches us that faithful obedience is our highest worship to God. Putting God first is essential for living a life of faith-driven obedience. Our response to the mercies of a new day in a morning prayer of consecration reveals that we love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

” ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” —Luke 22: 42-44

Although Abraham’s obedience to sacrifice Isaac, his only son [whom he loved with all of his heart] is perceived as the most difficult test of faith, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of faithful obedience when He died on Calvary’s Cross to fulfill the Plan of Redemption.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV

Saved by grace is a privilege, graciously gifted to us by God. Our salvation is based on faith in Christ and obedience to God. “If you love me keep my Commandments.” Disobedience has devastating consequences on our character. Living outside of God’s will changes our mindset, we lose our spiritual perception and easily choose sinful compromise over righteousness.

“…Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16

Throughout the Bible, we have evidence that God has always required the human effort of faith and obedience. Living holy is impossible without Christ’s strength. We need help to overcome our thoughts, choices, and lifestyles that reflect the carnal desires of our hearts. Think of your life as a Spiritual Journey with Jesus Christ. Pray for help! “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

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

God developed the battle plan to overcome our sinful tendencies. We are not helpless in the fight between good and evil. Satan cannot coerce or force us to disobey God. From the moment we are tempted, the Holy Spirit alerts us through our thoughts we are facing a sinful situation. We begin to feel uneasy within our spirit. At that moment, we pray for strength and use our self-control by proclaiming, I will not sin against God, or we ignore the warning and choose to sin.

God’s Love is Relentless! Loving God produces appreciation for His faithfulness and propels us to consecrate ourselves daily to live holy, obedient, and sacrificial lives. From our willingness to obey, Jesus empowers us with His supernatural strength. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the guidance to live as Victorious Overcomers preparing for the Second Coming of our Triumphant King.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” —John 14:1-3

Lord God, we thank You for Your relentless love and ask for the strength to overcome our internal desires and fight against the external opposition to separate us from You. We love You and consecrate ourselves to strive for righteousness as we prepare daily for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’Holy Name, Amen.