Holy Spirit – Page 9 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Keep Moving Forward!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional -January 21, 2025

“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name, we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!’ ” —2 Chronicles 14:11

The story of King Asa reveals the importance of worshiping God with faithful dedication and obedience. When facing the Ethiopian army, the King’s first response was to pray for God’s Divine help which ended in victory. God sent the prophet Oded to the King with this message, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:1).

“…In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” —2 Chronicles 16:9

Sadly, in 2 Chronicles, chapter 16, the King reveals a decision that indicated he was no longer seeking God through dutiful worship. God did not forsake King Asa by abandoning him. From the king’s decision to disobey God by making a treaty with the pagan king of Syria, he broke God’s covenant to keep Judah as “the land of rest—without war.”

Obedience is our highest form of worship: “Many theologians interpret these verses to mean that actively following God’s instructions is the truest expression of love and devotion to Him, surpassing mere outward acts of worship.”

True Believers do not awaken with a plan to commit premeditated sins. We can pray and consecrate ourselves in the morning and a few moments later fall hard into temptation. How does a believer transition from a life of dedication to one that excludes God? It’s an issue of the heart. Our heart’s desires often take precedence over our willingness to surrender and obey God. This is evidenced by a change in how we worship; we no longer ask for God’s will to be done, and self-reliance replaces dependency on God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” —Proverbs 3:5-8

The failure to pray and ask God for His answer before decision-making reveals that we trust in our human wisdom. Without praying for Divine wisdom, at some point, we will fall either from Satan’s covert deception or the result of our strategies. The outcome of our choices reveals whether or not God was involved—Anything that Satan offers is not God’s will and always has a catch that leads to unforeseen consequences.

“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

The enemy is creative, when we openly display or verbalize feelings of desperation in a given situation, it is an open door for him to use his various strategies. Satan uses coercion which is highly effective when we feel there are no options, and the bait-and-switch strategy which prompts us to fulfill our true desire instead of God’s choice. One of his most effective deceptions works on believers who react negatively to loneliness often driving them to seek a relationship or marriage not blessed by God.

Coercion: Your job search has been extended, bills are due, and finally a company has responded to your resume, the salary is great, but you have to decide now, the start date of the new job is tomorrow. Bait and Switch: You pray for a vehicle [within your budget], and receive God’s answer of yes, but at the dealership, you accept the salesperson’s invitation to test drive the luxury model and decide to purchase. Deception: You are preoccupied with feelings of loneliness. You try a Christian dating site that offers a free trial period and eventually meet someone you believe is a Godsend. However, when you invite the person to church, they make excuses for not attending. After two months, the truth is revealed, they think going to church is not necessary to serve God.

True Worship: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” —Psalm 63:1, NIV

The predicaments Christians find themselves in will never cease to amaze us. One thing is certain, we allowed Satan’s strategies have entrapped us. Make no mistake, following our thoughts and fulfilling our desires is extremely satisfying to our souls. Like King Asa, we easily rely on ourselves because we ceased worshiping God in spirit and truth. We can attend church, pray, and study the Bible, yet each day, we fail to pray, “God, not my will, but Your will be done in my life.”

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ” —1 John 4:10, NIV

So we excluded God and now, face unavoidable consequences. Our feelings of defeat and discouragement have escalated and our faith feels non-existent. How do we move forward? Our response determines whether or not we understand God’s love and the Plan of Redemption [God’s Agape Love, Confession, Receiving Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercies ].

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9

God’s love is Eternal! “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute. And shall not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:17). We follow the plan of Redemption by praying an honest prayer of confession and repentance and asking God for directions to move forward. The journey ahead will require a spiritual change in your character and lifestyle. Pray for Divine strength.

Keep Loving God! Keep Praying! Keep Studying the Bible!

Stop remembering your mistakes! Moving ahead in our journey requires a different mindset, we must redirect our focus to Christ. God knew that we would make the wayward decision before we “fall down.” Our faith in God must supersede our feelings of defeat by focusing on His love. We pray and ask Him how to move forward—recovery from counterproductive decisions must be God-driven.

God’s answers will not coincide with our desires. We may have to continue on the unpleasant job until He blesses us with another one, the dealership may negotiate a deal to exchange the luxury vehicle for the affordable one of God’s original plan, and we will have to let go of the unbelieving believer who refuses to worship God as required for spiritual growth. If we obey then God will perform the miraculous!

Keep Moving Forward in the Strength of the Lord!

Pressing Toward the Goal: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:12-14

Prayer: God, we often find ourselves suffering the consequences of following our thoughts and plans and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We desire to follow Your will and ask You to reveal Your plans to move forward. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Worshiping God In Spirit and Truth

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 19, 2025

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” —John 4:24

Spirit: “Worshiping in spirit means worshiping from within, without formalism or traditionalism. It means having a new disposition and a humble, grateful heart.”
Truth: “Worshiping in truth means worshiping based on a correct understanding of God and what He requires. It means having a true perception of God and obeying His word [The Bible].”
Balance: “Worshiping in spirit and truth requires a balance of emotion and thought. Without emotion, worship can be lifeless, and without truth, worship is empty.”

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25

The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin it means [Christ] taking away our sins, and filling the emptiness with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul there is purity and freedom from sin. The glory, the fulness, and the completeness of the gospel plan are fulfilled in the life. —Christ’s Object Lessons

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” —Luke 6:46

God’s Love is unconditional, yet to receive His benefits [including the reward of Eternal Life] requires total obedience to His Righteous Conditions of Participation in the Plan of Redemption. Obedience is worship that reveals our love, loyalty, and willingness to seek God’s Divine will. Our affirmation of “I choose not to sin against God” reveals our steadfast love and faith in God and renounces self-reliance.

Obedience Is Worship

God’s Promise to Abraham: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” —Genesis 17:4-5, NIV

God Tests Abraham’s Faith: “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ ” —Genesis 22:1-2

It is quite amazing that God would ask faithful Abraham to sacrifice Isaac whose birth fulfilled God’s promise to make Abraham the father of nations. “Child Sacrifice of the first-born sons was a common practice among pagan tribes to ensure their land would reap the prosperity of abundant crops” (myjewishlearning.com).

God always tests our faith, and Abraham understood this was a test of faith. Still, the spiritual meaning of God commanding the sacrifice of Isaac was it foreshadowed [an indication of a future event] God sacrificing Jesus, His only Son on Calvary’s Cross. “The story shows how God provided a substitute for Isaac’s sacrifice, just as he would later provide Jesus as a substitute for all of humanity’s sins.”

Abraham’s Response: “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He 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 22:4-5, NIV

Abraham’s directive to his servants indicates that he understood God’s requisite of total obedience and one of profound faith. “When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we will have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts.” The defining characteristic of a true believer is Faith in God demonstrated by a life of surrender and obedience.

Scriptures Identifying God, the Father Required Obedience From Jesus

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
“[Christ]…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8).
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus was One with God, yet, when clothed in human flesh, Jesus was never presumptuous and remained devoted to God, the Father, always seeking His will through constant prayer. Even in Gethsemane when Jesus asked His Father to take the cup away, God’s answer was “No, Son,” Jesus obeyed by fulfilling the Plan of Redemption for you and me.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” —John 6:38

Brothers and Sisters, we are too distracted by earthly success and trinkets to reflect deeply on Jesus’ obedient sacrifice to save our souls. Abraham identified obedience as steadfast worship to God, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.” We must have the mind of Christ who always surrendered and obeyed God in His earthly life. Without total surrender to God, we develop a rebellious spirit as Cain did leading to a spiritual separation from God.

Making the commitment to faithfully obey God is to worship Him in spirit and truth. We express gratitude for the mercies of a new day through surrender. Our prayers should ascend to Christ, our Intercessor, and Mediator throughout our waking hours asking for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to recognize God’s Voice.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Worship is a lifestyle of reverencing God. We desperately need the Divine strength and power of the Holy Spirit to stand down our carnal desires and overcome daily temptation. Obedience aligns our hearts with the will of God which is the only way to worship God in spirit and truth.

“The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life, testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour” (Christ’s Object Lessons).

Prayer: Lord God, teach us how to worship You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Unrequited Love Relationships

Our Daily Walk with Christ – January 9, 2025

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

The Spiritual Definition of Unrequited Love: “In a spiritual context, unrequited love refers to a one-sided, unreciprocated love that is given by God for humanity, but that love is not returned or acknowledged by the object of affection [humanity].

Are we certain that we are not in an unrequited love relationship with God? We have the assurance that God loves us, but what is our response to His love? We must love God beyond spoken words to receive eternal life. “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Because God is Sovereign, He predetermined humanity’s appropriate response to receiving His love and salvation. We must serve Him with surrender and faithful obedience to demonstrate our love and loyalty. Our response of obedience is our highest form of worship and demonstrates reverence for Yahweh. Without obedience, we do not have a love relationship with Christ who is our Mediator between us and God, the Father.

An Unrequited Love Relationship Between Human Beings exists when Love is given to an individual who does not return the giver’s love.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” —1 John 4:7-8, NIV

Have you loved someone with everything you have and at some point, the person exhibited signs that they did not love you? When Christian believers experience this dilemma, it is a spiritual dilemma. We do not fall asleep one night and awaken the next morning not loving God and our family. The individual who verbalizes, “I just don’t love you anymore” has been disconnected from God for a while.

When the love of God ceases to exist, carnal feelings overpower and rule the heart, therefore the qualities of Christ-like love no longer exist in the hearts of spouses, the anticipated wedding is called off, and best friends part ways for no apparent reason.

If we cannot understand how Christians lose interest in the people who love them, it is an issue of the heart, they have lost interest in God. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We must be intentional in maintaining our heart-to-heart connection with God. Without meaningful worship, the desire to serve God easily diminishes.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13

We are impacted by our environment to seek success and to pursue whatever makes us happy. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t require much for us to embrace worldly practices. We cannot subdue our heart’s desires without the power of God. The once loyal believer transitions to an unbelieving believer [acknowledging God’s existence but no spiritual connection to God].

Sadly, the dissolution of marriages and long-term relationships has escalated in the Christian community. Many Instagram posts reveal the hurt and anger of spouses, fiancés, and friends who are attempting to move forward from experiencing the devastating heartbreak of unrequited love. Reading the emotional responses that arise from lost love is quite shocking, yet, even when suffering the greatest disappointment, as believers, we cannot justify possessing a heart overflowing with malice.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].” —Ephesians 4:31, Amplified Bible

When our best is not appreciated, we feel devalued and grief easily escalates into anger, bitterness, resentment, and depression. Although we have immense love and devotion for God, even steadfast believers struggle with controlling the aftermath of roller coaster emotions from heartbreak.

The true challenge lies in maintaining a heart filled with love. Overcoming the escalation of carnal feelings requires much prayer asking for Divine strength. When love ends, we need Divine help to empower our self-control to resist plummeting into an abyss of dark emotions.

Nothing is hidden from God! “I, Yahweh, search the heart; I test the inmost being, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10).

Unrequited love hurts! We cannot deceive God who knows the true condition of our hearts. Pray an honest prayer of confession and forgiveness, “God, I am angry, hurt, resentful…” Forgive and pray for the person who failed to return your love and redirect your focus from yourself to God. Asking God to reveal His plan for moving forward keeps us connected in our time of emotional distress.

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Acknowledging that you still love the person is a healthy response that prevents the entry of unforgiveness. Obeying the command to forgive is crucial because our character traits determine our destiny. God commands that we love and forgive those who hurt us. Pray! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to love even when experiencing extreme emotional pain.

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” —Psalm 147:3, [Amplified Bible]

Love and Forgiveness are the spiritual catalysts to receive healing. Jesus asks, “…Will you be made whole?” (John 5:6). Thankfully, God promises to heal our broken hearts. We have a compassionate Heavenly Father who knows and understands the pain of a wounded heart. Surely, God endured heartbreak to see His Son on the cross and mocked and despised by those He came to save. Because emotional pain impacts our relationship with Jesus Christ, our spirit of forgiveness invites God to begin a journey of healing that includes receiving Jesus’ Divine Strength and Comfort.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29, NRSV

Do not allow yourself to become hard-hearted! It is better to cry a river of tears and express immense sorrow than to become bitter and resentful. All is not lost! God promises to heal and restore joy to our hearts. Our Loving Father is compassionate and kind. The duration of our journey of healing is determined by God who never requires us to hurry up and heal.

Pray as often as needed and study the Scriptures, especially the life of Christ. Ask God every day for the courage and strength to keep moving forward even when performing routine duties. The perplexities of emotional healing remain a mystery, yet, we know that faith and trust in God lightens the heavy burden of sorrow, and day by day, we become stronger through Christ.

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” —Psalm 86:5, NIV

Have you hurt someone? Believe that God loves you! The Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience when we have inflicted emotional, mental, or physical pain on others. Confession and repentance are vital to be in the right standing with God. Seek the forgiveness of those you have hurt. “To change, we must desire change, and surrender our hearts to God who changes us through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Those who inflicted severe pain on their loved ones are still loved by God. Asking the person/people for forgiveness is the first step that God requires before we confess and repent [Matthew 5:23-24]. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances [court orders, deceased, or unknown location] that prevent one from contacting the person or people who suffered. Even so, with a contrite spirit, pray for forgiveness, and ask God to touch and heal the hearts of those who were impacted by your actions.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” —Philippians 3:13

“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

Before Saul’s spiritual transformation to the apostle Paul, he was responsible for most of the deaths of the early Christian believers. The apostle Paul is proof that God redeems and restores. God used Paul to establish 14 churches and write most of the New Testament while imprisoned. We cannot carry a load of guilt. Move forward by praying for the Holy Spirit to transform your heart into one of unconditional love. God redeems and restarts our spiritual journey with the expectation that we will love as Christ and reflect His love to others.

“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. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Because our perception of love varies, we must learn and practice God’s Righteous definition of love toward all people. We invite the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love, including loving those who reject us. We always forgive and pray for those practicing unrequited love, but we also exit the relationship or marriage if the spouse or friend refuses to restore their love relationship with God.

Agape love is the love that is the foundation of our heart-to-heart connection with God and imparts health and happiness to the giver and receiver. The Christian home is to be filled with love, joy, and peace. Unrequited love creates an environment void of love, causes suffering, fosters hate, and is not blessed by God. The atmosphere of our homes should reflect God’s love and peace which is needed to maintain a viable [thriving, growing daily] love relationship with Christ which is our priority.

“For I will restore you to health, And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares Yahweh…” —Jeremiah 30:17

Our fractured earthly relationships may never be restored, but God keeps His promises. With joyful expectation, we exercise faith to believe our emotional wounds will be healed. Yeshua [Jesus] is the Spiritual Balm who heals us completely by giving us a new heart without residual scars and freeing us from all guilt and remorse. Yes and Amen, I am a living witness that God restores and heals broken hearts.

We are looking forward to the day when unrequited love relationships will not exist. But until then, we invite the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts with Agape love and move forward in faith. Our Savior’s earthly ministry focused on healing, which always required faith in God’s power, and today, Jesus says, “I have loved you with everlasting love, have faith in Me, and I will heal you.”

“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

Lord God, we thank You for being a healer of broken hearts. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Please share this Devotional with anyone who is impacted by an unrequited love relationship. Peace and Blessings.

“God, I Give You My Heart”

Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – January 3-4, 2025

“Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37

In 2025, we have the opportunity to live differently by fully dedicating ourselves to God. Love for God is the foundation of our appreciation for Christ’s sacrificial gift of His life to redeem us from sin. True love for God and Jesus Christ reveals a believer who practices the spiritual commitment to honor and revere God. When we choose to possess humility and a teachable spirit, God, the Holy Spirit converts our hearts and begins the lifelong work of spiritual transformation.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —1 John 2:15

“Give us this day” equates to a daily test of our love, faith, and trust in God. From the moment we open our eyes to the new day, we are the recipients of God’s love, grace, and mercy, how will we respond? The [always present] conflict within our hearts forces us to choose between pleasing ourselves or surrendering in humility to God. Our choice reflects the true status of our heart—either I give my heart to God, or it belongs to me.

“O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” —Proverbs 23:26

The earnest cry of “God, not my will, but Your will be done” or “Lord, reveal to me Your plan for today” reveals our desire to surrender to God for the new day of mercies. Giving our heart to God acknowledges that we understand our plight with sin, we cannot gain victory over sin without Divine Help.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ” —Matthew 16:24

Can you recall a school exam that required one essay answer or fill-in-the-blank instead of multiple choice with various answers? Jesus tells us if we desire to follow Him there is only one way, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Salvation has one path. The only way for us to inherit eternal life is to surrender our heart and its never-ending desires. Taking up our cross involves no human deviations, we must obey God.

Galatians 5:22-23, The Fruit of the Spirit identifies the attributes of Christ’s Righteous Character. In addition, “Love, humility, surrender, faith, trust, and obedience” are the additional package of spiritual characteristics that we must have to remain in right standing with God, only then are we covered with Christ’s Righteousness. Our God-given gifts are love, faith, and a sound mind [Romans 12:3 and 2 Timothy 1:7], we pray for Divine strength and use our gifts to overcome sin and its consequences.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” —1 John 5:3

“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). God’s commandments extend beyond the Ten Commandments, the Scriptures give us His Righteous Precepts which guide our thoughts, spoken words, behaviors, and lifestyles. Receiving the reward of the Crown of Life mandates a mindset and the perseverance to live a life of no compromise.

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

Giving our hearts to God is a free-will choice. Righteousness is God’s standard of spiritual excellence that requires our cooperation of daily surrender and obedience empowered by Jesus’ strength. Heart conversion, daily spiritual growth, and character transformation [Sanctification] are performed by the power of the Holy Spirit in our earthly lives to prepare us for the spiritual perfection of eternal life.

Lord God, in humility, we give our hearts to You. We ask You to speak to our hearts and lead us in our earthly journey as we prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray in faith, Amen.

Living Under God’s Divine Protection

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – January 1, 2025

“So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.” —Luke 4:28-30

Throughout Jesus’ earthly life, the Jewish leaders used various deceptions to attempt to discredit Christ including schemes to kill him, yet they never accomplished their evil desires. Before His fulfillment on Calvary’s Cross, God protected His Son from spiritual warfare and physical harm and danger. Can you imagine enjoying a life filled with peace and no worries despite your challenges from the adversary?

Our natural tendency to embrace self-reliance may give us a feeling of satisfaction, but we set ourselves up for suffering consequences. Perhaps your decision brought the desired outcome, but self-governance separates us from God. Not only do we lose our desire to pray for Divine guidance, but we also detour from the Path of Righteousness to a path of disobedience.

We cannot make a split decision of only trusting God with life’s impossible challenges, our commitment to fully rely on Him also includes praying for guidance in the mundane routine duties of life. From our decision to let go of self-reliance and surrender to God’s will and plans, God rewards us with His Divine blessings of spiritual peace and protection from the adversary.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” —Isaiah 59:19.

Our greatest battle involves the external opposition of spiritual warfare. Satan attacks us through temptations that appeal to our inner desires. God promises to always protect those who love [and obey] Him. John 8:29 is one of my favorite Scriptures. Jesus gives us the answer to living a victorious life—Jesus prayed about everything and stated that He was never alone because He always obeyed His Father’s commands.

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

As Christ received wisdom and strength from God, the Father to overcome temptation and maintain a calm demeanor despite continual opposition, we can also receive spiritual empowerment. When facing opposition, if our first response is prayer then our surrender immediately places us under God’s Divine Protection. Jesus is our Role Model. His life teaches us that trusting God supplies us with continuous joy, peace, strength, and protection, and gives us the courage to live as victorious overcomers.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you” (Isaiah 43:2). We never suffer from apprehension and anxiety when God is involved. Not only does God have a perfect record of resolving humanity’s challenges and protecting us above and beyond our expectations, but our Father always gives completion and total victory over adversity.

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” —Psalm 27:14

Pray, Wait, and “Be still.” Asking for God’s intervention is also a test of our faith, God’s timing is never our timing. We patiently wait and thank Him in advance for the victory. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

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

How do we recognize the difference between our thoughts versus the Holy Spirit speaking? Our thoughts of resolution can never give us peace. Even with careful planning, we have feelings of doubt because we have no control over the outcome. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways, through the Scriptures, our prayers, and also our thoughts.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” —John 14:27, NLT

When God, the Holy Spirit speaks, receiving Divine answers of wisdom is like a cool breeze that permeates our mind, body, and soul. Just as a parent reassures a fearful child, Divine peace is a God-given spiritual refreshment that exceeds our understanding. You will know God is speaking because the burden is lifted from your spirit and all is well even before the resolution comes.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17, NIV

The decision to include God in every aspect of your life reaps wonderful blessings. Jesus, Enoch, Noah, Elijah, and Daniel lived extraordinary lives because they understood that love for God is evidenced by steadfast faith, trust, and perseverance. But most importantly, obedience is our highest form of worship.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” —Ephesians 6:10

When we decide to walk with God as Enoch did, whispering prayers throughout our day, we immediately receive God’s Shield of Protection against all spiritual warfare of temptations, deceptions, and physical harm. Beginning our day with prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom, strength, and courage to keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Stop Taking Risks! In 2025, before making decisions whether in routine activities or facing life-changing vicissitudes, commit to always seeking God’s guidance through prayer. Peace and blessings. Happy New Year!

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…” —1 Timothy 6:12

Lord God, for this New Year, and the abundant blessings of Your love, grace, mercies, and protection, we thank You. We desire to live differently by committing to a spirit of humility, surrender, and obedience. Thank You for Your guidance, wisdom, and protection as we face life’s adversities. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Sabbath Sermon – Pastor Wintley Phipps

God Will Take Care of You

Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – December 13, 2024

Pray, Have Faith, and Wait On God

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be
weary, They shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:28-31

God not only sustains our lives, but He also promises to work out every aspect of opposition and spiritual warfare. For two weeks, I prayed for God to resolve an issue with my property manager who became my enemy because I stood for the truth regarding a legal violation of the company’s lease agreement. God’s intervention never ceases to be less than phenomenal. Last week, she was given a promotion that required the identification and correction of the company’s infractions for two properties which resulted in a radical change in her perspective. Yesterday, we had a very cordial conversation. Praise God from whom all blessings are given!

“Be still, and know that I am God…” —Psalm 46:10

Trust God with your life. Who else can take care of us and resolve the impossible? God’s timing is not our timing. We pray and wait. During the waiting season, our faith is tested. Will we remain steadfast by patiently waiting for His promises to come to fruition? If we serve God with faithful obedience then a victorious outcome is promised. God always brings glory and honor to His Holy Name. Sabbath Peace and Blessings! Amen.

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

Lord God, we desperately need Your help. We ask You to strengthen our faith as we wait for Your perfect resolution. Thank You for working out our challenges. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Does Obedience Matter to God?

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” -John 8:29

Christ is our role model for living a dedicated and obedient life. We cannot follow our own thoughts and inclinations and claim to be children of God. Jesus revealed the key to living as victorious overcomers, we must have the obedient mind of little children. Seeking God’s will through a daily Prayer of Surrender reveals a spirit of humility and love for our gracious Heavenly Father.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The daily commitment to obey and fulfill His instructions indicates our willingness to please God. Yet, our flesh is weak and drives us to pursue and fulfill our heart’s desires. We require the Divine help of the Holy Spirit to give us Jesus’ strength to stay in God’s perfect will.

Preparing for Kingdom Life is to daily take up our cross and follow Jesus. “Not my will Lord, but Your will be done” invites the Holy Spirit to guide us on the Path of Righteousness.
Obedience proclaims that Jesus Christ is
the Lord of our lives. Be faithful to God through surrender and obedience and on that Great day you will receive your Crown of Life. Peace and Blessings.

Lord God, we come to you confessing our sins of self-reliance and disobedience. We desire to change and today make a covenant vow with you to seek Your will and to obey. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Let God Bring Down the Walls of Opposition!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – December 8, 2024

“And the Lord said to Joshua: See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do for six days. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets…All the people shall shout with a great shout, then the wall of the city will fall down flat.” —Joshua 6:2-5

“According to historical records, the wall of Jericho was approximately 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) high and 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) wide at the base. It was a stone wall surrounding an ancient settlement, with a notable stone tower inside that reached a height of 8.5 meters (28 feet).” It was considered impenetrable, but God used shouting voices to cause the Wall to crumble like a sand castle on the beach.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart [have courage], because I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33, NLT

Jesus warned us that our lives would be filled with hardships and opposition. Every day we fight against the spiritual warfare of temptation but even the routine activities of life can bring unforeseen problems. Some issues are easily resolved and some have a Domino effect. Pray for help whether the challenge is big or insignificant.

Prayer is Our Lifeline: Prayer alleviates tension and stress, prevents worry and discouragement, and creates a habit of dependency on God who always guarantees victory.

“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you…” —Isaiah 43:1-2

From this promise, God comforts and reminds us that He never expected us to bring down our Walls of Opposition without His help. Our Father God proclaims, “For I am the LORD, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Do we believe God’s promises are valid? Every obstacle we face was known to God long before we were born. Yet, He is not an intrusive Father, God always waits for us to ask for help.

“Behold I am the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). From studying the Scriptures, we gain an intellectual knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s Righteous Character of love, continuous patience, protection, grace, and mercies. But faith is the spiritual catalyst that allows us to believe that God loves us and that His promises apply to our lives.

“The Omnis of God:” Omnibenevolent: God is Love; Omnipotent: God is All-Powerful; Omniscient: God is All-Knowing; and Omnipresent: God is everywhere!

“I AM THAT I AM…” (Exodus 3:14). God is not who we think He is, God is who He says He is. Yahweh not only reveals His Character but also proclaims His Sovereignty in the Holy Bible. There are mysteries about God that we will never know, but we know enough for us to include Him in every aspect of life and honor and reverence God with faithful obedience.

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

What is faith? “Faith is believing in the Steadfast love and Sovereign power of God.” Every human being has been gifted with a measure of faith that God desires to grow from weak and wavering to steadfast and powerful. What is our role in the growth and development of our faith? The evidence of true heart conversion is shown through a lifestyle of worship, which includes surrender, obedience, continuous prayer, diligent Bible study, and dependence on God.

God has the ultimate plan for building our faith in Him: “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.” —1 Peter 4:12

Why so much opposition? Since we do not have the power to increase our faith, God allows the tests and hardships to strengthen our faith and dependence on Him. Every opposition we face is approved by Christ to build our faith in God. Like the child’s father who said to Jesus, “I believe, but help my unbelief,” we must be honest in the self-assessment of our faith.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30

Whether our faith is weak or strong, we can immediately pray a prayer of faith asking God to intervene and in that same prayer we whisper words of gratitude thanking God for already working it out. No circumstance or opposition should prevent us from praying. Jesus tells us to come to Him—Always pray!

“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 are confident that our prayers for Divine Help are immediately answered by Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor and Triumphant King. Do not rely on your feelings, believe the Scriptures! “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

The secret to remaining faithful is to redirect our focus from the Wall to using our faith to anchor ourselves in Christ, our Redeemer. Jesus is in the Heavenly Sanctuary not only answering our prayers but also praying for us. Never let opposition shake your faith in God. Our Father is Love, we are the focus of His love (John 3:16), and His power is Invincible!

Pray often to remain steadfast while waiting on God. Since God’s timing is never our timing, King David advises us to, “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14). While waiting, pray a daily prayer of gratitude thanking God for the victory.

The Struggle is Real, but Victory is God’s Promise! Although we live in an unstable world, one thing is for certain, God’s Divine Intervention always ends in victory! God is not a God of yesteryear, He is still performing miracles in the lives of those who faithfully obey and trust in Him. Our God will never forsake us, He is still knocking down the Walls of Opposition!

Lord God, we believe in Your promises to bring down our walls of opposition. We ask in faith for Your Divine Help, to give us strength, and an increase in faith. In Jesus Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

These Are the Times

Our Daily Walk with Christ Sabbath Devotional – December 6-7, 2024

“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” —2 Timothy 3:2-5

After studying this important Scripture, we recognize that we are in the perilous times described by the apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy. What is the spiritual progression we can expect? Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 14-16 and 19-22 are the reference points for the prophecies of the End Times of Earth’s History.

With joyful anticipation, we prepare daily for Jesus’ soon coming. We have the Triune God which includes the Holy Spirit, and messenger/guardian angels assigned to all believers who work to prepare us spiritually. Fear should not be part of our mindset when we think of Jesus’ Second Coming.

In Revelation 22:12, Jesus reiterates, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Most importantly, are we making the necessary spiritual changes to prepare for Jesus’ soon return?

As believers, what is our role in preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming?

Acknowledging Our Identity: We belong to God. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Establishing and Maintaining a Personal Relationship with Christ Jesus: Through daily consecration, we seek and surrender to God’s will, serving Him with faithful obedience. Spending much time in prayer and studying the Scriptures strengthens our relationship with Christ and invites the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ—the journey of Sanctification.

Dedicating Our Talents to God: Each person is blessed and gifted with unique talents and given the spiritual assignment to witness the message of Salvation—Jesus Saves! “Intellect is an entrusted talent. Sympathy and affection are talents to be sacredly guarded and improved, that we may render service to Him whose purchased possession we are…we belong to God. Education, discipline, and skill in every area should be used for God.” EGW

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” —2 Peter 1:3

The God-given gifts of faith, love, power, and self-control enable us to renounce temptation. Yet, human effort requires Jesus’ Divine wisdom, discernment, and strength to recognize and overcome Satan’s customized temptations that appeal to our heart’s desires. Because we are created with free will, every day, through prayer, we convey our desire to depend fully on Christ. Our yes to God guarantees us Divine Intervention in our time of need. And when do we not need God?

Serve God with Courage and Perseverance: “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 apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to being a soldier. Jesus is the Commander of Angel Armies. Angels guard us from unseen spiritual warfare and protect us from physical harm [Psalm 37:4]. We cannot fight evil without Divine Help. Our prayer of surrender signifies our willingness to abide in Christ. And for our humility, the Holy Spirit shields us from deception and guides us continuously on the narrow Path of Righteousness.

God’s Plans Are Perfect and End in Victory: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘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

The Believer’s Responsibility: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Yes, love, grace, and mercies are free, yet God expects us to study the Bible for ourselves. It is not enough to hear sermons once a week to sustain our connection to Christ. Do not depend on second-hand knowledge to guide your spiritual journey.

Study the Bible under the teaching of the Holy Spirit by praying for the correct understanding of God’s Truth. We cannot use our thoughts to discern the Holy Scriptures. Knowing for ourselves the attributes of God’s Character and what He expects safeguards us from being deceived by the current practice of “What is Truth? You have your truth and I have my truth.”

Many believers can quote the Scriptures, but intellectual knowledge does not produce converted hearts. Living holy calls for the human effort of applying the word of God to our lives, and invites the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change unrighteous habits and prepare us for life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Pray continuously for God’s guidance. Satan is a stealthy enemy. He does not use easily recognized temptations to compromise our right standing with God. It is the desires of our hearts that he uses to separate us from God. In these perilous times, Satan knows his time is running out, so he often uses familiar people [church members, family, and friends living double lives] who still practice worldly habits to tempt us into compromising our commitment to God.

“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus].” —Matthew 7:15-16, AMP

The people in our inner circle can significantly influence us to compromise God’s righteous morals and values. The goal of Compromised Christianity is to pull us into accepting blended doctrines that are not Biblically sound. Studying the Bible also teaches us when to remain silent and let God fight our battle against spiritual warfare.

Two years ago, I was talking to a family member who has always been a devout Christian, the conversation was going well until he stated, “Did you know that…?” I was shocked by the content of his self-made theory. Not only was this a temptation to debate, but also Satan’s attempt to influence me to accept human doctrines above the Holy Scriptures. I remained silent, he changed the subject, and that was our last conversation.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].” —James 1:22, Amplified Bible

“Unbelieving Believers” wholeheartedly believe God exists, but do not have the desire to fully renounce sinful habits, behaviors, and lifestyles. They will listen to the Truth, but never incorporate the Word of God into their lives. They hear weekly sermons but satisfy their curiosity by seeking human-made philosophies and the hidden mysteries of life that steer us away from God’s Truth.

Spiritual Growth and Development is Continuous: As a believer, “I can come to Jesus just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.” Christ created us to reach our highest spiritual and intellectual potential under His Divine guidance. Every day, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we can progress step by step in our Christian journey.

We should be concerned if we are still thinking and practicing the same level of Christianity as we did a year ago. It took Jesus’ disciples three years to experience spiritual transformation, yet in John 17 Jesus prayed that He completed His spiritual assignment—eleven of His disciples experienced spiritual transformation.

If we remain steadfast, we will also gain a deeper experience with Christ. When worship becomes our lifestyle, our automatic response is to honor and connect with God through praise, singing, Bible study, and prayer. Faithful obedience is the spiritual gateway to receiving spiritual growth—the Holy Spirit empowers our thoughts, and decisions, and changes our character to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit—the Character of Christ.

“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

Achieving and reaching our fullest potential is in our DNA, therefore, we have an inner drive to pursue knowledge. God’s priority in our quest for knowledge is to study the Scriptures, as spiritual growth only happens through the word of God. We can read books by Christian authors, listen to sermons, and watch social media posts, still, the Bible is the Spiritual Mirror that reveals our true spiritual status.

Believer Alert: If we fail to study, Satan will provide alternatives that separate us from God. Screen time is one of his most effective tools that few fail to resist. To satisfy our innate drive to acquire knowledge, we will embrace erroneous concepts of fantasy, immorality, and unrealistic goals of success portrayed in movies [especially children’s movies], digital animation, games, and other activities that appear to be innocent fun, but prepare our minds to embrace worldviews, demonic themes, and imaginary creatures which oppose righteousness.

Self-healing, gateways to other dimensions, maintaining a constant level of euphoria by drinking mushroom teas, and attempting to manifest blessings have infiltrated the church. We must be intentional with our efforts to avoid the trap of “intriguing minds want to know” articles, programs, and movies that are not Biblical.

Once we have exposed our senses and neural pathways to secular philosophies, our frontal lobe easily retains deceitful information over the Scriptures and then the internal war rages. In these times, Satan targets the church-goers who half-heartedly serve God. Failure to obey God is the open door that allows the enemy to enter and manipulate our minds and take over our lives. Persuasion is easily accomplished with those who hear the Truth, but their hearts remain unconverted and uncommitted.

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Now is the time to rearrange our schedules to include diligent Bible study. Jesus foretold the times we are living in and gave us instructions on how to overcome them. The Sovereign Thoughts of God were given to humanity and written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Scriptures reveal the Beginning to the End according to the Omnipotent and Faithful Triune God—God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.

“Fight the good fight of faith…” (1 Timothy 6:12). “This verse encourages believers to actively stand firm in their faith, even when facing challenges.” We cannot win the spiritual battle against Satan who desires us to lose our Crown of Life. Trust and obey God by standing down temptation. In the Strength of our Triumphant King, Jesus Christ, we must persevere and remain committed to righteousness.

The Armor of God: “… In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” —Ephesians 6:16-17

Stay alert! From dedicating ourselves to God’s perfect plans, the Holy Spirit performs daily spiritual growth and development. Time is quickly passing, the minutes have become months and the months have evolved into years gone by. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Bible Study: Ephesians 6:10-20

Lord God, we thank You for the Sword of the Spirit, Your Holy Scriptures which are the One Truth. We ask for spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment to shield us from the deception of the evil one. Bless us this Sabbath with peace, joy, and the courage to surrender and obey in these perilous times. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.