Jesus – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Praise Him! Praise Him! Worship Music Video – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

This morning I woke up singing this song. Yeshua, our Savior and Triumphant King deserves all the honor glory and praise. Yes and Amen!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=C1AYKRjoFxs&si=XTSLMnSW52rRlX4q

The Life and Character of Christ

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].” (Matthew 10:34, Amplified Bible).

Today, while studying my Bible lesson, the author asked, “How well do you know the Life and Character of Christ?”

God, the Father, Required Faithful Obedience from Christ

“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” (John 8:28-29).

Jesus’ life demonstrates that He always prayed for guidance and always obeyed God, the Father. Unless we have studied Genesis and the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], then we do not have the foundational knowledge necessary to intimately know who Christ is.

But memorizing the Life and Character of Christ only gives us theoretical knowledge; without loving Him, our hearts will remain empty.

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, NIV).

Without a response, Matthew left a position of status with the Roman government, which provided great wealth, to follow Christ. From hearing others speak of Jesus’ Love and His Ministry of Healing, Matthew had already decided to follow Jesus if He extended the invitation.

Reflecting on why we accepted Christ as our personal Savior only has one answer: God is Love: “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). “Our capacity to love is a response to the love God has already shown us.”

Christ’s Love differs greatly from human love. For us to love is a lengthy process of learning who the person is. Yes, their morals, values, temperament, and goals reveal critical aspects of their character, but many have been disappointed when they learn the person is incapable of reciprocating love.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Christ created us with the spiritual gift of love, which connects our hearts to His Righteous Heart.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, Amplified Bible).

Spiritual Love is far greater and deeper than human love. Without the Holy Spirit giving us spiritual wisdom, we cannot comprehend God’s Agape Love. Yet, without making Christ’s Love personal, we will never fully understand the height and depth of His Love, nor can we appreciate His Sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross.

Separating ourselves from family members and distractions is vital to appreciating and personalizing Jesus’ Sacrificial Offering. From studying the Book of John, Chapters 17-21, we realize that Christ’s Overwhelming Love for us gave Him the courage to fulfill the Plan of Redemption. What more can Jesus do for us?

To Be a Christian Is to Be Like Christ: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV).

To abide in Christ requires us to pray continuously and study the Bible daily. Foundational knowledge of our Creator, Jesus, God, the Son, begins with the study of the Creation Story in Genesis Chapters 1-3, and His earthly life in the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].

Christ was a Prayer Warrior: “But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:16). From studying the Life of Christ, we learn that Jesus often chose hours of solitude to spend time in worship with God, the Father.

To follow Christ, we must have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him, which requires that we know His Righteous Character.

How do we know if we are true followers of Christ? “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24).

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). “Not my will God, but Your will be done in my life.” A daily prayer of surrender reveals our desire to obey God and to involve Him in every aspect of our lives.

“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; Fear [Revere] the Lord and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Satan has deceived us into believing this Command is optional. As Christ lived, we must also live. Loving God requires letting go of our plans and obeying and fulfilling His plans for our lives.

“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, ESV)

The Life of Christ is our example of how to spend time in the Presence of God: Through worship, we learn God’s Perfect Plans for the given day. Daily morning and evening personal worship is when we receive spiritual nourishment, wisdom, and strength from the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live as overcomers.

Praying and studying the Scriptures gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to live righteously. Day by day, the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out, transforming our hearts and characters—Sanctification, the lifetime spiritual process of growth and transformation.

Christ is our Spiritual Role Model

From studying the Life and Character of Christ, when facing temptations, we choose to pray for strength and use our gift of self-control to say No to sin.

“Knowing the beauty of Christ’s Character is foundational to knowing what our daily walk with Christ should be.”

“This is why time in the Word, every day, is so important. This is why, we should also spend time dwelling on the Life, Character and Teachings of Jesus. By beholding, yes, we do become changed.”

“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).

Bible Study: The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Lord God, we surrender ourselves to You. We thank You for Your love and the sacrificial gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life to save our souls. We love You, and because of our love, we have decided to follow Jesus with faithful obedience. Lord, we cannot do this in our own strength, so we ask for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit on our lives. We look forward to the day that we will see Jesus, our Triumphant King, and receive our gift of the Crown of Eternal Life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we ask this prayer, Amen.

Gratitude is a Lifestyle – Developing A Grateful Heart

David’s Prayer of Praise and Gratitude: “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1-5, NIV).

God is the Source and Sustainer of Life, and the Giver of All Good Gifts: Yes, we love blessings! Yet when we think of God’s blessings, it usually produces thoughts of receiving money and tangible possessions.

But King David reminds us that the Spiritual blessings of God’s Love, Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace, Mercies, Patience, and Divine Strength are crucial to our spiritual walk with Christ because they empower us to live righteously.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16). We value our daily gift of another day because the Scriptures remind us, “…For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”(James 4:14).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV).

Every modality that is purchased with money, promising peace, is a counterfeit. Satan can mimic many things, but he will never be able to reproduce Jesus’ gift of Divine Peace.

To every believer, Jesus’ gift of peace is freely given, but only a few Christians actually experience the joy and happiness that come from having continuous spiritual peace.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).

A key obstacle to receiving Jesus’ peace is our failure to study the Bible, leaving us unaware of God’s expectations. The only alternative is to follow our thoughts and inclinations, which prevents the Holy Spirit from guiding us in our earthly journey.

No Peace From Traveling on the Highway of Self-Governance: Let’s face it, we live in an environment where the prevailing worldview is to rely on one’s thoughts and emotions.

Although the pursuit of happiness is the goal, traveling the world’s Expressway requires a lifestyle of self-reliance, which keeps the mind in overdrive. Relying on our thoughts to navigate this tumultuous journey comes at a high price; we have no time to commune with God in personal worship.

Without relying on Divine wisdom and discernment, the brain is overwhelmed by constant overthinking every day. Self-reliance demands payment that leads to spiritual and emotional bankruptcy. Self-gratification requires the continuous development of strategies that must be reevaluated and quickly restructured when failure occurs.

Enough is never enough! King Solomon tells us the human heart can never be satisfied: “Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8, NLT).

The decision to exclude God produces a state of “Emotional Exhaustion Leading to Spiritual Confusion that Separates Us From God.” Sadly, like the prodigal son, it usually takes a crisis to return to God on bended knees before we come to our senses.

The Spiritual Steps to Restoration and Receiving Jesus’ Peace

Changing Lanes: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

God’s perspective is always spiritual. Jesus reminds us that we cannot save our souls. Staying on the Path of Righteousness has always required Divine Help. When Christ, our Shepherd, tells us that we were created without the ability to guide ourselves, we believe Him without question.

The Plan of Redemption includes the gift of Salvation, which is freely given to those who believe and accept Jesus as their Savior. But certainly it was not free for Jesus Christ, who was required to die a heinous death on Calvary’s Cross.

When we truly love God, we are grateful that through Christ, we have received the option of not paying the wages of sin. Loving God is demonstrated by seeking His will through daily personal worship, which should not be a burden.

Gratitude is Obedience: Daily personal worship [Prayer and Bible study] is a lifestyle that reveals a converted and sanctified heart willing to acquiesce to God’s Sovereign Authority.

The Standing Invitation: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16, NLT).

Jesus is Still Interceding for the Righteous

Jesus Christ, Yeshua, our Heavenly Intercessor, receives our prayers, forgives our sins, covers us with His Righteousness, gives us our daily provisions, heals our minds and bodies, and sends angels to constantly protect us from unseen spiritual warfare and physical danger [Psalm 91].

We have a relentless enemy who desires our souls! Yes, believers, we are the target in The Great Controversy of Good and Evil! Our fight is not against flesh and blood.

Jesus’ Warning: “…He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44, NIV).

Satan, our greatest enemy, has deceived many to believe that we can live as we please and still inherit our Crown of Life. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).

Through daily Consecration, we realign ourselves with God’s Divine Purpose by choosing to exit from the Road of Self-Governance back to the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

The Sacrificial Life Is the Only Life Acceptable to God

“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).

A couple of years ago, I watched a documentary filmed in Japan on the reinvented life of a retired college professor who practiced the concept of “Need Over Greed.”

Although she developed a mindset of gratitude from the practice of “enough is enough and zero waste,” she denied any religious affiliation with her lifestyle.

Need Over Greed and Minimalism are lifestyle changes that require continuous discipline, practiced by unbelievers who never acknowledge God, which should raise a Red Flag for believers.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self control].” (2 Timothy 1:7).

We have 24/7 access to Jesus, who promises to give us the Divine Strength to live a disciplined, righteous life. The Apostle Paul tells us that we were created with spiritual gifts, so when tempted, we pray for Jesus’ supernatural strength to overcome; still, God expects us to use self-control.

Throughout the Bible, we learn that God is Love, and He has always fulfilled His promises to “never leave us.” We have Jesus Christ, the Mighty Warrior, who promises to fight our battles, giving us hope and peace: “No weapon formed against you will prosper.”

Gratitude for God goes beyond spoken words. Every day, our gratitude is reflected through a lifestyle of surrender and faithful obedience. We love Him because He first loved us. Yes and Amen!

The Pathway to Peace is Paved With Gratitude

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Bible Study: Galatians 5; Ephesians 6

Prayer: Thank You, Most Gracious, Heavenly Father, for Your Amazing and Continuous Love. Forgive us for nurturing a spirit of self-reliance. We acknowledge that we can do nothing without You. Lead us, guide us, correct us, and protect us as we navigate through our spiritual journey. We commit to living a life that reveals our desire to give You the honor, glory, and praise that You rightfully deserve. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray this prayer of gratitude, Amen.

Embracing the Spirit of Humility

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV).

Jesus’ “profound act of obedience and self-emptying, where He willingly gave up His Divine glory to become a human, a servant, and ultimately, to die on a cross for the sake of others” is not understood and appreciated.

Before Adam and Eve were created, God the Father and Jesus, God the Son, had a Father and Son discussion regarding Adam and Eve’s fall, due to disobedience.

John 3:16 states: “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.”

Because of God’s love for humanity, the Father gave His Divine approval for His One and Only Son to come to Earth, only live for 33 years, and experience rejection, hatred, and die a criminal’s death on Calvary’s Cross.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” (1 John 3:1, NLT).

The Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought. Jesus said, “Father, I am willing to die for humanity,” even though He knew that most would still reject Him as Lord and Savior. We can’t even begin to imagine the depth of the Agape Love that was the catalyst for Jesus’ great sacrifice.

Jesus’ Gentle, Humble Spirit

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ ” (Luke 9:58).

“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).

No human being can ever make the proclamation that our Savior made, “I always obey my Father.” But we can certainly strive from today forward to love God more than ourselves by embracing the Righteous Spirit of Humility, and making a Covenant to faithfully obey God.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Satan has deceived the Christian Community into thinking that Heaven is cheap, that we can live as we please, not study the Bible, and fail to pray for guidance before we make decisions.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that we must live an obedient life of self-sacrifice and renounce the practices of unbelievers to please God.

“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).

The easiest way for us to know if pride is ruling our hearts is to pray and ask God if our lives represent faithful obedience. If we awaken each morning with pre-planned agendas, never praying for God to reveal His plans, then we are following our own thoughts.

Excluding God from our daily decisions reveals that we have redirected our faith from God to ourselves, for which there is no reward of Eternal Life.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” (Colossians 3:12, ESV).

Reflection: Are we willing to invite Jesus to change our naturally selfish hearts to hearts overflowing with surrender and humility?

Jesus’ Promise to those who use their faith to embrace a spirit of humility: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26).

A heart of stone symbolizes stubbornness, resistance, and insensitivity to God’s will and commands. The people of Israel had become hard-hearted due to their idolatry and disobedience.
A heart of flesh contrasts with this, representing a tender, responsive, and obedient heart that is sensitive to God’s guidance.

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4).

Lord God, we ask that You forgive us for our spirit of pride, which leads to a lifestyle of self-reliance. We confess that we often fail to think of praying and asking for Your Divine guidance before we begin our daily agendas. Lord, we ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and anoint us with Your Holy Spirit. Today, we make the commitment to serve you with love, humility, and faithful obedience. Jesus, we thank You for loving us with an everlasting love that prompted You to give Your all for us, and ask this prayer in Your Righteous and Loving Name, Amen.

Do the Circumstances Demand a Goodbye?

Practical Solutions for Impractical Times – Devotional – November 17, 2025

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NIV).

My siblings and I were raised by Christian parents who obeyed God’s command “to separate ourselves from unbelievers.” Our friends were the children of Christian parents who also had a relationship with our parents. And yes, we attended Christian schools, where we were taught Biblical Principles, with emphasis on loving and obeying God.

“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.” (Mathew 7:21).

Disobedience always demands payment! Sadly, as I matured, although I attended church, I did not continue to practice the godly principles that our parents, schools, and church taught us. I formed relationships with unbelievers, and gradually, I transitioned from striving to live righteously to living a compromised life of sin.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?”(1 Corinthians 6:9). “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17, NLT).

From Genesis to Revelation, God repeatedly commands us to separate ourselves from unbelievers, which includes romantic liaisons and socializing with family members and coworkers who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior.

“…The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT).

Because we are living in the Last Days, many Christians feel lonely and often meet individuals [Satan’s temptation] who appear to be believers. The initial conversation captures their interest, and yes, they may attend church, [which is not an indicator of love and loyalty to God], so we assume the person is God-sent.

Satan’s schemes include placing people in our path who appear righteous, often verbalizing that God is good, but the Apostle Paul says, they are pretenders “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5).

Without praying and asking God to reveal whether or not He sent the person, the only other choice is to follow our emotions. If we exchange numbers and quickly begin a relationship with an unbeliever who has no real relationship with Jesus Christ, then time will reveal their true nature. From excluding God, either we choose a life of compromise, or end up suffering from a broken heart.

Satan’s Playground: There is no need to elaborate on the Online Chat and Dating sites because a Holy and Righteous God would never condescend Himself to bless sites where sin is masked behind fake characters that are easily masterminded to deceive others.

Never Place the Familiar Over the Divine!

Satan knows the believers who worship God with dedication and obedience are usually tough as nails in their love and loyalty to God, so he uses another covert strategy, “the path of least resistance.” The roaring lion uses his strongest tactic: Satan uses our family members to entice us.

The Invitation: Yes, our unbelieving family members know we are Christians, but they cannot think on a spiritual level. The invite to the baby shower, birthday party, or a night out is genuine because it has been a long time since they have seen us. Without praying for Divine guidance, even the strongest Christian is subject to embracing temptations when family ties are part of the temptation.

The Compromise: You said yes, and it was wonderful being around your family. Yes, they served alcoholic drinks, and profanities filled the atmosphere, but we justify their behaviors because that is their lifestyle.

The Fall: We are excited; it feels good to be around our family. As we leave, with hugs and smiles, we decide to interact with our relatives by attending future get-togethers.

Satan Wins: Inclusion boosts our self-worth, so we tell ourselves, I need to be more involved with my family, and at that moment, our life of compromise begins. We follow our thoughts in every aspect of our lives instead of praying for Divine Wisdom.

The Spiritual Decline of Disobedience: When a believer forms relationships with unbelievers, the believer has denied loyalty to Christ by choosing wilful disobedience to God’s command to separate ourselves from those who are walking in spiritual darkness.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV). Disobedience to God is the spiritual indicator that the believer’s heart has already changed. The decision to compromise and socialize with “bad company,” without repentance, places the believer on equal ground with the unbeliever—from a spiritual perspective, the believer is also lost.

“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13). Compromise requires that we begin a life of pretense, appearing godly to others, but God knows our hearts.

“The Narrow and Wide Gates: “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, NIV).

Leaving the Path of Righteousness begins with the one disobedient choice that places us on the detour exit leading to the Path of Disobedience. Satan is happy; he feels that he has taken another believer away from Christ.

Disobedience is a Catalyst for a Domino Effect: From disobeying one of God’s Commands, we lose our spiritual connection to Christ, which predisposes us to committing multiple sins against God.

Satan continues to tempt us in other areas because distractions keep our focus on ourselves, which is required to keep us traveling on the Broad Road. Sin not only separates us from God, but it also impairs our judgment and desensitizes us to the point that we can no longer discern truth from error.

Christ Knocks On the Door of Our Hearts: Our Loving Shepherd attempts to bring His lost sheep back into His arms. The Holy Spirit begins speaking to our conscience, so we can never say that we didn’t know that we were living outside of the will of God.

Because we were created with the free will of choice, God will never coerce us to return to His safety. There is no middle road. Either we will continue in our rebellion against God, or, like the prodigal son, come to our senses and repent.

We Are the Generation of Believers Living In the Last Days: “…In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 1:18-19, NIV).

Satan does not care about the unrighteous or half-committed Christians; they are already serving him. Since Lucifer was cast out of Heaven, now known as Satan, he is in a spiritual battle with Jesus Christ, vying for the souls of believers who are striving to faithfully follow Christ.

Yes, that is you and me! Our enemy’s goal is to manipulate the righteous heirs of Christ into abandoning God by tempting us to engage in spiritually incompatible relationships. And many have fallen into his trap, exchanging their Crown of Life for short-lived pleasure.

God’s Character and Ways remain the same. Nowhere in the Bible do we find where a stranger suddenly enters someone’s life and they become romantically involved with each other.

God Requires That We Put Him First: To receive his promise, God instructed Abram to leave his family and relocate to the land that He promised him.

When Our Relationships Lead to Either Choosing Them or God, Then the Circumstances Demand An Immediate Goodbye!

Reflect on your relationships; if they do not lead you closer to God, then the people you have given access to your life are pulling you away from God. Let them go!

If you are thinking it’s too late, I have been in this relationship for a long time. Unless you are married, you have already crossed the line of living a pure and holy life. Living together or engaging in sexual immorality indicates you have chosen to relinquish your reward of Eternal Life [Revelation 22:15].

If children are involved, they must be taken care of emotionally and financially. Pray for God’s guidance. He has the answers to all of our dilemmas. But we cannot continue to live in sin and be saved.

The Road to Restoration: What does God require of us? Our Father is Love! “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).

Pray and repent, asking God to forgive you for the sins against Him. Establish a New Covenant with Christ by ceasing all relationships that do not honor God, whether romantic or with unbelieving family and friends.

“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 14:6, NIV).

Establish a time for morning and evening worship. We must honor God with Faithful Obedience, which is our highest worship. Pray and ask God to direct you in all of your decision-making, including future relationships.

The Road to Restoration Also Requires Spiritual and Emotional Healing: God knows that letting go of relationships causes deep heart wounds. We may feel as if our breath has ceased to exist. Expressing our sorrow is healthy as long as we are not embracing anger or bitterness.

New Beginnings require a lot of prayer. We can ask our Loving Savior a thousand times a day for comfort and strength. Christ experienced immense grief and sorrow at a level that no human could tolerate, and live.

Establish a time for morning and evening worship. Begin to study the Bible: Genesis 1-3; Psalm 23; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 12; and Revelation 21-22 are good for starters.

Listen to Christian music that honors God. David tells us to praise God with our voice. Praise God with singing; Inspirational music reaches deep into the depths of our souls, soothing our emotional pain.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Today’s believers face many challenges in our Christian Journey, but living righteously should not be one of our hardships. Through prayer, we have 24/7 unlimited access to Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor and Triumphant King, who promises to heal our broken hearts and strengthen us in times of weakness.

Keep Your Eyes Focused on Christ: Our Primary Goal Is To Experience the Daily Spiritual Growth and Transformation Required to Receive Our Reward of Eternal Life

Our relationship with Christ is a priority! We are the generation of believers who are living in the Last Days described in 2 Timothy 3. Considering the current conditions, we do not have time to waste being involved in meaningless relationships. There is an old spiritual song that says, “If you don’t want to go [to heaven], don’t hinder me.”

The King is Coming Sooner Than We Think: “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).

Lord God, we love You and desire to renew our covenant vow to worship You with faith, loyalty, and obedience. We ask the Holy Spirit to reveal all relationships in our lives that do not honor and glorify You. Lord, we ask for the strength to persevere through this journey of life as we prepare for eternity. We ask this prayer in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Created With the Free Will to Choose Christ

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17).

A few years ago, I watched a YouTube documentary on adopting a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle. The Japanese professor shared her amazing story of changing her lifestyle, which included relocating to a rural setting and strictly practicing the concept of “Need Over Greed.”

Although the professor said she was not religious, she verbalized that her entire psyche changed, and she felt peace within. Because of her commitment to making positive lifestyle changes, including healthy boundaries, she indicated that she was caring for her mind and body with love and respect.

Yes, every living creature has basic physiological and psychological needs that must be fulfilled; if not, healthy growth and development cannot occur. Yet that is not our dilemma; many believers have excessive tangible goods and wealth beyond their basic needs, yet we still desire more.

Need Over Greed Is a Spiritual Concept

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Jesus is not teaching us the world’s concept of frugal living—Minimalism, which does not promote obedience to God, or give the principles to transform one’s character into the Righteousness of Christ.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

Jesus is teaching us to have our priorities straight, so we can actively participate in the transformation of our characters, minds, and personalities required to receive our reward of Eternal Life. It is impossible to pursue wealth and success and actively participate in the journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

The Current Plight of Christianity: We are too distracted by our desires to have the daily personal worship that keeps us anchored in Christ. Prayer and Bible Study invite the Holy Spirit to give us clarity, wisdom, discernment, and Jesus’ strength to fight against our internal desires.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Without setting aside daily time for personal worship, not only are we excluding ourselves from the presence of God, but we are also living a life of self-direction.

King David’s 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). David admitted that we cannot judge ourselves; therefore, he continually asked God to search his heart.

Redirecting Our Faith and Focus to God: Every day, we have the opportunity to communicate with God in prayer to learn His perfect will for that day, obey, fulfill His plans, and receive the Divine wisdom, discernment, and strength to overcome our desires.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV). Without a heart-to-heart connection with Christ, we instinctively rely on our human wisdom, which never aligns with God’s Divine Will and Plans.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7). Not having Scriptural knowledge and the desire to obey God redirects our faith and focus from God to ourselves. From thinking our own thoughts, our lifestyle of self-gratification reveals that we are living in opposition to God’s Righteous Principles.

“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” (Luke 12:15, ESV).

God is not surprised that we have not obeyed His command to deny ourselves. Every human heart is driven to please self, which we cannot overcome without the Divine strength of Jesus Christ.

The Onset Begins After Birth: “Babies are naturally self-centered during early development, a stage often beginning around 18 months when they develop a sense of self and possessiveness.”

As we mature through the lifespan, the joy of self-gratification is reinforced through learned behavior, the media, and the assimilation of a materialistic mindset.

For a short time, we are happy, but happiness based on materialism is short-lived, so we must continue to participate in the cycle to maintain our contentment through the acquisition of wealth and possessions.

God’s Command: “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).

The Scriptures should not be viewed as unyielding restraints. God is a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who has given us the Spiritual Boundaries [in the Bible] to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.

Chapter 2

Although the Apostle Paul [who was anointed by the Holy Spirit to write most of the New Testament] was a very spiritual and dedicated Christian man of God, he also experienced the battle within: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, NIV).

We were not created to fight the good fight of faith alone. God’s perception of time is Eternal. God knew that in 2025, we would be inundated by the concept of “Pursue Your Desires, More Reveals Power and Prosperity.” The temptations of material acquisition appear overwhelming, but still, we were not created to be helpless.

“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).

The Christian Journey will always include the struggles of internal conflict that arise from the inheritance of a self-gratifying heart, and the external opposition of Satan’s personalized schemes and temptations.

But through the sacrificial offering of Jesus, the Lamb of God’s life, we are freed from the bondage of an insatiable, greedy heart. Divine Help is always a prayer away.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

We have all of Heaven—The Triune God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit], along with a countless number of angelic armies who are dedicated to protecting us from spiritual warfare, physical harm, scams, identity theft, and the rest of Satan’s schemes. Yet God’s promises and protection are conditional, and receiving His blessings depends on our willingness to obey our Heavenly Father.

Brothers and Sisters, consider the unbelieving Japanese professor who used discipline and self-control to change her life. Something is not right when unbelievers can successfully use their strength to exercise restraint, and we who accepted Christ as our personal Savior, who promises to give us Divine Help available 24/7, so easily give in to our desires.

Chapter 3

The Sacrificial Life Is the Only Way to Obey God’s Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will

“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)

By choosing to love God, we instinctively desire to obey Him. Personal worship expresses our gratitude to God, our Father, for His Love and the gift of His Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Our morning worship begins with the commitment to living a holy and acceptable life of self-denial. We surrender to God because He deserves our loyalty and faithful obedience; therefore, we use the discipline of self-control to renounce our desires.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Yes, we approach God in prayer for help to resist temptation, still there are times when we give in to our weaknesses. Our Father is still gracious. Through prayer, we have total access to ask for His Divine Help and forgiveness.

God’s love and mercy are always extended when we repent. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father never changes. Not only does Christ promise to never leave or forsake us, He tells us to move forward and continue to fight against our internal desires and external temptations using His strength: “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”

From engaging in consistent Bible Study, we learn God’s Loving Character and His history of intervening when the righteous run to Him for help, which strengthens our faith. We can never pray too much. Continuous Prayer connects us to Christ, who gives us His Spiritual strength to live day by day as Victorious Overcomers!

God knows that we cannot fight this Spiritual War alone! Heaven responds immediately to our cries for help. Still, we must put forth the human effort to choose to use our spiritual gifts of power and self-control to courageously renounce our desires by remaining steadfast to the conviction, “I will not sin against God!”

Throughout the Bible, we have examples of dedicated worshipers who did not sin against God. Their lifestyle reveals the habit of consistent communication with God. Daniel prayed three times a day, and for his faithfulness, he was chosen to receive prophetic visions of the future, which he did not understand.

“And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.” (Daniel 10:11).

Because of Daniel’s love, faith, and loyalty, Jesus Christ, the Commander of Angel Armies, sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel the interpretation of his visions. Yes, Daniel admits he was terrified, but Gabriel’s words, “Daniel, man greatly beloved…” were a message directly from Christ.

When we choose to live a sacrificial life, determined to faithfully obey God, dedicating ourselves to a life of prayer is easily accomplished. Prayer is our Spiritual Lifeline to Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor; there is no other way for us to receive spiritual nourishment and strength.

Prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures not only keep us anchored in Christ, but we also recognize our identity as royal heirs who will inherit our Eternal Crown of Life, which consistently reminds us of who our allegiance is to.

Sanctification is the gradual [daily] spiritual process of growth and transformation required for every believer to, yet character transformation depends on our willingness to obey God.

If we are participating with the Holy Spirit, then we will begin to notice changes in our behaviors. Not only do we stop desiring the things we used to pursue, but we also receive wisdom and the discernment to perceive life through the eyes of Christ.

“You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 11:27, NLT).”

The Nation of Israel struggled to obey God because they were mesmerized by the practices of pagan worship. If we expect to be blessed, which includes receiving our Crown of Life, we must cease pursuing our desires.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

The continuous challenge for every believer is to remain loyal to God by staying connected to Christ; only then can we win the battle of Obedience versus Disobedience to God. Without surrendering ourselves in faith and humility to God, we are driven by our internal desires that we cannot control.

How do we win? We choose to have a “God First” mindset that only comes from loving the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. A spirit of humility invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the Divine Strength to overcome and win the battles within and externally.

“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). All of Heaven is dedicated to helping us overcome our innate character traits of a selfish heart. Preparing for Eternal Life One Day At a Time.

Lord God, we desperately need Your help. You know our hearts and the consequences of embracing and pursuing greed. Lord, we confess that we have followed our hearts instead of obeying Your command to not seek earthly treasures, and for this sin, we ask for forgiveness. We ask You for guidance and strength. Teach us how to hear Your Voice speaking to us instead of following our wayward thoughts leading to self-gratification. We look forward to the day when Your Son, Jesus, and our Triumphant King will come again. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Assurance We Receive from Trusting Christ, Our Shepherd

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

Jesus tells us that the life we desire filled with only love, joy, happiness, peace, and without hardships will not happen on this present Earth.

In fact, the life of a believer is the toughest journey, we will ever face. In the Great Controversy of Good and Evil, believers are the target!

Not only do we face the external opposition of Satan’s temptations, and animosity for following Christ, we must also overcome our internal desires, which are always in rebellion against God.

“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4, Amplified Bible).

The King James version of this Scripture states, “Abide in Me.” To abide in Christ means that we become totally dependent on Him.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

We choose to follow Christ by using our faith to surrender in obedience. By seeking God’s will and plans through daily prayer, we receive wisdom and strength to fulfill His Perfect Plans.

“Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).

Because we were created with a free will to choose, we must ask God for help. Whispering prayers throughout our day eliminates self-reliance and builds our faith and trust in God.

Despite our circumstances, if we rely on Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us unlimited Spiritual comfort, peace, joy, and guidance.

“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 11:29, NIV).

Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus reiterates His love for us, still, due to busyness and distractions, we often do not engage in consistent personal worship [prayer, and Bible study].

But when facing challenges, if we exclude God, we easily become discouraged. Using human wisdom and effort has many limitations, we can develop strategies, but we can never predict a definitive outcome.

Prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures keeps us grounded in Christ and builds our faith. The Bible is the only way, we can learn Christ’s Loving Character, His promises, and the history of His Divine intervention in the lives of the righteous.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

Truthfully, we cannot trust a stranger. When our knowledge of God is limited, we instinctively place our faith and trust in ourselves. But at some point, we will experience life-changing events that only Divine Intervention can resolve.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10).

From staying connected to Christ, we receive an internal assurance of peace and safety in knowing that we are loved by God, He is Faithful, and Committed to taking care of us.

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’ ” (Genesis 1:26).

To learn the Righteous Character of Christ and His love for us requires that we start with studying the Book of Genesis, the Beginning. Biblical knowledge increases our faith in God.

The Foundation: Study the Book of Genesis and the Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], which records the Life of Christ. Before studying, always pray for The Teacher, God, the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual wisdom and discernment.

Our Heavenly Father Cares

“The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, BSB).

Words cannot describe the inner peace that comes from learning who God is, and His Amazing Love for those created in His Divine Image.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV).

Despite our challenges and hardships, our Heavenly Father also allows us to enjoy peaceful times. Even when experiencing hardships, we are not grapes, God never crushes us, which would also crush our hope in His Agape love.

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18).

We are sons and daughters of the Most-High God who loves us unconditionally! God desires to lead us from Earth to Heaven. We cannot change ourselves or stay on the Path of Righteousness without Divine Directions.

We often mistake suffering the consequences of disobedient choices for God-Allowed trials. Thinking our own thoughts and planning our lives without God always has repercussions.

Praying for God’s Divine Guidance before making decisions gives us the assurance that we are aligned with God’s plans, which is the only way we can enjoy His peace, and receive guaranteed Victorious Outcomes.

By accepting Christ as our personal Savior, we committed to following Him as sheep who follow their shepherd. We are never alone! Pray, Obey, and Persevere through life in Jesus’ strength.

“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).

Daily personal worship [prayer and Bible study] is the outward sign of possessing a heart filled with love, loyalty, adoration, and reverence for our Loving Heavenly Father.

Staying connected to Christ has definitive advantages: In times of adversity and lingering hardships, only true worshipers can remain courageous, enjoying Jesus’ gift of peace.

From establishing a life of prayer, we establish our dependency on Christ. When facing the stormy seasons, our first response is a faith-based prayer asking for Divine Help.

“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).

No other book, but the Bible gives us the spiritual nourishment needed to grow in Christ. Studying and meditating on the Scriptures invites the Holy Spirit to give us a deeper understanding.

Our commitment to worship God is rewarded. The Holy Spirit empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes. Our dependency on God is not weakness, it is the only way that we can remain steadfast in our Christian Journey.

“Trials never feel good, yet, trials are faith builders.”

From possessing Scriptural knowledge, in difficult times, the Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s promises, giving us the assurance of our Heavenly Father’s Love and Faithfulness.

Whether in peaceful, or stormy times, we should separate ourselves, and deeply reflect on God’s love and our many blessings. We did not achieve a lifetime of victories by using human effort.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, HCSB).

Our Sovereign God is always Faithful! Every day, we are recipients of His overwhelming Love, Grace, and Abundant mercies. Yes, God deserves our prayers of praise and worship.

The storm cannot last! Eventually, the Sun will shine! We know that Christ, our Loving Shepherd will say, “Peace be still” and give us a spiritual calm that cannot be reproduced by human ability.

Like Job who suffered the most devastating adversity recorded in the Bible, if we stay connected to Christ, we will be able to proclaim:

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. “Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God…” (Job 17:25-26, NIV, Amplified Bible).

Only God can guide us through the storms that produce spiritual growth and transformation necessary to prepare us to receive our Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NLT).

Bible Study: Genesis, and The Four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John].

Lord God, we thank You for Your Divine Love and for taking care of us, even when we failed to acknowledge Your Faithfulness. Jesus, our Shepherd and Triumphant King, we choose You. We ask You to lead us, correct us, and protect us from spiritual warfare, and give us the strength to overcome external opposition and internal conflict. We thank You, and promise to give You the honor, the glory and the praise that you deserve. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

God Honors Integrity and Honesty – Never Compromise!

“Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he refused.” (Genesis 39:6-8, NIV).

“How fierce was the assault upon Joseph’s morals…Yet how promptly and firmly [he] resisted.” “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”(Genesis 39:9).

“He [Joseph] suffered for his virtue and integrity…and by her influence caused him to be cast into prison, by charging him with a foul wrong.”

“…Joseph suffered because he would not yield his integrity. He had placed his reputation and interest in the hands of God.”

“And although he suffered to be afflicted for a time, to prepare him to fill an important position, God safely guarded his reputation that was slandered by a wicked accuser, and afterward, in His own good time, caused it to shine.

“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”(Exodus 14:14).

“God made the prison the way to his elevation. Virtue will in time bring its own reward. The shield which covered Joseph’s heart was the fear [reverence] of God, which caused him to be faithful and just to his master [Potiphar] and true to God.

Trust God to fight for you, He always wins!

Bible Study: Genesis 39

Lord God, we pray for the courage to live righteously, and to never compromise our integrity, even when facing threats, and character defamation. Thank You, Jesus, for reminding us that although we may suffer, if we are faithful, You will give us a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Matthew’s Conversion: “Follow Me”

“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, NIV).

As Matthew, the corrupt tax collector, sat outside at the tax table, day after day, he frequently overheard many individuals talking about Jesus’ Love, Compassion, messages of Salvation, and the countless miracles of healing He performed on the multitudes.

Although Matthew was despised by the Jewish leaders and community, his social circle included men who were as wealthy and diabolical as himself. Yes, Matthew had everything that Satan offers: wealth, pleasure, social status, and an easy life.

“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33, ESV).

Matthew gave up the sinful pleasures of life and a prestigious job to follow Jesus. The Roman government was Matthew’s employer, and to walk away from a once-in-a-lifetime job that guaranteed forever wealth would destroy any chance of rehire.

Matthew was not intimidated by the cost of following Christ; he trusted that Jesus was exactly who He said He was, “the One sent from God.” The wealthy tax collector who immediately got up [without hesitation and with silence] from the table demonstrated the giant leap of faith that boldly says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

The same leap of faith required to follow Christ is one that many of today’s believers are unwilling to take. We have been deceived by Satan into thinking that we can serve God and live as we please, but there is no reward for those who are not willing to be modern-day Matthews.

“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NLT). Jesus discerned the Tax Collector’s heart, knowing that Matthew was ready to embrace righteousness; Jesus extended the invitation, “Follow Me.”

Matthew’s decision to follow Christ did not happen at the time he received Jesus’ invitation. From previously hearing about Christ, Matthew used his faith to believe, which invited the Holy Spirit to perform immediate Heart Conversion when Jesus said, “Follow Me.” [In Genesis chapter 1, the Scriptures mention that God, the Holy Spirit, was present with God, the Father, and God, Jesus, the Son.]

Despite the hardships of rejection and hardships that all followers of Christ must endure, Matthew was 100% committed to love and obey God, love others, renounce his former sinful habits and lifestyle, and remain loyal to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

As one of the twelve apostles, Matthew traveled with Jesus for three years [the duration of Christ’s earthly ministry]. Spending time with Christ every day resulted in a complete spiritual transformation of his mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ.

The apostle Matthew proves that, despite our past, dedicating oneself to following Jesus results in a new heart overflowing with love, faith, obedience, and loyalty to Jesus Christ. Every day that we consecrate ourselves to faithfully follow and obey Jesus invites the Holy Spirit to perform the life-transforming spiritual process of Sanctification.

“The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14, NIV).

Not only will eleven of the twelve men [Jesus’ original disciples], and Matthias who replaced Judas, receive Eternal Life when our Triumphant King comes again, they will also have their names inscribed on the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

Righteousness by Faith: Our greatest desire should be to follow Jesus with love, loyalty, and faithful obedience. We only have one opportunity to become faithful followers, and that is in our earthly lives. Only those who are willing to let go of every desire, pleasure, and material treasure to follow their Savior and Shepherd will receive the Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!

Bible Study: Matthew 9, Revelation 21-22

Prayer: Lord God, create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. We ask You to turn our eyes away from worthless things, so like Matthew, we are willing to follow You wherever You lead us. We ask this prayer in the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Through Christ, We Celebrate Freedom from Sin

“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.