Tag: Jesus Christ

Witnessing To Others Through Love

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – July 25, 2024

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:35

God is Love. From receiving God’s gift of the loving mercies of a new day, will we witness Christ’s lovingkindness? Will we radiate love, the true sign of heart conversion? Love produces love. We love Jesus and His perfect love reveals itself through His Righteous characteristics. We see others through spiritual eyes, empowering us to shower Agape love even to our enemies.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” —1 Peter 4:8

A converted heart is a loving heart. We love others because Christ loves us. Our gratitude for the Plan of Redemption is the catalyst for loving God, others, and ourselves. Because we love, adore, and revere Christ, as His faithful disciples, we display His love in our behaviors, spoken words, and daily interaction with others. Yes, we are redeemed by His precious blood. Hearts overflowing with joy and peace are evident through our smiles, spoken words, and acts of kindness.

“And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.” —2 John 1:5-6

“John speaks of a true love of believers for one another because of the truth we all share. Sharing in this truth engenders love for one another, especially the ‘sincere love’ made possible by obedience to the truth.”

My mother has lived in a small town in Texas for almost 50 years where a Christian university is located. In the 1980s, she cooked dinner for my brother’s university friends for 10 years. In 2010, following a church service [in Orlando, Florida], a man approached me [who I recognized from his college days] and recalled the unselfishness of my dear mother. He relayed that “Mom Johnson’s” love and kindness through the gift of much-needed delicious food impacted his life to always give to others.

Love God, Love Others, Love Yourself: Jesus died for all! With this thought constantly in the forefront, our love overflows with Jesus’ Living Waters. Each day, we plant a seed of Agape love by saying, Good Morning, Have a blessed day, Jesus loves you, or It’s a beautiful day. Every believer has the spiritual assignment as Christ’s representative to demonstrate to a world almost devoid of love that true love does exist.

Yesterday in the supermarket, a young mother with three boys, one a baby in her arms, wore the facial appearance of fatigue. I began the conversation by asking how many weeks old the baby was, she smiled, and we chatted for five minutes. When I approached the checkout, the oldest son said, Hi followed by his middle brother who also greeted me with a smile, and a shy, Hi. I asked their names and ages. This morning, I prayed for God to give her strength in the daily routine of raising her sons.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-7

True Religion is not only having a steadfast and loving relationship with Jesus Christ, we represent Christ’s Righteous Character. Heart conversion is living a life of servitude and providing encouragement as our Savior did throughout His earthly life. Our minds, characters, and personalities should reveal that we serve a living Savior who loves all. Yes, they will know that we are Christians [who abide in Christ] by our love.

Prayer: Lord God, we ask you to fill our hearts with the desire to love as You love. Open our eyes so we may always discern the opportunities to reveal that Your Holy Name is Love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Christ, the Giver of All Good Things

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – June 14, 2024

“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

God is faithful! He always fulfills His promises perfectly, bringing honor and glory to His Holy Name. We pray, but many never receive the fulfillment of their desires or God’s promises which causes discouragement, especially when those around us are reaping a harvest of blessings.

Usually, we attribute a delay in God’s timing as a valid test of faith. Recently, I heard a powerful and thought-provoking sermon regarding the delays of blessings. Since God is always faithful and keeps His promises, we are the reason for His decision to withhold our blessings. As we dig deeper the primary reason for unreceived blessings is surprising.

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.'” —Matthew 8:4

Jesus healed countless people, yet every time He gave the command to tell no one, it is documented in the Four Gospels. When blessed our first response is to share with others. Although we are inclined to reveal our blessings to those closest to us, Jesus proclaimed that we should tell no one, go to our secret place of worship, and offer prayers and praises of gratitude.

We can attribute many reasons for Jesus’ command of non-disclosure, but only one impacts our spiritual growth and transformation—the lack of gratitude. Verbalizing “Thank You” is not enough for the continuous Love, Grace, and Mercies given without fail. Mary, the Mother of Jesus portrays the response of genuine faith and gratitude God requires of us.

The Promise: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” —Luke 1:30-33, KJV

Mary’s Praise Response: “…’My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…’ ” —Luke 1:46-47. Verses 46-55 reveal Mary’s song of praise and thanksgiving.

In Luke chapter 2, verses 8-15, the angels appeared to the shepherds telling them a Savior was born. When the shepherds visited Joseph and Mary in the stable, they shared the wonderful message the angels gave them with everyone. “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” —Luke 2:19

Two characteristics stand out: Mary’s heart was filled with gratitude which she openly expressed through the composure of a praise song and she pondered—deeply reflected on the angel’s message that her baby boy was the Savior, the Son of God. Our character matters to God because it determines our destiny.

Certainly, Mary was a devout woman of God filled with spiritual wisdom, integrity, and discretion. When the angel, Gabriel disclosed that she would be the Mother of Jesus she told no one. It is hard to imagine knowing that your Son is the promised Messiah and keeping it to yourself.

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.” —Psalm 95:1-3

Our praises of gratitude are too limited. Our love and loyalty to God waver depending on our circumstances. When all is well, we praise God. But when harsh challenges arise, the times we need to offer prayers filled with thanksgiving, our souls and faces are downcast. How often do we thank God profusely for the mercies of a new day? Truthfully we have already planned for tomorrow.

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18

Reflect deeply on a conversation where you shared the good news of received blessings. The focus easily shifted from the Giver to yourself and the blessing. Unless we have cultivated the habit of praising and thanking God for the everyday blessings [life, health, strength, provisions, and protection], God knows that if He opens the windows of heaven, we cannot respond with genuine love, honoring, and glorifying His faithfulness.

Sermon Notes: When God blesses you resist the urge to share it with the world. Instead, cherish it in secrecy with Him. Give God the glory and the honor by letting Him be the first to share in your joy. Express your gratitude through melodies of praise and embrace the rivers of joy flowing from within your heart to God in prayer.

Sermon Notes: As you adopt this lifestyle of maintaining privacy with Jesus your relationship with Him will grow richer and deeper. Worshiping God with praises of gratitude must become our lifestyle. When the seasons of life change, if we have developed an intimate relationship with Christ based on gratitude, our faith and trust will remain steadfast despite our overwhelming circumstances.

“…He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” —1 Corinthians 1:31

Giving God glory through prayer and praise is why we were created and should be our ultimate purpose. Cherish God’s goodness privately through praise and prayers of gratitude. Our lives are blessed and highly favored and for this reason, God deserves all of the glory, honor, and praise. When we do not follow our inclinations to share God’s blessing with others first, our joy, excitement, and happiness are redirected to honoring the Giver of All Good Gifts.

Sermon Notes: As you wait on the Lord for His promises, deepen your relationship by praying and immersing yourself in His Word. Let Christ refine your character through the Holy Spirit. Allow God to prepare your heart for the incredible things He has in store for your life by praising Him continuously throughout your waking hours.

Lord, You deserve all of the glory and honor. We sing praises to express our love, appreciation, and gratitude for being our Savior, Redeemer, and the Giver of All Good Gifts. We love You and praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray. Amen.

©2024 SDJ—Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

This Is the Day to Rejoice!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 6, 2024

“This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” —Psalm 118:24

Have we embraced today with joy and gratitude? We received the mercies of a new day to rejoice and proclaim God’s faithfulness. Praising God with a grateful heart is spontaneous when we believe we are loved by Christ and He abides in our hearts. Focusing on the given day results in a mindset of praise, peace, joy, and happiness.

The worldview of planning for the future has affected many Christian believers. Jesus forewarned us never to let tomorrow consume our thoughts. Thinking about a day that is not promised steals our blessings of joy and peace for the given day. In the Scriptures, Jesus redirects our focus to the given day: “Give us this day our daily bread” and “Take no thought for tomorrow” which teaches us to appreciate the abundant mercies of today.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:33-34

A recent survey revealed that 80% of individuals aged 50 years and under are worried about the future and how they will bring their plans to fruition. We rarely find psychologists and sociologists in agreement with Biblical principles—do not think about tomorrow. Both disciplines agree that focusing on the future is counterproductive because the individual has imaginary thoughts that reveal problematic thought processes.

“So when they came together, they asked Him, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ Jesus replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.’ ” —Acts 1:6-7

Even after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples focused on deliverance from Roman oppression. From the onset of following Christ, they envisioned Jesus overthrowing the government and ruling with Him as He sat on an earthly throne. The better life the disciples hoped for is only promised when Jesus comes with our reward of immortality. Focusing on the future should be limited to the joy and preparation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

“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 were created to depend on God. Trusting in God requires a giant leap of faith and the commitment to surrender fully to His will. If we pray without ceasing when all is well, prayer is our immediate response to things gone wrong. Including God in the little things creates the mindset and habit of total dependency on God. Living with divine peace is the most wonderful blessing of our Christian experience.

We rejoice because we serve an Omniscient Father. God knows our lives from beginning to end including the routine activities of daily living, and every obstacle, sorrow, disappointment, and temptation we will face. Even when our emotions threaten to override our faith, the Holy Spirit reminds us that God promises to give us victory. Yes, we can rejoice in times of overwhelming perplexities because our confidence is in Jesus who reminds us, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘ ” —2 Corinthians 12:9

Suffering is part of the believer’s life, yet, our hope is in Christ who answers our prayers of faith. Christ is our All and All! Our King, Savior, and Heavenly Intercessor gives us comfort and His Divine strength to accomplish our daily tasks, empowers us to overcome temptation, and provides solutions for our challenges, big or small. Great is His Faithfulness!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” —Revelation 3:20

Daily, Christ knocks on the door of our hearts. Our response determines whether or not we desire God’s Divine Intervention. From Genesis to Revelation, faith, surrender, and obedience are emphasized as the only way to please God and inherit eternal life. Will we yield every day to Christ’s Divine Authority? The refusal to relinquish our will and obey is to reject Christ’s invitation.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 7:21

Historically the Gospel has always been about Christ. Yet in the 21st century, prosperity messages and focus on self-achievements supersede our desire to focus on our relationship with Christ. The promised reward of eternal life appears fictional to those with unconverted hearts. God’s Grace does not relieve us of our duty to commit to an obedient and sacrificial life. Sadly, our earthly lives with all of the accomplishments we place so much emphasis on are temporary and have nothing to do with our salvation.

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” —2 Corinthians 10:5

We must let go of thoughts, plans, and strategies for a better future that conflict with God’s Divine will. Obedience requires sacrifice! By refusing to surrender to God’s will and precepts, we grieve the Holy Spirit. But we do not have to remain outside of the will of God. Our gifts of power, love, and sound mind [self-control] enable us to turn from self-seeking pleasures, repent, and consecrate ourselves to true discipleship. “Then the Holy Spirit will begin the spiritual transformation necessary to be conformed to the image of his Son to receive eternal life.” EGW

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

We were predestined by God to live eternally. Still, we must choose to follow Christ. The converted heart desires to obey God’s will. From our daily prayer of consecration to follow Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s plans. “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine…” —Exodus 19:5

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

Surrendered believers know obedience reaps many blessings. The Holy Spirit gives us the discernment to recognize God’s Voice and prepares and equips us with the strength and endurance to persevere and stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Because we are commanded to “Be holy, ” God’s transforming power aligns our desires with His Divine plans and empowers us with the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes.

We rejoice because we feel the internal change. Our focus is intentional! We look to Christ who leads us victoriously through our spiritual journey. We are still silver in the fire. The Holy Spirit convicts us by revealing our selfish desires and exposes Satan’s covert warfare designed to make us sin against God. With determination and prayer for Divine power, we receive the spiritual reinforcement to overcome.

As our journey with Christ continues, our faith, courage, and perseverance are strengthened. We remain steadfast because God’s faithfulness and power are experiential. To continue walking with Christ transforms us into courageous soldiers in the Army of God. Our faith is in God whose intervention always brings honor and victory. Yes, we have reason to continually rejoice, all of heaven is involved in our spiritual quest for righteousness!

“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” —Hebrews 11:5

“Enoch walked faithfully with God…” (Genesis 5:24). The life of Enoch is one that we should reflect on. Like us, he lived in times filled with abject wickedness. Yet, he walked with God in obedience. We desperately need the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we prepare for the fulfillment of Revelation prophecies and Jesus’ Second Coming.

“O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (Psalm 8:1).

Sanctification, being transformed into the likeness of Christ must occur in the here and now. Turning our lives over to Jesus is the answer to living a holy, sacrificial life as Enoch lived. From our willingness to honor and reverence God, the Holy Spirit molds our characters like clay to resemble, reveal, and reflect the Light of Christ’s Loving Character.

Our relationship with Christ grows sweeter by the day when we invite Christ to be the Lord and Sovereign Ruler of our lives. Yes, we can praise and rejoice in the goodness of God because we are in the right standing with God and covered by the Righteousness of Christ! Amen.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season…” —Psalm 1:1-3

Lord, we commit to serve You for the rest of our lives. Thank You for Your Great love, faithfulness, and mercies. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2024 SDJ—Steps to Success with Spiritual Solutions

Preparing For the Great Day of the Lord

Surrender Reveals Our Love for God

Our greatest act of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ is based on love. Because God is Sovereign and Omniscient, in humility, our daily prayer is, Lord, what do you want me to do?

Daily surrender not only reveals our love and faithful obedience to our Great God and Loving Savior, but also proclaims our desire to live forever in the presence of our High and Holy King, Jesus Christ. Amen!

STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Fulfilling the Desires of Our Hearts

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 4, 2024

Scenario: Your son, age 10 asks for a bicycle. Both of you develop a plan based on merit to be completed within a reasonable time frame and if the conditions are met, he will receive a new bike. Excitement has driven him to excel and with expert advice from the manager at the bicycle shop, he chooses his new bike. Despite your best efforts, things didn’t go as planned. You didn’t anticipate his negative reaction to the tight fit of the bicycle helmet, and you also didn’t foresee the need to use wrenches to lower the seat and remove the pedals temporarily for balance training without an end date. Yet the greatest surprise is your son’s anxiety due to his fear of falling. The look on his face displays that his joy has quickly turned into disappointment. Despite feeling frustrated, you verbally express positive affirmations to keep his hope alive.

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” —Genesis 2:15, 19

With Adam, God’s desire for beings created in His image and to worship Him was fulfilled. Christ gave Adam tasks that not only challenged him intellectually, but also promoted spiritual growth, happiness, creativity, and optimal physical health. When we think of the animal kingdom, we realize that Adam’s heart was filled with love and intent when naming the animals. Can you imagine a lion, tiger, or eagle being called by any other name?

“…And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (verse 19). In the Creation story, we have proof that humanity was created with the free will of choice. Not only did we receive innate talents, the ability to dream and strive for excellence, but we also received spiritual gifts, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you” (Reflecting Christ, p 299).

Throughout our lifespan, we must continue to strive for excellence by developing realistic short and long-term goals that utilize our talents and spiritual gifts. If we pray and align ourselves with God’s plans, He guarantees victory. Yes, the road is rough, but we were created with the resilience to persevere despite the obstacles and setbacks. The goal is life with Christ.

Job dissatisfaction is one of the primary complaints when pursuing personal and professional growth. We grow tired of suffering hardships, but still, our prayers for a new job remain unanswered. God is using adversity to develop the Fruit of the Spirit in our character. Because we do not know what to pray for, God closes doors and gives us the answer of “no” to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.

Our Father uses the ordinary things of life to produce extraordinary character transformation. Even our chosen professions are designed for continuous intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth and development. Our role is to pray for the strength to endure the struggle of being transformed into righteous saints of the Most High God.

“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

When Christ brought the animals to Adam, we find that God’s original plan required humanity to cooperate with Divinity. If our talents and spiritual gifts are used to glorify and honor God then we invite the Holy Spirit to work His transforming power within us. Praying for God’s plans to be revealed and waiting on the Lord for an answer demonstrates faithful obedience.

Spiritual upward mobility results in the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities. This life is our only opportunity to prepare for Eternal life. Sanctification is a lifetime’s work and is directed and guided by the Holy Spirit. If we compare ourselves to the Scriptures, the Standard of Righteousness, we would surrender and seek God’s will without fail. To have the Character of Christ requires consecration, fasting, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures Defining Righteous Character Traits

  1. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…” (Mathew 22:37).
  2. “Love your neighbor as yourself…” ( Matthew 22:39).
  3. “A man’s insight gives him patience…” (Proverbs 19:11).
  4. “The Fruit of the Spirit is…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
  5. “If you forgive men their trespasses…” (Matthew 6:14-15).
  6. “Be kind and tender-hearted…” (Ephesians 4:32).

“O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].” —Jeremiah 10:23, Amplified Bible

We easily pursue the desires of our hearts, yet, in doing so, we have strayed from God’s original plan—praying and accepting His will. The worldview of success has enticed us and crept into our values. Never, ever trust your heart! Our hearts lead us to believe that social status, titles, financial wealth, and tangible things equate with striving for excellence. Without the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance, we hold the same status as the unbeliever, to direct our steps places us in spiritual bankruptcy.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” —Isaiah 55:6

The parent and son were not prepared for the amount of effort and practice required to learn how to ride a bike. As a result, they both ended up feeling disappointed and frustrated. This could be attributed to the parent relying too heavily on prior experience and underestimating the challenge involved in teaching a child to ride a bike. We can avoid disappointments and chaos by relying on God in every aspect of our lives.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31

The war raging between God’s will and our desires never experiences a cease-fire. Still, we have the power of self-control—making godly decisions is a choice. Whenever our hearts strive for control, we must put our wayward desires in check: Does this action or decision honor God? Will the outcomes align with God’s plan for the spiritual transformation of my character?

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.” —Jeremiah 33:3, Amplified Bible

If we acquiesce to God by allowing Him to navigate our pursuits then we will receive spiritual transformation, intellectual and emotional growth, and optimal physical health. We have come too far in our spiritual journey to settle for earthly trinkets. Make a commitment to surrender to God in humility and patiently wait for His perfect plans.

Surrendering our desires is the test that proves our love for Christ. To be in sync with God’s plans is the daily challenge every believer faces. Our goal is to live forever. We should remind ourselves every day of God’s definition of upward mobility: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Lord God, we pray for the strength to overcome our innate desires which are enmity against Your will and plans. Lord, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with the Holy Spirit. We ask You to give us wisdom and discernment in our daily lives so that we recognize the temptations designed to make us fall. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

We Serve a Risen Savior!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – March 31, 2024

Each new morning, we celebrate our Risen Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Our worship is given through prayers, songs of praise, and studying the Holy Scriptures. Yet our highest worship is demonstrated through surrender to God’s will and faithful obedience. Living a sacrificial life is to emulate the life of Christ while He was on this earth.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” —1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV

One day, we will see our King face-to-face. Developing the habit of bowing in worship in our earthly lives prepares us to join the angels for the heavenly worship that gives honor and adoration to the Lovely One who gave His life so we may have eternal life.

Jesus, Lamb of God, our King, we love You! We worship You, Holy One. Our desire is to live with You forever and ever. Amen.