The Gift of a New Heart – Today’s Devotional – December 19, 2023
“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
God performs the spiritual transformation of our hearts. The Holy Spirit [the Spirit of God] works within us to change our hearts [our minds] and character into the righteousness of Christ. Still, the human effort of surrender and faithful obedience is the requisite for the Spirit of God to exercise His transforming power within us.
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” —John 14:15
Blended human concepts say we can be half-Christian and half-worldly. Yet, Jesus gives us the simple explanation that loving Him means total obedience to His righteous commands. Every day, we fight an internal battle to receive a new heart. Will we surrender to God or the innate cravings of our carnal hearts and appetites?
Our dilemma: “The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9
Our thoughts always gravitate toward ourselves. Think deeply about your desires. The human heart [without Christ] naturally desires pleasure. Two areas that we easily succumb to are material treasures and appetite [food and sex]. The desire for tangible possessions and self-seeking gratification is inherent [within us] from birth.
God’s Goal: For Us to Reflect, Reveal, and Resemble Jesus
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26
The power of God supersedes all hereditary traits, learned behaviors, habits, and addictions. With our measure of faith, we accept Christ as our Savior. The Bible teaches us about the righteousness we must possess. By studying Christ’s life in the Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] we learn by His example the character and lifestyle required for eternal life.
As followers of Christ, God expects us to represent and reveal the Righteousness of Christ in our behaviors, attitudes, and spoken words.
“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” —Deuteronomy 6:5
Our love for God is the catalyst for letting go of relationships with unbelievers and all worldly pleasures and practices that fail to reflect a life of holiness. The human effort of daily prayer of surrender invites the Holy Spirit to give us the spiritual strength required for the transformation of our hearts.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5
Loving God includes trusting Him with our earthly lives because He is the only One who can lead us into eternal life. His promise to give us a new heart also includes receiving the spiritual power to overcome and be victorious over all of our carnal desires!
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).
Prayer: Lord, we pray for the strength to surrender and to faithfully obey You. We desire new hearts. Help us to become the people You created us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Investing in Your Future with Christ – Today’s Devotional – December 7, 2023
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” —3 John 1:2
Although the world associates material wealth with prosperity, God defines prosperity as having an intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus, and receiving the daily transforming power of the Holy Spirit for one’s character to be changed into the likeness of Christ. To live a prosperous life has nothing to do with the accumulation of wealth!
Prosperity is the abundance of life given to us by God and requires human effort and Divine Intervention. It is the Holy Spirit who imparts the Divine power and wisdom necessary for our souls to prosper. Transformation is not passive, we must surrender and faithfully obey to actively participate in our spiritual growth and transformation.
The preparation required to receive our reward of a heavenly life with Christ occurs every day in our earthly lives. The Voice of God is heard through the Scriptures. We pray for daily spiritual guidance and strength from the Holy Spirit to prevent our drive to follow our inclinations [which are always in opposition to God].
The believer who attempts to live on human effort alone cannot maintain their earthly spiritual walk with God. Nor can they achieve optimal mental, emotional, and physical health according to God’s Righteous Standards.
Steps for Investing in Your Future with Christ
Spiritual Health: Nurturing our souls requires human cooperation with the Holy Spirit who transforms our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ.
Our morning prayer includes the request for the power, presence, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout our activities for the given day. We are responsible for keeping the channel of communication open between heaven and earth by maintaining a life of continuous prayer, praise, and worship.
Without knowledge of Biblical principles and godly wisdom, our spiritual perception is nonexistent. Studying and obeying the Scriptures provides us with the sustenance to live as victorious overcomers. Thankfully, we have the Bible as our Spiritual Roadmap which instructs us in every aspect of life. In the Scriptures, God has given us the righteous standards that He expects us to obey.
Our responsibility in God’s Divine plan is to surrender to His will and remain faithful and obedient as we strive for holiness.
Everything we need to know about God and living holy is spoken as the plain Truth in the Bible. There is no guesswork in serving God. Through the Scriptures and our conscience, the Holy Spirit speaks to us providing the daily instructions to keep us on the Path of Righteousness.
Yes, we will always face temptations, still maintaining an optimal level of spiritual health is not a challenge because we have the Divine Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit who is just a prayer away.
Knowing our Status in Christ and Living According to the Word of God
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” —1 Corinthians 6:19
Mental and Emotional Health—We entrust our minds to those who are not in alignment with God. The prevailing theories that exist in the Mental/Behavioral Health arena are in direct opposition to the Scriptures. The forgiveness of those who abused, mistreated, betrayed, and abandoned you is a spiritual area of major conflict in the Christian community.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32
Psychologists and therapists tell us it takes time to process forgiveness. Since we are not promised tomorrow, the best option is to forgive our enemies by praying for them every day that they will accept Christ as their personal Savior. Praying for others changes our perception—we begin to view life through the eyes of Christ.
Stop listening to other people who are not responsible for your destiny. Always obey God! We know that God says we must forgive to be forgiven by Christ, our Heavenly Intercessor, so we trust and obey Him and move forward.
“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” —Jeremiah 17:14, NIV
Like the prophet Jeremiah, pray and ask Dr. Jesus to heal your mind, body, and soul. No, we cannot change our past atrocities but Jesus is willing to make us well. And when He heals there are no residual mental or emotional scars.
Once we rid ourselves of grudges and forgive those who have dealt with us treacherously, we will receive our healing through the mighty power of Christ Jesus! Reinforce your faith by studying the Bible. The Scriptures redirect our focus from ourselves to Christ. By memorizing Bible stories and God’s promises, we receive hope to live abundant prosperous lives.
Through the Divine power of the Holy Spirit, we receive restoration and the supernatural strength to function beyond our normal abilities. Instead of hurtful memories, Yehovah Rapha [our Healer] will perform a clean sweep and give us the strength to move forward into the New Beginnings of a brighter future.
Our Physical Health impacts our spiritual, mental, and emotional health. If our bodies are unhealthy from the intentional input of fast food high-calorie, sugary, non-nutritional junk foods then every aspect of our minds and bodies is suffering.
Although the focus of the medical community remains on patients who are overweight, some individuals have a normal body weight, yet, their blood work reveals hidden abnormal diagnoses.
The homeostasis that Jesus created our minds and bodies to possess does not exist without the intake of health-sustaining food and exercise. Although many prefer the gym, walking outside in nature is the best exercise.
When our bodies and minds are sluggish from disease-producing foods and the lack of physical inactivity, we will not have an interest in studying the Scriptures or doing our part to receive spiritual growth and transformation.
“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony [overeating]. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.” —Proverbs 23:1-3
You are what you eat! Satan uses appetite to enslave many believers. They focus on the pleasure of satisfying their tastebuds which pull us into the pride of life. Appetite is a vice when uncontrolled and develops into the worst addiction!
The scavengers of the earth were created to clean the debris of dead animals. The pig, warthog, hyenas, vultures, crab, shrimp, and lobsters are just a few examples of animal cleaners who will eat everything they can swallow. Sadly many believers think nothing of eating scavenger animals that society has deemed as gourmet delicacies.
Invest in your health: God’s instructions in Leviticus on clean and unclean food are not outdated.
“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.” —Proverbs 26:2
The Food and Drug Administration’s warnings on food-borne diseases and contamination are at the highest peak in the history of humanity. We live in a society where Instant Gratification rules. But the innate cravings for what we desire to be available immediately have penalties—internal damage to our mental, emotional, and physical health.
We trust the second-hand preparation of our foods and drinks to others. We eagerly order processed foods prepared behind closed doors or assume the preparer’s hygiene is as meticulous as our hygienic habits. There is a problem with empowering strangers to handle the most important aspect of our God-given responsibility—caring for our minds, bodies, and souls using godly wisdom.
Improper handwashing is the number one cause of disease transmission. Unless a child is trained to practice personal hygiene principles, they live with compromised standards as an adult. Food-grade gloves do not prevent pathogens [disease-causing organisms] from invading food and drinks.
Change your schedule, cease buying processed foods, incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, and clean fish and meat into your diet, and [learn to] prepare and cook your meals.
Pray for wisdom from the Holy Spirit to guide your food choices and give you an in-depth understanding of God’s health principles. An unclean diet consists of more than food intake. Let go of all profane people, programs, and habits that introduce the degradation of sin into your temple.
Invest in your Destiny: The Divine Spirit of God will not enter an unclean and unholy person who intentionally abuses themselves through pride of appetite, laziness, and sinful pleasures.
The Excellence of Wisdom
“All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands And right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. —Proverbs 8:8-11
Invest in your heavenly future: Live as one who is forgiven. Acknowledge that your mind and body are the temple in which the Holy Spirit resides and ensure that your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health are truly prospering. In our earthly lives, God has allowed us to learn and practice the righteous principles that prepare us for the transition from earth to heaven when Jesus comes again.
Prayer: God, we pray for spiritual wisdom as we invest in our future to gain and maintain optimal health. Thank You for the privilege of being created in Your image. We pray for a closer relationship with Christ. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reveals His prayer for Himself, His Chosen 12 disciples, and His future disciples. We are the future disciples. Every Christian is a disciple whose Spiritual Assignment is to witness. God’s Mission is to bring those who are unaware of the plan of Salvation into His loving arms. Our concern must be for those who are lost. Spreading the Good News of a Savior who saves, restores, and reconciles fallen humanity is brought to fruition by us.
We are the designated messengers who must spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. An obedient heart is the only gift we can give to our Worthy King. Our gratitude must extend beyond mere words of saying thank you. Every Christian believer is a follower of Christ and has received the command to Go! [Matthew 28:18-20]. Yet, there are few who believe that Jesus’ command extends beyond His first disciples, which is a grevious error.
In Revelation 22:12, Jesus says He will give each believer a reward according to their work. Attending church, prayer, and Bible study are expected acts of worship. To witness daily to unbelievers is our work and one that our reward is based upon. Only what we do for Christ will be counted in the end. Faithful Obedience flows from the surrendered heart and reveals gratitude for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: God, we pray for a spiritual transformation of our hearts, to take the focus off of ourselves, and to serve You with faithful obedience by giving others hope through the Good News of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray, Amen.
The Holy Spirit Intervenes when we pray for help. Human Effort alone cannot keep us on the Path of Righteousness. God, the Father, Jesus, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit along with angel armies as are just a prayer away. Don’t lose your crown because you gave up without asking and relying on the Warrior God and His angel armies.
Living with peace and joy is only possible when we surrender ourselves to Christ. If you decide to place your life in His hands when all is well then you will faithfully trust Him in the situations that are humanly impossible to resolve.
Prayer of Gratitude: Jesus, You Are the only answer. We thank You for Your overwhelming love, grace, and mercies. Amen.
Jesus—God, Our Creator Devotional Reading August 8, 2023
This afternoon, as I walked to the mailbox, I looked intently at the various plant life. The trees with massive trunks supporting countless leafy branches and the lush St. Augustine grass covering the ground are evidence of the love that Jesus has for humanity. Despite the sharp decline of the quality of life on the planet Earth, through nature, we can observe the detail and care that Christ put into every blade of grass, flower, and leafy tree.
“Then God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth, and it was so. And the Earth brought forth grass the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day.” —Genesis 1:11-13
Although we fail to proclaim praises of gratitude to Christ, our Creator, and Master Artist for the awesome blessing of nature, the birds never fail to sing their praises. We were created to spend time relaxing and resting in natural environments. Sadly, we have traded spending time outside for a sedentary lifestyle of devoting hours to screen time. Many mental and emotional diagnoses can be alleviated by spending an hour or two in nature every day.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile’ ” (Mark 6:31). This is a wonderful example of Jesus’ care, compassion, and wisdom. Relaxing in nature is the perfect time to meditate, pray, and study the Bible. Even on a hot, summer day, while sitting under a massive shade tree, God will send a gentle cooling breeze to say, “My son or daughter, I love you.”
When your challenges are overwhelming, and your faith is weak, take a nature break. Open the door, and go outside! If you reside in a city, filled with concrete and glass structures, consider driving or using public transportation to visit a park. Turn your cell phone ringer off. It’s nice to own a comfortable, collapsible outdoor chair to take with you for your Daycation. And don’t forget to take a couple of bottles of water, a travel-size Bible, and a Devotional book.
Plan to spend at least two hours wherever you decide to go. Pay attention to the various plant life and remind yourself that Jesus created this for you to enjoy. Meditating on the goodness of God [in nature] is healing to the mind, body, and soul. Close your eyes for a few minutes and take a couple of deep breaths. Thank Jesus for His love and the beauty of nature. Let your time of worship include prayer and a real-talk, conversation with the Creator God.
“We’re meant to live a substantial portion of our lives outdoors—and it’s a unique place to experience our Creator and restore our spirits. The Bible says that nature speaks to us of God’s character and His attributes. Spending time in nature gives us a chance to slow down…” Fullfocus.com
Prayer: God, we thank You for creating the beauty of nature. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Lion, The Lamb, and the Sheep Sabbath Devotional Reading, August 4, 2023
The lion has been dubbed the King of the Beasts. The roar of a mature male lion can travel up to five miles, showcasing its powerful presence and traits of pride, fearlessness, aggression, and self-reliance. The King walks as if he owns the entire savannah and he follows no one.
In watching animal documentaries on lions, I noticed lions only fear one animal [the elephant], and that is because of the grave danger that the elephant poses to their physical safety. The majority of lions are in a family [known as a pride] consisting of two to three generations. Yet, it’s not uncommon to spot solitary lions on the savannah, but their survival is a constant battle, and usually end up succumbing to starvation.
In the Bible, symbolically the lion represents Jesus, the Lion of Judah [Revelation 5]. The Apostle Peter says that the devil prowls like a roaring lion and the prophet Isaiah tells us the the lion and no ravenous beast which represent the wicked will be on the Highway of Holiness [Isaiah chapter 35].
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8, NIV
Many of us are familiar with the Apostle Peter’s metaphor and warning regarding Satan as a roaring lion seeking to destroy every believer’s faith and obedience to God. Yet, many are unaware of the spiritual meaning and how to apply this warning to their lives. The decision to follow Christ causes Satan to hate us. Yes, our arch-enemy’s goal is to separate every believer from God by any means necessary!
Satan—The Roaring Lion
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12
We cannot pretend that Satan does not exist. Every believer must acknowledge that Satan is on this earth, that he is a fallen angel, and that he possesses power. Although most Christians do not engage in pagan practices, we invite sin into our lives through our participation in worldly activities.
Our compromise of accepting worldviews has desensitized us to the danger of sin. Looking at ourselves is like seeing our reflection in a mirror. We only see the outside, we need the Bible, God’s spiritual mirror to reveal the condition of our hearts.
“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. ” —Titus 1:15
One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to devour us through his schemes of temptation. All of our temptations are custom-made, the sins we succumb to reveal the desires of our hearts. Like the lion who is hidden in the grass, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to chase and attack its prey, Satan is very patient. He and his evil angels observe our behaviors and habits [our weaknesses] then with perfect timing we are presented with irresistible temptations.
The Gateway of Temptations
Satan uses common things to distract us, watching movies whose rating is strong language, listening to secular music that we sing and dance to, and spending money on frivolous desires. Like the lion who successfully hunts and kills his prey, Satan is cunning and infiltrates our lives using stealth moves. Under the umbrella of Love, we invite unbelievers with worldly mindsets into our social circles as friends and establish dating relationships that lead to living together or unequally yoked marriages.
Satan’s Easy Prey—The Christians Who Have No Time for Worship, Praying, or Bible Study
In 2023, Satan’s number one scheme is to use distractions that waste our valuable time. Instead of having time for meaningful worship—praying and studying, we are too tired. Our to-do list is unrealistic, or we use social media, the cell phone, and online activities to relax. Mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted, we say a quick prayer and promise to study the Bible tomorrow and fall asleep.
The other open door that allows Satan to enter our lives is through false teachings. In our busyness, we do not take the time to pray or study the Bible. Because of our daily schedules, we listen to sermons and social media posts which appear to be God’s Truth, yet are not Bible-based. The false teaching that we hear sounds good because it is a blend of a little truth and a lot of self-interpretation by the speaker.
Even lions who are on the brink of starvation never forget the elephant is always dangerous. Because we are not living according to God’s righteous precepts, our minds and conscience have changed. We do not sense any danger to our spiritual condition when pursuing life’s pleasures that appear to be harmless fun and enjoyment.
Remember, Satan does not present situations that would cause us to immediately recognize as threatening to our relationship with Christ. He uses familiar activities and people as bait to make us easily fall. If temptation was not appealing to our desires then we could easily turn and say no.
Reflection: Is there any part of my lifestyle that God considers to be unrighteous?
To remain spiritually alert and of a sound mind, we must be consistent in our worship. Staying spiritually nourished requires a daily commitment to God. Without prayer and meditation, Bible study, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are like the lion who is alone in the savannah. In a state of spiritual starvation, we cannot recognize Satan’s schemes, nor do we have the power to resist his covert deceptions.
We cannot fight Satan without Divine Intervention! The Apostle Paul tells us to put on The Whole Armor of God—Study Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10-18.
The spiritual battle we face in these perilous times requires more than praying once or twice a day. We can never pray too much! Fighting the enemy cannot be accomplished without spiritual reinforcement. Still, we need Divine Help that is immediately available by praying, “God, help me!”
Jesus promised us the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to give us the discernment and strength that is required to do our part as a soldier in God’s Army.
The Faithful Ones—Christ’s Sheep
Despite the enemy’s schemes, Christ has many dedicated faithful followers—His sheep surrender daily by striving to faithfully obey and trust Jesus, their Divine Shepherd.
“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” —Psalm 100:3
Why Does the Bible Compare Us to Sheep?
Sheep have no sense of direction. …
Sheep are defenseless. …
Sheep can’t get up without help. …
Sheep are emotional and recognize the Shepherd’s voice. …
Sheep are not meant to carry burdens. …
Sheep will settle for less. …
Sheep are valuable. …
Sheep can not care for themselves when wounded. Mom RemadeWebsite
Jesus Christ, Our Shepherd: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” —Matthew 9:36-37
Jesus Christ, Our Savior: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” —Isaiah 53:6
Despite our sins and shortcomings, we serve a loving and compassionate Savior and Shepherd who died for us and seeks to bring us back into His flock.
Scripture Reading: “Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” —Luke 15:3-7, NIV
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” —John 1:29
Jesus, the Matchless Lamb of God offered Himself as our sacrifice. We have a Savior and Shepherd who gave His life for us. When we stray, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience. We are never abandoned by Christ! Yet, we are never coerced to return to the flock. Love for Jesus is the foundation of our relationship with Him.
Our response to the Shepherd’s call requires more than saying yes, we must renounce sin and overcome the roaring lion’s temptations by praying and using self-control. Do not rely on your human wisdom! Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the people, places, and habits that are keeping you bound under the roaring lion’s power.
The blood of the Lamb of God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Total reliance on Jesus, our Savior, and Shepherd along with the steadfast desire to live a faithful life of humility, surrender, and obedience is required to stay in our Shepherd’s safekeeping. Through prayer, consecration, and diligent study of the Bible, we commit daily to follow Jesus.
Our characters, habits, and lifestyles reflect whether or not we are following the Shepherd. The decision to follow Jesus is not an easy journey. As sheep, we acknowledge that we are dependent on our Shepherd to guide us safely through this earthly pasture.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” —John 10:27
The sheep listen and follow their Loving Shepherd because we trust Him with our lives. We know that the Shepherd has the power to make the roaring lion stand down and retreat. Every day, we need the love, guidance, and mercies of rescue from Jesus, our Shepherd.
Even in hardships, always remember, we are preparing for kingdom life one day at a time. And if we trust Jesus with our lives, He will safely guide us to the Heavenly pasture where we will live with Him forever and ever. Amen.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” —Matthew 5:8
Prayer: Lord, we pray for the humility to surrender ourselves to You. We thank You for being our Lion of Judah and our Shepherd. Jesus, we love You. We pray for strength and wisdom as we follow You in our spiritual journey. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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