Tag: Jesus is Coming

Recognizing the Signs of Change

Recognizing the Signs of Change Devotional Reading September 7, 2023

Since 2020, an unstable economy has forced many retail companies to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Despite their best efforts and the help of the most influential financial strategists, the desires of consumers change like the weather. “Record profits mean a business is strong and its jobs secure. Meager profits indicate a weak business and insecure jobs. No profits ultimately mean bankruptcy and no jobs.” informationstation.org

Future projections are based on anticipated performance. Although companies project with confidence, there are no guarantees. Expert or not, the human mind cannot anticipate the unforeseen drastic change from having a successful business with a large customer base and rising profits to one of failure in a very short time. Customer loyalty is an unpredictable behavior that most companies have to rely on. To remain competitive, companies must remain innovative and competitive by including consumer whims and current trends.

Once a company recognizes declining profits, it must use a quick-fix method. Remaining solvent involves cutting your losses. The strategy of identifying low-performing stores always results in permanent closures. Financial decline in a company’s operating budget always leads to extensive job loss. Massive layoffs are something that we have a strong distaste for, but downsizing employees is always the first option in saving a business. The options used to keep a business solvent are few and drastic measures must be taken to prevent further financial loss.

The question that most consumers ask is, Didn’t they recognize the problem of a decline in sales before hundreds of employees had to lose their jobs?

Yes, but they have no control over the lifestyles of Minimalists and Homesteaders who value need over greed. These populations have the mindset of buying only the things they need for practical use and utilizing repurposing for zero waste. The Baby Boomer generation who comprises 21% of the total population already have everything they need and usually have excessive tangible goods stored in a spare bedroom, closets, and the garage.

Bed, Bath, Beyond, The Christmas Store, Tuesday Morning, and many other retail stores have filed for bankruptcy. Macy’s and CVS Pharmacy are two businesses that were restructured by massive store closures and decreased hours of operation. Yet, some companies made strategic moves that were highly successful. Last year, the new CEO of Amazon improved poor shipping practices and laid off excessive staff which resulted in record profits.

As I thought about the expert financial strategies necessary for a business to maintain its profit margin in 2023 and meet future projections, I reflected on the downward spiral of Christianity. Spiritual bankruptcy is at an all-time high. The average Christian believer is too preoccupied with the busyness of daily life and personal pursuits to consider the status of their relationship with God or to notice that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled.

Reflection: What spiritual strategies are you practicing every day to ensure your preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus?

Perilous Times: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” —2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV

Without spiritual discernment, we will not recognize the spiritual significance of climate change. An unstable economy, a virus that will never be eradicated, the increase in global natural disasters, open corruption, and the pursuit of greed are signs of the perilous times of the last days. We should not surmise that these events are coincidental. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7).

What is preventing us from not living as if Jesus is coming soon?

We have become desensitized to receiving the reward of eternal life because our desires, plans, and agendas are based on self-worship. Satan is deceiving believers with two distractions; pursue your personal goals and we have plenty of time to live our best lives–just do it!

Studying the Bible and dedicating oneself to God has been replaced by the pursuit of personal dreams and goals, and purchasing homes and vehicles. Seeking a lifestyle of pleasure through world travel has enticed believers to invest their money into themselves. Trip Advisor now offers memberships to assist consumers in fulfilling their desire to make travel a permanent part of their lifestyle.

The era when Christians put God first by fasting and praying for spiritual strength, wisdom, and guidance from the Holy Spirit has passed. Weekly Prayer services have decreased because members are too busy or too tired to attend. Our lifestyles reveal ritualistic worship practices–attending weekly church services and hearing the Word of God but not praying, meditating, and studying the Scriptures. Nor do we acknowledge that the spiritual transformation of our hearts requires the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection: When was the last time you listened to a sermon on preparing for Jesus’ Coming?

Sermons are no longer Bible-based and Christ-centered. Yes, our character must change, but there is a serious issue when an entire sermon focuses on the emotional needs of the members. Still, the most popular, well-accepted sermons are those that teach the false prosperity theory. The Christ-centered teachings that emphasize the faith and obedience required to have a steadfast relationship with Christ are rarely preached.

Recognizing Changes in Your Relationship with Christ

For many Christians, their relationship with Christ is in Spiritual Bankruptcy and sadly, they never even recognized the change. Recently I listened to a pastor who lives by this creed, “Not my will, O God, but your will be done.” This faithful prayer of daily surrender along with praying for strength and guidance several times a day, studying the Bible, and asking for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to reveal the unrighteousness in your character is the lifestyle we must embrace to prepare for eternal life.

Our Spiritual Assignment: God has called us to witness to those who are lost in sin. For us to witness, we must have an active relationship with Christ based on the power of the Holy Spirit, a life of much prayer, and knowledge of the Scriptures. Our testimony of Jesus Saves encourages others to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Preparing for eternity requires morning and evening worship which invites the presence of God into our hearts, minds, and souls.

Listening to sermons cannot replace the need for daily Bible Study. The lack of Scriptural knowledge makes us an easy target for Satan’s deceptions. “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The Bible is the greatest Book of all times! In Matthew chapter 24 and the book of Revelation, Jesus forewarns us of the prophetic signs of living in the last days and the end times right before His Second Coming.

2 Peter 3 Scoffers [Mockers]

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9

Sadly, many believers have Scoffer’s Mentality—not with spoken words, but our pursuits reveal that we lack the spiritual insight to recognize the signs of the last days. Spiritual bankruptcy is not easily recognized by the person—because we cannot judge our shortcomings. We are unaware of the decline in our relationship with Christ because we measure ourselves against self-made standards. In fact, we think that all is well with our soul and are prepared to receive our reward of Eternal life.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” —Jeremiah 17:9

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” —Romans 7:15

Focusing on ourselves is a powerful distraction and is driven by our natural, carnal hearts. Not only do we have external battles from Satan’s fiery darts of spiritual warfare, but our minds are an internal battlefield. We do not have the power to overcome our sinful inclinations without praying for the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit.

How can we determine if we are in spiritual bankruptcy?

  1. Reflect on your lifestyle. Where does God fit into your daily agenda? Is He first?
  2. Our prayers reveal the status of our hearts. The daily prayer of surrender is one in which we commit to do God’s will.
  3. Studying the Bible requires time and effort. Through prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit who gives us discernment of the Scriptures in our times of worship with God.
  4. Love and faith in God are the catalysts for obedience. To obey God is a steadfast decision to actively follow the commandments and precepts of God.
  5. Every believer has received a spiritual calling from God. We fulfill our calling by using our gifts and innate talents to glorify God by serving others.

Change is inevitable! Yet, not all change is negative. Spiritual change is necessary in our earthly journey with Christ.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” —Revelation 22:12

From our willingness to have spiritual growth and transformation, the Holy Spirit uses our love for God, our faith, obedience, and His power to change us into the likeness of Christ. Our perception of God begins to change—we perceive Him as Righteous and Holy—and we pursue righteousness.

Yes, our desires change and we make choices that align with the will of God. Spiritual growth is demonstrated by a lifestyle of modesty and self-control which shows reverence and honor to the Holy God we esteem above all others. We glorify God through our kind demeanor, gentle spoken words, and godly actions.

The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and discernment of God’s Truth as we seek knowledge from the Scriptures. One of the most exciting changes is when we can recognize the Holy Spirit speaking to us through our thoughts. To be close to God by abiding in Christ has its benefits and blessings.

To prevent spiritual bankruptcy, we desperately need help from the Holy Spirit to establish and maintain our relationship with Christ. Through our commitment and surrender, we will experience spiritual growth which exceeds all possible human projections. “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

Bible Study: 2 Peter 3

Prayer: God, we pray for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge that we cannot recognize the signs of spiritual decline. We pray for the strength to restructure our lives so that we can live righteously every day as we prepare for Jesus’ Coming. We love You. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Jesus, The Lamb of God

Jesus, The Lamb of God Sabbath Devotional Reading, June 23-24, 2023

For most of my life, I have possessed a sense of dread when thinking about the prophetic visions that the Apostle John was given in Revelation. Thankfully, in January, God intervened and allowed me to enroll in a free six-month spiritually intensive, online guided study of the Book of Revelation by Pastor Mark Finley. My dread has turned into joyful anticipation!

The Book of Revelation identifies that Jesus Wins and Satan Loses the Spiritual Battle of God versus Evil. Sin and evil will be abolished. The Bible leaves no room for doubt: God will destroy the wicked! “Though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed” (Psalm 92). There is no eternally burning hell [ Read Malachi 4:1 and Revelation 20:7-9]. The battle was won on the Cross when Jesus, the Lamb said, “It is Finished!” Hallelujah! Amen!

Revelation is filled with heavenly promises for the righteous!

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

The purpose of the book of Revelation and the prophecies are for our spiritual preparation while on this earth. In John chapter 14, Jesus promises to prepare a forever home for us and that He would come to give the faithful their reward [Revelation 22:12]. Yes, those who have loved Jesus and renounced sin by seeking and obeying “God’s Will” receive immortality and live in the New Heaven and New Earth forever and ever with Jesus, the Lamb of God.

All Things Made New—Revelation 21:1-5

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ “

Revelation fills us with hope! Jesus knows that our earthly journey is tough! Still, He has revealed the most wonderful visions of the New Heaven and New Earth so we will not become discouraged and hopeless. All Christians should be excited about the heavenly future. Our spiritual goal is to see and live with King Jesus.

The Lamb of God

Throughout the book of Revelation, many verses are referring to the Lamb. Who or what does the Lamb represent?

John the apostle who wrote the book of Revelation is the same disciple who wrote the Gospel of John [He refers to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved] answers our question in John chapter 1, verse 29: “The next day John [this is John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” —John 1:29.

From reading the Four Gospels, we have documentation from two of Jesus’ disciples and two of Jesus’ followers who witnessed John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, the Lamb of God. The record of John the Baptist and his baptism of Jesus occurs not only in Matthew 3:13–17 but in Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22, and John 1:29–34.

John the Disciple Also Describes Jesus as the Eternal Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” —John 1:1-5

End Time Events

John, the Apostle while exiled on the Isle of Patmos was taken into vision and shown the events that will happen at the end of time [before Jesus comes] including the rise of a counterfeit religious system represented by the Beast, the Second Coming of Jesus, Destruction of Satan and the wicked, and the beautiful New Heaven and New Earth.

After Jesus comes and the righteous live in heaven for one thousand literal years: Despite the false teaching of an eternal hell and our lack of understanding of God’s definition of “forever when referring to wickedness”, Revelation chapter 20, verses 13-15 describes the Second Death which is the annihilation of all sin. Satan, his angels, and the wicked will be literally destroyed.

Life for the Redeemed!

In Revelation chapter 19, verse 11, John writes, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, He judges and makes war.” But Jesus also allowed John to see the Holy City and the New Heaven and the New Earth.

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” —Revelation 19:16

“They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ ” —Revelation 15:3

Who are “They?” The Apostle John provides us with the answer in verse 2. “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” —Revelation 15:2. [Fire is a symbol of the Presence of God. See Exodus 13:21.]

“They” are the redeemed saints who overcame all of Satan’s temptations and upheld God’s Truth in their hearts [minds] despite the false doctrines that flood the earth right before Jesus comes again. Yes, the righteous saints who were faithful and obedient to God’s commandments, and loyal to God even if it meant dying for their beliefs are “standing on the sea of glass having the harps of God.”

Jesus, the Lamb of God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords is the heart and soul of the entire Bible, not only in the Four Gospels and the book of Revelation.

The Bible provides us with a spiritual foundation of the Love, Grace, Mercy, and Character of Jesus, the Lamb, our Lord, and Savior. A starting point for studying the life of Christ—the Books of Genesis and the Four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We cannot be faithful to Christ or fulfill our calling and service of discipleship without a firm knowledge of who Christ is and the Scriptural promises. When we are indecisive about surrendering our total mind, body, and soul to Christ, we view Revelation as condemnation.

Revelation Causes the Righteous to Rejoice!

“Fear God, give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” — Revelation 14:7

When our lives are in alignment with the will of God, the book of Revelation provides the blessed hope of eternal life for the righteous who strived to be faithful and obedient in their earthly lives. Even though we have failed in our obedience to God, we can begin a new life in Christ by repenting of our sins right now and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior.  

“My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” —Isaiah 26:9

The Bible is a Treasury of God’s Love, Redemption, Promises, and Power

As humans, we have a lot of responsibilities to attend to, but it’s important to prioritize our salvation. Eliminate any distractions that hinder your ability to worship and honor God every day. Dedicate yourself to studying the Bible and gaining knowledge about Jesus, the Lamb of God. Our ultimate spiritual objectives should be to develop a loving relationship with Christ and secure our place in His Eternal Kingdom.

  1. Make a definitive plan to begin studying Genesis and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Consistent Bible study is a matter of the heart. We get rid of distractions and set aside time to begin and build our spiritual relationship with Jesus because our heart is filled with love for the Lamb of God.
  2. The timeline for studying these five books of the Bible should be at least six months. Do not rush through your journey of learning! Studying the Bible produces spiritual transformation. As an infant matures into a child and then an adult, we grow daily according to the Holy Spirit’s determination.
  3. Narrow your focus by getting rid of distractions and choose a secluded place to study.  “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6). Although this verse refers to praying when studying the Bible, one needs solitude to receive spiritual clarity from the Holy Spirit.
  4. Always pray and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher to give you wisdom and discernment of the Truth. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” —John 14:26
  5. Do not be intimidated by the complexity of the Scriptures. Use your measure of faith to believe that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit will give you spiritual discernment of every Scripture you study. The Holy Spirit never overwhelms us. Pray if you do not understand the Scriptures. You may or may not receive your answer immediately. The Holy Spirit is creative and has many ways to reveal the wisdom of the Bible. Use your faith to trust Him!
  6. Recommendation: From personal experience, Do not discuss your studies with other individuals until you have a firm knowledge of the Scriptures. Forget traditional beliefs and avoid erroneous ideas! Satan will use others to give you their interpretation of the Scriptures to discourage you and fill your mind with doubt and confusion. Rely totally on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We are guaranteed that the Spirit of God will reveal all truth to us.
  7. Always acquiesce and let the Spirit of God lead and direct you: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7)
  8. Studying the Scriptures transforms your mind, heart, and life!

King David proclaimed: “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.” —Psalm 119:10-12

Brothers and Sisters, We Are Nearing Home!

For us to accept Righteousness by Faith which serves as a foundation of our salvation and spiritual growth, we must know more about Jesus Christ. Diligently studying the Bible, much praying, along with the desire to surrender, obey, and give our hearts to Jesus is the only way we will be standing on the Sea of Glass worshiping King Jesus, the Most Precious Lamb of God!

Scripture Reading: “And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” —Revelation 22:12-14

Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for giving the apostle John the visions that reveal Your Victory over hell, death, and the grave. We also thank You for Your great sacrifice so that we may be saved from the wages of sin and have the opportunity if we choose to live with You forever and ever. Lord, we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We ask for strength, wisdom, and the discernment of the Holy Scriptures. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps2successwithsolutions.com and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Sabbath Devotional—Crowns and Robes for the Righteous

Sabbath Devotional Reading and Podcast—Crowns and Robes for the Righteous

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ ” —Matthew 25:34

We are not only in a continuous struggle against spiritual warfare but must also fight against the inner desires of our hearts. Satan promotes the pleasures of this world because he knows his destiny. His goal is to prevent us from receiving our crown, robe, and eternal life.

Our situation may appear hopeless because we failed to overcome spiritual warfare and the battle within from inheriting deceitful and desperately wicked hearts. Yet, we are not in a losing predicament because we have a Savior, Jesus Christ.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” —Deuteronomy 31:8

As our Heavenly Father, Jesus protects us from the many satanic attacks that we know nothing about. Christ has assigned His army of angels to fight our spiritual battles [seen and unseen]. To receive Divine help in our activities of daily living, we place our thoughts and strategies aside by praying every day for God’s Divine Intervention for guidance and protection.

“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

The word, “Abide” may be a mystery to us. What does it mean to abide in Christ? Self-reliance is not included in the Plan of Salvation. Throughout the Scriptures, we read that Jesus stayed connected to God by praying without ceasing. He always sought to do His Father’s will even unto death. To abide in Christ is to surrender ourselves and rely on Him through prayer and consecration.

Total Obedience is required to receive our crown and robe. We were created to be spiritually dependent on God. Without the human effort of staying connected to Jesus by surrendering ourselves in faith, trust, and obedience, we do not have a fighting chance of overcoming the temptations which are designed to make us sin. Pray to stay connected to Christ!

“If you love Me, keep my commandments.” —John 14:15

A relationship with Christ is based on love. And from our love for Him, we make a covenant to become a disciple. We are followers of a Savior who created us from love. Jesus was aware that Adam and Eve would fall. Yet because of His love for all of humanity, He gave His life—for us to overcome sin and live eternally with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.

The Apostle Paul tells us, I die daily. And we must also commit to die daily to the sinful desires and temporary pleasures of this earthly life. To remain steadfast requires the strength of Jesus Christ. Our commitment is renewed every day through our prayer of surrender.

Starting the day off with God requires our first prayer to be one of surrendering to God’s will. In humility, we admit our weaknesses and ask for the anointing, power, presence, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Lord, I belong to You, please reveal Your will for me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The Holy Spirit gives us Divine strength to overcome covert temptations. Yet, we must put forth the effort to live holy and acceptable lives that are pleasing to the Lord by rejecting sin. Staying on the Path of Righteousness is not easy! Never limit the times you pray throughout the day and evening! We may have to pray several times a day to gain victory over sin. In prayer, present even the little things to Christ for His Divine guidance.

For today’s Christians, Satan is using another obstacle to prevent us from receiving our crown and robe. Worrying and feeling anxious about the declining status of our global economies distracts us and diminishes our faith in God. Violence, famine, social injustice, and climate change are not in our power to change.

This is our Father’s world! Biblical prophecies forewarn us of the changes which indicate we are moving forward toward Jesus’ Second Coming. Study Matthew chapter 24 and 2nd Timothy chapter 3.

Facing opposition is harder when our minds are overwhelmed with life’s challenges. Nor can we focus on Christ when constantly thinking about the pending status of the future. We do not have to watch or listen to every newscast. Yes, the global economy is failing. Without warning, we may lose our jobs and earthly possessions. Worrying about our lives and the future prevents preparation for eternal life. Jesus says, “Take no thought for tomorrow.”

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles [Unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 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 6:31-34).

Many lose out on their blessings of daily strength and the gift of peace because they are overthinking tomorrow, the next month, and the next year. Never allow the vicissitudes of life to make you lose sight of receiving your crown and robe. Verbalize your faith, “Today, I will have Victory through Christ!”

The Apostle James gives us wisdom on the downside of making plans for the future without God’s Divine blessings.

Do Not Boast About Tomorrow [The Sin of Presumption]

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow;’ we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil (James 4:13-16).

Two important aspects of living as a follower of Christ are our love for Him as demonstrated by our daily Prayer of Surrender and living day-by-day. The future belongs to God. Faithfully trust and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit for this day.

Tomorrow is not promised to us. One future event requires intentional focus, preparation, and joyful anticipation—the Second Coming of King Jesus. Surrender and Faithful Obedience to Christ will be rewarded with a forever Crown and the Robe of Righteousness.

Scriptures: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” —1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12

Prayer: God, we are inundated with the worries of tomorrow. Lord, our faith is weak. We desperately need Your Divine Intervention to change our focus. Today, we surrender ourselves to You. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Please give us peace and spiritual direction. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2023 Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

Think About It First

They say what the world needs is love, sweet love. Although I wholeheartedly agree, I would like to add another character trait that is in short supply and that is patience. Most of us are victims to the “hurry up with it, I have other things to do” mindset. Even so, I came across some profound advice, “Unless it is an emergency, think about it for at least 24 hours and the possible consequences that may follow from you making that decision.”

For the believer in God, every decision that we make is either for God or against God. Within that 24 hours, we must go to God in prayer and ask for His will. There are few absolutes in life. We can know this for sure that we can never hurry God. And there is one more absolute truth, every mistake that we have made in our lives is because we did not ask God or we did not wait for God’s answer.

And for those like myself who lack the virtue of patience, God has no problem letting us make the mistake. He knows that when we are drowning in the Sea of Consequences, we will pray the SMS–Save My Soul prayer. Thankfully, He forgives us with loving grace and mercies. Still, we may suffer the full impact from our disobedience.

Last night during worship, it was the Holy Spirit who taught me this profound fact of life. Every decision that you make is either for God or against God. The imagery was the train crossing with the flashing red lights with the barrier coming down warning of the pending train traveling at an unknown speed. I am thankful that our Heavenly Father’s love is overprotective.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourself this day whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15

Prayer: God, we ask for forgiveness for excluding you from our lives. We are suffering the consequences of misguided decisions based on impatience. Please come to our rescue. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

Receive Your Sabbath Blessings

God, we thank you for the blessing of the Sabbath day. We pray to receive peace as we extend agape Love to others. We pray for each individual that is in conflict regarding the 7th day Sabbath. We love you. Please accept our worship of humility and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.