Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 26, 2024
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29
“He came as the Divine Restorer, bringing to oppressed and downtrodden humanity the rich and abundant grace of Heaven, that by the power of His righteousness, man, fallen and degraded though he was, might be a partaker of divinity…” Unlike Earthly Kingdoms Devotional Reading
“With a heart ever touched with the feelings of our infirmities, an ear ever open to the cry of suffering humanity, a hand ever ready to save the discouraged and despairing, Jesus, our Saviour, ‘went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38)….And all who are members of the kingdom of Christ will represent Him in character and disposition.” Unlike Earthly Kingdoms Devotional Reading
Studying and meditating on the life of Christ is the foundation of our heart-to-heart relationship with Him. In fact, His life and character are so important to our spiritual growth and transformation, that we have the perspective of four disciples who documented the ministry of Christ to ordinary [and rejected] people who desperately needed a Savior.
To fall in love with Jesus repeatedly, study the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then read the Apostle John’s vision of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God in Revelation 5.
Worthy Is the Lamb: “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb…” (Revelation 5:1-6, NIV).
To prepare ourselves to worship Jesus, our Triumphant King eternally, we should honor Christ through love, loyalty, praise, and worship daily on earth.
Prayer: Jesus, You are the Lamb, our Savior, and King. With gratitude, we praise You for all You have done for us. You are our First Love. In Your Holy Name, we honor You, Amen.
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” —2 Corinthians 5:7
Lord, on Your Holy Sabbath Day, we pray for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit to fall on believers throughout this world. And we pray that You will knock on the door of the hearts of those who are facing hardships, grieving, and feeling as if they have no purpose for living. Bless us as we rest from the labors and cares of our lives. Jesus, You are our First Love. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 20, 2024
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” —Joshua 1:8
Enoch walked with God because he was determined to live a righteous life. God says, “I change not…” so we must have confidence that God will empower us to live righteously when we pray for Divine strength. Enoch’s strength was from the Holy Spirit, still, his courage and determination remained steadfast because his heart overflowed with love for God.
“Your strength and growth in grace come only from one source—God…It is our privilege to stand with the light of heaven upon us. It was no easier for Enoch to live a righteous life than it is for us at the present time. The world in his time was no more favorable to growth in grace and holiness than it is now. It was by prayer and communion with God that Enoch was enabled to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.” From One Source Only Devotional, EGW
As a baby is attached to its mother by an umbilical cord receiving life-giving nutrients, our love for Christ and daily covenant vow to obey God’s Law and seek His plans keep us spiritually attached to Christ. To receive Jesus’ strength requires established boundaries and adherence to God’s Commandments and Righteous Principles. It is a free-will decision to receive the Life-saving nutrients the Holy Spirit gives.
God’s Condition of Participation: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). From the creation of Adam and Eve to now, God has always required obedience without compromise. Without faithful obedience, our earthly lives are lived in vain because the Holy Spirit cannot transform our characters into the likeness of Christ.
“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
Moving forward in our journey of Sanctification—spiritual growth and transformation and being covered by the righteousness of Christ is conditional. Yes, Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross fulfilled the Ceremonial Law of animal sacrifice, still, the Plan of Redemption requires a daily sacrifice of obedience. In humility, we surrender our will to God. Obedience is the sacrificial offering we bring to God and is a covenant that must be renewed daily.
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…’ ” —Revelation 3:17
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ” (Matthew 25:44).
We were given the spiritual assignments of making disciples and helping those in need. Many of today’s Christian believers lack the spirit of humility required to be faithful and obedient disciples. But the Holy Spirit cannot enter an unclean vessel. Only an unconverted heart shows disregard for Christ’s sacrifice, the plan of Redemption, and God’s grace and mercies by striving to fulfill desires opposing God’s will.
“For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” —Matthew 16:27
From studying Revelation 19, verses 11-16, we learn that Christ fulfills another Role as the Righteous Judge who will cleanse the earth of all prevailing wickedness. This is the rest of the story that we rarely hear in sermons. Do not entrust your salvation to anyone but God! To be in the right standing with God eliminates all fear of the Judgment. The Righteous are looking forward to living with our Triumphant King of kings. Amen.
“A storm is coming, relentless in its fury. Are we prepared to meet it?” —The Great Controversy
With a made-up mind, we press on every day moving forward step-by-step in the power of His Might! Living a consecrated life filled with prayer, fasting, and surrender invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with Christ’s Supernatural Strength. We desperately need to remain steadfast to prepare for the pending End Time prophecies revealed in Daniel and Revelation.
The Time is Near: Now is the time to commit ourselves wholly to God asking for New Beginnings in our spiritual journey paved with surrender and obedience.
Jesus’ promise, “Behold, I make all things new.” Studying Revelation chapters 21-22 daily allows us to commit to memory our promised reward. Seeking and obeying God’s perfect plans enable us to receive victory over sin in this life and prepare us to receive the gift of immortality in the New Heaven and New Earth.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” —Revelation 22:20
Prayer: Lord, as we move forward in our step-by-step journey, we pray for wisdom, discernment, and the power to resist our internal desires and external temptations. As we prepare for Your soon coming, we pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God, we dedicate ourselves to You and promise to give You the glory, honor, and praise through daily surrender and obedience. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 10, 2024
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” —John 14:6
When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we acquiesce to His Supreme Authority. To come to Christ is a definitive choice to let go of your thoughts, your will, and your ways. The cost of discipleship is to live a sacrificial life of self-denial. God requires that we surrender our mind, body, and soul—Christ must be the Lord of all three.
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” —Romans 5:18-19
Only two classifications of believers exist—Abel who diligently obeyed God and remained steadfast even though it cost his life. He will receive the Crown of Life when Jesus comes again. Cain believed but never surrendered to God, his disobedience resulted in making an audacious and irreverent sacrifice to God which was rejected. Cain’s disobedience escalated into unstoppable hatred that provoked the act of murdering Abel, his brother.
“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15, NLT). We can never control sin! We lose the mind of Christ and harbor desires that reveal the true status of our hearts. A compromised heart of sin always follows its own course.
“I, the LORD, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” —Jeremiah 17:10
New Age religion says, No worries, Grace covers our intentional sins. “So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound?” Paul replies with a resounding “God forbid” (Romans 6:2). We are the only created beings who refuse to obey the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe. Ask the Holy Spirit, “Right now, where do I stand with God?”
“…You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Just As I Am, I came to Jesus, but I cannot stay Just As I Am. In Romans 6:22, the apostle Paul describes Christians as slaves to God, and uses the metaphor of slavery to describe the Christian life. Either we are slaves to Christ or slaves to sin. We must climb out of the valley of indecision by choosing who we will give our love and loyalty to, God or ourselves.
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ ” —Matthew 26:39, ESV
Surrender and Obedience are the only daily sacrifices God has ever accepted. If Jesus, God, the Son in His earthly life had to live an impoverished life and suffer death from crucifixion to save our souls then as the recipients of the Plan of Redemption, we are expected to give ourselves fully to God. We are running out of time! Nothing in this fleeting world is worth sacrificing our Crown of Life for.
“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
God, we desperately need Your Divine strength to return to a life of righteousness. We confess and repent of our wayward and wilful sins against You. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, Your only Son. We ask You to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so we may be transformed into the image of Christ. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus. Amen.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” —Revelation 22:16-17
Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – June 8, 2024
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” —Revelation 14:12
God has a remnant of surrendered, obedient, commandment-keeping saints who pray daily for the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit. They live a Christ-centered, sacrificial life, diligently praying, and studying the Scriptures. They also have “the faith of Jesus. “The faith of Jesus” refers to Christ’s Righteousness and His love for the world.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). We choose to have the Mind of Christ by renouncing sin and refusing to give in to our desires. The Righteousness of Christ includes loving God, loving others, and loving ourselves. Pray to see others through the loving and compassionate eyes of Christ who died for all. “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Although our lives are filled with various temptations, we do not have to sin. Striving to be a saint on earth allows Christ to fulfill His Role in our spiritual transformation (Philippians 1:6). With a made-up mind, we choose to be part of the remnant who the apostle John saw standing on the Sea of Glass. With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit and the angels work 24/7 to transform our minds and characters.
“The character of Christ is an infinitely perfect character, and He must be lifted up, He must be brought prominently into view, for He is the power, the might, the sanctification and righteousness of all who believe in Him.”—Manuscript 27, 1889.
The Fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23] is the Righteous Attribute of Christ and evidence that our characters are changing. From the willingness to follow Christ, the righteous receive many promises: The Holy Spirit’s guidance, courage for their daily journey, empowerment to overcome temptation, strength to persevere in character-molding trials and mental and emotional healing [these conditions impede spiritual growth].
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” —Isaiah 58:11
To be led by the Holy Spirit is the reward for a lifestyle of worshiping God through faithful obedience. The “Beginning of Sorrows” [Jesus described in Matthew 24], and Perilous Times [2 Timothy 3] are right now. In times like these, we desperately need Jesus. Our salvation calls for a steadfast rejection of sin and lifting up the Name of Jesus! Tell yourself every day, “I am going to heaven!”
God’s remnant saints are not fearful nor overconfident, their faith and trust is in Christ who promises victory even through times of persecution. Brothers and Sisters, we are nearing Home! Yes! We are nearing Home! Amen.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3
Lord God, Thank You for Your unfailing loving-kindness. Teach us how to love. We ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this Sabbath Holy Day. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 4, 2024
“The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.…” —Psalm 19:7-8
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ ” —Psalm 27:7-8
Recently, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand Agape love. In the stillness of the approaching sunset, the Holy Spirit led me to study verses on the Law—the Testimony in the Psalms. As I reflected deeply on these Scriptures, I felt an overwhelming appreciation for the love of God and His Role as our Heavenly Father.
“The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.” —Psalm 119:57-58
David was a true worshiper. He knew the Testimonies expressed God’s love for humanity. We exist because of an Agape love so phenomenal that our Heavenly Father gave us His Law to protect us from the destruction of our moral character and guide us on the Path of Righteousness from earth to heaven.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world.” —1 John 5:3-4
God is Truth and His Law is Truth. Our faith is the catalyst for accepting and obeying God’s Laws without doubting or questioning their validity. We have been deceived into believing that Grace abolished the Law. Obeying the Testimonies of God is our Spiritual Surety to receiving daily victory over temptation and self-gratification and ensures that we hear and obey the Voice of God.
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.” —Psalm 119:2
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul…” Faithful obedience is the response that demonstrates an appreciation of God’s Law and love. Once we grasp the magnitude of God’s love and His purpose for our lives, our worship is intentional—seeking God and doing His will is our priority. “The path of obedience to God is the path of safety and happiness.” Every day God desires to shower down much-needed blessings of spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment.
Our love and loyalty are the gateway to the Holy Spirit opening our understanding of “great and mighty things that we do not know.” If we say, yes, to God then we receive the spiritual benefits of the gift of Redemption—Divine Help is freely given. From our willingness to surrender, we have the assurance the Holy Spirit will convert our hearts, minds, and characters in preparation for Eternal life.
Even with Divine Help, our spiritual journey is tumultuous, we face spiritual warfare every day. Still, we must stand firm in our conviction to live holy. Thankfully, Christ limits Satan’s attacks, he cannot strive against the righteous continuously. Because our natural eyes cannot perceive the unseen, every believer has a guardian angel whose mission is to protect.
Jesus knows every temptation we face and commands the heavenly messenger angels to fight Satan’s evil angels, protecting us from the perdition of spiritual warfare and physical harm. Satan’s power is greater than ever imagined! Yes, we have angels who fight against spiritual warfare, yet, we must fulfill our role as fighting soldiers who renounce sin—we will always be the target of the enemy.
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael [Jesus]…came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” —Daniel 10:13
In Daniel, chapter 10, the angel sent to reveal the interpretation of Daniel’s dream explains he was delayed in Persia. King Cyrus was appointed by God to give the decree to emancipate the Nation of Israel when their 70 years of captivity came to fruition. “The prince of the kingdom of Persia” is Satan who easily influences unbelievers. Satan’s plan was to convince King Cyrus not to end the Jew’s Babylonian enslavement.
God asks, “…Who then is able to stand against Me? …” —Job 41:10
For 21 days, Satan fought against Christ’s angel over Cyrus’ mind to prevent him from fulfilling God’s command. Michael represents Jesus who came to earth to intervene and stand down Satan’s power over Cyrus’ mind. From this revelation of Scripture, we understand God’s Omnipotence, satanic power, and our role in overcoming sin.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:10-11
The apostle Paul compares our earthly lives to a battle, and it is! Every day, we face spiritual warfare. Satan’s power is evident by the rapid moral decline and the escalation of corruption and natural disasters. Yet, his goal is to gain control of the believer’s mind. The controversy between good and evil is not physical. It is a spiritual battle of the mind. When tempted, whether or not we succumb is the result of a conscious decision to choose right or wrong.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” —Psalm 37:23
The tug of war in our conscience arises when our minds are conflicted—temptation reveals our moral weaknesses. We are not tempted by the things we do not desire. Still, none can be compelled by Satan to sin. If we are not grounded in Christ and live a life guided by the Testimonies then Satan’s minuscule efforts easily make us fall. If we cooperate with the Heavenly agencies then we receive God’s Power to overcome sin.
“I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.…” —Psalm 119:59
The Law of God guides our thoughts and behaviors to align with the Righteousness of Christ, still, we must choose to obey. Sanctification is the daily process of being restored into the image of Christ and is orchestrated by the power of the Holy Spirit. Daily we cooperate with Divinity in the transformation of our characters. Loving and obeying God’s Law, loving others, and possessing the Fruit of the Spirit, are must-haves to receive our Crown of Life.
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.…” —Psalm 119:97-98, BSB
To understand Agape love requires hearts that reciprocate God’s love. Our sacrificial offering of self-denial is love for God. To perceive life through natural eyes is to choose destruction. Spiritual wisdom empowers us to discern life through God’s eyes. Our pursuit of Christ’s Righteousness must be relentless. In Christ’s name, our love propels us to stand for God despite the circumstances.
Understanding the plan of Salvation and the purpose of the Testimonies motivates us to give our all to Christ through surrender and faithful obedience. Human effort and Divine Intervention are required to save our souls. God is faithful and we must vow to also be faithful.
When we think of God’s love and goodness our only possible response is to whisper prayers of surrender and sing praises of gratitude for Jesus’ Amazing Love and His Righteous Precepts. Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” —Revelation 3:21, NIV
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