Jesus is Lord – Page 14 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

The Righteous Cry Out!

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 20, 2024

“LORD, I cry out to You; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” —Psalm 141:1-2

Psalm 141 is David’s prayer asking God to keep him safe from the wickedness that existed in his environment. “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds.”

David was aware that our greatest battle is to overcome the influence of the unbelievers whom Satan uses to entice us into worldly conversations and activities that later we will need to repent for. We live in a time when spiritual wickedness permeates our societies. We cannot overcome the constant stream of temptations without God’s Divine intervention.

David’s life began as a humble and obedient shepherd boy in the pastures playing his harp and singing songs to God. Young David demonstrated wisdom and courage beyond his years because God had chosen him to be king of Israel. From his obedience and a slingshot, an angel of the Lord guided the stone to kill Goliath, the terrorizing Philistine giant. David’s 15 years living as a fugitive in caves [King Saul desired to kill David] prepared him to become a mighty warrior King that God would use to defeat pagan kings and their armies.

The Fall of King David: Compromise always changes our perception of right and wrong. We lose our ability to discern between God’s Truth and erroneous beliefs. Instead of measuring our behaviors by God’s righteous principles, we measure ourselves using human standards. David’s practice of polygamy fed his carnal desires and corrupted his moral code. Even when David was told that Bathsheba was married, he continued in his quest.

The Domino Effect of Sin: How did David, a man of God easily commit these heinous sins? It is impossible to engage in sin and think about God. Sin makes us [temporarily] forget that God exists. Sin desensitizes our sound minds and leaves us powerless. Sin causes spiritual blindness and numbs our perception of the magnitude of our wilful rebellion against God.

In Jeremiah, God says that the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. It is easier for us to choose wrong over right. Without humility, a believer relies on self-confidence and human strength to overcome the personalized and pleasing temptations that Satan develops from our observable behaviors.

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

Jesus tells us that we are not powerless! No one including Satan can force us to sin. When facing temptation the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience and we feel uncomfortable in the situation. As believers, we can never say that we did not know that we were being tempted. When tempted, begin praying out loud for God’s help and remove yourself from the person or place.

If we do not stand down our carnal desires by falling on our knees and praying for as long as necessary for spiritual strength, our senses will draw us into the web of temptation. We see, hear, taste, smell, touch, and if we do not pray and turn away, we pursue, and then we fall.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23-24

Since we cannot judge ourselves, we must go to God in prayer, and ask for the big reveal of our sinful habits and behaviors. The Holy Spirit will always reveal our sins. Pray for spiritual discernment to understand sin for what it really is, transgression against God. To overcome temptation requires the human effort of practicing self-control and praying for spiritual strength without ceasing.

Acknowledging that we are in a spiritual battle for our soul should produce a come to the Throne of Grace reaction. Like David, falling on our knees and petitioning for help, “LORD, I cry out to You; make haste to me!” is our only option. We need God! Living in these last days is a struggle, wickedness has increased, and we are Satan’s targets.

Now more than ever, we desperately need a steadfast relationship with Christ. Increasing our prayer life, studying the Scriptures at least one hour a day, and incorporating spiritual fasting into our lifestyle allows the Holy Spirit to give us reinforcement against the enemy.

The Discipline of Fasting: Every believer should fast at least once a week. Unless your health is severely compromised, Biblical fasting is abstaining from food. Fasting is self-denial and places our flesh into subjection. Fasting is worship. We also pray, study the Scriptures, and set aside all electronic distractions for a specified time.

Begin with 2 to 4 hours of fasting and pray a prayer of consecration and re-dedication to God. Fasting connects us to Christ, strengthens our minds, and gives us spiritual discipline. With determination and the strength of the Holy Spirit, we let go of sinful thoughts, behaviors, and habits.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.” —Psalm 51:3-4

David repented for his sins. Although God’s judgment demanded death, through His loving mercies He spared David’s life, but David suffered greatly for his sins. God placed a lifelong curse of strife in his household. Although sin brings life-changing consequences, God never crushes us and leaves us hopeless, nor will our Heavenly Father allow the enemy to harm us.

From the book of Psalms, we learn of David’s intimate relationship with God. Each chapter is a song of prayer. From his rebellion against God, David learned the believer’s greatest need, to stay close to God. King David recognized and continuously proclaimed his desperate need for the Lord.

David’s prayers were cries for God’s forgiveness, intervention, comfort, guidance, protection, deliverance, and the wisdom to live righteously. God’s favor was on the life of David because he truly loved God. And God described David as a man after God’s own heart.

Reflection: Are we women and men after God’s own heart? In our daily struggles of life, do we continuously cry out for God’s Divine Intervention? Would our prayers comprise a book of 150 chapters?

Not only do we have the Book of Psalms dedicated to honoring God with prayers and praises of love and gratitude, but David’s prayers exemplify humanity’s desperate need for God’s continuous Divine Intervention in every aspect of our lives.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” —Psalm 119:105

Although he was a born warrior, David was never ashamed or too proud to reveal his desperation for God. From the diligent study of the Old Testament Scriptures, David knew God’s Character was Loving, Righteous, and Merciful. King David humbled himself before God and cried out like a child who was totally dependent on his parents. David’s reverence of God’s Sovereignty is a living example for every child of God.

“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

The book of Psalms reveals the key to living a victorious life—possessing a heart filled with love for God as evidenced by our absolute reverence and devout obedience. We should be forever grateful for the Plan of Redemption. With contrite hearts, every day, we repent, receive forgiveness, renew our covenant vow to follow and obey Christ, and we are covered by the righteousness of Christ. Hallelujah! Amen!

“Create in me, a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10

Taking Control of Our Thoughts

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 18, 2024

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”. —Philippians 4:8

“Every day, our minds are flooded with a constant stream of thoughts, ranging from mundane daily tasks to deeper contemplations about life and the world around us. According to research, the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day.” (Insight)

Anxiety and worries reflect the internal helplessness we feel regarding our lives. Unexpected life events, job instability, financial debt, troubled family dynamics, and an unstable marriage represent a few situations that cause us to worry and lose sleep. Yet, anxious thoughts about the unknown future plague the minds of 76% of adults and 60% of younger people.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Yes, we live in a world where political corruption, social unrest, natural events, and unstable economies prevail, and to add fuel to the fire, many times we also suffer the consequences of using our escalated thoughts for resolution. When our emotions rise above our rational thoughts, we will perceive even our routine challenges as out-of-control events.

“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

Do not embrace your thoughts! Use your mustard-seed faith by accepting Christ’s invitation and immediately pray. Form the habit of letting your first response be prayer. Pray an honest prayer, confess your true feelings, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength. Close your eyes and meditate on the past victories God has given to you and your family. God is Faithful!

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 37:17-19

To live as overcomers, we must change our mindset of “How am I going to resolve this situation?” When we include God in the routine activities of daily life, our immediate response to the vicissitudes of life will be to stop and pray. Still, we must have a spiritual foundation of knowing Scriptural promises.

By studying the Scriptures, we embrace Christ’s promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” “Cast your cares on me…” The battle within our minds cannot withstand the power of the word of God. Take the focus off your thoughts by repeating out loud the Scriptures that promise God’s Divine Intervention.

Through prayer and Bible study, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual strength. Our mustard seed faith grows and our confidence builds as we learn to rely on God. Make a decision every day to place your trust in God. He knows every challenge that arises in our lives.

“When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” —Psalm 91:15

Do not become discouraged! We fall through self-reliance, our solutions fail—we repent, we are forgiven, and we move forward. Our spiritual journey is one of slowly moving forward in little steps every day. Using our faith is the only giant leap we take because God requires blind faith.

Talking to God throughout our waking hours with little prayers of gratitude and simply praying, “God, I need Your help!” are lifeline prayers. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Learn His character by studying the Old Testament stories of humanity’s defeats, God’s interventions, and the many victories they enjoyed.

Biblical knowledge plus faith in God changes our thoughts of defeat into courageous thoughts because we can rely on His Power. The Human Effort of faith, prayer, and Bible study plus God’s Divine Intervention always equals Victorious Outcomes.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for loving and caring for us. We relinquish our self-reliance by asking You to guide us in our daily lives. We surrender ourselves to Your will and plans. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.

Sabbath Blessings – The Lord’s Prayer

What Does God Require of Us?

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 16, 2024

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” —Ephesians 4:22-24

The Apostle Paul had the awesome task of witnessing to the Gentiles who did not begin their lives serving the true God. The Gentiles had varying lifestyles with a foundation deriving from polytheism, cultural, and social practices which included pagan worship and sexual immorality.

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety [proper or suitable], adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

The Gentiles had two distinct pagan customs, they were easily recognized by their immodest clothing, elaborate hairstyles, women with razor (bald) haircuts, and men with extremely long hair. In 1 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul also addresses the pagan custom of women shaving their heads and men growing long hair.

From the Scriptures, we learn that our outward appearance matters to God. Our desire to live righteously is displayed by choosing the excellence of simplicity and modesty. We honor God by our decision to avoid the worldliness of fashion trends. Although we will not fit in with the status quo, our love and loyalty are to God, and we live to please Him.

The Source of Our Internal Battle: “The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” —Jeremiah 17:9-10

Although our backgrounds are diverse, humanity has a commonality, we are born with carnal hearts. The behavior of children reveals our true nature. From the sibling who is jealous of the new baby to the child who refuses to share their toys and has a temper tantrum, we recognize the condition of our inherited hearts. The display of negative emotions in babies and young children is not a learned behavior.

The traits of jealousy, selfishness, and anger are present in all of our hearts which we must overcome with God’s Divine help. Our characters, minds, and personalities reflect the influence of hearts that desire sinful pleasures, hereditary traits, and the learned behaviors of our diverse environments. During the maturation process from childhood to adulthood, we are also influenced by our culture and the prevailing social customs, norms, and behaviors.

Our character matters to God. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” —1 Corinthians 6:19

How far are we willing to go for God? Christ has extended the invitation, “Follow Me.” “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). Our heart-to-heart relationship is with Christ. If we love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind then we eagerly dedicate ourselves to follow and obey Christ.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” —Romans 12:1-2

Accepting Christ as our Savior requires the human effort of giving up every habit, behavior, and relationship that does not honor God. Following Christ places us on a spiritual journey that requires cooperation with Divinity. No amount of human effort can achieve spiritual transformation. From our obedience, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit with strength beyond our human abilities to change.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” —Romans 8:26

Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ that requires the human effort of obedience and self-control, but is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. The prayer of daily surrender invites the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins and teach us how to live holy. To follow Christ is to live a sacrificial life. Pray often for Divine help.

Use Your Spiritual Gifts: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear [cowardice], but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [self-control].” —2 Timothy 1:7, BLB

If we can obey an employer’s policies without external help, then we can live surrendered, obedient lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our daily prayer, “God, what do You want me to do?” is answered by an outpouring of spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment. From our desire to faithfully obey God, we receive blessings from our Heavenly Father.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:1-2

What does God require of us? To love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, to love His Son, Jesus, to have a relationship with Him, to love our neighbors [everyone] as ourselves, and to have a righteous character.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” —Psalm 139:23-24

Yes! Our Heavenly Father Cares

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 15, 2024

“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” —Matthew 5:4

We can quote Scriptures to those who are hurting, but Jesus in His earthly life had an up close and personal ministry of encouragement and healing. The most effective way to witness our Heavenly Father’s love, grace, and mercies is through our personal testimonies. Did God heal you from an illness or provide for you and your family when you were laid off from your job? Someone who is feeling hopeless needs to know that Jesus cares.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ‘ ” —Matthew 11:28

We live in a world of uncertainties. Many feel as if they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Those who are discouraged need to know that although God sits on high, He is actively involved in our lives when we choose to include Him. Teach someone the simple but powerful prayer, God, I need your help. We have been appointed the spiritual assignment of sharing God’s love, I have some great news for you, our Heavenly Father cares, and you never have to face your burdens alone!

If we pay attention, we can see weariness on the strangers’ faces. Tell someone today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life that Jesus loves you, have a blessed day. If the person is receptive, ask if you can pray with them. It is the unplanned or impromptu conversations where the Holy Spirit does His greatest work. Not only are we blessed, but the Holy Spirit touches the person’s heart and gives them peace. Can you imagine feeling so overwhelmed that you are ready to give up and someone prays for you?

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

Love is a rare and precious commodity. It’s important to share with others, in person or on social media, that we have a loving Savior who is always ready to help us with life’s challenges. Sharing our testimonies reinforces our faith in God. Witnessing Christ’s love has its benefits, our faith grows, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us. When adversity comes knocking on our door, instead of feeling discouraged, we possess unwavering faith.

Experiential knowledge of God’s love and His promises to always provide fills our hearts with confidence and courage despite our tribulations. As we reflect on our lives and the many victories that God has given to us, we cannot keep His amazing love to ourselves. Every day comfort someone by telling them that our Heavenly Father cares. Truly God is love!

“…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” —Isaiah 43:1-3

Lord, we pray for the holy boldness to witness your love to those who are hurting and hopeless. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Standing As the Accused

Our Daily Walk with Christ – Devotional – February 14, 2023

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” —Psalm 118:6

Have you ever been falsely accused? It is a terrible feeling to know that you are innocent but unable to prove it. Our initial response will include feelings of anger or hurt to the accusations, still, we must follow Jesus’ example of maintaining silence. Pray and “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

In 1994, I interviewed for a nursing position in a transition program operated by the New York State Division of Parole. Four grueling interviews were required with the Deputy Director, the Assistant Deputy Director, the Administrator, and the Executive Director. Three months later, I received a phone call and an offer letter.

The Assistant Deputy Director, Mr. B. [who was a Christian] was assigned the task of my training which included recognizing the skillful art of manipulation used by the residents. On the first day, he shared something that placed me on high alert. The Administrator voted against hiring me because I was a Christian but used the covert explanation that “she did not have what it takes to work with this population.” Although it was illegal to discuss one’s religious beliefs when interviewing, it was evident by his response during the interview when he verbalized that a weak person [someone who did not have street life experience] would never make it on this job.

For the first year, the Administrator frequently made rounds to visit the Medical Clinic, but by the second year, his visits decreased to once a week. In the third year, I was accepted as a patient at a Dental school in New Jersey which required numerous appointments. Still, I prepared by saving my PTO time to use for the appointments. For a time, all was well on the job. But one morning when I arrived at work, my nursing colleague informed me that I had an appointment with the Administrator, he asked, “Okay what did you do?” We both laughed and I left for my appointment.

When I read the three-page disciplinary report, it was no laughing matter. In fact, I was shocked by its content. There were multiple infractions listed for 3 years, but the primary offense was my deliberate attempt to use PTO time that I did not have. Human Resources contacted the Administrator to relay that due to their error, I had used 32 hours of unaccrued time. And His response was to immediately Institute disciplinary action.

Although Mr. F. [the Administrator] approved each of my requests for time off, he had the skills of a high-powered prosecuting attorney, and I was accused of knowingly taking advantage of the error. Thankfully, I kept my check stubs as they matched the PTO time that I had utilized. The disciplinary action indicated probation for six months followed by another evaluation. At the end of the meeting, Mr. F. stated, “I think it’s best if you look for another job.”

It was a heart-wrenching moment. When I returned to the medical clinic, my co-worker recognized that something was seriously wrong. I handed him my copy of the report, to which he responded, Sister, stay strong, none of these accusations are true. We immediately read the policy manual for instructions on filing a grievance. I silently prayed for Divine Intervention. Although I felt as if my favorite balloon burst, I knew that I was innocent, and this was my test to trust in God.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” —Psalm 34:17

The Holy Spirit gave me the wisdom and the words to follow the detailed format for filing the lengthy grievance. Although I was still allowed to work, I was placed on an investigation status. The process was a timely one and lasted for three weeks. I can remember the Administrator coming to the clinic to relay the message that I had an appointment with the Executive Director that afternoon, he smiled and walked away.

When I met with Dr. C. [the Executive Director], he relayed that I was no longer under investigation and the excessive usage of PTO would be deducted from my monthly accrual until it reached zero. Dr. C. gave me his business card and advised if there were further episodes of harassment, I was to contact him immediately. After a few years, the Administrator, Mr. F. was terminated from his position.

Jesus Stands As the Accused: “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad…Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.” —Luke 23:8-9

Jesus is our example of how to face our accusers, He used silence. At some point in every believer’s spiritual journey, whether in our personal life or professional career, like Christ, we will stand as the accused. Our goal is to emulate His righteous character. Yes, we will endure slander, become the focus of gossip, and face false accusations, yet, as children of the King, our integrity will stand.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding…” —Proverbs 3:13

“The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience.” (Oswald Chambers). When accused, immediately, we present our petition for God’s Divine Intervention. God is not surprised that we are standing as one who is accused. He is interested in our reactions. Use your faith. Study Daniel chapter 6 as evidence of God’s Divine Intervention. Ask for wisdom, strength, and include fasting along with much prayer.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Yes, God has given us emotions to express our dismay at daunting situations, still, we must never allow our emotions to overrule our sound minds. If we embrace feelings of anger or defeat then we have given Satan the upper hand. Remain silent. Do not share your story with too many people. At this point, your focus is on praying for strength and the action God desires for you to take. Never let your emotions or too many voices prevent you from hearing God’s Voice.

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles” —Proverbs 21:23

There is no need for us to retaliate. Every spoken word fueled by anger or hurt will end in grievous consequences. We cannot control the behaviors of others, but we can control our responses. If we exercise self-control by remaining silent or keeping our responses to a minimum then we have the assurance that our Warrior God will defeat our enemies.

The Battle is Not Yours, but God’s!

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27

We must travel the road of suffering. Still, God does not allow any trial or hardship to crush our hopes. We are never alone! Rely on God to fulfill His promises of protection. Our confidence comes from knowing that we are loved by God. Boldly approaching the Throne of Grace in our time of need gives us courage and builds our faith and trust in God.

Walk in humility and faith in your spiritual journey and our Mighty Warrior God will always give you victory!

Lord, we thank You for being our Mighty Warrior. We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout this world who are suffering from the persecution of false accusations. Give them peace and the assurance that the battle is already won. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.

The Fruit of Self-Control

Our Daily Walk with Christ -Devotional – February 12, 2024

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22-23

The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control…To rule the spirit is to keep self under discipline; to resist evil; to regulate every word and deed by God’s great standard of righteousness. He who has learned to rule his spirit will rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and these will cease to cast a gloom over his spirit. (Reflecting Christ).

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:41

We love God! Yes, we are grateful for the mercies of a new day. Not one Christian awakens with the intent to sin against God. With faithful obedience, we offer ourselves to God through a prayer of surrender, asking Him to reveal His will for the given day.

Still, Jesus forewarned us of the intense struggle required to follow Him. Every day, we experience tribulations [spiritual warfare, temptations, and trials]. Yet, our greatest battle is the internal war of the flesh against the spirit that rages within our hearts [minds].

“For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].” —Romans 7:15, Amplified Bible

Although our intentions to surrender and obey are good and honest, by the end of our day, we must pray a prayer of confession and repentance because we succumbed to temptation, allowed our emotions to rise up, spoke harsh words, purchased unnecessary things, failed to pray for guidance, followed our thoughts, and the decision brought consequences.

Predetermination, Commitment, and Praying for Divine Help in Our Time of Need

“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).
“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

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

We received power, love, and a sound mind which allows us to say no. Self-control requires much discipline. No one can force us to disobey God. What is sinful? All decisions, behaviors, spoken words, and actions that do not honor and glorify God.

The answers are found in the Bible. God says, “I change not.” The only law that was abolished was the Ceremonial Law of animal sacrifice. The behaviors and practices that God identified in the Old and New Testaments as sinful are still valid today.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” —Proverbs 14:12

Without diligent study of the Scriptures, a dilemma arises, our perception of sin does not align with God’s definition of sin—transgression of His law and righteous standards. Many of today’s believers do not understand the faith, obedience, and self-control required to live a sanctified life. Because we inherit carnal hearts, without a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ, we are swayed by the world we live in.

The skill of deception is used in covert ways. The secular music, relationships with unbelievers, immodest apparel, chasing success, wealth accumulation, the pursuit of goals [without God’s approval], sexual immorality, cohabitation, yoga, meditation to an idol, marijuana, fermented, and alcoholic drinks, and following our inclinations are worldviews that have crept into our lives.

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” —1 John 2:6

Jesus’ earthly mission was rigorous, but Jesus was a Prayer Warrior. He is our living example of the spiritual power that God gives to those who seek His will through consistent prayer. Under Jesus’ steadfast guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit, eleven of the twelve apostles were transformed into His likeness. If we surrender ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and vow to be faithful and obedient, we will receive the Fruit of self-control, and the power to live by it.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” —Psalm 139:23-24

Truthfully, we cannot discern our sinful behaviors and habits without asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our unrighteousness. From our love for God, we send up prayers asking Him to search our hearts and reveal every displeasing character trait, habit, and behavior that prevents us from living holy and moving forward in our journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

Self-control is a spiritual discipline. To deny oneself of sinful pleasures requires sacrifice. Our deep and abiding love for Christ allows us to let go of worldly habits, behaviors, and friends. To overcome our carnal desires will always require human effort and Divine Intervention. There is no limit when praying for spiritual strength. We pray for strength when we feel strong [lest we fall] and in our weakest moments.

Through Christ, even the weakest are made strong. When we call on the name of Jesus for help, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the strength to accomplish above and beyond our human limits. In the power of Christ, we proclaim, flesh, you will not rule over me! “Be holy, for I am Holy.” Strive for holiness by keeping your focus on Jesus.

“Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right [steadfast] spirit within me.” In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen

The Safety of Abiding in Christ—Angelic Protection

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 11, 2024

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” —Psalm 91:1-2

Around noon, the Pastor made an urgent phone call to his elders, deacons, and prayer warriors. He gave a simple explanation, “Come to the church prepared to pray for Robert, our missionary working overseas, God says, he is in danger.” The men arrived and went into a season of prayer for Robert’s safety. Although the timeline is unknown for this story, due to the prevailing circumstances, communication was very limited between the two countries.

The first time Robert attended church after completing his mission trip, he noticed that a time for sharing testimonies was part of the service. The pastor asked for two people to give a testimony of God intervening in an impossible situation. Robert stood, but due to the two-year lapse, the pastor did not recognize him until he began speaking.

During my missionary assignment, I was responsible for disseminating the monthly supplies, we received from those who supported our goal to serve the community. I was traveling on a narrow road known for its danger from dusk until dawn. Anyone who mistakenly traveled during this time would be confronted by a group of indigenous men who formed a human roadblock to rob and often take the lives of those in the vehicle. Although, I allowed enough travel time to pass through the area while it was still light, the conditions of the road extended my travel time. As I entered the danger zone, I heard a sound indicating that one of my tires was flat. Alone and covered by the thick darkness, I knew that my circumstances were bleak, still, I prayed in faith for God to keep me safe. As I laid the flashlight on the ground, I could not see beyond its limited area of light. I realized that I was in harm’s way, but focused on quickly changing the tire and continued my journey. The next morning when I shared the story with my guide, translator, and fellow missionary, he expressed amazement that I was not attacked by the waiting men. Later that evening, during dinner, he shared the following story, Today, I went to visit the men [who attack others] and gave them some of the supplies that you brought. While we were talking, I asked if they saw you on the road changing your tire, to which they responded yes. I then asked, Why didn’t you attack him? They told me not only were they going to steal the supplies, but had also decided to kill this missionary man who taught of a strange God, but he had 26 large bodyguards with swords of light standing around him, they were afraid and ran away.

At this point, the Pastor asked the men who prayed for Robert to stand up and count off, there were exactly 26 men who prayed with the pastor on that day. Yet, there is one more powerful element to add to Christ’s Divine intervention of sending 26 warrior angels to protect Robert, although there was a great time difference between the two countries, the season of prayer occurred at the same time that Robert was changing the tire.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” —Psalm 91:14-16

All of heaven is actively involved in the believer’s life. Not only do we have angelic protection to save us from situations meant for death, but our guardian angels fight spiritual warfare, and are involved in our daily activities of life. God has given us precious promises that declare His love and dedication to humanity. In verses 14-16, from our love for God, we are promised deliverance, exaltation, answered prayers, protection from trouble, honor, long life, and the promise of salvation.

Christ, our Lord and Savior is the Commander of angel armies whose primary assignment is the protection of the righteous. Like the breath in our bodies, we rarely think of or thank God for the mercies of angelic protection we receive 24/7 against the unseen dangers of spiritual warfare and the physical calamities that could easily end our lives.

The warfare of distractions is a cunning strategy that steals our time and prevents us from praying, studying the Scriptures, and meditating on the goodness of God. Today, reflect on the busyness of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to identify the obstacles that prevent you from focusing on our Heavenly Father’s abundant love and never-ending mercies of protection.

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

Angelic protection is only one of the privileges we receive from abiding in Christ. When we are willing to dedicate our time to worship by giving praises of gratitude to God, we reveal our appreciation for receiving the mercies we do not deserve. The practice of worshiping God with a grateful heart in our earthly lives prepares us for heavenly worship where we will give reverence, honor, and glory to our Sovereign God throughout eternity. Yes, our lives are not only protected but we are blessed beyond measure.

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” —Psalm 91:11

God, we thank You for Your love, grace, mercies, and Divine intervention. We thank You for the angelic armies who faithfully obey Your commands to keep us from harm’s way and strengthen us to fight against the schemes and temptations developed to separate us from You. We pray for the wisdom to identify and remove all obstacles that prevent us from loving You with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. We ask this prayer in the Matchless Name of Jesus, Amen.

Elohim Shomri—God is My Protector

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 8, 2023

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1

A refuge is something providing shelter, or a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ” —Ephesians 6:12

From the moment we commit to follow Jesus, we enter a spiritual war zone. Every day, in our earthly journey, the righteous face the continuous opposition of unseen spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare poses the greatest danger to the Christian believer, its ultimate goal is to separate us from God.

For over six thousand years, the great controversy of good and evil has raged—God desires to save our souls, and Satan, the enemy seeks to destroy us. Spiritual warfare affects the entire body of Christ. Yet as believers, we also face custom-designed temptations. Temptations are Satan’s most effective strategy against humanity.

Satan cannot read our minds, but he can observe our behaviors and hear our spoken words [not our secret closet prayers]. He is a powerful fallen angel who devises intricate deceptive schemes to make us fall. We are not tempted by things that repulse us. Our temptations easily entrap us because they appeal to the hidden desires of our hearts.

The Onset of Warfare: Your vehicle has 275,000 miles. You prayed for a new vehicle, but God told you to wait. But you have a spirit of impatience and begin to speak words of worry, How will I get to work without a car? Suddenly, you begin to see many ads for great deals with no money down—the onset of spiritual warfare.

The Sequence of Temptation: You decide to go to the dealership just to look and explore the offers [embraced the temptation]. A couple of hours later you sign the contract [the fall]. You perceive this as God’s blessing [the deception of disobedience]. A few months later, you are laid off from your job.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

Being tempted is not a sin. From distrusting God’s plan, we pursue our desires and place ourselves outside of God’s protection and into harm’s way. The scheme to make us fall does not come to fruition until the moment of disobedience. Sadly, we have willingly helped Satan to bring us down. Our rebellion to choose wrong over right reflects that we value our desires over obedience to God.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV

Praying for spiritual insight and wisdom invites the Holy Spirit into our battle. We immediately receive the spiritual alert that we are being tempted. Our next step is to say no and to walk away. We cannot allow ourselves to engage in a discussion like Eve. Satan has no power over the believer who relies on Christ through much prayer.

We become vulnerable only when we display an interest in the temptation. If we walk away, Satan will not chase us, he recognizes defeat. It is impossible to rely on our strength to overcome Satan’s stealth strategies. If we dismiss the Holy Spirit’s warnings and use our thoughts or strength to confront temptation, we will sin.

The Sin Dilemma: After we have sinned, the Holy Spirit convicts us. Our response to the conviction determines the trajectory of our lives. Will we run to Christ our Refuge and repent?

“For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up…” —Proverbs 24:16

When the righteous fall, our hearts are filled with anguish and guilt because we have sinned against God. If our next step is a prayer of confession and repentance—to turn away from sin, our Redeemer extends His arms in love, mercy, and forgiveness. We are always forgiven but may endure the consequences of our disobedience. Still, we forgive ourselves, receive comfort and strength from the Holy Spirit, and move forward in our commitment to live as one who is forgiven.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” —Psalm 91:1

To abide in Christ is often misunderstood, but the simplest explanation is to live a surrendered, faithful, and obedient Christ-centered life that focuses on doing God’s will. Only a heart filled with overwhelming love and appreciation of the Plan of Redemption desires the safety that Christ gives.

Daily surrender opens our spiritual eyes, and we begin to recognize our true condition—we cannot make it in this earthly journey without Jesus and His protection. Yes, we are truly grateful for the privilege to have Christ as our Refuge. Elohim Shomri—God is My Protector.

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

Lord, we thank You for being our Refuge and Strong Tower. Thank You for protecting us from the Spiritual Warfare by keeping us safely in Your arms. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray. Amen.

The Lord is Merciful

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional -February 6, 2024

“Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes, I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.’” —2 Samuel 12:9-11

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.’” —2 Samuel 12:13-14

Psalm 119 reflects David’s heartfelt plea to God, “Do not leave me to my oppressors.” Although God forgave the king for his wilful sins of adultery and murder, David’s sins brought severe consequences to his life. The Lord extended abundant mercies by sparing David’s life, but His judgment would remain. The curse of oppression and strife was fulfilled and enacted by those in his household just as the prophet foretold.

God is always merciful. David was surrounded by enemies during his entire reign including two of his sons, the princes Absalom and Adonijah who were his greatest enemies. But God did not allow the son’s plans to come to fruition and harm their father. God appointed David’s and Bathsheba’s second son, Solomon to be the heir to David’s throne. Not only was Solomon the wisest man that ever lived, he was allowed to build the temple.

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

We must reflect deeply on the terrible condition of the human heart. David’s sins were heinous, but he felt no remorse. The sin of entitlement resulted in King David abusing his position to pursue his desires. Only when God sent the prophet Nathan to expose David’s sins did he confess and repent. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.” —Deuteronomy 5:33

We cannot condemn David because we are also following our hearts. Our focus has turned from God to ourselves. As one pastor stated, “We have become the idol that we worship.” When we fail to include God in our daily routines by asking for His guidance, we move forward in our decisions to purchase houses or vehicles, pursue success, and enter into relationships and marriages that are contrary to His will.

Yet there are consequences for the Christians who fulfill their heart’s desires without God’s Divine Blessing. When our perception of what it means to live a faithful and obedient life pleasing to God does not align with His Righteous principles, we lose our right standing with God. Our failure to surrender and seek His will every day is disobedience. From our decision to please ourselves, we exchange the freedom of righteousness for the enslavement of sinful oppression.

God’s desire is for us to worship Him with faithful obedience. “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence…” (1 Timothy 2:2). God does not excuse any acts of disobedience. Do we understand that our independent thoughts and actions reflect a decision to live according to our dictates? God knows the motives of our hearts and our level of spiritual understanding.

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger, and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.” —Psalm 145:8-9

Following our hearts [unless it is pursuing Christ] is disobedience and disobedience separates us from God. Yet, even in our sinfulness, our Heavenly Father extends abundant mercies. Using conviction, the Holy Spirit tugs on the heart of the believer who has veered from the Narrow Path of Righteousness. Because of Christ, we have the life-saving option of not staying on the detour road paved by disobedience.

Although the Holy Spirit uses various ways, [feeling the discontent of wrongdoing in our conscience, using our thoughts, Scriptures, sermons, spiritually mature people, and even a post on social media] to expose our sins of disobedience, we never have to use guesswork regarding our specific sins. Every sin secret or open is exposed by God.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Yes, it is a struggle to live holy! We have traveled too far in our spiritual journey to throw away our reward of Eternal life for the temporary pleasures of this world. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to bring our flesh into subjection to the will of God. With faith and courage, determine that you will stay in the right standing with God.

Prayer: “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:37