“For it is written, “Be Holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
Acknowledging that God exists is part of many individuals’ fundamental beliefs, yet, it doesn’t necessarily equate to living a holy life that represents Christ’s Righteousness.
What is the status of our relationship with Christ? Our clothing preferences reflect the true spiritual condition of our hearts and character. The converted heart loves God, and hates sin because sin is rebellion against God.
“…come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). God commands us “to separate from the world’s ways, including its values, behaviors, and influences.”
The sanctified man and woman of God choose modest clothing because their hearts are pure, and filled with the Righteousness of Christ. Spiritual transformation begins in the heart and is reflected outwardly.
Tight revealing clothing entices unbelievers who assume that we are also unbelievers. God will never bless us with a man or woman of God to be our husband or wife when our hearts are impure.
Our earthly lives are the only opportunity we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit who transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character.
Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth arises from our love and desire to obey His commands. We use our faith to reveal to a corrupt world that accepting Jesus changes our sinful habits into visible differences that honor Him, and reflect His glory.
We look forward to living in our Forever Home with Jesus because love, purity, and holiness will permeate the atmosphere like the aroma of sweet smelling incense. Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we love You, and ask You to teach us how to be holy. We ask this prayer in faith, and in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” —1 Corinthians 15:33
“You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, ESV).
The roaring lion [Satan] is using various methods of temptation to lure us into the trap of meeting “Unbelieving Believers.” What? Many people believe that God exists, but they have not consecrated their lives to follow The Shepherd, Jesus Christ, with surrender and faithful obedience.
In the area of relationships, the Chasm of Compromise has grown wider and deeper in the Christian Community. Let’s face it, the life of a believer often involves traveling on the journey with Jesus without close friends, romance, or marriage. Wait on the Lord!
The Enticement: Online chats and Christian dating sites are not God’s ways to meet friends, nor are these God’s methods for finding husbands and wives. And today’s Christians can no longer assume that those attending church have surrendered their hearts to Christ. The churches are filled with ritualistic worshipers who practice sin seven days a week.
If you are thinking, “Times have changed,” then you do not understand Satan’s powerful and effective methods to separate us from God. The enemy exploits vulnerable individuals to execute his malicious schemes. We are often approached by unbelievers who appear to fulfill our desires to have close friends, dating partners, and marriages that are not God approved.
Like Eve, we are being deceived. Why is it so easy for Satan to deceive us? God’s Answer: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
The fallen angel has 6,000-plus years of experience dealing with human nature. King Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the Sun. Our senses, especially our eyes and ears, are the channels that Satan uses to successfully deceive us.
“And Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me, for she pleases me well’ ” (Judges 14:3). The Bait: If the individual is pleasing to our eyes, and their words sound like music to our ears, then Satan has us hooked.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We are so accustomed to using our senses and emotions to make decisions that very few Christians use their rational thought processes (sound mind) when meeting new people who spark an internal desire. Keep your spiritual guard up!
Met someone at the Mall, Supermarket, or Library? Immediately focus your conversation on God. Verbalize this statement: “Jesus Christ is number one in my life.” I attend (Name of your church). Where do you attend church?
Observe their spoken words, habits, behaviors, clothing, and social circle, especially if they are with friends. Worldliness cannot be hidden! If they practice the world views of pleasure, prosperity, and success, then you know their character is unholy.
“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” —1 Samuel 16:7
Do not make hasty decisions! Stop, Pray, and Ask God if He sent the person. Do not exchange cell numbers! Desperation is the precursor to downfalls. If God is involved, be patient; He will direct the individual to your life again. The Bible reveals that one of God’s Characteristics is that He is never in a hurry.
Studying the Bible gives us God’s instructions and a spiritual point of reference before engaging in relationships. Samson and King Solomon are profound examples of suffering the consequences of having liaisons with unbelievers. Do not trust your feelings!
“Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7). Unless God chooses our friends and spouses, we will choose the wrong person [people] who will lead us away from God.
Never follow your heart! Always pray and wait before choosing friends and romantic relationships. The Holy Spirit always reveals when people are not part of God’s plans for your life.
“Be Holy, for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
A True Believer has nothing in common with those who do not put God first. We often assume that the unbeliever or uncommitted believer will eventually change, but it is the believer who changes by embracing worldly habits.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
What can we do when we have already exchanged numbers, started dating, or engaged, but the internal Red Flag of “Something Isn’t Right” creates a spiritual unrest in our hearts?
We have a protective Heavenly Father who does not desire that we fall into temptation, or remain in a relationship that separates us from Him.
The Holy Spirit warns us that we are in a Spiritually Incompatible relationship, regardless of the stage of dating. Yet, God respects our free will choice to ignore His warning.
Beginning Stages: Chatting but never met. Or, 1-2 dates, still an uncommitted status.
Agreed Commitment: Dating exclusively only with each other, without engaging in sexual immorality. This is the ideal situation if God has placed the person in your life. But eventually, if seeking romance online, it will end in disaster.
Consensual Commitment with Physical involvement: Fornication immediately separates us from God. The believer has forfeited their relationship with Christ and holds the same spiritual status as the unbeliever—both are lost.
Long-term with Regret: Not married. You know this person is not a gift from God, but you feel that you are too deep into the relationship to get out. Sexually involved, may have children with the partner, or be living together.
Scenarios 1-2 Guidelines: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, ESV).
Searching online for romance demonstrates a lack of faith in God or disobedience to God’s answer of No! It is too easy for Satan to use people who create a fake persona. A Holy and Righteous God is Not found in Chat Rooms and on Dating Sites.
Scenario 3-4 Guidelines: “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5, ESV).
Sexual immorality places us in a lose-lose situation. Not married, move out. Children? Financial support is required. Yes, it’s a tough decision and may involve legal issues, but if marriage is not an option, save your soul by living a celibate life alone.
Sin always has serious consequences. Pray, fast, and seek Divine guidance and strength.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11
For diehard pro online romance seekers who listen to others praise their current relationships and marriages, and the true love they found on dating sites, are in the honeymoon stage, when secrets are still secrets. Some are paid to promote the sites, and others have had to compromise God’s righteous values for their relationships to work out. Go with God!
Certain sins place us in bondage to Satan: Sexual immorality, drug and alcohol use, gambling, pornography, stealing, and overeating. Sexual immorality comes with heavy-duty chains; it weakens our resolve and causes us to compromise in every area of our lives. Yet, if we repent and exercise self-control, the power of God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. God restores!
“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…”—Psalm 51:3-4
The goal of restoration is to recommit one’s life to live holy, and reconnect us to Christ. God honors our willingness to live a pure, obedient life. Yes, we can receive Jesus’ supernatural strength to overcome all temptation, still, we must put forth the human effort to renounce and walk away from the demonic activities that bind us to Satan.
We must never forget that we inherited sinful hearts. Our greatest daily battle is the internal conflict of choosing right over wrong. From searching the Scriptures, we learn why God’s Righteous Standards for separating from unbelievers are life-saving commands.
Reflection: “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).
We will never fall into temptations and suffer consequences if we live a sacrificial life of trusting God’s plans. God is Omniscient—All-knowing. Yes, God knows who will finish the Spiritual Race and receive eternal life. He also knows who will follow the desires of their hearts and leave their relationship with Jesus Christ for the temporary gratification of relationships with unbelievers.
Certainly, God was disappointed when Adam and Eve chose to sin against Him. Our Heavenly Father’s original plan was not for us to be alone, but because of sin, we live in a fallen world.
Not every believer will have the opportunity to enjoy marriage or close friendships. We accept our Father’s will, consecrate ourselves to God, and trust His perfect plans.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28
Jesus described Himself as a Man of Sorrows. Yes, loneliness is a valid feeling. Forming relationships with immoral individuals is not the solution. Do we have too much empty time with nothing to do but focus on ourselves?
Every believer has received spiritual gifts and talents that God expects us to use to witness. If we do nothing for God, then our hearts will drive us to sin against God.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT).
Not one relationship on this Earth is worth losing our reward of eternal life over. Satan, our enemy, knows his time is short, so he uses people to distract us from fully dedicating ourselves to Christ.
We must decide between choosing sinful relationships or aligning ourselves with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives. God, the Father, and God, Jesus Christ, the Son, have fulfilled their roles in offering humanity the Plan of Redemption, which frees us from the curse of sin.
Keep your eyes on the Eternal prize of inheriting a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
“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” (Revelation 21:4)
Our present lives are temporary. If we just hold on, Jesus has promised the faithful and obedient believers a Crown of life in the New Heaven and New Earth, where we will never be alone or lonely.
Wait on God, and with faith accept His Perfect Plans for your life. The King Is Coming! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we ask you to comfort the hearts of your sons and daughters who are experiencing loneliness and discouragement. Give them the strength to redirect their focus to fulfilling their spiritual assignments, and to look forward to receiving Your wonderful reward of Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
“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 14:2-3
Whether we are using our time wisely, or not to prepare for Kingdom Life, Jesus promised 3 times in Revelation 22 that He is coming again. Faithful obedience is revealed through a consecrated life of surrender and prayer, always seeking God’s will for the given day.
Earthly pleasures are distractions designed to satisfy our hearts desires, and separate us from God. Instead of wasting our precious gift of time to chase desires, we must redirect our focus on Christ by living a Faithful, Christ-centered life.
Romans 12 instructs us on how to live the sacrificial life required by God to prepare every day for that Great Day. Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we ask you to teach us how to live a sanctified life that is focused on You. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares – Devotional Reading – April 4, 2025
Celebrations occur every day. We celebrate a baby’s birth, birthdays, marriages, adoptions, anniversaries, educational and career achievements, and even in death, we can memorialize and honor the person’s life through a Celebration of Life service. Most countries celebrate national holidays. Yes, we can freely designate any event as a special occasion giving us infinite reasons for a celebration.
Many Christian believers actively participate in secular celebrations to express joy and happiness; however, we often neglect to celebrate God’s love, that we are created in His image, and His greatest gift to humanity, His Son, Jesus Christ.
Reasons for Daily Spiritual Celebrations
God Confirms His Love for Humanity: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16
God Confirms Our Identity: “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:26-28). We are who God says we are, therefore, we dismiss the world’s hierarchy of importance based on financial wealth, career positions, and social status.
Because God is Omniscient and His knowledge is eternal, the Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought. The Triune God knew Adam and Eve would disobey His command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Although they sinned and had to leave their Garden of Eden home, Christ did not abandon them, “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NLT). Death entered the planet Earth when Adam and Eve sinned, not only did they lose access to the Tree of Life [losing immortality] innocent animals had to die to clothe the wayward couple, and lambs were required for a sacrificial offering.
“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 1:9-10
Until Jesus came to this earth, the ceremonial law of animal sacrifice was performed for the remission of sin. Thankfully, Jesus’ death on Calvary’s Cross fulfilled the Plan of Redemption eliminating animal sacrifice. On deep reflection of Jesus’ Ultimate gift of Salvation, we have the option not to die for our sins because Christ became the Sacrificial Lamb.
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a High Priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:25-26). We can celebrate with gratitude because Yeshua is still serving humanity as our High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
We Have a Compassionate High Priest Who Invites Us to Ask Him for Help: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15).
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:8-9
“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
By praying for help, we can receive the Divine wisdom and strength to recognize and resist temptation. Our God is All-Inclusive! We are not limited to seeking Divine Intervention for the forgiveness of sin and the strength to overcome sin, Christ also gives us comfort and peace in times of distress. We can live without worries because Jesus promises to provide for all our needs.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans [unbelievers] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:31-34). Yahweh Yireh always provides the necessities required to sustain our lives.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” —James 1:17
When we strive to live faithful and obedient lives, our blessings of good gifts come from God. In contrast, Satan manipulates unbelievers by fulfilling their desires while leading them to chase wealth and accumulate debt. Yes, we may have mismanaged our financial blessings, and now face consequences that usually result in the loss of our tangible purchases, still, God does not abandon us when we come to Him with a contrite heart asking for forgiveness.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding]. —John 16:33, Amplified Bible
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory…” —1 Peter 4:12-13
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus warned us that following Him would result in a tumultuous journey. But we place our faith in His promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Prayer is our connection to Divine Power. We pray for help and the Holy Spirit gives us Jesus’ Strength to endure and persevere through our sufferings.
Sanctification can only occur through trials and hardships that God allows to produce unwavering faith, spiritual growth, and the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities.
“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
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). Through daily personal worship, we redirect our focus from this temporary earthly life by dedicating ourselves to following Christ. To the faithful, Jesus promises to reward us with Eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth.
“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.” —Revelation 21:4
Every believer who is faithful and obedient to the will of God is guaranteed Divine Intervention, strength, wisdom, provisions, and the heavenly reward of a life filled with forever love, peace, joy, and happiness. These promises are a reason for celebrations of joyful praise! Our Father God deserves daily celebratory praise for giving us His only Son.
Unwavering faith honors the Triune God and acknowledges His steadfast love and faithfulness. The Holy Spirit is responsible for guiding us and performing our spiritual transformation, also known as the Spirit of Truth, we receive spiritual wisdom when studying the Holy Scriptures, and the discernment to recognize truth from the error of false teachings and doctrines.
With loving kindness, Jesus, God, the Son forgives our sins, covers us with His Righteousness, and presents us as faultless to God, His Father. Our King, the Lion of Judah is the Commander of angel armies whose primary role is to protect us from spiritual warfare and physical harm. Study 2 Kings 6 and Psalm 91.
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ intervenes in our earthly lives to save us from making devastating mistakes. What more can Jesus do for us? Taking the time to separate ourselves for personal worship is how we celebrate and manifest our love and appreciation for a More than Wonderful God!
If He said it then He will fulfill it! One day we will say goodbye to this present Earth and its sinful existence. Until then, we must keep our focus on Jesus by proclaiming faith and not fixating on our circumstances. Let’s make the daily Celebration of Worshiping our Amazing God our lifetime priority! Yes and Amen!
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:)
Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your precious life required to redeem us from our sins and to save our souls. We pray for the strength and perseverance to overcome the sorrows of this life by keeping our focus on You. We celebrate You as our Triumphant King soon to come. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Your Holy Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 28, 2025
“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” —Romans 12:1, RSV
In the 1980s, I was having a conversation about the Christian lifestyle with my Aunt, whose words were shocking: “Oh, niece, you are very naive. Not every Christian desires to go to heaven.” At the time, I thought it was the worst perception of believers that I had ever heard. Fast-forward to 2025, and now I realize her words were prophetic.
Pleasure, Prosperity, and Politics Have Changed the Culture of the Church
Although attending weekly church service is our duty to God, it does not supply the spiritual food and strength to sustain us for the six subsequent days of the week. Many believers are neglecting the necessary spiritual preparation for eternal life [Daily personal worship]. Instead of seeking God, we are too focused on our earthly pursuits of self-gratification.
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” —2 Timothy 4:3
Many pastors have also promoted the trend of Compromised Christianity by not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Entire church services are led by worship leaders and consist only of singing, or sermons are watered down containing only selected Scriptures that do not offend the members.
The desire to keep members happy and content has resulted in the switch from Christ, Salvation, and Sanctification to motivational messages promoting the emotions of happiness, serenity, and prosperity.
Sadly, the pulpit has also become a political arena—sermons include defending political leaders even when the politicians clearly contradict the Christian values found in the Bible. Instead of a unified body of members, we are experiencing the same division that occurred in the churches the Apostle Paul started.
Challenges in Christianity have existed since the Early Churches. The Apostle Paul had a tough spiritual assignment when God appointed him to preach to the Gentiles. Most of the new members had a history of pagan worship and engaged in worldly habits and practices they enjoyed and were not ready to give up.
Christian Code of Conduct: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:14-16).
Paul was loving but straightforward when addressing the member’s unrighteous behaviors including the continuous conflict with fellow believers. In his letters to the churches, the apostle’s focus was to “Behave As a Christian” by possessing a Christ-like character filled with loving kindness for one another which revealed a heart filled with God’s love.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9
God’s perspective of this world and our earthly lives is very different from our thoughts and goals. To receive eternal life, our minds must align with God’s ultimate goal to save our souls.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” —Proverbs 3:5-7
God warns us that our knowledge and wisdom are limited—we cannot foresee the future or anticipate the possible consequences of decisions that exclude God. If we choose to rely on God’s Providence, we will enjoy peace despite our circumstances because Divine Intervention only produces victorious outcomes.
God’s Instructions On How to Live Our Best Lives
“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 12:2, NIV
To live our best lives, we must faithfully obey God’s Blueprint for living righteously. Many are well-fed from secular information but starving spiritually from the lack of personal worship and studying the Holy Scriptures. Prayer connects us to Christ, our Intercessor, and strengthens our relationship with Him.
Knowing Jesus’ words of promise fill our hearts with encouragement: “…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 14:2-3). Yes and Amen!
Reflection: Where do we stand in our relationship with Christ? Every day we receive the gift of time to worship and ask for Divine wisdom and the spiritual strength to overcome temptations. Our lifestyle and choices indicate whether or not we are preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming.
Time is fleeting! We must return to the basics of the Bible by devoting ourselves to the service of God. Because of Divine love, we are covered by God’s Grace. We use our faith to surrender, repent, and begin a new relationship with Christ built on humility and faithful obedience.
Pray King David’s prayer: “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).
God’s Promise: “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:12-13
Every day we receive the opportunity to use our faith to dedicate ourselves to God. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and Helper who reveals God’s will, gives us wisdom and discernment when studying the Scriptures, and speaks to us through our thoughts, conscience, and the Bible.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
God desires to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Pray daily for the physical and spiritual strength to complete life’s tasks and to renounce sin. The Holy Spirit also gives us spiritual wisdom to recognize sin, and the spiritual strength to overcome temptation. When facing questionable situations, Pray for Divine Help.
“Be holy for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Because we inherited hearts that are driven to fulfill carnal desires, we cannot use our thoughts to define righteousness. The human effort of faithful obedience is the worship that God requires. And from our willingness to honor God, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ—Sanctification.
“I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.…” —John 15:5
With Christ, we can live our best lives now. He will empower us to win the battle against the Pride of Life. Pray an honest prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your status with God. Repent and make the necessary changes to follow Jesus. Fight the good fight of faith! We cannot allow Satan to deceive us with worthless trinkets and false promises designed to make us lose our reward of the Crown of Life [Revelation 22:12].
God never leaves us alone to fight against Satan. When we pray for Divine help, Christ sends His army of angels with His Glory and Power and Satan must fall back. If we exercise steadfast faith and self-control, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously and to overcome all desires and temptations.
The Best Is Yet to Come! Have you considered the magnitude of the reward Jesus is offering us? “Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear seen has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’ ” (1 Corinthians 2:8-9). Live as if your greatest desire is to receive your heavenly reward on that Great Day.
“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
Day by day, from devoting ourselves to following Christ, our Triumphant King, He will become our Greatest Influencer leading and empowering us with His strength to live as Victorious Overcomers! From Earth to Heaven, our Savior is longing to give us His Best! Yes and Amen!
Lord God, we desperately need Your guidance and strength to make it through this spiritual battle of life filled with temptations designed to separate us from You. We ask you to reveal the blueprint for each of our lives. We thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 24, 2025
Can you imagine being an employee not fully trained to perform a crucial part of your job description?
I was a nurse case manager at a company that provided home health care for seniors. The week payroll was due, the Vice President was on a cruise out of the country. The accounting clerk received a call from corporate inquiring why she was late submitting payroll which was due by noon that day. And that is when the big secret was revealed.
The VP not only failed to train the accounting clerk on processing payroll, an essential part of her job, but also informed the accounting clerk during her initial training that the job description had changed. As the young woman wrote the incident report tears were in her eyes and her hands trembled. Jobs were extremely hard to find and she feared termination.
At this point, our Nursing Manager informed us that she would handle all nonclinical calls until the young woman was trained by the corporate office via phone to process the payroll. Since this was the era before direct deposit, processing payroll was a lengthy endeavor. The training was successful and we received our paychecks on time the following week. Although the Vice President had a tenure of 20 years with the company, she was immediately terminated on her return.
“Your eyes will see it, and your ears will hear it: ‘This is the way; walk in it…” ” (Isaiah 30:21). From our prayers and study of the Scriptures, “God promises to give us clear guidance, leading us on the right path and helping us to discern His will.”
We have a loving Heavenly Father who is very protective and has made a loving and sacrificial investment in our lives including the future of eternal life. Through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, we receive guidance, spiritual wisdom and discernment, correction, and protection through the Holy Spirit.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12
God who knows the beginning from the end has given us the Bible so we can learn His Righteous Standards and Precepts, discern Truth from error, and recognize and renounce sinful temptations. We were not created to govern ourselves. Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is impossible to judge oneself. To know and practice what God expects of us requires the diligent study of His Holy Words.
“Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). What is holiness? God defines holiness in the Scriptures.
“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, NIV
Every day we must fight the good fight of faith to prevent practicing Compromised Christianity. Our spiritual journey of Sanctification is a lifelong journey on the Path of Righteousness which requires our faith, obedience, consent, and cooperation with Christ.
God has one goal and that is for every believer to receive their reward of a forever life in the New Heaven and New Earth [Revelation 21-22], yet, He never forces us to choose salvation. From the moment we awaken, we choose to commit ourselves to God or not.
“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” —Romans 6:16, NIV
2 Timothy 3 identifies that we are living in the last days of Earth’s history. We must choose who we will serve in this great controversy of Good and Evil. “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).
“Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements…Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor Him.”
Consider this, Jesus died to save us from death, the costly price of sin, what possible reasons could substantiate sinning against God and dying for our sins? There is no guesswork with God. We receive clarity of Righteousness through the Holy Spirit.
“…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). Reflect on the reason you chose Jesus Christ as your Savior. Everything we possess is temporary including this earthly home. Choosing Christ requires doing our part in the spiritual journey of Sanctification—Daily surrender, faithful obedience, and seeking God’s will and plans through prayer and Bible Study.
Heaven is waiting for us! Reach for the highest goals of living holy and receiving eternal life with God in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, the struggle is real! Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit and using self-control, we can renounce the temporary pleasures and profits of this world for which we will be greatly rewarded. Choose Christ! Choose Life!
“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
Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3
Prayer: “Into my heart, Into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Lord God, we ask you to reveal any hidden sins that are within our hearts and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Teach us Your Righteous ways and how to live holy. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 21, 2025
“Yahweh Shammah,” a name for God found in Ezekiel 48:35, means “The Lord is there,” God promises His continuous presence and to be with His people [righteous believers] at all times. Yes and Amen.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ ” —Genesis 1:26, NLT
When God, the Father had the conversation with Jesus, God, the Son regarding the creation of humanity, they knew the intense daily struggles we would suffer from being dedicated followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In God’s infinite wisdom, we were perfectly created with intellect, the ability to learn, mental acuity, the power to reason, and a heart filled with love.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7
We were not spoken into existence, with Agape love, Jesus bent down and picked up clay in His hands, formed Adam into His likeness, and breathed the Ruach breath into him, and the man was alive. Recognizing our significance to God allows us to transcend worldly perspectives and societal judgments on the hierarchy of importance according to wealth.
The human body’s anatomy and physiology cannot be cloned by scientific means. Our soul is connected to God. Our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected dimensions of well-being. The body systems are intertwined and interdependent on each other to maintain a healthy mind-body equilibrium. Because we love God, we strive to live the healthiest lifestyle.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” —1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV
Still, it gets better! By accepting Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, giving us spiritual strength and guidance, and directing us through our thoughts and conscience [Yes, it’s a mystery]. All of creation reveals that God loves beauty and diversity, we have received various innate and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and honor.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [discipline, self-control].” —2 Timothy 1:7
We were gifted with the power to choose right over wrong and Truth over error as defined by God’s Holy Standards. Not only did we receive free will of choice, but we can accept or reject the gift of Salvation and live righteously or not.
“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
God to the rescue! In protecting us, God has left no stone unturned. Although we fight Satan’s temptations every day, and our circumstances make us feel that we do not have a choice, we are not helpless!
We always have a choice even when it is not in plain sight. Despite the temptation, when we are grounded in Christ, we cannot be coerced into choosing sin. We use our sound minds and prayer to disregard every manipulative tactic designed to persuade us to sin against God.
The Onset of the Spirit of Defeat and Its Bitter Fruits
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” —Proverbs 3:5-6
Yes, we have followed our thoughts, inclinations, and strategies that may or may not have produced successful outcomes, even so, our exclusion of God has resulted in the displacement of our gift of faith. Using our limited human wisdom and strategies not only excludes God but challenges and dishonors His Infinite knowledge and wisdom.
God’s plan includes active participation in our spiritual journey which produces the growth, maturity, and mind-character transformation necessary to receive Eternal life. Self-reliance displaces our faith from God to ourselves. When we detour from the Path of Righteousness, our Father God allows us to experience hardships that human effort can never resolve.
Focusing on our problems instead of God’s unlimited power is the Red Flag that reveals lost faith. The habit of using our knowledge, prior experience, and strategies to resolve our challenges excluded God. Now we face the reality of our human limitations and our emotions of fear, doubt, anxiety, and discouragement have overpowered us. Yet, the root of the problem is that we do not know who God is and the attributes of His Righteous Character.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). In the Christian Community, not enough emphasis is placed on the life-saving, faith-building importance of studying the Bible. The Bible contains the Holy Scriptures and is our Spiritual Guide to living righteously. In great detail, God defines the attributes of His Righteous Character so we will know the difference between Him speaking to us and Satan’s attempts to mislead us.
We are truly loved! The Bible gives us the history of God’s Loving Intervention in fighting the enemies threatening to overtake the righteous and the continuous forgiveness of our intentional rebellion of sinning against Him.
“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).” Even when Adam and Eve chose to disobey which resulted in the loss of their home in the Garden of Eden, Christ had to shed blood by killing animals to clothe them. Sadly, even when forgiven, sin always creates a heart-wrenching payment.
God’s Original Plan for humanity included immortality. Adam and Eve were not created to die. Although many individuals blame God for the death of their loved ones, death is the result of sin and sin originated in Lucifer’s heart. God tells us “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). When Christ comes again, God’s Holy Name will be vindicated! Yes and Amen!
For many years, my Christian journey did not include Bible Study. The spirit of self-reliance produced a roller-coaster of spiritual and emotional highs and lows. If all was well, I was overjoyed. Eventually, a major life event caused me to stand at the Crossroads of Faith. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in many ways to study the Scriptures. Much prayer and daily Bible study have strengthened my faith in God and enabled me to live a Faith-based life dependent on God. The Spirit of Defeat was replaced with a Spirit of Gratitude.
Faith Building Activities
Praise and Worship is our greatest defense against the spirit of defeat. God’s decision to create humanity included 24/7 access to heaven. Praying once or twice a day is not enough to remain focused on the love and power of God. We are living in the last days [2 Timothy 3] and desperately need Divine wisdom and strength to overcome.
When King Jehoshaphat prayed for God’s help when the three pagan armies came against him this was God’s answer:
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” —2 Chronicles 20:17
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” —Isaiah 65:24
Including God in life’s routine duties builds our faith, trust, and dependency on our Heavenly Father. When unexpected adversity enters our lives, we will immediately fall to our knees and seek God. Pray for God to reveal His perfect will and ask for the strength to persevere through the trial. God is never in a hurry. His Divine help requires that we maintain our faith while waiting on His perfect timing.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT
In the season of waiting, pray prayers of gratitude thanking Him for the victory. We do not have to plead and beg our Heavenly Father to help us. God never forgets our prayers for help. Stand still [do not attempt to help God by using human strategies], all God asks of us is to honor and reverence Him with our unwavering faith.
Study 2 Chronicles chapter 20. The Bible reinforces our faith in God. To remain faithful and steadfast in our relationship with Christ requires Biblical knowledge. The spiritual understanding we receive converts our hearts and we willingly desire to serve God because we love Him.
Establish consistent study by dedicating alone time with God every day. Use 15 minutes of your lunchtime to pray and memorize at least one Scripture. Develop a 4-6 month schedule to study and learn Genesis 1-3 [The Beginning], the Four Gospels [The Life of Christ—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], and Revelation chapters 21-22 [Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth].
The Spiritual Journey of living a victorious Christ-centered life is dependent on daily surrender, faithful obedience, much prayer, and focused study of the Holy Scriptures. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and a deeper understanding of the word of God. You will lose the Spirit of Defeat and enjoy the courage, peace, and happiness that God desires us to possess and your perception and desires will change as you begin to see life through spiritual eyes.
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].” —Isaiah 41:10, Amplified Bible
The journey of Faith will never be easy. Still, Yahweh Shammah promises to always be there. By embracing God’s love, we can live by faith and rely on God which gives us peace, hope, and a mindset of victory!
“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4
Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the sin of embracing self-reliance instead of totally depending on Your promises to give us victory. We commit to using our faith to believe that You are always here and will deliver us despite our circumstances. Thank you for your love and steadfast commitment to humanity. We pray for showers of blessings on this Holy Sabbath and ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional — March 16, 2025
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
“What more could He do? The Father loved us so much ‘that He gave His beloved Son’ (John 3:16).” Because of Redemption, we demonstrate our love for God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, God, the Son for their plan to save our souls through daily personal worship, surrender, and faithful obedience.
Prayer is our connection to Jesus who is still serving humanity as our Heavenly Intercessor [Jesus receives our prayers], Forgives our sins, and Mediates for us. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” (John 14:6).
Daily worship includes consecrating oneself to a sacrificial life—living a Christ-centered, faith-based life. Surrendering our desires in exchange for God’s plans is the greatest challenge in our Journey with Jesus. Although we are gifted with self-control, we must pray for the Divine Strength to overcome temptation.
Worship invites the Holy Spirit to convict our hearts when pursuing our desires and allows us to receive in-depth wisdom to understand and appreciate God’s greatest gift to humanity, The Plan of Redemption. Humility is the spiritual catalyst required to actively participate with the Holy Spirit to receive spiritual wisdom and character transformation.
“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12
Christianity is much more than attending church every week. Our salvation requires continuous cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We cannot change ourselves! Heart conversion begins our spiritual journey. Sanctification is the spiritual lifelong process of daily spiritual growth and character transformation.
Yes, the Holy Spirit performs our transformation, but God also requires the human effort of faith, obedience, and works: “Those who have genuine love for God will manifest an earnest desire to know His will and to do it.” Personal worship demonstrates our love for God which is revealed by separating ourselves from life’s distractions to enter into His presence [at least twice a day].
“We have the responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith with humility and reverence, recognizing that God is the Source of our salvation and ability to live a life pleasing to Him.” Without the commitment to faithfully seek God through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures, the depth of Christ’s amazing love for humanity cannot be understood, nor will we desire to seek and fulfill God’s plans.
“Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.” — John 15:4 (Good News Translation)
We desperately need Jesus to live as overcomers. It is the transforming power of God’s Spoken Words that keeps us grounded and faithful in our relationship with Christ. Scriptural knowledge must include the Life of Christ with an emphasis on His Righteous Character. Still, knowledge alone cannot save us, discipline, self-control, surrender, and obedience demonstrate our willingness to live as faithful followers [disciples] of Christ.
“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion]” (Luke 5:16). Christ revealed the importance of solitude to maintain His connection to God through prayer. Many believers do not feel that Jesus lived as a human being with limitations as we have, the Scriptures prove that Jesus did not possess the same Divine power on earth as He possessed in heaven.
Jesus’ question to Peter at the time of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane reveals that Christ was 100% human and had to depend on God, the Father for the strength to live Holy and to perform miracles: “Or Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).
We have the same access to God’s Divine Power as Jesus did in His earthly life. How do we accomplish this? “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ ” (Matthew 22:37).
Loving God is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We study the Bible to know who He is and maintain our earth-to-heaven connection to Him through much prayer. From studying “The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John” we gain an intimate, heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. Heartfelt love and faith combined with Biblical knowledge allows us to fall in love with Yeshua and our response will be to do His will.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Yes, without fail, Jesus loves us, but He also clarifies that He must be our first love. Without committing John chapters 16-21 to memory and reflecting on Jesus’ sacrificial gift every day, Calvary’s Cross will not have a life-transforming impact on our hearts. Jesus’ greatest gift to you and me will only be perceived as a historical event. What more could He do?
A Time to Reflect: When we first accepted Christ as our personal Savior, we were excited and readily shared our decision and commitment to becoming a Christian. As time passed, the journey became tough. We had to choose right over wrong, truth instead of worldviews, and we succumbed to the busyness of life. The believer’s lifestyle involves a daily decision to resist the temptations that interfere with the personal worship required to strengthen our relationship with Christ.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8
What more can we do? For Christ to remain our First Love requires intentionality, courage, and time management. Our spiritual perception must be highly sensitized to recognize the desires, interruptions, distractions, and screen time that threaten to keep us from inviting the presence of God into our lives. Consistent worship invites the Holy Spirit to shower us with the blessings of spiritual wisdom, discernment, and strength that we desperately need to renounce sin.
From the Earth’s beauty that is still intact and the progression of technology, we know that God desires us to be well-rounded—possessing a diverse set of skills, experiences, and interests. Even so, our highest priority is to remain a steadfast Christian amidst the constant presence of evil. Without hesitation, we learn to say No to time-wasting activities that do not enhance our spiritual and personal growth.
“Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.” —Isaiah 5:1-2
“What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?” —Isaiah 5:4
The parable identifies our spiritual status of whether we are good grapes or wild grapes. Every day our decisions, habits, and lifestyles demonstrate love for Christ or love for ourselves. Only the good grapes seek to do more for Christ through a sacrificial life of faithful dedication.
God gave His beloved Son, Jesus to save our souls by giving us the option of choosing Redemption and living forever in the New Heaven and New Earth. Now Jesus asks, “What more can I do for humanity?” “It is finished!”
Lord God, we surrender ourselves to Your perfect will. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and dying on Calvary. Thank You for giving us the option to overcome sin and choose a life of righteousness. We realize that You have given Your all. Lord, we pray for the desire and strength to love You by faithfully doing our part through daily consecration. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – March 6, 2025
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9
Spiritual courage comes from believing that God [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] is Sovereign, Omniscient [All-Knowing], and Omnipotent [All-Powerful].
With faith and trust, we believe in God’s unconditional love and faithfulness to humanity [we were created in His likeness, and Jesus gave His life to save our souls], and acknowledge He knows what is best for our lives, therefore, we honor and revere His Holy Name through faithful obedience.
[Spiritual] Courage is a choice to obey and move forward on God’s Chosen Path for our lives even when we do not understand. Because we love God, even when facing the harsh vicissitudes of life, we courageously ignore our thoughts of self-reliance, pray for God’s guidance, and wait for His answer.
Courage is the righteous attribute that tells us to use our blind faith to Keep Moving Forward in Jesus’ Divine Strength. Courage requires us to take giant leaps of faith despite the continuous roadblocks of trials and hardships. From our willingness to obey God, the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith and confidence in God even when we do not understand the reason for His directive.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:9
God reminds us that His thoughts will always supersede our understanding, yet, obedience touches God’s heart, when we obey His plans, we know the outcome is always victorious. Providence is “God’s involvement in every aspect of our lives, from birth to death, and from heaven to earth.” Every faithful and obedient believer can live with the joyful expectation of receiving God’s Divine Providence in their lives. Yes and Amen. Great is His Faithfulness!
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28
“God leads people in ways that are best for them, even if those ways seem mysterious.” Throughout the Bible, we find that God gives directives without giving an “explanation of why.” Jesus Healing the Blind Man: “And He [Jesus] said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing” (John 9:7).
When praying for Divine Help, we may have the expectation of knowing all the intricate details, but God will never comply according to our wishes. We must pass the test of faith by obeying His instructions as given. One certainty that we know from the Scriptures is that God’s directives are never vague or confusing, we do not have to guess what He wants us to do, yet we will never receive the rationale.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:7). Every day we decide whether to choose Divine Providence or to fulfill our desires and plans. To follow Christ, we must accept that human knowledge and perception are limited and influenced by many factors including our life experience. We cannot know what is best for us. Much prayer for an increase in strength is required to maintain a spirit of humility and faithfully obey Yahweh [“I Am Who I Am”].
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23
Without God, there is a certain level of chaos and confusion that always resides in a person’s life. When everyone around us is relying on their human wisdom, and it appears that all is well, behind the scenes, the Scriptures reveal their minds will never experience a moment of God’s peace. Do not be deceived, unbelievers readily give advice but rarely discuss the consequences of their misguided decisions.
Our Heavenly Father does not want us to live a life filled with anxiety, worries, or suffering the consequences of excluding Him from our decisions. Despite our resourcefulness and accomplishments, we cannot control circumstances, predict the future, or guarantee outcomes even when utilizing the best strategic planning.
“But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” —Proverbs 4:19
Unlike the unbelievers who reject God and His Divine Providence, we cannot afford to play the Game of Chance—renounce self-reliance by choosing to seek God’s will through daily surrender. When everyone else says yes, we use our spiritual courage to swim against the tide. Never feel coerced to make an immediate decision. Always pray and wait for God’s guidance.
“Now the just [righteous] shall live by faith…” (Hebrews 10:38). Obedience keeps us aligned with God’s perfect plans, always includes much-needed blessings, and guarantees we will not suffer from delayed consequences that we did not anticipate, but are guaranteed to happen.
What does Courageous Christianity look like in real life?
At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on the minor inconveniences you encountered but easily resolved. Chances are you never thought about asking God for help. The downside is that self-reliance does not always reveal itself as wilful disobedience. God knows our weaknesses and will allow our faith to be tested in various ways. Pray about everything!
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8
Nothing that produces opposition in our lives just happens. One temptation that every believer fails is giving into Self-Reliance. Not all tests of faith and obedience are on a grand scale [trials that are impossible for human effort to resolve], it is life’s small disturbances and issues that lead us to make quick resolutions and exclude God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3: 5-6
The trusting heart involves God in every aspect of their lives. Pray over your life [and your family] and wait for God’s answer. Yes, we can resolve many situations, but we pray for Divine guidance because we trust in God and will never experience regrets. Steadfast courage is not only essential in resisting our internal urges to move forward without involving God but also needed to actively participate in our journey of spiritual growth and transformation.
“…I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” —John 8:28-29
From praying daily for God’s will to be revealed, the Holy Spirit empowers us with Jesus’ Divine strength, which deepens our faith and strengthens us to overcome temptation. To pray in faith means we refrain from making decisions until we receive an answer from God.
The struggle against our desires is real! Renouncing self-reliance is a daily internal battle that requires true worship in spirit and truth. Every day, we need Divine power to strengthen our spiritual courage, as we have the responsibility to cultivate the spirit of humility required to depend on God.
“Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the LORD rescues him from them all.” —Psalm 34:19, Amplified Bible.
Daily surrender prepares us for when the major storm arrives. Instead of thinking, What am I going to do? our immediate response is to pray for God’s help. Because we have established the habit of depending on God, we pray in faith with the confidence that God will bring resolution. Despite the circumstances or the time required to wait on God, we should remain hopeful and courageous.
“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” —Jeremiah 32:27
A spiritual chain of reaction occurs when we use our faith to pray and patiently wait for Divine Intervention. Not only do we receive God’s guidance but we also gain spiritual wisdom—an attribute required to live courageously which allows us to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT
From trusting God, we are empowered daily with Christ’s strength and gifted with His inner peace which allows us to courageously walk through life even when the storms are raging without anxiety, worry, or fears. And this brothers and sisters is real-life Courageous Christianity!
Prayer: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:7-8). Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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