Tag: July 29 2024

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional July 28, 2024

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

Our faith is the spiritual conduit that links us to Christ who covers us with His Righteousness. Like King David, we pray, asking God to search our hearts for any wicked thing and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God’s gift of Redemption includes the washing away of all sin, past and present completed by Jesus ‘ blood sacrifice on Calvary.

We are covered by an all-inclusive plan of salvation. Yes, without “respecter of person,” everyone who calls on the Lord Jesus to confess and repent their sins has the assurance they are forgiven for their transgressions. From daily surrender, we receive the outpouring of Jesus’ love, strength, direction, and protection for the given day.

“Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].” —1 Peter 4:10, Amplified Bible

To be a follower of Christ requires commitment to living a sacrificial life of self-denial. “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The prophet Isaiah reflects the chosen who are anointed and received [from Christ] the spiritual gifts and talents to reflect the love of God and to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). For those who serve God in humility, the Holy Spirit not only reveals our Chosen path and guides us daily to fulfill God’s will and plans, but we also receive the spiritual wisdom and discernment to learn the things we do not know.

Isaiah Chosen to be a Prophet: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory.’ ” —Isaiah 6:1-3

Every Believer’s Innate Condition of the Heart: “So I said: Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” — Isaiah 6:5

Jesus Christ, Our Heavenly Intercessor’s Divine Intervention of Washing Away Our Sins: “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” — Isaiah 6:6-7

Isaiah realized the wretchedness of his human heart and he immediately confessed his plight of being a sinful man. The angel was not self-directed in placing the coal on Isaiah’s lips to cleanse the prophet from all sin and unrighteousness. Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King and the Commander of Angel armies gave the Divine order to the seraphim. Only Christ, our High Priest and Heavenly Intercessor can forgive us of our sins.

Do we possess Isaiah’s humility as demonstrated by prayers of daily confession and repentance?

“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. 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 4:14-16

Through prayer, fasting, and spiritual meditation, we invite King Jesus in all His Majesty and Glory into our lives. Our only acceptable worship is faithful obedience. Like Isaiah, when we accept our sinful condition, we acknowledge the merciful privilege given to mortals to be in the presence of a Holy and Righteous God. Our only acceptable response to a Sovereign and Righteous God is to bow ourselves in humility and surrender daily with the commitment to faithfully obey our King of kings.

Who Will Go? “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ ” —Isaiah 6:8

Once we have surrendered ourselves to the service of God, we abide in Christ by seeking His will in all aspects of daily living. Jesus’ strength and wisdom is imparted by the Holy Spirit to the righteous, obedient believer who possesses the humility, love, patience, and the desire to be a true follower of Christ. Although we are blessed with various spiritual gifts, our primary role is one of a disciple with the spiritual assignment to Obey and Go!

God has blessed us with the advancement of technology to minister globally to a world in darkness. Still a crucial part of our ministry should be face-to-face witnessing which many Christian believers intentionally avoid. Unless our physical condition places us on a homebound status where we are unable to leave our dwelling, we should use every opportunity to tell someone by direct contact “Jesus loves you, have a blessed day!”

” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” —Proverbs 3:5-7

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” —Proverbs 14:12

As believers, God has forewarned us of the dangers of following our own inclinations. With prayer and deep reflection on the Holy Words of God, we know whether or not we are traveling on the Chosen path designated by Christ. The decision to follow Jesus is not one of compromise. We cease listening to our wayward hearts that provoke us to disobey God and suffer sin’s consequences. True discipleship is praying for God’s will and thinking, speaking, and carrying out His commands.

The Chosen Twelve: Jesus’ disciples were unlearned men from various walks of life who had unloving and rowdy characters. These men constantly argued among themselves of who would be the greatest in his kingdom, were selfish, prejudiced, disliked children, and faithless. Still with all of their faults, they obeyed Christ’s every command. Their reverence, honor, and respect for Christ was revealed through obedience which they did even before they loved Jesus and acknowledged He was the Son of God.

“Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ ” —Luke 11:1

Spiritual growth, maturity, and transformation occur on a daily basis when we strive to obey Christ as he obeyed God, His Father. In their daily interactions with Jesus, His disciples finally acknowledged within their hearts that He was the Son of God. And we know this because they asked Christ to teach them how to pray, and at that moment, the Holy Spirit began their transformation.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—John 14:15-16

From beholding Jesus’ loving and righteous character, the stony, rebellious hearts of 11 of the 12 disciples softened from the powerful influence of Agape love. Yes, eleven of Jesus’ original disciples were transformed into steadfast, faithful, and obedient apostles who possessed the character of Christ. Not only will they receive their Crown of Life, but Jesus also promised, “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14).

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” —Matthew 7:13-14

To receive Revelation 22:12 is not easily obtained. Good people do not go to heaven. The righteous who decided to live a sacrificial and obedient life fueled by their faith give reverence and adoration to Jesus by abiding in Him. Yes the true disciples worship God in Spirit and Truth and allow the Holy Spirit to change and mold their minds, characters, and personalities into the likeness of Christ.

It is the remnant who obey Christ even if it means loss of material goods, family, and friends who desire to be a servant of Christ. The sacrificial life of self-denial and obedience to God places us on the Narrow Path. Very few Christians follow the path of servitude required to receive eternal life.

Whether we are on the narrow or wide path is displayed by our mindset and lifestyle. Every morning the believers who have wholly consecrated themselves to Christ pray and ask for His will to be revealed. Jesus tells us that we must obey His commandments to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

The life of the faithful few who entered the narrow gate and walk daily on the Narrow Path of Righteousness live an earthly life filled with suffering. Not only are we working out our salvation, but we also cooperate with the Holy Spirit to have the Fruit of the Spirit which identifies us as true disciples of Christ.

Our love, honor, and reverence for Christ are demonstrated in our desire to “Go!” and witness that Jesus is our Savior, through daily consecration, surrender, and faithful obedience. Yes, deep within our hearts, we live with the joyful expectancy of, Jesus, I will see you soon!

“To him who overcomes shall receive the Crown of Life.” —Revelation 3:11

Lord God, we desire to live a consecrated and holy life of faithful obedience and witnessing to others. Lord, we desire to receive the reward that is given to those who can proclaim, God, I have finished the work You have given to me. In Jesus’ Holy and Righteous Name. Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry