Living Beyond Our Expectations Devotional Reading June 1, 2023
A nomadic movement is sweeping through the United States that is portrayed by Van and RV Life. Many individuals are selling their brick-and-mortar homes to enjoy freedom. Although this lifestyle is appealing because of the ability to live debt-free, major drawbacks include self-centeredness, isolation, and finding a place to safely live off the grid every day.
Nomadic life in its truest sense is usually composed of a family of three generations who are part of a community that views life collectively. Families share and barter and trade with each other. But most importantly, one is never alone! And the movement of relocation is not a spontaneous decision but involves the development of definitive plans to ensure a successful continuity of life.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7
We can agree that whatever lifestyle we choose has its challenges. Yet many cannot cope with the everyday ups and downs in their lives. They have a constant level of internal chaos that produces feeling overwhelmed even when minor issues arise. Since God has given us certain innate qualities, what has led to our inability to cope and enjoy optimal mental, emotional, and spiritual health?
In highly developed countries the “I” concept—to always put oneself first has negative long-term effects. The unrighteous character traits of selfishness and greed quickly overpower and erase the character trait of love we were created with. Through learned behaviors, we think the normal standard for life is to focus on ourselves without ever thinking of others. The do-it-yourself lifestyle has created subsequent generations who are angry, depressed, anxious, worried, and always discontented with their lives.
The suicide rate increases because the prevailing standards of “No one is coming to help you,” and “just do it” promote unrealistic expectations along with isolation, and a spirit of selfishness. The worldview of pursuing financial success leaves many with abject hopelessness when they are unable to obtain an abundance of money and material things.
God’s plan for the family and Christian community is to love each other and work together in harmony. It takes much effort to live against God’s perfect plans. Attempting to serve God when unrighteous character traits are taking over produces spiritual emptiness. We lose our love and compassion along with the desire to consider the misfortunes of others.
Since God did not create us with a spirit of selfishness our self-focus places undue stress on our mental and emotional health. Drifting away from godly principles leaves us physically weary and we enter a state of spiritual bankruptcy!
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?” —1 John 3:17
To live beyond one’s expectations does not include the pursuit of wealth and prosperity. God created us with the “We” concept to think of the needs of others. Until the Christian community embraces our duty to help others, we will never receive God’s blessings or have the character of Christ which is a must to receive the reward of eternal life. Our desire to live beyond our expectations happens when we embrace and practice God’s righteous principles of loving and helping others!
Scripture: We didn’t bring anything into this world, and we won’t take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes. People who want to be rich fall into all sorts of temptations and traps. They are caught by foolish and harmful desires that drag them down and destroy them. The love of money causes all kinds of trouble. Some people want money so much they have given up their faith and caused themselves a lot of pain. —1 Timothy 6:7-10, CEV
Prayer: God, we pray for the change of our selfish hearts into one that portrays the character and righteousness of Christ. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray, Amen.
Overcoming the Impact of Verbal Abuse AKA Emotional Abuse Devotional Reading
“What Is Verbal Abuse?” Verbal abuse, also known as emotional abuse, is a range of words or behaviors used to manipulate, intimidate, and maintain power and control over someone. These include insults, humiliation and ridicule, the silent treatment, and attempts to scare, isolate, and control. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/signs-verbal-abuse#
From a therapeutic perspective, verbal abuse is synonymous with emotional abuse. Because we live in times where it is acceptable to say whatever is on your mind many individuals bully and hurt others with words that have the strength of lethal daggers. Why is this hurtful behavior tolerated?
Learned behaviors begin at home. The majority of abusers have a history of being raised in a home where they were either a victim of verbal/emotional abuse from childhood or witnessed a sibling targeted by abusive parents or caregivers. And history [almost always] repeats itself. The unhealthy home environment portrays love as flawed and gives an inaccurate example of a loving relationship.
The abused children equate harsh damaging words with love. Because no two individuals express themselves the same, not all verbal abuse is readily perceived as verbal abuse. Statements such as “Use your brain to think,” “Why can’t you be like your brother or sister?” or “You are just like your mother or father’s side of the family” are words that humiliate but are often ignored as verbal and emotional abuse.
How many children are doing their best but are consistently told they can do better, or mature in a home hearing they are worthless and will never amount to anything in life? Put-downs, yelling, and profanity are examples of injurious words that produce lifelong detrimental effects.
Yet there is another consequence—not every abused child matures into an abuser. Children and adults who endure verbal abuse always have low self-esteem. They are drawn to anyone who will give them attention which results in many unhealthy and counterproductive relationships throughout their lives. Verbal and Emotional abuse always produces children and adults who cannot function normally.
“The psychological effects of verbal abuse include fear and anxiety, depression, stress and PTSD, intrusive memories, memory gap disorders, sleep or eating problems, hyper-vigilance and exaggerated startle responses, irritability, anger issues, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, self-harm, and assaultive behaviors.” https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/verbal-abuse/effects-of-verbal-abuse-on-children-women-and-men#
The bottom line is there is no such concept as abusive love!
With over 20 years of experience in the Behavioral/Mental Health field, I have never seen a patient achieve complete healing solely through therapy. While ongoing counseling is crucial for gaining insight and promoting change, neither theories nor human professionals can truly heal a person’s soul. The only one capable of providing complete healing is God.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18
The steps to healing from a history of verbal and emotional abuse must involve God who promises to make us well. And no other person can dare say that they have the Divine power to heal!
There is a condition to receive complete healing: Forgiveness. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).”If we cannot forgive the abusive person [whom Christ died for and loves, although He does not love their sin] then we cannot expect to receive healing or to be forgiven of our sins.
We do not have the God-given right to demand the other person to ask us for forgiveness! “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13, NLT). Acknowledging wrongdoing requires humility and the desire to change. Only a loving and humble heart will ask for God’s forgiveness and forgiveness from those whom they hurt.
Let God have His Righteous Vengeance! “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). Condemned people are those who refuse to confess, repent, and change their evil ways. God says they will not receive the reward of eternal life.
Take Action! There are some very important variables that we must consider in our healing journey.
Our relationship with Christ is dependent on our willingness to forgive the abuser. Jesus whispered this prayer to God, His Father while hanging on the cross, “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots” (Luke 23:24, NIV).
When someone apologizes for verbal abuse, it may not necessarily mean that they are truly sorry or willing to make a change. It’s important to carefully listen to their words and assess whether they are acknowledging the harm they caused and are willing to seek spiritual and professional help. Keep in mind that both divine intervention and human effort are necessary for someone to truly experience transformation of their hard heart and stop hurting others.
Using all necessary means, pray and trust in God by removing yourself and ceasing all contact with the abuser. We are created in the image of God and He does not expect us to tolerate a life of never-ending abuse even in marriage and from our family members. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).
There are very few circumstances that prevent one from ceasing all contact with the abuser. Joint custody or visitation [determined by the courts] of children is a situation where legal compliance is required and mandate that the mother or father have short contact with the abuser. Yet, remaining in the same physical location [living with the abuser] is not an option—remove yourself from the physical domain where you are dominated by the whims of the abuser.
There is no honor in staying in a unhealthy relationship with the abuser. God does not require us to suffer from the venomous spoken words of others.
The abuser is fully aware of what they said, and how they made you feel. It was an intentional action because they feel it is their right to harm you. Why? Their character is unholy. Yet, most will never acknowledge their abuse is a reflection of the evil condition of their heart. But God says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who knows how bad it is? (Jeremiah 17:9).
How do we handle a situation when the abuser is elderly or has impaired cognition and memory and does not remember their abusive ways, or the abuser may have died? “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12). With a loving heart, we forgive, or throw away all chances of happiness [in this life and eternally with God]. It is a terrible choice to live with a mind filled with ambivalence and internal chaos until we take our last breath.
There is no amount of love from another person that will change an abuser’s heart and behavior. We are expected to set healthy boundaries for those who have no conscience of harming others. You have the right to walk away. Every human deserves love and respect!
If we must interact with an abusive family member or husband or wife, only discuss pertinent information and do not engage in meaningless chit-chat. Remain cordial while responding and pray silently for the Holy Spirit to give you strength. Interacting with someone who Satan is using to try to destroy you may be the hardest action required in this earthly life.
Still, as Christians, God expects us to treat the abuser with kindness, but not to stay in the abusive relationship. I am a living witness that God will give us the strength to separate and heal from those [we love] but hurt others. God always gives us hope!
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth, Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:18-19
Jesus asked the lame man of 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6). Regardless of therapeutic advice, do not attempt to discuss the past with abusers or think about their terrible words over and over again. God instructs us to go forward! When we say, Yes, God, I desire to be made well and restart my life, Christ will accompany us on the spiritual journey of healing for as long as it takes.
Prayer: God, we thank You for creating us with love, a sound mind, and the power to restart our lives despite the abuse we have suffered. Lord, we surrender all unforgiveness, anger, and bitterness, and we ask You to give us strength as we heal one day at a time. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Why does God allow us to make mistakes that cause devastation in our lives?
From Adam and Eve who desired more than the perfect life gifted by God to Christian believers in 2023, we exhibit more trust in our decisions than in seeking God’s will. Created as free moral agents with the freedom to choose, but quickly forgetting that we were born into sin gives us a natural desire and attraction to fulfill our heart’s carnal desires.
The desire for earthly gratification is innate and produces a pattern of wilful disobedience. By following the worldview of going ahead and doing it, there is little to no resistance to making choices without praying for Divine guidance. Unfortunately, the freedom to choose easily becomes a habit that boosts self-reliance and overconfidence—leading us to sin against God.
“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23, NIV
We may justify that our small decisions do not require God’s involvement. Yet, the Scriptures indicate that God expects us to pray for direction in every matter in our lives. God is detail-oriented. Every aspect of creation along with the human body and mind is perfect and exudes excellence. God pays attention to every small or great detail in our lives. Without praying for God’s blessings and direction we have placed ourselves outside of God’s plans and will for our lives.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” —Isaiah 55:8
At some point in our lives (the timing being unique to each individual), we experience a period of success that reinforces our belief in our decision-making abilities. During this time, we feel content and self-assured, basking in the positive outcomes of our choices. This self-assurance leads us to congratulate ourselves on our flawless decision-making skills and admire our strategic thinking, which we believe has honed our minds into wise and skilled vessels.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2
But our self-willed choices are gift-wrapped in an unknown future that always produces consequences that we never anticipated. And for our exclusion of God’s direction, we will eventually experience disappointment. Why would God allow us to make choices that would bring chaos and devastation?
I recall a spiritual counseling session with a former pastor who explained that God looks at our mistakes on an individualized basis. If we were ignorant [lack of knowledge] when making the wrong choice, God extends His mercy, which usually prevents us from suffering full consequences.
When we have formed the habit of disobedience which results from a heart that is haughty and proud, we begin to view ourselves as wise. It is then that God allows us to suffer the full impact of the punishing consequences of our blatant disobedience. Our thoughts, actions, decisions, and lifestyle reflect our loyalty or disloyalty to God.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” —Galatians 6:7-8
Accountability: to be responsible, (of a person, organization, or institution) required or expected to justify actions or decisions.
“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” —Hebrews 4:13
There are many Christian testimonials from brothers and sisters who experienced the life-altering consequences of their disobedience. Without God’s approval, they started the business, accepted the once-in-a-lifetime career offer, purchased the house, or car, or married the person based on their desires. Self-confidence produces self-perceived “human wisdom.”
Remember that bad decisions can change the course of our lives forever. The unholy marriage that ends in divorce, the loss of employment, or foreclosure and repossession have a long-lasting impact spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The healing of emotional wounds requires a long spiritual journey. And most people never recover from lost finances. We do not have to become a statistic suffering from the consequences of self-willed disobedience against God.
If you are already in the group of believers who are suffering from long-term consequences that have altered your life, confess and repent of your sins. God promises to give you restoration. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9.
Never forget King David’s heinous crimes of taking Bathsheba and giving orders for her husband to be placed on the frontline of the battle so he would be killed. Psalm chapter 51 is David’s prayer of repentance. Yes, the consequences included the death of their first child, but our Merciful God anointed their next son, Solomon to become the wisest man to ever live.
Pray the prayer of surrender and obedience. Contrary to Satan’s lies, we have a Loving, Heavenly Father who does not crush us with eternal punishment even when we make intentional mistakes.
Prayer: God, we thank You for creating us with the free will of choice. We confess that we have messed up our lives by making decisions that are outside of Your plans. And for our disobedience, we repent and ask forgiveness. We pray for strength, direction, discernment, and the patience to wait on You to reveal Your plans for our lives. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:28-31
Fact: “Thoughts repeated become thoughts ingrained [like tire tracks] in our minds. When our thoughts are firmly fixed and established the brain responds by making us think those thoughts repeatedly.” Pastor Mark Finley
Fact: Feeding our minds with false information, gossip, fantasy, principles of evolution, sensationalism, profane, and vulgar information produces a mind that automatically rejects God’s Truth.
Fact: We cannot empty our minds as the myth of Eastern mysticism promotes. Replacing currently-held traditions and beliefs with biblical truths is the only way for us to experience a change in our thoughts.
Fact: We do not have empty spaces in our minds. Either our minds will be filled with good, wholesome thoughts that reflect the righteousness of Christ or bombarded with all that is unholy.
Our Responsibility: “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
Changing our habits requires a significant amount of effort. It’s essential to be critical of what we watch and listen to and guard our minds. Discipline is crucial in altering the things we feed our minds, but spiritual transformation also necessitates Divine Intervention. Seeking the Holy Spirit’s assistance through prayer can aid in changing the habits of our past that we brought into our new life in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: God, we confess that our habits are worldly. Lord, we desire to think pure thoughts and speak positive words that reflect Your Righteousness. We pray for Your Divine Help for a spiritual transformation of our minds. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Spiritual Checkpoint: Day 125 of 2023 and Strategies for Change
Time is passing quickly, we are already into the fifth month of 2023. Many of us made promises on day one of this year to change so we are functioning at our highest level of productivity. We identified goals but failed to develop realistic strategies to complete them. Desperately striving to have a work-life balance, we find on day 125 that we are still in the struggle with tasks and commitment overload.
What is your reference point? Is sensory and task overload your norm? Do you have a hectic schedule that keeps you from completing most of your to-do list? Most importantly, are you still promising yourself every night that tomorrow you will spend more time with God? Yet when tomorrow comes, you rush through personal worship, saying a quick prayer and reading only one Bible verse?
Life is so jam-packed with must-do tasks and the unexpected that we may feel helpless or victims of the rapid pace of life over which we have no control. Yet there is something we can do. Be intentional and set a time block of at least two hours to write down your daily and weekly responsibilities in a journal. Even though it has probably been a while or maybe never since you have used a pen and paper for organizing your responsibilities, it’s worth a try.
TCK Publishing has compiled a list of the top benefits of handwritten documentation.
8 Benefits of Writing Things Down Improve Your Understanding. … Strengthen Your Memory. … Process Emotions. … Reduce Stress. … Improve Your Focus. … Clarify Your Goals and Priorities. … Create a Physical Copy of Your Thought Process. … Record Your Journey. TCK Publishing
Another company expounds on the benefits of writing things down from the viewpoint of achieving success [especially if you purchase their products].
Writing Things Down Makes You More Focused In our society, we’re constantly bombarded with information that prompts more thoughts in your head. Counteract the information overload by writing things down! When you write things down, you’re forced to focus on one idea at a time. And when you’re able to dedicate the time each thought requires, you’re able to really flesh it out and get every thought related to it out of your system and your head. Your brain is meant for creating ideas, not storing them!
Writing Things Down Helps Clarify One huge benefit to writing things down is the ability to clarify. Clarity is what helps people become successful because they’re able to clarify their goals, priorities, and intentions. It’s one thing to have goals, hopes, and dreams, but it’s another to have them written down. If they’re written down, then they’re real and require your attention if you want to make them true. Plus, once they’re written down, you can expand on them and make them more specific so they can become a reality. https://thepaperandplanco.com/blogs/news/the-science-behind-why-writing-things-down-makes-you-more-successful
By journaling, I have made many personal achievements. It has allowed me to prioritize my life by identifying distractions and activities that use up valuable time but accomplish very little. Yet the most important change is that I am finally able to worship God by studying the Bible and spending more time praying throughout the day.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33, ESV
Our most important goal in life is to remain close to God and strengthen our relationship with Christ. We should pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance to recognize any individuals or activities that are hindering our peace of mind and consuming our time. By prioritizing God in our lifestyles, we can lead happy, healthy, and content lives that align with God’s Divine purpose.
Prayer: God, we admit that we need Your Divine help in eliminating the distractions which prevent us from spending time with You. We invite You into our daily routines and ask for wisdom and guidance to live healthier, productive lives. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
Three Prayers Guaranteed to Change Your Character Devotional Reading and Podcast
We struggle to become better people. Many are doing their best to get rid of their learned behaviors and hereditary characteristics, yet they never quite make it. Although spiritual transformation requires a lifetime, we make it more complicated. By attempting to change we leave out the most important factor—we cannot change ourselves without God’s help. And that is the issue, we need Divine Intervention to develop a Christ-like character.
Praying is our connection to the Power Source, Jesus Christ who sent the Holy Spirit to lead us through our earthly lives. The intervention of the Holy Spirit orchestrates the change of our hearts. Only those who surrender and obey God’s will can experience a transformation of mind and character.
The three prayers that act as spiritual catalysts for changing our hearts are the human effort required before we can receive the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit who changes us.
The Obstacle: “The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, those evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person” (Mark 7:21-23).
TheSpiritual transformation of our Characterrequires Faith, Love, Humility, Obedience, Knowledge, Prayer, Bible Study, and the Holy Spirit.
Faith: “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6
Love: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The greatest commandment to love God with everything you have was given in the Old Testament. Leviticus 19:18 states, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD”.
The emancipated Israelites did not have loving hearts. Not only did they fail to love God, but they also hated their neighbors and mistreated their parents. Because we are born sinful, and our backgrounds and life experiences differ, God has not left us to define His Righteous Standards. Study 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 for a description of love and its’ characteristics.
Love, Humility, and Obedience: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” —Micah 6:8
To give us a foundation, in the book of Micah chapter 6, verse 8 describes three character traits, “to do justice—treat others with fairness, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” which describe acceptable and righteous interaction with others and God.
“But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ ” —Jeremiah 7:23
Obedience is surrendering our will to God every day—this is the spiritual meaning of taking up our cross which is mandatory to receive spiritual transformation and eternal life. “Lord, speak to me and reveal Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Knowledge: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30
From the pages of the Holy Bible, we learn the righteous traits that God requires and we see them demonstrated in our Role Model, Jesus Christ. Change requires knowledge. What are we striving for? What are God’s expectations of the righteous? The Bible is our first Resource when seeking change. It is God-breathed and written for our edification, to instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge.
Three Daily Prayers: 1. Prayer of Confession, Repentance, and Surrender, 2. Prayer to Receive Guidance and Power from the Holy Spirit, 3. Prayer for the Strength and Wisdom to fulfill God’s will and purpose for your life.
“Now it happened that at this time He went off to the mountain to pray, and He was spending the whole night in prayer to God.” —Luke 6:12. From this prayer, Jesus received an outpouring of Divine power and He healed every sick person in the multitude of people.
Praying: If we learn nothing else about Christ, we know that praying to God was always His priority. Jesus always kept close communication with His Father for strength and, most importantly, to align with God’s will. Something that many have never thought about, Jesus had to learn obedience. Yes, the Commander of the angel armies had to acquiesce to His earthly parents until He matured and was fully into His Divine purpose on earth.
Put God First! Jesus clarifies that God is first and holds the highest status, even above His [and our] earthly family. “Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’ ” —Matthew 12:47-50
Prayer keeps us on the Path of Righteousness. Prayer keeps us from falling into the spiritual warfare of earthly distractions. Prayer keeps us in alignment with God’s will and purpose.
Our deceitful hearts cannot stay focused on Jesus without surrender and intervention from the Holy Spirit. Nor can we have victory over hereditary tendencies and learned behaviors without consistent and fervent praying. Yes, change requires intentional prayers that verbalize our desire to mature into the likeness of Christ.
Prayer: God, we are in the struggle of our lives. We need Your help. Lord, we pray for the forgiveness of our sins. We acknowledge that we cannot change our deceitful and wicked hearts without surrendering and receiving the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. We desire to have the characteristics of Christ. We ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God has given us many commands and 10 Commandments including the Creation Seventh-Day Sabbath which is Saturday. We have no evidence that God changed the Day that He blessed and made Holy. Pray for discernment from the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of Satan’s deception. Hint: Emperor Constantine.
The Dilemma of Choosing the Familiar Over the Divine Devotional Reading and Podcast
There is a great reward for faithfulness! “In yet a little while, He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” –Hebrews 10:37
As we grow closer to the Second Coming of Jesus, our struggle to remain faithful will increase. Fighting the inner conflict of right versus wrong every day is making us weary. Although we desire to have a close relationship with Christ, our sinful nature is drawn to things that are new and exciting. Satan is using many deceptions that are readily embraced by believers whose hearts do not fully belong to Christ.
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Therefore, Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:14 and 17).
It is now acceptable in the church community to socialize with and have relationships with unbelievers. Trending reasons: We are witnessing, or demonstrating the love of Jesus to others, “Jesus hung out with sinners,” and they know that we are Christians, but they respect us.
Satan has introduced the corruptness of false doctrines and omissions into our churches. There are Pastors and church leaders who rely on the recommendations from their advisory committees to only preach on certain parts of the Bible. The sermons are constructed as professional letters with a non-offensive tone and the Scriptures as a recommendation to live your best life.
The escalation of membership numbers proves that today’s Christians embrace churches with watered-down doctrines and those who sing for a couple of hours. Because we do not pray consistently for God’s guidance or study the Scriptures, we are led astray. The result of self-governance has led us to accept the opinions of others instead of seeking knowledge of the Truth for ourselves.
Following our inclinations has produced many denominations under the umbrella of Christianity who agree on only one belief that God and Jesus Christ exist. Many churches and Christians do not believe in the Triune Godhead, the Holy Spirit, or baptism by water immersion. There are countless manmade versions of God’s Truth. And Satan continues to deceive us into thinking that we can treat salvation like a multiple-choice exam.
We avoid pursuing God’s Truth because it causes mental distress and does not fit into our lifestyles. Unless we have a faithful relationship with Christ, we choose to face the vicissitudes of life alone, which leave us too weary to study for ourselves.
Without biblical knowledge and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, we do not have a foundation based on the Word of God. We readily accept the half-truths preached from the pulpits of those who are pursuing wealth instead of eternal life. What are our beliefs and what does God require of us? With the various interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, we are confused, and console ourselves that we are doing the best we can.
Why do we desire the familiar of the past? And what has propelled us to form relationships with unequally yoked individuals? “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” –James 1:14
Many believers lost their closest relationships when they accepted Jesus. And as time passes, the life of being alone escalates into loneliness which Satan uses as a catalyst for compromise. Attending church once a week does not allow us to form bonds with fellow believers. We socialize with unbelievers because we desire to be around people that we know. Not studying the Bible leaves us with a void—even though we do not have the desire to return to a worldly lifestyle, we do not understand that God expects us to dedicate our lives to Him.
We begin to perceive the spiritual [Christian] journey as restrictive. Daily worship is not a priority. Our zeal for serving God rapidly declines which results in a change in our mindset and lifestyle. The inner conflict escalates and we begin to focus on our emotions. Being a Christian is not what we expected. Our heart desires the familiar friends and family we used to have good times with.
Without praying for strength, our resolve to live holy weakens. We contact our family who never understood our decision to become a Christian and former friends just to check and see how they are doing. And once we open the door of compromise, we make plans to visit and agree to attend select worldly activities that we determine to be acceptable.
The seed of compromise grows rapidly in our hearts. We justify our attendance at worldly social functions through rationalization. “It’s an opportunity to see my family or friends. Yes, there will be alcoholic drinks and smoking marijuana, but I don’t drink or smoke, so that has nothing to do with me.”
Common Ground: The workplace is an ideal environment for Satan to gradually introduce different philosophical theories, paganistic religious beliefs, relaxation techniques such as yoga, alternative lifestyles, modern worldviews, and diverse ways to pursue success in casual conversations between coworkers.
Most of us have a natural desire to be included at work and sit and chat, take breaks, and eat lunch with our coworkers. We passively participate by just listening but admit the information is interesting. We begin to think about researching and learning more about the various topics.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” –Ephesians 6:12
Our enemy, Satan is a fallen angel. Without God, we are no match against His power over humanity. Our greatest earthly enemy is a mastermind of evil schemes. Easy targets are Christians who are naive, lonely, overly curious, overconfident, and prideful. Satan’s deceptions are personalized temptations. He is aware that each of us is unique in our desires.
Although Satan is not Omniscient and does not know our thoughts, evil angels observe our behaviors and lifestyle choices. Satan has many vices, but one characteristic that ensures his success in making us fall, Satan is patient! He uses the familiar people, places, and things, we like to make us fall hard into sin. Temptations are not presented in a threatening manner or else he would not be successful.
Satan’s favorite tactic is to use the familiar to deceive us. Familiarity leaves us vulnerable! We trust the people we are comfortable with, especially those whom we love and respect [family and friends, coworkers]. We reminisce on the places where we used to hang out or we tell others about a new restaurant with a live band. Our perception changes and we no longer view our friends, family, and coworkers as unbelievers. We desire to socialize with people we know.
The estimate of 6,000 years since the earth was created gives Satan the confidence we will choose the familiar over the Divine. The generations of people that he has presented earthly pleasures to and has fallen began with Adam and Eve. Our enemy knows without Divine help that He has the advantage over humanity.
His plan [with our name on it] will come to fruition because we become weary in well-doing. Giving in to our emotions or desires led us into the maze of temptation. At this point, either we will come to our spiritual senses or we will move forward into the depths of sin.
Reflect on your relationships. If the person or people you enjoy being with do not desire eternal life then they are living in darkness. In socializing with unbelievers, we do not fully understand righteousness or we desire companionship at any cost, including the loss of our reward of eternal life.
“If you dance with the devil, then you haven’t got a clue, for you think you’ll change the devil, but the devil changes you.” ― J.M. Smith. In this author’s book, the focus is on people who do not have a conscience. “…genuine and sincere feelings toward others are completely absent. In other words, they lack emotions, like love, kindness, compassion, remorse, and pity. Nevertheless, they pretend and impersonate those feelings, but theirs are superficial and false.”
Unbelievers are not aware that Satan is using them! Even with only basic knowledge of godly principles, we realize that we cannot serve God and hang out with worldly people. It is the familiar that Satan uses to set the background for his greatest deceptions to lure us away from God’s divine plan.
What makes a believer reject God and desire to return to their former life? It is a gradual process of desensitization to worldliness. Our habits and lifestyles reveal the reason we easily fall. The programs we watch, the music we listen to, and the conversations we passively engage in fail to honor God. We are double-minded.
Choosing one day [Saturday or Sunday] we put on the outward clothing of the appearance of righteousness, attend church, and listen to sermons, but we never make progress in our spiritual journey of transformation because of the sinful desires of our hearts.
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” –1 Peter 1:15-16
We attempt to blend oil with water to produce a worldly Christian. If you have ever thought or verbalized, “There is nothing wrong with…” then you have crossed over the line of righteousness into sinfulness. With God, there is no middle ground or gray area.
There is no doubt that we are living in perilous times. Whether we are steadfast or not, we recognize the decline in society’s ethics, morals, and values, the rise of global financial instability, and political corruption. There are wars, rumors of wars, nuclear preparations, and civil insurrections that indicate Jesus is coming soon. The Bible gives us concrete evidence of last-day events in Matthew chapter 24 and Second Timothy chapter 3.
“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 knows the dilemma we face from being born in sin and shaped by iniquity. He gave us the ultimate gift of Salvation and Redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we are in a state of confusion and ready to turn back, God uses the Holy Spirit to appeal to us to accept His love and obey His commands. Yet, we have free will of choice. To grieve the Holy Spirit is to continuously reject the Truth as evidenced by our disobedience.
Satan knows his time is short, he is working overtime to customize the temptations that satisfy our heart’s desires. During the Dark Ages, the Christian church fell into apostasy, embraced false doctrines, and became corrupt. History is indeed repeating itself in our era.
“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
To follow Jesus requires us to give our all to Him. We accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior because we love Him. Our role is to be Christ’s disciples who follow in His footsteps. Maintaining a steadfast relationship with Christ requires a do-right mind. We give up our relationships with unrighteous people along with avoiding all forms of worldliness because we love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds.
Our Helper, The Holy Spirit: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” –John 16: verses 7,8, and 13
God knows we cannot live holy without Divine Intervention! Before Jesus died, He promised the disciples a Helper, the Holy Spirit. As disciples, we have the help of the Holy Spirit who is only a prayer away. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher who leads, guides, and comforts us through our earthly journey, keeping us on the Path of Righteousness.
When tempted by thoughts of the familiar, pray fervently! The union of human effort and Divine Intervention is required for overcoming temptation. Delete phone numbers, pray for strength at work, and exclude yourself from godless conversations. Invite your family and friends to church. Either they will accept the invitation or leave you alone. Keeping your relationship with Christ requires self-control, discipline, and much prayer.
In our natural, sinful state, we cannot live holy or receive the eternal inheritance that Jesus promises us in Revelation 22:12. The human effort of determination and the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit keep us from falling and failing in our spiritual journey.
Spiritual transformation requires faith, trust, obedience, and perseverance. We must decide for ourselves whether or not we will surrender and love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. God loves us but we must never forget that He is a Righteous Judge who will not tolerate sin whether it is through compromise or total and wilful disobedience.
We have too much to lose! With the strength of the Holy Spirit, we can say goodbye to the familiar! Preparation for life in the New Heaven and New Earth begins now and continues throughout our lifespan or up until the day that Jesus returns to this earth. Nothing on this earth will ever compare to the glory of living forever with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
“For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. –1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17
Prayer: God, we ask You to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to withstand the temptation of choosing the familiar over the Divine. Lord, we need Your supernatural strength as we prepare for eternal life. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made From Love Devotional Reading and Podcast
Agape love is a sacrificial love that unites and heals. It is the love of God that we see through the cross of Jesus Christ. This love saves and restores humanity in the face of sin and death. Agape love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13. http://www.christianity.com
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…'” (Genesis 1:26). “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).
“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 demonstrated His love for humanity by creating us in His likeness and the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrificial love gift of giving His life on Calvary for the redemption of our sins. “In this, the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).
King David proclaimed, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14). Yes, we were created in the image of God by Jesus whose very name and character are synonymous with love.
In these last days of earth’s history, the darkness of sin and misery threatens to overshadow the light of God’s unconditional love. We are living in a time when earthly love has dwindled to a flicker and hopelessness pervades. Throughout this world, we have generations of people, including many Christian believers who are filled with brokenness as evidenced by anxiety, worry, and depression. Not only are they questioning God’s love for them, but many are also living their lives by just going through the motions and thinking, “Why am I here?”
In a recent sermon, Pastor Wintley Phipps answers the question, Why am I here? “We were created for three reasons, to be loved by God, to love God, and to love others.”
We also have a straightforward answer from the Apostle John for our internal brokenness: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). Loving God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers who feel unloved and perceive life as overwhelming or meaningless were once in a loving relationship with Christ.
But the relationship changed or else we could not feel unloved. “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Malachi 3:6). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Two primary reasons cause us to forget the love of God: Allowing life’s trials and sorrows to act as a catalyst in producing the negative emotional response that God has forgotten me, how can He say that He loves me? Or the distractions from the busyness of life have left little time to maintain a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ. The interruption in our spiritual connection with God is always a result of our decision to change the conditions of the relationship.
In Revelation, Jesus tells the Ephesus Church [The Loveless Church], “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:2-4).
The members of Ephesus Church did not reject God. They were diligent in their church attendance, gave tithe and offerings, witnessed, and did not engage in pagan activities, but their service to God was ritualistic. They did the right things because it was what they were instructed to do as Christians. In losing their first love, Jesus was no longer the reason for their works as disciples.
Strengthening the bonds of love with Christ requires the human effort of demonstrating our love for God through daily praise and worship. When our lives exclude the daily power and presence of the Holy Spirit because we fail to pray and study the Bible the outcome is separation from God. Without a steadfast connection to God, we place ourselves in the enemy’s territory.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Trending fallacy: “Each of us has a soulmate who will make us complete.” By accepting the misguided worldview of a false definition of love, we expect someone else to make us whole. The unrealistic expectation for people to be our primary source of love will always produce disappointment and emptiness.
You may say, But I am married or in a committed relationship. Even so, the only consistent, never changing, selfless love that can make us whole is the agape love that our Heavenly Father gives. “…Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3, last part).
By focusing on the demand for a nonexistent perfect love from others, we develop a spirit of discontentment. Unrealistic expectations cloud our perception and we forget about the selfless love of God which also causes us to lose our connection with Christ. Our example is King David who had many enemies in his kingdom including two of his sons, Absalom, and Adonijah. Although he loved them, they did not feel the same for their father.
From a young shepherd boy tending sheep who was anointed as the second king of Israel and Judah to having Divine protection from King Saul and forgiveness for his double sin of murder and adultery, God demonstrated His unfailing love for David. God even permitted David to have the status of a powerful Warrior King. The only thing that God withheld from David was building the Temple because of his history of bloodshed.
“Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 43:2 and 5). Yet, King David did not have peace until his last years of life. Throughout the Psalms, we read of his emotional distress because he was fixated on his enemies.
When our focus is not on God and we fail to remember our God-given victories, our faith fails and we lose the trusting relationship that we used to enjoy. Spiritual separation reveals itself in feeling unloved which easily leads to a downcast soul. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
God created humanity to live on this beautiful earth and to possess hearts full of love, joy, peace, and happiness. Yes, we recognize the detrimental effects of the lack of love on this earth. Because we were created from love, to love, Christians are not exempt from feeling the misery of the pervading evil that often causes us to forget that God’s love is always present and He is still in control.
Even in our seasons of lengthy trials, illnesses, and hardships, God promises that He is always with us. Without knowing scriptural promises and having an active prayer life, we become discouraged and feel that God has abandoned us. Does Jesus love us? Yes, we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who promises to keep us in perfect peace and protect us. Study Psalms chapter 91.
This morning during worship, I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to reveal the answer that would help us [including me] to never forget that He loves us. The answer: Go back to the beginning of the Bible and read the Creation story. I am sharing my reflection on Jesus’ love.
When I look at the landscapes, the variety of flowers and fruits, forests of trees standing like soldiers, plants capable of thriving in a harsh desert, the rough terrain of mountainous regions decorated with a spray of multi-colored wildflowers, the oceanic waves that stay within their boundaries, the animal kingdom and the diversity of human beings, I know that Jesus is Love.
From studying the Book of Genesis, I am reminded that Jesus did not speak humanity into existence. Jesus bent down and created Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from Adam’s rib. Yes, He knew they would reject His love by disobeying the command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The sacrificial gift of Jesus’ life for wayward humanity was approved by God, the Father before Adam and Eve. There is never an afterthought with the Omniscient God. The Righteous Lord Jesus voluntarily chose to die on the cross to give us an alternative to the wages of sin which is the final death. Refer to Malachi chapter 4. Yes, I know that Jesus is love.
Jesus the King of the universe who commands His angel armies not only exhibited the humility of agape love on the cross of Calvary but also demonstrated His majestic power and glory in the creation of human life and this world. Yes, I know that I am loved!
From receiving the gift of a new day, we are reminded of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercies. To receive the benefits from agape love, we must surrender our will to God. It’s not that God does not love the sinner, a disobedient and unbelieving heart is an open rejection of Jesus as Lord and Savior in one’s life.
The unbeliever views the life of a believer as one who has to obey a long list of restrictions. Our faithful love for Christ changes our outlook. True disciples desire spiritual transformation and we acknowledge that whatever God requires we will obey because this earth is temporary and will pass away.
Created from love, to love, not only God but also one another. Loving God keeps us spiritually connected to the Source, Jesus Christ. Understanding Agape love prevents our emotions from being in total disarray. We are steadfast in our conviction that God is love!
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the reason that you feel unloved. Are your beliefs in alignment with the Scriptures? Does your lifestyle demonstrate that God is first in your life? Feeling unloved or abandoned is always a consequence of us changing the status of our relationship with Christ.
The Holy Spirit will reveal the exact reasons for the loss of our first love. Then it is our choice of whether or not we will change our behaviors. Pray a prayer of forgiveness for abandoning Jesus as your First love, and recommit by verbalizing the desire for the restoration of your relationship with Christ.
Remember, Jesus promised that He would never leave us or forsake us despite our free will choices. When we faithfully love and trust Jesus, we readily give Him our devout praise and worship every day. We will never feel unloved again. Diligently study the Scriptures to learn about the only lifetime soul mate that will always love us unconditionally, our Creator, Jesus Christ.
For those who have a steadfast relationship with Jesus are we witnessing to others that Jesus is love? We have the responsibility, to tell the truth about the creation of humanity and dispel the mythical teaching of evolution. Everyone needs to hear the powerful message that Jesus loves them and sacrificed His life to complete the plan of salvation.
Tell them if they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior that this earth is not our final home. We have a forever home waiting for us where love will abound and death will cease. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so!
The next time you are feeling unloved, relax by sitting down and taking a deep breath. Extend your arm and move your fingers, turn your hand over, and touch your face. In a normally functioning person, those movements are effortless.
Neurons carry messages from the brain via the spinal cord. These messages are carried to the muscles which tell the muscle fibers to contract, which makes the muscles move. This is a simple explanation of the physiology [function] of the highly complex Nervous System producing normal movement of our muscles.
Scripture: “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)
Prayer: God, thank You for creating us with fearfully and wonderfully made minds and bodies. We love You and desire restoration. Thank You, Jesus, for Your great sacrifice. We ask this prayer in Your Holy name, Amen!
Fight to Protect What Is Rightfully Yours Devotional Reading and Podcast
Equipped For Life
If we perceive life as overwhelming, we quickly forget the spiritual gifts we were given and lose our sense of purpose in our earthly journey. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Although we have received all that we need along with a measure of faith to live productive lives, many allow emotions to guide their response to life’s challenges and they do not understand their purpose.
Knowing God’s Purpose—Why Am I Here?
We were created to worship God, witness, help others, and live happy and healthy lives. The intentional act of putting God first allows us to maintain our spiritual priorities. Through surrender, prayer, and study of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit gives us the daily strength to achieve our activities of daily living, build our relationship with Christ, and perform our spiritual assignments.
“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)
We do not have to wander through life aimlessly. The believer’s life has a definitive purpose. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples which can be accomplished not only in person, but we also have access to reach and witness globally using the advancements of technology.
By fulfilling our spiritual assignment and using our gifts and talents, our obedience to God ensures that we receive benefits only given to the righteous. God’s Divine intervention, spiritual strength, provisions for that day, protection from physical harm and spiritual warfare along with many other blessings are reserved for the faithful.
Our perception of God is demonstrated by our strengths and weaknesses. If we believe God is Loving, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent, and He always keeps His promises then we will possess endurance, perseverance, courage, strength, and power! Do we believe that God is faithful? Does He keep His promises? Steadfast faith and trust allow us to maintain joy and peace despite our circumstances.
Endurance and Perseverance
Yesterday morning, I prayed for an increase in faith. A few minutes later, sitting at my window, I watched a small bird pecking in the grass for food. Although it took time and effort to find something to eat, the bird persevered until it came to the area that provided nourishment, ate, and flew away.
Courage, Strength, and Power
Have you ever watched a documentary on lions? The pride or family consists of one dominant male and one to two lionesses and their cubs. The lion’s pride is socially structured and based on specific roles. Lionesses are the primary hunters and the dominant males are responsible for protecting their pride and territory.
Observing their behaviors teaches us something about knowing who you are. Regardless of peaceful times or threatening situations, lions hold their heads up and strut when they walk. They are fearless! The dominant male will fight to protect his pride and the lioness will fight to protect her cubs. Lions continue the battle until the opponent runs away or they are fatally wounded.
Where is our strength? “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” –Ephesians 6:10-11
Believers we belong to the Most-High God! “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…(1 Peter 2:9).
We are not speaking about possessing a heart full of pride. Our courage and confidence are founded in God. The righteous belong to God. We have a Father who loves and protects us. Jesus promised to never leave or forsake us, to be with us until the end of the world.
“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” –Isaiah 65:24
God is not asking us to be stoic. When facing the vicissitudes of life which include spiritual warfare, tribulations, and sorrows, even when tears will not cease, and we feel defeated, call on the name of the Lord! The human effort of praying for Divine help unleashes the power of the Almighty.
“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Our prayers are based on our faith in God. Be honest about the status of your faith. The father of the boy in Mark chapter 9, verse 24, cried with tears, “…Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Confess to God that your faith is weak, still, ask for help!
Like the lion, we must have confidence and courage every day of our earthly journey. Unlike the lion who depends on its strength to win battles, we have a Spiritual Team, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and guardian angels who are ready to intervene 24/7. “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:14).
The apostle Paul explains our responsibility in this journey of life. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13).
Do not focus on your circumstances! Through consistent worship, we keep our focus on Jesus. Remaining faithful and courageous requires us to pray, obey, and trust in God. God keeps us on a need-to-know basis. Faith grows from placing 100% confidence in God. Day by day, we receive spiritual fortification by praying for the guidance, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit every day.
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).
Stay in His presence with the determination of remaining steadfast. We are in this world, but not of this world. Do not become distracted by people who do not desire eternal life. Rebuke the temptation of worldly pleasures. Place time constraints on involvement in social issues. Politics will not produce a righteous character. Nothing that we own will be taken into the next life. Even earthly marriages will not exist in heaven [Matthew 22:30].
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” –Revelation 22:12
Brothers and Sisters, with courage, fight every day for what is rightfully yours–the reward of eternal life.
Prayer: God, we thank You for equipping us with power, love, and a sound mind. We thank You for the privilege to call on Your name to receive Divine Intervention to fight against spiritual warfare. We confess that our faith is weak and we ask You to give us strength as we persevere to remain steadfast. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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