“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19
Yehovah Yireh who supplies all of our needs is also Yehovah Rapha—a Healer. After 3 years of uncontrolled Asthma with two inhalers and round-the-clock nebulizer treatments, in May, God healed me. No more medication. God, I owe You my life. Amen. ©2024—SDJ—Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – June 4, 2024
“The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.…” —Psalm 19:7-8
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ ” —Psalm 27:7-8
Recently, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me understand Agape love. In the stillness of the approaching sunset, the Holy Spirit led me to study verses on the Law—the Testimony in the Psalms. As I reflected deeply on these Scriptures, I felt an overwhelming appreciation for the love of God and His Role as our Heavenly Father.
“The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.” —Psalm 119:57-58
David was a true worshiper. He knew the Testimonies expressed God’s love for humanity. We exist because of an Agape love so phenomenal that our Heavenly Father gave us His Law to protect us from the destruction of our moral character and guide us on the Path of Righteousness from earth to heaven.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world.” —1 John 5:3-4
God is Truth and His Law is Truth. Our faith is the catalyst for accepting and obeying God’s Laws without doubting or questioning their validity. We have been deceived into believing that Grace abolished the Law. Obeying the Testimonies of God is our Spiritual Surety to receiving daily victory over temptation and self-gratification and ensures that we hear and obey the Voice of God.
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.” —Psalm 119:2
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul…” Faithful obedience is the response that demonstrates an appreciation of God’s Law and love. Once we grasp the magnitude of God’s love and His purpose for our lives, our worship is intentional—seeking God and doing His will is our priority. “The path of obedience to God is the path of safety and happiness.” Every day God desires to shower down much-needed blessings of spiritual strength, wisdom, and discernment.
Our love and loyalty are the gateway to the Holy Spirit opening our understanding of “great and mighty things that we do not know.” If we say, yes, to God then we receive the spiritual benefits of the gift of Redemption—Divine Help is freely given. From our willingness to surrender, we have the assurance the Holy Spirit will convert our hearts, minds, and characters in preparation for Eternal life.
Even with Divine Help, our spiritual journey is tumultuous, we face spiritual warfare every day. Still, we must stand firm in our conviction to live holy. Thankfully, Christ limits Satan’s attacks, he cannot strive against the righteous continuously. Because our natural eyes cannot perceive the unseen, every believer has a guardian angel whose mission is to protect.
Jesus knows every temptation we face and commands the heavenly messenger angels to fight Satan’s evil angels, protecting us from the perdition of spiritual warfare and physical harm. Satan’s power is greater than ever imagined! Yes, we have angels who fight against spiritual warfare, yet, we must fulfill our role as fighting soldiers who renounce sin—we will always be the target of the enemy.
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael [Jesus]…came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” —Daniel 10:13
In Daniel, chapter 10, the angel sent to reveal the interpretation of Daniel’s dream explains he was delayed in Persia. King Cyrus was appointed by God to give the decree to emancipate the Nation of Israel when their 70 years of captivity came to fruition. “The prince of the kingdom of Persia” is Satan who easily influences unbelievers. Satan’s plan was to convince King Cyrus not to end the Jew’s Babylonian enslavement.
God asks, “…Who then is able to stand against Me? …” —Job 41:10
For 21 days, Satan fought against Christ’s angel over Cyrus’ mind to prevent him from fulfilling God’s command. Michael represents Jesus who came to earth to intervene and stand down Satan’s power over Cyrus’ mind. From this revelation of Scripture, we understand God’s Omnipotence, satanic power, and our role in overcoming sin.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” —Ephesians 6:10-11
The apostle Paul compares our earthly lives to a battle, and it is! Every day, we face spiritual warfare. Satan’s power is evident by the rapid moral decline and the escalation of corruption and natural disasters. Yet, his goal is to gain control of the believer’s mind. The controversy between good and evil is not physical. It is a spiritual battle of the mind. When tempted, whether or not we succumb is the result of a conscious decision to choose right or wrong.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” —Psalm 37:23
The tug of war in our conscience arises when our minds are conflicted—temptation reveals our moral weaknesses. We are not tempted by the things we do not desire. Still, none can be compelled by Satan to sin. If we are not grounded in Christ and live a life guided by the Testimonies then Satan’s minuscule efforts easily make us fall. If we cooperate with the Heavenly agencies then we receive God’s Power to overcome sin.
“I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.…” —Psalm 119:59
The Law of God guides our thoughts and behaviors to align with the Righteousness of Christ, still, we must choose to obey. Sanctification is the daily process of being restored into the image of Christ and is orchestrated by the power of the Holy Spirit. Daily we cooperate with Divinity in the transformation of our characters. Loving and obeying God’s Law, loving others, and possessing the Fruit of the Spirit, are must-haves to receive our Crown of Life.
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.…” —Psalm 119:97-98, BSB
To understand Agape love requires hearts that reciprocate God’s love. Our sacrificial offering of self-denial is love for God. To perceive life through natural eyes is to choose destruction. Spiritual wisdom empowers us to discern life through God’s eyes. Our pursuit of Christ’s Righteousness must be relentless. In Christ’s name, our love propels us to stand for God despite the circumstances.
Understanding the plan of Salvation and the purpose of the Testimonies motivates us to give our all to Christ through surrender and faithful obedience. Human effort and Divine Intervention are required to save our souls. God is faithful and we must vow to also be faithful.
When we think of God’s love and goodness our only possible response is to whisper prayers of surrender and sing praises of gratitude for Jesus’ Amazing Love and His Righteous Precepts. Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” —Revelation 3:21, NIV
© 2024 SDJ-Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 28, 2024
“Be strong and of good courage…Only be strong and very courageous…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 1:6-7, 9
When Moses died, God allowed a time of mourning for His beloved servant to be fulfilled. Immediately after, Joshua received his commission from God: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel” (Joshua 1:2).
Yes, God knew that Joshua’s heart was filled with fear, still, He commanded Joshua three times to be courageous and to move forward because “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God never justifies our fears. He gives us the only remedy, to put our faith and trust in His power.
“Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom…” —Deuteronomy 34:9
To serve as a courageous soldier in the army of our Mighty Warrior God, we must first possess godly wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Wisdom gives us godly perception and discernment. We perceive matters with spiritual insight.
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” —James 1:6
Faith in God is the catalyst to accepting Christ as our personal Savior and faith sustains our relationship with Christ. By faith, we please God. By faith, we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. By faith, we surrender and are transformed into the likeness of Christ. By faith, we live courageously upholding the banner of righteousness. Every spiritual attribute that God requires of us is based on the foundation of steadfast faith.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:7, NLT
Courage is an innate spiritual gift and a virtue we must possess in our walk with Christ. The Hebrew word for courage is chazaq—”to show oneself strong.” The Holy Spirit uses our God-given attributes of love, faith, and courage to prompt us to surrender and accept Christ.
From our commitment to discipleship, our love, faith, courage, power, and self-control are used by the Holy Spirit to facilitate spiritual transformation, empower us to renounce sin, and live a faith-based, Christ-centered life that honors God.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” —1 Corinthians 16:13
Does courage matter? Throughout the Bible, God places a great emphasis on possessing courage. Courage is rarely addressed in sermons. Courage is not only required to put our faith in action, but courage is the remedy for overcoming anxiety, worries, and life’s hardships. It takes courage to refuse to sin when compromise rules.
Jesus says: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” —Revelation 21:8
“If cowardice belongs to unbelievers, the implication is that one mark of a true Christian is courage (Ligonier.org). Jesus not only identifies cowardice as a mortal sin but it is the first sin listed that will cause unbelievers to experience the second and final death. If courage is vital to our lives as overcomers then why is it the most overlooked Christian virtue?
Courage is the catalyst that activates our love and faith in God to be practicing Christians. Courage is the spiritual fuel that feeds our choice to surrender and obey God when our hearts are driving us to sin. We use courage to choose God’s truth over false doctrines, live a sanctified life in a world filled with abject wickedness, and stand on holy ground when faced with offers of compromise.
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.” —Ephesians 6:10, Amplified Bible
“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray…” God has always required human effort before He intervenes. We exercise our inner strength to remain steadfast and courageous, still, we must rely on Jesus’ strength given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Every day, we fight to stand down our carnal desires and pray for the Holy Spirit to keep us on the Narrow Path of Righteousness. To resist our heart’s desires and renounce worldviews is a daily decision based on the courage to surrender, will we choose God?
Many are plagued with spiritual instability in their Christian journey. Sometimes they are courageous and on fire for God; other times their lights are flickering as if burning out. The inner struggle of our hearts will never cease. Yet, with determination, we must “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15).
God will never coerce or beg us to obey Him. I can come to Jesus just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am. God requires a complete spiritual overhaul of our minds, characters, personalities, habits, and behaviors. Our fight to live holy is severe! Still, we have the power to choose holiness! From our prayer of surrender, we receive the supernatural power to resist temptation and live as overcomers.
Living By the Power of His Might
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. —Ezekiel 36:26-27
To surrender is a prayerful decision that calls for faith in action. Most of us establish life goals and live accordingly to complete them. Every morning, set a spiritual goal, “I will not sin against God today.” Pray for spiritual strength. We can do nothing using only human effort. Living a faithful and obedient life requires full cooperation with Divinity.
It takes courage to pray and ask God for a desire of our heart and remain obedient when He says no. It takes courage to love the disagreeable. It takes courage to remain silent and walk away from conflict. To deny ourselves of forming relationships when loneliness arises because Christ has separated us for spiritual growth requires courage and much prayer for strength. To overcome the sin of disobedience, we must have the courage to practice self-denial and self-control.
“Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” —2 Corinthians 6:14, Amplified Bible
Today’s believers are fighting one of the greatest battles—loneliness. Satan has increased his strategic warfare in the areas of Christian dating and marriage. Single men and women of all ages feel their lives have no purpose because they are not in love. Our enemy dresses the wolves in sheep’s clothing, but church attendance and saying, Lord, Lord does not indicate a man or woman of God has a converted heart. Pray and wait on the Lord!
The Increase of Conflict in Christian Marriage: Marriage is a holy union consisting of three cords, Christ, the husband, and the wife. Conflict in the marriage always originates from one or both spouses having an unconverted heart. Seeking marriage counseling does not change and purify the heart.
“Create in me, a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10
Dissension in a marriage requires the husband and wife to bow down in humility and surrender fully to God. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church and the wife is to honor and respect her husband. The spiritual goal of marriage is to lovingly help each other receive their crowns of life.
Downsize Your Social Circle: Consistently perform a mental-spiritual review of your social circle. Every person should be a man or woman of God who is dedicated to Christ and can pray for you. They should lovingly but boldly use the Scriptures to address areas of compromise [iron sharpens iron].
“I can [and will] do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Compromising believers weaken our resolve and lead us astray. Let go of everyone who cannot pray and help you on your spiritual journey. It’s a tough decision, but never choose the familiar over the Divine!
“Be holy, for I am Holy” is God’s command to every believer who accepted Christ as their Savior. Not only do we fight against spiritual warfare, but every day, we fight the inner battle of a carnal heart that opposes all that is good and holy. The human effort of exercising steadfast courage, surrender, and faithful obedience are the spiritual virtues required to live a sacrificial life holy and acceptable to God.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” —Acts 1:8
The life God commands us to live can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. As the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” every day we should separate ourselves from spouses, children, family members, and friends by going into our secret closets and seeking God’s presence through meaningful worship.
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” —Revelation 3:11
Do not let your faith waver! The spiritual journey of Sanctification compares to no other earthly hardship. Get ready for Christ’s return and stay ready. Either we will live our best lives now or in the New Heaven and New Earth. If we desire to walk with God like Enoch [who courageously stood on the Righteousness of Christ in wicked times] then we give God our best by making Him our priority.
“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” —Revelation 15:2
As we look in the mirror, we must remind ourselves that we are “Courageous Warriors in God’s Army” doing our part to allow the Holy Spirit to complete our transformation. Stay prayerful! It is only from the power of His Might that we will overcome and one glorious day stand on the Sea of Glass wearing our Crown of Life! © SDJ 2024
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – April 21, 2024
“Out of the ground, the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” —Genesis 2:19
Christ revealed God’s plan of excellence for the human mind on the sixth day of creation when Adam named every living creature. According to PLOS BIOLOGY, in November 2023 when asked how many species exist on Earth? “Projections range from millions to trillions.” Even the experts admit we can only project the number of species in the animal kingdom.
Nature reveals the overwhelming love, Omnipotence, and Omniscience of the God who not only humbled Himself in death so we can experience perfection in the New Heaven and New Earth but also gave those created in His image a fulfilling life on planet Earth amidst magnificent beauty that still exists.
God created the world as a dynamic wonder for us to behold its splendid beauty, pursue opportunities to excel and reach our fullest potential, and most importantly understand His loving character. “God intends that improvement shall be the lifework of all His followers and that it shall be guided and controlled by correct experience.” (Reaching Forward to Perfection).
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” —James 3:13
The Holy Spirit empowers us with the gift of wisdom to understand the Scriptures and God’s Divine plan of restoration for fallen beings. His goal is for us to achieve continuous spiritual and intellectual growth through studying the Scriptures, experiencing the natural world, and personal and professional development.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” —1 John 3:1
So why do so few believers grasp the Godly concept of setting our standards high? “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). From the diligent study of Creation’s story we learn of God’s infinite plan for humanity. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament revealing that our true identity is in Christ our Creator.
“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ ” —Galatians 4:6
Christ proclaims “We are sons and daughters of God, we are bought with a price, our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are a royal priesthood.” Instead of recognizing the privilege of our spiritual birthright, we classify ourselves according to the world’s standards of family ancestry, academic achievements, and social and financial status.
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8 Amplified Bible
Our refusal to consecrate ourselves to God has strengthened Satan’s influence in the Christian Community. Blended truth with human-made concepts is accepted because we harbor a spirit of discontentment. Instead of praising God for our blessings of provisions, and studying the Bible under the direction of the Holy Spirit, we listen to podcasts on “How Successful People Think.”
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” —John 14:14
Satan twists the Holy context of the Scriptures to appease our desires for earthly treasures. He uses misguided human interpretation, “Didn’t Jesus say to ask anything in His name and He would do it?” to incite our passions. We pray, follow our inclinations, and answer our prayers based on the false teachings of the Name It and Claim It prosperity message and the worldview of pursuing one’s desires.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven …For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Our focus has shifted to building wealth and elevating our social status instead of seeking the intangible [intellectual and spiritual growth] blessings. “There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self.” ( COL 67).
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12
The focus of spiritual warfare is our soul! Satan is using two effective strategies to turn our attention away from seeking the Kingdom of God. Never-ending Distractions: Our schedules are filled with secular activities. The busyness of today has left us depleted. We are just too exhausted to experience meaningful worship in the presence of God.
You Have Time: Today was a taxing effort, tomorrow will be better. We rarely appreciate the new mercies of the given day because our focus is on the future. When the children are older and the mortgage is paid in a few years from now life will not be so hectic. The Deception: We think time is ours to manage. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom ” (Psalm 90:12).
” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’ ” (Matthew 15:8).
Many Christians are unaware the last few years including 2024 is the time Jesus identified as “The Beginning of Sorrows” (Matthew 24). We desperately need to consecrate ourselves to live sacrificially. Only then can the Holy Spirit open our natural eyes and empower us with the spiritual wisdom and discernment to recognize and rebuke Satan’s deceptions.
The times are perilous and Satan attempts to deceive the very elect. Too many rely on their intellect, quick wit, and life experience instead of being guided by the Holy Spirit. According to today’s pastors, a new term for 21st-century Christianity has been adopted, we are Middle-of-the-Road Christians, not engaging in abject wickedness, but living an uncommitted life of self-seeking behaviors.
Think on These Things: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.…” —Philippians 4:8
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” —Matthew 5:48
How often do we think of life in the New Heaven and New Earth? This season of life should be utilized for the transition of shifting our focus from distractions, busyness, and worldly gain to the pursuit of spiritual excellence. Filtering the stimuli that we allow to enter our minds requires heightened spiritual awareness—Is this information beneficial for my spiritual or intellectual growth? Every newsworthy event should not consume our valuable time.
A Call to Worship and Obedience: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: ‘Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion…’ ” —Psalm 95:5-7
Christian believers do not need to seek the world’s advice. We have the Teacher, God, the Holy Spirit who refreshes and empowers our minds with Godly wisdom and keeps us on the Path of Righteousness. Still, our activities of daily living must be secondary to allow adequate and unhurried time to worship God in Spirit and in Truth which is necessary for spiritual clarity, growth, and transformation.
Changing Our Lifestyle: Transition from Technology to the Outdoor Life
The things of nature are God’s blessings, provided to give health to the body, mind, and soul. Surrounded by the wonderful works of God, our minds are lifted from the things that are seen to the things that are unseen. The beauty of nature leads us to think of the matchless charms of the earth made new, where there will be nothing to mar the loveliness, nothing to taint or destroy, nothing to cause disease or death. (The Health-giving Value of Outdoor Life)
“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:18-19, BSB
Without surrendering ourselves to God, we cannot perceive the new blessings God desires to give us in our earthly lives to prepare us for life with Him. Letting go of counterproductive behaviors includes people and pleasures that serve no purpose in our spiritual journey with Christ.
God has a definitive plan for every faithful and obedient believer which begins in our earthly lives and culminates at Jesus’ Second Coming. To receive the Heavenly Crown of Life requires that we live an earthly life as the Sons and Daughters of God—Spiritual Royalty.
Lord, we pray for ourselves. We on traveling on a detour road instead of the Path of Righteousness and for this we ask for forgiveness. God, like the prodigal son, we have come to our senses. We surrender. Please reveal Your will and plans for our lives. Holy Spirit empower us with Your presence and lead us to the Narrow Path. In Jesus’ Matchless Name, we pray. Amen. © SDJ April 2024
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional Reading – January 31, 2024
“But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out in fear.” —Matthew 14:26
When the disciples were in the storm that raged in the darkness of the early hours before dawn, Jesus appeared to them by walking on the water. Their reaction was one of immense fear which had its roots in the prevailing pagan ideologies of ghosts which supposedly represented the visible spirit of a deceased person.
Once Jesus spoke the comforting words, “It is I,” only Peter used his little measure of faith to verbalize the challenge, “…’ Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water “(Matthew 14:28). Proud Peter stepped out of the boat onto the tumultuous waves walking with confidence toward Jesus.
Quickly, pride became fear when Peter allowed himself to become distracted by turning his head away from Jesus. Yes, he had many unrighteous characteristics but Peter believed that Jesus was the Son of God which provoked his cry of desperation, “Lord, save me!”
Deep within Peter’s heart, he was confident in Christ’s power to save him from sinking into the watery grave. We can learn from Peter’s experience. Never lose sight of the Sovereign power of Jesus, the Son of God. Memorize His promise never to leave us or forsake us. Jesus is with us in every dark storm.
Yes, He knows that our faith is weak and we will easily become distracted by our circumstances. Still, with a love we cannot understand, He tells us to “Come.” Our faith may compare to a grain of sand, but keep praying and believing! We are not hopeless! In the rugged storms that produce disruption and sorrow, Jesus is with us from the beginning to the end.
Persevere by holding onto your faith in Christ. We were created with the resilience to make it through every storm when we depend on the strength of Christ to empower us. We have the assurance that when the desired spiritual growth and transformation has occurred, Jesus will say to our storm, “Peace be still.”
Thank You, Lord, for never leaving us in our hardships and sorrow. We praise You for being our Shelter in the storms of life. Jesus, we love You. Amen.
© 2024 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries.
Improving the Quality of Our Lives -Devotional – January 16, 2024
“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” —Isaiah 46:4
Having steadfast faith in God is the first step to improving the quality of our lives. Despite our rocky journey, if we remember that nothing comes as a surprise to God then we can live in peace. Christ is the Solid Rock. As long as we maintain our relationship with Him through surrender, faith, obedience, and prayer, we have the assurance that the Holy Spirit will guide us through every adversity and bring victory to our lives.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” —Matthew 22:37
Our foundation is Christ with whom we must have a loving, heart-to-heart relationship based on our love for God. Our quality of life is directly linked to the amount of love that we have for God. His plans for us are above and beyond all that we could imagine.
“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
Have you ever thought about how we often try to outdo God by striving for the best possible quality of life? It’s tempting to think that we can control everything and make our lives perfect, but we should take a step back and consider whether this is really the right approach. Trust God with your life!
Prayer: God, we surrender to Your loving plan for our lives. We ask for forgiveness for not trusting You. Thank You for never-ending grace, mercies, provisions, and protection, yet, most of all we thank You for the gift of Jesus and the plan of Redemption. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.
© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
Rejoice and Be Glad! Appreciation of God’s Great Love – Devotional – January 7, 2024
In 2 Kings, Sennacherib the king of Assyria defiantly sent a message to King Hezekiah boasting against the LORD: “Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this in which you trust? You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust that you rebel against me?” (2 Kings 18:19-20).
King Hezekiah prayed fervently to God for deliverance from the king of Assyria. The prophet Isaiah delivered God’s answer to King Hezekiah: “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: “He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it ” (2 Kings 19:32).
And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead” (2 Kings 19:35).
What is our first response when we face the unexpected vicissitudes of life? Do we pray immediately for Divine Intervention like King Hezekiah? Although we never think of fighting the spiritual warfare of physical harm without God’s help [the reason we pray for God’s Divine protection every day over our lives and those of our families], many believers attempt to resolve life’s challenges using their thoughts and strategies. Sadly, they never ask God for help until their solutions have failed.
“God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created.” Steps to Christ
Studying the Bible increases our intellectual knowledge of who God is, but we must use our faith to believe in His promises and power. Faith allows us to live victoriously. Praying in faith every day is a significant part of a Christian’s lifestyle. When we fully trust God, prayer is always our first response. Like King Hezekiah, the words, God, I need Your help, immediately flow from our mouths.
Memorizing Scriptural promises prevents all anxiety and worries—God is our only stability. His promises are Yes, and we say, Amen [It is so]. Still, it is not enough to have intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures. Unwavering faith is vital in receiving Divine deliverance from our enemies and obstacles. A heart-to-heart relationship with Christ is based on our faith and gives us courage and confidence in God as we patiently wait for His help. Rejoice and celebrate His faithfulness!
Distractions are the enemy’s spiritual warfare designed to make us forget about God. In 2024, if we slow down, and eliminate unnecessary distractions, we will have time to focus on God’s love and promises. Through worship, the Holy Spirit gives us peace and reassurance that we are in God’s hands. The righteous have a reason to rejoice, we receive the unmerited attention of God every day.
For every battle, we have three Divine powers: God, the Father, Jesus, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Rejoice and celebrate God’s Divine Attention!
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” —Psalm 46:10
When strongholds arise, we do not have to develop strategies or try to resolve life’s issues. To “Be still” is to stop striving and to surrender to God. Pray in faith! “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, BSB). Yes, God will bring perfect resolutions and completion to our struggles. Rejoice and celebrate God’s Majestic Power and Divine Intervention!
Prayer: God, we thank You and celebrate Your Great love, attention, and intervention. We ask for forgiveness for self-reliance and being so distracted that we do not recognize Your loving-kindness toward us. We pray for greater faith and trust in Your Divine love. In Jesus’ Loving Name, we pray. Amen.
© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
Let Jesus Be the Reason for Your Life – Today’s Devotional – December 24, 2023
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” —Philippians 2:8
Jesus was born in a barn and for His first bed, He was lovingly placed by Mary into a feeding trough. Throughout His life, Jesus maintained the same humility. No home to call His own, our Savior lived to serve humanity. Yes, during His ministry, Jesus was homeless. Though guiltless, He obeyed His Heavenly Father and drank from the cup of sorrow [death], so we would not have to suffer the second and final death.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” —James 4:10
Humility is the posture we take in surrendering our thoughts and ways to seek God’s direction. If we seek and abide in Christ, we are the recipients of His promises to give us abundant spiritual blessings. Yet, in His loving mercies, we do not have to be homeless or hungry because Christ has promised to supply all of our needs [Matthew 6:25-34].
Just as God required faithful obedience from His only Son, Jesus, we must also be willing to drink from the cup of sorrow every day by surrendering our will to God. Only then can we be led by the Holy Spirit to stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness that leads us from our earthly journey to our forever heavenly home. Let Jesus be the reason for every season in your earthly life.
Prayer: Jesus, we are in awe of Your great love and sacrifice. We ask for the strength to dismiss our desires and to surrender willingly to Your perfect plans. We ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
The Hardest Decision—Trusting God Today’s Devotional December 22, 2023
Recently I listened to a sermon entitled “Trusting God.” The pastor stated, “Trusting God with your life is the hardest decision that you will ever make in your lifetime.” Daily surrender to the unseen God requires faith!
Although we study the Bible and gain intellectual knowledge, knowledge does not increase our faith in God. The trials and hardships that pop up and change our peaceful lives into a dark storm are allowed so we can redirect our focus to God. I had to accept that although I know that God is powerful from the diligent study of the Bible [especially the Old Testament stories], my promise to trust Him with my life wasn’t genuine.
How could I get past this major stumbling block? I recall watching an Instagram reel from a psychologist who promotes speaking positive affirmations out loud. An example, “I am going to have a great day” needs to be spoken as soon as you awaken and throughout your day. Okay, I agree that our spoken words are powerful, but would affirmations be effective in building my faith and trust in God?
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
Jesus forewarned us that life’s troubles are guaranteed. Yet we do not have to face our challenges alone. Faith is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. Distrust in God is a result of self-reliance. At some point, we will face a dilemma that is unresolvable by human effort. When our best fails, we become discouraged and our little faith plummets into non-existence.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” —Jeremiah 33:3, NIV
Without steadfast faith, our emotions will escalate and we will find ourselves in the abyss of hopelessness. Even when all is well, if we establish the habit of including God in life’s normal routines, we will immediately pray and ask for His Divine Intervention when we face the giant trials and lingering tribulations.
Build your faith in God! Choose a scriptural promise, memorize it, and speak it over your life every day. Pray a prayer of affirmation and gratitude to accompany your chosen Scripture.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
I am sharing my personal “Trust God” prayer affirmation that I speak a few times a day to help build my faith.
Prayer Affirmation: “God, I know that nothing is too hard for You. And I know that You have wonderful plans for my life. I am asking You to resolve this challenge and to give me the strength to persevere. I thank You for already working everything out for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
God knows our hearts. Pray an honest prayer. There is no pretense with God, He knows our anxieties, fears, and worries. Separate yourself and pray to God in secret. Most of our prayers should only be heard by God. Although our faith is the size of a mustard seed, committing to trust God is a giant leap of faith that acts as a catalyst to build our faith and trust in God.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise. —Psalm 51:17, NIV
It is the prayers of the weak that God honors and readily answers. Only those who admit they desperately need God will trust Him with their lives. The pure in heart receives strength from the Holy Spirit who gives us spiritual understanding of the power and majesty of God. Yes, relying on Divine Intervention has its perks—we are the recipients of Jesus’ gift of peace.
With determination, we make the choice to place our lives in God’s Righteous Hands. Prayers that declare trust in God move His arms to pour out blessings upon blessings—peace, joy, happiness, and the endurance to keep moving forward.
When we put our trust in God, we can live a life free from the burden of dealing with the consequences of our thoughts. It’s a liberating feeling to know that we have the Highest power in the Universe to depend on, our God who guides us through life’s challenges and gives us the only solution. So, let’s keep our faith strong and stay positive!
Prayer: Thank You God for Your Great love and faithfulness. We admit that our faith is weak. Yet we are striving to build our trust by placing our lives in Your hands. We ask You to lead us on the Path of Righteousness from earth to heaven. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.
© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
Desire Peace? Do Not Remember the Former Things – Today’s Devotional – December 15, 2023
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” —Philippians 4:8
What do you think about in your spare time? Our thoughts are the number one reason we do not possess God’s peace. Take a moment to reflect on your thoughts for today. Were your thoughts positive and healthy? Did you focus on God’s goodness? Or did past memories steal your joy?
The memories of an unhealthy past has a stronghold on many believers. If our thoughts include regret from mistakes, anger from the loss of material things, unforgiveness from unhealthy childhoods, and the break-up of relationships and marriages, or hopelessness from unexpected life events that changed the trajectory of our life then we have major stumbling blocks to overcome before we can receive and enjoy God’s gift of internal peace.
Every Believer’s Spiritual Gifts: “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
For those suffering from intrusive thoughts of the past, please know that unforgiveness produces the emotions of fear, anger, bitterness, despair, and resentment which take root in the heart. If your past causes regret then your heart is filled with guilt, remorse, and sorrow.
As time progresses, these emotions escalate and weaken your sound mind. Not only are you facing past remembrances, but your heart is filled with unrighteous traits that separate you from God.
“And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?’ ” (Matthew 9:4). From Jesus’ question to the Pharisees, we see that our thoughts reveal the hidden condition of our hearts. To gain victory over our thoughts [and receive peace] our hearts must be converted.
For us to rid ourselves of unrighteous thoughts, we must pray for forgiveness, and ask God to give us a clean heart. Our surrender allows the Holy Spirit to convert and transform our hearts and characters into the likeness of Christ. Overcoming intrusive thoughts and displaced emotions becomes part of our spiritual journey.
“Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. ‘Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.’ ” —Isaiah 43:18, [Amplified Bible]
Christ is Our Example: The attitude of a believer is to resemble the attitude of Christ. Every day Christ was rejected by the Pharisees and many scoffers. Did you know that when Jesus was in the synagogue at Nazareth [the town in which Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and His siblings lived], the people became angry and attempted to throw Him off of a cliff? [Read Luke chapter 4, verses 16-30].
Jesus left us with a characteristic we must model. On the cross, He prayed, “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).
The habit of focusing on the past is one of the toughest habits to overcome. Many Christians have held onto unforgiveness or guilt for so long that they no longer have a relationship with Christ. We must let go! When negative thoughts threaten to break our resolve and leave us feeling powerless, we must immediately pray! Persevere in prayer!
“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
The intentional action of talking to God is our only effective weapon against past thoughts. Pray the simple prayer of “God, I need Your help.” Do not rush your worship with God. You are praying for deliverance! Keep praying, day-by-day, until you gain victory.
All heaven is on alert from the cries of the righteous for Divine help. No, we cannot cleanse our minds or prevent the triggers that produce the uprising of painful memories. Yet, with the strength of the Holy Spirit, we are given the spiritual ability to do what we cannot do in our human weaknesses.
Only Divine Power can break the stronghold of our thoughts. We must remain in the posture of worship until we feel the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we can feel the sweet peace of deliverance. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ imparts His peace and spiritual strength which permeates your mind, body, and soul. You will feel empowered by the Spirit of God.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” —Psalm 147:3
God does not desire for the righteous to remain broken. Although we are not promised physical healing, Jesus promises to heal our mental and emotional wounds and to fill our spiritual emptiness when we ask for healing. To remain broken not only prevents us from having a relationship with Christ, we would fail to receive spiritual growth and transformation.
Only Christ can give us freedom from past remembrances and displaced emotions. If we understood the power of prayer, without fail, we would intentionally place ourselves in the presence of God throughout our waking hours. Prayer redirects our focus to the majesty and power of our Heavenly Father.
STOP: [Stand-down Thoughts of Past Events]
Humanity was not only created in the physical image of God but we also were created to have the mind of Christ. We have identified praying as the first response to cease thinking about the past, but we also must exercise faith in God and utilize self-control. Self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit that allows us to STOP the unhealthy thoughts of our past lives.
Reflection: Think of something you want to buy, and you don’t have enough money, but can’t use credit. Your sound mind and the attribute of self-control prevent you from becoming obsessed with your desire. Would you let that desire overpower your mind and think about nothing else? Certainly not! Until you are in the position to financially afford the item you choose not to remember your desire.
Desire Peace? The Path to Peace requires us to use our gift of a sound mind, exercise the fruit of self-control, and focus on the Giver of all Good Gifts. Choose not to remember! God has promised to do new things in our lives if we give up the negativity of our past. With joyful anticipation, we can expect God to bring His promises to fruition in our lives.
Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for creating us in Your image. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to deliver us from the stronghold of the intrusive thoughts of our past or an unknown future. Lord, we pray for healing and peace. Thank You for Your abundant love. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
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