love faith sabbath – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

God Will Take Care of You – Great Is His Faithfulness!

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!'” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Although we have a tendency to focus on our desires and deficits, in our times of need, the believer’s faith is the catalyst that prevents doubt and worries. When we believe that God is Faithful, we implicitly trust Him.

When our faith is weak, we say, “God, will provide,” hoping that He will come through for us. But deep within our hearts, we are wondering how we are going to resolve our challenges.

Yet, for those who acknowledge that God sustains every aspect of our lives, with steadfast faith, we proclaim “Thank You, God for providing.” From reflecting on our past victories, we know that God is always faithful.

“The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘Therefore I hope in Him!’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.'” (Lamentations 3:24-25).

In Matthew 6, Jesus promises to give us all of our provisions:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles [unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:31-32).

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

When we remain safely in the arms of Jesus, He provides all of our daily basic needs. We receive His Love, Housing, Food, Water, and Clothing, and the money necessary to maintain optimal mental, emotional, and physical health.

Jesus created all things [John 1]; And He knows that our psychological and physiological status’ require a state of equilibrium [balance].

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).

Focusing on the blessing of the given day facilitates a spirit of gratitude; allows us to enjoy Jesus’ gift of internal peace; promotes the level of wellness required for spiritual growth; and keeps our focus and dependency on Jesus, required to build our faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

Our level of faith determines whether we will perceive our challenges and adversities as impossible, leaving us defeated, or knowing that with God, all things are possible. Yes and Amen.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).

Job loss is one of the trials that reveals [to us] the true status of our faith. God already knows whether or not, we really trust Him. The direction of faith [in God or ourselves] determines our first response to life-changing events.

The Believer Who Has Steadfast Faith in God

“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, BLB).

Although we feel disappointed, our first response is prayer: Lord, I thank You for my time on this job. In Matthew 6 and Hebrews 13:5, You promised to provide all of our needs, and I believe and trust in Your Promises. I ask You to give me guidance during this time. And I thank You in advance for Your blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Believer Who Practices Self-Reliance

“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).

From living a life of redirecting one’s faith and trust from God to self; the believer, who trusts in their thoughts and ways, perceives job loss as devastating. “What am I going to do?” is their First Response.

The Mind-Body Connection is powerful; and sympathizes with each other. Mentally, if we feel defeated and depressed then physically, our body responds.

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'” (Jeremiah 17:5).

The lack of faith and trust in God are the catalysts that produce “a psychosomatic physical illness or other condition) caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress, manifesting symptoms of a physical illness that does not exist.”

Redirecting Our Faith and Focus Back To God

“…Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.” (Romans 12:3, CSB).

The journey from self-reliance to placing one’s faith and trust in God is a tough spiritual journey. Yet with repentance, we pray for strength and every day, strive to walk on the Narrow Path of following Christ.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17: 7).

Faith requires action! Even when the circumstances appear to be impossible, we decide to use our faith to believe and trust in God’s Love, Promises, and Power; If God said it, “It is done!”

Prayers of Gratitude are Faith-Builders!

When we redirect our faith and focus to Yahweh’s Love and Faithfulness, the Holy Spirit empowers us with the wisdom to see life through spiritual eyes. We begin to understand our spiritual purpose as Sons and Daughters of God

Our Response to God’s Goodness

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34:1-3).

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.” (Psalm 36:5, ESV).

The Message of The Cross reveals that God, the Father, and God, Jesus the Son loves us with an everlasting love.

Yes, God is always faithful in fulfilling His promises; yet our relationship with Christ is based on reciprocal love and faith.

Our Response To God’s Faithfulness

“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.” (Psalm 95:6-7).

We demonstrate our love for Christ by following our Shepherd with daily surrender and faithful obedience, which is the highest form of worship, we can give to our Sovereign God.

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). To enjoy Christ’s Abundant Blessings and His Spiritual Gifts of Peace and Contentment, we commit to loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

A God First mindset is revealed by the willingness to trust and obey God’s Will and Plans for our lives, and live the same Sacrificial life of self-denial that Jesus lived.

God Proclaims His Sovereignty: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11).

Facing The Opposition With Jesus’ Strength

The human mind is easily distracted by our environment of rapidly changing circumstances. Yet our stability is in God’s Promises, “I do not change.” [Malachi 3].

“There are always events happening in this world that Satan uses to steal our peace, joy, and happiness.”

Jesus’ Guidance: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7).

“Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and the branches to teach about maintaining a close, life-giving, and continuous relationship with Him.”

Our Response To Jesus Saying, “Stay Close To Me: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2).

We establish and maintain a love relationship with Christ through daily personal worship: Pray continuously, Study the Holy Scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in every aspect of your life.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3).

Yes, we live in a world full of confusion and disorder, but as Sons and Daughters of God, we intentionally place our faith and focus on Jesus’ Promise, “I will never leave you or abandon you.”

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2). “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” And without faith, it is impossible for us to keep our focus on God.

Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Christ. Faith is the spiritual conduit that allows the Holy Spirit to give us a constant Spirit of Peace, despite the presenting circumstances.

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. “[Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge]. (John 14:27, Amplified Bible).

“What rest is to the body, Peace is to the mind! Jesus’ Peace, is the inner tranquility of the soul, that is undisturbed by external pressures.” Jesus, please give me Your Peace.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

Lord God, we thank You for Your consistent Faithfulness. We thank You for loving us, so much that You desire to be involved in every aspect of our lives. We thank You for our spiritual gift of faith that we can use to totally depend on Your Goodness, believe in Your Promises to intervene, knowing, You will give us victory. Lord, we repent for using our faith to rely on our thoughts. As we face the uncertainties in this spiritual journey of life, we realize that we desperately need Your help and guidance. With gratitude and faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sabbath Blessings – We Need Divine Help – Pray Continuously

Lord God, we come to you this Sabbath with gratitude for giving us the wisdom and strength to accomplish our routine duties of life. Yet we feel drained from the many stressors, we faced this week. As we honor Your Sovereignty and the Holy Sabbath, we ask for spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical restoration that only You can provide. Lord, we also pray for the many Christians, who are being persecuted and tortured because they have chosen to follow Jesus. We ask that You give them strength, comfort, and hope during their time of intense suffering. Lord, help us to redirect our focus from these earthly tribulations to Your Promise in John 14:1-3. We realize that we are living in the Last Days, and in faith, we ask for the blessings of the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Even so, come Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ Loving and Righteous Name, we pray, Amen

Our Life Matters To God

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

2 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it is not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

3 “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3).

God desires the best for us; He wants us to have a relationship with His Son, God, Jesus Christ; to know and do what is right; to live righteously, and to know and obey His One and Only Truth in the Holy Bible.

Because of the hardships in our spiritual journey with Jesus, we may become discouraged or disappointed, but if we feel that our life does not matter to God, then we are in a Spiritual Crisis.

To understand God, the Father, and God, Jesus, the Son’s phenomenal love requires that we maintain a heart-to-Heart relationship with Jesus Christ through daily personal worship.

“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).

“The Vine: Jesus represents the Source of Life, Strength, and Power.” “The Branches: Believers must stay attached to the Source.” “Bearing Fruit: Doing good works and living a faithful life happens naturally only when staying close to Jesus.”

“Staying Connected: To “abide” means to keep a close, daily relationship with Him through faith, trust, obedience, prayer, and Bible Study.”

To abide in Christ requires using our faith to follow Him and live a sacrificial life of self-denial. Study Romans 12:1-2.

Put God First: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” To stay connected to God, we must love God and dedicate ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, our Faithful Shepherd, with surrender and obedience.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…It will be health to your flesh [mind and body], And strength to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

Becoming weary and feeling as if we are carrying the weight of the world reveals that we have excluded God.

By attempting to use our thoughts and strategies to navigate through life, we have separated ourselves from the Divine Source of All Knowledge, Wisdom, and Strength.

Jesus tells us, “…you can do nothing without me.” Our spiritual journey of growth and transformation cannot be accomplished without Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).

We desperately need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us with wisdom and strength. Because we must eat physical food every day, we must also pray daily, asking for wisdom and strength.

Nothing creates discouragement and despair like a decision that leads to facing unnecessary consequences. Yet we do not have to live the chaotic life of unbelievers, who will never enjoy Jesus’ Gifts of Peace and Contentment.

Resolution To Our Spiritual Crisis: We Make The Commitment to Redirect Our Faith and Focus Back To El Roi

El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי), translates to “The God Who sees me” or “The God Who sees.” Jesus knows every challenge and every adversity that will happen in our lifespan.

“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Jesus is committed to resolving life’s routine challenges and the unexpected hardships, but we must choose to include Him. Accepting Jesus as our Savior also means the commitment to follow Him; we pray, ask for help, and obey His instructions, waiting patiently for His resolution.

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you” [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7, Amplified Bible).

The Prayer: ” Lord God, today guide me in my decision-making and give me the strength to keep moving forward.”

Faith, Trust, Courage, and Internal Joy and Peace are Spiritual gifts available to every dedicated follower of Christ. Imagine being in a one-sided relationship: you give your all, and the other person receives but never reciprocates.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1, NIV).

Jesus has given us above and beyond what we deserve. It’s time for us to lavish our love on our Loving and Compassionate Shepherd, Savior, and Triumphant King.

By dedicating personal time with Jesus, we can whisper words expressing our love and gratitude to Him for sustaining our lives with the daily blessings that we take for granted. God is the Sustainer of all life: Our greatest blessing is God’s Ruach Breath that flows through our bodies.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Each day brings its own obstacles. We were never created to figure things out. The answer to building our faith and escaping the Spiritual Crisis is to restore our relationship with Jesus Christ by maintaining constant communication with Him through prayer.

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27, NIV). Victorious faith requires that Jesus is actively involved in our lives, teaching and guiding us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Worshiping the King of Kings with consistent prayer and diligent study of the Holy Scriptures invites the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to see life through spiritual eyes.

The Holy Spirit empowers us with the wisdom and strength to persevere, keeps us spiritually connected to Jesus, and guides us to move forward and stay on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

The Message of the Cross reveals the Plan of Redemption, which God, the Father, and Jesus Christ had in place before the world and before Adam and Eve were created. We have been rescued from the wages of sin [Romans 6:23]. Thank You, God!

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, Amplified Bible).

All of Heaven, the Triune Godhead [God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit] and the host of angels are dedicated to guiding and giving us the spiritual wisdom and strength to persevere in our journey with Jesus from Earth to Heaven.

Does our life matter to God? The Cross answers with a resounding Yes! We are greatly loved! Through our faith, we are saved by God’s Grace, and we are alive because of Jesus’ Love and Mercies. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

God Validates Our Worth – The Spiritual Status of the Righteous: “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).

The Holy Bible reveals God’s Love, His Righteous Character, and is filled with countless stories of His Divine Intervention, which always produces victorious outcomes!

Does our life matter to God? We have 24/7 angelic protection! “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14, NIV). The righteous have guardian angels assigned by their Commander, Jesus Christ, to protect and guide us 24/7. (Study Psalm 91).

Not only do our invisible angels fight Satan’s invisible evil angels, but they also help us to recognize covert temptations [spiritual warfare] that the human mind cannot discern. The dedicated believer, who prays and relies on Christ, will never be scammed or suffer from financial loss due to deception.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).

The Bible Is Our Spiritual Guide and Mirror

God has given us Commandments [His Moral Law] and Righteous Precepts that teach us the difference between His Truth and false doctrines, sin and righteousness, providing us with His never-changing expectations on how we are to think and live.

The righteous who remain faithful and persevere will be rewarded: “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). Yes and Amen!

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12). It is just a matter of time, and He that shall come will come. Jesus asks, “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John gives us a limited description of the New Heaven and New Earth; Jesus reveals how sin and evil on this Earth will end; and His Ultimate and Definitive Plan to destroy the wicked and reward the righteous with our Eternal Crown of Life.

The Holy Scriptures reiterate that we are Sons and Daughters of the Sovereign God of this universe, who will inherit the Kingdom of God if we participate with the Holy Spirit by living righteously. Guarding our gift of time is crucial to progressing in our spiritual journey.

Busyness does not produce spiritual growth! “…making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” (Ephesians 5:15, Amplified Bible).

There is only one reason why Christian believers become despondent in their Spiritual Journey, questioning if their life matters to God: They are spiritually disconnected from Jesus Christ.

Too busy to spend time with God? We are drawn away by our digital devices, ChatGPT, wealth-building, pleasure-seeking activities, insatiable desires, and unholy relationships. “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT).

“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He [Jesus] is righteous. He who sins is of the devil for the devil has sinned from the beginning…” (1 John 3:7-8).

We cannot follow Christ with a divided heart. Without being anchored in Christ, Satan easily uses distractions to entice us. Many former Christians have drifted so far from God that they have lost their sense of direction.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Believers who spend time with God in Prayer and Study of the Holy Scriptures are anchored spiritually, mentally, and emotionally to Christ.

The Christian Community has changed—We cannot look for validation from those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, which also includes many church members who only practice ritualistic worship. Attending church does not indicate that we are spiritually connected to Christ.

“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” God desires that we live a pure and holy life, made possible through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Transformation and Maturity require a lifetime of steadfast determination to live holy, revealing our desire to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

“I can come to Jesus just as I am, but I cannot stay just as I am.” Our earthly lives are a time of probation. We only have the here and now to actively participate in our spiritual journey. Make your relationship with Jesus your priority!

The Bible Is Our Guide to Eternal Life: We must study the Scriptures for ourselves. We cannot grow spiritually from listening to someone else’s Biblical knowledge. God never instructed us to only study part of the Bible—this false doctrine has pervaded today’s Christian Community.

No, animal sacrifice in the Old Testament does not apply to today’s Christians, but learning the Sanctuary Service helps us understand the magnitude of the Plan of Redemption and the Sacredness of the Sacrificial Offering of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

The perfect lambs that were brought to the temple and sacrificed pointed to Jesus, whose death was required on Calvary’s Cross. Yes, only Jesus, the perfect Lamb’s blood had the Power to wash away our sins and to save our souls.

According to Bible Scholars, the New Testament contains 70% of the Old Testament. We live in extremely evil times; believers are confused [My people perish for the lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6] and desperately need the power of God that comes from knowing and obeying the entire Bible [Genesis to Revelation].

The Bible identifies and teaches us how to differentiate between what is Holy and what is “filthy unrighteousness.” Always ask yourself before speaking, watching, or participating in an activity: Does this honor a Holy and Righteous God?

Studying the Bible teaches us God’s Higher Thoughts and Ways, and invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom to understand the Message of the Cross, and God’s Love, Grace, and Mercies.

The Bible teaches us how we should honor and worship God. While on earth, Jesus lived a sacrificial life of self-denial, and He gave us instructions on how to live righteously and renounce sin in every form. The Holy Scriptures build our faith and trust in God, and teach us how to surrender, obey, and follow Jesus.

When God matters to us, we will stay connected to Jesus through prayer; we will abide in Christ by diligently studying the Bible; we will ask the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live a righteous life that honors, reveres, and glorifies God.

When our love for God is genuine, and our worship is revealed by a lifestyle of consecration, only then will the Holy Spirit begin and continue the Spiritual Process of Sanctifying and preparing us for Eternity.

Sanctification: Through the Holy Spirit, day by day, we will experience continuous spiritual growth and transformation, becoming more and more like the Righteous Character of our Triumphant King. Yes and Amen!

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).

Lord God, with humble hearts, we approach Your Throne of Grace, surrendering ourselves to follow Jesus with love and loyalty. We ask for forgiveness for the sins of self-reliance and following our thoughts, instead of asking for Your perfect plans for our lives. Lord, we have hit the wall and can go no further without Your Divine Help. We ask for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, we are Your sheep, teach us how to recognize Your Voice. Today we renew our covenant to follow and obey our Shepherd. Lord God, we look forward to the day when we will see Jesus and receive our Eternal Crown of Life. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sabbath Rest, Peace, and Blessings

Lord God, we thank You for the blessing of the Sabbath;The Day You designated as Holy, and as a Memorial of Creation, reminding us that You are the Creator and Sustainer of our lives and this universe. We praise You for the 24-hour period of Friday sunset to Saturday sunset that gives us a weekly break from the world’s stress and chaos. Lord, we look forward to the time when we will receive Your gifts of ultimate peace and spiritual rest in Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray this prayer of gratitude, also asking for spiritual renewal and restoration. In faith, we ask for these blessings in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Lifestyle That Reveals We Love Christ

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” (John 14:6).

Who is Jesus [Yeshua]? Jesus is the Only Son of God, the Father and Jesus is God, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead [the Holy Spirit is the Third Person].

In Hebrews Chapter 1, God, the Father makes the absolute declaration that Jesus, His Son is also God, refuting that Jesus is a created angel:

“For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten you? And again: I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?…Let all the angels of God worship Him.” (Hebrews 1:5-6).

“But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. (Hebrews 1:8-9).

God, the Father proclaims again that Jesus is not a created angel:

“But to which of the angels has He [God, the Father] ever said: ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool? Are they [the angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14).

The Creation of This World and Humanity

God, Jesus Christ created the world and life, by His spoken words, with the exception of Adam and Eve, who, He formed with His hands.

“Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3:).

Colossians 1:16: “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

The Creation of Human Beings

“‘Let us make’ is evidence of the Godhead working in unison. God, the Father and God, the Son planned and executed the creation of humanity together.”

Outward Resemblance and Character: “Humanity was created in God’s image both in physical form (bearing a likeness to their Maker) and in moral character. This gave Adam and Eve perfect, holy attributes where reason controlled their passions and their affections were pure.”

“So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s One and Only Son.” (John 1:14, NLT).

Jesus Proclaims His Authority: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” (Matthew 28:18).

Because the powerful Jewish rulers denied that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus proclaimed His Authoritative Status given to Him by God the Father to His disciples.

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2: 9-11).

So that every believer has conclusive proof that Jesus is also God, the Holy Scriptures validate that God, Jesus Christ has always existed with God, the Father, and God, the Holy Spirit.

Yes, we are given conclusive evidence that we must revere Jesus, the Lamb of God, our Savior, Heavenly Intercessor, and Mediator through the worship of faithful obedience.

Our Royal Status: We are Sons and Daughters, heirs of the Promise, who are preparing to live with and worship Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior and Triumphant King, for Eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Living As True and Faithful Believers reveals to the world that we are Sons and Daughters of God!

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:14-17, ESV).

Satan’s False Teaching: We can live as we desire and still inherit our Crown of Life.

“But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Obedience to Jesus is not an option.

“Empty Profession: Simply calling Jesus ‘Lord’ is just a verbal acknowledgment; only acknowledging His authority means little without obedience.”

True discipleship requires actively applying and obeying God’s Spoken Words, [the Holy Scriptures] to direct your thoughts, behaviors, actions, and lifestyle to reveal obedience to God’s command, “Be holy, for I am Holy.”

God not only calls believers to have a pure heart and clean lifestyle, but Jesus actively supplies the strength to achieve it. We can do nothing for our Spiritual growth and transformation without being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

“The Bible clearly teaches that living a holy life is not achieved through human willpower alone, but through the transforming Power and daily guidance of God’s Spirit.”

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…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 2:5, 8).

If God the Father required Jesus, God, the Son, in His earthly life to faithfully obey Him, then we as created human beings, certainly must acknowledge God’s Sovereign Authority over this universe and our lives through obedience.

Reflection: If we obey our employer’s policies and procedures, and county, state, and governmental laws and regulations, then how much more does God expect us [mortals who live and die] to worship Him through daily surrender, humility, and faithful obedience?

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38).

When we love God, following Jesus with total surrender and faithful obedience is not a burden or an inconvenience.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, Amplified Bible).

“We love Jesus because He first loved us,” unselfishly sacrificing His life to redeem us from the penalty of sin, which is the second and final death [Romans 6:23].

We love Jesus because through His blood, we have the opportunity to overcome sin and receive the greatest reward of living with Him forever [John 14:1-3, Revelation 21-22].

“I will praise you with my whole heart; I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 138:1, Psalm 139:14).

It is our heartfelt worship of obedience, praising God with our prayers of gratitude and singing joyfully that reveals our reverence, love, and loyalty to the Sovereign and Faithful God, the Sustainer of our lives.

The Path of Righteousness is Narrow, requiring a commitment to live a sacrificial, holy life of self-denial and overcoming our desires and Satan’s temptations through the Power of the Holy Spirit [Romans 12:1-2].

The Beginning of Our Spiritual Journey With Jesus: From our declaration of faith to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, He cleansed us from all our unrighteousness, giving us a pure heart.

Abiding in Christ is a lifelong commitment of following Jesus, requiring continuous Prayer, Bible Study, and asking for His Divine Guidance and Strength.

Daily spiritual growth and character transformation requires a partnership with the Holy Spirit; we must use our power of self-control to say No to our desires, sinful pleasures, and chasing wealth and success.

Keeping our faith and focus on Christ and being content with our blessings, denying our sinful desires, and Satan’s earthly pleasures is the lifestyle of a dedicated follower of Christ.

From our love and willingness to humbly follow Christ, we invite the Holy Spirit to Sanctify us, resulting in Jesus covering us with His Righteousness, and this is the Life of an Overcomer. Yes and Amen!

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21).

Prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant…” (Psalm 51:10; Psalm 86:16). Lord God, with surrender and adoration, we kneel before Your Throne of Grace, asking for Divine Strength and Guidance. As we strive to live holy, we also ask for the Holy Spirit to empower us with the wisdom to perceive life through spiritual eyes. Lord, teach us how to reveal Your light into a world that is dark from the plague of sin. We look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent when we will finally see our King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Triumphant Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Narrow Path Is Difficult, But Eternal Life Is the Reward

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

The Wide Gate: “This path is easy and popular. It’s the path of least resistance—living for worldly pleasures, self-promotion, and following the crowd. But it leads to destruction.”

The Narrow Gate: “This Path is difficult. It requires faith and trusting God’s Plans, daily personal sacrifice, humility, and obedience to God’s Will. It demands commitment and denying our desires, Jesus tells us that only a few choose it.”

As I reflected on the daily struggle required to stay on the Narrow Path, the Holy Spirit reminded me of John 3:16 and John 14:1-3.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV).

God, the Father and God, Jesus, the Son are Omniscient, so they knew that Adam and Eve would disobey before Jesus created them. Still, Jesus said, Father, I will give my life to redeem humanity from certain death, the consequence of sin [Romans 6:23].

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

Yes, the Narrow Path requires us to say, No when our family and friends are inviting us to have fun and fulfill our desires, because you only live once.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

But deep within our hearts, we love our Shepherd, and we will continue our faith journey of being led and guided by the Holy Spirit, who tells us, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).

Jesus’ Promises to His Faithful Sheep

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21). Yes and Amen!

Lord God, we love You and we are grateful for the Love Gift of Jesus Christ, Your Only Son. And Jesus, we love You, and appreciate the Love Gift of Your Life, which gives us Redemption, Grace, and Mercy. In faith, we will continue to follow You on the Narrow Path. Jesus, we know that we cannot follow You, using our thoughts and strength, so, we humbly ask You to please be our Strength. As we celebrate Your Holy Sabbath, we pray for all believers that they will decide to follow You with total surrender and faithful obedience. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thank You, God – Worshiping With Grateful Hearts

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Today, I took time to meditate on God’s Amazing Love and Faithfulness. God gifted me with many blessings this week, and as I reflected on His countless mercies, there were so many that it brought tears to my eyes.

The breath flowing through my Respiratory System is God’s Ruach breath. My heart beats a regular rhythm and my brain ensures that my internal organs maintain homeostasis [the body’s automatic, self-regulating process of maintaining a stable, balanced internal environment despite changing external conditions].

Each new day, I awakened alert and oriented, emotionally stable, and with good physical health. From praying and studying the Bible, with confidence, I know that God loves me, provided my necessities, and protected me from physical danger and spiritual warfare.

As each day progressed, I did not have to worry or wonder if I would have food, clothing, and a safe place to sleep. My home is clean, providing shelter and safety from the changing elements.

If it rains, I look out of my window, never thinking about the need to look for shelter and when the Floridian temperature escalates to 90 degrees, my air conditioner provides an ambient temperature, keeping my home cool and comfy.

And one of my greatest blessings, that I do not take for granted, is Religious Liberty. I have the freedom to worship God without fear of retaliation.

As if all of those blessings are not enough, the greatest blessing I received is the free gift of Salvation. “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).

As I continued to reflect on God’s Love, I felt ashamed of the times that I complain, or desire more than God has blessed me with.

Every day, our Heavenly Father gives us countless blessings that we take for granted, never thinking to whisper, God, thank You, yet He remains Loving, Gracious, and Faithful.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV).

We only have one gift to give to Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King, and that is our heart filled with love, humility, surrender, faithful obedience, and gratitude.

Lord God, we love You and thank You for Your Abiding Love. We ask for forgiveness for taking your gifts of love for granted. As we enter the Holy Sabbath, we express our love and appreciation for taking care of us this week and keeping us out of harm’s way. We ask for the spiritual blessings of wisdom and strength and with immense gratitude, we ask this prayer in the Loving and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Calvary’s Cross – Celebrating Jesus’ Gift of Redemption Every Day

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

When Jesus, our Precious Redeemer and Savior, suffered, lovingly giving His life on Calvary’s Cross, He gave us the power of choice to receive Salvation through His Grace.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV). “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV).

We usually do not consider this amazing aspect of our Savior’s sacrificial gift: God the Father and God the Son are Omniscient [All-Knowing], and knew that the majority of humanity would reject their Free Gift of Salvation.

Jesus On Calvary’s Cross: The Reaction of the Majority

“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!'” (Matthew 27:39-40, NIV).

“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if He wants him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:41-43, NIV).

It is difficult for the human mind to process giving a valuable gift to a person who would not only despise and reject the gift, but also despise and reject the Giver of the Gift.

Jesus Christ’s Death On The Cross: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (Matthew 27:50).

God, the Father, Reveals Jesus’ Identity As His Son and Acceptance of Jesus’ Sacrificial Offering of His Life on Calvary

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city [Jerusalem] and appeared to many.” (Matthew 27:51-53).

The Impact of Jesus’ Death on the Centurion and Guards: “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!'” (Matthew 27:54).

How is God’s gift of Jesus impacting our spiritual journey? We were created to honor God by abiding in Christ, which requires us to be in alignment with God’s Will and Perfect Plans.

“Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, [that requires] a life of unreserved surrender to His service.”

Yet, even as dedicated Christians, we struggle with inherited hearts that drive us to practice self-reliance, following our thoughts, and plans. But we must pray for strength and fight daily to overcome our natural tendencies through the Power of Jesus Christ!

Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us, “Do not follow your thoughts…or be wise in your own eyes.” Yes, we love God and Jesus, but our hearts will always lead us against God’s higher thoughts and ways [Isaiah 55:8-9].

Our True Spiritual Status: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6-7).

Many Who Mocked and Condemned Christ When He Was On the Cross Repented on the Day of Pentecost:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?'”

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (Acts Chapter 2:36-39, 41).

Yes, once a year, there is a global religious acknowledgment of Jesus’ gift of Salvation on Calvary’s Cross and His resurrection from the tomb, yet true Believers whose hearts are converted by the Holy Spirit celebrate Jesus’ gift of Salvation with a faithful commitment of love, loyalty, obedience, and gratitude every day.

Reflection: Brothers and Sisters, we are living in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3). Are you in right-standing with God? Pray and ask Jesus to reveal any obstacles preventing you from receiving your Crown of Life.

“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…” (John 10:27). Through personal worship, we use our faith to surrender, obey, and follow Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us [through the Holy Spirit] on the Narrow Path of Righteousness.

As Believers, every day, we celebrate our freedom from sin’s bondage because God, the Father, gifted us Jesus, His Son, redeeming us, so we would not have to die for our sins. Yes and Amen!

Every day, we celebrate God’s gift of Redemption by living a sacrificial life of obedience, self-denial, and by renouncing all worldly morals, values, and sinful practices [Romans 12:1-2]. Our love, honor, and reverence for the Triune God are revealed through our thoughts, spoken words, and lifestyles.

Every day, we celebrate Jesus, our Redeemer, by dedicating ourselves as faithful, obedient followers of our Savior and Shepherd. Our love, loyalty, and faith to God are steadfast because we separate ourselves to commune with Christ, our Intercessor, for daily personal worship, prayer, and Bible Study.

From striving to follow Jesus, yes, we will be severely tempted in various ways by Satan, who desires to redirect our faith and focus from God to ourselves. When facing temptation, conflict, and uncertainty, remind yourself, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13), and immediately pray for Divine Help!

Because it is easy for us to become distracted and forget about Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, and His Role as our Mediator, the Apostle Paul tells us to work on our salvation with fear and trembling [Reverencing and Honoring God with Faithful Obedience].

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11, 16).

Lord God, in faith, we express our love, loyalty, and appreciation for the Plan of Redemption and our Salvation. We commit to honor and revere Jesus Christ, our Savior and Triumphant King, with surrender and faithful obedience. Thank You for giving us the choice to be saved from the consequences of sin. In faith, we commit to celebrating Jesus’ Gift of His Life, Resurrection, and the fulfilled Plan of Redemption every day. Thank You, God, for Your Amazing Love, and we ask this prayer in the Righteous and Redeeming Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Eternal Consequences of Your Thoughts | Sermon by John Lomacang

Sermon Notes:

“Sin is our enemy, but sin has no power over us, until we yield to the temptation.”

“We must take responsibility for our choices. Our character is developed by our choices.”

“We must train our minds to do right and to choose what is right according to God’s Principles and Standards.”

Tag: love faith sabbath