If every believer would witness to one person a day, we would fulfill Jesus’ command to “Go.” Telling our personal testimony of how Jesus saved us is the most effective method of witnessing to others. When we give our hearts to Christ which requires faith, He cleanses us from all of the unrighteousness of sin and makes us a new person. We think, speak, and act differently because we are covered with His righteousness and the Holy Spirit abides within us.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ ” —Matthew 28:18-20
Choose to View God As Good – Happy Sabbath – Pray for God’s Mercies Sabbath Devotional, October 13, 2023
The struggles of this life are becoming more challenging. Many countries are experiencing war and famine which produces overwhelming sorrow, grief, and death. The innocent men, women, children, and babies are not only wounded physically but also mentally and emotionally. Why does God allow these terrible atrocities?
I invite you to study Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 18-22. Jesus speaks of the events that will happen in these perilous times of the last days of Earth’s history.
Although Satan causes disasters, wars, countless diseases, and deaths, God must allow the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. These events lead to the Great Day of Jesus, King of Kings, and Lord of Lord’s Second Coming. We know how the story ends! Choose your destiny by faithfully serving God in humility and obedience.
God is good in that He gave Jesus to die for us. God is good because we are saved by His Grace. God is good because He promises to protect the righteous at the end of time. Study Psalm 91. God is good because His love and mercies are freely given to the human beings who continue to reject Him.
God is good because He will never allow Satan to destroy the earth or all humanity. God is good because He never changes and we know the expected end of this Earth. God is more than good because He has given us sufficient time to choose Him. God is more than good because the righteous will live forever with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth!
Prayer: God, our hearts are filled with sorrow and despair. We ask You to extend mercy to the innocent victims of every war that exists throughout this world. Hunger, hatred, and the evil of violence have escalated as we have never seen before. Lord, we thank You for the Sabbath and ask You to bring peace to each of us according to Your will. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
“What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” —Psalm 8:4
Created in the image of God who considers us friends and has called us to be a royal priesthood should have us singing praises and praying prayers of gratitude every day. God’s Divine love transcends our expectations by involving all of heaven in our lives.
We have three Divine Powers whose attributes are Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence. All-powerful, All-knowing, and spiritually present everywhere are the characteristics of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 91, David tells us that Jesus, the Commander of angel armies has appointed and commanded guardian angels to keep us safe—physically and from spiritual warfare.
The Omnipresence of the Divine Godhead: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” —Psalm 139:7-10
To clarify, all of heaven is involved in the lives of the righteous. Although God blesses the unjust, His conditional promises throughout the Bible are for the righteous believer. Who are the righteous?
Christ is the Spiritual Foundation of the righteous. We love Him and have dedicated our hearts, minds, and souls to our Lord and Savior. We seek Him through prayer and study the Scriptures because we desire an intimate relationship with Jesus, our First Love. Not only do we trust Him with our lives, we believe in every promise found in the Scriptures. Studying the Scriptures and becoming prayer warriors are engraved into our spiritual DNA.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” —Psalm 1:1-2
David tells us the righteous delight or they are joyful from obeying God’s laws and precepts. The righteous keep God’s commandments. The righteous have characteristics that the unrighteous do not possess—they are faithful, trusting, and obey God by surrendering and seeking the will of God every day.
Another notable difference between the righteous and the unrighteous is the righteous establish and maintain a total dependency on God. Yes, in prayer, we take all of our cares of daily living, the uncertainties of unexpected life events, and the fiery darts of spiritual warfare to God in prayer.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” —Psalm 51:10.
The righteous are constantly aware that we are sinners saved by grace and our righteousness is as filthy rags. Yet, we know that Christ covers us with His Righteousness. The righteous repent daily of their sins whether intentional, unintentional, known, or unknown. They pray, seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, and patiently wait on the Lord.
The righteous strive to live holy lives by avoiding all forms of sin and calling on God for help in times of temptation. Still, the righteous will fall, but we have the confidence that we can ask for forgiveness and depend on Christ, our High Priest to mediate and intercede for us.
“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
Christ is our True Mediator. He is our Spiritual Connection from earth to heaven. He covers us with His righteousness and presents us as faultless before the throne of God. Christ makes Intercession for us. Our penitent prayers are taken to Christ by the Holy Spirit. And for this, He deserves our love, loyalty, and commitment to shun all sin. Through Christ, our unrighteousness is washed away with His precious blood. Thank You, Jesus!
The righteous diligently seek God by praying and studying the Scriptures every day. The righteous always put God first. Still, the righteous understand they cannot live righteously without being covered by grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The righteous are Christ’s disciples who witness His love to others. They pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal opportunities to share their testimony of how Jesus reached out to them and saved their souls from sin.
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” —John 12:26
To dedicate one’s life to Christ can only happen when Christ is our First Love. It is a daily commitment that allows us to receive spiritual insight and strength from the Holy Spirit to stay on the Path of Righteousness. Through prayer and Bible study, we develop an intimate, ever-growing relationship with Jesus. We desire to be like Christ and fully cooperate with Divinity for our character to change [Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:32].
Not only does God honor us, but the Holy Spirit gives us discernment and protects us from false teachings, comforts us mentally and emotionally, and imparts the spiritual wisdom to stay out of harm’s way. We have angelic forces with the God-given power to protect us physically and to fight spiritual warfare which our human eyes cannot see. Although the righteous suffer devastating life events, we do not lose our minds or our hope in Christ. With tears, in humility and faith, we pray “God, help me.”
“He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Corinthians 1:8
Finally, we are preparing every day for that Great Day when Jesus comes. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus promises the righteous a reward of eternal life in a perfect, sinless New Heaven and New Earth where love is overflowing. Amen.
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” —Proverbs 3:24
This scripture has a deeper spiritual meaning that goes beyond a peaceful night’s sleep. When we strive to live righteously, eventually, we may fall asleep in death, but we have no worries. From our faithful obedience to Christ in our earthly lives, on that glorious day when the first trumpet sounds, all of heaven will be involved when the dead in Christ rise first. Whether we are risen or alive, we will see King Jesus who is coming for the righteous!
Keep striving brothers and sisters, our struggle in this earthly life isn’t for nothing. Never forget, that the Divine Godhead, the Three Powers, God the Father, Jesus, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit along with heavenly angels are taking care of us. Amen! Hallelujah!
Prayer: God, we thank You for Your gift of Divine Intervention in our lives. We pray for strength, guidance, and protection from all evil. We love You. And we ask this prayer, in the Matchless Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
“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
Loving God requires a loving heart overflowing with genuine faith and the desire to obey His will. In serving God, the believer prays the prayer of sacrificial surrender every day. We dedicate and consecrate ourselves to seek God and live according to His will.
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18
We love God by possessing a heart of gratitude for His love and mercies which we express throughout our waking hours by singing, praying, and studying the Scriptures. Our times of worship reflect our love. “O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things. Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isaiah 25:1).
“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12
Our thoughts, behaviors, and actions reveal the motives of our hearts. Our lifestyle is concrete proof of who we love and worship. We can go through the motions of attending church and reading the Bible, but our attempts to use works as the way to be in the right standing with God are just feeble attempts to make us feel content.
“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
Born with carnal hearts, we naturally have sinful thoughts and desires that cause us to pursue self-gratification. Our Father knew that we could not govern ourselves nor control our desires without His help. Therefore, God gave us His Holy Scriptures—God-breathed commandments, precepts, and promises as the roadmap for our lives.
“I will send you the Helper from the Father. The Helper is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me.” —John 15:26
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” —Romans 8:26
Not only do we have the Bible, but we were given the Holy Spirit to provide direction for our daily lives. Yes, the Holy Spirit reveals God’s purpose and plans for every believer. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the righteous hear the Voice of God through their thoughts and the Scriptures. Many ask, How do you know God is speaking to you through your thoughts? God’s Voice is always consistent with the Scriptures.
Read 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:22-23, and Ephesians 4:32
The Holy Spirit also performs daily spiritual transformation [spiritual growth] and changes our hearts [our minds] and our character traits. Yet, as free will agents, we must give our permission and cooperate with Divinity to receive Sanctification which is a life-long spiritual journey.
In Philippians 1:6, we receive the promise that Jesus will complete the work in us which requires our full cooperation by striving to live holy and pursuing righteousness every day. Still, the promise states up until the day Jesus comes. Jesus will not transform our character or sinful habits on the day of His Coming. Every person has already made their decision to be faithful or not and will receive their just reward. Our destiny is in our hands!
Jesus, Our Loving Lord, Savior, and Intercessor
Romans 8:34 says that Jesus ‘is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” In 1 John 2:1 we read that Jesus is our “advocate with the Father,” and from Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us.
Jesus is our Heavenly Intercessor who receives our prayers and covers us with His righteousness, presenting us faultlessly before God. Our responsibility is to shun evil and pray without ceasing for the strength to live holy. As our Intercessor, Jesus also prays for us. When our hearts are receptive to the Holy Spirit, our response is one of faithful obedience. It is then that Divine intervention occurs and we receive Christ’s strength.
The Believer’s Life is One of Constant Battles
At the Last Supper, Jesus warned Simon Peter that a test of faith was coming: “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31, NKJV). The outspoken disciple seemed to be in the same predicament as Job when Satan sought to put him to the test (Job 1—2). Satan wanted to “sift Peter as wheat,” which means that he wished to shake Peter’s faith so forcefully that he would fall, proving that God’s faithful servant was lacking. gotquestions.org
Like Peter, our faith is weak. And Satan, our deadly enemy uses our desires and carnal weakness to develop deceitful temptations that we cannot resist without the Holy Spirit’s Divine Help. His evil angels observe our lifestyle and present strategic deceptions [personalized temptations] designed to make us fall.
Satan’s most effective method is to use people to make a believer fall. The lonely person meets someone who says, Lord, Lord, one who appears to serve God, but their behaviors and lifestyle reveal they have not surrendered to God. Ignoring the warning signs, the believer continues in the relationship and falls. By acting on their emotions, they begin walking on the path of compromise because their love for God is no longer a priority.
Just as we do not drive in the middle of the road, there is no middle ground of compromise in our relationship with Christ. Either we will surrender ourselves in humility and obedience to God and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us spiritually in preparation for Eternal life or we will lose our reward because we chose to live our best life on this earth.
To love God is to obey God. To love God is to pray every day and ask Him to reveal His will. To love God is to surrender and strive to stay in His will.
Scripture: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7
Prayer: God, we pray for the desire and the strength to give up every sinful habit and the individuals who will prevent us from receiving eternal life. We confess and repent that we have not surrendered and committed ourselves to faithfully obey You. Lord, we know the signs You gave to us in Matthew 24 are being fulfilled. And it is our fervent desire to receive our reward and live with Your forever and ever. In Jesus Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Overcoming the Stronghold of Abuse Today’s Devotional — October 8, 2023
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” —Psalm 139:14
We were created in the image of a loving God whose purpose is for us to have relationships based on mutual love and respect. In the Christian community, most pastors are not addressing the evil of abuse. It is a false concept that God expects us to stay in abusive relationships and marriages. Whether it is a husband, wife, parents, family member, or a friend, let them go!
God lovingly gave His Son, Jesus for us who created us from love and expects us to have loving hearts. Does God tolerate abuse? Read the story of David, Abigail, and Nabal in 1 Samuel chapter 25. When we pray for Divine Intervention, God will deliver us from the stronghold of abuse. It is our duty to God to not tolerate abuse in any form. We were not ransomed from sin to become victims of the satanic stronghold of abuse.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:7
Individuals who are abused live in fear. The barrage of abuse weakens their mental and physical strength and the resolve to take care of oneself. Abuse places a person in the mental and emotional chains of discouragement and defeat. Their outlook declines into a state of hopelessness.
Most people who are in abusive relationships do not leave or leave and return because the journey of new beginnings usually requires one to fully depend on God. Human emotions tell them it is better to stay in an abusive relationship than to be alone or restart life on an unknown journey.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” —Deuteronomy 31:8
You cannot have God’s gifts of peace and joy nor maintain your relationship with Christ while living under the stronghold of abuse. This may sound harsh, but in Revelation 21, verse 8, Jesus tells us there will be no cowards in heaven. To serve God requires strong, unwavering faith and perseverance. Pray and ask God to reveal His perfect plan for you [and your children] to leave and begin a new life based on love.
God is waiting for every person to pray and ask for His help. God already has a way of escape. The prayer of God, help me, is one that always receives an immediate answer. Once God reveals the way to victory do not share His plan with anyone else. We never know who Satan will use to defeat your journey to freedom. Pray and remain silent. Use your faith to escape and God will take care of you!
If you do not reside with the abusive individual then establish healthy boundaries by severing the unhealthy relationship. The preference is to use silence. If you choose to have verbal or written communication to tell them why you are ending the relationship, it is a guarantee they will use the opportunity to speak hurtful words.
We are preparing for eternal life which requires steadfast faith and trust in God who always requires us to take a step of faith before He intervenes with a Giant Leap leading to victory. Be bold! Be courageous! the Lord God is on your side.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. For He brings down those who dwell on high…” —Isaiah 26:1-3
Scripture: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” —Numbers 6:24-26
Prayer: God, we pray this intercessory prayer for those who are living under the stronghold of abuse. We ask You to give them strength and reveal the plan of escape to begin a new, peaceful life that includes Your overwhelming love and guidance. We pray for the healing of their fragile, broken hearts. We ask this prayer in the Name of Jesus, our Warrior God. Amen.
Our spiritual relationship with Jesus remains strong through our unwavering faith. To receive peace requires trusting God with our lives. Either we have faith and trust in God or we place our belief in ourselves and others which results in separation from God.
How well do you know Jesus’ character and His promises? The Bible was written for believers. It is our Spiritual Guide. Without Scriptural knowledge, we cannot receive the peace that transcends all of the burdens and effects from life’s adversities and spiritual warfare. Nor can we enjoy the relationship with Jesus that He desires for us to have with Him.
(25) “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. (26) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
(27) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (28) You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. John 14 :25-28
Prayer: Lord, we pray for an anointing and outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Like a mighty rushing wind, impart Your mercies and healing powers in our minds, bodies, and souls. Give us Your peace and make us whole. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
The Creation 7th day Sabbath is God’s Divine Gift to Humanity. We have been gifted with 24 hours to shut out all secular activities and to commune with God where we receive the blessings of spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical restoration. Every day, we prepare for Kingdom life with Jesus in our earthly lives. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 5:2
When I was in nursing school, our written exams consisted of multiple-choice questions with four answers. The purpose was to prove our knowledge of theory and develop critical thinking skills and astute judgment. Nurses are responsible for making decisions that not only impact the patient’s health but we must also use interventions to facilitate a favorable outcome.
Not only did we have to think right, we had to read the clinical question, eliminate the incorrect answers, and choose the right answer within two minutes per question. We learned the skill of remaining focused during many distractions.
Focusing on Distractions Produce the Failure to Perceive the Truth
Two of the answers were considered distractors and easily eliminated. But the remaining two were very similar with one exception, the right answer always represented the standard of care determined by the State Board of Nursing. Many of the students attempted to justify their wrong answers, but the correct answer always includes the rationale and is absolute—without exception.
When we think of the ability of the human mind to develop stringent standards for patient care, how much more should we reverence the love of our Great God and His infinite knowledge expressed through Jesus Christ?
” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.” (9) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9
Question: Does Jesus care? Provide an answer based on personal experience that does not include money or tangible items.
The challenge for today’s Christians is they cannot give a spiritual rationale [testimony] for the question, “Does Jesus care?” How do we so easily forget the blessings that we receive daily?
Distracted by Our Desires
We cannot witness that Jesus cares for humanity based off of testimonies of financial gain. Sadly, many Christians have embraced the unbeliever’s mindset—we are placing our focus on the distractors in this world. Financial blessings are what we pray for. According to many Bible-believing pastors, the number one desire of most believers involves some form of financial prosperity.
Although God blesses us financially by giving us the provisions of daily living, we cannot provide the correct spiritual rationale to prove that Jesus cares for humanity based on the acquisition of money, houses, and vehicles.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16
The love story filled with care and compassion began before the world was created. It was God, the Father, and Jesus who had the Father and Son talk about His death that was required to save our souls. Redemption and the Plan of Salvation were not afterthoughts or a quick-fix plan after Adam and Eve sinned.
God’s love provided us with the gift of His Precious Son, Jesus. And Jesus said, “Yes, Father, I will die for them.” Does Jesus Care?
The Absolute Truth and Spiritual Rationale for Jesus’ care and compassion are proclaimed by His sacrifice and current role as our Heavenly Intercessor. Every word in the Holy Scriptures proclaims that Jesus cares! Yet, it is our relationship with Christ that provides the foundation for us to possess experiential knowledge of His love, care, and compassion.
Our personal testimonies of victory [which every believer should be able to share] are proof that we have a Loving Savior who cares.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” —Psalm 147:3
Testimony: This year I prayed for healing. Jesus healed me of an incurable and progressive heart condition that occurred secondary to having two years of uncontrolled asthma despite therapeutic intervention. When I gave the most recent cardiology report to my pulmonologist [lung specialist], in August, he read the report and did not make one comment. Does Jesus care? Yes!
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:6-7
The humility that the Apostle Peter speaks of is revealed in our desire and prayer to surrender every day to the will of God. Yes, it is a tough commitment to surrender, but obedience results in blessings of benefits for the righteous.
Testimony: Jesus has not only given me the blessings of physical healing, but He also gave me new beginnings and healed my emotional hurt from a very painful divorce. Although I am unworthy, Christ continues to give me an overabundance of God’s grace and mercies. My focus has changed greatly since surrendering to God. I talk to Jesus throughout my waking hours because He cares!
The Apostle Paul frequently shared his story of the encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Our testimonies not only reveal our appreciation for a Loving Savior, but the Holy Spirit gives us strength and a deeper spiritual insight into the Character of Christ and our purpose.
Every believer’s purpose is to share testimonies that glorify God. We have a higher spiritual purpose—to share the love of Christ. From receiving the gifts of physical and emotional healing, I know that Jesus expects me to proclaim His love, care, and compassion to a world filled with hopelessness. Does Jesus care? Yes, I know that my Jesus cares!
Scripture: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” —Psalm 34:17-19
Prayer: Lord, we glorify and honor You. Thank You for Your abundant love, grace, and mercies. Thank You for caring about humanity and giving Your life for us. Jesus, we love You and ask this prayer in Your Holy Name, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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