love faith sabbath – Page 51 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

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Guidance From the Spirit of Truth—The Holy Spirit

Guidance From the Spirit of Truth—The Holy Spirit Devotional Reading August 11, 2023

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” —Ephesians 2:8-9

The word of the hymns “I Surrender All” and “Have Thine Own Way” indicate the writers understood our part in the plan of Salvation and the conditions of our relationship with Christ. To serve Christ requires a spirit of humility and a prayer of daily commitment. The love in our hearts acts as a catalyst to faithfully follow Jesus through surrender and obedience.

Yet, we need Divine Help in our daily spiritual journey of Sanctification—living holy and righteously and experiencing spiritual growth and transformation of our character into the Character of Christ.

“I will send you the Helper from the Father. The Helper is the Spirit of truth [the Holy Spirit] who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me. And you will tell people about me too, because you have been with me from the beginning.” —John 15:26-27

Like Jesus’ disciples who struggled greatly in their journey of spiritual transformation, our Savior knew that all future believers would need Divine Intervention to remain faithful disciples. His promise to send the Holy Spirit was evidenced after His ascension on the Day of Pentecost. Study Acts chapter 2.

Jesus identified the Holy Spirit using the pronoun “He.” The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune Godhead—God, the Father, Jesus, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. Sadly, there is a disconnect in our belief that the Holy Spirit is necessary for our spiritual journey. If Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help His disciples who were physically with Him then we definitely need the Spirit of Truth to continue on the Path of Righteousness in our earthly experience.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 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

Because we tend to minimize or discard truth that is beyond our understanding—the power of the Holy Spirit is a mystery—we find it easier to exclude the presence and power of the Holy Spirit from our lives. Still, we must have the Divine power of the Holy Spirit to maintain our relationship with Christ, to discern truth from error, and to gain an in-depth understanding of the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of the Divine precepts on how to live righteously and warns us of the deceptions and temptations of spiritual warfare. We are no match for the evil schemes of Satan our enemy. The Holy Spirit is also our Protector.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

We must acknowledge our human disadvantage of being born into sin, shaped by iniquity, and possessing a carnal heart. Our thoughts are influenced by our childhood experiences, friends, family, worldviews, politics, social media, and denominational doctrines. Without the Holy Spirit, we will never comprehend God’s Agape Love or the plan of Salvation—it is through our faith we are saved by God’s grace.

We can read and memorize chapters of the Bible, but without using our faith to pray and invite the Holy Spirit into our life, we will never experience spiritual transformation. Some atheists read the Bible for knowledge or appreciate its documentation of ancient times, but they do not have faith in its teachings. Without faith, the Holy Spirit cannot give us spiritual wisdom, understanding of Salvation, God’s Sovereignty, the impact of sin, and how to live righteously.

When we fail to pray in faith for the power of the Holy Spirit, we are in the same predicament as atheists. We read the Bible, apply our human understanding, and become discouraged because we feel that God is distant. In the Bible, oil represents the Holy Spirit. It is the oil of the Holy Spirit that fills the emptiness of our spiritual vessel.

We would be hopelessly lost without the Spirit of Truth who takes our seed of faith and expands our knowledge and wisdom of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher who imparts us with a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Bible. As we gain discernment and wisdom of Biblical truths, our relationship with Christ grows, and we begin to perceive life through spiritual eyes.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” —Matthew 21:22

How does one receive the presence and power of the Holy Spirit? Daily, we pray in faith and ask for the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in our lives.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” —1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus created us as vessels to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Imagine a clean bottle that you fill with oil. To be filled with the Holy Spirit requires that our mind and body be a clean vessel. We demonstrate our love for God through faith and obedience.

What does total surrender look like? “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15, ESV. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…” —1 Peter 1:14, ESV

Our decision to shun evil by choosing not to willfully sin is strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Some temptations are so powerful, we need to cry out loud for Divine Help to overcome them. Yes, we need the power of the Holy Spirit!

David’s prayer, “Create in me, a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) provides us the model prayer demonstrating faith, humility, repentance, and surrender.

To be empowered with righteous attributes, our hearts must possess love and loyalty to God.

First, we must love God more than we love ourselves or anyone else. And we must possess the desire to live holy. We strive for righteousness through our faith in Christ Jesus. Without the intentional desire to live holy, we do not see the need to surrender or obey God. The human attributes of surrender, faith, and obedience are a freewill choice and reveal our love and mindset toward Christ.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Another role of the Holy Spirit: “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

With so many voices speaking their version of God’s truth, How do I know the Holy Spirit is speaking to me? Develop the habit of a consistent prayer life. Pray several times a day. It is not the length of our prayers that move God. Prayer is a two-way conversation. Include time for meditation and you will begin to recognize that your spiritual thoughts are from the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

A word of caution, do not manipulate the message. God never goes against His Holy Word found in the Bible. If you are praying for a material possession or a romantic relationship, wait on the Lord! The Holy Spirit does not always answer immediately. We know it is of God when supernatural miracles begin to happen and the request is brought to fruition.

In faith, we pray and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We pray with confidence because we can rely on the promises of God. God’s promises are steadfast and demonstrate the declaration of His Character—I change not!

“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

On Wednesday night, I prayed for spiritual guidance regarding a complex situation. At 3:30 am, Thursday morning when I awakened, in my thoughts, the Holy Spirit gave me the steps that I needed to take for complete resolution.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our thoughts and the Scriptures [Study the Bible]. The answers we receive represent Divine completion and provide Divine resolution. Not only do we receive answers, but the Holy Spirit is also our Comforter who ministers to our minds and souls by giving us peace and contentment.

When we receive direction from the Holy Spirit, there is no guesswork or confusion. The Holy Spirit knows our level of spiritual understanding and meets us exactly where we are in our spiritual journey. We can always count on the Spirit of Truth to give us clear and concise answers that provide clarity. And because God is a God of Completion, He does everything to glorify His Holy Name.

We claim the blessing of the Holy Spirit through our faith. In prayer, we surrender ourselves every day to be guided and controlled by the Divine power of the Holy Spirit. In humility, we wait for spiritual guidance and intervention. From our obedience and long-suffering, we receive a double blessing. Not only do we receive resolution, but we also receive spiritual empowerment. When we are faithful, we can tell others by sharing our praise testimony of God’s faithfulness and our victorious outcome.

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear [reverence] the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…” —Deuteronomy 10:12

Without a total heart and soul love for God, we will never reverence Him or accept His Righteous Precepts and Righteous Standards. Obedience is our highest form of worship. Active faith is demonstrated by surrender and obedience. God knows the true condition of our hearts, either we love Him or we do not. There is no middle ground!

Remember, we were not created to stand alone. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome the temptations of spiritual warfare. Not only do we have carnal hearts, but the worldviews that conflict with the word of God have caused us to compromise and accept watered-down versions of God’s Truth. We cannot save ourselves! Nor can we resolve the conflicts and challenges that leave us without answers. Do we need the Holy Spirit? Every second of our lives!

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” —Acts 2:1-2

Even though everyone in the place witnessed the anointing of the Holy Spirit, some doubters accused the apostles of being drunk with new wine. Study Acts chapter 2. Without faith, we reject the Holy Spirit and all evidence of His power.

The Holy Spirit enables us to view life through spiritual eyes. It is not climate change that is impacting our earth. We are living in the last days. The perilous times that the Apostle Paul wrote about in 2 Timothy 3 describe our present earthly conditions. Jesus is coming soon! The Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously on this planet earth that is plagued with increasing sinfulness.

God is Holy! The Bible is our Spiritual Mirror. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual discernment of the Scriptures and continuous guidance to overcome life’s challenges. Yet, we must choose to receive spiritual empowerment. We can never pray enough! When we pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes by taking our prayers and presenting them to Christ, our Intercessor.

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:6

Worship is asking and inviting the presence of God into our life. Every prayer that we utter should reflect our willingness to surrender. Asking for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is a prayer that is answered immediately. Separate yourself and meditate while worshiping God. Changing our mindset to accept that the Holy Spirit is not an option empowers us to prepare for eternal life.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.… Matthew 7:13-14

Is it possible to live a godly life, stay on the narrow Path of Righteousness, and receive our reward of eternal life without the Divine power of the Holy Spirit? The answer is No.

Prayer: God, we desperately need the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our daily lives. We pray for the forgiveness of our sins, especially our wilful disobedience. Give us a clean heart and teach us how to hear Your Voice. Lord, we pray for wisdom, discernment, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Sabbath Peace and Blessings are Gifts from our Father

No Turning Back

My decision to follow Jesus is one without compromise!

Adversity Gets Our Attention

Adversity Gets Our Attention Devotional Reading August 10, 2023

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

The thought of not taking the time to build our relationship with Christ should provoke remorse and immediate corrective action, but sadly it doesn’t. We love our earthly lives. Most of our time is used to pursue our goals and dreams and then exhausted, we choose screen time to wind down and relax.

“Be still and know that I am God…” —Psalm 46:10

Our perception of the meaning of “Be still and know that I am God…” does not coincide with God’s definition of taking the time every day to pause, cease our tasks, reflect, and worship Him.

Psalm 46:10 is a popular verse for comforting ourselves and others—many people tend to think this verse means to rest or relax in who God is. This verse does encourage believers to reflect on who God is, but there is more to this psalm than one verse—and verse 10 is actually more of a wake-up call to be in awe than a gentle call to rest. Taking time out of our day to meditate on Scripture and be silent with listening ears toward God is mentioned in other sections of Scripture (Psalm 119:15, Joshua 1:8, Luke 5:16, and others). Crosswalk.com

We are living in Perilous Times. With the combination of the continuous and deliberate distractions of spiritual warfare and our earthly pursuits, we love God but do not have the time to pray and study the Scriptures. Because God loves us and desires that none perish, He uses adversity as a means of redirection. And most of the time, it takes adversity to bring our busyness to a halt.

Yes, adversity redirects our focus to God. Still, our response to adversity indicates whether or not we will draw closer to Christ. Discouragement and sorrow are normal reactions, but we should not allow ourselves to progress to feelings of anger, bitterness, and despair.

Turn to God in adversity. Pray for strength and guidance, study the Bible, and rededicate your life to Christ. It is not a time to try to bargain or negotiate with God. It is a time to grow closer to Christ.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9

Always remember, Jesus’ goal is to save our souls!

Prayer: God, we thank You for redirecting our focus to You. We admit that we have not put You first in our lives. Thank You for loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Trust in the Lord, He is Our Helper

Jesus is Our Only Hope!

Living with peace and joy is only possible when we surrender ourselves to Christ. If you decide to place your life in His hands when all is well then you will faithfully trust Him in the situations that are humanly impossible to resolve.

Prayer of Gratitude: Jesus, You Are the only answer. We thank You for Your overwhelming love, grace, and mercies. Amen.

Jesus—God, Our Creator

Jesus—God, Our Creator Devotional Reading August 8, 2023

This afternoon, as I walked to the mailbox, I looked intently at the various plant life. The trees with massive trunks supporting countless leafy branches and the lush St. Augustine grass covering the ground are evidence of the love that Jesus has for humanity. Despite the sharp decline of the quality of life on the planet Earth, through nature, we can observe the detail and care that Christ put into every blade of grass, flower, and leafy tree.

“Then God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth, and it was so. And the Earth brought forth grass the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day.” —Genesis 1:11-13

Although we fail to proclaim praises of gratitude to Christ, our Creator, and Master Artist for the awesome blessing of nature, the birds never fail to sing their praises. We were created to spend time relaxing and resting in natural environments. Sadly, we have traded spending time outside for a sedentary lifestyle of devoting hours to screen time. Many mental and emotional diagnoses can be alleviated by spending an hour or two in nature every day.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile’ ” (Mark 6:31). This is a wonderful example of Jesus’ care, compassion, and wisdom. Relaxing in nature is the perfect time to meditate, pray, and study the Bible. Even on a hot, summer day, while sitting under a massive shade tree, God will send a gentle cooling breeze to say, “My son or daughter, I love you.”

When your challenges are overwhelming, and your faith is weak, take a nature break. Open the door, and go outside! If you reside in a city, filled with concrete and glass structures, consider driving or using public transportation to visit a park. Turn your cell phone ringer off. It’s nice to own a comfortable, collapsible outdoor chair to take with you for your Daycation. And don’t forget to take a couple of bottles of water, a travel-size Bible, and a Devotional book.

Plan to spend at least two hours wherever you decide to go. Pay attention to the various plant life and remind yourself that Jesus created this for you to enjoy. Meditating on the goodness of God [in nature] is healing to the mind, body, and soul. Close your eyes for a few minutes and take a couple of deep breaths. Thank Jesus for His love and the beauty of nature. Let your time of worship include prayer and a real-talk, conversation with the Creator God.

“We’re meant to live a substantial portion of our lives outdoors—and it’s a unique place to experience our Creator and restore our spirits. The Bible says that nature speaks to us of God’s character and His attributes. Spending time in nature gives us a chance to slow down…” Fullfocus.com

Prayer: God, we thank You for creating the beauty of nature. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lion, The Lamb, and the Sheep Devotional Reading

The Lion, The Lamb, and the Sheep Sabbath Devotional Reading, August 4, 2023

The lion has been dubbed the King of the Beasts. The roar of a mature male lion can travel up to five miles, showcasing its powerful presence and traits of pride, fearlessness, aggression, and self-reliance. The King walks as if he owns the entire savannah and he follows no one.

In watching animal documentaries on lions, I noticed lions only fear one animal [the elephant], and that is because of the grave danger that the elephant poses to their physical safety. The majority of lions are in a family [known as a pride] consisting of two to three generations. Yet, it’s not uncommon to spot solitary lions on the savannah, but their survival is a constant battle, and usually end up succumbing to starvation.

In the Bible, symbolically the lion represents Jesus, the Lion of Judah [Revelation 5]. The Apostle Peter says that the devil prowls like a roaring lion and the prophet Isaiah tells us the the lion and no ravenous beast which represent the wicked will be on the Highway of Holiness [Isaiah chapter 35].

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8, NIV

Many of us are familiar with the Apostle Peter’s metaphor and warning regarding Satan as a roaring lion seeking to destroy every believer’s faith and obedience to God. Yet, many are unaware of the spiritual meaning and how to apply this warning to their lives. The decision to follow Christ causes Satan to hate us. Yes, our arch-enemy’s goal is to separate every believer from God by any means necessary!

Satan—The Roaring Lion

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:12

We cannot pretend that Satan does not exist. Every believer must acknowledge that Satan is on this earth, that he is a fallen angel, and that he possesses power. Although most Christians do not engage in pagan practices, we invite sin into our lives through our participation in worldly activities.

Our compromise of accepting worldviews has desensitized us to the danger of sin. Looking at ourselves is like seeing our reflection in a mirror. We only see the outside, we need the Bible, God’s spiritual mirror to reveal the condition of our hearts.

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. ” —Titus 1:15

One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to devour us through his schemes of temptation. All of our temptations are custom-made, the sins we succumb to reveal the desires of our hearts. Like the lion who is hidden in the grass, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to chase and attack its prey, Satan is very patient. He and his evil angels observe our behaviors and habits [our weaknesses] then with perfect timing we are presented with irresistible temptations.

The Gateway of Temptations

Satan uses common things to distract us, watching movies whose rating is strong language, listening to secular music that we sing and dance to, and spending money on frivolous desires. Like the lion who successfully hunts and kills his prey, Satan is cunning and infiltrates our lives using stealth moves. Under the umbrella of Love, we invite unbelievers with worldly mindsets into our social circles as friends and establish dating relationships that lead to living together or unequally yoked marriages.

Satan’s Easy Prey—The Christians Who Have No Time for Worship, Praying, or Bible Study

In 2023, Satan’s number one scheme is to use distractions that waste our valuable time. Instead of having time for meaningful worship—praying and studying, we are too tired. Our to-do list is unrealistic, or we use social media, the cell phone, and online activities to relax. Mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted, we say a quick prayer and promise to study the Bible tomorrow and fall asleep.

The other open door that allows Satan to enter our lives is through false teachings. In our busyness, we do not take the time to pray or study the Bible. Because of our daily schedules, we listen to sermons and social media posts which appear to be God’s Truth, yet are not Bible-based. The false teaching that we hear sounds good because it is a blend of a little truth and a lot of self-interpretation by the speaker.

Even lions who are on the brink of starvation never forget the elephant is always dangerous. Because we are not living according to God’s righteous precepts, our minds and conscience have changed. We do not sense any danger to our spiritual condition when pursuing life’s pleasures that appear to be harmless fun and enjoyment.

Remember, Satan does not present situations that would cause us to immediately recognize as threatening to our relationship with Christ. He uses familiar activities and people as bait to make us easily fall. If temptation was not appealing to our desires then we could easily turn and say no.

Reflection: Is there any part of my lifestyle that God considers to be unrighteous?

To remain spiritually alert and of a sound mind, we must be consistent in our worship. Staying spiritually nourished requires a daily commitment to God. Without prayer and meditation, Bible study, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are like the lion who is alone in the savannah. In a state of spiritual starvation, we cannot recognize Satan’s schemes, nor do we have the power to resist his covert deceptions.

We cannot fight Satan without Divine Intervention! The Apostle Paul tells us to put on The Whole Armor of God—Study Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10-18.

The spiritual battle we face in these perilous times requires more than praying once or twice a day. We can never pray too much! Fighting the enemy cannot be accomplished without spiritual reinforcement. Still, we need Divine Help that is immediately available by praying, “God, help me!”

Jesus promised us the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to give us the discernment and strength that is required to do our part as a soldier in God’s Army.

The Faithful Ones—Christ’s Sheep

Despite the enemy’s schemes, Christ has many dedicated faithful followers—His sheep surrender daily by striving to faithfully obey and trust Jesus, their Divine Shepherd.

“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” —Psalm 100:3

Why Does the Bible Compare Us to Sheep?

Sheep have no sense of direction. …
Sheep are defenseless. …
Sheep can’t get up without help. …
Sheep are emotional and recognize the Shepherd’s voice. …
Sheep are not meant to carry burdens. …
Sheep will settle for less. …
Sheep are valuable. …
Sheep can not care for themselves when wounded. Mom Remade Website

Jesus Christ, Our Shepherd: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” —Matthew 9:36-37

Jesus Christ, Our Savior: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” —Isaiah 53:6

Despite our sins and shortcomings, we serve a loving and compassionate Savior and Shepherd who died for us and seeks to bring us back into His flock.

Scripture Reading: “Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” —Luke 15:3-7, NIV

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” —John 1:29

Jesus, the Matchless Lamb of God offered Himself as our sacrifice. We have a Savior and Shepherd who gave His life for us. When we stray, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience. We are never abandoned by Christ! Yet, we are never coerced to return to the flock. Love for Jesus is the foundation of our relationship with Him.

Our response to the Shepherd’s call requires more than saying yes, we must renounce sin and overcome the roaring lion’s temptations by praying and using self-control. Do not rely on your human wisdom! Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the people, places, and habits that are keeping you bound under the roaring lion’s power.

The blood of the Lamb of God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Total reliance on Jesus, our Savior, and Shepherd along with the steadfast desire to live a faithful life of humility, surrender, and obedience is required to stay in our Shepherd’s safekeeping. Through prayer, consecration, and diligent study of the Bible, we commit daily to follow Jesus.

Our characters, habits, and lifestyles reflect whether or not we are following the Shepherd. The decision to follow Jesus is not an easy journey. As sheep, we acknowledge that we are dependent on our Shepherd to guide us safely through this earthly pasture.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” —John 10:27

The sheep listen and follow their Loving Shepherd because we trust Him with our lives. We know that the Shepherd has the power to make the roaring lion stand down and retreat. Every day, we need the love, guidance, and mercies of rescue from Jesus, our Shepherd.

Even in hardships, always remember, we are preparing for kingdom life one day at a time. And if we trust Jesus with our lives, He will safely guide us to the Heavenly pasture where we will live with Him forever and ever. Amen.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” —Matthew 5:8

Prayer: Lord, we pray for the humility to surrender ourselves to You. We thank You for being our Lion of Judah and our Shepherd. Jesus, we love You. We pray for strength and wisdom as we follow You in our spiritual journey. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

LORD, You’re Holy, [English Version] Prestonwood Choir

Worthy is the Lamb of God—Sabbath Blessings

As a little girl, my mother taught me to love and obey Jesus. All my life, I have been waiting for Jesus to come. And I must confess that I am glad He did not come sooner because I would not have been ready. Now, I strive every day to surrender my life in faith, love, and obedience.

Jesus promised us in John 14 that He was going to prepare a place for us and He would come again. Surrender and commit your life to loving and serving Him. Broaden your perspective by thinking outside of the box of this earthly life. Prepare yourself for eternal life by surrendering your heart, mind, and soul to love God.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9

Prayer: Lord, we ask You for an abundant spiritual blessing of inner strength through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We pray to be rooted and grounded in love that keeps our eyes focused on You. We thank You for the blessing of the Sabbath. And we pray for those who have committed to serving You but are suffering from persecution. We ask You to comfort and strengthen them. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray, Amen.