love faith sabbath – Page 8 – Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions

Lord You’re Holy – Worship Music

Obedience Is the Sacrificial Life

” ‘And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.’ As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.” -John 8:29

Jesus Prays for Himself: “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).

We have Jesus’ Righteous example of the humility and faithful obedience required to honor and revere God, the Father. Our love and loyalty to Christ must supersede loving ourselves, and the world’s prosperity and pleasures.

Daily consecration through prayer, fasting, and diligent study of the Bible keeps us close to God, inviting the Holy Spirit to perform the daily transforming work of Sanctification.

Lord God, we thank You for living a life of faithful obedience that we could be redeemed from the consequences of sin. We ask for the anointing, power, presence, and spiritual wisdom from the Holy Spirit to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. Thank You, Jesus for leading, protecting, and correcting us in our daily walk with You. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

Sabbath Scripture for God’s Peace and Blessings

The Commitment

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17, NIV

Yes, God desires for us to come to Him based on His loving character but He never violates our Free Will of choice. Our lifestyle reveals whom we serve. True heart conversion is spiritually deeper than attending church once a week. We cannot only be churchgoers but must have a deep abiding love for God, only then can we worship Him in spirit and truth.

Second hand knowledge as a result of not studying the Bible for oneself will not prepare us to stand with steadfast faith [in the power of Christ] when tempted, or in times of persecution. We cannot use our strength to overcome temptations designed to separate us from God.

It is the willingness to consecrate and commit ourselves to God demonstrated by daily personal worship that strengthens our relationship with Jesus Christ. Winning the war against sin and our desires requires consistent praying for the Holy Spirit to empower us with Christ’s wisdom and strength, only then can we live as Victorious Overcomers in Christ Jesus.

“…are we not all in danger, especially the longer we are here, of setting ‘aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles’ for the pomp, power, accolades, and temptations of the world? If we think we’re not, we are fooling ourselves.” ssnet.org

Lord God, we pray for the desire to look beyond this present Earth, and its promises of prosperity and pleasures designed to separate us from You. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Maintaining Our Connection to the Source of Life

“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…” —Proverbs 3:5-7

We can agree that successful personal relationships require love, forgiveness, quality time, creating goals, and working together to achieve them. For a relationship to thrive, the individuals must align their morals and values, agree to become interdependent, and communicate using loving, compassionate, and respectful responses, which are the primary building blocks for bonding with each other.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

The Scriptures teach us that we were created to depend on God. Every day, our Heavenly Father desires that we approach Him in prayer to seek His will and plans for the day. How do we describe our relationship with Christ? Strong and thriving, or weak and wavering? Many believers do not have a personal relationship with Christ because of the character trait of self-reliance.

“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9:9, NASB

“Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and Matthew immediately leaves everything and follows.” Although our Christian experience differs, accepting Jesus as our Savior is comparable to sheep following their Shepherd. Dependency on God requires us to redirect our faith from ourselves to God and to relinquish our desires in exchange for His Divine plans for our lives.

“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28). One of Satan’s most effective deceptions in the Christian Community is for us to believe the Holy Scriptures [God’s Spoken Word] are optional suggestions. Jesus refutes this false doctrine of having the privilege to decide whether or not to obey and practice God’s Righteous Commands.

Consider this: Every employer has policies and procedures that comply with State, Federal, or National Labor laws. Upon hire, the legal contractual agreement between an employer and an employee is presented and accepted based on a written agreement between both to adhere to the existing policies.

“Corporate Compliance and Human Resources departments ensure their organizations adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards.” All employer/employee infractions are immediately dealt with and resolved with disciplinary measures, and may escalate to legal action.

The Bible, spoken to righteous men by God, is our Spiritual Guide and Blueprint, teaching us how to live holy and acceptable lives pleasing to God. Without studying the Scriptures, we are relying on our thoughts, which will never coincide with God’s command to “…Be holy, for I Am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46, ESV

Something is not right when we can pledge faithfulness to obey employers who can only offer us salaried compensation, but we practice disregard for God’s Righteous Precepts. The acceptance and daily practice of the worldviews of self-governance have caused many believers to reject seeking God’s guidance, resulting in a life of disobedience.

Before Jesus took on humanity, His mind was one with God the Father, perfectly synchronized to His Father’s thoughts and desires. Although it is a mystery, Jesus always knew exactly what His Father was thinking. In Jesus’ earthly life, He did not have the privilege of knowing God’s thoughts and plans as He did in the Heavenly Courts.

Born as a human, Jesus had many limitations. Without prayer, He could not know God’s will. Jesus spent countless hours praying, which empowered Him to live a sinless life. He knew the importance of communing with God in personal worship. With humility and surrender, our Savior always asked for His Father’s will to be revealed. If Jesus required spiritual guidance, may God have mercy on us, we desperately need God’s Divine Help!

Jesus, Our Role Model: “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

In John 17, Jesus prayed, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (verse 4). To love God is to live a sacrificial life of surrender and faithful obedience. King David reminds us, “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“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)

The Plan to Reconnect to Christ: What steps can we take to align ourselves with God’s will and plans?

Every morning, we consecrate ourselves as followers of Christ through personal worship. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before making all decisions. Invite God in every aspect of your life, and you will learn to hear His voice. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, and the Scriptures [Study Romans 12, Galatians 5:22-23, and Ephesians 6].
Do not believe everything you think! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and teach you what God requires to live a Christ-centered, Faith-based life. Learn to whisper prayers for Divine strength throughout your waking hours.
Humility Cures Worldliness: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we commit to following and obeying Christ, we face the spiritual warfare of temptations on a greater level. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Remain prayerful, and study the Scriptures every day.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [self-control]. (2 Timothy 1:7). We were given spiritual gifts meant to be used with prayer. We need Jesus’ Divine strength to renounce sinful temptations that Satan creates based on our personal desires. Still, we cannot be coerced into sin against God. It is a free will choice to say yes to temptation.

Will we accept God’s mandate for the righteous? “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” ( Jeremiah 10:23, NIV). If yes, we will receive the spiritual power from the Holy Spirit to live as victorious overcomers.

Trusting in God is the willingness to let go of one’s thoughts, inclinations, and desires. We use our faith to honor and reverence God because He is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. When we accept our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God, we begin to think differently, and our choices reflect holiness.

Last week, I consecrated myself to a life of surrender and faithful obedience. Honestly, it is the toughest journey I have ever encountered. Our battle against Satan is one of External Opposition. We have the power to resist temptations with Divine strength. Thankfully, Christ sets limits on Satan; if it were Satan’s choice, he would aggressively pursue and intimidate believers, leaving us worn out and hopeless.

Still, our greatest battle is the battle of the mind! We inherited carnal hearts that are driven to pursue prosperity and pleasure. The Internal Conflict of renouncing our heart’s desires is one in which we must have Divine help. Not all temptations are easily discerned, especially after an 8 -12 hour, busy day.

After work, we are tired and just want to relax, so one of our favorite podcasts or programs just happens to be on, so we choose screen time instead of worship. If exhausted, pray for strength and spiritual clarity, listen to the audio Bible of one of the Psalms, and pray again before falling asleep.

Prayer is Power! When we pray continuously for Divine strength and guidance, the Holy Spirit transforms our minds, characters, and personalities daily into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character. Sanctification is the lifelong process of spiritual growth and transformation performed by the Holy Spirit when we strive to live faithful and obedient lives.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” —Matthew 16:26, Amplified Bible

Faithful obedience is our highest worship. As time draws closer to Christ’s Second Coming, we must decide whether we will surrender and faithfully obey God or continue to operate with a mindset of self-governance. Nothing on this present Earth is worth giving up our reward of the Crown of Life. Yes and Amen!

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10

Lord God, we ask forgiveness for living according to our thoughts and plans. We seek Your guidance because we love you, and desire to live a faithful and obedient life that we may receive our reward of eternal life, and meet our Triumphant King who willingly gave His life for us. We pray for the strength to live as faithful overcomers awaiting Your soon return. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.

YAHWEH Mephalti – The LORD My Deliverer

Our Heavenly Father Cares Devotional – April 18, 2025

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9, NIV

Believing that we are loved by God increases our faith. Yes, our God is Faithful, even so, how well do we know His Character? We cannot love and trust a stranger. Learning God’s Character can only be accomplished by diligently studying the Holy Scriptures.

An attribute of God that we can appreciate is that He never changes—His yes is yes and His no is no. We do not have to guess who God is; from Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His love and the attributes of His Righteous Character: Lover of our Souls, Savior, Deliverer, Rescuer, Healer, Mighty Warrior, and so much more.

The Bible is God’s Spoken Words given to righteous men through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the only historically accurate book documenting His continuous intervention in the lives of the righteous. God desires to guide us victoriously through our journey of life, but we must decide if we will accept and trust Him with our lives.

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ ” —1 Samuel 17:45

David’s young life as a shepherd required dedication and the courage to place himself in jeopardy to protect the sheep from predators. David’s father, Jesse, taught his son to trust in God, which prepared him to use his faith when he fought vicious animals and volunteered to courageously slay Goliath, the Philistine giant.

Still, David’s greatest faith test of trusting God with his life occurred when King Saul’s jealousy and rage grew into a killer instinct against David, causing him to flee for his life. Bible scholars estimate that David lived as a fugitive in the wilderness for approximately 10 years.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). From studying the book of Psalms, we learn that David never forgot that God was His Protector and Deliverer.

Although every believer understands that we are saved by Jesus’ sacrificial offering of His life on Calvary, from the failure to study the Holy Scriptures, many do not have knowledge of the history of Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy, and how He has consistently intervened in human life for 6,000 years.

From performing the first animal sacrifice to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness [Genesis 3:21] to protecting the Apostle Paul from many accounts of physical danger [2 Corinthians 11:22-29], Jesus Christ—YAHWEH Mephalti is committed to saving us from sin, rescuing us from the temptations of Satan’s spiritual warfare [1 Corinthians 10:13], protecting the righteous with guardian angels, and giving us His strength to persevere through life’s adversities.

What more can Christ do for us? Our Creator God desires that we invite Him daily [through prayer] to live a victorious life empowered by His wisdom and strength given to us by the Holy Spirit. Are we willing to comply with the Spiritual Conditions of Participation that require the human effort of daily surrender and faithful obedience?

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9

We were created to have a relationship with Christ based on faith, obedience, and complete dependency. Although God desires to give us the best, sadly, many believers are using their free will of choice to live in a state of rebellion against God. Many decades ago, Frank Sinatra wrote a song entitled “My Way.” The lyrics included, “I can continue until the end my way.” This is the unbeliever’s bold proclamation of rejecting God.

Satan deceives us into believing we can live according to our desires as long as we attend church once a week. Faithful obedience keeps us in right standing with God. Beware of embracing and practicing Satan’s deceptions that persuade us to live according to our thoughts and strategies to gain wealth and success.

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) highlights the importance of actions aligning with words, emphasizing that true discipleship involves not just professing faith but also obeying God’s commands. This rhetorical question challenges those who outwardly acknowledge Jesus as Lord but fail to live according to His teachings.”

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23

The Christian journey is one in which we desperately need Christ, our Deliverer, to keep us on the Path of Righteousness. Without seeking and obeying God’s will, we are practicing self-governance that always includes risks and consequences. Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us not to use our limited human wisdom to make decisions, as we can never see beyond the present day. Regret is painful!

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” -Psalm 34:17

Every day, we face Satan’s covert, intricate schemes of temptation, not only designed to separate us from God but also to cause instability and financial loss. The financial investment, starting the new business, purchasing a house or vehicle because of a low interest rate, or relocating for a new job may sound promising, but “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Pray, asking God if the presenting situation is a blessing or a temptation, and wait for His answer.

God’s Providence: When we pray for clarity in our lives, we will not understand “the why” of God’s thoughts, ways, and plans. Without questioning or analyzing, we acquiesce to God’s will with a mindset of reverence and total obedience because He loves us, has the best plans, and knows the future.

We can only be tempted by the things we desire, and this is when the struggle of internal opposition begins, between God’s will and our desires. Always trust and obey God. If His answer is Wait or No, then He is saving us from devastating consequences. Learning to rely on God in everything leads to a rewarding life of peace and blessings.

When we include God in the small things that seem insignificant, our perspective of our Heavenly Father changes. The Holy Spirit empowers us with spiritual wisdom, and we develop a heart filled with love and loyalty for Christ. As time continues, our bond with Christ grows deeper, and Jesus becomes our All and All.

It is the heart-to-heart relationship with Christ that gives experiential knowledge and a personal testimony that our Lord and Savior is “יהוה מְפַלְתִי (YAHWEH Mephalti)… the God who rescues, delivers, and saves.” Yes and Amen!

Jesus, our Savior, Rescuer, Deliverer, and Triumphant King, we love You, Amen.

A Time for Celebration!

Our Heavenly Father Cares – Devotional Reading – April 4, 2025

Celebrations occur every day. We celebrate a baby’s birth, birthdays, marriages, adoptions, anniversaries, educational and career achievements, and even in death, we can memorialize and honor the person’s life through a Celebration of Life service. Most countries celebrate national holidays. Yes, we can freely designate any event as a special occasion giving us infinite reasons for a celebration.

Many Christian believers actively participate in secular celebrations to express joy and happiness; however, we often neglect to celebrate God’s love, that we are created in His image, and His greatest gift to humanity, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Reasons for Daily Spiritual Celebrations

God Confirms His Love for Humanity: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

God Confirms Our Identity: “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them…” (Genesis 1:26-28). We are who God says we are, therefore, we dismiss the world’s hierarchy of importance based on financial wealth, career positions, and social status.

Because God is Omniscient and His knowledge is eternal, the Plan of Redemption was not an afterthought. The Triune God knew Adam and Eve would disobey His command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Although they sinned and had to leave their Garden of Eden home, Christ did not abandon them, “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NLT). Death entered the planet Earth when Adam and Eve sinned, not only did they lose access to the Tree of Life [losing immortality] innocent animals had to die to clothe the wayward couple, and lambs were required for a sacrificial offering.

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” —1 John 1:9-10

Until Jesus came to this earth, the ceremonial law of animal sacrifice was performed for the remission of sin. Thankfully, Jesus’ death on Calvary’s Cross fulfilled the Plan of Redemption eliminating animal sacrifice. On deep reflection of Jesus’ Ultimate gift of Salvation, we have the option not to die for our sins because Christ became the Sacrificial Lamb.

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a High Priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:25-26). We can celebrate with gratitude because Yeshua is still serving humanity as our High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary:

We Have a Compassionate High Priest Who Invites Us to Ask Him for Help: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15).

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:8-9

“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

By praying for help, we can receive the Divine wisdom and strength to recognize and resist temptation. Our God is All-Inclusive! We are not limited to seeking Divine Intervention for the forgiveness of sin and the strength to overcome sin, Christ also gives us comfort and peace in times of distress. We can live without worries because Jesus promises to provide for all our needs.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans [unbelievers] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:31-34). Yahweh Yireh always provides the necessities required to sustain our lives.

“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

When we strive to live faithful and obedient lives, our blessings of good gifts come from God. In contrast, Satan manipulates unbelievers by fulfilling their desires while leading them to chase wealth and accumulate debt. Yes, we may have mismanaged our financial blessings, and now face consequences that usually result in the loss of our tangible purchases, still, God does not abandon us when we come to Him with a contrite heart asking for forgiveness.

“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.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding]. —John 16:33, Amplified Bible

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory…” —1 Peter 4:12-13

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus warned us that following Him would result in a tumultuous journey. But we place our faith in His promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Prayer is our connection to Divine Power. We pray for help and the Holy Spirit gives us Jesus’ Strength to endure and persevere through our sufferings.

Sanctification can only occur through trials and hardships that God allows to produce unwavering faith, spiritual growth, and the transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. 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

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). Through daily personal worship, we redirect our focus from this temporary earthly life by dedicating ourselves to following Christ. To the faithful, Jesus promises to reward us with Eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” —Revelation 21:4

Every believer who is faithful and obedient to the will of God is guaranteed Divine Intervention, strength, wisdom, provisions, and the heavenly reward of a life filled with forever love, peace, joy, and happiness. These promises are a reason for celebrations of joyful praise! Our Father God deserves daily celebratory praise for giving us His only Son.

Unwavering faith honors the Triune God and acknowledges His steadfast love and faithfulness. The Holy Spirit is responsible for guiding us and performing our spiritual transformation, also known as the Spirit of Truth, we receive spiritual wisdom when studying the Holy Scriptures, and the discernment to recognize truth from the error of false teachings and doctrines.

With loving kindness, Jesus, God, the Son forgives our sins, covers us with His Righteousness, and presents us as faultless to God, His Father. Our King, the Lion of Judah is the Commander of angel armies whose primary role is to protect us from spiritual warfare and physical harm. Study 2 Kings 6 and Psalm 91.

Through the Holy Spirit, Christ intervenes in our earthly lives to save us from making devastating mistakes. What more can Jesus do for us? Taking the time to separate ourselves for personal worship is how we celebrate and manifest our love and appreciation for a More than Wonderful God!

If He said it then He will fulfill it! One day we will say goodbye to this present Earth and its sinful existence. Until then, we must keep our focus on Jesus by proclaiming faith and not fixating on our circumstances. Let’s make the daily Celebration of Worshiping our Amazing God our lifetime priority! Yes and Amen!

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:)

Jesus, we thank You for the gift of Your precious life required to redeem us from our sins and to save our souls. We pray for the strength and perseverance to overcome the sorrows of this life by keeping our focus on You. We celebrate You as our Triumphant King soon to come. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Your Holy Name, Amen.

Open the Eyes of My Heart – Worship Video

The Serenity of the Holy Sabbath

“Just forget about yourself, concentrate on Him, and worship, Christ, the Lord, Worship Him, Christ, the Lord.”

The separation of oneself from all routine activities on the Sabbath invites the Holy Spirit to impart Jesus’ Divine gift of peace which provides a spiritual calm and assurance deep within our hearts and souls.

The Sabbath is a time of reflection on God’s love, faithfulness, goodness, and mercies. It is a time to express gratitude for His Love gift of Jesus Christ. We place our faith and trust in His promises because we are confident that our Father’s plans always work for the good of those who love the Lord.

The Sabbath is 24 hours of focused attention on worshiping God and receiving the shower of blessings of spiritual knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and strength. To commune with God in spirit and truth provides overwhelming joy and happiness.

Thank You God for providing a time of spiritual recovery and restoration from the vicissitudes of life. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.

Yahweh Shammah—Overcome Fear, Anxiety, Doubt, and Discouragement

Our Heavenly Father Cares Sabbath Devotional – March 21, 2025

“Yahweh Shammah,” a name for God found in Ezekiel 48:35, means “The Lord is there,” God promises His continuous presence and to be with His people [righteous believers] at all times. Yes and Amen.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ ” —Genesis 1:26, NLT

When God, the Father had the conversation with Jesus, God, the Son regarding the creation of humanity, they knew the intense daily struggles we would suffer from being dedicated followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In God’s infinite wisdom, we were perfectly created with intellect, the ability to learn, mental acuity, the power to reason, and a heart filled with love.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7

We were not spoken into existence, with Agape love, Jesus bent down and picked up clay in His hands, formed Adam into His likeness, and breathed the Ruach breath into him, and the man was alive. Recognizing our significance to God allows us to transcend worldly perspectives and societal judgments on the hierarchy of importance according to wealth.

The human body’s anatomy and physiology cannot be cloned by scientific means. Our soul is connected to God. Our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected dimensions of well-being. The body systems are intertwined and interdependent on each other to maintain a healthy mind-body equilibrium. Because we love God, we strive to live the healthiest lifestyle.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own…” —1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV

Still, it gets better! By accepting Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, giving us spiritual strength and guidance, and directing us through our thoughts and conscience [Yes, it’s a mystery]. All of creation reveals that God loves beauty and diversity, we have received various innate and spiritual gifts to be used for His glory and honor.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind [discipline, self-control].” —2 Timothy 1:7

We were gifted with the power to choose right over wrong and Truth over error as defined by God’s Holy Standards. Not only did we receive free will of choice, but we can accept or reject the gift of Salvation and live righteously or not.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

God to the rescue! In protecting us, God has left no stone unturned. Although we fight Satan’s temptations every day, and our circumstances make us feel that we do not have a choice, we are not helpless!

We always have a choice even when it is not in plain sight. Despite the temptation, when we are grounded in Christ, we cannot be coerced into choosing sin. We use our sound minds and prayer to disregard every manipulative tactic designed to persuade us to sin against God.

The Onset of the Spirit of Defeat and Its Bitter Fruits

“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…” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes, we have followed our thoughts, inclinations, and strategies that may or may not have produced successful outcomes, even so, our exclusion of God has resulted in the displacement of our gift of faith. Using our limited human wisdom and strategies not only excludes God but challenges and dishonors His Infinite knowledge and wisdom.

God’s plan includes active participation in our spiritual journey which produces the growth, maturity, and mind-character transformation necessary to receive Eternal life. Self-reliance displaces our faith from God to ourselves. When we detour from the Path of Righteousness, our Father God allows us to experience hardships that human effort can never resolve.

Focusing on our problems instead of God’s unlimited power is the Red Flag that reveals lost faith. The habit of using our knowledge, prior experience, and strategies to resolve our challenges excluded God. Now we face the reality of our human limitations and our emotions of fear, doubt, anxiety, and discouragement have overpowered us. Yet, the root of the problem is that we do not know who God is and the attributes of His Righteous Character.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). In the Christian Community, not enough emphasis is placed on the life-saving, faith-building importance of studying the Bible. The Bible contains the Holy Scriptures and is our Spiritual Guide to living righteously. In great detail, God defines the attributes of His Righteous Character so we will know the difference between Him speaking to us and Satan’s attempts to mislead us.

We are truly loved! The Bible gives us the history of God’s Loving Intervention in fighting the enemies threatening to overtake the righteous and the continuous forgiveness of our intentional rebellion of sinning against Him.

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).” Even when Adam and Eve chose to disobey which resulted in the loss of their home in the Garden of Eden, Christ had to shed blood by killing animals to clothe them. Sadly, even when forgiven, sin always creates a heart-wrenching payment.

God’s Original Plan for humanity included immortality. Adam and Eve were not created to die. Although many individuals blame God for the death of their loved ones, death is the result of sin and sin originated in Lucifer’s heart. God tells us “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). When Christ comes again, God’s Holy Name will be vindicated! Yes and Amen!

For many years, my Christian journey did not include Bible Study. The spirit of self-reliance produced a roller-coaster of spiritual and emotional highs and lows. If all was well, I was overjoyed. Eventually, a major life event caused me to stand at the Crossroads of Faith. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in many ways to study the Scriptures. Much prayer and daily Bible study have strengthened my faith in God and enabled me to live a Faith-based life dependent on God. The Spirit of Defeat was replaced with a Spirit of Gratitude.

Faith Building Activities

Praise and Worship is our greatest defense against the spirit of defeat. God’s decision to create humanity included 24/7 access to heaven. Praying once or twice a day is not enough to remain focused on the love and power of God. We are living in the last days [2 Timothy 3] and desperately need Divine wisdom and strength to overcome.

When King Jehoshaphat prayed for God’s help when the three pagan armies came against him this was God’s answer:

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” —2 Chronicles 20:17

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

Including God in life’s routine duties builds our faith, trust, and dependency on our Heavenly Father. When unexpected adversity enters our lives, we will immediately fall to our knees and seek God. Pray for God to reveal His perfect will and ask for the strength to persevere through the trial. God is never in a hurry. His Divine help requires that we maintain our faith while waiting on His perfect timing.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14, NLT

In the season of waiting, pray prayers of gratitude thanking Him for the victory. We do not have to plead and beg our Heavenly Father to help us. God never forgets our prayers for help. Stand still [do not attempt to help God by using human strategies], all God asks of us is to honor and reverence Him with our unwavering faith.

Study 2 Chronicles chapter 20. The Bible reinforces our faith in God. To remain faithful and steadfast in our relationship with Christ requires Biblical knowledge. The spiritual understanding we receive converts our hearts and we willingly desire to serve God because we love Him.

Establish consistent study by dedicating alone time with God every day. Use 15 minutes of your lunchtime to pray and memorize at least one Scripture. Develop a 4-6 month schedule to study and learn Genesis 1-3 [The Beginning], the Four Gospels [The Life of Christ—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], and Revelation chapters 21-22 [Eternal Life in the New Heaven and New Earth].

The Spiritual Journey of living a victorious Christ-centered life is dependent on daily surrender, faithful obedience, much prayer, and focused study of the Holy Scriptures. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and a deeper understanding of the word of God. You will lose the Spirit of Defeat and enjoy the courage, peace, and happiness that God desires us to possess and your perception and desires will change as you begin to see life through spiritual eyes.

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].” —Isaiah 41:10, Amplified Bible

The journey of Faith will never be easy. Still, Yahweh Shammah promises to always be there. By embracing God’s love, we can live by faith and rely on God which gives us peace, hope, and a mindset of victory!

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4

Lord God, we ask for forgiveness for the sin of embracing self-reliance instead of totally depending on Your promises to give us victory. We commit to using our faith to believe that You are always here and will deliver us despite our circumstances. Thank you for your love and steadfast commitment to humanity. We pray for showers of blessings on this Holy Sabbath and ask this prayer in the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.