“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV).
From studying the Life of Christ, the one characteristic that was always present in His character was one of compassion.
“Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry…'”
“Then He went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Luke 7: 11-15, NIV).
[bier: a simple wooden frame used to carry the dead to the grave, essentially a portable bed for the corpse, rather than a modern enclosed coffin].
How can we demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to others? We must possess the Righteous Character traits of Christ.
“…and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3, NIV).
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5: 22-23).
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:23, NIV).
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (1 Corinthians 13:37-38).
Unconditional Love is the spiritual foundation necessary for the Holy Spirit to change our stony hearts [Ezekiel 36:26] into a loving heart filled with the Fruit of the Spirit.
In Jeremiah 17:9, God tells us the condition of every human heart. Although we would like to think that our hearts are naturally good, God tells us the hearts we inherited are not good.
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT).
Through our willingness to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, our hearts can be changed into the heart of Christ.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:7-8, NIV).
Bible Study: Matthew 5
Lord God, we ask you to cleanse our hearts from all unloving behaviors and unrighteous traits. We desire to have hearts filled with Your unconditional love. We ask for new hearts that love You and love others. We need Your Divine Help and Strength because we cannot change ourselves. Lord, we love You and thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in faith and in the Righteous Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'” (Matthew 11:28, NLT).
Overwhelming daily to-do lists combined with the unknown obstacles that occur throughout our day places a taxing effort on our mental, emotional, and physical health.
In fact, the busyness and distractions are preventing us from worshiping God every day through prayer and Bible Study, but God’s expectations have not changed. We were created to worship God seven days a week.
God’s Call to Worship and Obedience
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:6-7).
Without daily personal worship, we are disconnected from Christ, which forces us to live according to our own thoughts, resulting in a state of disobedience.
Cain, and Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, and the men in Athens who only expressed belief in “The Unknown God” reveal that God rejects worship from those with disobedient hearts, and those who worship false pagan deities.
Disobedience is rebellion against God, and separates us from a Holy and Righteous God. Disobeying God places the believer on the same spiritual status as an unbeliever.
Obedience to God Is Worship
Because of God’s love and His desire for us to spend intentional time with Him, our Heavenly Father blessed us with 24 hours to redirect our focus from the vicissitudes of life to focus on His Faithfulness.
Yes, God has provided a Spiritual Sabbatical of 24 hours to escape life’s relentless schedules and responsibilities, and to receive a complete Spiritual Restoration of our mind, body, and soul.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work…” (Exodus 20:8-10).
Because we honor God’s Commandment of not taking care of routine matters on the Sabbath, God blesses us with peace, joy, happiness, knowledge, wisdom, restoration, and spiritual healing.
The Sabbath protects us from the devastating impact on one’s health from life’s continuous stressors, still, we enjoy another benefit, a worry-free mind.
David reiterates God’s faithfulness to the righteous: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:5).
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, and from our obedience, we have the assurance that Jesus is Faithful: He promises to provide for us, and He does.
Yes, for our obedience, we also receive many rewards for honoring God’s Moral Law. From spending time in His presence every day, and engaging in Sabbath worship, our faith and confidence in God strengthens.
The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual wisdom to receive a deeper understanding of the Holy Scriptures, which empowers us to perceive life through spiritual eyes.
Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual process of growth and transformation.
Because our focus is spiritual, during the Sabbath hours, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit works on molding our characters into the Righteous Character of Christ [Study Galatians 5:22-23].
Not only are we blessed with an optimal level of spiritual health and wellness, studies prove that Sabbath keepers enjoy a higher level of mental, emotional, and physical wellness, do not experience premature aging, and enjoy longevity.
Obedience to God is rewarded by God, who blesses those who keep His Commandments with continuous spiritual prosperity, guidance, protection, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Creation Sabbath was established by God for humanity [Genesis, Chapters 1-2]. Adam and Eve were the first human beings who enjoyed the first Sabbath hours of worship with God, the Father, God, Jesus, the Son, and the angels.
The Bible does not explain to us how the joint Sabbath worship occurred between Adam and Eve, God, Jesus, and the angels. We can only imagine the beauty of worshiping God face-to-face as Adam and Eve did before they sinned.
Jesus Says: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14).
“And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:23).
Throughout eternity, God will continue the observance of the Holy Sabbath, a time of rejoicing because the righteous will be home at last.
And after the 1,000 years following Jesus’ Second Coming, our Triumphant King will destroy Satan, those who chose to follow The Great Deceiver, and this present Earth.
“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.'” (revelation 21:5).
Our Lord, Savior, and King will create the New Heaven and New Earth for the faithful, obedient believers who [in their earthly lives] followed Christ, and lived a sacrificial life of self-denial, guided by the Holy Spirit. Yes and Amen!
Lord God we thank You for Your amazing love and faithfulness. And we thank You for the blessing of the Holy Sabbath, a time of worship, spiritual enlightenment, and the renewal of our mental, emotional, and physical health. We look forward to the time when we will praise and worship You face-to-face for eternity. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
“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, NKJV)
Modern Biblical translation: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
“In Hebrew, tsalach (צָלַח) means to prosper, succeed, advance, break through, or flourish, often implying overcoming obstacles or moving forward mightily, not financial gain, but spiritual and personal progress, like Joseph in the Bible, signifying God’s empowering presence leading to success and flourishing.”
“The Greek word translated as ‘prosper’ is euodoutai, which means to progress, to develop in a positive way, to have a good journey, to go well.”
“A prospering soul is spiritually healthy, growing in faith, and aligning with God’s truth. For a soul to prosper implies a developing spiritual walk marked by integrity, peace, joy, and a deepening relationship with God.”
Truthfully, like the Israelites in Egypt, many of today’s Christians have embraced the pagan beliefs of our counterparts, and we associate the word “prosperity” with [$$$] wealth, materialism, and elevated social status.
The Prosperity Message is a false teaching that emphasizes the acquisition of wealth, material possessions, and success, yet it is not in alignment with God’s teachings of Holy Scripture.
We know who [Satan] developed this false, but highly effective message that continues to deceive and distract many Believers from being loyal to God by redirecting their focus to acquiring earthly treasures.
The fall of Adam and Eve proves that we are never satisfied with God’s blessings. Satan knows the condition of the human heart; we always desire more than what we have.
Jesus’ Command Protects Us: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
After Jesus completed His fast of 40 days in the wilderness, Satan’s third temptation to Christ was based on wealth and success: Jesus’ Response to Satan Clarifies God’s Righteous Principles on Materialism.
The Temptation: “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.'”
Jesus Used the Sword, The Word of God, and Satan Left: “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended Him.” (Matthew 4:8-11, NIV).
We have given Satan the advantage over us because we do not know or understand who we are through Christ Jesus. We are the Sons and Daughters of God who will inherit the Crown of Life—Immortality in the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, Salvation is free, but Eternal Life is a reward for our faithful obedience and spiritual works [Revelation 22:12].
Our Identity: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26); “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence.” (Ephesians 1:4)
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9).
“You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” (Psalm 8:5-6). When Christ created Adam, He gave Adam Dominion—Rulership over the Planet Earth.
Adam sinned, lost dominion, which Satan gained; but when Jesus said, “It is finished!” On Calvary’s Cross, our Triumphant King not only completed the Plan of Redemption, but He gained dominion over the Earth! Hallelujah and Amen! Study Revelation 19 to learn the end of the story.
Jesus Gives Us Insight Into the Future: The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, so they attempted to challenge Jesus: “In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For all of them were married to her. Jesus answered, ‘You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven…” (Matthew 22:28-30).
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer…For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Satan’s temptations are effective for two reasons: 1. We do not understand Satan’s diabolical mind. Christ created Lucifer with superior intelligence, and we forget that Satan is a fallen angel that possesses intellect and wisdom beyond and above human intellect.
2. “My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6). Satan has an advantage over most Believers: He knows the Holy Scriptures, and he also knows that we do not study the Bible, which makes us easy prey for this Predator of human souls.
Satan is not Omniscient; he cannot read our minds or thoughts, but from observing our lifestyles, if we are disloyal and disobedient, we easily reveal our true spiritual status with God.
Sadly, from our refusal to study the Bible that God has given to empower and guide us, Satan is overly confident that his temptations will make us fall.
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).
And the roaring lion’s temptations will continue to bombard the Christian Community because we desire the same lifestyle as unbelievers, who live to gain prosperity on an Earth that will be destroyed.
“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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13).
Brothers and Sisters, The Great Controversy of Good and Evil is a Spiritual War between Christ and Satan. We are Satan’s target! He is after our souls, and it’s time for us to stop chasing our desires and pledge our Allegiance to the Most High and Holy God!
Jesus, Our Mighty Warrior’s Plan:
1. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
2. “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).
God’s plan is to give us a perfect eternity with Him, in the New Heaven and New Earth, which requires the commitment to live a sacrificial life.
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” (Matthew 9:9, BSB).
When we accepted Christ as our personal Savior, like Matthew, we became Jesus’ disciples, who dedicated ourselves to following our Faithful Shepherd with love, loyalty, and obedience.
Have this conversation with yourself: “Do I believe that Jesus loves me?” “Do I believe that God is interested in my personal struggles?” “Do I believe that God will help me live as a Victorious Overcomer?”
A heart overflowing with love for Jesus is revealed through a lifestyle of daily surrender, faithful obedience, seeking guidance in prayer, and studying the Holy Scriptures. Church attendance is good, but once-a-week worship cannot give the Spiritual Nourishment and Power that daily personal worship provides.
Being a soldier in God’s Army requires total commitment. Every day, we separate ourselves from others to worship God privately.
A reverent atmosphere of solitude and silence is required for us to be in God’s Holy Presence, resulting in the Holy Spirit empowering us with Jesus’ Divine Wisdom, Discernment, and Spiritual Strength.
Three Promises Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
“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).
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).
Brothers and Sisters, All or Nothing is required to love Christ. Do not give up your eternal inheritance for this earth’s temporary trinkets. Peace and Blessings.
Bible Study: Ephesians 6, Revelation 19-22
Lord God, we have come to our senses, knowing that we desperately need You to overcome the internal conflict of our desires and the external opposition of temptations. We confess that we have not loved You as You deserve, and for this we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we ask you to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, fill us with your Holy Spirit, and teach us how to think, speak, and live holy. In faith, we ask this prayer for strength and restoration in the loving and Powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
“The psalmist affirmed, ‘The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5–6).
“No matter what we face, day or night, the Lord stands over us as a protective shield. Through every trial and storm, God is our constant shelter and refuge (Psalm 46:1; 91:1; Proverbs 18:10). Our good and loving Lord will protect us from every evil (Psalm 121:7).”
“If a believer should ask you, ‘Where does my help come from?’ You can offer them this remarkable assurance: At all times, no matter where you go, and for as long as you live, the Bible declares, ‘Your help comes from the Lord!’ ” (Psalm 121:8).
Lord God, we thank you for giving us the Holy Scriptures that reveal Your overwhelming love for us and Your desire for us to put You first in our lives. We commit to living a consecrated life, dedicated to following Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, Protector, and Triumphant King who is coming soon. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7).
The best decision I made in 2025 was to stop thinking my own thoughts and go to God in Prayer regarding every aspect of my life. At first, I experienced ambivalent feelings that I really had to pray through, but as I started studying the Bible more, and verbalized every day, “God loves me, and I began really trusting Him with my life!” Yes and Amen!
Because we face so many distractions, we may not take the time to engage daily in personal worship with God. But praying and studying the Bible invites the Holy Spirit to strengthen us. Not only does our knowledge increase, we also learn God’s Loving Character and Sovereign Power, and Christ showers us with his comfort and peace.
We will never regret becoming fully dependent on God who tells us, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Give God the opportunity to reveal His love as your Heavenly Father. Peace and Blessings
Bible Study: The Book of Exodus, which reveals God Ultimate Authority, and Miraculous Power.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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